Friday Message-Summer Edition
July 23, 2021 Volume 2 Edition 2
Friday Message from Dr. Glaze
Last week, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) released the spring ILEARN (grades 3-8) and ISTEP (grade 11) exam results, which confirm that overall, there was a decline in performance. After the year our schools and students had with closures, disruptions, quarantines, and a rotating shift of in-person and online learning, it is understandable. The drop in performance on these assessments is also attributed to not being able to deliver all the information students needed during an unprecedented time. Fortunately, TCSC students performed above the state average pass rate in both ELA and math, but we know we have a lot of work to do!
What isn’t a surprise is that we have prepared for this possibility. We plan to increase our literacy and math tutoring and support, implement a more holistic and asset-based approach to the learning loss by identifying pre-requisite skills for remediation, starting with grade-level instruction complimented by a high-quality K-12 curriculum with rigorous standards among a few. We expect the scores to rebound beginning in the next testing cycle because of the comprehensive, proactive efforts taking place this year and anticipate new student growth and achievement in other areas outside academics. Our teachers and staff were impressive as they stepped up to the many challenges throughout the pandemic last year. They found innovative and creative ways to meet the moment to instruct and engage students. I know they are ready to tackle this hurdle as well.
Speaking of next year, our 2021-22 Return to School Plan has been approved and is posted on our website. The plan prioritizes a successful transition back to five-day, in-person learning and is aligned with the recommendations and latest health and safety guidance. The information contained in this plan can quickly change and current recommendations from our local, state, and national health partners could become requirements. We will communicate any changes to the plans when adjustments are necessary or required. And, yes, as all other Indiana public schools masking is still required on all school transportation.
In addition, I have linked here the latest recommendations from The Indiana Department of Health (IDH) following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools on safely returning to in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year.
If you have any transportation changes prior to the start of the new school year or have questions related to your child’s bus route, contact Linda Whitesell, Transportation Department directly at 765-675-2147, ext. 324 or email: lwhitesell@tcsc.k12.in.us. Parents can also check in with transportation representatives at the upcoming TMS Rocks Parent Meeting and TES Meet the Teacher nights on August 3rd and 4th.
Thank you for your patience as we continue to transition our student information system from Harmony to PowerSchool. The move to PowerSchool was necessitated by several factors including its versatility and amenities as well as aligning more closely for state compliance reporting. There have been a few challenges, but we are working through them and hope to have all the glitches worked out in the next month or so.
School is right around the corner with a full slate of activities the week leading up to the first day of school. TMS Rocks takes place on Monday and Tuesday, August 2 and 3. On Wednesday, August 4, THS is hosting Blue Devil Kick-Off and TES Meet the Teacher Night starts at 6 p.m. THS Marching Band’s Community Day and Blood Drive will be held on Thursday, August 5.
School offices open on Monday, July 26 and the first day for teachers is Thursday, August 5 and students on Friday, August 6.
While you are out this weekend, be sure to stop by to say hello to TES teachers and staff at the Tipton County Back to School Event at the Tipton County 4-H Building on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Meet Our New Administrators
Scott Jaworski
Scott Jaworski joins Tipton Community School Corporation as Director of Student Achievement and Learning. Jaworski brings over nine years of experience in public education. He served as a math department chair in Hamilton Southeastern Schools, a math instructional coach in Anderson Community Schools, and, most recently, as a School Improvement Specialist at the Indiana Department of Education. At the IDOE, he hosted the “Leading and Learning” educational podcast for school leaders, which can be found on Apple Podcasts. Originally from Fort Wayne, Scott earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Ball State University.
It has been Scott’s lifelong dream to serve as a school administrator and provide the guidance and support to take a school community from good to great. Scott, who lives in Fishers, spends most of his evenings and weekends enjoying family time with his wife, Jessica and his two children, Cooper (4), and Lilly (1).
Scott says he is looking forward to the opportunity to work with the teachers, leaders, students, and families of Tipton Community Schools on their journey towards excellence!
John Ayars
John Ayars joins Tipton Community School Corporation as Tipton Middle School as its Assistant Principal and Athletic Director. He brings nearly a decade of experience in education teaching Spanish and leading teachers at Noblesville Community and Hamilton Southeastern Schools. A Hoosier native, Ayars earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Indiana University in Educational Leadership and Spanish Education with a Music minor.
When he isn’t serving his school, he enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife, Leslie, his high school sweetheart, and daughters Isabelle (8), Eliana (6) and Amelia (3) and with his dogs, biking, and playing the piano.
John said he is looking forward to serving the Tipton community in his new roles and supporting great Blue Devil athletic traditions at TCSC!"
2021-2022 TCSC Academic Calendar
Calendar
July 26 School Offices Reopen
July 27 New Employee Orientation
July 28 Walk-In Registration 2-7PM
July 28 Blue Card and White Card Night 2-7PM
July 29/30 Teacher Academy
August 3, 4, & 5 TMS Rocks
August 4 THS Blue Devil Kick Off 8AM-12PM
August 4 TES "Meet the Teacher Night" 6PM
August 5 Staff Returns
August 6 1st Day for Students
August 10 Board Meeting