North Putnam middle schoolers featured in state report

Friday, April 18, 2008
North Putman Middle School students were pictured in the Department of Education's Learn and Serve Assessment Report. One of their projects included gathering and analyzing data on wind energy. School board members were presented with the report at their meeting Wednesday

During their Wednesday evening meeting, members of the North Putnam School Board presented certificates to students Justin Livasay and Danny Shaw recognizing them for participating in the 2008 Special Olympic State Basketball program.

Board members also received information about the Learn and Serve Indiana grant program from teacher Diana Magee.

"I just want to give you information about what all we are doing with this program," Magee told board members.

"This is a grant-sponsored program that offers an opportunity for students to get involved with their communities by integrating service projects with classroom learning. It is a three-year grant of $30,000," explained Magee who also passed out information packets to the board.

Additional information about the program includes an international study of Learn and Serve America programs suggesting effective service-learning programs improve grades, increase attendance in school, and develop students' personal and social responsibility.

A growing body of research recognizes service learning as an effective strategy to help students by:

* Promoting learning through active participation in service experiences;

* Providing structured time for students to reflect by thinking, discussing and writing about their service experience;

* Providing an opportunity for students to use skills and knowledge in real-life situations;

* Extending learning beyond the classroom and into the community; and

* Fostering a sense of caring for others.

This is the school corporation's third year working with the grant. They will reapply next year for another three-year grant.

Board members also heard a report on the disaster drill at Roachdale Elementary School on Tuesday. Principal Helen Blubaum told the board the drill was a success.

"We planned to learn things and we did," stated Blubaum referring to the debriefing session following the event.

"Our kids can clear the building in 40 seconds in a fire drill so we knew they would do well in this drill," she added.

Under new business some discussion took place about the recommendation to approve the first reading of the proposed dress code. Committee members Debbie Sillery and Scott Spencer talked about discussions that took place about the school moving to uniforms for students.

"We researched it and found that uniforms did not change the culture, grades or discipline reports in schools," remarked Spencer.

Sillery added, " Several of us started out thinking we wanted to go with uniforms because it would be easier to enforce the dress code, but as we got into further discussions a few of us changed our minds."

In other business the board:

*Approved the recommendation of the textbook adoption committee with a few editorial changes deemed necessary by corporation lawyer Gene Hostetler.

*Approved a recommendation of summer programs and gave permission to proceed with the development of clinics and camps.

*Approved the first reading of Policy 6605-Wellness Committee.

*Gave permission for the superintendent to submit a senior waiver which would allow graduation seniors not to return to school for one day after graduation.

*Considered recommendations for fundraisers

*Recognized Jason Cox, North Putnam Middle School who is attending a Junior National Young Leadership Conference in Washington D.C.

The North Putnam Community School Corporation board meets the third Thursday of the month at the corporation facility.

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