Indian Trail News

As we step into a new month, we're greeted with the promise of budding flowers, longer days, and exciting opportunities for learning and growth. We have been so proud of our students and staff! Everyone has been working hard preparing for IRead and ILearn! We are looking forward to recognizing all of the achievements of our students. The next few months are full of activities, celebrations and testing. Please be sure to check out the important dates below. This is an exciting time for students and staff with spring break just around the corner. Please remember that student attendance is crucial for academic success. Thank you for your continued support.

--Mrs. Marks

We are thrilled to announce that Samuel Izquierdo, a 3rd-grade student at Indian Trail, will be representing our school at the County Spelling Bee on March 13th! We couldn't be prouder of his hard work and determination, we wish him the best of luck as he competes! Go, Samuel!

Our students are off to a great start! IREAD-3 is underway and students are working hard. March 4th-15th, it is imperative that your student is present for this testing. For more guidance regarding IREAD-3, please click on one of the following links: English Parent Guidance or Spanish Parent Guidance. Further information can be found on the Indiana Department of Education website: IREAD-3 website. If you have any question that I can answer, please don't hesitate to reach out.

If you missed our Kindergarten Registration on February 19th, rest assured that there is still time to register your child for the 2025-2026 school year. Please stop into the building to pick up registration paperwork. To avoid making too many trips, please bring the following items needed to register:

1. Birth Certificate
2. Vaccination Record
3. Utility Bill or Rental Agreement

Please note that your child needs to be 5 years old on or before August 1st to be eligible for Kindergarten. If you have any questions about registration, please let us know.

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March 4-15 2nd/3rd Grade IREAD

March 12 4th Grade School Ring Toss tournaments

March 13 4th Grade Field Trip - AG Days

March 18 Spring & Classroom Pictures

March 17 PTA Fun Monday Wear all your GREEN!! $1💚

March 18 Body Safety Program by Dunebrook (Slips were sent home with your student)

March 18 Corporation Ring toss tournaments start for 4th grade @ Handley

March 19 PTA Meeting @ 3:30

March 20 4th Grade Ring Toss Pizza Party (Pick up @ 4:00)

March 21 End of 3rd grading period

March 24-28 SPRING BREAK

April 4 Grades posted on Skyward

March Newsletter

Second Step Curriculum

Students in K-4th have counselor lessons once a week for 40 minutes with Mrs. Fox. We use the Second Step curriculum, which you can learn more about here.

In March we will begin Unit 4 on Problem Solving. Please see the attached Home Links for more information about what your child is learning and how you can reinforce the skills we have been working on at home:

Kindergarten Home Link Unit 4

1st Grade Home Link Unit 4

2nd Grade Home Link Unit 4

3rd Grade Home Link Unit 4

4th Grade Home Link Unit 4

Body Safety

This year Dunebrook will be using the MBF Child Safety Matters® program (the Program) from the Monique Burr Foundation for Children. The goal of the Program is to help keep your child safe. The presentation will be taking place on Tuesday March 18, 2025. The presentation will be for students in grades K-4. Each grade level receives a separate presentation geared toward their age level.

The Program empowers children to spot and respond to bullying, cyberbullying, physical, verbal and sexual abuse, and digital dangers. Most importantly, it teaches that adults are responsible for their safety but there are things they can do to help adults keep them safe. The Program is based on the latest research and has been reviewed and endorsed by national experts.

Why does your child need a safety program?

» 10% of children are abused before their 18th birthday

» 14% of children have been solicited online

» 28% of students have been bullied

» 90% of children between 8 and 16 years have viewed explicit material online

The Program teaches about these dangers by:

» using age-appropriate, easy to understand language.

» playing fun games and activities.

» providing take-home items to remind children and parents of the lessons and Safety Rules.

When children are taught safety information and rules to help them stay safe, they perform better in school and enjoy healthier, happier, and safer lives.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THe PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT THE BODY SAFETY PRESENTER Kim Rager, Public Education Coordinator

219-874-0007 x315 or via email: kim@dunebrook.org

or the school at 219-369-9016.

As we enter our testing season with IREAD this month, and ILEARN coming up in April, I wanted to share some tips you can go over with your child. I am doing test prep lessons with a rabbit theme this month with 2nd grade, who are taking IREAD for the first time. . Third and fourth graders will also review these tips before ILEARN in April.

1. Hop Carefully! Make sure you read each question and pay attention to key words.

2. Hop Rested! Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test.

3. Hop Fueled! Make sure the morning of the test that you eat a nutritious breakfast for extra energy power.

4. Hop Alert! Listen very carefully to all information given during testing so you don’t miss important instructions.

5. Hop on Time! Being late can be stressful! Have your things laid out and ready to go so you get to school on time.

6. Hop Calmly! Try to relax. Being overly worried may keep you from concentrating. Take a deep breath and just do your best.

Collaborative mural on display in the cafeteria. Blazers have been learning about being kind and showing empathy toward others.

Join the Parent Teacher Association!! There are many ways your involvement can help. If you have any questions you can email them to ptaindiantrailelementary@gmail.com. Like or follow them on Facebook HERE. The next meeting is March 19th at 3:30, we hope to see you there. We appreciate all of the wonderful things our PTA provides for our school, students and staff. We can not do it without our parents!!

La Porte Community School Corporation is proud to announce that nominations for the 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year awards are now open. These recognitions celebrate the exceptional educators and staff members who make LPCSC an outstanding place to learn and work.

Nomination Period: February 24 - March 7, 2025

Who Can Be Nominated:

• Teachers: Any current LPCSC teacher in a state-approved or accredited school who plans to continue in an active teaching status
• Employees: Any non-teaching staff member (full-time or part-time) who the district has employed for at least one full school year, including (but not limited to) custodians, administrative assistants, food service staff, support staff, maintenance staff, nurses, counselors, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and technology staff

For more information about the Teacher of the Year process, visit our web page.

Let's Wrestle!

ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL WRESTLING CAMP SIGN-UP

March 4th - March 20th

Any LaPorte Community School student interested in experiencing one of the oldest sports in history. Kdg.-8th grade (Ages 5-14 years) students will begin with an introduction to the sport, instruction in basic skills and techniques, and ending the camp with wrestling actual matches against other campers. This is a camp based on the ability to learn new concepts through fun activities. Both boys and girls are welcome!!!

“2 WAYS TO REGISTER YOUR WRESTLER”

1. E-MAIL Ikuzdas@lpcsc.k12.in.us Please enter “Camp Sign-Up” in subject

Information needed: Name of wrestler, age, approx wgt, school, grade, and t-shirt size. After the email is received the coach will confirm your registration with a reply message. (Registration begins immediately and continues through the first week of camp) OR IN PERSON: WHERE: LPHS - Enter Door 23 (beside the pool). Wrestling area is upstairs in the gym. WHEN: FIRST WEEK OF CAMP

**Payment can be made on the first day of practice Tues, March 4th**

Please make checks out to "LaPorte Wrestling Club”

COST: $50.00 (COST INCLUDES: 6 training sessions & camp T-shirt) $20 if already apart of the wrestling club

***Discounts for additional siblings***

PRACTICES: TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS

(3/4, 3/5, 3/6--Week 1 3/11, 3/12, 3/13--Week 2 3/18, 3/19, 3/20--Week 3) 5:00-6:30pm

(Wrestling Shoes are preferred or CLEAN gym shoes, T-Shirt, and Shorts)

TECHNICIANS: LaPorte Coaching Staff and Slicer Wrestling Volunteers.

TRAINING TIPS: TAKEDOWNS, TOP MOVES, BOTTOM MOVES, COUNTERS. Any other questions can be answered at the sign up date, you may contact Coach Kuzdas through email at Ikuzdas@lpcsc.k12.in.us , the wrestling email above or check out our facebook page “LaPorte Wrestling".

Indian Trail Elementary School, in partnership with parents and community, provides knowledge and skills that enable students to become life long learners prepared to be good citizens of tomorrow.