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MENTONE - Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. board members approved a new program, Peers Educating Peers, Monday at the board meeting. The program was initiated and presented by student liaison board member and junior student government member Gail Rathbun.
She first presented the program information to board members Jan. 15.
Monday's presentation included an informational video, guest speakers and a question-answer period, in which Rathbun said: "Do you have any questions? You've had a month to think about it."
Board members found this amusing. They said she was beginning to see how the board process works. Rathbun's first meeting with the school board as a student liaison member was Sept. 11.
PEP, an abstinence education program in grades six through eight at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School, will be conducted by Tippecanoe Valley High School student mentors.
Rathbun said on Jan. 15, Rochester implemented PEP nearly three years ago. She thought if they could make it work, so could Tippecanoe. She invited Carol Gottschalk and Michelle Howard, both active in Rochester's PEP program, to speak to board members Monday on the success of the program within their school district.
Howard, PEP coordinator for Rochester and a Rochester Middle School teacher, said the program has been "very well received by students. The verbal feedback is excellent. The kids like the message coming from high school students."
The PEP program consists of a group of high school mentors traveling to the middle school to speak to students on topics that include healthy relationships, abstinence and "what real love is."
"I think the high school students are really raising the standards for middle school students," Howard said.
"The PEP program does have a parent booklet that goes along with it," Gottschalk, member of Rochester's Aids Advisory Council, said. She said they are trying to "empower the parents" and get them involved in the program because the message is a lot stronger with parental support.
Board president Rod Eaton said approving the PEP program would not be difficult. "This is one of the easy things, like getting money," he said.
After receiving approval to implement the new PEP program, board member David O'Brien wished Rathbun "the best of luck and success" with the program.
In other business:
• Chris Hileman and technology director Brad Hagg were recognized for the development of the TVSC Website.
Hagg said the Website will include a district map, corporate calendar, school corporation's mission statement, sports information, grade-level expectations, job openings, a list of education resources, school board meeting minutes and agendas, an administration site and a Web page for each school within Tippecanoe School Corp., with other items and links.
"As teachers design their own Web pages, we'll be linking those," Hagg said. "So that's something you can look for."
On the Net: www.tvsc.k12.in.uf
• TVHS, TVMS and Burket Elementary School received funds from the Indiana Department of Education because they qualified as schools for the Indiana School Improvement Award through the Indiana School Incentive Award Program.
TVHS received $2,931.41. TVMS received $2,944.36 and BES received $658.33.
• The purchase of laptop computers for each board member was discussed. Hagg presented information to board members saying funds were available.
The board considered laptops last year, but the money was not budgeted.
After a lengthy discussion, the board to use the money toward benefits to students.
TVHS Principal Charlie Mills said there may be some laptops available for them from the high school if they don't mind used ones. The board decided to wait and get old laptops from the high school when they are available.
• Members of Burket, Mentone and Akron elementary schools' M.A.T.H. teams were recognized.
• The next school board meetings are scheduled for March 12 at 7 p.m. and April 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mentone Elementary School board room.
The Tippecanoe Valley School Board comprises: president Rod Eaton, David O'Brien, Hal Hoffman, Tom Weaver and Mark Wise. Superintendent is Dr. Karen S. Boling.
