How do you fit the history of the world on a shower curtain? Use very small, well-organized writing
Good luck to all of our students who will be taking a variety of AP tests starting next Monday! They and their teachers take on this challenge and succeed every year. What an extraordinary accomplishment!
A group of South Putnam Student Ambassadors were on the radio this morning! Danae, Landon, Kat and Peyton sat in the studio of WREB 94.3 and spoke about academics, athletics and mentoring. They spoke from experience about the challenges and rewards of taking rigorous courses, participating in sports and serving in organizations. They talked about the critical role of teachers and coaches in supporting them, and the joy they get from helping others. What a blessing to listen to students talk about how much they love their school!
Introducing our 2024 South Putnam Student Ambassadors: Landon Chew, Elizabeth Dobson, Josey Helton, Katherine Kempf, Elise Kendall, Danae Cline, Laney Fugate, Madison Gardner, Amber Henigin, Lilly Stanley and Peyton Freeman.
Congratulations to Jordan Mangus who was selected by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to receive a $10,000 Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year! We are all so proud of this great accomplishment and appreciate your desire to become a teacher!
Congratulations to Jordan Mangus who is enrolling at Indiana State University in Early Childhood Education.
What a great night for the Putnam County Champions Together Track Meet! Thank you to Greencastle High School for organizing the meet! Thank you to Jack and Shirley Dalton for funding the event. It was a special evening for our students and ended with celebratory ribbons and dancing!
Wow. Spring time is racing by here in the middle school. Our teachers have been busily teaching and preparing students for their upcoming transition to next year and our students have been rising to the challenge. Let's take a moment to recognize another one of the middle school teachers we are thankful to have in our building, Mrs. Janet Zimmerman.
Mrs. Zimmerman's students lit up with excitement just to TELL US about how much they appreciate her. We can only imagine the joy they feel going into her classroom. Some quotes from her students were, "OH MY GOSH," "She's amazing, all around," and "I LOVE Mrs. Z." When students were asked to drill down to things they specifically appreciated about her, they said, "She understands us." They love how considerate she is of their points of view, where they are in their lives, and what is important to them. They also recognize her selflessness, saying, "She always thinks about you," and "She puts you before herself." And when it comes to her teaching? One student said, "She explains stuff really well." Another, "The way she does her notes and the way she explains stuff is really good. It really helps me. She makes sure you understand." And, "You can tell she really cares about the topic and about her students."
Thank you, Mrs. Zimmerman, for sharing your passion for your subject, and your heart for others, with your students.
Track and Field County
Prom 2024
Our South Putnam High School Student Ambassadors helped this week at the second grade outdoor educational days at the Depauw Nature Park. Thank you Mr. John Garner for making these days possible.
Spring really is a joyful time. Let's take a moment to celebrate yet another of our hard-working, professional middle school teachers, Mr. Brad Laney.
Mr. Laney is our 6th and 7th grade science and social studies teacher here, and his classes are ones students look forward to each day. When one of his students was asked to talk about Mr. Laney, the student's answer was brief but clear: "Mr. Laney. FIRE. I love him." And so many students echoed some version of those sentiments. "He's my favorite." "He's hilarious." "He's SO kind." Mr. Laney's sincere joy, both for the subject he teaches ("You can tell he really enjoys science as a topic") and for the students he teaches, makes his students' experiences in his class truly enjoyable. One student said, "I did really well on the ILEARN because he taught so well," and another student said, "He makes learning fun. You don't just sit there and get lectured." In fact, Mr. Laney's engaging, hands-on approach to teaching was something echoed by many students. Students said, "he's good at demonstrating things," and they love getting up and moving as a part of learning in his class.
Thank you, Mr. Laney, for giving your students the learning experiences they crave and the support they truly appreciate in order to grow, both as learners and as people.
Happy Administrative Assistants Day! No one can beat our team at South Putnam Middle and High School! Thank you Anna, Shelly, Lindsey, Becky and Cortney!
South Putnam High School has earned the Early College endorsement from the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis. To qualify for endorsement, our school assembled a comprehensive portfolio addressing the eight core principles set forth by CELL. These principles encompass a rigorous curriculum, comprehensive student support services, and thorough documentation of student completion rates. Furthermore, a team from CELL conducted an on-site visit to the South, engaging in interviews with administrators, educators, parents, and students to assess the effectiveness of the Early College program, considering both its advantages and challenges before conferring endorsement status.
"These newly-endorsed Early College High Schools boast proven track records of providing high-quality programs that facilitate high school students' graduation and seamless transition into post-secondary education, be it at a four-year institution or a career/technical program. The achievements of these students represent significant milestones, profoundly impacting both their lives and those of their families," stated Sandy Hillman, the CELL Director of Early College. "Under the guidance of Principal Tona Gardner, her EC Leadership Team, and the steadfast support of Superintendent Dr. Corey Smith, this dynamic team not only articulates a compelling vision but also effectively executes the mission of Early College."
The Early College high school model creates small schools designed to give students a jumpstart for the rest of their lives. Students can earn both high school diplomas and up to two years of credit toward bachelor’s or associate degrees. According to Principal Gardner, "Our profoundly dedicated teachers make this possible. Teachers throughout our corporation go to extraordinary lengths to create the supportive and enriching learning environments in their classrooms necessary to give students the confidence and skills they need to succeed at this level. " As one students stated during her interview, "I know I can do it, because they tell me I can and they show me I can." South Putnam is truly a learning community!
Thank you to Assistant Principal John Skomp for his hard work coordinating with the Putnam County Emergency Management Agency and many county and regional groups to facilitate an active shooter drill at South Putnam this past Saturday. Many of our schools' admin., staff, teachers and surrounding community members spent months planning for a successful emergency response and reunification drill. They all acted with patience and resolve in an intentionally-created tough environment. Our SRO Deputy Driver took decisive and determined action at the start of the drill. He demonstrated a willingness and ability to protect our students and staff in an extreme moment. Our admin., counselors, teachers and staff also carefully carried out our plan to get students back with their families. They responded to unexpected moments and persisted despite the challenges of conducting two drills simultaneously.
None of us can thank everyone there enough. Groups include the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, Putnam County Health Department, Putnam County 911, Cloverdale Police Department, Putnam County EMS, Putnam County CERT, Cloverdale Schools, Hendricks Co Health Dept., Area 30 Schools, Bainbridge Police Dept., Greencastle Schools, Banner Graphic, Reelsville Fire Department, Cloverdale Fire Dept, Greencastle Police Dept, Greencastle Fire Dept, Clay County EMA, and Clay County Health Dept. It shows the commitment of our county and region that this many people are working to protect children. We learn more every time we run a drill. We improve our procedures and strengthen our coordination.
Thank you to North Salem State Bank for donating Chick-Fil-A lunch and Re/Max Cornerstone for donating breakfast for all of the volunteers who gave up their Saturday morning to participate in an emergency drill at South Putnam.
Good afternoon, Eagles:
In preparation for ensuring the safety and security of our students, staff, and community, please note that the South Putnam MS/HS and Central Elementary campuses will be closed on Saturday, April 20th. We are proud to announce that we will be hosting the Putnam County 2024 Active Shooter Exercise.
During this time, Emergency Services and Law Enforcement will be conducting essential training alongside community members and school staff. We anticipate learning invaluable lessons through the collaborative efforts with our community safety partners.
We extend our sincere gratitude to North Salem State Bank for generously donating Chick-Fil-A box lunches and Re/Max Cornerstone for providing breakfast to our dedicated first responders, staff members, and volunteers.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize safety and preparedness within our county and school community.
Stay safe,
Dr. Corey Smith
Superintendent
Congratulations to Kailey Barnard on being named the March High School Student of the Month. Kailey was nominated by Mrs. Henry who said the following about Kailey.
"She is everything we expect an Eagle to be and more. She is not only brilliant in the classroom, but she is also an amazing pianist. She is kind to everyone and cares deeply for others. Her passion for hard work and giving her time and treasure to others is going to pay off for whatever path she chooses."
The next middle school teacher we would like to put in the spotlight is our 6th grade language arts teacher, the incomparable Mrs. Mandy Wells.
Mrs. Wells' students appreciate the spirit and passion she brings to her classroom. Fitting of the varsity cheer coach, students love that she "always dresses up for spirit weeks" at school, and that she encourages them to show their South Putnam pride, as well. Her students say she's "really funny", too, and that they love her sense of humor. Students also are thankful for the support she gives, saying "she likes to help people with their work". The flexibility she allows in her classroom (ESPECIALLY the bean bag chairs) is another thing her students like. Finally, her students recognize that she encourages them to make good choices. In Mrs. Wells' room, students can do work to earn tickets, and they can then use those tickets to buy rewards. They love that their efforts in Mrs. Wells' class are recognized in such a tangible way.
Thank you, Mrs. Wells, for providing your students with a bright and positive learning experience.
Students in Mr. Fraizer's class are learning to take apart and rebuild small engines. Not only are they learning the process but they also learn proper safety, tool use, and teamwork. These students are learning skills that they can use the rest of their lives.
Our football field and track are now under construction and are closed. I know the weather is gorgeous, and it is a perfect day to walk. At this time, that cannot be on the South Putnam track. We look forward to August when our new football field and resurfaced track are revealed. Thank you for your patience and support!
