PTSC Update: COVID-19

COVID-19

Porter Township School Corporation is closely following media reports and all updates from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).  This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and we will provide updated information on our website.  Additionally, we have provided a number of informational links on our website that you may find helpful, including guidance on when to send your child to school and when to keep them home if they are feeling sick.  You may find that information at https://www.ptsc.k12.in.us/student-health/covid-19/

Our school staff will continue to work with students to promote good hygiene, and emphasize the importance of hand washing with soap and water.  Our maintenance department continue to work to stop the spread of germs through cleaning and disinfecting of our buildings, including frequently touched surfaces.  We will continue with our diligence in this are as we have also worked to combat influenza.

It is important to remember that all Indiana schools work with local health departments to report excessive absenteeism.  This allows local health officials to monitor student absence and make determinations on social distancing to control infectious disease.  It is important to remember that in these situations, and in the event of COVID-19 becoming prevalent in our community, the decision on closing school would likely be made in conjunction with a federal or state agency monitoring infectious disease in order to help slow the spread of the infectious disease.  Porter Township School Corporation will be in communication with our families providing updated information in the event of such an outbreak.

As spring break approaches, you may have questions about your upcoming travel plans.  As this is rapidly evolving, you will want to keep monitoring this guidance to help you make travel decisions.  The CDC has guidance for you on this at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

PTSC Standouts

 

Thanks to the BGHS Key Club for hosting our first ever Daddy Daughter Dance!  It was a well-attended event that was enjoyed!  Thanks to the staff and students who made this happen for our families!  Lots of hard work was what happened behind the scenes!

BOONE GROVE BOYS TRACK opened up the 2020 season last night at the Hanover Central Indoor Invite. First place finishers for the Wolves included:

High Jump–James Krause

Shot Put–Joe Stephenson

55 M. Dash–Braeton Vann

4 X 800 M. Relay–Konnor Wauro, Zach Jeffries, Stan Zubek, Xander Warren

4 X 400 M. Relay–Stan Zubek, James Krause, Konnor Wauro, Braeton Vann

Do you have a standout to include in this section?  Email PTSC standouts to Dr. Schmidt at stacey.schmidt@ptsc.k12.in.us to make sure the standout is included.  She counts on you to send her updates all can celebrate PTSC student accomplishments!

Important Dates:

• 2019-2020 Calendar
• Now Enrolling for Preschool!

• March 10:  Choir Concert

• March 12:  Band Concert at 7PM at BGHS Small Gym
• March 13:  End of Third Quarter
• March 18:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• March 23-March 26:  Spring Break, No School
• April 10:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• April 13:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• April 15:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• April 22:  Kindergarten Round Up

• May 5:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day (Election Day)
• May 25:  Memorial Day, No School
• May 27:  Last Day of School for Students, End of Fourth Quarter
• May 28:  Teacher Record Day
• May 29:  BGHS Graduation

• Things to Know/Do:

  • Now hiring substitute teachers! Please contact Linda Dusek at the administration building if you are interested in substitute teaching and she will help you start the application process and discuss qualifications.
  • Do your friends and neighbors know how to find our weekly updates? Even if your neighbors don’t have kids in school tell them about our weekly updates so they can hear the great news of what happens at PTSC!
  • Every Wednesday is a 30-minute delayed start. If we have a 2-hour delay, students will arrive at school 2 hours after the regular start time for the building

PTSC Update: Census 2020

Census 2020

It’s Census time! Invitations to respond online or by phone will begin to arrive in mailboxes sometime between March 12-20th, 2020.

Why does this matter?  This is how we receive federal funding for many programs, so we need to make sure every child is counted!

According to research I have read, it is estimated that 5% of children under 5 were not counted in the 2010 (representing about 1 million lives).  If a child was 4 in 2010, they would be 14 in 2020 and Indiana potentially missed out on funding for that child.

How could this have happened?  There are a few considerations to make:

• If a child splits equal time between two homes, count them where they stayed on census day.
• Everyone should be counted, even if the living arrangements are temporary.  The census counts all people living or staying at an address, not just the person or family who owns or rents the property.
• In the past it was inconvenient (folks stopping at your house.  This year you can fill it out online and it should only take 10 minutes.
• The census bureau does not share information so it cannot be used against you.
• The census bureau will not share information with immigration enforcement agencies

Want to know how the census impacts federal money that Indiana receives?  Read below to learn about the 55 federal programs supported with these dollars (you will find many that impact schools!).

 

PTSC Standouts

Congratulations to the Boone Grove Middle School Cheerleaders on their outstanding competition finish in LaPorte!

Do you have a standout to include in this section?  Email PTSC standouts to Dr. Schmidt at stacey.schmidt@ptsc.k12.in.us to make sure the standout is included.  She counts on you to send her updates all can celebrate PTSC student accomplishments!

Important Dates:

• 2019-2020 Calendar
• Now Enrolling for Preschool!

 

• March 7:  Daddy Daughter Dance at PLE (BGHS Key Club)
• March 13:  End of Third Quarter
• March 18:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• March 23-March 26:  Spring Break, No School
• April 10:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• April 13:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• April 15:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• April 22:  Kindergarten Round Up

• May 5:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day (Election Day)
• May 25:  Memorial Day, No School
• May 27:  Last Day of School for Students, End of Fourth Quarter
• May 28:  Teacher Record Day
• May 29:  BGHS Graduation

• Things to Know/Do:

  • Now hiring substitute teachers! Please contact Linda Dusek at the administration building if you are interested in substitute teaching and she will help you start the application process and discuss qualifications.
  • Do your friends and neighbors know how to find our weekly updates? Even if your neighbors don’t have kids in school tell them about our weekly updates so they can hear the great news of what happens at PTSC!
  • Every Wednesday is a 30-minute delayed start. If we have a 2-hour delay, students will arrive at school 2 hours after the regular start time for the building

PTSC Update: Road Work in Porter Township!

Road Work in Porter Township!

Road work is the sign of warmer weather, right?  Well, then we are about to see a WHOLE lot of signs that warmer weather is on the way!  As we all traverse these roads daily, here are some things you may want to know:

• Dr. Schmidt is working hard to position herself and the district as a main point of contact to disperse information to you.  Watch these updates, Facebook, and Twitter to find the latest happenings and share these places with your neighbors who may want to know what is happening!
• Katrina Rogan is the Project Engineer for INDOT that is taking the lead on these immediate projects.  She has had Porter Township’s best interest in mind and is working hard to be a good partner with us and communicate with us–even when the information is inconvenient!
• The impact of these projects has already started at Hwy 2 and 100 South with intermittent road closures.    The INDOT project has not officially started, this is all the pre-project work to prepare for the big work ahead.
• Right now, that means that NIPSCO and KVREMC and working to do relocation of utilities.  This is a major undertaking and why there have already been intermittent road closures.    At this point we have not had advance communication about these closures, it has only been word of mouth in speaking with workers.
• In a project meeting today, it was discovered that these intermittent closures will continue, and will also involve closures on Hwy. 2.  It could be the entire intersection at 100 south and Hwy 2 is shut down, or they may be able to maintain one lane.  They are still working on the plan.  But it could last for up to 3 weeks.
• Additionally, there is utility work to be done at 500 west and Hwy. 2.  That means that there will be closures along Hwy 2 and 500 west, although they are anticipating these will be single lane closures.
• This portion of the utility relocation is scheduled from now through the end of March.
• April 1, the 100 South and Hwy 2 Round About Project is SCHEDULED to begin.  That will be a total shut down of that intersection.  If the utility work is complete, the project will be able to begin.
• At the end of May, the project at 500 West and Hwy 2 is scheduled to begin.  They are working with us to attempt to complete this during our summer break to have as little an impact on our school schedule as possible.  However, it may overlap with the end of this school year and the start of next school year.  (They are shaving down the hills on both sides of 500 West on Hwy 2 to increase visibility).
• We have also learned that between now and 2024 Porter Township will also have a structure rebuilt just to the east of Boone Grove High School on Hwy 2.  They have not finished engineering the project—so that’s why they haven’t come to us on it yet.  Additionally, there is a plan in the next coming years to mill and repave from Hebron to Valpo on Hwy 2.  And, wonder why the rumble strips are getting tarred?  They are crumbling and so water is getting under the road so they are tarring them as they are failing.
• There is a county project planned out further in the future to shave down some of the hills on 100 South.  They are doing a project similar to Hwy 2 and 500, but of a much grander scope.  You can see the project details here: https://www.porterco.org/highwayengineering/100S  This will not be a total road closure—they will work to maintain one lane with a flagger.  It will also cause some substantial disruptions, but we will work with them more as the project nears.

This has a HUGE impact on not only everyone who drives around here daily–but all of us who are trying to transport students to school!  For parents, it will be important to keep an eye on closures and detours if you are trying to drive to one of our buildings or if you have a student driver attempting to navigate Porter Township.

For our Transportation Department, it looks like we may have to do some SIGNIFICANT rerouting this spring.

Already we have had routes delayed as we have come across roads that are unexpectedly closed.  Already we have had routes delayed when there has been a flagger and one lane of traffic, stalling out our route for as long as 15 minutes (while poles were being replaced earlier this year).

Now we are going to have to change routes, figure out how to even get to some neighborhoods and houses, and also navigate intermittent closures, flaggers, and construction delays.  We will be communicating home any route changes that are made.  Please note that this spring may bring changes for transportation!

Watch for updates here–as we are kept in the loop, we will pass along the information to you.  Katrina Rogan from INDOT is wanting to keep the communication open to you as she has information to share.

PTSC Standouts

 

Congratulations to Kyle Colpitts, Jeremy Kranz, Zane Rayson and Luke Tatalovich on advancing to regionals in wrestling!

Do you have a standout to include in this section?  Email PTSC standouts to Dr. Schmidt at stacey.schmidt@ptsc.k12.in.us to make sure the standout is included.  She counts on you to send her updates all can celebrate PTSC student accomplishments!

Important Dates:

• 2019-2020 Calendar
• Now Enrolling for Preschool!

• February 13:  Ticket sales end for the Daddy Daughter Dance on March 7!

• February 14:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• February 17:  President’s Day, No School
• February 26:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• March 7:  Daddy Daughter Dance at PLE (BGHS Key Club)
• March 13:  End of Third Quarter
• March 18:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• March 23-March 26:  Spring Break, No School
• April 10:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• April 13:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• April 15:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• May 5:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day (Election Day)
• May 25:  Memorial Day, No School
• May 27:  Last Day of School for Students, End of Fourth Quarter
• May 28:  Teacher Record Day
• May 29:  BGHS Graduation

• Things to Know/Do:

  • Now hiring substitute teachers! Please contact Linda Dusek at the administration building if you are interested in substitute teaching and she will help you start the application process and discuss qualifications.
  • Do your friends and neighbors know how to find our weekly updates? Even if your neighbors don’t have kids in school tell them about our weekly updates so they can hear the great news of what happens at PTSC!
  • Every Wednesday is a 30-minute delayed start. If we have a 2-hour delay, students will arrive at school 2 hours after the regular start time for the building

PTSC Update: Now Enrolling at Porter Lakes Preschool!

Now Enrolling at Porter Lakes Preschool!

Even if you don’t have a three or four year old, please pass this along to someone who does.

PTSC Standouts

 

Tyler Knight has advanced to Semi-State for Individual Boys Bowling.  Way to go!

The following Boone Grove HS student-athletes were recognized by the IATCCC as honorable mention all-state cross country runners for the 2019 season:

McKenna Palmer, Senior

Konnor Wauro, Junior

Kyra Flesvig, Sophomore

Congratulations to these three amazing runners!

Congratulations to Garrett Dobrowski, Austin LeMar, Grant Cooper, and Chandler Murray for earning Academic All-State honors for football!

Do you have a standout to include in this section?  Email PTSC standouts to Dr. Schmidt at stacey.schmidt@ptsc.k12.in.us to make sure the standout is included.  She counts on you to send her updates all can celebrate PTSC student accomplishments!

Important Dates:

• 2019-2020 Calendar
• February 13:  Ticket sales end for the Daddy Daughter Dance on March 7!

• February 14:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• February 17:  President’s Day, No School
• February 26:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• March 7:  Daddy Daughter Dance at PLE (BGHS Key Club)
• March 13:  End of Third Quarter
• March 18:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• March 23-March 26:  Spring Break, No School
• April 10:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• April 13:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• April 15:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• May 5:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day (Election Day)
• May 25:  Memorial Day, No School
• May 27:  Last Day of School for Students, End of Fourth Quarter
• May 28:  Teacher Record Day
• May 29:  BGHS Graduation

• Things to Know/Do:

  • Now hiring substitute teachers! Please contact Linda Dusek at the administration building if you are interested in substitute teaching and she will help you start the application process and discuss qualifications.
  • Do your friends and neighbors know how to find our weekly updates? Even if your neighbors don’t have kids in school tell them about our weekly updates so they can hear the great news of what happens at PTSC!
  • Every Wednesday is a 30-minute delayed start. If we have a 2-hour delay, students will arrive at school 2 hours after the regular start time for the building

PTSC Update: iLearn, iRead, and Grade 10 ISTEP+

iLearn, iRead, and Grade 10 ISTEP+

Yes, I know, it’s still winter (even though so far winter has been lovely!).  Looking ahead to spring, standardized testing season arrives.  Here are some things you may want to know!

When does testing happen?  Here’s the schedule of dates for the 2020 spring testing season:

What are key things I need to know if my child is in grades 3-8 and will be taking iLearn?

How is iLearn Given?

From the Indiana Department of Education:  “ILEARN is a computer-adaptive assessment for Mathematics, English/Language Arts, Science, and Biology. Computer-adaptive assessments adjust the test questions that students see based on their performance. This adaptation allows each student to receive an individualized assessment that provides more precise data about student achievement. To learn more about computer-adaptive tests, visit our Assessment Literacy page.  The primary testing mode is online. Paper, large print, and braille materials will only be available for students as an accommodation.”  https://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/ilearn-families

What one thing would I recommend EVERY grade 3-8 parent do prior to the testing window?

Go dig into the items that the Indiana Department of Education has released that are sample test items.  Start in grade 3.  You will notice that for the writing portion students were asked to write AND PROVIDE CITATIONS to receive maximum points.  (I teach at the graduate level and have students who struggle with this!)  Dig into your student’s grade level.  Look at the format, the content, and the depth of knowledge that is expected of our child.  Our teachers have been adjusting their instructional depth of knowledge, but it is important for all parents to see and know what is expected.  See below for where to find this.

From the Indiana Department of Education:  “The Released Items Repository provides sample tests for all grade levels and content areas. Students can practice answering questions and using the different tools that are available.

• Released Items Repository Quick Start Guide
• Released Items Repository Training Module

For additional resources that describe the assessment (including our test blueprints and item specifications), visit our Test Design webpage.”  https://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/ilearn-families

iREAD-3

iREAD-3 is an assessment given to third graders delivered in an online format.  It is designed to assess foundational reading standards through grade 3.

From the Indiana Department of Education:

“The Department has provided several resources to help parents and students understand what the IREAD-3 assessment looks like.

• Visit AIR’s IREAD-3 Portal for resources from our test vendor, such as practice using the online test system.
• Look at the Item Sampler to practice questions similar to what you will see on IREAD-3.
• Explore the Test Blueprints to see what Indiana Academic Standards are being measured by this assessment.
  Want to know more about Test Blueprints? Check out this infographic.
• Find additional sample items and mastery statements for each Academic Standard in the Item Specifications.
  Want to know more about Item Specifications? Check out this infographic.”

doe.in.gov/assessment/iread-3-families

For High School Students:

“Students in Grade 10 must participate in the ISTEP+ Grade 10 Mathematics and English/Language Arts assessments. Students in cohorts 2019-2022 may participate in ISTEP+ Mathematics and English/Language Arts retest as needed in order to fulfill graduation requirements.”  https://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/istep-families

The state does have a request for proposals out for a new assessment at the high school level.  It is expected that this assessment will be either the ACT or SAT.

It is important for parents of high school students to be familiar with the graduation pathways as there are now many requirements that must be fulfilled for graduation, beginning with the class of 2023 (and for early adopters).

PTSC Standouts

Pictured above are the amazing BGMS National Junior Honor Society members.  They raised $300 at a bake sale and with that money were able to buy gifts for 3 children off of the Porter Township Angel Tree.  Students (and Mrs. Garcia!) donated their time on a Saturday to go and shop together for these gifts to make some children very happy.  We have amazing students, and amazing teachers.  Thank you, Mrs. Garcia, for putting this together!  Thank you to the students who donated and to the BGMS NJHS!

On Saturday, January 11th, the BGHS Varsity Boys Bowling team won the Quad County Sectional Championship.  The Boys 2020 team is Harry Tomasik, Blake Anderson, Hayden Neis, Clay Kraus, Alexander Kobus, Tyler Knight, and Cameron Creviston.  The boys advance to the regional meet to compete for the championship at Stardust in Merrillville on January 18th.  Outstanding work!

More great news!  On January 11th Tyler Knight won the individual boys Quad County Sectional Championship!  Clay Kraus placed 5th.  Both Ty and Clay will advance to the Regional Meet to compete in the Boys Individual Championship at Stardust in Merrillville on Saturday, January 18th!  Way to go, gentlemen!

Congratulations to Chandler Murray and Jake Mayersky on being named to the Indiana AP All-State Class 2A Football First Team for defense.   Brae’ton Vann (RB), Mark Holder (K) and Andrew Eriks (LB) were also recognized on the honorable mention list.  Another story of hard work paying off!

Congratulations to Lexi Darnell (1st team), Brook Burbridge (2nd team), Alivia Peters (honorable mention) and Kylie Tomasko (honorable mention) being named to the Post-Tribune Girls Soccer All-Area Team.

Congratulations to Coach Burbridge on being named the Post-Tribune Girls Soccer Coach of the Year!

Do you have a standout to include in this section?  Email PTSC standouts to Dr. Schmidt at stacey.schmidt@ptsc.k12.in.us to make sure the standout is included.  She counts on you to send her updates all can celebrate PTSC student accomplishments!

Important Dates:

• 2019-2020 Calendar
• January 22:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• February 14:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• February 17:  President’s Day, No School
• February 26:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• March 13:  End of Third Quarter
• March 18:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• March 23-March 26:  Spring Break, No School
• April 10:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• April 13:  No School or Snow Day Make-Up Day
• April 15:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day
• May 5:  BGMS/BGHS Online Day (Election Day)
• May 25:  Memorial Day, No School
• May 27:  Last Day of School for Students, End of Fourth Quarter
• May 28:  Teacher Record Day
• May 29:  BGHS Graduation

• Things to Know/Do:

  • Now hiring substitute teachers! Please contact Linda Dusek at the administration building if you are interested in substitute teaching and she will help you start the application process and discuss qualifications.
  • Do your friends and neighbors know how to find our weekly updates? Even if your neighbors don’t have kids in school tell them about our weekly updates so they can hear the great news of what happens at PTSC!
  • Every Wednesday is a 30-minute delayed start. If we have a 2-hour delay, students will arrive at school 2 hours after the regular start time for the building