eie special feature - center grove elementary school

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inside: Planning . . . and celebrating! From the Superintendent 2 Center for 21st Century Learning New Tech High 3 The Heart of Center Grove Camp Little Red Door 4 The CARE Pantry 4 Planning for the Future Strategic Planning Committee 5 Middle School Technology Grant 5 Celebrating the Present 2009 Graduate Spotlight 6 CGHS Mural Club 6 Around the District 7 Happenings Book Drive 8 SLC Enrollment 8 Straight No Chaser Concert 8 winter 2009-10 Special Feature: Center for 21st Century Learning: New Tech High the official publication of the Center Grove Community School Corporation

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school reviewinside:Planning . . . and celebrating! From the Superintendent 2 Center for 21st Century Learning New Tech High 3 The Heart of Center Grove Camp Little Red Door 4 The CARE Pantry 4

Planning for the Future Strategic Planning Committee 5 Middle School Technology Grant 5

Celebrating the Present 2009 Graduate Spotlight 6 CGHS Mural Club 6 Around the District 7 Happenings Book Drive 8 SLC Enrollment 8 Straight No Chaser Concert 8

winter 2009-10

Special Feature:Center for 21st Century Learning: New Tech High

the official publication of the Center Grove Community School Corporation

School Review Page 2

from the superintendent

planning ... and celebrating

Dr. Steven Stephanoff, Superintendent

New Faculty & Staff 2009

North GroveChristy BaileyTrent Spangler

Pleasant Grove Martha Andersen

Leslie RitterKaren Robertson

Cathy Thomas

Sugar GroveSamantha Robertson

West GroveLinda Bayne,

Interim PrincipalBree Ausenbaugh

Katie Davis

Middle School CentralSusan Porter

Erin CulbrethPaula Boas

Bonnie Newbold

Middle School NorthScott Johnson,

PrincipalAndrew Neutzel

Elizabeth Nye

High SchoolAmy Howie,

Assistant PrincipalStephanie Laydon

Clay HeavinAlisha Lemons

Even though colorful leaves are falling and the Indiana air is brisk, it is still growing season at Center Grove! Our enrollment remains in a growth pattern, and it is an exciting time of planning and change for Center Grove. During such times, we must work to avoid becoming so occupied with the task of preparation for the future that we fail to notice the accomplishments of the present.

In this issue of the “School Review,” you will see articles that reflect our future plans, such as the Center for 21st Century Learning (the New Tech High SLC) and recommendations from the Strategic Planning Committee. However, we will also celebrate the present by highlighting an outstanding graduate from the

class of 2009, the new mural club at CGHS, Professional Development Day, the freshly opened CARE Pantry, an effort by the Center Grove Alternative Academy, and much more.

We also welcome our new faculty and staff members for 2009-10 (most are pictured below). Now that they have entered the second nine-weeks of our school year, they are already woven into the durable and vibrant fabric that is Center Grove. We are also fortunate to have two previous administrators back in the fold. Former Sugar Grove Principal Linda Bayne is serving as the interim Principal for West Grove Elementary. After serving as an assistant principal from 2004-06, Scott Johnson has returned as principal of Middle

School North.The Center Grove tradition of

success continues in every area, with a steady stream of awards and accolades for our students, teachers, administrators, and schools. In the midst of news about an uncertain economy and state funding shortfalls, Center Grove is maintaining an excellent learning environment, and continuing our academic, technology, and literacy initiatives.

Please be sure to check our website (www.centergrove.k12.in.us) often for updates, including my weekly blog, new for the 2009-10 school year! Thanks for reading the “School Review,” and as always, please let us know how we may serve you and our community better.

Former CGCSC Principal, Linda Bayne, is serving as the Interim Principal for West Grove Elementary School. Bayne retired as principal of Sugar Grove Elementary School in 2008, after 15 years of experience as a principal.

Superintendent Dr. Steven Stephanoff said, “We had four principals retire in 2008, and we are very fortunate that they all expressed interest in continuing to contribute to our schools.” Since retiring, Bayne has worked for Center Grove Schools as a consultant, along with fellow retiree Cheryl Christen, to develop the Partners Enhancing Environments for Learning (PEEL) program.

“We needed a solid, experienced principal who could take off running,” explained Stephanoff. “I am so pleased that Linda was interested, because she has so much to offer. Her positive attitude and knowledge of student learning is a perfect fit for the needs of West Grove.” Filling the position on an interim basis allows the Strategic Planning Committee more flexibility in considering the future of the district’s elementary schools, Stephanoff said. Bayne’s contract is

for one year.“Oh, I definitely hit the ground running,” said Bayne.

Questions Bayne said she always asks at the beginning of the school year include what is going well and how to continue it, and what traditions are honored at the school.

“School traditions provide a comfort level for students, parents, and staff,” she explained. “I want to honor the West Grove traditions.”

Bayne also expressed confidence in her strengths in the areas of curriculum and academic achievement, and said that her early work at West Grove has been enjoyable, adding, “I am enjoying working with such a nurturing and talented staff.” Her goals for 2009-10 include a push toward academic achievement and reaching goals, honoring kids and their

achievements, and establishing trust relationships.On coming out of retirement, she laughs, “A year off is

really refreshing – I highly recommend it!” She also said that she is looking forward to getting back to work. “Being a principal is comfortable. It’s kind of like an old shoe; it just fits.”

Linda Bayne named Interim Principal for West Grove Elementary School

winter 2009-10Page 3

Are You Ready for New Tech?Center Grove will launch its

second small learning community, a New Technology High School, in August, 2010. Known as The Center for 21st Century Learning, it will be located within what is currently the high school’s English wing and will initially serve approximately 100-120 freshmen and 100-120 sophomores. By including Juniors in 2011 and Seniors in 2012, it will ultimately serve approximately 400 students and involve 12-15 staff members. New Tech students will be able to earn a CORE 40, Academic Honors, or Technical Honors diploma and will be able to “passport” out of New Tech to take other classes offered by CGHS. At each grade level, New Tech students will take at least one integrated course (e.g., American Literature and U.S. History) with 50-60 students taught by two teachers in a double-sized classroom.

Non-traditional Graduation RequirementsIn addition to meeting all Center Grove High School graduation

requirements, New Tech students must successfully complete a professional Epsilen ePortfolio, four college courses (e.g., Advance College Project (ACP), Advanced Placement (AP), or dual credit courses), community service hours, and an internship. These requirements, coupled with an emphasis on increasingly important 21st Century Skills, will prepare students for post-secondary and workplace success. New Tech students will graduate from Center Grove High School possessing

appropriate academic content knowledge, plus be able to think critically, solve problems, identify, synthesize, and analyze information, and work collaboratively.

A New Culture of Students at WorkWith the help of CSO Architects, New Tech will look, feel, and

function like a 21st century learning environment based on a professional culture of trust, respect, and responsibility. Both students and teachers will have exceptional ownership of school administration and the learning experience. Students will be engaged by Project- and Problem-based Learning (PBL), which is at the heart of the instructional model. Students will often work in teams to solve real-world problems, working on rigorous projects tied to Indiana’s academic standards. All New Tech learning studios [classrooms] will have a 1:1 computing ratio, and with Web-enabled computers all students will become self-directed learners who no longer have to rely primarily on teachers or textbooks for knowledge. So that all students have computer access outside of school, one or more solutions will be offered to give students 24/7 access to their school network drive and educational applications via a “virtualized” desktop.

Learner-Centered, Information-Age SchoolsBy launching a New Tech High School, Center Grove will join the fast-

growing and vibrant New Tech Network of over 40 schools in nine states. Indiana, the fastest growing New Tech state in the country, currently has eight network schools, including those in Decatur Township, Bloomington, and Columbus, and may add 10 or more network schools in 2010. The Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at University of Indianapolis facilitates Indiana’s growth and will help Center Grove evaluate its fidelity to the New Tech model, ensure sustainability, and monitor student achievement.

For more information, please visit the Center Grove High School website>SLC channel>Center for 21st Century Learning link or contact Paul Buck ([email protected] or 881-0581, x4448).

paul buck

the center for 21st century learning

“These schools provide an outstanding service to their children and to their communities by embracing a teaching method that challenges the traditional bounds of education while delivering increased student achievement.”

-- Tony Bennett, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction

“[New Tech students] experience learning opportunities that are culturally rich, socially and practically relevant, and responsive to their needs and interests.”

-- Linda Darling-Hammond, Stanford University

“Our future depends on equipping our students with the right knowledge and skills to succeed in post-secondary education and careers. New Tech High Schools are a great example of how Indiana is redesigning schools to keep our state competitive.”

-- Mitch Daniels, Indiana Governor

School Review Page 4

Fulfilling a need of the community is what students at the Center Grove Alternative Academy aim to do when they operate the CARE Food Pantry which opened on October 30. The not-for-profit CARE Pantry is based out of the old Maple Grove Elementary School, 2911 South Morgantown Road, and its goal is to provide needed assistance to residents in Johnson Country. During these tough economic times, the need is even greater and the pantry provides students the opportunity to give back to their community.

During the past month, students at the CGAA have been working diligently

cleaning and organizing the pantry. Initial food donations were made by Center Grove

Community School teachers on the first day of school, and donations have continued to roll in. Additional donations have been made by the Midwest Food Bank, as well as the community. CGAA students collaborated with members of Center Grove High School’s STUGO in a canned food drive at a home football game, and were successful in obtaining food as well as cash donations.

On Halloween night, Center Grove High School’s Student Government held their second annual trick-or-treating event to collect canned goods for the CARE pantry. Groups of students went door to door in 13 neighborhoods and collected 2,140 cans and nonperishable food items!

The following neighborhoods participated in the effort: Windsong, Forest Hills, Carefree South, Brentridge, Barrington West, Kensington, Wakefield, Eagle Trace, Willow Lakes East, Fair Oaks, Brentwood, and Auburn Trace. Thanks to the students and the residents who donated to help our community!

The CARE Pantry will be open on Friday afternoons, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Students from the CGAA will operate the pantry under the guidance and supervision of program coordinator Beth Bryant and academy teacher Mike Leavitt. The pantry accepts donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries, as well as monetary donations. Drop-offs can be made during the time that the pantry is open, or during normal school hours at the academy, located at 2929 South Morgantown Road. White River Township Fire Department stations are also serving as drop-off sites.

The anticipation and eagerness of the CGAA students working on the project has been overwhelming. They are excited for the opportunity to interact with their community and do their part by helping out those in need. “It is a great way to give back to the community and help those who need it”, Caleb Murray, Senior CGAA. For further information, contact Beth Bryant at 885-5242.

giving back

the heart of center groveThis season was the seventh time that both

of Center Grove’s Middle School Football programs competed for the final seventh and eighth grade games of the year. For the eighth graders, the evening marked the last game that these student athletes would play separately as North and Central football teams. While the athletes will not be joined together as a football team until next year, they chose to work together to honor and recognize one of their own, Tyler Genneken, a captain of the 8th Grade Center Grove Middle School Central Football Team. Tyler is experiencing a relapse of leukemia and while could not battle the friendly rival on the field, his battle with cancer was in the forefront of our minds in the Center Grove Community. Tyler’s passion for football began many years ago when he started playing in the Center Grove Bantam Football League. That passion is evident tonight in his desire to use this forum to give back to a very special program provided

to children with cancer. Tyler attended Camp Little Red Door in 2007 and 2008. A summer camp hosted by Little Red Door Cancer Agency each year at Bradford Woods (about 30 minutes south of Indianapolis), Camp Little Red Door was the first camp in the state specifically designed for children with cancer ages eight to eighteen. Joining Tyler to raise funds for Camp Little Red Door, the students, parents and staff of Center Grove Middle School Central and Center Grove Middle School North purchased T-shirts with Tyler’s name and jersey number on the back. All of the proceeds from the Center Grove Football Parents Club chili supper along with point

sponsorship money from Hutson and Sons Boiler and Welding, Inc. for each point earned by the Center Grove Middle School Central 8th

Grade Football Team was donated to Camp Little Red Door. Some of Tyler’s teammates also circulated the stands and facility to collect any spare change that fans wanted to donate. We collected $10,638 dollars for Camp

Little Red Door before and during the game! Thank you to all in our community who worked to serve Tyler’s cause. We also thank Tyler and the entire Genneken family for their dedication in helping others with similar needs.

For more information about Camp Little Red Door, go to www.littlereddoor.org.

CGHS Stugo Members Trick-or-Treated for the CARE PantryFront row: Emma Bentson, Ashley Weishaar, Laura Luengo Rodriguez, and Emily Bueno.

Back row: Avery Miller, Presleigh Hobbs, Nicole Birch, and Amber Fulton.

Camp Little Red Door

CARE Pantry

Caleb Murray cleans to prepare the CARE Pantry

winter 2009-10Page 5

strategic planning committeeHeaded by educational consultant Dr.

Emmett Lippe, a committee of approximately 80 community volunteers, school employees, and board members was formed to review the schools and develop a plan to accomplish our goals.

The Strategic Planning Committee met several times in August, and made a presentation during the September school board meeting. They identified eight major goals, as well as the strategies and timelines for implementation.

The goals are categorized as Student Achievement and Learning, Student Curriculum and Organizational Structures, Materials and Resources, Human Resources, Community Involvement, and Leadership.

Goal #1Educate and empower students to adapt to

a changing global environment so they are able to think, communicate, and compete using 21st Century skills.

Goal #2 Create and maintain a learning environment

that identifies and addresses student needs and provides opportunities for all levels of students to learn through curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities.

Goal #3 Provide focused, meaningful and relevant

professional development supporting all district initiatives.

Goal #4Obtain necessary district funding to support

and enhance educational programs.

Goal #5 Achieve balanced enrollment and equitable,

state-of-the-art facilities.

Goal #6 Attract and retain the most qualified staff in

all areas.

Goal #7 Promote diverse opportunities for

community and engagement in all programs.

Goal #8Our school board and administration will be

strong advocates for students, share a common vision, and engage in open, honest, ongoing communication with all stakeholders, creating an environment of unity and trust.

The Strategic Planning Committee met for a final session on Wednesday, October 28. The purpose of the meeting was to finalize the goals document and to prioritize the strategies within the plan.

The strategies considered to be high priority by the committee are as follows:

the board will appoint a Community Task •Force to implement redistricting on a periodic basis;plan a referendum for the general fund •whereby citizens can express their desires; keep class size as low as possible, provide •

additional staff, and redistrict to create equitable class size; the board will appoint a community •committee to study and update the long range facilities plan; equip every classroom and school with the •technology necessary to enable 21st century learning; open lines of communication on school •finance to all stakeholders. The board discussed the Strategic Plan

during a special session on Tuesday, November 3, and will do so again at the regular meeting on November 16. As we review these strategies, we realize that it will be a very busy winter and spring!

To view the committee’s complete presentation to the board, please see the Strategic Planning Committee link on the district website, at www.centergrove.k12.in.us.

For parents and community members who would like to be involved in strategic planning, the school board is seeking volunteers to serve on five new committees.

Financial Priorities1. General Fund Referendum2. Redistricting3. Long-Range Facilities Plan4. Legislative Advocates5.

To volunteer for one of more of these committies, please contact the CGCSC Administration Office at 881-9326, or email [email protected].

Center Grove is using federal stimulus money to equip eight middle school English classrooms with laptop computers. The $150,000 grant will fund 35 to 38 laptops for four classrooms each at Center Grove Middle School Central and Center Grove Middle School North. Three math and science classrooms in each building will also be equipped with interactive platforms. The goal of the grant is to study the effect technology has on student achievement, as well as to help teachers keep track of how individual students are learning. Students will be paired with laptops while in class, allowing teachers to use the computers during instruction, said Julie Bohnenkamp, technology director.

Teachers will get extra training on how to use technology in the classroom, and students will be able to improve their writing skills by using wikis and blogs. The laptops will remain at the schools, and the computers will not allow students to browse inappropriate material while in class.

Jack Parker, principal at Center Grove Middle School Central explained, that nationwide, one-to-one technology access in schools is becoming more common. “Children are immersed with technology in nearly all aspects of their lives, so it makes sense

for teachers to use the technology with which the students are familiar,” Parker said.

Teachers who participate in the program will be provided with extra training through technology-themed professional development, including online writing assessment software, reading assessment software, problem-based learning methods for classroom instruction, online classroom modules and collaborative writing techniques.

Another element of the grant awards select math and science teachers with interactive platforms for their classes. These platforms interact with multimedia already in the classroom - such as computers and projectors – and connect students with the interactive system.

Students use remote controls to answer questions, and teachers can immediately see the results and share the correct answers, as well as those given by the class. Also, teachers will be able to use the system to keep track of individual students for the purpose of adapting instruction. Fourteen teachers will participate with the project, which is scheduled to start in January.

Middle School Technology Grant

School Review Page 6

cghs class of 2009

graduate spotlightMackenzie Weeks

earned a 4.115 GPA, good enough to tie for the 10th place ranking in the CGHS Class of 2009. She was unable to return her Top 25 survey last summer due to her participation in the prestigious DePauw in Ecuador program.

The DePauw in Ecuador program is an opportunity for 20 select incoming freshmen to experience immersion into the Spanish language culture. All costs are covered, and participants receive a stipend.

The selection process for Mackenzie began when she was accepted by DePauw. Because of the extensive Spanish background she obtained at Center Grove, she was invited to apply. Requirements included an essay, written in Spanish, to be submitted along with the application, as well as a Spanish placement test to assess her abilities. Mackenzie, who credits CGHS Spanish teacher Senora Jo Jones with preparing her well, tested at the college junior level.

Upon arrival at campus, the incoming first-year students were asked to sign a pledge to speak Spanish only. Language immersion is an important component of the program. The students are on campus for three weeks, attend a daily Spanish class, and participate in classroom discussions about social activism to better prepare them for service in Quito. Students completed service projects in the Greencastle area and took day trips to nearby parks and events in Indianapolis. While in Ecuador, Mackenzie taught music classes to students in South Quito. The DePauw student group took planned weekend excursions to nearby breathtaking sites including Baños, where students rode bikes down the mountainside along waterfalls, Otavalo,

the largest Indigenous market in Ecuador, and Siempre Verde. They also spent time hiking at cloud level through a rain forest, swimming in icy waterfall fed pools, and traveling up the Andes Mountains in a chair lift that was little more than a soldered lawn-chair!

The DePauw students accompanied kids from the school on field trips to cultural sites in and around Quito. This area is quite poor, so it was an eye-opening experience for the entire group.

Mackenzie is currently in the Honors Scholar program of Distinction at DePauw, working toward a degree in History with a minor in Spanish.

While at Center Grove, she was a National Merit Scholar, an AP Scholar, and winner of the Denny French History Scholarship and the DePauw Presidential Scholarship for Excellence.

One of her favorite high school memories is when her Spanish 5 class took the last high school field trip, “a Justo Lamas (a perfect Spanish blend of motivational speaker and pop star in an edgy, teen-friendly package) concert at a local high school where we poured our hearts into the refrains of ‘Eres Tu’ and danced in the aisles to ‘Bidi Bidi Bom Bom.’”

Mackenzie credits “John Frank, Jo Jones, Sheila Bickley, and Jerry Maguire, who all held a staggering amount of influence on my education, with their overwhelming exertion and enthusiasm. I must, in turn, recognize that my family has always been the biggest advocate of my education, and the most devoted and fervent supporters of anything and everything at which I have ever dared to try, fail, or succeed. I am so grateful.”

To the Class of 2010, Mackenzie’s passes along Woody Allen’s advice, “He said, ‘Eighty percent of success is showing up.’ I’m fairly positive he was

talking about senior year in high school.” “Reflecting upon my high school

experience and my comparative success in the class of 2009, the only thoughts I feel compelled to share are thoughts of gratitude. Gratitude that I was blessed with the capability and the motivation to succeed; gratitude that my natural ardor for learning was fostered by teachers who actually cared to tend and preen it; gratitude for a close-knit family and smart, hilarious parents; and gratitude for coffee, Red Bull, Snuggies, Wikipedia, and all other invaluable study aids.”

Mackenzie (front left) and her fellow “DePauw in Ecuador” classmates while visiting the Equator.

Mackenzie assisting an indigenous family prepare a meal. On the menu that evening was Guinea Pig.

CGHS Mural ClubCGHS has started a mural club for art students, and already boasts more than 40 members!

They recently finished their first mural at Monicals pizza (cover photo), are currently raising money to paint sponsor Amy Robertson’s classroom, and then have several ‘clients’ in the community who have asked the club to mural for them. Next in line for ‘paint jobs’ are University Heights nursing home, and then the Vineyard Community Church outreach bus.

Members who completed the Monicals mural include (clockwise from left) Club Sponsor Amy Robertson, Taylor Shireman, Victoria Burnett, Baik Shea, Brian Story, Hope Tambala, and Allison Tegue. Not pictured: Karli Kopetski, Shelby Fullenweider, Zach Hamilton, Alissa Imran, and Andersyn Benedict.

winter 2009-10Page 7

cgcsc

around the districtMultimedia Classroom News

West Grove’s music teacher, Mr. Rich McKay, has developed his lessons using the multimedia system. You should see him in action, as words cannot provide the real picture! His presentations with music, notes and students are phenomenal. He provides creative positive behavior supports for students using rocks and rock and roll! His goal this school year is to extend these lessons even further.

NASC UpdateThe NASC National Conference is a convention,

hosted by only one high school each year, of student council members from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, Canada and Australia. Approximately 1,500 delegates, both students and advisors, attend each year. The NASC Conference is held at a host high school and student delegates participate in leadership workshops, listen to motivational speakers, participate in a community service project, and network with other students who are also in student council. This summer, June 26-29, 2010 Center Grove High School is hosting this truly awesome event.

This student-led conference is becoming a reality thanks to the hard work of 25 amazing young people in our school. They would like to thank their most recent financial sponsor Franklin College. Franklin College has generously agreed to sponsor the conference backpacks! They will be named at the “Owner” level of sponsorship ($10,000-$19,999 donations). These students would love for you to be involved as well, so please join us as we start the engines of leadership!

Get Involved!Be a financial partner (even small donations make a difference).Host delegates for dinner June 26.Volunteer at the convention.

Find out more at: www.nasc2010.org or email Amy Fix at: [email protected].

Adopt a PenguinThe second grade classrooms at Maple Grove

Elementary are raising money to adopt a penguin from the Indianapolis Zoo. This effort will provide food and supplies for each adopted penguin for one year. To provide students with an environmentally friendly fundraiser, each classroom sold Smencils, smelly pencils made from recycled newspaper, during our annual Fall Festival. The purpose of this project is to reinforce that each and every one of us, big or small, can make a difference for our planet.

Lacrosse All-American AwardCenter Grove

Lacrosse is proud to announce that Emily Denney, Senior Captain for the 2010 season has been awarded the National Academic All-American award by US Lacrosse. The award is for her outstanding

accomplishments during the spring 2009 lacrosse season.

Emily is very deserving of this award and has worked hard to achieve her academic and athletic accomplisments over her high school career.

To receive this National award, Emily must be nominated by her coach, exceed grade point and class requirements, be involved in community service, excel on the playing field, and be recommended by the state selection committee to US Lacrosse.

Emily was recognized by the CG Board of School Trustees and presented with a Certificate of Excellence during the October meeting.

Professional Development DayOn Monday, September 21, our faculty and staff

attended a highly successful Professional Development Day regarding Response to Intervention. Dr. Janet Boyle, Wendy Kruger, Susan Smith, and many more did a tremendous job of making this day both informative and fun! Our very own talented teachers and administrators presented most of the sessions.

The door prizes donated by businesses and individuals in our community and the Indianapolis area were very appreciated, and a big hit – especially as distributed with flair by Brian Quinlan! Thanks to everyone who planned, created, presented, assisted, and participated in this important day.

North Grove Family Fun NightNorth Grove held their annual Kindergarten

Family Fun Night on Tuesday, September 29th. Kindergarten students performed Nursery Rhymes for their families and then families worked on literacy activities together. Each Kindergarten student who attended received a free book to take home.

West Grove Fashion Show The WGES 5th grade held a fashion show using

students and their Power Point presentations. They integrated Social Studies and Writing very creatively. Also, the teachers modeled their own Power Point presentations at the beginning of the project, allowing the students to grade them on the rubric used for student projects.

Center Grove Marching TrojansOn Saturday, October 10, Center Grove High

School hosted the 25th Annual Cavalcade of Champions. While the Center Grove Marching Trojan Band performed in exhibition, 21 bands from around the state competed in four classes. First place winners were Springs Valley in Class D; Western in Class C; Northview in Class B; and Avon in Class A. Congratulations to the CGHS Trojan Band for their 3rd place finish at the ISSMA State Finals on Oct. 31!

CGES Students Publish NewspaperThe fifth grade extended learning program has

launched a ‘student directed’ weekly newspaper called the E.L. Times. The students brainstorm different topics to write about, including current events, animal tidbits, recipes, book, horoscopes, school lunches, an advice column, cartoons, and of course games.

Students, Peter Golder and Adam Warner are the Editors in Chief of the E.L. Times. These students collaborate with editors who confer with the writers to ensure that they are meeting deadlines. Through research, technology, and teamwork, this amazing group of students has published the E.L. Times with enthusiasm. To celebrate the first issue, the class threw a party to which students wore red, white, and black. They played gamesand held a newspaper costume contest.

Teacher LeAnne Matthews said, “I am very proud of these guys! Other students ask them if this is a required project, but they are able to proudly tell them that it is something they choose to do on their own because they enjoy every part of the experience.”

To view issues of the E.L. Times, go to Matthews’ CGES teacher webpage (www.centergrove.k12.in.us) and click on the corresponding link.

winter 2009-10 Page 8

school reviewCenter Grove Community School Corporation4800 W. Stones Crossing RoadGreenwood, IN 46143-9100(317) 881-9326www.centergrove.k12.in.us

Non-ProfitOrganizationUS Postage

PAIDGreenwood, INPermit No. 32

The Center Grove Community School Corporation Mission:

To develop knowledgeable, confident and responsible citizens by providing an extensive learning

experience relevant to the interests and capabilities of every student, in partnership with the home

and community.

ADMINISTRATIONDr. Steven Stephanoff

Superintendent

Dr. Janet BoyleAssistant Superintendent

Dr. Bill LongAssistant Superintendent

Dr. Paul GabrielChief Financial Officer

BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEESDr. Jim Copp, PresidentDr. Scott Gudeman, Vice PresidentMrs. Carol Tumey, SecretaryMr. Mark Dietel, MemberMr. John Steed, Member

On the Cover: The first mural completed by the new CGHS Mural Club is on display at Monical’s Pizza on Smith Valley Road.

HappeningsCGHS November Book Drive

The book reading club at the high school is holding a book drive from Nov. 2 – Nov. 24. All books received will be donated to George Washington High School in Indianapolis.

Students at Center Grove High School are asked to bring books to their STaR class. Members of the Center Grove community may donate books and magazines by bringing them to the high school library between 7:30 am and 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday during the month of November.

All types of books are needed to serve a wide range of students; however they must be school appropriate.

For more information, please contact the high school Media Director, Jill Ball, at [email protected].

Thank you for helping us to help others in our area!

SLC Enrollment at CGHSThe Center for 21st Century Learning, the

New Tech High small learning community, is coming in August, 2010 for grades 9 and 10.

The Early College SLC began this fall, and will also be accepting new students for 2010-11.

Even if you were unable to attend the parent call-out meeting on November 9, interested parents may contact us at any time for more information. Please visit the Center Grove High School website>SLC channel>Center for 21st Century Learning link or contact Paul Buck at [email protected] or 881-0581, x4448.