Superintendent of Perry Township Schools
Summer break is over; our students return to school today.
The time off provided the opportunity for deep cleaning and repairs in our classrooms, conference rooms, rest rooms, gyms and more. We have a maintenance crew and a group of custodians who ensure clean, safe schools. These valued employees take pride in their work and treat your facilities like their own.
Our instructional staff members have also been busy. They continued to fine-tune their teaching skills by attending summer workshops. We tell our children that the key to success is to become a lifelong learner; our teachers are fine examples of this belief.
We are proud of bus drivers Pam LaFollette, Robin Hollcraft and Beth Sullivan as they took first-place honors for the second year in a row at the School Transportation Association of Indiana safety competition. This demonstrates the commitment that our drivers have for the safety of our children. Our students begin and end their school days with a safe bus ride.
Summer school classes offered remediation and enrichment for students at all levels. For example, the Jump Start Kindergarten program provided an authentic experience for children to prepare themselves for school.
We welcomed more than 50 new teachers to the Perry Township Schools family. The human resources department organized and conducted a full day of orientation for our new educators.
Our opening-day celebration is a time to reflect on the past year while looking forward. Each year we honor staff members who were nominated by their peers for providing outstanding service to our 15,000 students.
Our District Teacher of the Year is Sandra Rogers, a 33-year music instructor at Burkhart Elementary, and our Administrator of the Year is Southport Middle School Principal Brian Knight.
Our Teachers of the Year:
Emily Wampler, Lincoln Elementary.
John Phillips, Clinton Young Elementary.
Theresa Irons, MacArthur.
Kyle Hanefeld, Glenns Valley Elementary.
Sandra Rogers, Burkhart Elementary.
Margaret Corthell, Homecroft Elementary.
Melissa Huckaby, Jeremiah Gray-Edison Elementary
Valerie Stovall, Mary Bryan Elementary.
Kimberly Witkemper, Rosa Parks-Edison Elementary.
Jeanetta Penniston, Southport Elementary.
Gayle Willis, Winchester Village Elementary.
Kelly Swisher, Perry Meridian Sixth Grade Academy.
Amanda Haberlin, Southport Sixth Grade Academy.
Erin Nieten, Perry Meridian Middle.
Tanya Johnson, Southport Middle.
Melissa Walsh, Perry Meridian High.
Jennifer Karushis, Southport High.
Rodney Claiborne, James Whitcomb Riley.
Elizabeth Kingery, Perry Township Education Center preschool.
Support Staff of the Year honorees:
Toni Humes, secretary/treasurer, Perry Meridian High.
Jeanette Moriarty, food service worker, Perry Meridian Middle.
Socorro Romero, support staff, Homecroft.
Annie Singleton, bus driver.
John LeFevers, custodian, Southport High.
Amy Salerno, substitute teacher, Perry Meridian Middle.
We are fortunate to be selected to serve the children and the community of Perry Township. Our students, staff and families are looking forward to the 2015-16 school year with great anticipation.