Reading Time!
Ms. Shipley's first graders at Ray Crowe started off their school week with reading time. The reader was special guest reader Dr. Tim Edsell Dr. Edsell brought some of his favorite books to read including "Cap's for Sale" and "Click Clack Moo, Cow's That Type".
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
HEATHER AGRESTA & DENISE MCLAUGHLIN OFFICE ADMIN’S AT RCES
In this edition of Staff Spotlight, we celebrate the dynamic office duo of Heather Agresta and Denise McLaughlin. They are the first faces you see when you enter Ray Crowe Elementary. Although their titles are Administrative Assistant 1 and Administrative Assistant 2, they are integral to a complex office system with many moving parts. Both women have been with the school since it opened.
Mrs. Agresta has been with the school corporation since 1999 and has also served as an Instructional Assistant and a 4th-grade teacher at Whiteland Elementary for 10 years. She earned her education degree from Indiana University. Married with three daughters—one in high school and two in college—people may not know that she worked at Mr. D’s before joining CPCSC, which is her only other employer.
Mrs. McLaughlin was a stay-at-home mom for 16 years, with her two children, before taking this position. Her son attends Huntington University, and her daughter is a Senior at Greenwood Christian Academy. Mrs. McLaughlin holds a degree in Office Management from Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Her family has lived in the area for 18 years now.
Like most office administrators, both ladies spend their days assisting students, parents, and visitors to the school. They note that the most challenging aspect of their job is navigating the various languages and cultures represented in the school community. However, they also appreciate the many tools provided by the school corporation, such as Propio and Translation Station, which help them address these challenges. The best part of their job, they say, is witnessing the staff work together as a “well-oiled machine.”Outside of work, both ladies enjoy spending time with their families.
Here’s what Principal Lewis had to say about this office duo. “Denise and Heather deserve to be highlighted and celebrated. They are professional, kind, and respectful. We call them "The office Queens," for they truly are the front line for our staff, students, and families. Denise and Heather are servant leaders who display what we're about--At Ray Crowe, we ALL belong.” Congratulations to Mrs. Agresta and Mrs. McLaughlin for being featured in the CPCSC Staff Spotlight!
Girls Wrestling!
Tomorrow will be the first meet for girls' wrestling! There is a lot of talent on this team, with aspirations for a state title. This is the first season with an IHSAA-sanctioned state tournament, so don’t miss out! Make plans to come and support the Warriors!
Indiana Government 101
Students from Clark-Pleasant Academy met with State Rep. Michelle Davis and Sec. of State Diego Morales during a recent Statehouse field trip. It was a great up-close look at state government. Thanks to the Town of Whiteland for providing lunch!
Warrior Way Social!
CPMS 6th grade WARRIOR WAY social was a TON of fun! Students who earned a minimum of 100 WW points were eligible to attend. They were able to use their earned points to buy snacks too! Great job students for being RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, & SAFE!
The Whiteland Band is having our annual Mattress Fundraiser on Saturday, November 16th so we'd love your support if you are in the market for a mattress. Here is some additional information about the sale.
1. All school faculty/staff receive 10% OFF their mattress set! (see coupon attached)
2. There will be over 20 NEW, name-brand, high quality mattresses on display. They'll have all sizes and price ranges and each mattress comes with a full factory warranty. They carry the same brands as a retail store but for less money! This is EXACTLY like shopping at a retail store, AND you get to help our program!
3. They also sell adjustable beds, premium pillows, sheets, frames, and mattress protectors—no need to shop anywhere else!
4. The fundraiser will be at the Whiteland HS Band Room on Sat, Nov. 16th from 10-5. Please come check it out.
5. The new beds can be delivered to your house and set up, or you’ll have the option to pick them up here at the school. Your products will be available less than 2 weeks after the sale.
6. You can pay with a check, cash, or a credit card. Financing is also available!!
7. If you’re not in the market for a new bed but you want to help us, please tell your family and friends.
ALSO....THAT SAME WEEKEND in the Auxiliary Gym at WCHS is the Band Booster Craft Fair. We will have over 40 local vendors there with some amazing items that would be perfect for holiday shopping. We hope that you will swing by both events here in 2 weeks on Saturday, November 16th!!
Thanks for your support!
WCHS Diwali Celebration!
Many of our students recently celebrated Diwali, a cultural Festival of Lights. Diwali is observed by various faiths and serves as a significant cultural event for both Hindus and Sikhs. It symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness.
Members of our Punjabi Club worked diligently behind the scenes to organize a festive celebration on the WCHS campus. The event featured delicious Indian food, vibrant and colorful Indian clothing, and engaging games. Superintendent Dr. Tim Edsell was a special guest at the celebration. Events like this help to promote community engagement and cultural appreciation.
Award-winning and best-selling author, Christina Diaz Gonzalez spoke to middle school students on Thursday. The author of several novels including The Red Umbrella, and Invisible has received numerous awards including the International Latino Book Award Gold Medal. She shared stories with students about how she gets her inspiration including her life story of how her family immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba.
In honor of Veterans Day, CPELC staff and students dressed in red, white, and blue to celebrate those who served in the Military, including CPELC’s very own, Mrs. Amanda Warthen. Ms. Amanda is a veteran of the US Navy; serving during the Gulf War era and in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Thank you for your service, Amanda.
WES Veterans Day Program!
Whiteland Elementary fifth graders put in a great effort for this year's Veterans Day program. They performed on Monday afternoon in front of their parents and several veteran relatives who were in attendance.
This past weekend, Spencer Gillespie and Gavin Stubbe participated in the Indiana All-Star Tennis event. They were great and represented Whiteland well. Coach Gillespie was chosen as one of the coaches for the event. Congratulations to these young athletes on their achievement!
WCHS held a luncheon Monday to honor veterans. Attendees appreciated the meal and the opportunity to connect with friends and family. Thanks to Amanda Coop for coordinating the event, the National Honor Society members for serving, and City Barbecue for providing the meal.
Four 4th fourth graders at Ray Crowe have been selected as Indiana Statehood Day Essay finalists. Ava Roberts, London Smith, Omega Singoki, and Alexandria Mcpherson were selected from 800 entries across Indiana. The 4 statewide winners will be announced November 12. Good luck!
Happy Veterans Day 2024
Thank you for your service!
WCHS Construction Update!
As you can see in photos taken this week the new swimming facility is starting to take shape. Classrooms are coming together and crews are getting ready for Winter work.
Wednesday, our full day Pre-K classes took advantage of the “big kids” having an e-learning day - we played on their playground! As you can see, it was a fun day for kids AND adults!
In the afternoon, I played with students in Ms. Midnight’s, Ms. Kenna’s, and Ms. Amanda’s rooms. I have THE best job - when was the last time you played at work?! I did get a little dizzy though - our kids like to go “fast!”
I hope your day brought you as much joy as mine did.
Thank you for sharing your children with us. ❤️
Mrs. Wolfe
Former Clark student Harman Kaur with her 4th grade sister Jasmeen celebrating Diwali.
Today, Clark-Pleasant educators attended a professional development session focused on various subjects, including Artificial Intelligence (AI). The keynote address was delivered by Matt Miller, an author, professional presenter, and educator, who spoke to hundreds of teachers and administrators at the high school. Miller, known for his book “Ditch That Textbook,” emphasized the importance of embracing AI to adequately prepare students for the future. He argued that students who enjoy writing are likely to use AI not as a means to cheat, but as a tool to improve their writing skills. He noted that merely preparing students for the present will not equip them to face the challenges of the next 20 or 30 years. To illustrate his message, he wore “tomorrow” glasses as a prop.
In addition to Miller's address, other presenters shared insights with secondary educators on more effective uses of technology in the classroom. Meanwhile, at Grassy Creek Elementary, educators continued to deepen their understanding of practices informed by the Science of Reading research. We were fortunate to have two experts from UINDY’s Center for Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL), Megan Thompson and Stacey Knoop, who guided our educators through foundational concepts and literacy strategies to support students across all subjects.
Tuesday, our full-day pre-k students voted! They used the GCES voting stations, were presented with a choice, and then submitted their vote.
Fruit Snacks won the CPELC election; as expected, there were some tender feelings after however an I voted sticker seemed to help.
Grassy Creek Election Results!!!
The results are in, and by an overwhelming margin, Twix has won the ballot in the Grassy Creek 2024 Candy Election. The final count is as follows:
- Twix: 415 votes
- Gummy Bears: 241 votes
Students voted for their favorite candy during lunch periods today, allowing them to witness a little sweet democracy in action.
