The staff at Indian Lake Schools is eager to put the last school year behind them and work as a team to continue recovering and achieving!
The entire staff gathered recently for an all-district Opening Day meeting in the auditorium. Indian Lake Superintendent Dr. Rob Underwood started off by introducing our theme for the year--"Together We Sail!"
Dr. Underwood told the group that we have kept in close contact over the summer with our Indian Lake families that were displaced by the March 14 tornado and the storm continues to impact many.
Dr. Underwood said, "I want us all to understand that we have a lot of kids who are doubled up, living with family members or friends. We know how stressful that can be living in those situations so please just think about that as we interact with our students and families."
Dr. Underwood also gave a facilities update on areas of campus that were impacted by hail from the tornado. He notes that the roof project is complete at ILES and the roof at ILHS should be done this fall. Work to replace the ILHS Main Gym floor that was destroyed by a water leak during the roofing process will ramp up in the next few weeks.
Indian Lake Schools Curriculum Director Kelli Tebbe walked staff members through initial results from last year's state testing, which were very positive. She says IL schools were proficient or better in 20 out of 21 measured categories. More information on state testing will be released later this fall.
Dr. Underwood also talked to the staff about changes coming in the world of education and the world in general. He said, "We're going to try to figure out a way to address some of this change together, to support our kids, especially those who were impacted by the tornado."
During Opening Day, Indian Lake Schools also recognized staff members for their years of service with special awards.
They are:
IL District- Krystal Loy (15 years) Ron Borgerding (25 years) and Kyle Wagner (25 years)
ILHS- Janel Rash (5 years) Mike Young (5 years) Reva Blake (15 years), Deb Risner (15 years), Dave Snapp (15 years), Jenifer Ignarski (20 years), Jonn Rapp (20 years) and Troy Shively (20 years)
ILMS-Morgan Kaser (5 years), Andrea Jacobs (10 years), Lindsay Ross (10 years), Kelli Strayer (20 years), Michael Hunter (25 years) and Mike Maurer (25 years)
ILES- Ashtyn Jackson (5 years), Michelle Tuttle (5 years) Brandy Todd (10 years), Connie Warniment (10 years) Dan Young (25 years) and Holly Faler (30 years)
The rest of Opening Day was filled with a bus tour of the district and tornado damage, along with additional building and grade level meetings and classroom preparations.
Indian Lake Schools start on Wednesday, August 21st.