PARENTS’ PARAGRAPHS
for KOUTS Elementary, Middle & Senior High Schools
Volume 49 Number 5
February 5, 2015
Elementary Grades K-5
Daily $2.15/Weekly $10.75
Visitors Lunch
$3.10
Middle/High School Grades 6-12
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
2/9
Hot Dog on Bun
TUESDAY
2/10
Macaroni & Cheese
Baked Beans
Fruit
Cookies
MILK
Choice
Chimichanga
THURSDAY
2/12
Crispy Chicken Tenders
Cupid Hearts/Honey Bread
PB & Jelly
Green Beans
Fresh Fruit
MILK
WEDNESDAY
2/11
Chicken & Noodles
Hot Roll
Mashed Potatoes/Gravy
Mandarin Oranges
MILK
FRIDAY
2/13
Bread & Butter
Broccoli
Juicy Pineapple
MILK
Honey Bread
Sweet Carrots
Rosy Applesauce
MILK
Choice
Surprise
Choice
Salisbury Steak
Choice
Hot Ham Pretzel Roll
Choice
Surprise
Calendar
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Monday
Tuesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Feb. 5
5:30 PM
Girls Varsity/JV Basketball Wheeler H
(Girls 7/8 teams get in free—Parents have to pay)
Feb. 6
3:30 PM
MS/HS Science Fair—Secondary Cafeteria
5:30 PM
Boys Varsity/JV Basketball @ NJ
Feb. 7
All Day
ISSMA Solo & Ensemble
5:30 PM
Boys Varsity/JV Basketball Knox H
(Athletic Hall of Fame Game)
Feb. 9
4:30 PM
Girls 7/8 Basketball @ WT
Feb. 10
4:30 PM
Boys 6th Basketball SC H
4:30 PM
Girls 7/8 Basketball @ Krueger MS (Michigan City)
6:00 PM
Girls Basketball Sectionals at MT
Morgan Township vs Washington Township
Feb. 12
5:30 PM
Boys Varsity/JV Basketball Morgan Twp. H
6:00 PM
Girls Basketball Sectionals @ MT
21st Century vs Westville
7:30 PM
Girls Basketball Sectionals @ MT
Marquette Catholic vs Covenant Christian
Feb. 13
All Day
School Will Be In Session
6:00 PM
Girls IHSAA Basketball Sectional @ MT
Kouts vs. Winner Game 1, Winners Games 2 & 3
Feb. 14
9:00 AM
Boys 6th Basketball @ Wash. Twp. Tourney
12:30 PM
Boys Varsity/JV Basketball @ Plymouth
6:00 PM
Girls IHSAA Basketball Sectional Championship @ MT
Winner Games 5 & 6
Snow Make-Up Dates
School will be on session February 13th, February 16th, April 6th, and May 22 as snow/cold
make-up days. Additional snow make-up days will be added to the end of the school
year.
Walking Schedule
Those of you who wish to walk at school during the winter months are welcome to walk in the
new gym between 6:15 and 7:45 AM in the mornings. You will need to finish by 7:45 AM as
there are Physical Education classes in the gym first period. Please enter the buildings by the
main office (entrance #1).
Staff Takes on Students for Riley’s
On February 19 Kouts Staff will square off against KHS Students in a volleyball
game for the ages. All are welcome to attend! Admission is $3.00 a head (children
not yet in school are free) and bake sale items/beverages will be available. All
proceeds from the gate and “concessions” will go to Riley Children’s hospital.
Will the students defeat their teachers? Will hips be broken? Who will have bragging
rights in school on Friday? Come and find out!
KMS Candygrams available next week!
KMS Student Government is sponsoring a candygram fundraiser in time for
Valentine’s Day next week. Color Xploders lollipops will be on sale for 50
cents and will include your personalized note. Order one for your BFF,
sweetheart, favorite faculty member, or that special someone you
admire…order as many as you want! Orders will be taken Monday through
Thursday during lunch, and the candygrams will be delivered on Friday during
last hour. Proceeds will help support KMS Student Government’s service
projects.
Make someone’s Valentine’s Day special this year with a
personalized candygram!
From The Guidance Counselor:
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Porter County Farm Bureau, Inc. scholarship has been created to recognize an outstanding individual
from each public high school in Porter County. It is their desire to assist young people to further their
education and training. An individual must meet the following criteria: 1) Need of applicant; 2) Transcript of
grades; 3) Ability of applicant to complete courses; 4) Personality and character; 5) Leadership ability; and
6) Be a member of the Farm Bureau membership family. Applications can be found online
at www.portercountyfarmbureau.com or in the guidance office. Forms must be completed and returned to
the school counselor by March 20, 2015.
The District 1 Farm Bureau, Inc. is sponsoring a scholarship through Indiana Farm Bureau. Criteria include
being over 17 years of age, must be from a family who has been a member of Indiana Farm Bureau for a
period of 2 years prior to application, admitted to an approved or accredited school of higher learning and
plan to study in an ag-related field. Applications are due March 2, 2015. Forms can be found
at www.infarmbureau.org or in the guidance office.
The Crown Point community foundation is accepting applications for the following scholarships:
 American/Italian
Benevolent Society Scholarship: Must be of Italian descent, maintain a B average,
reside in Lake or Porter County, Indiana.
 Youche Country Club Scholarship: Child or grandchild of Youche member attending college or
vocational school in the fall 2015 and 3.0 GPA.
 Ralph E. Bennett Memorial Scholarship: Student accepted in the Construction Engineering and
Management Technologies Program at Purdue Northwest and 3.0 GPA.
A complete listing of scholarship awards can be obtained on www.thecpcf.org, “Obtain” tab, “Scholarship”,
“Scholarships Available.” The deadline is March 20, 2015.
The Co-Alliance Scholarship program is designed to benefit college-bound high school seniors who are the
children and grandchildren of our local cooperative members and who intend to study agriculture. A onetime scholarship of $1,000 is awarded to students who meet the following qualifications: 1) High school
senior; 2) Have a parent or guardian who is a member of a local cooperative in the Co-Alliance partnership;
and 3) Plan to enter the agriculture field. If interested, visit www.co-alliance.com and click on
“Scholarships.” You may also pick up an application from Mrs. Robinson. The deadline for the application
is March 31, 2015.
The Construction Advancement Foundation is pleased to announce a scholarship available to students
pursuing careers in management in the construction industry. The requirements include: 1) Resident of
Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, or Starke Counties; 2) Pursuing a career in construction or related
field; 3) 3.0 GPA; 4) Pass an annual hair follicle drug test; 5) US Citizen; and 6) Extra-curricular and/or
community activities. For an application form, visit www.cafnwin.org. The deadline to apply is March 31,
2015,
The Indiana Sheriff's Association is offering a scholarship to a student pursuing an education and career in a
law enforcement field at an Indiana College or University. Other criteria include: 1) Must be an Indiana
resident; 2) Be a current member of the association, or a dependent child or grandchild of a current member
of the association (can sign up for membership when applying); 3) Must enroll as a full-time student; and 4)
Have taken the SAT or ACT. The deadline for the application is April 1, 2015. See Mrs. Robinson for an
application.
COLLEGE FAIR
Valparaiso University invites you and your child to the first-ever Valparaiso Regional Spring College fair
on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, from 6:30-8:00 pm. The fair will take place in the Harre Union on the
campus of Valparaiso University. As many as 100 private and public colleges and universities are planning
to attend the event. Financial aid presentations will be offered from 6:00 to 6:45 pm and from 7:15 to 8:00
pm to help education students and parents about the process of gaining and receiving financial assistance
for college.
South County Love Your Neighbor presents …
A Night of Love & Laughter
February 12, 2015
At the Porter County Expo
Benefitting …
Come join Birky Family Farms
for a night of laughs and superb food.
Help us bless the kids
in our community and school systems.
Tickets are $30.00 for adults.
Tickets can be purchased at
Birky’s Market and Bakery or by calling 219.766.3851 or emailing
[email protected]
Doors open at 6:00 and dinner begins at 6:30.
Leading Role:
Starring
You!
Supporting Roles:
Starring
Your High School
Teachers
The Concurrent Enrollment office at
Purdue North Central invites you to the world premier
of :
“CEP FIRST LOOK”
Before you jump into the world of college, wouldn’t you
want to get a sneak peak first?
Come join us to learn about the many benefits of earning
college credits while still in high school!
February 12, 2015
6:30 – 7: 30 pm
Purdue University North Central
Library-Student-Faculty Building
Room 02
www.pnc.edu/admissions/cepfirstlook
KMS KEEP THE DATE!
Thursday, February 5
G V/JV BB vs. Wheeler - 5:30pm
FREE ADMISSION to G 7/8 BB Players!
Saturday, February 7
ISSMA Vocal Solo & Ensemble Contest - All Day
Monday, February 9
G 7/8 BB @ Washington Township - 4:30pm
MS Student Govt Meeting - after school til 3:30pm
Tuesday, February 10
B 6 BB vs. South Central - 4:30pm
G 7/8 BB @ Krueger MS (Michigan City) - 4:30pm
Friday, February 11
SCHOOL IS IN SESSION
Saturday, February 12
B 6 BB Tourney @ Washington Township - 9:00am
Elementary Echoes
Kouts Elementary
Volume 8, Number 22
www.epcsc.k12.in.us/kes
Coming Soon . . .
NWEA Winter Reports to Be Sent Home
Tomorrow
Tomorrow..............................................................Spirit Day
Feb. 13…………………...Make-up Day #1—School in Session
Valentine’s Day Classroom Parties, 1:30 PM
Feb. 16..........................Make-up Day #2—School in Session
Feb. 17...........................................Art Club—Gr. 4, 2:45 PM
Feb. 18........................................................Progress Reports
“Give Kids a Smile” Event Comes to Valpo
Parents, is your child uninsured or underinsured and in
need of dental services? “Give Kids a Smile Day” will be
coming to Valparaiso on Monday, February 16, from 2:007:00 PM. Qualifying children will receive no-cost sealants
(when recommended by dentist), no-cost oral exam, nocost dental cleaning, and no-cost fluoride treatment.
For more information or to schedule an appointment,
please call 1-888-580-1060.
(Please see flyer in this
newsletter.)
Planned Absence Policy Explained
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Parents, coming home tomorrow will be your child’s most
recent NWEA report. Please be sure to read the cover
letter and the two-sided “Normative Data” information.
The Winter NWEA is a mid-year checkpoint to gauge
each child’s progress toward meeting or exceeding his/her
individualized learning goal.
If you have any questions,
please contact your child’s teacher or Mrs. Eich.
Girls on the Run Registration
Will Begin on Monday
Registration for the KES chapter of GOTR will open on
Monday, February 9, and run through Friday, February 27.
Seats are limited to 20 participants (fourth- and fifthgrade girls only), so please register early, if interested.
More information is included in the attached flyer.
Although avoidable absences during the school year are
strongly discouraged, East Porter does have a policy in
place for planned absences.
One planned absence per
school year, not to exceed three days, may be excused if
the following requirements are met:

The request form is turned in to the office at
least four days before the planned absence


The absences do not fall during any State-
Parents Invited to Lunch with Their Children
mandated testing dates
Parents, did you know that you’re able to lunch with your
The student’s previous absences and tardies are
children? You may bring your own lunch or pre-order a
not excessive
school lunch by calling 766-2232 by 9:00 AM. As a friendly
reminder, no fast food or soda may be brought into the
Planned absence forms may be picked up in the
cafeteria. Whether a surprise or planned lunch, students
elementary office.
absolutely love to eat with their parents!
“Katie Strong” Bracelets Are Still Available
With sixth grader Katie Reasoner returning to school this
week, the KMS Student Government is sponsoring a
“Katie Strong” bracelet fundraiser. The bracelet below is
being sold for $2.00, with all proceeds going to the
Reasoner family.
Show your continued support for
Katie’s recovery by purchasing a bracelet in her honor.
Bracelets will be available for purchase in the elementary
office, high school office, and during middle school
lunch. Thank you in advance for your continued support.
Parents, we
hope your schedule will allow an occasional lunch with
your child.
Gently-Used Game Donations Wanted
Parents, if you have gently-used board and/or card games
you are willing to donate, please send them to school with
your child. Ideally, games that would take 15-20 to play
would be best for our indoor recess days. We are mostly
in need of games for second through fifth graders. (We
have plenty Memory and Candyland games for our
younger students.) Thank you!
Visit us @ www.epcsc.k12.in.us/kes.
Elementary Echoes continues on the next page.
Elementary Echoes
Kouts Elementary
Volume 8, Number 22
www.epcsc.k12.in.us/kes
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Pledge Leaders Announced
Lunch with the Principal
The following students recited the Pledge of Allegiance
and/or read morning announcements: Kayla Hoover (2S),
Delaney Hunt (3B), Olivia Miller (3K), Jolee Hackett (3W),
and Emma Garavalia (4K). We love to hear the sweet
sound of the students’ voices first thing in the morning.
Having Lunch with the Principal this week, including ice
High Attendance Winners Announced
fourth graders Mackenzie Rose, Emily Meyer, and Avery
cream, were first graders Erin Stewart, Jaslyne Robledo,
and Emilee Scott; second graders Carter Phillips, Hanna
Poole, Breck Terpstra, and Tyler Schultz; third graders
Annalea Nicholei, Macie Sanders, and Kenny Ringler;
Congratulations to last week’s High Attendance winners:
Sajdera; and fifth graders Katie Stewart, Tyler Van Kley,
Kindergarten: Mrs. Owens and Mrs. Press (Tie); First
and Kollin Rushmore.
Grade—Miss Werner; Second Grade—Mrs. Eichelberger,
Mrs. Gant, and Mrs. Merrell (3-way Tie—100%); Third
Grade—Mrs.
Klunder;
Fourth
Grade—Mrs.
Markley
(100%); and Fifth Grade—Mrs. Dorshorst (100%).
Happy birthday to the following students that celebrated
their special day during the week of February 2-8: First
Grade—Jonathan
Congratulations to January’s High Attendance winner,
Mrs. Merrell’s second-grade class.
Student Birthdays Recognized
They’ll enjoy a
Meyer;
Second
Grade—Colton
Witkowski; and Fifth Grade—Aaron Ketchmark.
We
hope your day was extra special!
donut/juice breakfast tomorrow, courtesy of PETT.
Congratulations to the first semester High Attendance
winner, Mrs. Evans’s first-grade class.
They will enjoy a
pizza party tomorrow, courtesy of PETT.
Student Half-birthdays Recognized
Reminder about Winter Weather Given
With winter definitely here to stay for a little while, it’s a
perfect time for winter weather reminders. Recess will be
outdoors if the weather, including wind chill, is 20 degrees
or above; therefore, it’s extremely important for students
to come to school prepared. A heavy winter coat, gloves
or mittens, a hood or hat, and boots are a must in snowy
weather.
If a student does not wear boots to school
when there is snow on the ground, s/he will be required to
stay off the playground.
Parents,
we’d
appreciate
Happy half-birthday to the following students that will
celebrate their special day during the weeks of August 28:
Fifth Grade—Emma Roney.
birthday will be extra special!
Class Composite Pictures Distributed
Parents, if your child ordered a class composite picture
with his/her portrait package, s/he should have received
it today.
We thank you for your patience, as the
composites could not be finalized until after picture
make-ups were completed.
you
double-checking
We hope your summer
We think you’ll be quite
your
pleased with the Inter-State Studios photograph, and it
children’s winter apparel before sending them to school.
will certainly be a treasured memento of your child’s 2014-
Thank you!
2015 school year.
Girls on the Run of Northwest Indiana is excited to announce open registration
for the Spring 2015 season! Girls on the Run is a transformational physical
activity-based positive youth development program for girls in 4th and 5th grade.
We teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The
program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to
complete a celebratory 5K running event. The goal of the program is to unleash
confidence through accomplishment, while establishing a lifetime appreciation of
health and fitness.
Registration will be online through our website, www.gotrofnwi.org beginning
February 9th and closing on February 27th. Simply click on the “Register here
for our Spring 2015 Program!” link. This will take you to the registration process
through RacePlanner. Once there, review the sites available on the side of the
page. Click on “Category” to find your site! The coach at your site will contact you
with more information. We are limited to 20 seats. If you are interested, please
register early. If you need a paper registration, please contact Mrs. Dorshorst on
the 9th.
The 10-week season begins the week of March 2nd and runs through the end of
May. Our celebratory Spring Girls on the Run 5K will be held on Saturday, May
16th, beginning at 8 AM with the 5K at 10 AM at Highland Middle School in
Highland, IN.
Please contact Coach Dorshorst at [email protected] with any
questions.