PTSC Update: 13 Reasons Why

13 Reasons Why

Have you heard of the Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why?  Perhaps you are behind the times as I am until you began to see posts on social media about the content being portrayed in this show (which is based on a popular novel).  When I encounter this type of content, one of the first places I turn is Common Sense Media.  I’ve posted about them before, and  think they are a fabulous resource as it is impossible for me to keep up with all of the latest tv shows, movies, apps, and books that are out there.  When I went to this website, here’s what I find about 13 Reasons Why:

“Parents need to know that 13 Reasons Why is an intense, dark Netflix drama based on the popular young adult novel Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher and is definitely not a light watch or for younger kids. The disturbing story explores a troubled teen’s motivations for committing suicide, opening after the fatal event, with all appearances by deceased Hannah in the reflections of a boy who harbored a secret crush on her. Messages about treating people with respect and not taking others for granted are prominent, but the fact that Hannah blames others for her suicide is problematic and may send the wrong messages to some sensitive teens…While this challenging story could help parents start conversations with teens about issues like bullying, isolation, and depression, the way the series addresses these issues is complex and may be confusing for impressionable viewers.” —Taken from Common Sense Media

From speaking with a couple of parents, they have learned about the show and that their teens are watching it from conversations with their teens.  It is great when our kids come to us to talk about topics such as this.  However, not every child will start the conversation with us.  It is important to know what our kids are watching and be ready to start a conversation about this.  Looking for some help to guide you through that discussion?  Common Sense Media put out a guide for helping parents talk to their kids about this that you may want to check out.  You may want to watch the show with your kids (if they are going to watch it with or without you–with you is definitely better!)

The National Association of School Psychologists has also weighed in.  In a document they put out, they provide this guidance for parents (along with not recommending “that vulnerable youth, especially those who have any degree of suicidal ideation, watch this series”):

1. Ask your child if they have heard or seen the series 13 Reasons Why. While we don’t recommend that they be encouraged to view the series, do tell them you want to watch it, with them or to catch up, and discuss their thoughts.
2. If they exhibit any of the warning signs (found in the document), don’t be afraid to ask if they have thought about suicide or if someone is hurting them. Raising the issue of suicide does not increase the risk or plant the idea. On the contrary, it creates the opportunity to offer help.
3. Ask your child if they think any of their friends or classmates exhibit warning signs. Talk with them about how to seek help for their friend or classmate. Guide them on how to respond when they see or hear any of the warning signs.
4. Listen to your children’s comments without judgment. Doing so requires that you fully concentrate, understand, respond, and then remember what is being said. Put your own agenda aside.
5. Get help from a school-employed or community-based mental health professional if you are concerned for your child’s safety or the safety of one of their peers. See Preventing Youth Suicide Brief Facts (also available in Spanish) and Preventing Youth Suicide: Tips or Parents and Educators for additional information.

As I’ve been writing this, I’ve read a lot online about the show/book.  Here are some resources I found particularly helpful:

• From a school counselor with lots of great resources and a breakdown of discussion points to have with kids (and breaking some of the glorification of this)
• Read these helpful points from SAVE.org and the JED Foundation to further understand how 13 Reasons Why dramatizes situations and the realities of suicide.
• Save a Friend:  Tips to help prevent suicide
• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Blog post from Victor Schwartz, part of the JED Foundation

My first inclination is to encourage folks to not watch the show.  But reality is our children will be exposed to this type of dialogue and media whether they watch the show or not and we need to be active and engaged in their lives as someone with whom they can discuss anything.  One thing I know for certain:  family support and connectedness are essentials for every child.  Every child needs a significant adult in their lives–be it a parent, and aunt, a teacher, a coach, an administrator, a school counselor, or a close family friend.  Navigating these waters is challenging, and our kids need support.  If you need help as a parent navigating these waters or have concerns about your child, don’t hesitate to contact your building administrator, school counselor, or a community based mental health agency.

Most of all, researching this has made me want to wrap my arms around my boys who are too young to understand all of this and think of the ways each day to give them reasons why they matter.  I know that is the cry of every parent’s heart.  Take time this week to have meaningful conversations with your kids, even if they are about tough things.

PTSC Standouts:

NWI Works Council Selects the following Porter County CTE Graduates for Prestigious Outstanding 21 under 21 Future Leader Award:   BGHS celebrates with Kennedy Starcevich on this honor!

Tonight four of our BGHS students will be inducted into the Porter County Career and Technical Center’s Honor Society!  This is a terrific honor!  Congratulations to Hannah Christy, Emily Barton, Truman Maxwell, and Eden Priest on their outstanding achievements!

Here is an outstanding email we received complimenting our student athletes and coaches for the track team that says a lot about our staff, students, and the families in Porter Township (AWESOME!):

“On Tuesday April 11th, your track team traveled to South Central for a meet.  I was one of the moms who volunteered to assist at the throwing events.  This was the first time myself and the other moms were completely in charge of the event and we were unsure of all the technicalities.  Your throwing coach could not have been nicer.  He assisted us with going over rules, explained exactly how to measure throws, and how to check for ‘scratches’.  In addition, your boys, I only helped with the boys events, were some of the most polite students.  Too often the positive behavior is not recognized and I wanted to be sure to let you and your school know what a pleasure it was to work with your student athletes.”

On Thursday, April 13, 2017, Commander Charles of the Indianapolis Division of the USO came to Boone Grove Elementary to pick up donations the 4th and 5th graders at Boone Grove Elementary collected for deployed troops as part of their Valentine’s/Friendship Day celebration.  The children collected everything from razors and socks to snacks and playing cards.  We had over 2,000 items donated!

Commander Charles is a veteran that served in the Marines for many years before retiring and joining the USO.  He spoke to several students and told them there are approximately 400 troops set to be deployed this month and the items that were brought in by our generous Boone Grove Elementary families and students will be given to these troops as well as sent overseas to others already deployed.  Commander Charles explained to several students how much the troops appreciate any little donation they receive while they are deployed and that they usually only receive items around Christmas, not throughout the year.

Commander Charles also honored Kennedy Blashill with a USO Challenge Coin for her hard work with organizing and taking inventory of the donations received.  Commander Charles also gave the children that helped to load up his vehicle some fun USO sunglasses!

Thank you to each 4th and 5th grader for their selfless acts, for thinking about those that are making such scary sacrifices for our country, and especially to ALL the fourth and fifth grade teachers who were so patient, supportive, and letting us use a corner of each of their rooms to store the donations.  Boone Grove definitely has wonderful families!

[Pictured clockwise are:  Hayley Takacs, Annie Blanchard (secretary), Patrick Fuller (assistant-principal), Barb Blashill, Ashlyn Ramos, Nicholas Ramos, Leah Lewin, Natalie Meinert, Kennedy Blashill, and Madison Martin.]  –Special thanks to Barb Blashill for sending this to me!  We agree wholeheartedly and are grateful for the example our 4th and 5th grade students have set for the entire district!

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 your standout is included.

Important Dates:

• April 24-May 26:  ECA Spring Testing Window
• May 2, 2017:  Beyond the Influence Workshop Series on Marijuana by Todd Willis

• May 26:  End of Quarter 4/Semester 2–Last day for students
• May 27:  Kent’s Run–The 10th and final Kent’s Run 5K will be held on Saturday, May 27th, at 8 am at Boone Grove Elementary School.  Over the past nine years this event has raised over $350,000 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  The entries are capped at 1,000 participants.  Race details and a link to the registration page can be found at www.KentsRun.com.  As always, there will be live music on the course, finisher medals for all participants, and a free pancake breakfast to all participants.

• May 30:  Last day for teachers
• June 4:  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: Tour the Renovated Porter Lakes Elementary School!

Tour the Renovated Porter Lakes Elementary School!

Come on out to Porter Lakes Elementary School on Thursday, April 13th, between 6-6:30 pm to have our student tour guides show off the newly renovated Porter Lakes Elementary School!  We’d love to see former students, current and former PTSC teachers, parents, and community members as we show off all of the work that happened in a very short window at Porter Lakes this summer!  All are welcome–bring a friend!

PTSC Standouts:

I had to read this email I received about three times to let it all sink in.  I will read it another day when I need a reminder about the amazing students we have in PTSC!  This speaks volumes and I am so proud of all of you!

“I wanted to let you know about the amazing 4th and 5th grade children at Boone Grove Elementary.  As part of their Valentine’s/Friendship Day parties, they decided to bring in donations for our deployed troops.  They brought in almost 2,000 items, from razors and socks to snacks and playing cards.  Several classes also decorated the boxes containing their donations as well as made cards and wrote letters.  Additionally, we raised $120 in monetary donations to give to the troops.  I wanted to give a huge shout out to them for their selfless acts, for thinking about those that are making such scary sacrifices for our country, and especially to ALL the fourth and fifth grade teachers who were so patient, supportive, and letting us use a corner of each of their rooms to store the donations.  I will be meeting with Commander Charles (former Marine) from the USO, Mr. L., and Mr. Fuller this Thursday, April 13th at 9:15 a.m. at Boone Grove Elementary to give him the items the children brought in.” (Thanks, Barb Blashill, for sending this to me!)

Have you heard about Liz Hedger?  Here’s an update on her amazing activities I received last week from her family!  “Just wanted to give you an update on another international swim meet my daughter Liz Hedger, seventh grade Boone Grove MS, just competed in over Spring Break.  We got back Monday from Windsor, Ontario, where she competed in her third CanAm Paraswimming Championships meet … the 2017 Windsor Speedo CanAm Paraswimming Championships.

 Liz, who’s classified in the S6 division, competed from Friday to Sunday. She swam seven events and set personal records in six of them. She won her first CanAM gold medal in the 200 freestyle, dropping her best time by seven seconds, and finished third overall in the S6 classification for both the 50-meter freestyle (45.02 seconds) and 50-meter butterfly (54.47 seconds). In each of those races, the only competitors to finish ahead of Liz were on the Canadian and Mexican national teams, and both are in their 20s.

 She also swam a relay leg on one of two U.S. teams in the 4×50 meter freestyle relay, which was Liz’s first time officially swimming for Team USA in international competition.

 The meet included swimmers of all ages from the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and was used as a time trial by Mexico and Canada to determine their rosters for the 2017 World Paraswimming World Championships, which will be held Sept. 30 to Oct. 6 in Mexico City, Mexico.  Liz’z next big meet will be June 9-11 am in Indianapolis, where she will compete in a World Paraswimming World Series event at the IUPUI Natatorium.  She swims for Mako Swim Team, which trains at Valparaiso University.”

Way to go, Liz!  Way to drop that much time–truly impressive!

To round out this week’s awesome news–how about a TWO full ride scholarships for Boone Grove High School students?  That’s what Bryce Vann and Lukas Steinhilber received last week from Urschel Laboratories!  Outstanding work, Bryce and Lukas!  We can’t wait to see what your future holds!

 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 your standout is included.

Important Dates:

 

• April 17:  Snow Make Up Day or Break Day (Right now a break day!)
• April 17-May 5:  ISTEP+ Part 2 Testing Window
• April 18:  FYSB workshop on Synthetic Drugs

• April 19:  BGHS and BGMS Online Day
• April 24-May 26:  ECA Spring Testing Window
• May 26:  End of Quarter 4/Semester 2–Last day for students
• May 30:  Last day for teachers
• June 4:  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: Substance Abuse Prevention

Substance Abuse Prevention

Here’s a great opportunity right in our backyard!

Have you checked out the Prevention Awareness Network?  Liking this on Facebook will bring you frequent prevention minutes about things going on in our county.  Check out this one from February which has information every parent needs to know:

Feb 20, 2017 Porter County National Drug Threat Assessment from Prevention Awareness Network on Vimeo.

PTSC Standouts:

Congratulations to Zac Beatty who was one of two to present to the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission (VRDC) on a plan they designed for the name and logo for the new Valparaiso Bike Sharing program.  Zac did this as part of his Marketing class.  The VRDC selected our students’ name and logo for the new Valparaiso Bike Sharing program.  The new bike sharing program will be started this summer and will link the downtown to bikers from the university and throughout the community.  Check out the photos in the Porter County Career Center’s March newsletter on page 5!

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 your standout is included.

Important Dates:

• March 20-24:  BGE Book Fair
• March 21:  BGHS and BGMS Choir Concert at BGHS in the small gym at 7 pm featuring the Magical Music of Disney (Adults $4 Children $2)
• March 27-31:  Spring Break, No School
• April 6:  Substance Abuse Prevention event in Portage

• April 17:  Snow Make Up Day or Break Day (Right now a break day!)
• April 17-May 5:  ISTEP+ Part 2 Testing Window
• April 19:  BGHS and BGMS Online Day
• April 24-May 26:  ECA Spring Testing Window
• May 26:  End of Quarter 4/Semester 2–Last day for students
• May 30:  Last day for teachers
• June 4:  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: 2017 Legislative Session

2017 Legislative Session

I received the below information from Dr. Richard Frisbie, Purdue University, through the Indiana Association for Public School Superintendents.  If you follow the legislative session at all, you know how hard it is to keep current with the bills and their current status.  This is a good place to start if you are interested in following the bills impacting public schools.  

Here is the Indiana General Assembly 2017 Session Education-Related Bills Update for March 2, 2017.  The attached spreadsheet includes basic information for 199 bills (62 live and 137 dead) plus 25 resolutions (24 live and 1 dead).  If any bills have not passed out of the first house by now, they are dead for this session.  I’ll occasionally update and redistribute this list as the session progresses.

The currently live bills and resolutions also are listed below.

Indiana General Assembly 2017 First Regular Session Legislation

Bill:  March 2, 2017

SB 15: Cannabidiol for the treatment of epilepsy.

SB 29: Elective course on Indiana studies.

SB 30: Student school information.

SB 34: Background checks for school employees.

SB 46: Various pension matters.

SB 60: State officer salaries.

SB 61: School resource officers.

SB 62: School substance abuse prevention pilot program and fund.

SB 85: Funding school transportation and public transit.

SB 86: School curriculum.

SB 108: Education matters.

SB 117: United States history courses.

SB 182: Superintendent contracts.

SB 196: School debt service obligations.

SB 198: Career and technical education.

SB 224: Prekindergarten status report.

SB 248: Consolidation of school corporations.

SB 249: Teacher hiring.

SB 262: Bonding for transportation projects.

SB 276: Prekindergarten education.

SB 298: School employee background checks.

SB 337: Study of ethnic and racial groups course.

SB 355: Child abuse education and policies.

SB 367: Revocation of teaching licenses.

SB 390: Employment of individuals with disabilities.

SB 392: Emergency medication in schools.

SB 407: Education matters.

SB 409: Collective bargaining.

SB 412: 529 education savings plan matters.

SB 423: Sanctuary policies and educational institutions.

SB 435: Mental health education and screenings.

SB 475: Developmental delay.

SB 498: Teacher compensation.

SB 504: Programs and services for charter schools.

SB 506: Suicide prevention programming.

SB 567: Gary schools and the distressed unit appeal board.

HB 1001: State biennial budget.

HB 1003: Student assessments.

HB 1004: Prekindergarten education.

HB 1005: Superintendent of public instruction.

HB 1007: Education course access program.

HB 1008: Workforce development.

HB 1009: School financial management.

HB 1024: Prayer in schools.

HB 1043: Referendum process and remonstrance process.

HB 1069: Immunizations for higher education students.

HB 1079: School safety.

HB 1130: Protections for student journalists.

HB 1136: Latch key programs.

HB 1178: Voter registration opportunity for all motor vehicle transactions.

HB 1281: Various higher education matters.

HB 1344: Lead and arsenic soil contamination in East Chicago.

HB 1382: Charter schools.

HB 1383: Elementary school teachers.

HB 1384: Various education matters.

HB 1386: Competency based education.

HB 1396: Teacher licensing for military spouses.

HB 1430: Staff training concerning youth suicide.

HB 1449: Teacher induction pilot program.

HB 1463: Teachers’ defined contribution plan.

HB 1507: School buses.

HB 1537: Pension thirteenth checks.

PTSC Standouts:

From Ms. Welbourne:

Congratulations to our BGHS Choir Students who competed in the State ISSMA Solo & Ensemble Contest on Saturday, February 18 at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis.

All 6 Ensembles earned Gold and Soloists earned 9 Gold and 2 Silver bringing the totals for BGHS Choir to 2 Silver Medals and a whopping 128 Gold Medals!!!  Woohoo!!!  

They have all truly worked hard to make Boone Grove proud!

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 your standout is included.

Important Dates:

• March 10:  Fish Fry and Silent Auction at BGHS from 4:30-7:00 PM

 

• March 10:  School Safety Basketball Game featuring the Porter County Sheriff’s Department vs. last year’s winners–the PTSC Staff!  Come out and cheer for the PTSC staff at 5:30 PM!  A perfect night to attend this and the fish fry!

• March 12:  Cut-a-thon at European Style Salon and Day Spa in Valparaiso to benefit BGMS student, Payton Igras, and support her in her battle with Rhabdomyosarcoma.

  The cut-a-thon will be from 1-4 pm ( donation based with a min donation of $10).

• March 15:  BGHS and BGMS Online Day
• March 16:  End of Quarter 3
• March 18:  Spaghetti Dinner Benefit for 2007 BGHS alumni Dennis Porter at Salem Methodist Church from 4-7 PM.

• March 27-31:  Spring Break, No School
• April 17:  Snow Make Up Day or Break Day (Right now a break day!)
• April 19:  BGHS and BGMS Online Day
• May 26:  End of Quarter 4/Semester 2–Last day for students
• May 30:  Last day for teachers
• June 4:  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.

ISTEP+ Part 1 and IREAD3

Today begins the first section of ISTEP+ testing for students in grades 3-8 and 10.  This section is paper/pencil in grades 3-8 and online for grade 10.  All grades test online during the second part of ISTEP+ coming later this spring.

The IREAD3 testing window begins March 10th for all students in third grade.

What can you do to help your child?  Make sure they get a good night’s sleep, attend school every day, and make sure they start the day with a healthy breakfast.  Remind them to do their personal best, read every question carefully, and try to calm fears and concerns.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.

Do you wonder about the future of standardized testing in Indiana?  Keep your eye on legislation that is developing what comes next in testing. House Bill 1003 has now moved on to the Senate.  ˜This bill replaces ISTEP with ILEARN (“Indiana’s Learning Evaluation Assessment Readiness Network.”) in 2019.

PTSC Standouts:

8 Elementary students participated in Circle the State With Song this weekend.  A lot of practice, time, and preparation goes into this event.  Congratulations to the following students and teacher, Holly Hinchley:

4^th Grade:  Sarah Brennan and Jacob Bender

5^th Grade: Caden Harretos, Kennedy Blashill, Maddy Martin, Murial Strzechowki, Logan Primeau (2^nd year participating) and Ariel Merritt (2^nd year participating)

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 your standout is included.

Important Dates:

• March 3-4:  The Boone Grove Athletic Department is hosting Prompalooza on Saturday, March 4th from 9am – 3:00pm. This is a great opportunity to earn money for your old prom dresses and a great chance to buy a dress for prom at a discounted price.  Attached is a flyer with more information on the event. If you have questions please contact Kim at kimstar@comcast.net.

• March 12:  Cut-a-thon at European Style Salon and Day Spa in Valparaiso to benefit BGMS student, Payton Igras, and support her in her battle with Rhabdomyosarcoma.

  The cut-a-thon will be from 1-4 pm ( donation based with a min donation of $10).

• March 15:  BGHS and BGMS Online Day
• March 16:  End of Quarter 3
• March 27-31:  Spring Break, No School
• April 17:  Snow Make Up Day or Break Day (Right now a break day!)
• April 19:  BGHS and BGMS Online Day
• May 26:  End of Quarter 4/Semester 2–Last day for students
• May 30:  Last day for teachers
• June 4:  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.