Valley Works Out Details Of 1:1 Technology Program

May 9, 2017 at 3:55 p.m.

By Carol Anders-

AKRON – As the Tippecanoe Valley High School prepares to incorporate 1:1 technology for all students for the 2017-18 school year, Technology Director Keith Lang continues to iron out the final details.

Lang appeared before the school board Monday to describe how a proposed TVHS 1:1 Device Protection Plan would work. Although purchasing the protection plan (insurance) will not be mandatory, Lang is hoping students and parents will purchase the protection that is being offered. The plan cost would be $35 per year. Students who qualify for free and reduced lunches would pay $25 per year.

Insurance costs previously offered was $51 per year, according to Lang.

Lang had advised the board at a previous meeting that his technicians would be performing needed repairs in house in order to save money.

Lang said the first-time claim for accidental damage would be paid at 100 percent. A second claim would incur a $25 deductible, and a third a $35 deductible.

In order to be covered in the event of theft, a student or parent would have to file a police report.

Replacement costs for one device is $525 and would be the charge if the device was not under the protection plan.

The corporation is purchasing some 600 Dell Latitude Laptops.

The board voted 5-0 to accept the plan outlined by Lang.

TVMS will be on trimester model beginning with the 2017-18 school year. Speaking for the change was Principal Scott Backus. Backus said the trimester system will keep the necessity for students in special education and those in band/choir from being pulled out of a study hall.

Backus went on to say that the model would even out class sizes and provide better support for kids who are struggling. He said study halls would be monitored by a teacher.

The board members approved the change by a vote of 5-0.

In other matters, Akron Elementary Principal Chrissy Mills recognized several groups of students for their achievements.

The Akron Hoosier Spell Bowl Team for grades four and five participated in competition at Wabash Middle School in November where they placed third in their division. This is the 24th Akron team to compete. The team is coached by Hillary Parker.

Students from Akron, under the direction of Julie Baxter, joined in the statewide choral festival. The event, titled “Circle the State with Song,” brings participants from 12 designated areas. Students are chosen by their music teachers to be included.

All of the students from around the state performed together at the Honeywell Center in Wabash in February.

This is the first year that Akron has had a robotics team. The team adopted the name Ak-robotics and attended two competitions placing 14 of 26 at Noblesville and 19 of 23 at Maconaquah. Sponsors for the team are Miranda Figert and Ryan Adams.

The MATH Team participated at the 21st Annual Hoosier MATH Bowl at the Honeywell Center in February. The team placed first.

It was noted that students from Mentone Elementary placed second.

Mills also praised the Akron Student Council for being selected by the Indiana Association of Student Councils and IASC Honor Council for the 18th consecutive year,

Mills outlined the assessments tools that Akron Elementary has adopted to pinpoint areas of need for interventions with students. Mills said they give the assessments at the beginning of the school year, in the middle, and at the end of the year. This is the first year for the iReady and I Read testing. Mills said , “I hope when we get the ISTEP scores back, they will really show improvement.”

The board accepted a donation from the Beaver Dam United Methodist Church for $500. The donation is earmarked for the TVSC Boomerang Backpacks Program. They also accepted a grant of $950 from the Valley Hometown Fund for the TVHS’s T’s Boutique. The grant monies will be used for fixtures. The Boutique offers clothing for students.

The board recognized TVHS language arts teacher Shelly Engle for competing her doctorate degree in elementary education with a focus on reading from Ball State University. Engle shared a few of her insights that she incorporated in her final papers stemming from intervention techniques with Tippecanoe Valley students.

TVHS senior Jonathan Engle has been the student representative to the school board for two years. The board shared their appreciation for his service.

Boggs said he hopes many area residents will take advantage of an online auction of equipment and furnishing from Akron Elementary. The school is in the midst of a major renovation and a number of items have been replaced.

Those interested in seeing the list of items being offered can go to www.proxibid.com/assetauctions.

The auction started Saturday and ends Sunday.

AKRON – As the Tippecanoe Valley High School prepares to incorporate 1:1 technology for all students for the 2017-18 school year, Technology Director Keith Lang continues to iron out the final details.

Lang appeared before the school board Monday to describe how a proposed TVHS 1:1 Device Protection Plan would work. Although purchasing the protection plan (insurance) will not be mandatory, Lang is hoping students and parents will purchase the protection that is being offered. The plan cost would be $35 per year. Students who qualify for free and reduced lunches would pay $25 per year.

Insurance costs previously offered was $51 per year, according to Lang.

Lang had advised the board at a previous meeting that his technicians would be performing needed repairs in house in order to save money.

Lang said the first-time claim for accidental damage would be paid at 100 percent. A second claim would incur a $25 deductible, and a third a $35 deductible.

In order to be covered in the event of theft, a student or parent would have to file a police report.

Replacement costs for one device is $525 and would be the charge if the device was not under the protection plan.

The corporation is purchasing some 600 Dell Latitude Laptops.

The board voted 5-0 to accept the plan outlined by Lang.

TVMS will be on trimester model beginning with the 2017-18 school year. Speaking for the change was Principal Scott Backus. Backus said the trimester system will keep the necessity for students in special education and those in band/choir from being pulled out of a study hall.

Backus went on to say that the model would even out class sizes and provide better support for kids who are struggling. He said study halls would be monitored by a teacher.

The board members approved the change by a vote of 5-0.

In other matters, Akron Elementary Principal Chrissy Mills recognized several groups of students for their achievements.

The Akron Hoosier Spell Bowl Team for grades four and five participated in competition at Wabash Middle School in November where they placed third in their division. This is the 24th Akron team to compete. The team is coached by Hillary Parker.

Students from Akron, under the direction of Julie Baxter, joined in the statewide choral festival. The event, titled “Circle the State with Song,” brings participants from 12 designated areas. Students are chosen by their music teachers to be included.

All of the students from around the state performed together at the Honeywell Center in Wabash in February.

This is the first year that Akron has had a robotics team. The team adopted the name Ak-robotics and attended two competitions placing 14 of 26 at Noblesville and 19 of 23 at Maconaquah. Sponsors for the team are Miranda Figert and Ryan Adams.

The MATH Team participated at the 21st Annual Hoosier MATH Bowl at the Honeywell Center in February. The team placed first.

It was noted that students from Mentone Elementary placed second.

Mills also praised the Akron Student Council for being selected by the Indiana Association of Student Councils and IASC Honor Council for the 18th consecutive year,

Mills outlined the assessments tools that Akron Elementary has adopted to pinpoint areas of need for interventions with students. Mills said they give the assessments at the beginning of the school year, in the middle, and at the end of the year. This is the first year for the iReady and I Read testing. Mills said , “I hope when we get the ISTEP scores back, they will really show improvement.”

The board accepted a donation from the Beaver Dam United Methodist Church for $500. The donation is earmarked for the TVSC Boomerang Backpacks Program. They also accepted a grant of $950 from the Valley Hometown Fund for the TVHS’s T’s Boutique. The grant monies will be used for fixtures. The Boutique offers clothing for students.

The board recognized TVHS language arts teacher Shelly Engle for competing her doctorate degree in elementary education with a focus on reading from Ball State University. Engle shared a few of her insights that she incorporated in her final papers stemming from intervention techniques with Tippecanoe Valley students.

TVHS senior Jonathan Engle has been the student representative to the school board for two years. The board shared their appreciation for his service.

Boggs said he hopes many area residents will take advantage of an online auction of equipment and furnishing from Akron Elementary. The school is in the midst of a major renovation and a number of items have been replaced.

Those interested in seeing the list of items being offered can go to www.proxibid.com/assetauctions.

The auction started Saturday and ends Sunday.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


AWL To Hold ‘Empty The Shelters’ Event Starting Thursday
PIERCETON – Starting Thursday and going through May 15, the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County is reducing the adoption fees for adult dogs and cats and kittens sponsored through the Bissell Pet Foundation’s spring Empty the Shelters event.

County Health Board Discusses Birth Certificates, Funding For Health First Kosciusko
Kosciusko County Board of Health members held a regular meeting Monday to discuss changes regarding birth and death certificates in Indiana and funding needs in Kosciusko County.

Milford Man Arrested For Criminal Recklessness While Armed With A Deadly Weapon
A Milford man was arrested after allegedly firing a shotgun in the air two times.

Syracuse Man Arrested After Allegedly Impersonating Law Enforcement Officer
A Syracuse man was arrested after allegedly impersonating a law enforcement officer.

North Webster YMCA Celebrates Renovations, New Equipment
NORTH WEBSTER - For over 20 years, the YMCA has had a presence in the North Webster Community Center (NWCC).