volume 11, number 5 from the desk of the principal
TRANSCRIPT
Page 1 January 2019
Volume 11, Number 5
In This Issue
From the Principal
Counselor’s Corner
From the Nurse
Student Council
Open Door
Club Inspire
Winter Ball
Students of the Month
PE/Health Department
Music Department
JROTC
Student Store
National Honor Society
Science Department
Wolfie
Way to Go!
Dates to Remember
MCHS Boosters: Comedy Night
Holly’s Give Back for National Honor Society
Contact Us
Comments? Suggestions?
Contact Joyce Westphal
Greetings my fellow Wolves,
Happy New Year! I hope you had a warm and relaxing Winter Break. It may be cold outside, but it is time for the high school students and staff to warm up to the very busy second semes-ter. Just a friendly reminder, our snow make-up day from our missed snow day in November, will be Monday February 18th. This will be an e-Learning day, so students will not report to school on February 18. Instead, they will connect from home to complete as-signments. For more information on eLearning, visit our website at www.educateMC.net.
Our seniors will be meeting with counselors to wrap-up graduation checklists, and finalize post secondary educational choices. Seniors need to meet with counselors to confirm their credits to graduate, apply for scholarships, and order their cap and gown for com-mencement. Scholarship information can be found on the MCHS website under Guidance. Applications for the Michigan City Promise Scholarship can be obtained in the guidance department or by stop-ping by City Hall at 100 E. Michigan Blvd. from 8:30am-4:30pm Monday - Friday.
This semester Grade 10 students will experience their Graduation Qualifying Exam, (GQE) Grade 10 ISTEP+ in English/Language Arts and Mathematics. There are two testing sessions. Part 1 testing window is February 26th - February 28th, and Part 2 window is April 23th - April 26th. Student MUST PASS the ISTEP+ in both are-as to graduate and receive a diploma. Students are actively learning what they need to know and be able to do to pass the ISTEP+. All biology students will take the biology ILearn assess-ment February 19th-22nd.
I encourage you and your student to be engaged in the learning process. I hope you will continue to check Parent Access, com-municate with guidance counselors and teachers, and do what is needed to insure your stu-dent graduates College and Career Ready! Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.
One City! One Pack! Go Wolves! Candy Van Buskirk, Principal
From the Desk of the Principal...
January 2019
Page 2 January 2019
Counselor’s Corner
Semester 2 is in full swing at MCHS. Counselors are currently busy not only getting students settled into their semester 2 clas-ses, but are also beginning scheduling conferences for the 2019-20 school year. Counselors met with students in early December to help them choose their courses for next year and students sub-mitted their requests prior to Christmas break. We hope to meet with the students again individually to discuss their class selec-tions for next year, their graduation requirements and their post-secondary plans Students are reminded the next SAT is March 9th. Students should sign up by February 8th if they wish to take this exam. Students should register at sat.org/register If a student is inter-ested in taking the ACT test, the next test at MCHS will be held on April 13. Students must register by March 8th to be eligible to take this exam. Students should register at actstudent.org
Seniors, the FAFSA deadline is quickly approaching. The state deadline is April 15, and the federal deadline is June 30. Students should always check with their chosen university, as many of them have submission date requirements. Many Indiana univer-sities require submission by March 10 in order to receive any fi-nancial aid from them. College Goal Sunday will be held at PNW on Sunday, February 24. Should you need assistance in complet-ing this document, we would highly recommend you attend this event. If you have other questions, feel free to contact Mr. Gar-rett or your student’s counselor.
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⚕ From the Nurse’s Desk
Happy New Year!
With colder temperatures here many viruses are being spread. Please remember to keep students home if they have fevers greater than 100.0° Fahrenheit or if they are vomiting. Students should stay home for 24 hours after the fever or vomiting stops to prevent from spreading illnesses. Also frequent hand washing and covering your mouth when sneezing and coughing helps prevent the spread of viruses.
Student Council
The Michigan City High School Student Council would like to thank everyone that participated in the canned food drive. Thank you also to the students that helped with the Salvation Army Bell Ringing.
Student Council is gearing up for a busy second semester. We are tentatively planning on having our Winterfest 2019 take place the last week of January to celebrate and honor the winter sports teams. More information will be provided in the school announce-ments. The City's Got Talent Show is going to be taking place on Friday, May 3rd. Auditions will be taking place February 12th, 13th and 15th with signups for the auditions taking place the last week of January, 28-February 1.
Page 4 January 2019
Open Door Adolescent Health Center Michigan City High School
8466 W. Pahs Road Michigan City, IN 46360 (219) 873-2082 Ext. 4545 FAX: (219) 873-2211
Dr. Kroczek Deborah Briggs, MSW
Board President Direc-tor
JOB OPENING – Posted on 12-6-18
MSW Social Work Position – Contractual
School Year 2018-2019
Organization Open Door Adolescent Health Center (ODAHC) is a school-based comprehensive health and mental health center located in the Michigan City High School.
Primary Responsibilities and Duties Include:
Provide Individual and Group Counseling Sessions and Case Management Services and Maintain Chart Documentation
Substance Abuse Screening, Education, and Referral
Administer Initial and Yearly Risk Screenings
Provide Assessment and Recommendations
Make Referrals as deemed appropriate
Assist with Client Evaluation/Program Evaluation of Services
Member of Collaborative Care Team and Student Success Team
Assist with Grant Writing and Reporting as Requested Other Duties as assigned
Requirements/Skills Needed:
MSW Degree/(Substance Abuse)
High level of interpersonal skills including ability to communi-cate and listen effectively/problem-solving and leadership skills
Motivated to work as both a team player and independently
Excellent oral/written communication skills Previous experience working in youth services preferred This is a school year-year position and hours will be 21-28 hours per week from August 2018 – June, 2019. Michigan City Area Schools requires a criminal background check (paid by applicant if hired). TB Test also required and provided by ODAHC upon hire.
Please Submit Cover Letter and Resume to: Deborah Briggs, MSW, Director
BY: January 25, 2019
Page 5 January 2019
Club Inspire
Safe Harbor’s Club Inspire after school program is available at Michigan City High School from 2:15 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Daily bus transportation is provided!
$5.00 for the year!
Dinner
Homework Help
Tutoring
Credit Recovery
Character Education
Mentoring
Creative Arts
College & Career Readiness and much more!
Engage, Enrich, Empower
For information please contact:
Site Coordinator Vicky Burton
219-873-2044, ext. 4543
Happy New Year! Students are back and busy already.
Page 6 January 2019
Winter Ball Michigan City High
School’s Twenty-Fourth Annual Winter Semi-Formal
Saturday, February 2nd
The Uptown Center 907 Franklin Street
Michigan City
7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Semi-formal dress required
Tickets: $20.00
Tickets will be on sale beginning
Wednesday, February 23rd, during all lunch periods
Page 7 January 2019
Students of the Month
LEADERS OF THE PACK - NOVEMBER
Art Department - Robert Lemon Business Department - Sydney Starks English Department - Jordan Bullock FACS Department - Rebekah Durham JROTC - Declan Rice Math Department - Evangelea Dabagia Music Department - Marissa Mantel PE/Health Department - Phoenix Hammoud Science Department - Braden Tepper Social Studies Department - Alexius Thompson Student Support Services Department - Sativa Santana Tech.Ed./Voc.Ed. Department - Alexis Reynolds World Languages Department - Abigail Pytynia
Page 8 January 2019
PE/Health Department
Name: Coach Kovenz Subject: Basic Swimming Welcome back to the 2nd half of the school year. Swimming will be starting SLO's, or Student Learning Objectives. This will be a 5 minute swim with assist (PFD) if necessary, and have an objective of making the High level-7 lengths or more, Medium level-5or 6 lengths, Low level, 0-4, and the Target Group-those who do not dress out, absent, refuse to test, sent out for refusing to work. All information is sent and gone over by our principal, Mr. Boyd, and will be the primary objective of each week in the swim rotation. Students should have their own suit, towel, and necessary materi-als to participate. Swimming section is definitely a participation requirement, although there will be those who shrink the respon-sibility and use excuses...please check to see if your student is active or non-active. Happy New Year and continued success through the rest of the school year.
Name: Coach Mason Subject: Strength Training Welcome back! In class strength training A students will be doing an extensive training program that will be specific to their sport while strength training B students will focus on core exercise that will improve their overall fitness. Name: Coach Feare Subject: Physical Education I & II Welcome back to our new and returning students. We will be starting our indoor winter units such as floor hockey and badmin-ton. We will also continue to maintain a healthy level of fitness. It's going to be a fun semester. Name: Coach Karpinski Subject: Health and PE Welcome back students! In health we will start our new chapters. There will be open discussions and dialogue between students. I am excited to start this new semester.
Name: Coach Richards Subject: Health Welcome back! We are going to be starting our new chapters in health. It's going to be a great semester.
Page 9 January 2019
Music Department
On Thursday, December 6, 2018, the band and choir students in grades 6 through 12 performed at the annual “One City One Sound” Holiday concert. Over 700 singers and 400 instrumental-ists performed at this event. All 1100 music students opened the concert with the piece “Holiday Favorites” and closed the concert with the traditional “Hallelujah Chorus”. The entire MCAS music department congratulates all of the music students on a job well done! The high school band and choir students will be busy this month preparing various solos and small and large ensembles for the ISSMA District Solo and Ensemble Contest. The band students will compete on Saturday, January 26 and the choir students will compete on Saturday, February 2. Good luck to all of the stu-dents preparing for this competition.
JROTC
MCHS MCJROTC FINISHES SECOND AT PURDUE DRILL MEET The Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Re-serve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) military drill team fin-ished second in the Purdue University drill meet on Saturday, De-cember 8th, in West Lafayette. The winner of the competition was East Aurora, Illinois which has the largest JROTC in the country with 700 cadets. Michigan City has 100 cadets. The Unarmed Pla-toon, commanded by Cadet First Sergeant Zach Benedict, earned a first-place trophy. Other units that competed well were the Armed Platoon commanded by Cadet Gunnery Sergeant Danny Walker, the Armed Exhibition Platoon commanded by Cadet Cap-tain Tyler Stockley, the Armed Squad commanded by Cadet Gun-nery Sergeant Connor Gresser, and the Color Guard commanded by Cadet First Sergeant Griffin Wyatt. “It was a great opportunity for our cadets to compete at this pres-tigious university and they represented Michigan City well,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath. Master Sergeant Jeff Benak, the Marine Instructor, also comment-ed on the cadets’ ability to rise to a challenge. “It would be easy to be intimidated by competing at this famous school and going
Page 10 January 2019
against the likes of East Aurora, but our kids handled it well.”
MCHS next competition will be Jan 19th at East Aurora, then the MCJROTC Regional Championship in Reading, PA, on March 3rd. If the Wolves qualify, they will then compete at the MCJROTC Na-tional Championship in Washington, DC, on April 13th. Both trips will be done at no expense to MCHS or the cadets. They will be funded by the Marine Corps. Additionally, cadets will continue to do many hours of community service, which includes assisting the Salvation Army in helping underprivileged families during the holi-day season.
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MCHS MCJROTC COMPETES IN CYBER PATRIOT
News of computer security breaches are almost a daily occur-rence. Local grocer Strack and Van Til experienced a ransomware attack that shut down approximately 20 of its stores right before Thanksgiving. Marriot Hotels recently revealed an information systems breach that could affect 500 million customers. The al-leged cyber attacks on political campaigns from 2016 are still be-ing investigated. Cyber security is an occupational field that offers good salaries and benefits along with high job satisfaction. The cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) are taking the first steps toward that lucrative career in participating in Cyber Patriot, the national cyber security game for high school students. Students act as managers of an organization’s information system, defending and counter attacking a cyber attack. MCHS competed in the second round of the competition on December 7th. Mr. Ralph Gee, the Engineering and Technology Instructor at
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MCHS who acts as the Faculty Advisor for Cyber Patriot, said that the experience cadets obtain from these types of exercises can be used as a springboard to launch them into a career in cyber secu-rity. “The concepts that are put into practice during the competi-tion are the same things that cyber managers of multi-million-dollar corporations are dealing with, but of course at a higher lev-el. This is a great opportunity for students to see the bright fu-ture they can have if they go into the cyber security field.” Marine Instructor Master Sergeant Jeff Benak stated how fortu-nate the MCJROTC is to have Gee as the advisor for Cyber Patriot. “Ralph brings a wealth of knowledge and solid teaching ability for our cadets.” Major Tom McGrath, the Senior Maine Instructor, also stated how valuable it is to have Gee at the high school. “I was an infantry officer on active duty, so my technical knowledge of computers is pretty limited. Ralph has done a great job in preparing the cadets for these competitions. The state qualifying round to advance in the competition will be in January. The regional round is in February, and the national championship will be held in Baltimore, MD, in March. If the ca-dets qualify, the trip would be funded by the Marine Corps, cost-ing MCHS and the cadets nothing.
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MCHS MCJROTC SUPPORTS SCHOOL, COMMUNITY The cadets of the Michigan City High School (MCHS) Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (MCJROTC) participated in numerous school and community activities during December. Ca-dets provided Color Guards for the home boys basketball games, helped set-up and then clean-up the One City One Sound holiday concert, and also assisted the Salvation Army in their bell ringing campaign to help the needy.
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“Our cadets are always willing to help our school and our commu-nity,” said Senior Marine Instructor Major Tom McGrath. “Many of the cadets who do these community service projects are also on our military drill and rifle teams. Drill team practice starts at 5:45 am and rifle team practice ends about 4:00 pm. Then they must do their homework, and some even have part-time jobs. They really demonstrate the leadership principle of endurance.” Master Sergeant Jeff Benak echoed McGrath’s praise of the ca-dets. “We teach that a leader has to be unselfish, and I think our cadets show this to our school and community.”
During the winter break, the drill team will be practicing in prepa-ration for their next competition at East Aurora, IL High School on January 19. Two weeks later, they will be back in the Land of Lin-coln competing at Wheeling High School. Both are Navy JROTC schools. After Wheeling, the cadets will turn their focus to com-peting in the National MCJROTC Drill Championship meet being held at the National Armory in Washington, DC on April 13th. This trip will be conducted at no cost to MCHS or the cadets. It will be completely funded by the Marine Corps.
Page 13 January 2019
Student Store
The Student Store is open for business on all lunch hours and during Impact period. The student store is managed by Ms. Tarra Jones! Earbuds, chargers, pencils, poster board are just a few things the student store has to offer. The Student Store is lo-cated in the “O” building near the cafeteria.
Page 14 January 2019
National Honor Society
Students are eligible for selection to the National Honor Society based on four criteria: scholarship, leadership, service, and char-acter. These criteria clearly indicate that the goal of the National Honor Society is more than recognition of the purely academic students. In truth, the National Honor Society seeks to recognize and reward the academic students who have made the extra ef-fort to be a significant part of their world, whether it is the world of the school or the world of the community. At MCHS, scholarship is used as the first criteria to determine eli-gibility. All Juniors/Seniors with a 3.5 cumulative grade point av-erage or above are eligible for consideration and are notified of their eligibility. The next step is for them to attend a mandatory meeting (February 15, 2019 from 2:20-4:00) where they will sup-ply information about the service and honors they have accrued to date. This information is then verified and the student evaluat-ed by the appropriate coach, sponsor, advisor, etc. Next, lists of eligible students are given to the faculty for input on character and leadership. The final vote is then done by the National Honor Society Faculty Committee. It is important that parents and students alike recognize that the honor and recognition are predicated on the continuance of ser-vice. Membership in the National Honor Society is not an end in itself; instead, it is a commitment to continue service, scholarship, leadership, and character. The National Honor Society believes strongly that its members are the future leaders of communities, states, and nation. -Mrs. Judy Kovalcik, NHS Advisor, MCHS
Page 15 January 2019
Science Department -Submitted by Mrs. Wojasinski-Labis and Mr. Goebel
There is lots of learning going on in Room A-223, ICP class! Ionic Bonding and Dot Diagrams were explained by using M&M and Skittles. Learners are studying the periodic table! 4th hour ICP is an amazing group of MCHS learners!
Page 16 January 2019
Goebel and Wojo Chemical Reaction Lab!
Learning all about chemical change, elements and predict reac-tions !
There is never a dull moment in ICP!
Page 17 January 2019
Wolfie
Thanks to a grassroots fundraising effort by dedicated alumni and community supporters, Michigan City High School is pleased to announce that its beloved mascot, Wolfie, will once again howl proudly in the Wolves Den gymnasium and other venues. The new and improved Wolfie will make his debut during halftime of the varsity Boys Basketball game on Friday, January 11, as the Wolves take on the Valparaiso Vikings at home. Tip-off for the game is at 7:00p.m. The identity of the performer inside the mascot suit is a closely guarded secret. However, the individual is rumored to be a stu-dent-athlete at MCHS. Wolfie has been training tirelessly with the MCHS cheerleaders in anticipation of his big reveal on January 11. The original Wolfie costume dated back to the mid-1990s, and the mascot suit had become dated and unwearable. MCHS alum Katie Eaton (‘98), who is now President of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, spearheaded a fundraising effort this past fall to pur-chase a new, more modern costume. The effort was facilitated by the Unity Foundation, and major donors included the IHSAA Foun-dation and members of the Michigan City Rotary Club. Eaton and other representatives will be on hand for Wolfie’s first public ap-pearance. “Wolfie is a true ambassador for our high school and our athletic teams,” said MCHS Athletic Director Craig Shaman. “We are grateful for the funders who made this possible. I hope the com-munity will turn out on January 11 to officially welcome Wolfie to the pack.”
Old Wolfie costume to be retired.
New Wolfie will be re-vealed at the Boys Basketball game on Friday, January 11.
Page 18 January 2019
Way to Go!
Four Michigan City High School juniors are among the Indiana As-sociation of School Principals (IASP) "Rising Stars of Indiana" Class of 2020. Each Indiana high school was invited to recognize up to four stu-dents currently in the 11th grade, based on their academic achievement. Representing Michigan City High School are Elliot Jasicki, Robert Lemon, Sara Poulin, and Megan Steinhiser. “We’re very proud of these four outstanding students," said Michi-gan City High School Principal Candy Van Buskirk. "They embody academic excellence and are involved in numerous activities at school and in our community. They truly are rising stars -- and an example of the high caliber of students we have at City.
Pictured are (L-R) Megan Steinhiser, Elliot Jasicki, MCHS Principal Candy Van Buskirk, Robert Lemon, and Sara Poulin.
Page 19 January 2019
Dates to Remember
1/21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (no school)
1/24 Red Cross Blood Drive
1/28-2/1 Foreign Language Film Festival - 2:30 each day
2/01 Winter Ball
2/12-2/14 ISTEP Retest
2/15 Foreign Language Olympics
2/18 eLearning day (students & staff do not report)
2/20 Sophomore Ring Assembly
2/26-2/28 ISTEP 10
3/05 Classics Night 1 - 7pm (Music Dept.)
3/07 End of Grading Period 3
3/07 Classics Night 2 - 7 pm (Music Dept.)
3/09 SAT Testing
3/10 Daylight Savings Time Starts
3/13 Ring orders during lunch periods
3/13 Swing Night - 7pm (Music Dept.)
3/14 Ring orders - lunch periods & during conferences
3/14 Parent Teacher Conferences 2:30-5:30 p.m.
3/14 Wolf Pack Round-Up - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
3/19 National Honor Society Induction - 7:00 p.m.
3/23 Spring Garden Show at MCHS
3/26 Winter Sports Awards - 6:30 p.m.
4/01-4/05 Spring Break
4/08 School Resumes
4/11 Red Cross Blood Drive
4/11 Foreign Language Honor Society Ind. - 6:30 AM
4/13 ACT Testing
4/19 Good Friday (no school)
4/23-4/24 ISTEP 10
4/26-4/28 Spring Play
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Page 21 January 2019