All Goshen Community Schools will be on a two-hour delay for Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 due to winter storm warning. Please refer to the arrival and dismissal times located here http://www.goshenschools.org/public-records/arrival-and-dismissal-times.
Goshen Community Schools will be hosting three public meetings to further explain the Strategic Planning Facilities Committee recommendation to the school board. Their recommendation was to proceed with building a new 5-8 Intermediate School on the school-owned property at SR 119 and Greene Road, and to convert the current Goshen Middle School to a 5-8 Intermediate School as well.
Please plan to attend one of the meetings listed below to learn more about the rationale that led to this recommendation and to give your input. There will be table group discussions held following the presentation in order to receive feedback from the public.
Meetings will be held at these locations and times:
Thursday, November 16, at 7:00 p.m. at the Model Cafeteria
Monday, December 4, at 7:00 p.m. at the Goshen High School Cafeteria
Tuesday, December 12, at 6:00 p.m. at the Goshen Middle School Cafeteria
La Corporación Escolar de Goshen llevará a cabo tres reuniones públicas para explicar más a fondo la sugerencia del comité de instalaciones de planeación estratégica a la mesa directiva. Su sugerencia fue la de proseguir con la construcción de una nueva escuela intermedia de 5º a 8º grado, en la propiedad escolar ubicada en SR 119 y Greene Road, y, de asimismo, convertir la actual secundaria Goshen Middle School en una escuela intermedia de 5º a 8º grado.
Por favor, asista a una de las reuniones enlistadas a continuación para enterarse mejor sobre el fundamento que condujo a dicha sugerencia y para dar sus sugerencias. Habrá una mesa redonda después de la presentación para poder recibir las sugerencias del público.
Las reuniones se llevarán a cabo en las siguientes locaciones y horarios:
Jueves, 16 de noviembre, a las 7 p.m. en la cafetería de Model
Lunes, 4 de diciembre, a las 7 p.m. en la cafetería de Goshen High School
Martes, 12 de diciembre, a las 6 p.m. en la cafetería de Goshen Middle School
Today Chamberlain students will be out in the community handing out the blankets they made for their Year of Goodness project. They started by visiting St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, the new “fixed site” for the Goshen Interfaith Hospitality Network (GIHN). GIHN is a “flexible, cooperative ministry providing an opportunity for our community to be actively involved in caring for the needs of homeless families”.
The students gathered in the lobby, full of excitement as the blankets were passed out.
Then they took the short walk to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
When they got to St. Mark’s, they heard about how GIHN serves individuals and families who are temporarily without a home.
And then the students presented the blankets to GIHN. At the suggestion of a student, they put them under the tree for the families to use when they return to St. Mark’s this evening.
They were then led on a tour of the facility, including a brief look at the bedrooms, the living room (with a TV and toys!), and the kitchen and dining area.
And then they took one more picture with the blankets by the tree.
The students will also deliver blankets to the Salvation Army, The Window, and the GHS child care center today. Thank you, Chamberlain, for spreading good cheer and warm blankets during this holiday season! And thank you to Mayor Stutsman and all of the Year of Goodness donors, for providing our students with this opportunity to give back to their community.
United Way and Goshen Community Schools Winter Coat Give-Away
If you need a coat for the winter or know someone who does, stop by the Goshen Schools Administration Building, 613 E Purl St from 8:00 AM-4:00 PM beginning December 6, 2017. If you are unable to come at the above times, call 971-4149 to arrange a time. We will be glad to help you!
Donación de chamarras de invierno United Way y Goshen Comm. Schools
Si necesita una chamarra para invierno o conoce a alguien que la necesite, vaya a la oficina administrativa de la corporación escolar de Goshen ubicada en la calle 613 E Purl St, de las 8:00 AM-4:00 PM Lunes a viernes empezando el 6 de diciembre de 2017. Si no pudiera venir en el horario anterior, llame al 971-4149 para fijar el momento. ¡Será un placer ayudarle!
Waterford 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders visited the Boys and Girls Club of Goshen this morning to present new books to the club. The students put personal notes on the inside covers of the books, explaining why they liked the books and why they had chosen each book for the club’s library.
After giving the books to the club’s education staff, the students took a brief tour of the building. They went to the gym first.
And then they checked out the game room!
After their stop at the Boys and Girls Club, the students went to the Window to donate another part of their Year of Goodness gift. They presented a check for $300.00 to The Window of Goshen. The money will be used by the Window to help Katie’s Kitchen (their lunch program that serves free hot lunches every weekday) buy can openers and other necessary supplies to continue to feed those in need.
Thank you, Waterford, for thoughtfully using your Year of Goodness money to care for others!
Today’s trivia question asked about a book written by GCS staff members approximately 12 years ago. The book Building a School of One: One School’s Journey was written by GHS Principal Jim Kirkton and GHS Assistant Principal Phil Lederach (with contributions from many GHS teachers). As stated in the front cover of the book, this was “Goshen High School’s efforts to increase rigor and support every student”.
The book was sold for $20.00, and all proceeds have gone to benefit students who do not have the resources to participate in the opportunities offered by GHS. There are still some books available at GHS for those who may be interested. For information or to purchase a book, you may contact GHS Principal Dr. Barry Younghans at byounghans@goshenschools.org
Information about the book: “This is a practitioner’s book with a message that teachers in our country ARE making a concerted effort to help students. This book shares the success and failures our staff experienced while walking through the murky waters of raising expectations for students through creating a personal environment for students in a school that is rapidly changing into a diverse, urban high school. Faced with the challenge and the strength of the largest English Language Learner population in Indiana, Goshen High School staff has been on a journey to improve the learning opportunities for our students. This book shares only some of the efforts we have made, but it does show how following a learning model, working in professional learning communities, and creating a small school climate for students plants the seeds for increasing academic rigor and ultimately, increased academic performance of students from all backgrounds and cultures. Building relationships with students and building relationships with teaching peers fuels the engine of our school.”
The original School of One concept continues at GHS today with Student Resource Time (SRT) built into the weekly schedule. SRT meets twice a week for 90 minutes (broken down into two sessions). SRT gives students opportunities to receive help with homework, to use resources in the media center, to make up tests or assignments they may have missed, to meet with their SRT teacher to go over their grades, to practice music in small groups or sections, and to provide time for clubs and other student organizations to meet. The goal of SRT is to ensure that every student feels supported and is offered every chance to be successful. For students who are busy in the evenings with extracurriculars such as athletics, music, or drama, SRT also provides time during the school day to work on assignments. Students stay with the same SRT teacher throughout their GHS career, ensuring that they have one person who knows them well, who monitors their academic work, who often supports them in their extracurricular activities, and who is there to embrace them as they walk off the graduation stage with their diploma. Because SRT is such an important part of GHS, and because GHS teachers are just so amazing, some retired GHS teachers have even come in on their own time to serve as a resource for students during SRT.
In addition to SRT and focused, continuing professional development opportunities for teachers, Dr. Younghans works hard to build relationships with students and staff, and to create a culture of caring and inclusivity that welcomes everyone to Goshen High School. And while this particular book focused on Goshen High School, the ideals have definitely been embraced and incorporated into all of the GCS school buildings.
At the opening day meeting for the 2017-18 school year, the GCS administrators presented the staff with a theme for the year, Every 1 Matters. The theme continues the School of One concept, and challenges all staff to do their best to support each other as they work together to help every student succeed. Our guest speaker for the day was 2015 Indiana Teacher of the Year Kathy Nimmer, and she asked the staff “What would it look like if you took a pledge of allegiance for the school year ahead, to your school?” She gave a speech that elicited episodes of both laughter and tears, but by the end everyone was inspired to start the school year and do their best for students. The staff took her Pledge of Allegiance for the school year, reading the following several times, with growing conviction: I pledge to bring the best of me every single day to the classroom and beyond, because our students deserve it…no matter what.
And that is why GCS is committed to every single student; why we believe that Every 1 Matters. We made a pledge to be here for every student, and no matter how hard it may be some days, our teachers and staff members are committed to making sure our students know we care about them and that we want each of them to be successful. That is why we are here!
This morning Chamberlain assistant principal Erin Haseley led members of the student leadership team in wrapping blankets for their Year of Goodness project. They used their Year of Goodness money from Mayor Stutsman (and many Goshen donors) to purchase the blanket kits at Jo-Ann Fabrics, and then they cut the edges and tied them off. The students made 75 blankets in all, some larger ones, and some made for babies or small children. The blankets will be donated to the Salvation Army, The Window, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Goshen Interfaith Hospitality Network, and the GHS Child Care Center.
Mrs. Haseley explained to the students how to roll the blankets and then wrap them with ribbon.
Then the students got to work!
And then they took them to the “big box” where they will be stored until the blankets can be delivered.
Almost all of the blankets are different, but they are all beautiful. Great job, Chamberlain students!
Goshen Community Schools will again be offering United Way Reading Camps to 20 children at each of the following schools: Chandler, Parkside, Model, Waterford, and West Goshen. Our Reading Camps connect 2nd grade students with an attentive, adult volunteer, to practice their reading skills.
Reading Camps are held every Tuesday and Thursday for eight weeks (January 30 -March 22, 2018) after school from 3:00-4:00 p.m. Ideal volunteer candidates are people of all ages, who have a passion for helping children and a love of reading. Volunteers may commit to once a week, twice a week, or substitute on predetermined dates. We are looking for people who would be willing to spend one to two hours per week reading with a child. All volunteers will be given a limited background check and will participate in a training session to be held the last week of January. For more information, or if you are interested in being a volunteer, please contact Michelle Kercher (Coordinator of Volunteers) at mkercher@goshenschools.org or (574)-535-3086.
Goshen Community Schools will be hosting three public meetings to further explain the Strategic Planning Facilities Committee recommendation to the school board. Their recommendation was to proceed with building a new 5-8 Intermediate School on the school-owned property at SR 119 and Greene Road, and to convert the current Goshen Middle School to a 5-8 Intermediate School as well.
Please plan to attend one of the meetings listed below to learn more about the rationale that led to this recommendation and to give your input. There will be table group discussions held following the presentation in order to receive feedback from the public.
Meetings will be held at these locations and times:
Thursday, November 16, at 7:00 p.m. at the Model Cafeteria
Monday, December 4, at 7:00 p.m. at the Goshen High School Cafeteria
Tuesday, December 12, at 6:00 p.m. at the Goshen Middle School Cafeteria
La Corporación Escolar de Goshen llevará a cabo tres reuniones públicas para explicar más a fondo la sugerencia del comité de instalaciones de planeación estratégica a la mesa directiva. Su sugerencia fue la de proseguir con la construcción de una nueva escuela intermedia de 5º a 8º grado, en la propiedad escolar ubicada en SR 119 y Greene Road, y, de asimismo, convertir la actual secundaria Goshen Middle School en una escuela intermedia de 5º a 8º grado.
Por favor, asista a una de las reuniones enlistadas a continuación para enterarse mejor sobre el fundamento que condujo a dicha sugerencia y para dar sus sugerencias. Habrá una mesa redonda después de la presentación para poder recibir las sugerencias del público.
Las reuniones se llevarán a cabo en las siguientes locaciones y horarios:
Jueves, 16 de noviembre, a las 7 p.m. en la cafetería de Model
Lunes, 4 de diciembre, a las 7 p.m. en la cafetería de Goshen High School
Martes, 12 de diciembre, a las 6 p.m. en la cafetería de Goshen Middle School
Goshen Community Schools will hold Sign up/Orientation meetings on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 for those interested in substitute teaching for Goshen Schools. (People may sign up to sub for teachers, or for paraprofessionals.) The two meetings will be held at the GCS Administration Center, located at 613 E. Purl Street in Goshen, from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:00-3:30 p.m. The content of the meetings will be same, those interested should simply select the orientation time that works best for them. The meetings will be held in the West Conference room on the 2nd floor of the Administration Center. Parking is available on the south side of the building, in the band practice lot.
To register for a sign up/orientation session, please visit WillSub at: http://www.pcmiservices.com/pcmi/homepage.aspx and click on the registration link under Upcoming Sub Orientations. **It is also recommended that people start or complete the application for employment as a substitute prior to attending the orientation meetings.**
Below is a list of the items you will need to bring to the meeting:
- Your personal email address, and please know your password
- Employment history
- 3 reference names with valid emails
- Must have a high school diploma or GED, or copy of “Official” college transcripts or teaching license
- Credit or debit card
- Copy of your valid IDs for Employment Verification (I-9 form). These may include passport, OR driver’s license and social security card, OR driver’s license and birth certificate.
If you have questions, you may contact PCMI Staffing Services/WillSub at (877) 855-7264-phone or (517) 647-7535-fax.
We look forward to seeing you on December 13th!
ATTENTION: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF GHS STUDENTS
On December 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th, most of the junior class and some of the senior class at Goshen High School will be taking required state tests (ISTEP retests and ECA retests). Because only selected students must take the exam, the rest of the students will participate in online learning partial days. This means that all students who are testing should arrive at their normal time. All other students do not have to arrive at GHS until 10:30 a.m. However, all students not testing will have assignments that need to be completed on their computer. These late start online learning days only apply to students who are not testing. If you are not certain if your child needs to participate in either test, please contact Goshen High School at 533-8651.
If your child rides a bus, the buses will run at the normal times. Students who are not testing will be allowed to work on the online assignment or other homework in the cafeteria. There will be no delayed buses those mornings. Again, if students choose not to arrive until 10:30 a.m., they will be responsible for their own transportation.
The reasons for these alternate schedules are to provide an excellent testing environment as well as to determine how Goshen High School might be able to use online learning days in the 2018-2019 school year when weather makes attendance at school impossible. Please feel free to contact me or any of the assistant principals. Our email addresses are found below. Thank you for your cooperation regarding the change in schedule on these days.
Dr. Barry Younghans byounghans@goshenschools.org
Mr. Brian Bechtel bbechtel@goshenschools.org
Mr. Dan Butler dbutler@goshenschools.org
Mr. Jim Pickard jpickard@goshenschools.org
Mr. Randy Carpenter rcarpenter@goshenschools.org
ATENCIÓN: INFORMACIÓN IMPORTANTE PARA TODOS LOS PADRES DE FAMILIA O TUTORES DE ESTUDIANTES DE GOSHEN HIGH SCHOOL
El 5, 6, 7 y 8 de diciembre la mayor parte de los estudiantes de 11º y algunos de los estudiantes de 12º grado de la preparatoria Goshen High School harán los exámenes estatales requeridos (volverán a tomar el ISTEP o el ECA). Debido a que sólo los estudiantes seleccionados deben tomar el examen, el resto de los estudiantes tomarán clases en línea en días parciales. Esto significa que, todos los estudiantes que vayan a hacer el examen deben llegar en su horario normal. El resto de los estudiantes no tienen que llegar a GHS sino hasta las 10:30 a.m. Sin embargo, todos estos estudiantes que no hagan los exámenes tendrán que terminar tareas en su computadora. Estos días de entrada tarde, en donde los estudiantes tomarán clases en línea, solamente son para aquellos estudiantes que no harán los exámenes. Si no está seguro si su hijo tiene que hacer alguno de los exámenes, comuníquese a Goshen High School al 533-8651.
Si su hijo toma el autobús escolar, los autobuses saldrán a la hora normal. A los estudiantes que no tienen que hacer los exámenes se les permitirá hacer su tarea que debe hacerse en línea o alguna otra tarea en la cafetería. No habrá autobuses retrasados esas mañanas. De nuevo, si los estudiantes prefieren llegar hasta las 10:30 a.m., tendrán que responsabilizarse de su propio transporte.
Las razones de estos horarios alternativos son las de proporcionar un excelente entorno para realizar evaluaciones, así como determinar cómo Goshen High School podría hacer funcionar las clases en línea en el año escolar 2018-2019, cuando el clima hace que el asistir a la escuela sea imposible. Por favor, no dude en ponerse en contacto conmigo o con cualquiera de los subdirectores. Nuestras direcciones de correo electrónico se encuentran a continuación. Gracias por su cooperación con respecto al cambio de horario en estos días.
Dr. Barry Younghans byounghans@goshenschools.org
Sr. Brian Bechtel bbechtel@goshenschools.org
Sr. Dan Butler dbutler@goshenschools.org
Sr. Jim Pickard jpickard@goshenschools.org
Sr. Randy Carpenter rcarpenter@goshenschools.org
Goshen High Schools students performed the play All Because of Agatha this past weekend. There were some students who returned to the GHS stage following participation in other GHS productions, and there were some new faces as well.
Kudos to the students and directors on the presentation of another top-notch theater production!
Photos courtesy of Branden Beachy.
The following pictures were taken at the Sweet Jazz Concert, held on Tuesday, Nov. 14th at the Life Center.
The directors: Tom Cox, Josh Kaufman, and Jessica Holcomb.
Jazz band.
Jazz Strings.
Sections and soloists.
If you missed this great concert, there will be another one in the spring, on Monday, May 7th at 7:00 p.m. at the Life Center.
(Photo credit to Phil David)
At the November 13th meeting of the Board of School Trustees, Goshen Community Schools recognized the following individual teachers for their hard work and excellence in producing student achievement results.
Theresa Hussey and Todd Williams-Goshen Middle School
Michelle Eckelbarger, Esmeralda Gutierrez, and Tonia Rensberger-Model Elementary School
Dolores Pfenning (In the classroom for 2016-17, now the EL Director)–Prairie View Elementary School
Corrie Miller and Carrie Markham-West Goshen Elementary
The scores are figured on a 1-5 scale, with 5 being the highest. These teachers earned the highest “value added score” possible from the Indiana Department of Education for student results on the ISTEP in 2017. The value added scores are derived from both student growth and proficiency.
We know that all GCS teachers work hard on behalf of students every day, and we acknowledge these individual teachers who have demonstrated that their hard work has produced excellence in student achievement.
All GCS a Schools will be on a two hour delay due to fog for Tues., Nov. 14, 2017. For arrival times go to the following link https://www.goshenschools.org/public-records/arrival-and-dismissal-times.
This morning, Parkside Elementary students were observers and participants in a ceremony to retire their U.S. flag, which was old and worn. Military Honor Guard members visited the school to retire the flag in the appropriate, respectful manner.
Below, Assistant Principal Scott Garvin, who is also a veteran of the United States Army, introduces the Honor Guard members. The students were very pleased to learn that two of the Honor Guard members were also former Parkside students!
After the students had gathered outside, one of the Honor Guard members explained that the flag would be retired and disposed of in a solemn, respectful manner. He added that the flag represents all of the many servicemen and women who have served in the U.S. military, including some who have lost their lives in service to their country.
They brought the old flag down and folded it precisely.
Then they raised the new flag and saluted it. And lastly, they led the students in the Pledge of Allegiance.
We extend our thanks to the military Honor Guard, for showing Parkside students how to properly treat and respect the flag, which is an honored symbol for our country.
Goshen High School will present their fall play All Because of Agatha by Jonathan Troy, on November 17, 18, and 19. The play will be directed by Susan Hepler Long and Katie Miller O’Leary. It is a family play that all ages will enjoy!
Performances will take place in the GHS auditorium on Friday and Saturday, November 17 & 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 19 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $6.00 for adults (18+), $5.00 for students and seniors (65+), and $20.00 for a family.
Pictured below are student actors Christian Elias, Danielle Horn and Haley Kirkton:
Don’t miss this opportunity to see a quality theater performance at a great price!
On Monday evening, the Goshen High School athletic department recognized student athletes during their Fall Athletic Awards Program.
The student athletes pictured below were presented the MVP Awards for their respective sports:
In front (from left) Olivia Thomas, Golf; Mikayla Burkhead, Cheer; Yadira Sanchez, Cross Country; Jillian Kissinger, Girls Soccer; and Raina Shreiner Barger, Volleyball.
In back (from left) Felix Perez Diener, Cross Country; Wes Beck, Tennis and Lucas Bontreger, Boys Soccer.
Congratulations to these student athletes, and all fall athletes, on a great season of GHS athletics!
Teen Triple P Seminars – Raising responsible teenagers
- What: Tips to help your teen make good decisions, be reliable, and be part of family life.
- When: Monday, November 13, 2017 from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Where: Goshen Middle School/ English, 1216 S Indiana Ave, Goshen, IN 46526
- Provider: Barb Stith If you have questions, you may call 574-226-0160. If nobody answers, please leave a message. Or, you may email questions to info@triplepelkhartcounty.org
- More details: Child care will be provided. When you register, please list the number and ages of children who will need child care during the event.
- To register, click on this link: http://www.triplep-parenting.com/us-en/find-help/find-a-session/2017-11-13/seminar-teen/raising-responsible-teenagers/102291/
There has been an accident at the RR crossing at Madison and 9th Street which has stopped traffic. Expect buses to be late this morning. Crossings at Purl and Plymouth are open.