DCSC principals report 'what's up' in the schools
By Kevin Schnepp

Calm before the storm The blizzard of 2007 lived up to its predictions, closing the courthouse, schools, and many businesses. Power outages in some parts of the county added insult to injury. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe

The four principals in the Delphi Community School Corporation gave the following reports at the Feb. 12 meeting of the DCSC school board:

Middle school principal Robert DeLaRosa said he and teachers heard Ruby Pane speak about the effects of poverty on learning at an Indiana Student Achievement Institute conference. Staff networked with other schools facing similar problems.

DeLaRosa announced the upcoming Battle of the Books, a reading competition against Carroll schools.

"Last year we lost by one point," he said. "Now we have a score to settle."

NWEA testing will begin in March and last until the end of the school year. De- LaRosa stated despite the fact online tests provide quick results, limited computer space makes completing the testing difficult.

High school orientation for eighth-graders will be Feb. 28 in the Little Theatre.

High school principal Barry Stone reported that the Academic Decathlon team finished with the highest score for small schools at last week's state contest at Purdue University. The team was invited to compete in the small school national competition in April.

Five members of the wrestling team qualified for semi-state this season. The team was honored Thursday at the basketball game for winning the school's first Hoosier Conference Championship.

Stone announced Battle of the Books will be Feb. 15. The top two teams will compete in the Bacon Bowl Battle of the Books Feb. 21.

Indianapolis businessman Martin Boatright will speak to high school students Feb. 21 at 9 and 10 a.m. in the Little Theatre. "Death is the Bridge for Cultural Diversity" will highlight historical figures such as Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy. Stone said interested community members could attend.

Hillcrest principal Bill Shidler reported LAS Links testing is underway. The tests are mandatory for any student taking English as a Second Language.

Shidler announced the Reading is Fundamental grant kickoff. Through the "Power Up To Reading" grant funded in part by the state, all students will be allowed to choose a free book.

Shidler stated Breakthrough to Literacy training is going well. BTL trainers will visit the school soon to work with teachers on an individual basis.

Hillcrest will enter two teams in the March 6 Math Bowl. Increased involvement was attributed to large numbers of increased interest of students in fourth and fifth grades and additional assistance from fifth-grade teacher Cassy Gasser.

Camden principal Carol Coon said she felt positive about "Doughnuts with the Principal."

Coon said it was "a great time of sharing" with the estimated 25 to 30 parents who attended. Coon and other personnel took the opportunity to explain school programs to attendees.

Coon announced the school carnival will be March 9.

She said BTL training was completed for first-throughthird grade teachers. Kindergarten teachers will be trained Feb. 21.

Camden school's book fair will be Feb. 19. Proceeds will help buy books for the school library.