Parenting Expert To Speak At Canterbury
  Schools cannot achieve success on their own: Positive results in class also require positive efforts at home. Yet parents today face increasing obstacles to fundamental childrearing, leaving schools struggling to help shoulder the role. This societal shift requires a seismic change in home-school relationships.
  Dr. Robert Evans proposes new approaches to childrearing for parents of school-age children. He identifies key challenges and offers concrete suggestions for successful coping at home and at school. Dr. Evans will share his expertise at 7 p.m. Monday, October 17, 2005, in Summers Auditorium at Canterbury High School.
  Robert Evans is a clinical and organizational psychologist and the executive director of The Human Relations Service in Wellesley, Mass. A former preschool and high school teacher and a former child and family therapist, he has worked with schools and families for 30 years. He has been a consultant to hundreds of schools and districts around the country. Dr. Evans also is the author of many articles and two books: The Human Side of School Change and Family Matters: How Schools Can Cope with the Crisis in Childrearing.
  His newest book, Family Matters, is available at area bookstores to offer parents an introduction to his theories and solutions. Tickets to his presentation are available for $5 by calling Canterbury School at (260) 407-3553. Canterbury encourages and welcomes all members of the community to attend to discover the keys to their children's healthy development.


Homestead Hosts Annual Show Choir Clinic
   Homestead High School will host a Show Choir Clinic Saturday, October 15th. Area students in grades three through eight will get the chance to experience what it's like to be in a high school show choir, thanks to the combined efforts of Homestead High School's award winning Class Royale and Elite show choirs. Choir members, staff and parent volunteers will be hosting the Fourth Annual Homestead Show Choir Clinic.
   Homestead's choir director, Dr. Keith Touchton, will lead this year's clinic, which includes choreography and vocal training. Participants will spend the day working with choir members to learn song and dance routines. A performance in the Homestead High School's auditorium for parents and guests at 2:00 p.m. will conclude their day. Class Royale and Elite will perform for the audience's delight as well.
   This clinic will teach students the basics of performing, so no experience is necessary. The fee for the clinic is $25, which includes a commemorative t-shirt and hair styling for the girls. Spaces are limited and have sold out in the past. Pre-registration is required. For information and registration, call 672-3298 before October 1st.


Canterbury Scholar Competition
   Blair and Thane Campbell knew they wanted to come to Canterbury High School.Blair appreciated the unique blend of responsibility and autonomy offered students on campus. "I liked the atmosphere," he said. Thane also had a practical view: "This school can give you a great education, and you can get into great colleges and earn scholarships." Blair and Thane knew too that, like many Canterbury students, they would first need some sort of assistance with their Canterbury tuition. The brothers, both graduates of Memorial Park Middle School, were glad to discover an opportunity to make that happen: the Canterbury Scholar Competition. After successfully meeting the criteria last fall, they are now preparing to begin their freshman year at Canterbury High School.
   That opportunity seized by Blair and Thane soon will be available again. The 24th annual Canterbury Scholar Competition will be held from 8:45 a.m. to noon Saturday, October 1, at Canterbury High School, 3210 Smith Road.
   The Canterbury Scholar Competition is a chance for all area eighth graders to compete for scholarships toward Canterbury's exceptional college-prep education. As many as 10 Canterbury scholars will be awarded $4,000 scholarships, $1,000 for each year they attend Canterbury High School. This scholarship money can be used in conjunction with financial aid, which Canterbury strives to provide to all qualified students; in 2004-2005, Canterbury awarded more than $800,000 in tuition assistance to students in all divisions, from Early Childhood through High School.
   The morning of the Canterbury Scholar Competition, students will take part in standardized tests, factors in determining Canterbury scholarship winners as well as an excellent opportunity to improve testing skills in preparation for PSATs. While the eighth graders are engaged, their parents will attend an informational session explaining what to expect in high school. A panel of current parents and students will be available along with the faculty to discuss Canterbury's college-preparatory education and answer questions. After the seminar, parents are welcome to tour the sun-filled fine arts wing, the computer and science labs, the hallways and commons area, and the rest of the open campus. At the end of the morning, each participant will schedule a day to return to Canterbury to attend classes with a student and interview with school representatives.
   Blair and Thane's father, Dennis Campbell, felt the morning was time well-spent. "Being able to meet some of the teachers and hear about the way they view the academics … how they invest themselves in the students, that was encouraging." "It was a very comfortable situation," Mr. Campbell said. "The kids felt very little pressure. They were just there to get to know the school and the school to get to know them."
   Students may register for the Canterbury Scholar Competition by calling admissions director Susan Johnson at 260-407-3553, Ext. 2011. They will receive a packet detailing the requirements for the competition. Families also can learn more about Canterbury School by visiting www.canterburyschool.org.


Taylor Relocates MBA Program
  The Taylor University MBA program will relocate its offices and classes to the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center at the end of August. The Innovation Center helps business entrepreneurs create and develop new firms in a wide variety of business sectors, including advanced manufacturing, biomedical and information technology industries. Taylor¹s MBA program will participate in the Innovation Center¹s open house in early
September.
  Taylor¹s MBA program includes courses with international travel and several "learning lab" environments where graduate students will work with organizations and corporations on current business assignments. Similar to traditional executive MBA programs, students can complete the program via the Internet from anywhere in the world.
  The Innovation Center serves as a learning lab for the MBA Program by offering a wide range of class projects and directed study assignments for Taylor¹s graduate business students.
  Business and community seminars sponsored by the MBA Program and hosted on
campus are planned for the future. Graduate business students will continue to utilize TUFW facilities for research and selected residency sessions.
The MBA¹s third fall term began July 31. The class will take an international study tour, August 2-11, to Germany and Switzerland. Business visits to corporate headquarters include: Siemens, World Trade Organization, Caterpillar, Nestle, Evian, among others.
  For more information or to enroll in the program, please contact Nancy Johnson at (260) 744.8995, toll-free (866) 471.6062 or by email at mba@tayloru.edu. You may also learn more information by visiting the MBA website at http://fw.taylor.edu/mba.
Within the context of Taylor University¹s Christ-centered mission and core values, the Fort Wayne campus is a covenant community, preparing individuals, through applied learning and spiritual formation, for their professional, service and ministry callings. For more information about Taylor University Fort Wayne call (260) 744-8600 or visit http://fw.taylor.edu


Canterbury Schedule August 2005
Canterbury School has published its August schedule of events, activities and classes:

August 8
High School Athletics Practices Begin

August 13
HS Boys'/Girls' Soccer Scrimmages
1 p.m. at Canterbury High School

August 16
Grades 1-4 New Student Orientation, 9 a.m.-noon
Grade 5 Orientation, 9:30-11 a.m.
Grades 6-8 New Student Orientation, 1:30-3 p.m.
K and K-Prep Orientation, 7 p.m.

August 17
High School New Student Orientation, 6-8 p.m.

August 20
HS Boys'/Girls' Soccer Showcase at IPFW

August 22
Classes Begin
Grade 5, 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Grades 6-12, 10 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Grades K-4, 1-3:15 p.m.

August 23
Kindergarten, Kindergarten Prep
Classes Begin, 8:15 a.m.-noon

August 24
Early Childhood Classes Begin

August 31
All-School Convocation
for Faculty and Students, 9:45 a.m.

All Month
Applications Accepted for 2005-2006

Fort Wayne Kids Marathon
  Run a marathon? To most, the idea is intimidating at best. But even children now are joining the elite group of runners who have raced 26.2 miles, thanks to a brand-new program in Fort Wayne.
  The Fort Wayne Kids' Marathon is an incremental running program designed to help kids in kindergarten through eighth grade run or walk a marathon distance over several weeks. Each child will cover the distance in 1- to 3-mile increments at his or her own pace, finishing with a 1.2-mile run at the Canterbury Family Fun Run on October 8.
  Any child can run! The program is designed to encourage healthy habits and exercise in children as well as teach them to set and achieve goals. Participants will grow in self-confidence as they increase their endurance. Crossing the finish line is only the beginning of a lifetime of positive steps.
  The Fort Wayne Kids' Marathon begins with an organizational meeting and first run/walk at 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 3, 2005, at Indian Trails Park next to the Jorgensen YMCA, 10313 Aboite Center Road. But kids can join the program at any time. The group will run at 6 p.m. every Wednesday evening through October 5. Participants can run some or all of their miles at home, tracking their distance on their personal logs. The marathon will finish at the Canterbury School Family Fun Run October 8, 2005, at Canterbury High School, 3210 Smith Road.
  The Canterbury Family Fun Run, an annual 5K run/walk to benefit the Associated Churches Food Bank, is open to the public. Parents and siblings are encouraged to take part in the Family Fun Run that morning as well as cheer on the finishers in the Fort Wayne Kids' Marathon.
  Upon completion of the Kids' Marathon, each participant will receive a T-shirt and medal. The cost to participate in the Fort Wayne Kids' Marathon is $10 per child, plus a canned-food donation at the Canterbury Family Fun Run. Proceeds support the Associated Churches Food Bank.
  To take part, plan to attend the organizational meeting on August 3; come to any of the Wednesday evening runs; or pick up a running log in the athletics office at Canterbury High School, 3210 Smith Road, or the admissions office at Canterbury Middle School, 5610 Covington Road.
  Questions? Write Tim Newlin at kidsmarathon@comcast.net.


Taylor Student Tackles Life With CF
  Every night Taylor University Fort Wayne freshman Bryan Smith crawls into bed, hooks himself up to a tube, and goes to sleep. The tube carries nutrients directly to his stomach during the night, feeding him extra calories and protein. This is just one of the many daily rituals Bryan performs because he has cystic fibrosis.
  Bryan was diagnosed with the disease three months after birth. CF is the result of a defective gene which causes abnormally thick, sticky mucus to be produced in the body. This mucus clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections. It also affects the pancreas by preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestine to help break down and absorb food.
  "Most days I don't feel well," Bryan admits. "I experience shortness of breath and fatigue, almost like a constant cold. And when I do actually catch a cold, it gets worse fast. Lots of times I never know if I'm having a bad day or a cold."
In addition to his nightly ritual, each morning for thirty minutes Bryan wears a special vibrating vest, which breaks up the mucus in his lungs. He also takes aerosol treatments (liquid medication in the form of a mist, which is inhaled through a mouthpiece) and inhalers. During the day he swallows about fifteen pills and takes insulin three times. On monthly basis he is given an IV hooked to port imbedded under his skin, preventing him from needing steroids. Currently, Bryan has undergone 27 major surgeries related to CF.
  Bryan is not the only member of his family to be diagnosed with CF. His 17 year old brother has the disease, as well. "I know what he's going through, and he knows what I'm going through," states Bryan. "When we're sick, the family focus is put on us."
  At home, Bryan grew up in a Christian family. Shortly after his thirteenth birthday, his parents divorced. Then in 2000, Bryan's father passed away from cancer. Although life at home was not always easy, Bryan's family has been constantly supportive. "My family has always been encouraging about not letting this disease hold me back," says Bryan.
  Since attending a Christian college, Bryan's spiritual walk has become stronger. "I like the environment and having prayer in class," Bryan explains. "Unlike most of my friends in high school, the people here at college have been a good influence on me. I had never met good Christian people my age until I came to college. They have shown me what I can become by building me up and making me feel better about myself. My self-esteem has been greatly elevated."
  Since TUFW is located across town from his home, Bryan hasn't had to find new doctors and treatment centers, and he's been able to keep his family nearby. At school a nurse comes in on weekdays to set up his nightly tube feeding, to check up on his health, and to keep him accountable. An air conditioner was also installed in Bryan's dorm room to prevent extreme heat from affecting his health.
  When he was 14 years old, Bryan experienced an allergic reaction to the anesthesia shortly after surgery. His tongue rapidly began to swell, while his muscles quickly tightened. "It felt like a Charlie Horse on my tongue," Bryan recalls. Just as he was having this reaction, a woman from his mother's church dropped by for a visit. She worked in the pharmacy at the hospital and knew exactly what to do. She dashed to the pharmacy, grabbed the medicine Bryan desperately needed, and quickly administered it to him. "If it weren't for her," Bryan says emphatically, "I wouldn't be alive today."
  Bryan continues, "It was then that I realized God wanted me here for a reason. Ever since then I've been putting my trust in God, especially when things seem to be going wrong. I can trust in Him knowing there's a reason for all I go through, even though I don't always know right away what that reason is."
  Bryan has thought a lot about his future, especially since the mortality rate for people with CF is significantly greater than the norm. "I often think about if I could ever have a family," he speculates, "and if I would want to put someone through that. A career you can have forever, but I'm more concerned about a family."
  Currently majoring in public relations with a minor in marketing, Bryan has become an inspiration to other students on campus through his upbeat personality. He's a typical college freshman, who just happens to have cystic fibrosis. He hangs out with friends, loves the movie "Malibu's Most Wanted," and claims that "green is the best color in the nation!" Bryan has also been diagnosed with another kind of CF: a heart condition, called the Christian Faith. "I know God won't let us go through anything we can't handle," Bryan insists.. "I take each day, one at a time. Every night I pray I will have a good day. And if I'm feeling well, I take full advantage of it."

Facts About Cystic Fibrosis

- Approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States have CF.
- CF occurs in approximately one of every 3,200 live Caucasian births (one in every 3,900 American births).
- More than 10 million Americans (one in every twenty) unknowingly carry the defective CF gene.
- CF is a hereditary disorder that begins at the moment of conception.
- CF is not contagious.
- CF does not impair intellectual ability.
- Symptoms include: very salty-tasting skin, persistent coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath, an excessive appetite but poor weight gain, clubbing (enlargement) of the fingertips, nasal polyps (small fleshy growths inside the nose), and recurrent pneumonia.
- According to the CF Foundation's National Patient Registry, the median age of survival for a person with CF is 33.4 years.
- Nearly 40 percent of today's CF population is age 18 and older.
- Virtually every person with CF will eventually develop lung disease.

Taylor Offers ESL Certification
  Taylor University Fort Wayne is announcing an English as a Second Language Certificate Program. It is comprised of four courses, each course is three credit hours; and courses must be completed in succession.
  Introduction to English as a Second Language/English as a Foreign Language (EDU370/IAS 370), is the first in the series, and begins this fall. The course meets four Saturdays: September 17, October 15, November 19 and December 3, 8:30am to 3:30pm.
  Registration is now in progress. To enroll or for more information call
Jennifer Manth, program director, (260) 744-8755.
  Within the context of Taylor University¹s Christ-centered mission and core
values, the Fort Wayne campus is a covenant community, preparing
individuals, through applied learning and spiritual formation, for their
professional, service and ministry callings.
  For more information about Taylor University Fort Wayne call 260-744-8600 or
visit http://fw.taylor.edu.

Taylor Offers High School Summer Honors Program
  Taylor University Fort Wayne is conducting two one-week residential Summer Honors College (SHC) programs for high school juniors and seniors. SHC I takes place June 19-24, SHC II occurs June 26-July 1, 2005. (Students may choose to attend one or both weeks.)
  The Summer Honors College is a program that offers motivated high school
students an opportunity to get a head start on college through a
tuition-free, one-week summer session. Students choose one of two courses
in this residential summer program: Communicating in the 21st Century: How
MTV, the Matrix and the Simpsons Shape Your World View or Introduction to
Freelance Writing. The students will be challenged academically, spiritually and socially while they experience firsthand the excitement of being a Taylor Fort Wayne
student.
  Two professors from Taylor Fort Wayne will lead the students in the courses.
Professor Suze Fair, teaching Communicating in the 21st Century, has served
as instructor of communications on the Fort Wayne campus since 2001. The
highly interactive, energetic course will utilize multi-media and provide
one college credit in communications.
  Dr. Dennis Hensley, associate professor of English at TUFW, directs the
professional writing program on the Fort Wayne campus. He will teach the
Freelance Writing course. He is the author of six novels, 36 nonfiction
books, 154 published short stories and more than 3,000 freelance articles.
A nationally known author and speaker, he is a consultant and public orator
and has won numerous awards for his achievements. Dr. Hensley and his students are frequent contributors to the Aboite Independent.
  For more information pertaining to the Summer Honors College at Taylor
University Fort Wayne, please contact Tonya Hammond in the Office of
Enrollment Services at (260) 744-8868.


SACS Random Drug Testing
(Friday, May 13, 2005) – Beginning this fall a number of students in the Southwest Allen County Schools will face random drug testing. NAND (No Alcohol No Drugs) Taskforce Chair Anita Gross tells the Aboite Independent, “It has been strongly supported by the School Board, by the parents, by the students we’ve talked to, and we’re looking forward to putting the random drug testing in place.” Students who volunteer for the program will sign up when they register in August.

Click here for audio of Anita Gross. (:15, 41KB)
Students who sign up for extra curricular activities or request driving permits will be required to enter the random drug testing pool. According to Gross, “Based on the funding we have we’re going to start out with a small program; make sure that we have our procedures in place, and then it will grow from there. We’ll start out in the fall focusing mainly on high school students.” The program also includes middle school students.

Eat N Drive
(Thursday, May 5, 2005) – There’s a rally this evening to promote safe driving for Allen County teens. NAND (No Alcohol No Drugs) Chair Anita Gross says, “The NAND Taskforce and the SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) group from the high school along with the Sheriff’s Department is sponsoring an event that’s focusing on safe driving for teens and drug-alcohol prevention. There’s going to be a lot of activities going on.”

Click here for audio of Anita Gross. (:43, 99 KB)
The rally takes place from 4 to 8pm on the Indian Meadows parking lot at 4824 Homestead Road. Nelson’s famous Golden Glow chicken will be available for $5.00 with all proceeds benefiting the Homestead SADD chapter.

“We’d love to have everybody show up.” – Anita Gross

Canterbury Hosts Spring Book Fair
(Tuesday, April 19, 2005) – Today through Friday Canterbury School hosts its annual Spring Book Fair which in addition to hundreds of books also features a number of illustrators, authors, storytellers, and artists. This year’s theme is “Travel The World Through Books”.
Among the special presentations are:
***George Alatza, pencil portrait artist.

***Claire Ewart, author and illustrator of children’s books, including Fossil, The Giant, and The Legend of the Persian Carpet. Original artwork will be offered for sale.

***Brian Lee, photographer and paper-cut artist. Original artwork will be offered for sale.

***Mary Quigley, author of children’s books, including Prairie Explorer and Wetlands Explorer. Sarah Hendricks from Fox Island, accompanied by a wetlands animal, will join Mary.

***Condra Ridley, professional storyteller for the Allen County Public Library. She will tell stories from Niger and demonstrate hair braiding.

***Carol Rolland, doll maker of character dolls that accompany children’s books.

***Liz Schatzlein, author of ‘No Greater Friend: A Tribute to Dogs and the Owners Who Love Them’.

***Joni Walker, author and illustrator of young children’s books, including holiday and religious board books.

***Vicki Junk-Wright, Canterbury High School art teacher and local artist. Original artwork will be offered for sale.

The Spring Book Fair is open to the public Tuesday & Wednesday April 19 & 20 from 8:30am to 6pm; Thursday, April 21 from 8:30am to 7pm; and Friday, April 22 from 8:30am to 11am. For an “itinerary” showing the times and dates of each presentation, please call Canterbury School at (260) 432-7776 and ask for a Spring Book Fair brochure.

The event takes place at the Canterbury Lower School, 5601 Covington Road.

School Safety Meeting At Homestead
(Monday, April 18, 2005) – A national school safety expert will be at Homestead High School tomorrow evening to bring parents and other community members up to speed on school safety and security. Kenneth Trump, M.P.A., is the author of two books and over 40 articles on critical issues in school security. One of the leading school safety experts in the U.S., Trump has over 20 years experience in the school safety profession and has worked with school and public safety officials in over 40 states. He has testified to Congress as a school safety and crisis expert and is used as an expert source by all national networks and cable TV news programs and in top market newspapers.

Session topics will focus on information parents need to know about school safety myths and realities nationwide, practical school safety expectations, current trends and strategies in school emergency planning, what parents might expect in a time of a school-community crisis and how parents can communicate effectively with school officials about safety and crisis issues.

Parents play a vital role in school safety and emergency prevention, preparedness and response issues. Parental responses before, during and after emergency situations can directly impact the overall effectiveness of the school and public safety response, and the school and community recovery. For that reason the Allen County School Safety Commission (ACSSC) is offering parents and community members an opportunity to learn more about current school security by attending Trump's workshop. It will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) evening from 7pm to 8:30pm at Homestead High School at 4310 Homestead Road. The program is free, and the public is encouraged to attend with no advance registration.

Other sessions will be held Wednesday at Park Hill center, and Thursday at Wayne High School at the same times.

Gross Brings Honors To SAC
(Wednesday, April 6, 2005) – Social Worker and No Alcohol No Drug (NAND) Chairperson Anita Gross continues to bring honors and awards to the Southwest Allen County Schools. Gross tells the Aboite Independent, “I was very surprised a few weeks ago, and was awarded with the Dave Brittenham Service Award. That’s from the Allen County Drug-Alcohol Consortium, and it’s an award for contributions to the community in the reduction of drug and alcohol use. I was chosen as the Chairperson of the taskforce, and for my work with the student assistance programs at Homestead High School and the Middle Schools.”

As a member of the Allen County School Safety Commission, Gross has brought national recognition to that organization.

Click here for audio of Anita Gross. (:43, 99 KB)
NAND has also been recognized as the ‘new organization of the year’ by the Alcohol Abuse Deterrent Program at their annual meeting for its work in dealing with drug and alcohol use among teenagers. Gross says, “It’s not a monetary award but it’s a wonderful recognition from our community.”

SACS Sets Two Financing Meetings

Dr. Brian Smith

(Tuesday, March 29, 2005) – Southwest Allen County Schools have scheduled two meetings to discuss funding issues. One is for the general public, the other with Northwest Allen Schools. SACS Superintendent Dr. Brian Smith says the first meeting at 7pm tomorrow, Wednesday, March 30th in the Homestead High School Community Room is for the general public to learn about concerns over the next biennium funding formula. School officials are concerned the current legislative plan will not provide sufficient funding in the face of the system’s growth.

Click here for audio of Dr. Brian Smith. (1:07, 150 KB)
According to Smith, “What we’re just trying to do is to inform the public, explain the funding formula, and ask them to contact legislators. Legislators do respond to constituents, and the parents. They don’t respond to Superintendents, per se, they hear from us too much, and they probably get tired of hearing from us. On the other hand they respond better to parents. And so we need to do as good a job as we can educating our folks about the funding formula, and what’s happening, We need to address this issue. We can’t keep hurting growing school corporations.”

Smith says, “On April 1st, Northwest Allen and Southwest Allen are going to host a joint meeting with Parent Club Council representatives and our Senators and Representatives Dave Long, Jeff Espich, Phyllis Pond, and Tom Wyss. We’re bringing them all together and we’re going to go through all of this material and ask our Parent Club Council folks from both school districts to listen to this, to ask questions and to carry information back to their constituency.”

“It’s not too late to correct this. Of course the problem is, where does the money come from?” – Dr. Brian Smith

Is Homestead Testing For Steroids?
(Wednesday, March 23, 2005) – With increasing concern that young athletes may be using performance enhancing drugs, is Homestead High School testing for steroid use? No Drugs No Alcohol (NAND) Chairperson Anita Gross tells the Aboite Independent, “The drug test we use does not test for steroids. Testing for steroids is very, very expensive.”

Click here for audio of Anita Gross. (:16, 43 KB)
We asked Gross, from her knowledge of Homestead, and her association with officials from other schools systems, in her opinion is there a steroid problem among young people? She says, “I don’t have enough data to be able to answer that. My guess, and this obviously just a guess, is that there are probably some kids that are using, because anything that’s out there some student is using. And if they’re using it, it’s a problem.”

Steroids At Homestead?
(Monday, March 21, 2005) – With Congressional hearings focusing on professional athletes who are alleged to have used performance enhancing drugs, there is considerable concern that young people may be doing likewise. Are steroids being used by Homestead High School students? Athletic Director John Ankenbruck tells the Aboite Independent, “I don’t see a problem here at Homestead, but that doesn’t mean they might not be used by some high school kids. We try to do a really good job with our coaches of educating the kids on what to do and what not to do.”

Click here for audio of John Ankenbruck. (1:08, 150 KB)
According to Ankenbruck, “We hope that there’s also education at home, and our kids are pretty savvy about stuff, and they’re pretty intelligent about knowing what they should and shouldn’t do. We feel real strongly that we’re in good shape here. But again I’m never a guy that says ‘never’, because as soon as you say that, all of a sudden something happens.”

“I’m not naive enough to think that obviously there couldn’t be something in this part of the country that could be happening, but there’s no indication that we have anything like that at Homestead.” – John Ankenbruck

Coming Wednesday: Is Homestead Testing For Steroids?

School Funding Options
(Tuesday, March 15, 2005) – A new school funding measure under consideration by the Indiana Legislature may have some positive aspects, but Southwest Allen County Schools’ Business Manager Jim Coplen says it falls short of being adequate, and that could mean finding some alternate financial resources. Last week Coplen met with two of our local legislators, State Senator David Long, and Representative Jeff Espich. According to Coplen, “The Legislature is talking about some options. Could we do a local option income tax? But there again you’re just talking about going to the taxpayers and asking them to pay more money to make up for what we feel the state is shorting us, and we’re not sure that’s fair, or something we want to have to go to the public to do all the time.” Another suggestion is becoming a charter school or charter system.

Click here for audio of Jim Coplen. (:27, 65 KB)
Coplen tells the Aboite Independent, “I guess in times like this when you’re not going to get a lot of money you tend to explore more than at other times. I would think if we want to keep our school corporation going, and doing the right things that we’ll explore different kinds of options.”

“There are some things I think we could look at; there are some options out there.”- Jim Coplen

School Funding Increase Inadequate

Jim Coplen

(Monday, March 14, 2005) – The Indiana Legislature continues to work on a new school funding measure. Southwest Allen County Schools’ Business Manager Jim Coplen has met with two of our local legislators, State Senator David Long, and Representative Jeff Espich who has a key role in the funding formula. Coplen tells the Aboite Independent, “The current formula that is out there gives Southwest Allen in total regular funding an increase in 2006, as they project it out, two-tenths of a percent. That only is an equivalent of 55-thousand additional dollars for ’06; and in ’07 only one-tenth of a percent which is only about another $30,000. That’s supposed to take care of an increase of probably 250 students over that two-year period. The alarming thing, our revenue per student over that period of time goes down $250 per student.”

Click here for audio of Jim Coplen. (:20, 63 KB)
Coplen says there are still some positives. “Two things about the formula: It’s not done, this is the first draft that the House passed; and secondly, that there’s a lot of things in the school formula that are good. They’re finally looking at providing revenue per student rather than looking at the whole school corporation and having minimum guarantees on everything. I guess the bad part is there’s not a lot of money to throw at it. [Things] could always get worse. The people that we talked to indicated they’ll probably get a little bit better, but there’s not enough money there to make them get a lot better. Not to get to the place where we’d be really happy with it. But it’ll change some, and hopefully it’ll be on the positive side rather than on the negative side.”
Tomorrow: Funding Options

Canterbury Camp Fair
(Friday, March 4, 2005) - Canterbury School holds its 2005 Summer Camp Discoveries Fair, noon-4 p.m. this Sunday, March 6, at the Jorgensen YMCA. This free event, open to the entire community, fulfills families’ needs for safe, supervised, fun and educational summer adventures. The camp fair is the answer to many families’ annual question: What will the kids do this summer?

Forty-eight summer camps from near and far will be in one place, making it easy for parents to ask questions and schedule activities for their children. Programs include special needs camps, athletics, artistic endeavors, outdoors and overnight camps, travel programs, technical classes, music, theater, drama, leadership and much, much more. Some also offer scholarships for families who require assistance.

Several thousand parents and children passed through the YMCA during last year’s camp fair, securing spots in their favorite programs and lining up an entire summer’s worth of enriching and exciting child care and opportunities for adventure.

The camps below will be in attendance. More information about any program is available by calling (260) 407-3553.

American Camp Association, Indiana
Art’s COOL Summer Camp at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Camp Red Cedar, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Bear Lake Camp, Albion, Indiana
Camp Alexander Mack, Milford, Indiana
Camp Fit Kids, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Camp Invention, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Camp Lutherhaven, Albion, Indiana
Camp O-AT-KA, Sebago Lake, Maine
Camp Potawotami, South Milford, Indiana
Camp Superkids, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Camp Voyageur, Ely, Minnesota
Camp Whitley, Columbia City, Indiana
Canterbury Sports Programs, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Canterbury Summer Chess Program, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Canterbury Summer to Shine, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Cedar Lodge, Lawrence, Michigan
Culver Summer Camps, Culver, Indiana
Falcon Camp, Carrollton, Ohio
Falcon Horse Lover’s Camp, Carrollton, Ohio
FAME Summer Arts Camp, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne Ballet Summer Dance Camps, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fox Island Summer Day Camp, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Girl Scouts Camp Logan/Camp McMillen, Syracuse, Indiana
Harmon’s Pine View, Ohio
Howe Summer Camp
IPFW Community Arts Academy, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Little Disciples’ Day Camp, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Luv2Scrapbook Kids Camp, Fort Wayne, Indiana
MASTer Camps, Fort Wayne, Indiana
McCracken Basketball Camp/Midwest Volleyball Camp, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Naked Clay Cafe, Fort Wayne, Indiana
National Pro Soccer School, Fort Wayne, Indiana
NCCS Camp Newaygo, Newaygo, Michigan
Pleasant Hill Outdoor Center, Perrysville, Ohio
Recreation Unlimited Farm and Fun, Ashley, Ohio
Roosevelt-Firebird Camp, Highland Park, Illinois
Rustic Pathways International
Science Central Summer Camps, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center, Augusta, Michigan
Spiece Fitness, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Three Rivers Montessori Farm Camp
Tri-State University Summer Engineering Camp, Angola, Indiana
YMCA Camp Crosley, North Webster, Indiana
YMCA Camp Eberhart, Three Rivers, Michigan
YMCA Camp Kekionga Glenwood Park Day Camp, Fort Wayne, Indiana
YMCA Camp Tecumseh, Brookston, Indiana
YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps, Traverse City, Michigan

The Summer Camp Discoveries Fair is sponsored by Canterbury School; the American Camp Association, Indiana; Channel 21; and the YMCA.

SACS Acceprts Grant
(Monday, February 28, 2005) - Stating, "We like grants!" Southwest Allen County School Board members have voted to accept one in the amount of $12,453 dollars. No Alcohol No Drugs (NAND) Taskforce Chairperson and School Social Worker Anita Gross tells the Aboite Independent it’s for the current 2004-2005 school year.

Click here for audio of Anita Gross. (:20, 63 KB)
Gross says this has nothing to do with the new random drug-testing program that may be implemented this fall. “This is a program that’s been in place for a number of years; that is drug testing either because parents do a request, or because we have reason to believe the child’s under the influence.”

$2000 will be used for student drug testing, and $10,453 for the After School Alternative Program for Expelled Students at Homestead High School.

Homestead Dance Marathon
(Friday, February 25, 2005) - This weekend marks the 23rd annual Homestead Dance Marathon, and also the 7th annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, the major fundraisers for athletic high school activities. Co-chair Cathy Johnston tells the Aboite Independent, “Kids have to sign up as couples, and in order to participate in Dance Marathon they have to raise a minimum of $300.

Click here for audio of Cathy Johnson. (:19, 57 KB)
It starts at 7pm on Friday, and it ends at 7pm on Saturday. According to Johnston, “Most people go out and try to win the prize money. Basically there’s a first, second and third place, and then there’s a prize for whoever gets the most sponsors. They compete for cash prizes. They come in and they start dancing, they get hourly breaks, and then we feed them for 24 hours, and we get a lot of food donations from local restaurants.”
Johnston says, “We have a DJ, and he plays all night. There are a number of contests that go on where kids can win prizes, and they get to sleep a little.”

The 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament starts at 8pm Friday, and only goes Friday evening. Each team must raise $200 to get in. It’s a double elimination, and then the team that wins plays a coaches team at midnight.

Johnston says, “Our money goes to everything in athletics. Uniforms, awards, field maintenance, anything to do with Homestead athletics.”

There’s also an all-school dance from 8pm to 11pm.

NAND Presents Panel Of Experts
(Tuesday, February 22, 2005) - Tomorrow evening the No Alcohol No Drug Task Force (NAND) will present a panel of teen experts on drug use. NAND Chairperson Anita Gross tells the Aboite Independent, “This is a really important and special parent education meeting.”

Click here for audio of Anita Gross. (:20, 60 KB)
According to Gross, “We’ll sort of get it started with some basic questions, but our goal is for the audience to get involved, ask questions, give their input and have a really good discussion.”

The meeting takes place Wednesday, February 23rd in the Community Room at Homestead High School, 4310 Homestead Road from 7 to 8:30pm.

NAND Hosts Teen Art Night
(Thursday, February 17, 2005) - NAND, the No Alcohol No Drugs Taskforce, is hosting a teen art night Saturday. NAND Chairperson Anita Gross tells the Aboite Independent, “This is a project between NAND and the Art Museum that actually is being sponsored by Preferred Auto. We’re going to have a band, we’re going to have food, and the exhibits will be open for the kids.”

Click here for audio of Anita Gross. (:12, 39 KB)
According to Gross, “It’s for Homestead students, but if they want to bring a guest from another school that would be fine. The students are welcome to bring their friends with them.”

Teen Focus On Health Tuesday
(Monday, February 14, 2005) - A Focus On Health Program geared specifically to highs school students is being offered tomorrow at the Anthis Career Center, 1200 S. Barr Street. This is a first for Allen County and more than 700 students are expected to attend. Touting the theme, "Knowing is Living," the event is designed to help teen-agers make informed choices about health habits and lifestyles. The daylong event will feature a coffee house atmosphere where small groups of 20 students will attend half-hour sessions beginning at 8:15 a.m. and continuing through 2:45 p.m.

While teens can participate in the county's highly successful Focus on Health events, the students felt concentrating on an event just for teens would allow them to take aim at their specific health concerns, such as relationships and body image. If participation is high and feedback is positive, it may well become a bigger, annual event.

On Tuesday, students will be offered free health screenings including blood pressure readings, height/weight, BMI, vision/hearing screening, dental health check and flexibility testing. There is a charge for the blood chemistry exam, if students elect to take it.

Focus on Health and the Anthis Allied Health Careers Department is coordinating the
screenings. Healthcare professionals, Anthis health instructors and students are donating their time to provide assistance in the health checks and registration areas during the event. Guest speakers will conduct the small-group sessions, designed specifically to address teen concerns. Topics of the half-hour sessions, which will run throughout the day are: recreational drugs, body image, emotional health, relationships and reproductive health. Students will choose one topic. All students participating will receive a bottle of water and a healthy snack from the Anthis Hospitality Services Department.

Canterbury Announces New High School Director
(Friday, February 4, 2005) - Canterbury High School has announced the appointment of Robert C. Schantz as the new High School Director beginning the 2005-2006 school year. Mr. Schantz is currently an English instructor at the High School, as well as chairman of the English department, sophomore class dean and golf coach. He also has coached basketball at Canterbury and has led numerous student trips to Canada and England. Mr. Schantz earned his B.A. from the University of Iowa, his M.A. from Notre Dame and his Ed.S. in curriculum and educational leadership from Vanderbilt University.

Mr. Schantz will assume this role upon the retirement of current High School Director Jan Paflas. Mrs. Paflas was among those parents who founded Canterbury School in 1976 and has served in numerous capacities since: as board member, board president, math teacher, development director and Middle School director.

According to Canterbury Headmaster Jonathan Hancock, “It is with very mixed feelings that I accept Jan’s decision; with a sense of loss for Canterbury, with the deepest gratitude for Jan’s years of service to this school and with excitement for her about the new, yet undefined, endeavors that I know Jan will pursue with her unfailing enthusiasm.” Hancock says, “Bob Schantz is an outstanding educator and a wonderful role model for young people. We considered candidates from across the country; Canterbury is very fortunate to have a person of Bob’s character and abilities leading our High School next year.”

SACS Board Approves Changes
(Wednesday, February 2, 2005) - The Southwest Allen County School Board has given unanimous approval to schedule and district changes for Middle and High School students. To view the Middle School redistricting map click on the Southwest Allen County Schools icon at the top of our Home page.

The start and dismissal times will be changed. For Homestead students, classes will start at 7:50am and end at 2:35pm. For Woodside Middle students, classes will begin at 7:30am and end at 2:15pm. For Summit Middle students, classes will start at 7:35am and end at 2:20pm.

Canterbury Launches New Website

Julianne Will

(Friday, January 28, 2005) - Canterbury School has a new website to keep staff, students and the community up to date. You’ll find a link from the Aboite Independent to www.canterburyschool.org, at the top of our Home page. According to Julianne Will, Director of Publications, “It contains many more features, and current updates. We included school schedule updates. We have included an archive of media releases, news and event details. We added a school facts and figures page, a school history, and faculty directory. We have included our curriculum chart, some frequently asked questions about admissions. There’s an annual fund foundation and endowment section. We have current alumni activities, athletic rosters, and many more new features.” Will also thinks the website will be invaluable to reach people outside the area. (www.canterburyschool.org)

Click here for audio of Julianne Will. (:40, 110 KB)
Will says, “We look forward to developing a great deal more for our parents over the next couple of months, especially this summer. Currently we are building our e-mail list so that we can send out alerts to our families that way. I certainly think it would be wonderful in the future to engage students in creating a page or a section of the website that would be strictly produced by them. And we’re already looking at creating a welcome page that’s written by the students, that’s developed by them so that we have a real strong student presence there as well.”

“We’re all really excited about this new website, we’ve seen some results already. We’ve had some inquiries to the school related to this website, and we’re excited to see what happens in the future.” - Julianne Will

Homestead Key Club Members Recognized For Service
(Friday, January 28, 2005) - Several members of the Homestead High School Key Club have been recognized for helping with a promotions project for the Aboite Independent. Emily Hay, Joe Astroski, Ryan Haines, Andrea Tordi, Tara Densel, David Gehrig, Paul Gilbert, Maggie Peters, Melissa Shady, Stefani Walker, Sanjay Gurashekor, Janelle Halstead, and Carmen Pelham were all treated to pizza and pop for their efforts.

If you have a group that would like to work with the Aboite Independent on a project in exchange for the promotion of your activities on-line, contact wendy@aboiteindependent.com. You might even get a pizza!

Canterbury 2005 Scholar Awards
(Monday, January 24, 2005) - Canterbury School has announced the recipients of the 2005 Scholar Awards. More than 80 eighth-grade students from Canterbury and area schools competed for $4,000 merit scholarships to Canterbury High School. The 10 recipients of the Canterbury Scholar Award were determined based on an interview, an essay, a standardized test, transcripts and teacher recommendations. Each student receives an annual $1,000 scholarship to Canterbury High School all four years of his or her education at Canterbury. The scholarships can be used in conjunction with financial aid.

The 2005 Canterbury Scholars were honored at a reception at Canterbury High School.
They are: Erin Beck, Canterbury; Blair Campbell, Memorial Park; Thane Campbell, Memorial Park; Casey McCabe, Canterbury; Kathleen Chaykowski, Canterbury; Linnea Corey, Canterbury; Anna Rao, Canterbury; Ben Silver, Woodside; Mitchell Stein, Canterbury; Jamie Trenkner, Canterbury.

The Canterbury Scholar Competition is held each fall. Those interested in participating may call Susan Johnson at (260) 407-3553 for more information.

Fund Raising For Drug Testing
(Friday, January 21, 2005) - The Southwest Allen County School Board has approved random drug testing. Now comes the task of paying for the program outside the school budget. NAND (No Alcohol No Drug) Chairperson Anita Gross tells the Aboite Independent, “From here is the challenge of fund raising, and communicating to the community what the program is about, how they can get involved in supporting this drug testing proposal, as well as all the projects of the NAND Taskforce.” While some people have already volunteered to pay the $15 testing cost for a student, Gross concedes there’s still a lot of work to be done.

Click here for audio of Anita Gross. (:12, 40 KB)
According to Gross, “We are going to be doing some fund raising efforts and as the community hears about that I would encourage them to get involved.” She says, “If people would like to volunteer and become active members of the Taskforce, contact the school system, we’d love to have their involvement.”

SACS Makes It Official
(Wednesday, January 19, 2005) - The Southwest Allen County School Board has confirmed a name for the new Middle School, and also taken a vote on random drug testing. As expected the Board decided to stick with the name of Woodside for the new Middle School opening this fall on West Hamilton Road. The mascot will remain ‘Warriors’ with the namesake being more on the order Mercury, the God of speed, instead of Native Americans. Red is the new primary school color with Vegas or khaki gold and white as highlights.

In other action the Board has given the green light to NAND, the No Alcohol No Drug Taskforce to move ahead with random drug testing. Under the plan students at Summit Middle School, Woodside Middle School and Homestead High School must agree to be in a random drug testing pool in order to participate in extra-curricular activities. In addition Homestead students who drive to school must also be in the pool.
NAND Chairperson Anita Gross is pleased that the Board voted to move ahead with the program.

Click here for audio of Anita Gross. (:08, 28 KB)
NAND would like to implement the program with the beginning of the new school year, but that will depend in part on the organization’s ability to raise funding for the project.

NAND Night At The Y
(Friday, January 14, 2005) - NAND, the No Alcohol No Drugs Task Force has planned an evening of special activities for high school students this Saturday. NAND Chairperson Anita Gross tells the Aboite Independent, “We’re going to have a program at the YMCA from 8 to midnight for kids.

Click here for audio of Anita Gross. (:08, 29 KB)
According to Gross, “We have a lot of things going on.” The next meeting for parents is planned for February 23rd at Homestead High School. It will be lead by a student panel.

Middle School Redistricting Meeting

Dr. Brian Smith