[Southsider2k12]

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...9856b150bb.html

MICHIGAN CITY | Michigan City Area Schools elementary and middle school students collected more than a million pop tabs in just two months, in a community service project to benefit Ronald McDonald House.

Students, parents, teachers, administrators, and staff district-wide collected 1,013,600 pop tabs for the project between March 1 and April 30. The aluminum-rich tabs will be recycled and proceeds (approximately $500) will benefit the Ronald McDonald Houses in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.

At each school, Safe Harbor and Hours for Ours students created displays and promoted the collection drive, which netted eight 55-gallon garbage cans of tabs, each weighing in at more than 100 pounds. Springfield Elementary collected the most tabs, filling one garbage can plus 25 full coffee cans, while both Joy and Coolspring were close behind, filling one garbage can and five coffee cans.

For their efforts, students at Springfield were treated to a school assembly on May 26, featuring a visit from none other than Ronald McDonald himself. Ronald and his assistant, Ms. Niki Nik, delivered a lively presentation called "Get Up Get Active" to thank the children.

Safe Harbor and Hours for Ours plans to make the pop tab collection effort an annual event, and encourages community residents to save tabs. They may be dropped off at any MCAS elementary or middle school, beginning next Fall.

Sidebar: Pop Tab Fun Facts

• One pound of tabs is about 1,267 tabs

• Each tab measures about 1 inch, so there are 12 tabs - when placed end to end - in a foot and 40 in a meter.

• To reach a mile, when placing tabs end to end, would take 63,360 tabs.

• 1 million tabs end to end would stretch 16.75 miles.

Q: Why did students collect pop tabs and not the entire can?

A: Pop tabs are smaller, more hygienic, and easier to store. They are also paint free and pure aluminum, which increases their value when recycled.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...38376108725.txt

Schools honor ENL staff and students at board meeting

Published: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Michigan City Area Schools English as a New Language department has met and exceeded Indiana Department of Education state standards for the school corporation’s ENL students for the past five years.

The English as a New Language staff recognizes teachers, aides and administrators each year who have gone above and beyond in helping ENL students, those whose primary language is not English.

This year they also honored an ENL student who has exhibited this “can do” attitude ... Jamal Ashy is a student at Elston. He was honored for his progress in academics, his positive attitude, and his success in athletics.

[Southsider2k12]

http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/articles/20...b4298846869.txt

Students joined at dinner by teachers who inspired them

Alex Uryga (second from left) poses with his parents, Jeff (left) and Pam, and science teacher Terry Strawbridge (far right). Photo by Scott Allen
By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
Published: Friday, June 3, 2011 5:09 PM CDT
LONG BEACH — This Michigan City High School Class of 2011 is something, Principal Mark Francesconi told the graduates-to be, their family members and the honored teachers who accompanied them Thursday night to the annual Distinguished Graduates Dinner at Long Beach Country Club.

“Never before have we had so many distinguished graduates,” Francesconi said. “We have 30.”

The honored teachers and other teachers contributed to the educational experience, he said, but parents deserve enormous credit for the success of their students as well.

Some modest parents said their students deserve the credit.

Click here to find out more!
“He has always been a good student,” said Jeff Uryga, father of Alex Uryga. His mother, Pam, agreed.

Terry Strawbridge, who taught Alex’s freshman biology class, said he admires Alex’s “unbelievable work ethic. He often stayed after class to discuss the assignments.”

Alex’s attitude and his curiosity about the subject matter made him “a pleasure to have in class,” Strawbridge said.

Robert Avila’s teacher made a similar observation. Robert is naturally curious and interested in learning, biology teacher Tammy Rinker noted.

“He is helpful and he is always, always a gentleman,” Rinker added. “ He is a very special young man.

Robert will attend Butler University to study pharmacy. He credits his father, John, and his late mother, Elizabeth, with encouraging his intellectual pursuits. John, however, said his teachers deserve much of the credit for Robert’s success.

“I would like to say I am grateful that my son had such a wonderful teacher as Ms. Rinker,” he said.

Elizabeth Dobbens invited English teacher Fran Booth to accompany her to the event. Elizabeth, the daughter of Maryann Smith, plans to study biochemistry. Booth chuckled, saying she wasn’t sure she could spell biochemistry, let alone study it.

Elizabeth said Booth not only taught her English, but she also taught her how to learn.

Booth described the Class of 2011 in the most interesting way. Four years ago, she was going to retire. Then, she met members of this year’s graduating class, and they made her want to stay around for four more years to how they would develop.

Three members of the class will attend the University of Notre Dame. Two plan to study architecture at Ball State University. Several plan to teach. At least one hopes to be a physician.

While MCHS officials still are collecting information on scholarships and calculating their worth, according to Betsy Kohn, Michigan City Area Schools director of communications, said the figure now approaches $2 million.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...f3469252593.txt

Student helps zoo animals with his birthday 'pay it forward' wish

Washington Park Zoo Education Curator Julia Dare-Cole, left, is shown with donations from Tyler Juzwiak, 7, center , and Conner Juzwiak, 8. Items donated by Tyler’s birthday party guests included dog bones, rawhides, leashes, metal bowls, bird seed, all types of jam, peanut butter, blankets, baby toys and animal books. Photo provided
By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Monday, June 6, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY - Joy Elementary School students have been learning the "Pay it Forward" concept, doing something for someone else to make a difference, throughout this school year.

First-grader Tyler Juzwiak could hardly wait to put what he had been taught into action.

Tyler's birthday celebration was held at AMC Showplace May 26. But instead of asking for gifts, the 7-year-old wanted to do something to help one of his favorite places, the Washington Park Zoo.

"I love animals," Tyler said. "We used to come to the zoo a lot."

Click here to find out more!
When Tyler's father, Don Juzwiak heard of his plan, he contacted the zoo and was given a "wish list" of items the zoo needs.

"When we sent out the invitations, we said that in lieu of gifts, Tyler's classmates should bring something to help the zoo, and gave them the list of items," Don said.

Fifteen of Tyler's classmates came to the movie theater on the day of the party. Don said he was "overwhelmed" by the number of items that the guests donated in honor of Tyler's birthday.

"There were three big tubs and five shopping bags worth of stuff," Don said.

Among the items were dog leashes, bird seed, blankets, peanut butter, jam and sugar-free jelly beans.

"Some of the kids said it was a cool thing to do, and the moms said they may plan something similar for their birthday parties," Don said.

Washington Park Zoo Education Curator Julia Dare-Cole originally gave the "wish list" to Don.

"It was a wonderful idea," Dare-Cole said. "We were very happy to see what an unselfish idea Tyler had for his birthday."

Tyler said when he gets older, he would like to have two jobs — being a police officer and working at a zoo.

Tyler thanked his mother, Michelle Juzwiak, for help with walking him through the idea he had.

"His mother and I are very proud of what he has done," Don said. "We think it is neat. He is a very strong reader and loves animals."

Tyler said his favorite animals are the mountain lions, sea otters and bobcats.

Want to help?

Washington Park Zoo has created a list of items that people can donate to help the animals.

Included in the list are:

• Animal care products such as shovels, kennels, cages and crates.

• Enrichment items such as jelly, applesauce, honey, maple syrup, boomer balls or any large type of ball, strawberry syrup, parrot toys, dried fruits, and raisins.

• The education department and veterinary clinic uses items such as a lap top computer or binocular microscopes.

• Tools and construction donations may include live trees, bushes, flowers (outdoor or indoor) and garden carts.

Contact the zoo at (219) 873-1510 to donate. The zoo is a non-profit organization. Tax deduction forms can be provided.

— Tim Moran

[Grammy515]

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte...52cce3a610.html

I think some of the teachers at Elston are BULLIES too. Will the bystanders stand up to them too?

[bandaid19]

I think some of the teachers at Elston are BULLIES too. Will the bystanders stand up to them too?

I think you might be missing the spirit and thought of the "positive MCAS talk" thread.

[MC Born & Raised]

I think you might be missing the spirit and thought of the "positive MCAS talk" thread.

If this were facebook, I would have clicked "like" on this.

[Grammy515]

If this were facebook, I would have clicked "like" on this.

MAYBE I MISSED THE SPIRIT.....OH WELL.....ISH HAPPENS.

[Tim]

MAYBE I MISSED THE SPIRIT.....OH WELL.....ISH HAPPENS.

lol@ "maybe".

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...0f866821493.txt

MCAS retirees honored

By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, June 16, 2011 5:09 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — This year’s class of retirees from Michigan City Area Schools represent “more than 960 combined years of years of service,” Superintendent Barbara Eason-Watkins told guests Wednesday night during the MCAS Retirement and Wall of Fame Dinner at Blue Chip Casino Stardust Event Center.

One of those retirees, Nick Sweigart, has a total of 55 years in education, Eason-Watkins noted, “but not all of them were in Michigan City.” He has been with MCAS for 26 years and here, he has served as a counselor at Elston Middle School and has been assistant principal and principal at Barker Middle School.

Cheryl Bohlim has been with Michigan City High School for 42 years as a teacher and coach. She and her good friend, Nancy Egan (37 years), have planned the retirement bash for many years now, and Phyllis Stark, Michigan City Education Association president, claims Bohlim and Egan will continue to plan the event even in retirement, but the teachers made no comment.

English teacher Fran Booth is just behind Bohlim with 41 years of service. Booth also collected thousands of new children’s books for needy children through the annual Operation Bookworm project at Christmas.

*
Eason-Watkins thanked all the retirees – teachers, custodians, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, secretaries and others – for their “years of selfless service to the children of our community.”

Retiring MCAS staff

Kris Alinsky (27 years) , Jerre Applegate (23 years), Marjory Bockover (37 years), Cheryl Bohlim, (42 years), Fran Booth (41years), Nancy Boyle (17 years), Ron Cabanaw (16 years), Kathi Dean (38½ years), Bennie Edwards (34 years), Nancy Egan (37 years), Kay Ellis (16 years), Teresa Fawley (37 years), Joe Hugley (20 years), Paul Johnson (39 years), Paula Jones (20 years), Mary Klosowski (17 years), Pam Levan (21 years), Patrick McDonald (37 years), John P. Mokrycki (31 years), Daryl Penfold (38 years), Liz Piekielniak (36 years), Jerri H. Primack (15 years),Anne Rain (31 years), Sharon Schnick (25 years), Ted Schroeder (16 years), Cindee Schroll (27 years), Peggy A. Scope (14 years), Faith Steinman (34 years), Nick Sweigart (26 years), Carol Teshima (16 years), Jacqué Thode (16 years) and Kathleen F. Turner (16 years).

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...c6746661394.txt

Krueger announces honor roll

Published: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Krueger Middle School has announced its honor roll.

6th Grade Principal Honor Roll

Jessica Gilbert

Jennifer Justice

*
6th Grade Honor Roll

Lily Baldwin

Kamryn Beal

Madison Emerick

Shelby Fredenburg

Tina Hampton

Ameer Hoskins

John Hull IV

Michael Hunnicutt

Andrew Jackson

Ariel Kendricks

Dylan Kennedy

Alee’yia Kirkwood

Pauline Lutton

Zariah Pegues

Kacie Plus

Adriann Reynolds

Makayla Ruder

Brittany Shark

Alexandria Smith

Destiny Sutton

Kaitlynn Thompson

Sarah Thurman

7th Grade Principal Honor Roll

Rachel Edwards

Kaitlin Emerick

Mohammad Hakim

Emily Knouse

Jordan Lane

Nancy Lopez

Alyssa Zook

7th Grade Honor Roll

Annabelle Andrisko

Jailah Blakely

Salina Burnham

Shannon Corbett

Loren Crawford

Sarah Crouch

Jasmine Davis

Kailynn Dolph

Anthony Evans

Nicholas Goolsby

Julia Haddad

McKenna Haynes

Bailey Holkan

Kyle Hurt

Nikole James

Marcus Lester

Nathan McDaniel

Maria Moisan

Amira Novitzke

Tadas Palinauskas

Alejandra Ramos

Caleb Raymer

Lauren Skeen

Benjamin Tylisz

Acacia Wallace

8th Grade Principal Honor Roll

Rachael Hennessey

Dakota Lombard

Brandon Rootes

Hayley Webb

8th Grade Honor Roll

Jacob Anderson

Marilyn Bahena

Shaylah Barron

Shayne Barron

Brent Buskirk

Aubrey Chan

Shelby Ford

Mia Foster

Devin Gallant

Christian Gibson

Terry Haas III

Danyalle Leeks

Garrett McDaniel

Andrew Orzech

Jacob Oshinski

Kayla Patrick

Kasey Pawlak

Brandon Plantinga

Lacey Sherwood

Tasia Simmons

Kylee Smith

Naomi Tucker

Debra Whitlow

Austin Williams

Alexander Wyman

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0.../doc4e1d1b00c12
9e276189688.txt

MCAS happy with ISTEP+ results

Math, language arts scores show improvement
By Amanda Jacobson
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, July 13, 2011 5:09 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — ISTEP+ test scores were released earlier this week, and the Michigan City Area Schools administration is pleased with the results.

At Tuesday's MCAS board meeting, Superintendent Barbara Eason-Watkins read the statistics for this year's MCAS' ISTEP+ performance.

Compared to last year's scores, MCAS improved its overall passing rates in math and language arts by 3.4 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively.

The school system maintained an overall student ISTEP+ student passage rate of 70.5 percent, which Associate Superintendent Xavier Botana contributes to the hard work and new programs implemented by MCAS staff.

*
"That's what we live and breathe," Botana said, "and is how to help our kids reach higher and higher levels of performance."

Although the majority of MCAS students performed better than last year, certain groups such as black students, special-education students and those receiving free or reduced lunches showed a need for improvement.

Eason-Watkins said in a press release the schools will continue to analyze ISTEP+ scores for all students over the next few weeks to promote and encourage the positive growth trend in scores next year.

As part of new programs implementation, Janice Radford, MCAS director of K-12 curriculum, proposed a new Springboard curriculum in addition to the school's existing curriculum at Tuesday's meeting.

Springboard is a more intensive language-arts curriculum designed to better prepare all students — regardless of school performance or grade level — for advanced placement courses at the high school level.

Radford explained this model to the board for approval at its next meeting.

Also at the meeting, the board appointed Mohamed Mroueh as Barker Middle School principal. The appointment came as a relief, Mroueh said, whose time has been split between completing his doctorate degree and serving MCAS.

"It's been a process," Mroueh said. "I was hoping to be recommended for the position, so I was relieved and excited and ready for the new challenge. It's been very interesting to say the least."

[Southsider2k12]

Michigan City Police Department
The 2011 Citywide Back to School Rally will be held at Elston Middle School (Gill Field) on FRIDAY, AUGUST 12th from 3:00-7:00 p.m.

Michigan City students of all ages (PreK-12) and their parents are invited to attend!

The event will feature games, free food, prizes, community exhibit booths, and special activities!
Come to the "POLICE BOOTH" and get a special gift for mentioning seeing this post!

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...81010620145.txt

Michigan City Area Schools hires two new assistant principals Tuesday

By Amanda Jacobson
Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 5:09 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Two new assistant principals were welcomed to the administration of Michigan City Area Schools Tuesday night at the MCAS School Board meeting, at 6 p.m.

Veronica Tobon was named the new assistant principal of Michigan City High School. She is from School City of Hammond, where she was assistant principal and dean of students at Hammond Clark High School.

The new assistant principal of Barker Middle School will be Amanda “Mandy” Sherrick. Some of her previous work has been with high school students in Valparaiso and La Porte, and she has been a language arts teacher and curriculum coach with MCAS for a number of years as well. This is Sherrick’s first administrative position with MCAS.

In addition to announcing two new assistant principals, MCAS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins added that six schools met their Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) goals, which is a one-school improvement from last year’s AYP results for MCAS.

*
Also at the meeting, an approval of travel reimbursement requests received a nearly unanimous vote, with only board member Beryle Burgwald opposed to its approval.

Burgwald voiced his opinion that travel expense requests for the school were “extensive and excessive,” saying he had never seen more travel requests in his time on the board.

Board President Jim Kintzele said the travel expense requests are something that the schools have had to consider after the fact in previous years. Kintzele added that this year the expense requests were filed early, to ensure all expenses are paid and were no surprise to the schools.

The board announced a “Spruce Up for School” event, planned for Friday, Aug. 19 from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are sought for the clean-up of area schools, and are encouraged to call (219) 873-2124 to register for a particular school or to be assigned a school to clean up.

Comments from a student at Michigan City High School brought up issues of staffing for music programs at MCHS, and the board reassured the public that there will be no attempt to do away with music programs or ROTC programs at any of the schools.

The next school board meeting will take place Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. in the MCAS Administrative Building on South Carroll Avenue in Michigan City.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...2e571241663.txt

Volunteers rally for MCAS event

Volunteers Kay Wojasinsia (from left), Danielle Plank and Patrice Huley help fill middle-school backpacks Thursday. Photos by Tim Moran
By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Friday, August 12, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — While many city residents may have spent a sunny, 72-degree Thursday morning outdoors, volunteers were tirelessly working to fill 1,800 backpacks that will be distributed to Michigan City Area Schools students at today’s City-Wide Back to School rally at Elston Middle School’s Gill Field.

The annual event in its third year has become more popular each time, said Pat Harris, City-Wide Back to School rally committee chairwoman. “It is one of the best things we do in Michigan City in serving our youth.

“More people are finding out about it, and the school system is doing a great job getting the word out.”

The first city-wide rally in 2009 saw volunteers fill 1,068 backpacks. The number increased to 1,467 in 2010 and an expected 1,800 this year.

*
“We expect it to grow and grow every year and eventually get up to 2,500 backpacks,” Harris said.

Different supplies were purchased, with the help of a $10,000 grant Michigan City Enrichment Corp. grant.

High school backpacks were filled with notebooks, pens, index cards and highlighters, while colored pencils and filler paper were among the items packed into the middle-school bags. Crayons, scissors and glue sticks were some of the supplies either purchased or donated for Pre-K, kindergarten and elementary students.

Committee member Rachel Weaver, who was in charge of gathering volunteers for Thursday’s preparation and today’s event, said about “30 to 40” people showed up to help fill the backpacks.

She said it was “pretty easy” to gather volunteers, many of which came from Purdue University-North Central.

“Everyone was very eager to come out and help,” she said.

Even more volunteers will be on hand for the main event, with WIMS’ Ric Federighi as the emcee, at Gill Field from 3 to 7 p.m. today.

Betsy Kohn, a member of the committee in charge of acquiring all the supplies, said a variety of activities will take place, with the 3-on-3 basketball tournament in Meer Gym and the Talent Show as a few of the most popular.

A “Double Dutch” 40-yard dash and tricycle races are planned as well.

Free food will be available to students, who must be accompanied by a parent to be given a backpack.

Kohn said in addition to the enrichment corporation grant, the school received “many donations from the community.

“People were dropping off backpacks, glue and other donations in the bins we had around the community,” she said.

She said many local banks, churches and businesses also dropped off items Wednesday afternoon.

Major sponsors of the event include the Michigan City Enrichment Corp., MDWise, which donated about 300 backpacks, Walmart and NIPSCO.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...6d899642700.txt

With confiscated shoes, police transform a negative into a positive

Michigan City Police Department Sgt. Chris Yagelski calls out numbers of student vouchers, corresponding to their respective pair of free shoes, on Friday during the MCAS Back-to-School Rally. Photo by Amanda Jacobson
By Amanda Jacobson
Staff Writer
Published: Saturday, August 13, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — A raid resulting in the confiscation of hundreds of pairs of new tennis shoes turned into a golden opportunity.

The recovered items supplied Michigan City Area Schools students with free shoes at 2 p.m. Friday as part of the Back-to-School Rally at Elston Middle School’s Gill Field.

In June, the Michigan City Police Department’s narcotics division raided Lakeshore Convenience Store onFranklin Street. In connection with the raid, police arrested Mahmoud Jarrar on a charge of unlawful sale of a legend drug – a Class D felony – and recovered 562 pairs of shoes from the store as evidence.

The case eventually resulted in a plea bargain for Jarrar, and Police Chief Mark Swistek was concerned the shoes, as part of evidence, would be destroyed or left unused.

*
Swistek talked with the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office about the possibility of turning over the shoes to a non-profit cause.

Ten pairs went to families in need as part of HealthLinc’s Back-to-School Health and Wellness Fair on Aug. 3, but 552 remained. Swistek decided the remaining shoes would be donated to the MCAS rally to give to students in need. Students signed up for vouchers to receive a free pair of tennis shoes in their respective size during school registration.

At Friday’s rally, each student received his/her pair of sneakers from members of the police department and prosecutor’s office. Brands available included Nike Air Jordan, Nike Air Force 1 and Fila Sculpt-N-Tone.

Swistek said the shoe distribution was a chance to take something negative – an arrest – and turn it into a positive thing for MCAS students and families. Hundreds of students ended up receiving shoes Friday, and MCPD hoped to hand out all 552 pairs. More than 2,000 students were expected at the rally.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...ad792844267.txt

Smiles on a summer day

Susanne Vigen (left), art teacher at Joy and Edgewood elementary schools, finishes sprinkling glitter on a student’s face painting Friday at the MCAS Back-to-School Rally. Photo by Amanda Jacobson
Rally gets students excited about school’s soon return
By Amanda Jacobson
Staff Writer
Published: Saturday, August 13, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — A blue-tongued skink from Australia, free school supplies, a T-shirt cannon and a miniature pony were some of the highlights Friday afternoon of Michigan City Area Schools’ Back-to-School Rally.

As families lined the Elston Middle School parking lot, eager to rush Gill Field, more than 50 vendors and exhibitors were loaded with free school supplies, books, gifts and activities for students to enjoy.

Washington Park Zoo presented a variety of animals from all over the world, from a prickly porcupine to a super-soft chinchilla.

Julia Dare-Cole, a zoo educational curator, said kids could pet each animal at the booth and learn its habits and history.

*
As she held a blue-tongued skink, a lizard from Australia, she explained its behavior to ward off predators.

“It uses its blue tongue to trick predators into thinking it’s poisonous,” Dare-Cole said.

At another tented area, students lined up to receive colored backpacks stuffed with notebooks, pencils, pens and other school supplies, which were donated by various organizations and community members during the MCAS city-wide school-supply drive in July.

Other items available were free children’s books from Michigan City Public Library — donated from Sen. Richard Lugar’s office — and free face painting by Girl Scout volunteers.

Sales Representative Wes Hendricks of St. Andrews Products said it was his first year participating in the event. St. Andrews Products sold uniforms to families of children in the six schools with Dress for Success programs this school year.

“When I was walking up, I felt like I was going into a concert there were so many people lined up by the school,” he said. “Looking at the line, I’m assuming we’re going to have a great turnout.”

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...7b768418363.txt

Michigan City schools do make the grade

Published: Monday, August 15, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
I have watched for years the debate about what’s wrong with Michigan City Area Schools. Like many having been personally educated in public schools, I have opinions about why local schools are challenged to make the grade, but I will reserve those opinions because not being trained as an educator, they don’t really have much value.

Much better than my opinions however are my observations and one of the best recent observations that I have made is that Michigan City Area Schools can produce outstanding individuals. Take the case of MCAS graduate Blake Applegate. His parents Paul and Sharon are extremely proud of him as he just graduated at the very top of his class from the prestigious Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, Bloomington with a 4.0 GPA. To put this in perspective, top graduates from Kelley are literally sought by Wall Street and Fortune 500 companies around the world. Lucky for Michigan City and the region Blake plans to work in his father’s CPA firm.

A second observation is that although Blake had to put tremendous effort and discipline in to this achievement, there are likely other factors involved. A supportive, loving family creates a solid foundation but our school teachers and the school system played an important role too.

Last observation, there is reason for genuine excitement about our school system today. We have strong, skilled, caring, and determined leadership with Dr. Barbara Eason Watkins. She has clearly been a positive force for change with her clear, timely communications and deliberate execution in putting her leadership team in place. She is earning the respect of the teachers, her fellow administrators and the community.

Click here to find out more!
I am confident there will be many more like Blake to pass through MCAS. In the meantime, count on me to do my part to help our schools and these young people be all they can be.

In full disclosure, my bride Sue was Blake’s first grade teacher at Edgewood.

Congratulations Blake – you make us all proud!

Don Babcock

Michigan City, IN

[Michelle]

This is an old story, but I just came across it. It's awesome that the Career Center arranged such a high-profile practicum.

http://mcasnow.mcas.k12.in.us:81/school-ne...on-food-network

Internships on Guy Fieri "Road Show" Take Unexpected U-Turn!
Culinary Students Meet Food Network Star

Guy Fieri speaks with students from A. K. Smith - on location in the parking garage!!

Three A. K. Smith Career Center culinary students – Kara Zehrong, Rebecca Miller, and Michael Sherrod – served as interns with Food Network star Guy Fieri, who appeared recently at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond.

Guy Fieiri is the host of such shows as “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” “Guy’s Big Bite” and “Ultimate Recipe Showdown” – and his visit to Hammond was part of a “Guy Fieri Roadshow” production visiting 21 cities in 30 days. A. K. Smith students were to work with Guy’s team to prep food before the show and to help during the production itself.

These three students are working toward “ProStart” certification, which is a certification of the National Restaurant Association that blends classroom learning with mentored work experience and signifies they are well qualified to enter the industry workforce.

BUT… when the three students and A. K. Smith culinary instructor Chef Lauren Bridges arrived at the Horseshoe Casino, they were in for a not-so-welcome surprise. They were greeted by casino security, which pointed them toward tables that had been set up in the parking garage, where they were expected to prepare the food. It turned out that because the students were not age 21, they could not enter the casino itself!

Below is a first-person account by student Rebecca Miller, who tells what happened next…when Guy Fieri himself arrived on the scene!

Imagine our surprise when we were strolling through the parking garage to get to The Venue to set up prep work for the Guy Fieri Food Road Show, and a man stops us at the bridge. He points at a fold up table with dirty support beams over head dripping water and says that this is where we will be working.

The first thing I thought of was sanitation. In my culinary class, we talk about sanitation and cleanliness more than we do food. Everyone in the food industry has a moral responsibility to serve safe food. Water was dripping onto the table. I even saw birds landing on the beams right over us. Now, this was still a very nice parking garage, but not a place I would feel safe preparing food for people.

The second thing I thought of was just the impossibility of making multiple dishes for how ever many audience members on two 6 ft long tables when we had no burners or ovens outside. I was a little confused on the whole ordeal. However, the man who told us we would be out here had already went inside because, oh yeah, I almost forgot, it was pouring rain outside. I patiently waited for Chef Bridges to arrive.

When she did, she did not look confused, she looked mad. She called somebody in charge and explained what we were looking at. I'm pretty sure she scared whoever she was talking to because somebody rushed out in the rain within seconds of her getting off the phone. The person who came out basically agreed that these were unsafe conditions to be preparing food mostly because there was no hand washing station. He then said that there was no way he could get us into the casino because of our ages and that we basically should pack up our stuff and go home. Everyone who came to work and help was bummed. We talked about how excited we originally were and how bummed we were now amongst ourselves.

Then, he came! It was Guy Fieri. He pulled up to our “work station” in a dark colored SUV. The first thing he said to us was, “Well, this sucks!” I thought that first sentence showed a lot about him. He seemed down to earth and comfortable talking to anyone. He told us how our chef was right; this was not a sanitary environment to be cooking in. He told us he was mad because a lot of the Road Show is about showcasing young aspiring chefs, like ourselves. Plus, he lost six pairs of helping hands! He continued to talk to us and apologize for his staff making such a big mistake. You would of thought someone would have found out if we were old enough to be in this section of the casino by now.

He felt so bad about the situation we were in, that he sat out and talked to us for two hours, most of the time, apologizing. When he was done explaining what was going on and how sorry he was, he started talking about learning from this experience. He said that it taught us a big lesson in sanitation, actually, because no matter how big or important the even is, if there isn't a hand washing station or the area is unsafe, you have to say no. It's part of that moral responsibility I mentioned earlier. This topic led into many other discussions. We talked about not jumping into owning a business to early, always knowing you can learn more than you already know and be better than you already are, and also that a restaurant doesn't need to be an expensive five star restaurant to be successful.

All in all, I think I learned more in those two hours than I would have if we got to prepare a few of his recipes for the show. Plus, he was kind enough to give us all an autographed book and apron. I thought it was very thoughtful that he came out to apologize to us about the situation and talk to us face to face. That showed me how professional, responsible, and down to earth he was. We were all upset about not being able to cook for him, but I think I can speak for all of us when I say we had a good time and learned a lot of helpful information about making it in the restaurant business. We also got signed cookbooks and aprons.

The students were also filmed, in the parking garage, for the Food Network. Their event will run on foodnetwork.com. The students were not harmed in the process of being held in a cold and wet parking garage, and will continue their studies under Chef Lauren Bridges at the Culinary Academy at A K Smith Area Career Center.

[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/0...1e028766289.txt

Freshmen orientation targets students and parents

By Amanda Jacobson
Staff Writer
Published: Thursday, August 18, 2011 5:08 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — Hundreds of incoming freshmen gathered Wednesday morning at Michigan City High School to familiarize themselves with a new school environment.

Students received class schedules and were led through the school’s halls, meeting teachers and new classmates.

New students could receive bus rides to and from the high school, while parents were welcome to participate in orientation programs of their own as students explored halls and classrooms.

As students flooded the sidewalks and parking lot of MCHS at 11:30 a.m., passersby were reminded that while summer break lasts another week, school is just around the corner.

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High school students still can register for classes from noon to 7 p.m. today at MCHS. The last day to register is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the high school.

The first day of classes for MCHS students is Aug. 24.