Tippecanoe Valley Works To Save Historic Tree At Mentone Elementary
June 13, 2017 at 7:15 p.m.
By Carol Anders-
The 75-year-old tree was brought to Indiana from Florida by former Mentone School Principal Dale Kelley in the early ’40s. It was then planted by agricultural teacher Pat Harrison and his students as a part of an Arbor Day celebration.
Appearing before the board were Lee Markley, president of the Mentone High School Alumni; Tim Croy, member of the Mentone Town Council; and Linda Cochran, Mentone historian.
There had been ongoing discussion on the possibility of removing the tree. The portion of the school built in 1967 has a flat roof. When needles drop from the tree in the fall, they are blown to the school roof and clog the drainage to the point that there is standing water. However, before proceeding with cutting down the tree, Superintendent Brett Boggs sought out the history of the tree. Boggs said when he learned of the historical significance to the community, a decision to keep the tree standing was made.
Markley said the alumni has raised nearly $300 to erect a plaque near the tree commemorating its history. Markley said they do not have a quote on the cost, but said the Manwaring family has volunteered to donate any more funds that would be needed. The alumni group also plans to have a picture and signage of the tree inside the school building.
After the meeting, Boggs said the maintenance staff will clean away debris on a regular basis to alleviate the flooding problem.
According to Markley, there are only two other bald cypress trees in the area. He said one is on Winona Avenue, Winona Lake, and a second on the road between Leesburg and Tippecanoe Lake. Bald cypress trees are rare in northern Indiana since they are usually found in wet areas such as swamps.
In other matters, the board voted unanimously to accept a number of donations.
The Kosciusko County Community Foundation awarded $14,000 to the Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. The award will be used to help implement the plans that are part of the Lilly Comprehensive Counseling Initiative.
Mentone music teacher Tana Tinkey was awarded a $4,000 grant from the Foundation Board of Directors as well. The grant is for a LifeTouch interactive touchscreen and laptop computer for her classroom.
Andrea Michael, media specialist, was awarded a KEYS Grant of $1,500 to cover the costs of bringing author and speaker Chad Vargas to the schools in fall 2017-18 school year.
TVHS art teacher Lisa Lynch received an award of $7,500 through the Art Dekko Initiative. The funds are earmarked to purchase a spray booth, duct work and spray paint. The booth will allow students to create backgrounds and stencil art.
The United Way of Kosciusko County awarded the corporation grant funding of $25,000. Homework Help (Bulldog Buddies at Mentone Elementary and Flyer Time at Akron Elementary) was awarded $9,000. The two classes of Kindergarten Readiness at Mentone Elementary was awarded $16,000.
Cargill Nutrena Feeds of Mentone donated $3,800 to the Tippecanoe Valley Boomerang Backpacks program. Kim Backus helped to facilitate the fund for the program that supplements food for 150 families in the community each week.
Boggs introduced Meagan Wilkes, Mentone Kindergarten Readiness Center, as he recognized the center for achieving a Level 3 certification rating from Paths to Quality. The certification comes with a cash award of $1,000. Boggs said he appreciated the work of Randy Dahms, program director; Ashley Dubois and Holly Bradford, teachers; Kari Thompson and Meredith Adams, instructional assistants; and Wilkes, who competed the paperwork needed for certification.
The board members also approved the TVSC Wellness Policy updates. Betsy Hines, Fulton County Purdue Extension Office, helped to update the policy and gave an overview to the board. Updates included by areas , but not limited to, were promoting a walking club during recess time, brain breaks for students, USDA nutrition programs and school meals, and nutrition standards for competitive and other food beverages.
Upcoming board meetings are scheduled for June 26, capital projects fund workshop; July 10, Aug. 14 and Sept. 11.
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The 75-year-old tree was brought to Indiana from Florida by former Mentone School Principal Dale Kelley in the early ’40s. It was then planted by agricultural teacher Pat Harrison and his students as a part of an Arbor Day celebration.
Appearing before the board were Lee Markley, president of the Mentone High School Alumni; Tim Croy, member of the Mentone Town Council; and Linda Cochran, Mentone historian.
There had been ongoing discussion on the possibility of removing the tree. The portion of the school built in 1967 has a flat roof. When needles drop from the tree in the fall, they are blown to the school roof and clog the drainage to the point that there is standing water. However, before proceeding with cutting down the tree, Superintendent Brett Boggs sought out the history of the tree. Boggs said when he learned of the historical significance to the community, a decision to keep the tree standing was made.
Markley said the alumni has raised nearly $300 to erect a plaque near the tree commemorating its history. Markley said they do not have a quote on the cost, but said the Manwaring family has volunteered to donate any more funds that would be needed. The alumni group also plans to have a picture and signage of the tree inside the school building.
After the meeting, Boggs said the maintenance staff will clean away debris on a regular basis to alleviate the flooding problem.
According to Markley, there are only two other bald cypress trees in the area. He said one is on Winona Avenue, Winona Lake, and a second on the road between Leesburg and Tippecanoe Lake. Bald cypress trees are rare in northern Indiana since they are usually found in wet areas such as swamps.
In other matters, the board voted unanimously to accept a number of donations.
The Kosciusko County Community Foundation awarded $14,000 to the Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. The award will be used to help implement the plans that are part of the Lilly Comprehensive Counseling Initiative.
Mentone music teacher Tana Tinkey was awarded a $4,000 grant from the Foundation Board of Directors as well. The grant is for a LifeTouch interactive touchscreen and laptop computer for her classroom.
Andrea Michael, media specialist, was awarded a KEYS Grant of $1,500 to cover the costs of bringing author and speaker Chad Vargas to the schools in fall 2017-18 school year.
TVHS art teacher Lisa Lynch received an award of $7,500 through the Art Dekko Initiative. The funds are earmarked to purchase a spray booth, duct work and spray paint. The booth will allow students to create backgrounds and stencil art.
The United Way of Kosciusko County awarded the corporation grant funding of $25,000. Homework Help (Bulldog Buddies at Mentone Elementary and Flyer Time at Akron Elementary) was awarded $9,000. The two classes of Kindergarten Readiness at Mentone Elementary was awarded $16,000.
Cargill Nutrena Feeds of Mentone donated $3,800 to the Tippecanoe Valley Boomerang Backpacks program. Kim Backus helped to facilitate the fund for the program that supplements food for 150 families in the community each week.
Boggs introduced Meagan Wilkes, Mentone Kindergarten Readiness Center, as he recognized the center for achieving a Level 3 certification rating from Paths to Quality. The certification comes with a cash award of $1,000. Boggs said he appreciated the work of Randy Dahms, program director; Ashley Dubois and Holly Bradford, teachers; Kari Thompson and Meredith Adams, instructional assistants; and Wilkes, who competed the paperwork needed for certification.
The board members also approved the TVSC Wellness Policy updates. Betsy Hines, Fulton County Purdue Extension Office, helped to update the policy and gave an overview to the board. Updates included by areas , but not limited to, were promoting a walking club during recess time, brain breaks for students, USDA nutrition programs and school meals, and nutrition standards for competitive and other food beverages.
Upcoming board meetings are scheduled for June 26, capital projects fund workshop; July 10, Aug. 14 and Sept. 11.
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