East Central

As I shared this summer through School Messenger, I am very excited to be here at East Central as the new principal. It has been a positive start, and I have felt very welcomed into the East Central family by students and staff alike. As many of you are already aware, East Central High School has an outstanding reputation among area high schools and across the state, providing students with a wide range of college preparatory curriculum through Indiana University, Vincennes University, and Ivy Tech as well as innovative Career and Technical opportunities at the Southeastern Career Center and on our St Leon Campus; state champion caliber athletic programs in 20 high school sports, challenging and creative pathways in the fine arts, and most importantly, safe and secure schools where your student can grow and thrive as an academic and as a person.

As a servant leader, trust and communication are core values. Know that I have started this year with the intention of being present and accessible to both you and your student(s) and respectfully honest even if we don’t agree in the end. Without honesty, there can be no trust. Our staff is working to ensure that every student has a path to success and a niche within our walls where they feel respected, accepted, and appreciated. These are basic components of every successful high school I’ve been a part of and are well defined goals within State expectations. To the best of our ability, we will:

· Ensure a safe/secure learning environment,

· Prioritize academic growth/success

· Provide college/career access and exploration,

· Incorporate social emotional learning opportunities within a positive school culture.

It is essential as we continue the great work East Central has been doing that we share in and understand student, staff, and community needs and desires. We are also deeply involved in a best-practices study tied to our new teacher-evaluation tool to ensure continued successful curriculum implementation. If any are interested, our staff read Mike Schmoker's Focus over the summer.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working in education and athletics for the last 24 years all around the state and am committed to continuing what East Central and Sunman Dearborn Schools have already become widely known for, “surpassing expectations and inspiring success.” As I stated earlier, I remain excited and feel quite blessed to be a part of the East Central family.

It's been a great first month. Please enjoy news, information, and photos regarding staff and students here at EC from August.

“No leader is worth his salt who won’t set up the chairs.” Peter Drucker

Respectfully,

Tom Black

Rhonda Murdock - rmurdock@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

The Guidance Department has been very busy getting the senior class of 2019 ready for the application process for colleges, technical schools, community colleges, apprenticeship programs and military. We have also been communicating with the students in classroom presentations and through email. New this year for the Guidance department is our ability to email parents by grade level through school messenger. Our goal this year is to increase communication with parents, and we feel that we are making great strides in this process. As always, we encourage students and parents to contact us with questions or concerns. Upcoming Events:

*Sept. 20th - National College Fair Indianapolis Convention Center 9:00am-1:00pm

*Sept. 23rd - National College Fair Duke Energy Center, Cincinnati 1-4pm

*Oct.17th - South Dearborn High School College Fair 5770 Highlander Pl, Aurora, IN 47001 6:30- 8pm

*Oct. 24th PSAT testing for sophomores and juniors

Band - Chelsey Thompson

Business - Bill Clouse

Social Studies - Mark Kirchgassner

Social Studies - Kevin Tierney

Spanish - Matt Lyon

Special Education - Kelly Brown

Special Education - Cassie Rowland

Roy Johnson - rjohnson@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

EC FFA Members Excel at State Convention

The East Central FFA chapter attended the Indiana FFA State Convention at Purdue University from June 19th-21st. Members competed in several Career Development Events that included quiz bowl, freshman creed speaking, food science demonstration, and agricultural mechanics demonstration. Our members also had the opportunity to sit in on several great sessions where they were able to hear from several motivational speakers and state officers. The members that competed included Heath Doll, Madison Shumate, Jacob Messmer, Kayla Miles, Alex Dudley, Madison McAdams, and Brandon Hoffman. Other members that attended include Amelia Hartman and Bailey Grunkemeyer. Congratulations to Kayla Miles who won state in freshman creed speaking and Brandon Hoffman who placed 3rd in the agricultural mechanics demonstration out of 11 other competitors! Kayla will have the wonderful opportunity to compete at the National FFA Convention on October 24-26. Wish her good luck!

Living to Serve as the New Agriscience Educator

Hello! My name is Mr. Snider and I am a soon to be graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication. I am excited to have the opportunity to begin my teaching career with Sunman Dearborn Community Schools! Currently, I am working on completing my New Teacher Candidate Experience (Student Teaching) with Mr. Johnson in the ECHS Ag Department. I am currently teaching Mr. Johnson’s Animal Science, Horticulture, Landscape Management, and Ag Powers courses. Once I complete my time with Mr. Johnson, I will be taking over at Sunman Dearborn Middle School as the Agriscience Educator. Classes at SDMS will include 6th Grade Agriculture, 7-8th Grade Agriculture, Advanced Agriculture, and Introduction to Agriculture Food and Natural Resources. I am from West Point, IN, and was a 2014 graduate of McCutcheon High School. I participated in 4-H as a ten year swine member showing in two different counties and at the state level. I was an eight year FFA member, both at McCutcheon and Purdue. During my freshman year at Purdue, I had the honor of being nominated as an Emerging Leader on campus. I was able to serve as the Purdue Collegiate FFA President and got to expand my FFA knowledge over the period of time at Purdue. This past winter, I was one of twenty collegiate students selected nationwide to be nominated as a Future Agriscience Teacher (FAST) Symposium Candidate. As a FAST member, I was able to meet the best Agriscience Educators from across the nation and grow my skills professionally and personally. I am beyond thrilled to get to know every Sunman Dearborn student, parent/guardian, staff members and share my knowledge and experiences with the agricultural industry!

Pictured below: L to R: Madison Shumate, Alex Dudley, Amelia Hartman, Bailey Grunkemeyer, Heath Doll, and Jacob Messmer. And, to the right, Mr Snider.

Kelly Pettit - kpettit@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

The Trojan Exchange is OPEN FOR BUSINESS! The management classes have chosen their officers, and the new Trojan Exchange employees have been put in place. Last week The Trojan Exchange sold 133, EC vs. Harrison "White Out" shirts. Students and Trojan fans will be wearing their t-shirts to The Battle of I-74 game, at Harrison High School, August 31, 2018. In addition to "White Out" t-shirts, Senior T-shirt sales were a success, and will be ordered during the week of August 27, 2018. The store is open Monday through Thursday during A, B and C lunches. The store is closed on Fridays. Students and faculty can stop by to purchase spirit-wear or to replenish school supplies. The management class appreciates everyone's patronage!

Tom Boyd - tboyd@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

The Engineering and Technology Department has acquired a Pneumatic Trainer which provides students with a training experience in the basic laws of fluids that govern the operation and application of pneumatic devices. Students will experience reading graphic symbols and methods of notation which are used in pneumatic diagrams, experiments in flow control, directional valves, force, area and pressure and system circuit design.

We have also acquired a Hydraulics Trainer that provides students with a hands-on experience in the principles and applications of hydraulic technology. Students will experience reading graphic symbols, hydraulic circuit design, physical laws, flow control and check valves, pressure control valves, sequencing cylinders and hydraulic applications.

Lastly, PLTW Instructor, Mr. Boyd, has engineered an acrylic tie on the laser cutter.

Shelly Anderson - sanderson@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

A favorite adage among English teachers is E.M. Forster‘s “'How do I know what I think until I see what I say?' This year the English department is proud to announce the addition of Indiana University’s ACP (Advanced College Project) Speech. This semester course, taught by Mrs. Marcie Trossman and open to both juniors and seniors, is grounded on the relationship between public performance and critical reflection; it is an instruction in the power of the spoken word. In this class students will truly get to know what they think before they see what they say. This on-site opportunity allows our students to simultaneously earn both high school and college credit. Joining our other two Indiana University offerings of ACP Composition (W-131) and Literature (L-202), ACP Speech provides students the potential to earn up to 9 college semester hours of English/Communications credit before graduating from East Central High School. Many thanks to Mrs. Trossman for taking time out of her summer to complete the rigorous IU training necessary to implement this course.

Ashley McConnell amcconnell@sunmandearnborn.k12.in.us

Intro to Culinary Arts and Hospitality:

Students in the Intro to Culinary classes just finished up a unit on "Food Safety." They learned the 4 C's of Food Safety: Clean, Combat Cross Contamination, Cook, & Chill and how to use these techniques to prevent food-borne illnesses. Last week they used their knowledge of food safety to prepare Chicken Stir Fry.

Nutrition & Wellness:

Students in Nutrition just finished up a unit on "Making Wellness a Lifestyle." They assessed their current level of wellness and how they can improve their futures through their current lifestyle choices and behaviors. Students got to complete their first laboratory experience by making spaghetti squash that was donated to the culinary classes. Many tried this "new" food for the first time and enjoyed it!

ProStart 1 & 2:

ProStart 1 students are learning about the restaurant and food-service industry and how the industry has grown throughout the years.

ProStart 2 students are learning about Marketing and how this can be used to grow a business in the food-service industry.

Mrs. Osman donated an abundance of fresh peaches to both ProStart classes. These students got to choose new recipes that they wanted to try involving fresh peaches!

Brenda Osman bosman@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

Intro to Fashion and Textiles students are finishing up the color unit. They also completed a color analysis project where they determined their “season of color” and what colors look best on them. To express their personality through color all students tie dyed a t-shirt. The students really enjoyed the experience and are looking forward to wearing their new artwork.

The Child Development students just finished a unit on understanding and the basic theories of child development. At the end of the unit student were given an opportunity to reflect back on their own childhood and do some finger painting. The students really enjoy finding their inner childhood for a few moments while painting. They have just started the unit on prenatal development.

The Education Professions students are reporting to their elementary/middle school classrooms four days a week where they serve as a “cadet teacher”. We currently have cadet teachers at Sunman Elementary, North Dearborn Elementary and Sunman Dearborn Middle School.

The East Central FCCLA is off to a strong start. For some of you...What is FCCLA? Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work and societal issues through Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Any student can be a member of the East Central FCCLA by paying dues of $12 and completing a membership form. All members receive a free t-shirt. The organization focuses a lot of the chapter activities around community service projects that benefit people in southeastern Indiana. Our FCCLA Chapter meetings are the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month after school in Room 146. If your son or daughter is interested please have them see Mrs. Osman or Ms. McConnell for further details. We accept members year around.

Our theme for the year is “Take Action with the East Central FCCLA.” We had our kick-off meeting with over 100 students enjoying ice cream at our annual social. Students played games and got to know the officers and other potential members in our organization. We are planning the annual FCCLA “Eat Dinner with Your Family Night” on September 12th at 6:00 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. All members and their families are invited to enjoy a free dinner of Homemade Lasagna, green beans, breadsticks and dessert while learning about FCCLA and interacting with your family. Please email Mrs. Osman at bosman@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us if you would like for you and your family to attend.

The East Central FCCLA/FFA is sponsoring a Smoked Pork Chop/Grilled Chicken Breast Dinner on Friday, September 7, 2018 from 5-7 p.m. in the East Central High School Cafeteria. The dinner will include a Smoked Pork Chop or Grilled Chicken Breast, mashed potatoes, corn or green beans, tossed salad, homemade dessert and a drink for the cost of $10. The dinner will be served before the East Central vs. Franklin County Varsity Football game. Carry outs will be available also. If you would like to reserve your tickets ahead of time please call Mrs. Brenda Osman at East Central High School 812-576-4811 ext. 11302.

We are off and running in the Art Department here at East Central. Students have been running through the paces learning how far you can run with the art curriculum. Many students came into the art classes with an advantage: They had art instruction with Mrs. Moeller sometime during their Middle school years. But, if students have not had that opportunity, they can catch up with great instruction from Shun Kurumado, Melissa Gulasy and Matt Focke.

It’s hard to believe we are three weeks into the first Semester. Each Art class has been a whirlwind of activity. Students are being introduced not only to new art concepts, methods, techniques and history, but they are meeting new people. Whoever thought you could meet so many people in such a short amount of time. Life is good here at East Central High School. Talking about good, students: They are learning how to paint, draw, model clay, and create digital designs and photographs. Art class is a place for everyone to learn the creative process…Even the teachers learn new things every day. We can’t believe the life experiences so many of our students have had in their short lives. There’s a whole lot of living taking place in this school corporation.

Feel free to contact any of us Art teachers if you have any questions or concerns. Remember, we do appreciate hearing from you. We almost never hide under our desks unless it’s time to hide from that one special person. Thank goodness none of us have met that person yet, here at East Central High School. Have a great school year. We plan too…That’s for sure!

Jill Martin - jmartin@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

Foreign Language Department: Japanese

Global Classmates Program

This year the Japanese III and IV class will join one program called Global Classmates, hosted by Kizuna Across Cultures (KAC), through which my students will communicate with high school students in Japan.

After the phone interview, our school was selected as one of 33 high schools in the U.S. to participate in this program. This program is supported by many organizations including U.S Embassy Tokyo and United States-Japan Foundation.

The students will use Schoology to exchange information both in Japanese and in English throughout the school year. New conversation topic will be provided every other week and the kids will use their Chromebooks and cellphones to post comments, photos and videos. Also, there is a gift exchange event, through which the students in both countries will send some local items.

The first conversation topic will be provided to the students in a few weeks, and my students are very excited about it!

Japanese Club

The Japanese club started over ten years ago when one student asked me to be the sponsor of the club. Since then, the club members have built up many traditions. In each meeting, there is a topic that relates to Japanese culture such as clothes (from kimonos to Harajuku fashions), food (from ramen to sushi), music (from koto to vocaloid), and popular culture (from kabuki to manga&anime). The members also go on a field trip every year. In previous years, we have visited the anime conventions in Cincinnati and Kabuto Japanese restaurant in Colerain.

The members meet every other Wednesday from 3:10 to 4:20 in room 109. If you are interested in joining the club, just stop by and see us. Everyone is welcome to join the club!

Juanita Reinshagen - jreinshagen@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

Welcome Back!!

The Math Department would like to take this opportunity to introduce and showcase a couple of our dynamic math teachers.

Mrs. Donohue teaches Algebra II, Probability & Statistics, and Algebra II/Geometry Lab. She is also the sponsor for the AOK Club (Acts of Kindness), in addition to, co-sponsor ECHS Student Council. Mrs. Donohue is always ready with a kind and encouraging word for our students, as well as, our staff and faculty.

Mr. Loveless teaches Algebra I and Algebra I Lab. He also does an excellent job as our Swim Coach! Last year, both our boys and girls swim teams went undefeated! Mr. Loveless is always ready to help our students with their academic needs.

Stay tuned for next month: Mr. Moorman and Mr. Harris!

Donna Tanner - dtanner@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

The choir department is having a great start to the school year. Students are underway preparing music for the Fall Concert on Sunday, Sept. 30th at 3:00p.

We are excited to for all the students to have chrome books this year. We will be implementing smart music into our curriculum as we continue through the semester.

The drama club is preparing for their fall production of Murderous Night At the Museum, a comedy drama that will have the audience on the edge of their seats.

Auditions start this Tuesday, Aug. 28th and will run through Thursday, Aug. 30th.

The 2018-2019 Marching Trojans have made amazing strides in the last three weeks! They have met their new Director of Bands, Chelsey Thompson, facilitated a successful week of band camp, created a new, on-the-field pregame for football season, and put their entire competition show opener, "The Phoenix, by the artist Fallout Boy, to music and drill! They are excited for a successful season and a new chapter of Marching Trojan excellence!

The ECHS Jazz Band is off to a phenomenal start! They are welcoming some of ECHS' most elite musicians as members, and planning to take their talents to "the Windy City" of Chicago this spring! They are hoping to continue successful traditions and performances of the past, and to add some new and exciting musical and entertainment experiences this school year!

ECHS' Concert Band students are putting in some quality time focusing on the fundamentals of instrumental musicianship with Mr. Perry Ralenkotter. They are doing technique-based work, exploring some exciting repertoire, and even beginning some work on Solo & Ensemble Competition pieces!

The sky is truly the limit for the East Central Department of Bands! Here's to a stellar year!

Steve Lewis - slewis@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

We have two new staff members for the East Central Social Studies Department. Mark Kirchgassner comes over from Lawrenceburg after teaching for there. He is a former EC graduate and also is a football and wrestling coach. Another addition is Kevin Tierney. Kevin is originally from Naperville, IL and has taught for the last 5 years. They are both great additions to our department!

Mr. Mark Kirchgassner

High School: East Central Class of 1995

College: Northern Kentucky University

Married: Krista

Kids: Tommy (2 years old) Maggie (1)

Teaching: Taught 11 years at Lawrenceburg High School.

Coaching: Have coached wrestling for 20 years. 9 years as an assistant at EC. 2 years as an

assistant and 9 years as head coach at Lawrenceburg. Coached football for 11 years at

Lawrenceburg.

Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, and golf

Mr. Kevin Tierney

This is my second year in the Sunman-Dearborn district, and is my fifth year teaching. I grew up in a town called Naperville, IL, about 30 minutes outside of Chicago, and graduated from college at Northern Illinois University. After graduating, I worked at a middle school for a year before my wife and I decided to move to Columbia, MO. While there I taught social studies at a middle school for 4 years while my wife was attending veterinary school at the University of Missouri. When she graduated last year, we decided to move to Bright for a job opportunity for her and I started working at the middle school. This year I've moved up to the high school and am teaching AP World History. In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, attempting to tire out our three border collies, and watching my favorite teams (Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks. Unpopular opinion in these parts, I know). Happy to be here and let's make it a great year!

Julie Ernst - jernst@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

Don Stonefield - dstonefield@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

https://ectrojansathletics.com/

Students and parents, download the REMIND app and text @weareec to number 81010 for messages and alerts from the high school. (This is NOT for school closings and delays.)

Email: tblack@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us
Website: https://echs.sunmandearborn.k12.in.us/
Location: 1 Trojan Place, Suite A St. Leon, IN 47012
Phone: 8125764811
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunmandearborn.k12.in.us/
Twitter: @EastCentralHS