Junior Danae Cline started a new Little Eaglettes mentoring program this school year. A group of high school student athletes were nominated by their coaches and then selected by a committee. They go to Central Elementary twice a month to mentor a group of third grade students. Participating high school students include Danae Cline, Elizabeth Dobson, Landon Chew, Wyatt Mullin, Aiden Beadles, Madison Gardner, Josie Helton, Alie Newby, Keaton Chew and Drew Cline. Today student mentors were working with their mentees on Create2Think Rube Goldberg projects. Thank you, Danae, for creating this wonderful program this year!
Congratulations to senior Sydnee Boswell! Since September 2023, Sydnee has been attending Emergency Medical Technician training at Hendricks Regional Health in Danville, Indiana. She spent four hours every Tuesday and Thursday in class the past six months totally about 100 hours of classroom study. In addition, she was required to do 96 hours of clinicals in 12 hour shifts based in an ambulance or emergency department. Sydnee took her state psychomotor skills exam and passed on the first try! She will officially receive her EMT license/certification when she turns 18 this spring. Upon graduation from high school she is eligible to apply for a job as an EMT or even a Medic in a hospital setting. She will be attending Ivy Tech Community College in the fall where she plans to obtain her LPN while working as an EMT/Medic. Her long-term goal is to obtain her Bachelor's in Nursing and RN and possibly someday become a flight nurse. Sydnee participates in our Career Exploration Internship program led by teacher Broc Leslie. It is remarkable that Sydnee is successfully fulfilling her graduation requirements, participating in school activities, working a part-time job and completing her EMT training. Sydnee lights up when she talks about the work she has completed so far, and her plans for the future. She has already shown extraordinary determination and care for others. Those whom she will treat in the future will be in very good hands. Congratulations Sydnee! We are proud you are an Eagle!
Congratulations to Mrs. Carranza and her art students who participated in the county-wide exhibit at the Putnam County Museum this weekend. Artwork is on display until April 19th. Elise Kendall, Marley Schwartz, Emma Ridgway and Stevie Keenan were awarded blue ribbons.
"I work in a public school to help our youth learn new things. I like helping them cope with challenges and find solutions. I like teaching them time management and other skills they will need throughout their life. I like letting them see that they are capable and able to be wonderful, productive members of society."
"I was blessed to have the teachers I did throughout my own public school education, and I wanted to pay it forward and perhaps be the "one" person that some kids need in their lives. I feel that I am able to form connections with teenagers specifically, and that they feel comfortable coming to me."
Our teachers have been sharing their thoughts all week about why they choose to teach at a public high school. Here is another comment: "I have always loved learning and being in a learning environment. Public school teaching is a job with a lot of variety, as no two days are ever the same. I enjoy learning from all of my students, celebrating their progress with them, and supporting them when they struggle. Teaching allows me to serve my community by enriching young lives, not just in instructing core subjects, but in sharing my lifelong love for learning as well."
The new SPMS Game Club invites more students to join in the fun. Groups meet weekly in Mrs. Boyce's room to enjoy a variety of board games, to play cards, and share new activities together. The next meeting will be on Monday, March 4th from 3:15-4:15 pm.
Congratulations to Jaicee Jackson who is enrolling at St. Mary of the Woods majoring in psychology and sociology!
"I would not be where I am today had it not been for public education. It is incredibly fulfilling to have the opportunity to share the knowledge I have gained from public education with my students, empowering them to realize their full potential."
"As a first-generation [college graduate], my public school and the community surrounding changed my life. I work at a public school because I want to encourage students and help them believe "they can". "
"I love working with kids and the energy and crazy creative insight they bring. It has also been so fun to watch them mature from silly middle school students to really skilled high schoolers with goals and ambition. This coupled with the idea that what we do for a community is invaluable is why I started in public education and why I've stayed!"
"I have only worked in public schools. All students deserve everything they can get and achieve and their opportunity for that is public schools. I work with students who sometimes struggle to get it. There's nothing like seeing that lightbulb go off from their facial expression, telling me, "they got it". I have been asked many times, when will I retire. My reply - why? There is no place I would rather be. Knowing there are students who need our time, experience and wisdom to get them to the goals they are trying to achieve, is part of the learning process that teachers strive for everyday. When those students walk across the stage, with their diploma in their hand, and a smile on their face, that is our reward knowing we had some small part of putting it there. Helping these students is the highlight of my life. Why would I ever not want to be here for that?"
Thank you to Kim Beadles and Jenna Nees with the Purdue Extension Office for guiding students through an activity in Mrs. Boyce's middle school math class. Students participated in "Mathematics on the Farm" during which they gained an understanding of farm commodities by making predictions about harvest utilizing M&Ms.
Congratulations to Amanda Line! She was selected as the Ivy Tech Terre Haute Campus recipient of the 3rd Annual President's Award for Excellence in Dual Credit Instruction, presented annually to honor Ivy Tech's most outstanding dual credit instructors statewide! Amanda is also a finalist for the prestigious 2024 Indiana FFA Golden Owl Award. Thank you, Amanda, for your hard work and excellence! It is a huge gift to our students!
Mrs. Henry took her dual credit U.S. History class to IU today to attend a lecture and take a campus tour. "Our students participated in the class discussion and represented our school well!"
"I work in a public school, because my children go to a public school and are getting an amazing education!"
"I work at a public school, because I feel I may be able, in some small way, to make a difference in someone's life. I may be a "light" the students see."
"I work at a public school, because after my family and religious community, teachers and coaches from public schools had tremendous impact on my life at very important times. I was incredibly lucky to cross paths with some great teachers and coaches who actually cared about me as a student, athlete, and person. I honestly do not know where I would be today if not for some of those wonderful people who entered my life at just the right time."
Congratulations to Griffin Jones who is enrolling at Indiana University and will be majoring in BFA Cinematic Arts through the IU Media School!
Congratulations to Jordan Simpson who has enlisted in the Marines to become Infantry!
