Out of the Blue

Wednesday was Custodian Appreciation Day. I would like to give a shout-out of appreciation to our incredible custodial team who help keep our schools clean, well-maintained, and are ever present in making sure our staff and students have a safe space to teach, learn and grow. While the special observation takes place annually on October 2, I think every day we should celebrate these individuals and the work they do.

Tipton High School: Cathie Summers, Randy Stout, Rhonda Cannon, and Liz Grosa

Tipton Middle School: Lorie Carter, Daniel Wilburn, and Michelle Hite

Tipton Elementary School: Ashley Tragesser, Brandi Hart, Gretchen Jones, and Nyckolas Jackson

A clean and well-maintained environment has a tremendous impact on young minds and our school culture. Our custodial team approach their work with a sense of pride and purpose with the goal of helping to create the best possible learning environment. These individuals often go above and beyond in their service inside and outside our buildings reminding us of the interconnectedness of all roles within the educational community and of our shared responsibility to create an environment that nurtures growth and educational success. Thank you! We appreciate you!

“I have been here 24 years, and I love my job. I get to work all the different shifts and see all the changes being made. My staff is GREAT to work with. They want our buildings to look nice and definitely take pride in their work. It is great meeting the different little kiddos and seeing them all the way to their senior year. It is just an awesome feeling to know that you were somewhat a part of it.” -Nita Everling, TCSC Lead Custodian

October marks the celebration of a special group of leaders in our community – our school principals. These dedicated individuals play a pivotal role in shaping our students’ futures and the trajectory of our education system. We are fortunate to have Brian Johnson and Sara Wiggington (TES), John Ayars and Dr. Clifton Hackman (TMS) and Craig Leach and Tom Lyday (THS) at the helm of their buildings.

This month-long celebration is an opportunity to recognize and thank our principals for their unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and remarkable impact on student success. Each shared what they think is their greatest contribution in their role at TCSC. Their responses offer insight on why we think our principals are incredible leaders and even better humans.

“The greatest contribution I can provide TES daily is being fully present. When I am fully present and focused on what is directly in front of me and supporting our students, staff, and families, then that is the greatest impact I have on our school community.” Brian Johnson, Principal, Tipton Elementary School

“Every day is unique. My most important contribution to the daily operations is addressing behavior. All behavior is a form of communication. I am trying to establish high expectations, while recognizing that challenging behavior is due to underlying issues such as stress, trauma, or unmet needs.” Sara Wiggington, Assistant Principal, Tipton Elementary School

“As Principal, I am not at the front line of working with kids - our TMS teachers are. As a result, there is nothing more important to me than creating and sustaining an environment where teachers feel empowered, confident, safe, and respected in their practice, because the more empowered, confident, safe, and respected our teachers feel, the better they are able to serve our students and build the best classrooms possible. An important component of that is constantly celebrating the TMS culture that best supports creating engaging learning environments, so being someone who celebrates great work, student-centered practice, giving our best, constantly growing, maintaining high professional standards, while having the grace to recognize we are all works in progress, is a crucial part of my work.” John Ayars, Principal, Tipton Middle School

“My most important contribution to the building’s daily operations is creating a supportive and inclusive environment where both students and staff feel empowered to succeed. I strive to foster open communication and collaboration, ensuring that the school runs efficiently while maintaining a positive atmosphere. By promoting strong relationships and a shared sense of purpose, I help enhance the overall learning experience and contribute to the daily smooth functioning of the school.” Dr. Cliff Hackman, Assistant Principal, Tipton Middle School

“My most important (or at least visible) contribution would be as an advocate for students and staff. In the hallways, at after school events, in the lunchroom. I try to be as visible as possible and have an inviting attitude for anyone who has an issue.” Tom Lyday, Assistant Principal, Tipton High School

“I love working with students - it is truly a passion of mine! And at TCSC, I am surrounded by educational professionals with the same passion for student-centered work, and even get the chance to be around students every day! I love being in the hallways, being in classrooms, being at events, getting to know our students and our students' lives. It's a tremendous honor to be able to do this every day and it's the perfect school to do it!” - John Ayars, Principal, Tipton Middle School

“TCSC is the heart of our community, allowing me to engage with families and community members, fostering relationships that extend beyond the school.” -Sara Wiggington, Assistant Principal, Tipton Elementary School

“My core beliefs and values as an educator align well with those of TCSC. I believe that all students can learn and achieve and to do that at a high level, a strong collaboration between the school, families, and community is necessary along with the use of research-based instructional practices, which are also beliefs and values of TCSC.” -Brian Johnson, Principal, Tipton Elementary School

“TCSC is the place for us because of its strong sense of community. My wife and I always wanted to find a school district where we could raise our family and all be in one place. Professionally, Tipton has a great mix of students from different walks of life. We have a lot to be proud of here! -Tom Lyday, Assistant Principal, Tipton High School

“TCSC is a perfect fit for me professionally because it reflects the close-knit community that I value and appreciate. The strong sense of collaboration and support within the district allows me to contribute meaningfully to the success of students and staff. Working in this environment is fulfilling, as it aligns with my personal and professional values, and gives me the opportunity to grow and thrive in my role. -Dr. Clifton Hackman, Assistant Principal, Tipton Middle School

Tipton Community School Corporation’s Nature Center is ready for the fall season thanks in part to the hard work of staff, students, and volunteers over the summer. “The clean-up and removal of the invasive honeysuckle brush cut from the previous season was the main focus this past summer,” explained Joseph Gosnell, Science Teacher at Tipton High School, who has been at the helm of the Nature Center’s restoration project since it began more than a year ago. “The removal of the honeysuckle brush will be an ongoing project for years to come but we are making good progress.”

Bill White, a retired science teacher from Tipton High School, was a familiar face throughout the summer helping with the revitalization efforts of the 11-acre outdoor classroom. In fact, in 1985 White planted one of the few Sequoia trees found in Indiana. Today, this towering tree can be seen when entering the nature center.

The next phase of the nature center project is to address the pond and the spread of excess algae and yellow pond lilies. Volunteer work continues to be the highlight of the project with community involvement as well as staff and students at TCSC. Dr. Glaze and Scott Jaworski. Special thanks to the entire staff at TCSC who have been engaged and very supportive of all the work done in the Nature Center.

One of the cleared pathways through the district’s Nature Center was made possible thanks to the dedicated volunteers who have been clearing out the overgrowth and other debris throughout this 11-acre outdoor classroom. Courtesy photo.

The Nature Center’s Windmill, installed in 1996, pumps fresh water from an over 300-foot deep well into the pond which is fed by seven springs. The pond is a vital habitat providing essential resources for a wide variety of native plants and species. Courtesy photo.

Bill White, a retired science teacher from Tipton High School, has been an instrumental part of the Nature Center helping to shape it into what it is today. He has also been a familiar face during this rehabilitation project. He recently volunteered his resources to have the windmill inspected and maintenance performed to keep it in peak performance. Courtesy photo.

September 24: Public Hearing for the 2025 Budget 5:30 Community Room

October 8: Monthly Board of Trustees Meeting

October 10: End of First Nine Weeks

October 11: Parent/Teacher Conferences-Students Do No Report

October 16-18 Fall Break