Goshen Community Schools

Student Advisory Council – Seeking New Members

Dr. McCormick is looking for high school juniors from congressional districts 1, 2, 5, 7, and 8 who would be interested in serving a two-year term on the Student Advisory Council. The student must be recommended by the high school principal, and approved by the superintendent. This student would be expected to miss school to attend two meetings per school year. The student should be in good academic standing, actively involved, a positive role model for others, and able to travel to Indianapolis.

Interested principals need to submit the students name, school name, school corporation, school address, and phone number to Bailey Walker. Submissions are due by September 14. 

Please note that as of September 17, 2018 GCS will be switching to a new Job Application system.  At that time, all applicants (new and returning) will need to complete a new application and re-apply for any positions in which they are still interested.

Once the site is “live”, applicants will be able to visit, https://www.goshenschools.org/ and click on JOBS to reach the application site.

If you have questions, you may call the administration office at 574-533-8631 and ask for Human Resources. To view the current open GCS positions, you may click on this link: http://www.goshenschools.org/hr/employment-opportunities

8.27.18

GHS received reports this morning from students regarding a 9^th grade Goshen High School student that posted a photo last night on Snapchat that included bullets. GHS administrators immediately investigated and reported the concern to the Goshen Police Department and took appropriate action. No one was ever in danger at GHS. The Goshen Police Department and Goshen Community Schools will continue to do everything possible to make sure our schools and community are safe for all. We continue to strive for excellence in all that we do for students.

GCS Volunteer Engagement Specialist Sharon Sarber was at the 9th Annual United Way Great Cardboard Race today.  The race is the kickoff event for United Way’s fundraising season. While there, Ms. Sarber was actively recruiting Read United volunteers for Elkhart and Goshen Community Schools.

There were 52 cardboard boat entries this year, and the awesome pirate ship “Crusader Trophy” was designed and made by Welch Packaging.  The races are a great way to build community, have a little fun, and help the United Way kick off their fundraising season.

Two opportunities to volunteer:

1. If you would like to volunteer for the Read United program in elementary schools this fall, please contact Sharon Sarber at ssarber@goshenschools.org or 574-533-8631, ext. 2048.

“You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child”. Dr. Seuss

2. If you would like to sponsor one or more GHS teams (students in Engineering Technology classes) in next year’s United Way Great Cardboard Race, please contact GHS teacher Jen Yoder at jenyoder@goshenschools.org  There is a $300 entry fee for the heavy duty cardboard used to build the boats, and the teams are also encouraged to get sponsorships, as this is a fundraiser for the United Way.

Thank you for considering partnering with GCS!

From Jan Holsopple, Parkside School Counselor:

Thank you to everyone who supported and participated in the CLASS Leadership Summit held in Indianapolis this summer! Our theme was “The Best of Me”.  The focus was how does THE BEST OF ME bring out the best in others. Students were able to have many different experiences including hearing amazing guest speakers, touring the state house, seeing the Lily Corporation Campus, and visiting businesses in downtown Indy. It was an amazing success and the students were highly engaged and interactive. We had close to 90 students attend and 6 GCS teachers/counselors attended as counselors to the students.

Coming together to learn leadership skills, character traits, and understanding “The Best of Me”.

Preparing to be leaders. Learning Lifelines and leadership. Collaborating and learning from others builds understanding. Sharing goals and valuing the opinions and ideas of others.

Dr. Goodman is a physician at Riley Children’s Hospital. He was born with Treacher’s Syndrome and had 21 surgeries by the time he was 20. He was bullied, but learned how to be resilient and lead others.

Dr. Guy Hansen shared his 30-year journey of leading through developing and testing medications at Lily Laboratories. A fascinating opportunity to learn about leadership through research and development.

Launch Indy is a company that supports entrepreneurs in starting new tech companies. Students experienced the environment and heard from leaders regarding their creativity in making dreams come true.

Touring the State Capitol, learning about history and the roles people play in making decisions for our state was truly a highlight. Each student was awarded a medal during the BEST OF ME ceremony.

Leadership comes in many forms and opportunities. Students saw the sights and sounds of the city, and visited Steak and Shake for a taste of how leadership and building an international company comes together.

Growing as a leader begins with THE BEST OF ME.

At a school board meeting last fall, GMS counselor Jan Desmarais-Morse shared the Houses for Hurricanes project that GMS students took on, in which they made house magnets to raise funds for victims of Hurricanes Maria, Irma, and Harvey.  Despite all the destruction in the U.S. and elsewhere, they struggled to find a suitable organization or school to donate their funds! After much networking and trial and error, they decided to target the devastation in Puerto Rico, as that area seemed to be hardest hit, and continues to be impacted by the 2017 hurricane to this day.

As it turned out, Goshen International Middle School student, Elena Stutzman and her family were taking an extended mission trip to Puerto Rico to lend a hand in March. Jan contacted Elena’s mother and asked if it would be possible to have Elena determine where the funds should go, after she had a chance to explore various agencies and communities. After careful consideration, the family suggested El Centro Paso in Aibonito, PR.

Below is a description of the organization and how it helps the community. There is also a letter of thanks that Mrs. Desmarais-Morse recently received from the program director.  Because so many school board members and guests purchased magnets and supported the cause, Jan thought they might be interested in knowing how those funds were spent.  GMS was able to send over $500 to benefit the community of Aibonito, PR.

Jan said “I am proud of the work our students did on behalf of students they may never know. This is just one way both Goshen New Tech and Goshen International Middle School students are impacting our global community.”

One of the “Houses for Hurricanes” magnets, made by GMS students.

(A letter from Elena’s mother, Rose Stutzman)

Greetings from Puerto Rico,

Yesterday we went to visit El Centro PASO, a community organization we had been hearing about. They are the organization that we are recommending. Elena liked the place as well. 

 As you may know the eye of the hurricane passed right over Aibonito, the highest city on the island. Soon after the hurricane, Centro Paso became the coordinating force for a network of leaders. They gave out food and clothing and water. Government agencies did that as well, but not with the same personal touch. At Centro Paso everyone had a name and a chance to tell their story and a chance to tell what they needed most. Centro Paso was begun by the local Catholic parish a few years ago without a hurricane in mind but was well prepared to work ecumenically and at the grassroots level when there was a crisis. A local Palestinian Muslim family made the first donation of food, for example. The evangelicals and Catholics went around with a loudspeaker truck to gather donations–people each gave what they could to help others. 

Centro Pasos helped families who lost everything. They still feed people daily –just not nearly as many. They set up a laundry so that people who don’t have electricity could come and wash their clothes. (At church on Sunday about 1/4 of the people said they still didn’t have power.)

We like that it’s community based. We like that Margarita, the director, has the confidence of lots of people. We like that they were the place that people trusted after the hurricane. We like that everything is done by community volunteers–not lots of salaried personnel keeping the donation dollars at the top.

Their social services include: Food distribution, Meals, After school program, Vocational counseling, Program to help mothers and small children, Counselors to help people in emotional distress, Used clothing (people pay if they can), Stored food, (to be prepared for the next hurricane season), Emergency assistance to families, and Recreational activities 

You can choose an area of donation.: For example things needed for the kitchen–they weren’t prepared for feeding large groups, so there have been extra costs involved there–or any of the other areas. Or you can give to their work in general. They may not be helping people rebuild right now but they certainly have provided for families in that way. 

Rose

(A thank-you letter from El Centro PASO)

Dear Mrs. Jan,

On behalf of all the PASO Center volunteers and of all those who have received the benefit of your contribution, we would like to express our profound gratitude for the donation that you made to our organization. The past months have been a great challenge for us and for our island, but also of great joy for the blessings received. You are one of those blessings. Thanks to you, we have been able to get the help our community has needed so much after the lash of Hurricane Maria.

We will continue to carry out our social work service with the same enthusiasm with which we did in the past months. The PASO Center is a support center for the families, especially for the neediest people. Our services include: counseling services, case management, emergency financial aid, a food pantry, a store, a soup kitchen, and visits to the homes of bedridden people. In the afternoon we offer supervised assignments for children, table tennis, chess, painting and basic drawing. All services are free, and the work we do is voluntary.

We are convinced that God prepared us to provide and channel the help and assistance necessary for the restoration of our people. We invite you to continue to contact us through our Facebook page Centro PASO de Aibonito.

Again, on behalf of all those who have benefited from your contribution and on behalf of everyone at Centro PASO, thank you.

Kindly,

Margarita Centeno Director

GCS teachers and staff were welcomed back for the 2018-19 school year with a hearty breakfast prepared by the GHS school nutrition staff. Following breakfast, teachers went to break-out sessions on topics such as life insurance, financial planning, student loan solutions, and fringe benefits. Teachers also met for grade level meetings, and to hear more about how they can use Khan Academy as a resource.

Once all teachers and staff had gathered in the GHS auditorium, Dr. Woodworth gave a short welcome and introduced the school board members in attendance, including Jose Elizalde, Keith Goodman, Roger Nafziger, and Jane Troup. Dr. Woodworth asked Mrs. Troup to address the staff, as it will be her last opportunity to do so. Mrs. Troup has chosen not to run for the school board this year, and she will be retiring from the board after 24 years!

Mrs. Troup stated that “We know you have been busy this summer because we go by the schools and we see your cars in the lot….We know that you want our students to be successful….I have served for 24 years, and I have seen many changes in education. I have advocated for you locally, and at the state and national levels, and just because I am no longer a board member does not mean that I will stop advocating for you. I will always be an advocate for you!” Following her comments, the GCS staff gave Mrs. Troup a standing ovation in honor of her time, service and commitment to Goshen Community Schools.

Next, Dr. Woodworth introduced Katherine “Kat” Posada, an English teacher from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Ms. Posada’s school was the site of a school shooting on February 14, 2018, and Dr. Woodworth stated that Ms. Posada sheltered in place with her 21 students during the ordeal.

Ms. Katherine L. Posada

Ms. Posada said that she was surprised when she was contacted about speaking for the GCS opening day; because “I am just a regular teacher”. However, she did acknowledge that since the shooting at her school she has “learned some lessons” that she could share. She explained that as an English teacher, there are many skills that she is teaching students as they learn about and discuss literature, but those are not necessarily the most important things. Then she backed up a bit to say that standing before a crowd of teachers was not her comfort zone; that standing before about twenty or so 16 year old students is her comfort zone. She stated that before the shooting, she would never have considered being a public speaker, but “seeing how our students have stepped up, expressed their beliefs, and refused to be silenced, I knew I wanted to do my part”.

Then, going back to the “most important things” teachers can do to prepare their students, she listed several things: “You give them opportunities, chances to disagree with respect, you give them confidence, you challenge them, and more. Those are the most important things.” She stated that as part of her high school alumni facebook page, she has noticed some people have commented on teachers who were important to them, but that she did not necessarily know or appreciate. “But not every teacher will connect with all students. Students are different and teachers are different, and students will make connections with the teachers they feel comfortable with.” She encouraged teachers to be their authentic selves, and allow the students to make connections with them. “Your students need you to be you.”

Next, Ms. Posada said “sometimes things don’t work out”. In September of 2017, Hurricane Irma came through their town and their schools were closed for two weeks, partly to repair damages and partly because schools were being used as shelters. Because of that, “we lost two weeks of instructional time”. And then, after the school shooting on February 14, the school was closed for two more weeks, losing more instructional time. “But even when we went back, we were not ready for curriculum. We simply sat around and played board games and worked on puzzles, and we just chatted about everything. I got to know the students better. I let the conversations wander more. I learned what they were passionate about. I guess I am saying, don’t be afraid to throw out your lesson plans. You will get to know your students better and that is important.” Ms. Posada said that at the end of every year she lets students sign her journal if they want to do so. There are many students that will simply say “have a great summer”, but some students will surprise her by saying “your class changed my life”. And those connections are the most important things…

Ms. Posada finished her remarks by leading the staff in the same pledge they took on opening day last year (“emphasizing the word me, because they need you!”):
“I pledge to bring the best of me every single day to the classroom and beyond, because our students deserve it…no matter what”

In a meeting with some school safety staff later on, Ms. Posada talked about some of the things her school learned from their tragedy, and some of the things they are still doing to improve school safety. One of the things that her school continues to work on is communication. Another thing that they are exploring is an app that every student can download to their phones, and use to (anonymously) submit tips or anything suspicious in their schools. The app can also be used to call 911, and allows administrators to push out information to teachers, students and families all at once.

Following the discussion on safety and the things that schools and administrators can do to improve school safety, Ms. Posada said that really, “in the end, you cannot think of everything” and incidents like those at Stoneman Douglas can, unfortunately, still happen. No community is immune to danger. However, she encouraged GCS to continue to explore and pursue all safety measures, to prepare and practice, and then she wished GCS well for the future.

GCS thanks you, Kat. We thank you for encouraging and empowering your students, and for joining them in doing what is outside of your comfort zone. GCS wishes your school a sense of peace and community as students and staff begin another school year.

Tonight is a Culver’s Night fundraiser for GHS boys tennis. Please spread the word to anyone you know that might be grateful for a chance to support the boys tennis team and not have to cook their own meal tonight! A portion of all sales goes to the team fund, no ticket or ID required.

Here’s the scheduled tennis team servers for tonight:
5:00-6:30 = Wes, Drake, Axel, Zach, Carter, Don, Carlos, Ryan
6:30-8:00 = Zef, Josh, Diego, Braxten, Braxton, Cormac, Wyatt, Ben

Goshen Community Schools announces Sharon Sarber as the new Volunteer Engagement Specialist.  This position is a partnership involving Goshen Community Schools, Elkhart Community Schools and United Way of Elkhart County.  Read United connects community volunteers with classrooms in elementary schools and is comprised of three opportunities throughout the school year:  Real Men Read, Reading Camps, and Spring Into Reading.

“United Way is passionate about helping students succeed”, said Bill Rieth, President of United Way of Elkhart County.  “For over 90 years, United Way has fought for the Education, Health and Financial Stability of every person in our community.  We’re excited to have Sharon as a Volunteer Engagement Specialist.  Her experience, passion and skills will make a huge impact.”

GCS Assistant Superintendent Alan Metcalfe stated, “The Read United programs have been very successful within Goshen Community Schools and Sharon’s qualifications will enable us to maintain the existing programs, while also planning for future expansion.  She will provide that direct connection to United Way and allow our partnership to continue and deepen.”

Sharon is a licensed teacher in k-6 through Indiana Wesleyan University and k-12 Moderate and Severe Needs through the University of Saint Francis.  She has teaching experience in both the Goshen and Elkhart school districts, most recently with Goshen Community Schools.  She has taught at Wakarusa Elementary, the Young Adult Program, and Goshen High School in Life Skills.  Sharon continued teaching for GCS last year through the Goshen Online Academy housed at the Boys and Girls Club.  She worked in Elkhart Community Schools as a Life Skills and Mild Disability paraprofessional.  Prior to working in the schools, Sharon was employed at a Biotechnology company located in Elkhart.

In addition to Sharon’s licensures, she also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Indiana University South Bend and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Northern Michigan University.

Sharon plans to raise awareness of the Read United programs within both school districts.  She is actively seeking community volunteers to engage our elementary and preschool students.  Please contact Sharon directly for additional information about volunteer opportunities at ssarber@goshenschools.org or 574-533-2048.

All GHS student GMAIL passwords have been updated prior to the beginning of the school year and laptop distribution this week.  Students need to login to SKYWARD using their current password to get their new GMAIL password before Wednesday, August 1. All laptop/Skyward passwords will be reset prior to laptop distribution Wednesday.