AKRON – Tippecanoe Valley Middle School teacher Niki Early knew some students were not receiving an adequate amount of food each day.

Early told the Tippecanoe Valley School Board Monday night that they were already providing food through the Boomerang Backpacks program, but more was needed. Food items are sent home with students in need each weekend to supplement meals, Early said, but  “kids would eat it on the way home.”

So Early started seeking ways to fund extra snacks and full meals. The Vikings Vittles Program, started in October, is providing 31 students with assistance.

She said a dance and a hayride raised funds to get the program going, and donations from local businesses, churches, school staff and the community have helped.



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A Kosciusko County REMC Operation Roundup Grant of $1,500 was accepted by the board for the new program. Early said Martin’s Super Market donated turkeys and hams over the holidays, as well as cash.

Early said they were paying $50 to $75 a week to meet student needs, but it’s up to  $100 now.

Sixth-grade students involved in GradWay pack the backpacks each week as a part of their community service.

Students can sign up for the backpack programs confidentially and parents are asked to sign permission slips.

Anyone wishing to support the efforts can designate donations through the treasurer’s office at TVMS.



New Administrator

The school board officially appointed Brandon Kresca as assistant principal for Tippecanoe Valley High School.

Kresca comes to TVHS from Grissom Middle School, part of the Penn-Harris Madison Schools in Mishawaka, where he was an eighth-grade English language arts teacher.

“I am blessed to have received this opportunity to join the Tippecanoe Valley Vikings family,” Kresca said Monday. “I look forward to working with staff and students to continue the great culture of excellence at TVHS.”



Drive 4 UR School

The board extended its appreciation to Kerlin Ford for helping to raise $6,000 at the Drive 4 UR School event. Valerie Warner and Rick Kerlin presented a check to TVHS at the Feb. 6 board meeting.

Drive 4 UR  School began in 2007 in an effort to give back to local communities. Area residents test-drove a Ford vehicle from the local dealership. Ford, through Kerlin Ford, made a donation for every test drive.

Events held through the program have netted $35 million in donations across the country.



Grants

The Kosciusko County Endowment Youth Services (KEYS) grants have provided extra materials for several classrooms in the Tippecanoe Valley Schools. The school board accepted the following grants on Feb. 6: Hayley Cooper, Akron Elementary, supplies for play centers, $850; Chris Rassi, Akron Elementary, supplies for Makerspace Stations, $402; Hayley Whitaker, Akron Elementary, Blocks for Choice Play, $325; Jeanna Lidecker, Little Vikings Preschool; materials for block building center, $644; Amanda Medley, Mentone Elementary, books for classroom library, $560; Lee Ann Rick, Mentone Elementary, books for classroom library, $140; and Chelsea Brubaker, TVMS, supplies for Life Skills Program, $500.

During his annual report to the school board, TVMS Principal Scott Backus outlined a number of highlights this school year.

Backus said they used a $45,000 Title I Grant in a number of different ways, including teacher professional development, 12 weeks extra support for at-risk students, field trips and technology support.

Backus outlined the success of the TVMS Spell Bowl Team; choral group of 76 students; band with 83 members; and the wrestling, cheerleading, basketball, football, volleyball, cross country and golf teams. He said they are starting  a soccer team.