Happy June!

I hope this finds all of you finding time for some relaxation and rejuvenation!  This summer continues to be busy as we have been hosting summer school and professional development at various levels!

One of the biggest projects we have going on this summer is the development of our Social/Emotional Learning Curriculum as we continue to work towards being a Trauma Informed School.  We have a team of about 25 teachers in the elementary and junior/senior high school combined learning and working together to develop this curriculum.  Our first few days were spent with viewing many professional development videos on Conscious Discipline.  It was really a great training and we cannot wait to share more with you.  Here are a few of my take-a-ways so far:

• To Discipline means to "teach" or "train"/ Punishment is not teaching
• Student cannot learn unless their brains are regulated.
• Will require a Transformational Change - a change to mindset and skill set!
• Students learning from how adults interact with each other (especially parents) is more important to child development than how you treat a child
• Q-TIP - Quit Taking it Personally! 
• Shift from making judgement statements ("That behavior is bad.") to noticing statements ("I like it when you ask questions in class.")
• Important to understand our brain states and know how to stay regulated and how to help our students stay regulated.
• 2 parts of discipline students need: quality relationship building and skills to help solve problems
• Emotions are mirrored (contagious) - make sure we are creating a positive image for others to take on!  

Our goal with this curriculum is to teach lessons across grades K-10 that are aligned to this work.  In our building, Ty Guillaume and Adam Stowe will be delivering most of the lessons through the history courses, with help of counselors and PBIS (Commodore Pride) along the way. Even though most of the curriculum is delivered in history courses, it will take our entire team to ensure we are supporting and teaching students skills throughout the day.  We all look forward to sharing more with you and learning together!  Together we can make a strong impact on student learning!


Perry Central Updates:

Commodore Manufacturing - Josh Craney's Commodore Manufacturing/Advanced Manufacturing pathway continues to make news across the state as we continue to find ways to embed Work Based Learning (authentic learning) opportunities in the classroom!
          * Commodore Manufacturing was nominated by a community member for the Perry County Chamber Applause Award!  A team will be attending the banquet on June 21st to see if they are winners!  Congratulations to Josh and his students!
          * Mary Roberson, Josh Craney, Susan Miller (from Jasper Engines), and Jody attended the EWIN Career Pathway Summit on Wednesday in Indianapolis.  We were invited to present our Work Based Learning (Internship and Commodore Manufacturing) opportunities as well as a presentation about Commodore Manufacturing.  We were the only school asked to present twice!  It was a great event!
          * Summer School: Josh has been running summer school through Commodore Manufacturing.  Students received their first pay check this week as they are working and earning in the classroom!

New Chromebooks - The IT student crew is hard at it!  They are working on unpacking and setting up 400 Chromebooks for next school year!  Thanks to this team, along with Jason Barnett, Phil Zellers and Jamie Guillaume for their work!


We are excited to welcome some new faces to our Perry Central Team!

Brennan Malone was hired for our junior-high math position!  He is a recent graduate from Indiana State University and Tell City High School.  He is excited to return back to Perry County to teach our junior high students and help with coaching!

Hailei Gehlhausen will be a USI graduate in December and graduated from Forest Park High School.  She will be student teaching in the fall at Jasper High School, but has already been in the building this summer working on developing her scope and sequence and lesson plans for her classroom.  She is very excited to be at Perry Central to start her teaching career!

Melissa Toothman is a familiar face that will be moving to the special education life-skills room!  We are excited to move Melissa to this role.  She has a passion for students and many great ideas!

Adam Stowe is a Tell City High School graduate and has been teaching for several years in Meade County, KY.  He will be teaching several history courses this upcoming school year.  We are excited to bring him back to Perry County!

Professional Development -  Thanks to everyone for spending their summer learning!   

* Maria Sweat attended the Indiana Youth Institute College and Career Counseling Institute in June!

* Bo Gibson to PLTW CEA Training in June!

* Jason Barnett, Brennan Malone & Dawn Lynch will attend ILEARN at the SIEC in June!

* Mackenzie Petty & Abbie Brockman will attend ILEARN for ELA at the SIEC in June!

* Josh Craney - MSSC Instructor Training in July!

* Carrie Guillaume - State FFA Convention in June!

* Kelly Cash, Lauren Blake, Adam Stowe, Ty Guillaume, Dana Harris, Abbie Brockman - SEL Curriculum Development June and July!

* Phil Zellers, Ray James to bus driver training in June!

More to come!!

Important Summer Dates:

July 19 - New Teacher Training - 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. High School Library

July 25 - 27th - Laurie Ferry work for math teachers (detailed schedule will be coming out soon - High School will not meet everyday)

July 31st - Back to School Retreat  - Lori Desautels

August 1st - PowerED Up Conference

August 1st - 7th Grade Orientation

August 2nd -  Back to School Cookout

Don't forget your Book Study!! 

I will send more information about Professional Development Opportunities in early July for your planning.  :-) 

Relationships Matter

It is hard to believe we have finished another school year!  If you are like me, you are excited to see the end come but at the same time will miss many of the smiling faces in your classrooms as you have built strong relationships over the last 180 days. 

Brittany Harth shared an article with me this week.  It was a reminder about the importance of understanding the stresses our students face daily and the power of a meaningful relationship.    One of my favorite parts of the article reminds us how we sometimes expect so much out of our students.  They sit in classes 7 hours a day and many work or play sports through the evening or go back to homes full of other stresses, like wondering where they are going to get their next meal.  While we still want to encourage students to do their best, we cannot forget that they are human, just like us, and exhibit the same emotions and struggles that many of us face daily.  Taking time to learn about students can be one of the most valuable investments you make in their learning, as we are reminded that students cannot learn until all their needs are met.  

This week, Abbie Brockman shared a story about a student in her STEAM class.  This young lady wanted to learn how to sew, but she needed a sewing machine.  Another student (older) in the class brought in one from home and gave it to this young lady.  This seems like a small act of kindness, but Abbie talked about how it was life changing for the girl.  Abbie could see the how that small investment gave this student hope as she realized that people really do care.  Her attitude changed towards others and the class. She suddenly wanted to work hard to be successful. 

Luckily, there are many stories just like this at Perry Central.  We are fortunate to have such kind teachers, students and community members.  I encourage you to read the article below as we continue to work together to empower our students and meet their ever changing needs.

https://www.edutopia.org/article/high-school-kids-are-not-all-right

Important Information:

Locker Clean Out:  Locker Clean Out will be Monday, May 21st at the following times:

12^th Grade – Last 15 minutes 1^st period

11^th Grade – First 15 minutes of 2^nd period

10^th Grade – Last 15 minutes of 2^nd period

9^th Grade – First 15 minutes of 3^rd period

^7th Grade – Last 15 minutes of 3^rd period

^8th Grade – First 15 minutes of 4^th period

Scheduling: Lou Ann and I will be calling out students by last name to answer questions about schedules, starting on Monday.  We will try to keep the interruptions at a minimum.  If you have students working on a project or testing and they cannot leave during that time, we will catch the student later.  Thank you!

Computer Pick-Up:  Computer pick-up will begin on Tuesday for seniors and will continue throughout the week.  If you have finals that require computers, that is okay.  Students will be encouraged to turn in their computers after their last final. Please remind students this week they need to bring their computer and chargers to school!   Here is a rough schedule: (we will be making announcements)

Seniors: Tuesday 6th & 7th periods

7-12:  Thursday 6th & 7th periods  (after last final)

Teachers:  We will pick your computers up at the end of teacher day on Friday.  Remember to back up all of your documents to a hard drive or H: Drive.  We are hopeful to have computers re-imaged by the first or second week of June if you need one for the summer.  

Seniors:  Monday and Tuesday will be the final days for seniors to be in your classrooms.  Wednesday, they will be going to Holiday World for their senior class trip and Thursday is graduation practice.  On Wednesday at 9:30, we will have our Senior Walk-Through.  Seniors will begin in the elementary and work their way up through the high school.  We will hold bells at the end of 2nd period until all of the students make it through the halls.  We will announce when we are going to start.  We would ask that all classrooms come out to the halls and wish our graduates well.  

End of Year Notes: Please make sure all of the following are completed by the end of the day on Friday: 

 - Dual Credit Grades uploaded in Ivy Tech website.  Also, please make a copy of the grade rosters and turn them into Mrs. Backer so we can update transcripts

 - Make sure all of your grades are finalized and correct in Skyward.  Please also make sure you do not have any incompletes.

- Please make sure you take inventory of any textbooks you may have given students.  Textbooks should please be stored in your classroom for the summer. 

- Leave your laptop in the tech room before you leave!

Hope you have a GREAT summer!!  Enjoy your time off - you deserve it!

Important Dates: 

Monday, May 21 - Varsity Baseball @ Heritage Hills  4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 23 - Seniors to Holiday World/  Finals for students in periods 2,4,5,6/ Baseball Sectional @ Tell City - PC vs. Mater Dei @ 5:30 p.m.  / Softball Sectional @ Forest Park  PC will play the winner of Tell City/Tecumseh at 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 24 - Finals for students in periods 1,3,5,7!   

Friday, May 25 - Retirement Breakfast @ 8:00 a.m./ Teacher Last Day

Our Town

This weekend, our students performed in the school play called, "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder.  "Our Town"  is a timeless drama that explores the meaning of life, love and death in a small town in New Hampshire in 1937.  Even though this play was set back in the 1930s, it still reminded me of our own quaint community.  Many families working hard to make a living, raising children and supporting each other through the ups and downs of life.  It is a place where neighbors help neighbors and everyone is willing to serve others for the greater good.  We may not have the rich and famous living among us, but we quickly make up for what we do not have in love and kindness towards each other.  I feel so blessed to live in "Our Town", here in southern Indiana. In the play, Emily Webb, who recently was deceased was allowed to go back and visit one day of her life. She realized that she never fully appreciated it all until she lost it,  "Oh, earth, you are too wonderful for anybody to realize you."   I think we often take for grated how lucky we truly are.

Our students did an excellent job this year. We are very proud of their efforts and look forward to another production this coming fall!  

School Notes: 

* This week, our College and Career Counseling program will be a part of a case study used by University of Indianapolis to help train new principals.  Several members of our high school will be interviewed on Monday as they learn more about our comprehensive counseling program.  Thank you to all of our counselors, teachers and students for making Perry Central's program a success!  

* Tuesday, May 15th. Laurie Ferry will be here to work with our math departments.  She is going to work the first half of the day in the elementary and second half with junior/senior high school!  We are excited about this opportunity!

* Wednesday, May 16th is our annual scholarship banquet.  This year Stephanie Epple will be our distinguished alumni speaker.  We are very excited to have her back to Perry Central!  Thank you to Lou Ann Backer and Mary Jo Hagedorn for making sure everything is prepared for the event!  We are anticipating around 220 guests!  Congratulations to the Class of 2018!

* Friday is our annual Commodore Pride Celebration!  We will have a cook-out for grades 9-12 on the front lawn during lunch/WIN  (grades 7 and 8 will get to be on the track during this time).  Students will be released during 6th & 7th periods for the celebration in the gym.  Looking forward to another great event!  Thanks to the Commodore Pride Celebration Committee for all of their hard work!

* 7th Graders will be taking a field trip to the Perry County 4-H Fairgrounds on Tuesday, May 15th  to learn more about science!  Thank you to Stephanie Walsh for making the arrangements for this trip!  

Important Dates: 

Monday, May 14 - AP Biology Exam/ Case Study Interviews/ Varsity Baseball and Softball games @ PC 5:00 p.m.  Senior Night for track, baseball and softball/ Preschool Graduation 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 15 - AP Calculus Exam/ CNA Certification Exam 9:00 a.m./ Laurie Ferry Math meetings/ Girls Track Sectional @ Perry Central/ Varsity Golf @ Tell City 4:30 p.m./ 7th Grade Field Trip

Wednesday, May 16 - Education Profession Certification Exam/ Discussion Committee Meeting 7:30 a.m./ Walk to School Day/ Scholarship Banquet 6:30 p.m. / Varsity Baseball @ Springs Valley

Thursday, May 17 - Boys Track Sectional @ Jasper 4:30/ Varsity Golf @ Springs Valley 4:00

Friday, May 18 - Grandparent's Day 8:00 a.m./ Commodore Pride Celebration/ Varsity Softball @ Home vs. NE Dubois/ Varsity Baseball vs. Forest Park 5:30 p.m. 

Saturday May 19 - Unified Track Sectional 3:00 p.m. Central High School

Final Exam Schedule:  

            Wednesday:  Periods 2,4,5 (one period), 6 

            Thursday: Periods 1,3,5 (one period),7

    Reminder that periods will be a double block, except for 5th period each day.  It is important to have meaningful work for students to participate in the last two days of school.  Students need to be busy and stay focused.  

Thank You Teachers!

      Teacher Appreciation Week is always a special week! Teachers play such an important role in everyone's life.  I was fortunate to have super teachers in my career here at Perry Central, including Mr. Linne and Mr. Reese!  Even though all teachers work hard to teach standards, I am sure if you think back to your most inspirational teachers, you do not remember very many standards they taught!  Most of us remember the jokes they told, support they provided in our extra-curricular activities, and the genuine relationships that were developed.                                     This week, I was reminded of the saying, "Where your treasurer is, your heart will also be."  I feel so blessed to work with a group of teachers who truly have a heart for students. We know that learning is the goal, but building deep relationships are the priority.  

         A special thank you to all of you this week!  Your hard work, dedication and caring concern for all of our students make each and every one special in my eyes.  You are truly making a difference!  Hope you feel special this week, you deserve it!

Teacher Appreciation Activities this week: 
All Week:  You can wear jeans!
Monday:  German American Bank
Tuesday: Bagels from Athletic Department
Wednesday: Bill and Dave's from High School Office
Thursday:  Student Council Lunch
Friday: Lunch from Corporation - Fiesta Grande

Important Information:

Senior Presentation:  Toyota Manufacturing will be here on Tuesday, May 8 at 9:00 a.m. to speak to seniors about opportunities in their manufacturing facility.  A location will be determined at a later date.  We will release students by intercom.

AP Exams: Now that ISTEP is over, we get to move into AP Exams!!  Below you will find the the AP Exam dates: (rosters will be emailed out soon)
    Tuesday, May 8 - AP Spanish/ Wednesday, May 9 - AP Literature/ Friday, May 11 - AP US History/ Monday, May 14 - AP Biology/ Tuesday, May 15 - AP Calculus/ Wednesday, May 16 - AP Language

Academic Honors Award Night - This Wednesday, May 9th will be our annual Academic Awards Program!  It is always nice when all of our teachers are there to present their awards to the students.  Like last year, pin presentations will be made by department teams.  We will send the agenda out a little later this week!  Please arrive around 6:15 p.m.  We will have special seating for teachers in the high school gym.

School Play - Over 20 students have been working very hard the past 5 weeks to pull off a production called "Our Town" this weekend.  Shows will run Saturday, May 12th at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m.   We are very proud of our students!!  Hope to see you there!

Elementary Track Meet/Health Fair - Friday is the annual Elementary Track meet.  Please make sure that junior high and high school students stay in classes, they should not be attending the meet.

Book Studies:  Please do not forget to post on Google Classroom in your Book Study Page.  I think we will begin scheduling lunch meetings with each team so we can talk about what we are learning face to face!  Phil and I will reach out to you soon!  We are ready to move on to the last few chapters of the book!  Happy Reading!


Important Dates: 

Monday, May 7:  School Board Meeting 6:30 p.m. High School Library/ Unified Track @ home 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Baseball and Softball @ Crawford County 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 8:  Varsity Softball @ Wood Memorial 5:30 p.m./ Free Athletic Physical Night!

Wednesday, May 9:  Academic Awards Program 6:30 p.m. High School Gym

Thursday, May 10: Varsity Softball vs. Mitchell  4:30 p.m./ Varsity Golf @ Christmas Lake Village 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Track vs. Mitchell 5:00 p.m.

Friday, May 11: Elementary Track Meet/Health Fair/ FFA Banquet 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 12: School Play 7:00 p.m./ Varsity Softball @ West Washington 11:00 a.m./ Varsity Baseball @ West Washington 11:00 a.m.

Sunday, May 13: School Play 3:00 p.m./  Mother's Day!

8 Things I Know for Sure About Middle School Kids

One of my favorite blogs to follow is called the Cult of Pedagogy.  It is a blog written by a lady that spent a few years as a middle school English teacher and then moved into higher education.  She writes great, pertinent articles that pertain to the craft, the theory and the teacher soul of education.  This week, I noticed a post about middle school students.  One of the biggest transitions I believe our students make is between the 6th & 7th grade.  As 6th graders, students are part of our elementary school; they switch classrooms occasionally but are on the elementary schedule and are treated as such. When they move to the 7th grade, students have to try to mange seven teachers everyday and because we share teachers with high school students, many students are hit with very high expectations.  As teachers and administrators, I think it is easy to forget about the adolescent brain development and what students at this age are dealing with.  Even though we would love for their main focus to be academics, it really is not.  Students are very caught up in the social aspects of their lives and working to figure out how they fit into the world.  While it can be a very trying time, it can also be very rewarding!    

With this in mind, I thought I would share this blog entry!  It is just a quick reminder of what our junior high students are facing everyday as they move through adolescence.    Happy reading!!

Blog can be found HERE.  

School Notes:

Spring Calendar - You can find a link to the spring calendar HERE.  This document will be updated with a few more dates, but will hopefully help with planning for the rest of the school year. This document is also in the Teacher Resource folder in your Google Drive!

ISTEP Testing - Last day of math ISTEP testing is this Monday!  Social Studies 7 and Biology will test later in the week during their assigned classroom times. All testing has to be finished by Friday, May 4th.    

The PBIS team is planning an ISTEP Celebration for students. Students will have an ice cream sundae party!  We are watching the weather closely as we would love for students to go outside.  We are potentially looking at Thursday, May 3rd.  Students in grades 9 & 10 will get their ice cream during WIN and students in grades 7 & 8 will celebrate during 7th period, with 8th graders being released the last 10 minutes of 6th period.  We will share more details as we watch the weather closely this week!  

 ISTEP Groups       ISTEP Schedule 

RISE Domain 1 & 3 - Just a reminder that Domain 1 & 3 will be due by April 30th in the SFS System.  If you filled out these domains last year, we will the information you shared with us at that time.  (You are always welcome to update and add to it!)  If you are new to Perry Central, I will be reaching out to you to see how I can help support you through this process.  This is a very important piece to your evaluation.  Looking forward to supporting you anyway I can!  

Mock Car Crash - Students in grades 10-12 will be participating in a mock car crash on Thursday, May 3rd.  The program will begin during 6th period.  We will release students by intercom.  

Academic Awards Program - Just a reminder that the Academic Awards Program will be Wednesday, May 9th at 6:30 p.m. in the high school gym.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Prom/After Prom - This weekend will be Prom!  Saturday the evening will begin with Grand March at 7:15 p.m. Prom activities will run from 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. with after prom beginning at 12:30 a.m.!  Thank you to Mary Jo Hagedorn and the student council for their hard work along with Tara Bishop, Pam Hilgenhold and the after-prom committee for working so hard to put together such a great evening for our students!

Important Dates: 

Monday, April 30 - Varsity Golf @ Springs Valley 4:00 p.m./ Varsity/JV Baseball vs. Paoli 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 1 - Varsity Golf @ Lucas Oil 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, May 2 - Varsity Softball vs. Lanesville @ home 4:30 p.m./ Varsity/JV Baseball @ Tell City 5:00 p.m./ Unified Track @ North Harrison 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 3 - Varsity Baseball vs. Springs Valley 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Softball vs. Heritage Hills 5:00 p.m.

Friday, May 4 - ISTEP Celebration/ Varsity Track PLAC @ Mitchell 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Softball vs. North Harrison 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 5 - Grand March 7:00 p.m./ Prom 8:00 p.m.- 12:00 a.m./ After Prom 12:30 a.m. - 3:00 a.m.

Wednesday, May 9 - Academic Awards Program  6:30 p.m.

May 12 & 13 - School Play   "Our House"  

The Glorious Freedom of "Unlearning"

You have always heard the saying, "out of the mouth of a babe."  Children of all ages teach us new things everyday; Justin likes to show me a new and better way to do work by using technology, Jace's teen perspective is always intriguing and little Josie, my 2 year old niece, is always reminding me the importance of persistence with a cute smile (she is good at that!)  It seems as though every generation finds a better way of navigating the world, even though we older folk are quick to judge and put down their untested perceptions.  

Jennifer Mitchell shared a blog this week titled, "The Glorious Freedom of Unlearning."  The article talks about how we are all learners, and sometimes unlearning is just as important!  Even though children do not have the life experiences we have, their untrained minds allow them to see the world from a totally different view!  We can be like them if we are willing to "unlearn" and keep an open mind.   
       I encourage you to take a few minutes to read this article and hope it will inspire you as much as it did me!  Happy Unlearning!!

"You can't become who you want to be by staying who you are."    Article Link HERE 


School Notes:

Spring Calendar - You can find a link to the spring calendar HERE.  This document will be updated with a few more dates, but will hopefully help with planning for the rest of the school year. This document is also in the Teacher Resource folder in your Google Drive!

ISTEP Testing - ISTEP Testing starts today!  Below is a copy of the new ISTEP schedule and group lists for your convenience.  The schedule will be the same Monday - Wednesday this week, as we will be taking the English test.  Thursday - Monday will bring a slightly different schedule for math tests.  Monday - Wednesday we will be extending periods 1,3,5 by an average of 10 minutes or so.  Thursday - Monday, we will be starting 2nd period at 8:30 (so beginning 2nd period early) and then extending periods 3 and 5.  We will keep you up-to-date via email!  Please see Jody if you have questions.  Thank you for your flexibility during this time. 

 ISTEP Groups       ISTEP Schedule 

RISE Domain 1 & 3 - Just a reminder that Domain 1 & 3 will be due by April 30th in the SFS System.  If you filled out these domains last year, we will the information you shared with us at that time.  (You are always welcome to update and add to it!)  If you are new to Perry Central, I will be reaching out to you to see how I can help support you through this process.  This is a very important piece to your evaluation.  Looking forward to supporting you anyway I can!  

Trig-Star Testing - Mr. Linne will be giving the Trig-Star exam this Wednesday during 1st period!  Good luck to our students!

Interviews - All juniors and seniors participating in the Work Ethic Certification will be participating in interviews this Thursday and Friday.  Mike Bishop has arranged for 15 individuals from our community to come in and provide students with this first hand experience!  Some students will be interviewing for internships they will participate in their senior year!  Good luck to all of our students!

Important Dates:

Monday, April 23 - First day of ISTEP/ Varsity Golf @ Tell City 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Softball vs. Paoli 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 24 - Varsity Baseball @ Paoli 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Track @ Northeast Dubois 4:30 p.m./ Southern Hills Writing Awards Ceremony  6:00 p.m. @ EUCC Church

Wednesday, April 25 - Band Banquet  6:30 p.m./ Varsity Softball vs. Cannelton 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 26 - Junior Interviews, Varsity Golf @ Lucas Oil, Boys Track @ Home 4:30 p.m./ Girls Track @ Southridge Invitational 5:30 p.m./ Parent Safety Meeting - Alan Malone & Mary Roberson - 6:00 p.m.

Friday, April 27 - Juniors Interviews/ Varsity Softball @ Tell City 5:00 p.m./ Varsity Baseball @ Wood Memorial 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 29 - Captain Club Top 10 Banquet @ Patio 1:00 p.m. 

Perry County Day!

Friday, April 20th is the first annual Perry County Day!  The purpose of this day is to take time to celebrate the wonderful place we get to live, work and play.  Perry County is a special place for me. Growing up in the small, river community of Magnet brings back many fond memories of meeting my grandparents at "Tom and Helen's" (now called Betty Ray's Landing), visiting the general store owned Raymond and Mary Jean Cassidy (where you could buy groceries & stamps), and watching barges go down the Ohio River from Buzzard Roost. Growing up, it seemed as though everyone was your neighbor!  I even remember my mom dropping me off with all of the Labhart boys to get on the bus (they lived next door)!    This is just a short list of the fond memories I had as a little girl.   

Perry County is a beautiful place to live.  We are fortunate to house the Hoosier National Forest and Ohio River with many places camp, rent cabins, boat and fish.  Not only is the scenery beautiful, but so are the people!  Perry County is often recognized as a community that knows how to work together for progress as well as always being helpful and kind their neighbors. 

    I feel so fortunate to be able to come back and live in a community that has given so much to me!

Perry County Day is Friday, April 20th.  The goal of Perry County Development Corporation Marketing Committee is to celebrate Perry County in a fun way!  Individuals, families and organizations are encouraged to wear their Perry County shirts and post pictures in many locations throughout the county, along with other activities.  You will be able to find activities listed on the Pick Perry Facebook page starting tomorrow afternoon!  

Perry Central is going to participate!  We are giving away Perry County T-shirts and encourage everyone to wear them on Friday for a picture!  (Below are the teachers who are winners - we drew names of teachers who have posted to Google Classroom about the books you are reading!)  We will also be encouraging all Sophomores to wear their shirts on Friday along with some other activities to come!  

T-shirt Winners:  Diane Plassmeyer, Dana Harris, Stephanie Walsh, Pam Hilgenhold, Nancy Poehlein, Julie Berkhouse, Andrea Clark, Mackenzie Petty, Hilarie Hahus, Catherine Burst, Kevin Koelling)  (Winners, please see Jody to order your shirt sizes TODAY!  I do have some shirts in my office if you want to look at how the shirts run.)  

Happy Perry County Day!


School Notes:

Healthy Relationships: We want to thank Crisis Connection for coming in on Tuesday, April 17 to speak to 10th and 11th grade students during their science and history classes.  They are going to talk about the importance of healthy relationships.  Thank you to Mr. Reese, Ms. Hahus and Ms. Johnson for allowing them to join their classes!  

E-Cigarette  Presentation:  Liz Moskos will be speaking to 7th and 8th grade students on Wednesday and Thursday this week during 1st and 2nd periods about the dangers of E-Cigarettes.  Each presentation will last about 20 minutes and students will be scheduled to visit her one time.  A schedule will be sent to teachers by the end of the day tomorrow.  Thank you to Jackie Colucci for setting up the presentations.  

Spring Calendar - You can find a link to the spring calendar HERE.  This document will be updated with a few more dates, but will hopefully help with planning for the rest of the school year. This document is also in the Teacher Resource folder in your Google Drive!

ISTEP Testing - The window for ISTEP testing will be April 23 - May 4th with a few groups starting this week.  We know that this can be a stressful time and many students will be in and out of your classrooms.  Thank you for your flexibility and help!  The updated schedule and list of students are attached to the email.  Please note there have been a few small changes!  

RISE Domain 1 & 3 - Just a reminder that Domain 1 & 3 will be due by April 30th in the SFS System.  If you filled out these domains last year, we will the information you shared with us at that time.  (You are always welcome to update and add to it!)  If you are new to Perry Central, I will be reaching out to you to see how I can help support you through this process.  This is a very important piece to your evaluation.  Looking forward to supporting you anyway I can!  

Paper Mache Show - Nancy Poehlein's Art Classes have been working hard!  This week they will begin tours of the famous Paper Mache Show!  Thanks to Nancy and all of her hard work!
Important Dates:

Monday, April 16 - Varsity Golf @ Lucas Oil - 4:15/ Varsity Baseball @ Cannelton 4:30/ Varsity Softball @ Forest Park  5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 17 - Girls Track @ Home 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Baseball @ Boonville/ Crisis Connection Presentations/ Unified Track @ Jasper  

Wednesday, April 18 - 7th & 8th Grade E-Cig Presentation/ Varsity Baseball @ Home 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 19 - 7th/8th Grade E-Cig Presentation/ Varsity Golf @ Wood Memorial 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Track @ Home 4:30 p.m./ Varsity Softball @ Southridge 5:00 p.m. 

Friday, April 20 - Pick Perry Day! (Wear your Perry County T-Shirt)/ Varsity Baseball @ Home 4:30/ Varsity Softball @ Tecumseh 5:00 p.m.  

Saturday, April 21 - Varsity Softball Vs. Crawford County 10:00 a.m./ Varsity Baseball vs. NE Dubois 11:00 a.m.