PARENTS’ PARAGRAPHS for KOUTS Elementary, Middle & Senior High Schools Volume 48 Number 38 December 11, 2014 Elementary Grades K-5 Daily $2.15/Weekly $10.75 Visitors Lunch Middle/High School Grades 6-12 $3.10 Daily $2.25/Weekly $11.25 (choice not available to elementary) VISITORS: To reserve a lunch you must call the school by 9:00 a.m. MONDAY 12/15 Corn Dog BlackBeansSalsa/Chips Mandarin Oranges Cookie MILK Choice BBQ Chicken TUESDAY 12/16 Ravioli Garlic Toast Broccoli Peaches MILK WEDNESDAY 12/17 Bosco Cheese Stick Marinara Sauce Green Beans Fresh Fruit MILK THURSDAY 12/18 Cheeseburger Potato Smiles Applesauce Jell-O MILK FRIDAY 12/19 Popcorn Chicken Dinner Roll Potatoes & Gravy Fresh Fruit MILK Choice Choice Choice Choice Chicken Ranch Roll-Up Spicy Chicken Glazed Chicken Pizza Bosco Calendar Thursday Dec. 11 Friday Saturday Dec. 12 Dec. 13 Sunday Monday Dec. 14 Dec. 15 Tuesday Dec. 16 Wednesday Dec. 17 Thursday Dec. 18 Friday Saturday Dec. 20 Before School Class Rings Delivered – PAR Gym Lobby 5:30 PM Boys C-Team Basketball @ MC Marquette 6:30 PM Elementary Winter Concert – Elem. Gym 5:30 PM Boys Varsity/JV Basketball SC H – Homecoming 11:00 AM Girls Varsity/JB Basketball @ Morgan Twp. 7:00 PM Homecoming Dance until 10:00 PM 2:00 PM High School Band/Choir Winter Concert – Auditorium 5:00 PM HS Play Auditions – Auditorium 5:00 PM 7th Boys Basketball Hanover H 4:30 PM 8th Boys Basketball @ Hanover 6:00 PM Boys C-Team Basketball @ LaCrosse 5:30 PM Girls Varsity/JV Basketball Boone Grove H 8:25 AM Late Start Wednesday – School starts at 8:25 AM 3:00 PM Middle School Winter Dance – New Gym until 5:00 4:30 PM MS Boys Basketball @ North Judson 5:00 PM Boys C-Team Basketball Knox H Dec. 19 School Will Be In Session 5:30 PM Boys Varsity/JV Basketball Westville H 6:00 PM Girls Varsity/JV Basketball @ Hebron 6:00 PM Christmas Coffee House – HS Cafeteria School Will Be In Session December 19 School will be in session on Friday, December 19th. The calendar in the front of the student handbook which says school is not in session is incorrect. School will be in session Dec. 19th. German Classes Visit Christkindlmarkt On December 2, the second-, third- and fourth-year German classes traveled to Chicago for the annual German Christmas Market, fashioned after the famous Christkindlmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany. The market offers students a wonderful opportunity to directly connect with the German culture through language skills with vendors, to taste authentic German food specialties including wiener schnitzel, potato pancakes, gingerbread, candied nuts, mulled cider, marzipan candies and chocolate. Students learned about handcrafted German toys and ornaments from nutcrackers, incense smokers, cuckoo clocks, and music boxes to hand-blown ornaments and carved village scenes. It is wonderful that our students were able to enjoy this type of authentic German experience so close to home. Need A Tax Deduction? In the event you are looking for a tax deduction, we encourage you to seriously consider making a contribution to the KHS Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity and contributions are a legitimate tax deduction which also benefits members of the senior class who qualify. Normally each year approximately one-third of the graduating class receive some financial assistance to pursue advanced education. Members of the Class of 2014 received a combined total of $30,000 which was funded by the Fund's interest and dividends. Contribution checks should be made payable to KHS Memorial Scholarship Fund and mailed (or dropped off) to Principal Tom Stoner, Kouts High School, P.O. Box 699, Kouts, IN 46347. In the event you wish your contribution credited to one of the fifty-plus named scholarships, make a notation on the check's memo line. A complete list of all current named scholarships is available in the school office. The Scholarship Committee thanks you for your consideration. Cheer News The Throwback Classic game was one which was especially enjoyable for the cheerleaders. Never ones to be left out of a moment of fun, the girls decided to dress in 50’s style. However, without some assistance, the girls would never have been able to do this. First, the girls developed the idea but had no idea how to get started, so Linda Clinton bought fabric and helped develop a prototype. Next, Gloria Neary became the girls’ personal shopper as she went from store to store to make sure all the shirts were alike. Then it was Kathy Schneider who not only designed the girls’ shirts but made them, too. Finally, Kristle Crider made most of the poodle skirts, a tremendous undertaking. Without the help of these ladies, the cheerleaders would never have been able to participate in this activity. A cheer for you, ladies! The Kouts Music Boosters Proudly Presents The 1st Annual Kouts Community Family Movie Night Featuring ELF Sunday, December 21, 2014 Doors Open at 5:30 pm PAR Gym – Door 10 Movie Starts at 6:00 pm Cost is $2.50 each (Includes 1 water & 1 popcorn) Wear your pajamas and bring your pillows and blankets and enjoy a wonderful, fun-filled evening with your entire family. Feel free to bring your own snacks and bottled pop (No cans or 2 liters) ** Elementary students and younger must be accompanied by an adult ** “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” – Buddy the Elf KHS Christmas Coffee House Join us for a relaxing evening of live music, food, and holiday charm at the first ever KHS Christmas Coffee House. This event will happen in the MS/HS Cafeteria at 6:00 p.m. on December 20. Tickets are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for MS/HS Students. (KES students attend free.) All ticket proceeds will go to HS Student Council, with the hopes of purchasing a more user-friendly, easily-portable sound system for assemblies and dances. If you or your student wishes to perform in the Coffee House, please contact Ms. Calvert! ([email protected]) From The Guidance Counselor The First Trust Credit Union is offering the Virginia Stevens Memorial Career Scholarship to a senior pursuing an associate's degree, certification, or licensing in a specialized field. The qualifications include: being a member or child of a member of the First Trust Credit Union, enrolling in a non-four year program, an essay, application and a letter of recommendation. Please see Mrs. Robinson for more information. The deadline for the application is February 20, 2015. The First Trust Credit Union is also offering a scholarship in honor of Del Lonzo, a long term member, officer, and director of First Trust Credit Union. The criteria includes: member or child of a member of the First Trust Credit Union, enrollment in an accredited institution for post high school education or training, pursuing a four-year degree, scholastic achievement, involvement in school and community activities, an essay and a letter of recommendation. Please see Mrs. Robinson for more information. The deadline for the application is February 20, 2015. KMS KEEP THE DATE! Saturday, December 13 MS Choir Field Trip to Chicago Street Theatre Departure - 1:40pm; Return - 5:30-6pm Monday, December 15 B 7 BB vs. Hanover H - 5:00pm B 8 BB @ Hanover - 4:30pm Wednesday, December 17 MS Christmas Dance - 3:00-5:00pm (New Gym) Admission: $3 w/no food pantry donation $1 w/2 food pantry items Thursday, December 18 B 7/8BB @ North Judson - 4:30pm Friday, December 19 Class Competition - “Crazy Christmas Clothing Day” Angel Tree Is Ready for Gift-givers! Student Council members decorated the elementary office Christmas tree this week, and besides the beautiful ornaments, tags with gift requests were also hung. You are invited to retrieve a tag and purchase a gift for a KES student. All recipients and donors are kept confidential. This year, there are additional tags requesting gas, grocery, and general gift cards (in any denomination) for use throughout the school year. Mrs. Gutierrez, Student Service Specialist, will ensure the gift cards are distributed to those in need. Thank you in advance for your generosity during this season of giving. Elementary Echoes Kouts Elementary Volume 8, Number 16 www.epcsc.k12.in.us/kes Thursday, December 11, 2014 Coming Soon... Student Birthdays Recognized Tonight..…..Music Program—Gr. K-2 (Elem. Gym), 6:30 PM Happy birthday to the following students that celebrated Dec. 15………………………….Followers Bible Club, 2:45 PM their special day during the weeks of December 8-14: Dec. 16………………………………..Art Club—Gr. 5, 2:45 PM Kindergarten—Chase Market Day Pick-up, 4:20-5:00 PM Dec. 19…………………………………Last Day of School 2014 Classroom Parties 1:30 PM Dec. 22-Jan. 2……………...No School—Christmas Vacation Jan. 5…………………………………………......School Resumes Student Council Candy Cane Sale to Benefit Kaitlyn Reasoner For the past several years, the KES Student Council has sold candy canes during the Christmas season, with all proceeds benefitting Riley Children’s Hospital. This year, they chose to help one of our own. Sixth grader Kaitlyn Reasoner has been hospitalized since late October. Kaitlyn’s speed in healing has been nothing short of miraculous, and we look forward to the day when she will return to Kouts Middle School. (Check out CaringBridge.com for current updates.) The Kouts community has been amazing with support of Kaitlyn and her family, and KES would like to help, as well. Thank you in advance for your donation. Furman; Fourth Nicolei; Grade—Jaycob Grade—Brielle Lobody. First Grade—Aiden Dooley; and Fifth We hope your day was extra special! “Super Strides Student” Selected We are excited to announce that first grader Lucas Kleckner has been chosen as a Super Strides Student. His teacher, Mrs. Evans, states that Lucas has made significant growth in all subjects, is a hard worker, is dedicated, and has a great attitude. Congratulations, Lucas; we’re very proud of you! Lucas received a personalized badge as a memento, a signed certificate, and will host the traveling trophy until the next SSS is selected. He is pictured below. Candy canes will be sold for $0.25 each and will be delivered next week. The last day to order will be tomorrow, December 12th. Read to Succeed Program Will Begin Next Week As we have done in the past, we plan to participate in the Six Flags Six-Hour Reading Program this year. Students who complete six hours of recreational reading by February 18, 2015, will earn a free admission ticket to the Six Flags theme park. A letter and log sheet will be sent home with all students next week so students can begin reading and logging those minutes. We hope that parents will encourage their children to read, not only to earn the admission ticket, but also to improve their reading skills and expand their knowledge. Media Center Access Is Available Parents and students, did you know that you’re able to see what’s available in our Media Center? It’s now an easy process. Simply log on to the corporation website, www.epcsc.k12.in.us, and choose “Follett Destiny” from the left column. If you click on “Kouts Elementary School,” you will be directed to the library site and can view our inventory and current availability. Check it out! Pledge Leaders Announced Leading the Pledge and/or read morning announcements this week were the following students: Natalie Kozub (3K), Alivia Carlson (3W), Cole Brown (4K), Lucas Nicolei (4J), and Jaycob Dooley (4P). We love to hear the sweet sound of the students’ voices first thing in the morning! High Attendance Winners Recognized Congratulations to last week’s High Attendance winners: Kindergarten—Kindergarten—Miss Postma (100%); First Grade—Mrs. Evans (100%); Second Grade—Mrs. Gant; Third Grade—Mrs. Klunder (100%); Fourth Grade—Mrs. Markley (100%); and Fifth Grade—Mrs. Dorshorst. Elementary Echoes continues on the next page. Elementary Echoes Kouts Elementary Volume 8, Number 16 www.epcsc.k12.in.us/kes Thursday, December 11, 2014 Part-time Lunch/Recess Aide Needed Kindergartners Enjoy Kouts Police Visit An opening has become available for a lunch/recess aide To reinforce occupations in the neighborhood and the on Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30-1:15. We are looking tools used within those occupations, Officer Marshall for an individual that is firm, fair, and consistent and visited the school playground with a town squad car and loves to work with children. his unmarked police car. He did a talk with the students If interested, please complete an application and forward to Mrs. Eich. The about the kinds of tools used on his job. application can be found on the corporation website, kindergarten would like to thank Officer Marshall for www.epcsc.k12.in.us, taking time out of his busy schedule to capitalize on this under “Employment” and “Applications/Forms.” (Choose “Classified.) Lunch with the Principal Held The following students had Lunch with the Principal, including ice cream, this week: Kindergarten—Nicholas Deehan, Mia Brown, Tyler Gant, and Gavin DeYoung; learning experience. Following are some of the things children learned about the tools a police officer uses: “Officer Marshall uses handcuffs for people who do something wrong.” Bella Birky First Grade—Cora Hamstra, Aiden Furman, and Owen “Police officers have computers in their cars.” Griffin; Second Grade—Allie Daugherty, Cassie Breitzke, DeYoung Kaylah Jacobs, and Addison Enright; Third Grade—Sam Deardorff, Caleb Bullington, and Arianna Bullington; Fourth Grade—Owen Chatwell, Matthew Baker, and Damion Castator; and Fifth Grade—Olivia Kocon, Keegan Cochran, and Stephanie Boone. All of Gavin “Police officers use guns to settle the bad guys down.” Audrey Tharp “Officer Marshall uses a vest for protection.” Chase Nicolei Student Half-birthdays Recognized Happy half-birthday to the following students that will celebrate their special day during the week of June 8-14: Kindergarten—Caitlyn Allen; First Grade—Cole Snyder; Second Grade—Olivia Hessling and Timmy Jones; Third Grade—Chloe Hussung and Annalea Nicolei; Fourth Grade—Amelia Ash; and Fifth Grade—Olivia Hanlon. We hope your summer birthdays will be extra special! Visit us @ www.epcsc.k12.in.us/kes. VU Students Share Science Stations with Fourth Graders Our fourth-grade students had the exciting opportunity to cycle through twelve different science stations yesterday, each designed and presented by a Valparaiso University junior undergrad. Topics such as earthquakes, the solar system, paper chromatography, the water cycle, recycling, energy, and the causes of weather were explored hands-on. The students were completely enthralled, and their busy hum of excitement could be heard down the hallways. We thank the VU students and professor for including KES students in their coursework and increasing their excitement about science.