NORTH CENTRAL PARKE NEWS

The Title 1 program provides instruction on an individual/ small group basis to help elementary students improve their reading and math skills. The program provides reinforcement of skills that are being taught by the classroom teacher through the use of a variety of reading, and/or math materials.

The program is committed to building a strong parent-school partnership.

• Parents play an integral role in assisting their child’s learning;

• Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school;

• Parents are full partners in their child’s education and are included, as appropriate, in decision-making and on advisory committees to assist in their child’s education.

The Turkey Run Elementary Title 1 staff includes teachers Mrs. Carmen Branson and Mrs. Pam Hobbs and instructional assistants, Mrs. Mindy Earley and Mrs. Lori Bowles. The group works together to meet with small groups of students in kindergarten to fifth grade during “Warrior Up” time to give them an extra boost in their learning skills.

The Rockville Elementary Title 1 team consists of three certified teachers, Mrs. Susan Bumgardner, Mrs. Stacey Bettis, Mrs. Misti Neely, and one instructional assistant, Mrs. Pam Murillo. The Title team provides supplemental language arts and math instruction for all students from kindergarten to fifth grade. Title I teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to plan for additional instruction based on student need and they monitor student progress. Title I teachers plan and implement instruction during a student’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 time.

“It is very rewarding to observe a student become more confident as they are reading or when they are doing a math skill that used to overwhelm them,” said Mrs. Bumgardner. “It is always a highlight of our program when we get to celebrate our students’ achievements!”

Both elementary staffs host a literacy night and a math night as a part of their program. During these events, families are invited to attend with their students for a night of learning, which includes games, prizes and snacks.

If you would like to be on a Title 1 committee to help with planning how Title 1 monies are implemented and/or have input on Title 1 documents such as the Parent Compact or Title 1 Program Brochures, please contact Mrs. Branson from Turkey Run Elementary at bransonc@ncp.k12.in.us or Mrs. Bumgardner from Rockville Elementary School bumgardners@ncp.k12.in.us for more information.

For more information on the Title 1 program, go to the NCP website at this link: https://www.ncp.k12.in.us/information/student_programs/title_1

Students in Mrs. Lisa Wrightsman’s fifth grade class at Rockville Elementary each received a free book to enjoy.

Friends and family members of Mrs. Wrightsman donated to the classroom’s Scholastic fund, so each student can receive a free book every month. The students recently received their free August book from Scholastic. There are several genres and books to choose from so each student can select a book that best interests them.

With their new book are front- Lucas Busenbark, Ava Berry, William Demos-Stockhoff and Caydence Whitmer; second row- Carter Martin, Mason Larson, Jacob Stevens and Cian Todd; third row- Avrie Pedigo, Birkley Schelsky, Lila Busenbark, Kamden Shields and Annabel Bush; and back- Seth Adams, Brooklynn McMullen, Dylan Jackson, and Sheldon West.

A new outdoor activity for Rockville Elementary students is a Storywalk®. A Storywalk® is a book that has been laminated and posted on a trail for students to read while walking. This activity is to promote reading and exercise.

“I am in a group in Terre Haute that sponsors a StoryWalk® at Dobbs park,” said Mrs. Amy Lishin, special services teacher. “We were looking for outdoor activities, so we decided to do it here around the blacktop.”

Each of the five story sections are about 40 paces apart. The current story is Three Cheers for Tacky.

StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed with the help of Rachel Senechal, Kellogg-Hubbard Library.

Wearing his headband that says, “BEAST” across it, Kamden Shields has become a “beast” on the cross country course.

Kamden, who is a fifth grade student at Rockville Elementary, is a member of the Parke Heritage Middle School cross country team. This is actually his third year of being a member of the team.

When he was in second grade, Kamden’s mother, Brianne, was the coach of the middle and high school teams. Kamden was attending practices so it just seemed natural to run along with the team.

“I started running with them as something to do during practice,” said Kamden. “I found that I liked it and was able to keep up with the older runners.”

Since he was practicing with the team, he began running with them at meets as well. In second grade, he was second overall in the Wabash River Conference (WRC) meet. As a fourth grader, he won the race. He runs three to four miles everyday to prepare for the meets.

“Since the older runners are double my size and have longer legs, I try to take big strides to match theirs,” said Kamden.

In addition to running for the school team, he has also participated in some 5K races. His first race was when he was in first grade. Competing in the race perked his interest in running. He also ran in a national race in North Carolina. One of his fellow runners said he was a “beast”. So when he saw a headband with the word, “BEAST” on it, he knew he needed to get it to wear while running.

Even though he may be a beast on the cross country course, Kamden knows that teamwork is important and tries to work together with his teammates and in the classroom.

“Kamden excels in class and athletics,” said Mrs. Amy Harpold, physical education teacher. “I can always count on him to model skills in class and use my favorite life skill- TEAMWORK!”

His teamwork skills also come into play when working with his livestock. He shows sheep and cows in 4-H and at other local shows. His whole family works together to care, feed and prepare the animals for show. His grandpa, Brock McMullen, raises cattle and his mom and sister showed them as well.

“I could live out in the barn,” said Kamden. “I like to work with the cows and to compete at the shows.”

His hard work with his animals paid off at recent shows. At the 2019 Indiana Stock Show, he was selected the champion overall beginner showman. At the county fair, he was named the reserve champion beginner and reserve champion overall sheep showman as well as the champion beginner and reserve champion overall beef showman.

Even though his running and caring for his livestock takes most of his time, he still has time to play basketball as well.

“All of these activities are fun because we do them together as a family,” said Kamden. “Everyone has to do their part to help.”