Out-of-the-Blue

There’s nothing that beats outdoor practice for members of the Tipton High School Boys and Girls Golf teams. Thanks to Lancaster Group’s generous donation of a SimTec golf simulator, student athletes at THS can hone their skills and practice during the winter months and when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

The new golf simulator will create opportunities for students at TCSC to experience the sport of golf and help make learning golf more accessible. This state-of-the-art technology works by analyzing a golfer’s swing using various sensors and then simulating the shot. It’s a game-changer for training, helping players fine-tune their skills and improve their performance on the course.

Justin Palmer, now in his second season as the Varsity Boys Golf Head Coach and THS Business teacher, said he was humbled by the unsolicited offer to purchase a golf simulator for the school. “We are elated and deeply appreciative to Patrick Lancaster and the Lancaster Group,” Palmer said. “This simulator will have a tremendous impact on the future of the golf and athletics at THS.”

“This is huge for our golf teams as well as THS athletics overall,” continued Palmer, of this new amenity. “We may be a small, 2A Class school, but we have a long and proud history of being a tough competitor despite not having many of the resources available in larger districts. In fact, our boys’ golf team won the state championship in 1994! You can never count us out as a contender on the green or in any sport.”

This is a donation that came from a sincere desire to give THS student athletes a tool they could use to become a stronger player and more competitive on the course. It’s also a testament to the power of longstanding relationships rooted in school and continued well beyond graduation as in Palmer’s case. Palmer and Alexia (Boreland) Lancaster were classmates and THS graduates from the Class of 2000. Palmer played golf in high school and Lancaster’s children, Preston, a sophomore and Kennedy, a freshman, are members of the THS golf teams.

“We are beyond grateful for the Lancaster Group’s generosity and commitment to our students and district,” said Dr Ryan Glaze, TCSC Superintendent. “This is an incredible investment in a technology that brings benefit well beyond athletics at TCSC.”

“While we have only had the simulator for two months, we love everything about it,” added Palmer. “It’s a great space for our team members to get better not just during the winter months, but also during rainy days during the actual season. We can learn more about our swings, numbers, and where we need to improve while playing courses from around the world. Plus, it’s fun!

The former film editing room in the main gym is home to the new SimTec golf simulator. This amazing amenity affords members of the boys and girls golf teams an interactive experience to practice and develop their skills and play courses from around the world. Several members of the boys golf team are pictured in front of the golf simulator screen (l-r), Preston Lancaster, Sam Quigley, Nolan Swan, Calvin Condict, and Gavin Hare.

It’s a picture-perfect day for THS senior Gavin Hare to practice his swing at Tipton Municipal Golf Course. But thanks to Patrick Lancaster, Lancaster Group, Tipton High School has a new golf simulator to allow for indoor practice and player development all year long.

THS sophomore Preston Lancaster (left) and junior Calvin Condict (right) practice their swing at Tipton Municipal Golf Course on a beautiful spring day. When the weather doesn’t cooperate, the teams can now practice indoors on the new SimTec golf simulator donated by the Lancaster Group.

It’s community partners like FFBT that continue to make an impactful difference in Blue Devil athletics and Tipton Community School Corporation. Their generous contribution to The Inferno Project is an investment in kids and the community. Back Row: Jake Heard, Mark Raver, Jeff Rodibaugh, Phil Morgan, and Dr. Ryan Glaze. Front Row (l-r): Rob Cochrane, III, Carrie Capshaw, and Bill White.

First Farmers Bank & Trust, a local financial institution with deep roots in the community, donated $11,000 for TCSC Inferno Scorer’s Bench and a Blue Devil Level Sponsorship.

“As the father of two THS graduates, I know firsthand that “The Inferno” is more than a gymnasium, it’s a community gathering place filled with countless memories and moments,” said Mark Raver, Sr. Vice President Central Region Lending Manager. “Tipton is a wonderful community with the school system at the core. First Farmers Bank & Trust, as a community bank, is always looking for ways to give back to our community. We are honored to support the renovations to “The Inferno” and ensure that future Blue Devils can make memories of their own like my family has.”

“As a 2005 graduate of Tipton High School and a lifelong resident of Tipton, I feel that we are very fortunate as a community to have a school corporation that invests in our athletic facilities,” added Jake Heard, VP Mortgage Lender – Tipton/Hamilton Counties. “We have been fortunate to have a lot of success in various athletic programs over the years and to provide our student athletes with top notch facilities, as you can see all over our campus. It’s an exciting time at TCSC and I am very honored that First Farmers Bank and Trust was able to play a role in the renovations of our historic gym, The Inferno.”

“We are humbled by the interest and support of First Farmers Bank & Trust through their generous support of The Inferno Project,” said Dr. Ryan Glaze, TCSC Superintendent. “Tipton is truly a special community, and the Inferno Renovation project demonstrates what we can accomplish when we work together. Thank you, First Farmers Bank & Trust, for your investment in our kids and our community!”

TCSC has launched a one-year fundraising campaign (now through March 2025) to help raise the money for this top to bottom facelift which will include state-of-the-art amenities and features designed to best support our students, athletes, teachers, and community well into the future. To date, over $175,000 of the $450,000 has been raised, thanks in part to generous sponsors, like First Farmers Bank & Trust.

To learn more about how you can support the future of Tipton Athletics and for more information on sponsorships as part of The Inferno project, email: THSinferno@tcsc.k12.in.us.

First Farmers Bank & Trust is a $3.0 billion community bank that is headquartered in Converse, Indiana with 37 branch locations throughout Indiana and eastern Illinois. FFBT has been a dedicated strong supporter of the Tipton Community School Corporation, and it prides itself on relationships that serve and grow our community.

As we approach the end of the 2023-24 school year, I would like to take a moment to express

my heartfelt gratitude and admiration for each and every member of our amazing community.

While it is hard to believe that another school year is coming to an end, I am thankful for your

trust, partnership, and support, which have greatly contributed to making this another

remarkable school year for our community.

I am reminded how many people have played a role in helping our students find personal

success, achievement, and their passion. We invest in our students and children because the

world needs them. We need their energy, unique skills and abilities, fresh perspectives,

commitment to their community, humor, and hard work. I am confident that our students can rise

to the occasion at the next level because they have been able to chart a clear path forward

thanks in part to their journey at TCSC.

Working together for student success is at the core of our mission. The overall educational

experience at TCSC is the result of a blend of talented teachers and support staff, active

parents, engaged students, dedicated leadership and passionate community members. For

nearly 150 years, this collective has collaborated to provide our students with the highest quality

educational experience we can envision.

We are looking forward to celebrating commencement for the Class of 2024, Tipton High

School’s 147th graduating class, on Saturday, June 1beginning at 11 a.m. in the high school

gymnasium. The event will be live streamed and can be viewed at

Tipton Community School Corporation Board Briefs is designed to share a few highlights from the most recent School Board of Trustees monthly meeting. Official minutes of each Board meeting are posted on the district website and are available to the public viewing. The next scheduled meeting of the Board of School Trustees is Tuesday, June 11. School board meetings are conducted from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the TCSC Board Room at the Administrative Offices and are open to the public.

Curricular Materials

As Superintendent, Dr. Glaze has been giving the authority to implement administrative guidelines for the selection of curricular materials that include effective consultations with an Advisory Committee of parents and professional staff members at all appropriate levels in accordance with Policy 2510. All currently used curricular materials are included with the scope and sequence documents shared with the board on April 26, 2024. The scope and sequence documents were approved and satisfied the school board's oversight of curricular materials for all TCSC students. All scope and sequence documents will be updated and uploaded to the TCSC website.

Blue Future Awards

The following individuals were recognized and honored as a Blue Future Award recipient for their hard work, dedication, and achievement at Tipton Community School Corporation.

Bryce Silvey and SRO Dave Maddox for the All Pro Dad initiative at TCSC. Nominated by Rob Cochrane, TCSC Board Member.

Tipton Motorsports Club and David Case, Automotive Technology Teacher, Third Place Finish at the EV Grand Prix. Nominated by Craig Leach, THS Principal

Denise Keogh, THS English Teacher and students for the Great Towns Initiative Essays “If These Walls Could Talk.” Nominated by Craig Leach, THS Principal

Tamra Smelser, Jamie Chevillet, Darin Pratt, Missy Stone, Martha Burris, and Jodi Hettinger, TMS Special Education Team. Nominated by John Ayars, TMS Principal.

Shout Outs

THS Band, under the direction of Band Director, Lisa Wallyn, for earning the All Music Award for 2023-2024 from Indiana School Music Association and keeping a tradition of success going strong.

Jenny Haynes and her crew for a job well with the production of Newsies, the high school spring musical.

Patrick Lancaster, Lancaster Holdings, for his generous donation of a golf simulator to support the Tipton High School Golf program and high school athletics.

First Reading of Updated Board Policies

Segments under the following policy sections were revised, rescinded, and consolidated: 0164, 1065, 1422, 1520, 1662, 3120, 3362, 4120, 4362, 5340, 5350, 5517, 6320, 7540, 8210, 8400, 8452, 8455, and 9130. They will be presented for a second reading and approval at the June 11 meeting. Policies support the vision for the district and create a foundation for student academic achievement. The policy review process to determine new policies, modifications, and/or discontinue is an ongoing part of the TCSC School Board of Trustees work and service to the district.

Food Service Management Contract Bid Approved

The Board approved a bid from Aramark for Food Service Management at TCSC for the 2024-25 school year. Aramark was one of four food service companies who responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) earlier in the year. Two companies (Quest and Aramark) submitted bids. Both bids were scored using TCSC state approved rubric, with Aramark as the successful bidder. We are a leading global provider of food, facilities and uniform services to education, healthcare, business and industry, and sports, leisure, and corrections clients. Aramark serves over 500 million meals annually to approximately 5 million students at colleges, universities, and K-12 schools.

Summer Maintenance Projects Bids Approved

The Board approved bids for several maintenance projects slated to begin this summer. At least three bids were reviewed for each project. Howard Companies was awarded the bid for the parking lot maintenance for $79,575. RL Turner was awarded the bid to replace the ceiling grid and light fixtures at the TES and TMS for $36,575. Funding for this project will be paid through cafeteria funds. Bids are currently being considered to upgrade and consolidate the exterior door management system into a single cloud-based solution that serves the entire campus is estimated to cost around $55,000. Funding for this project will come from the remaining ESSER 3 funds and some money from the Operating Fund.

K-2nd - Grade – FLAG

3rd Grade – 6th Grade - TACKLE

LINK to REGISTER: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/431278

Click the image to see the video.

“The Inferno,” Tipton High School’s landmark gym, is undergoing a long-awaited renovation in

summer of 2024. The Friends of the Inferno group is leading the charge to raise funds through

sponsorships and donations to give the gymnasium a modern look and feel with new paint,

flooring, digital scoreboards, curtain, gym floor planks, and Blue Devil Hall of Fame section to

name a few.

The Inferno, home to Indiana’s only Blue Devils mascot, built in 1961, seats 3,500. It has served

as a symbol of local identity, the focus of hometown pride, and the backdrop for generations of

memories. The upgrades, expected to cost an estimated $450,000, will update the look and feel of the multi-use space with modern amenities and features to best serve players, students, spectators, and the community well into the future.

The Inferno doubles as an educational space by day and an event destination by night. It is a multi-purpose facility that is used as a large classroom, for sports practices, home games and

tournaments, graduation, school-sanctioned events, community gatherings, and as an

emergency shelter. It draws in an estimated 22,000 spectators each year. Beginning in 2024,

The Inferno will host all home boys’ and girls’ basketball games, home volleyball matches, and

IHSAA tournament contests.

All are invited to consider joining this exciting initiative through a number of available

sponsorships or donating toward this effort. Your investment is an investment in students,

faculty, and the community by providing students with a safe and healthy environment to learn

and grow while also serving as a valuable resource for the community.

“Having a modernized gymnasium instills a stronger sense of pride as our student athletes

continue to learn valuable life lessons through competition and sportsmanship,” said Kory

Fernung, THS Athletic Director. “One of our local business partners, Encompass Credit Union,

has taken the lead on this effort by sponsoring the main gym flooring which will be the new

Encompass Court at the Inferno!”

For more information on sponsorship and donor opportunities, contact us at

THSinferno@tcsc.k12.in.us or call Andrea Campbell at (317)385-0872 or Rob Cochrane at

(317)432-6429.

May 28 TES Student Awards 8:30AM

May 29 Teacher Workday

May 30 Graduation Practice

May 30 Senior Awards Night @ 7PM

June 1 Graduation @ 11am

June 3 First Day of Summer School