East Central

It's difficult to believe that the 2019-20 school year is already one quarter of the way through. Students and staff are certainly in the groove at this point and many positive things are happening.

In the classroom, teachers have worked with their respective departments on course development, pathways, curriculum alignment, Common Assessments, and sharing a more common language regrading best practices in the redesign of our PLCs (professional learning communities) http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/may04/vol61/num08/What-Is-a-Professional-Learning-Community%C2%A2.aspx.

In athletics, both girls' and boys' soccer won conference titles, volleyball stands a good chance at winning conference as well and football remains undefeated and ranked 2nd in the state. Both boys and girls cross country teams advanced to regional and EC girls soccer won sectional and advance to regional as well. All teams continue their IHSAA tournament action Saturday, October, 19th.

Try outs for the fall drama presentation "Elf" are in full swing and we're all excited to see what our students can again accomplish on the stage. If you've never been to a show, trust me, it's never short of spectacular.

As has become the norm, I'd like to share something of the philanthropic spirit Student Council has adopted Cincinnati Children's Hospital as their focus this year with a culminating For The Kids (FTK) night in May much like we did for Riley Hospital last year where EC students, staff, and community were able to offer over $7000 in donations in support of Riley kids. StuCo has many exciting events planned throughout the year so keep your eyes open for ways to enjoy the fun and contribute for a great cause.

Lastly, as the year continues we will keep striving...

• to make connections,
• to provide the best opportunities for our students,
• and perhaps most importantly, to offer a safe and secure school environment where your child/student can grow and thrive as an academic and as a person.

WE ARE...EC!

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

Respectfully,

Tom Black

Community Service/Career Opportunity for Freshmen and Seniors!

All freshmen and seniors (who have previously passed the ISTEP+) will be excused from school on October 16 to complete a college visit, community service activity and/or job-shadow experience.

Important Test Dates

PSAT/NMSQT and ASVAB testing is coming soon!! All sophomores will take the PSAT and juniors have the choice of taking the PSAT for National Merit Scholarship or the ASVAB on Wednesday, October 16th

ISTEP+ Winter Retest will be given to those juniors and seniors that have not yet passed their GQE during the week of December 2 - December 6. ISTEP+ Bootcamp is held every Tuesday and Thursday (3:00-4:00 pm) beginning September 10 for students who would like to remediate prior to retesting in December.

SAT & ACT Information
If you are planning to attend a four-year college, you should plan on registering for the ACT and SAT soon. To prepare well for these tests, we recommend taking rigorous classes, doing well in your academic coursework, and taking advantage of free SAT/ACT prep materials (online and in the Guidance Office).

Don't forget to check out the Admissions webpage of colleges you are interested in attending. You can find a "Freshman Profile" that will give you more information about the GPA, academic rigor, community service, and test scores required for admission.

You can click on the following links to learn more about taking the ACT/SAT:
ACT Information

When should I take the SAT?

Dual Credit Information for Parents and Students

Did you know ECHS has 45 courses that students can earn college credit in. Last year East Central High School students earned over $900,000 in college credit from Ivy Tech and Indiana University. Students and families can save the cost of an entire year of college by completing this STGEC checklist right here at ECHS. For fast facts of the STGEC click here or contact your child’s guidance counselor.

Class of 2023 & Graduation Pathways

For the first time in years, the class of 2023 will not have to “pass a test” to earn their high school diploma! Freshmen must complete what is known as “Graduation Pathways” to graduate high school in the state of Indiana. We are very fortunate at ECHS to be able to offer over 20 pathways for students to choose from. For questions, please contact your child’s guidance counselor.

Trojan Food Pantry

Did you know that ECHS has a Food Pantry? It is available to all families that are in need of food as long as they have a student in Sunman Dearborn Schools. There are no additional requirements.

The pantry is open by appointment by calling 812-576-4811 ext. 11302, Ask for Brenda Osman.

Educationally,

Mrs. Rosfeld

jrosfeld@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

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

October 3rd is the end of the 1st nine weeks. The school year is quickly progressing and classes are continuing to work on specific items of completion. Listed below is an overview of tasks that each grade should be focused on completing.

Key items per grade:

Seniors:

ECHS will be holding our Financial Aid Night on October 16th from 6:30- 8:00 pm in the Performing Arts Center. We will have our representative from INvested who will do an overview on how to complete the parent and student sections of the FAFSA for the class of 2020. We highly encourage all parents and seniors to attend.

Seniors are also allowed to have two college visit days to explore or finalize colleges of choice. Fall break also serves as a great opportunity to visit colleges that are still in session without missing classes at ECHS. Several college representatives have met with seniors who have voiced interest and more are scheduled to arrive.

Seniors who are undecided about what to study after high school are encouraged to connect with Ivy Tech Community College’s Associate Accelerated Program (ASAP). This program helps high school graduates earn an associate degree in just 11 months and prepares them to transfer to a four-year college to earn their bachelor's degree. Contact Heather Gard at hgard3@ivytech.edu for more information.

Juniors:

PSAT and the ASVAB tests will be given on October 16th during the school day. Students who have not passed ISTEP+ are scheduled to take the ASVAB which will qualify them to graduate with the graduation pathways option.

SAT

ACT

College Fair information

Sophomore and Freshman:

These students should focus on their grades to build a strong transcript which will enable the most opportunities to them. Sophomores will take the PSAT on October 16th during the school year.

As always we are available to meet with students individually to support academic and emotional needs. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Rhonda Murdock, MSW, L.S.W

812-576-4811 ext. 11912

**National Honor Society Tutoring in the Library

Every Tuesday and Thursday 3pm-4pm.

**Do you have a study hall? Talk to your counselor about peer-to-peer tutoring during study hall.

**Talk to your teachers. Teachers arrive daily at 7:30am and could possibly help you before or after school.

**KhanAcademy.org Completely free online educational videos in all core classes.

**AskRose.org / (877) ASK-ROSE 24/7 homework help (Ran by the students of Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN).

TRADITIONAL 4-YEAR COLLEGE IS NOT FOR EVERYONE!
Over 2 million Hoosier adults need additional skills to compete in the 21st Century Workforce. To help more Hoosiers gain these skills, Indiana has created a new financial aid opportunity for working-age adults: the Workforce Ready Grant.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Workforce Ready Grant pays the tuition and mandatory fees for eligible high-value certificate programs at Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University or other approved providers. The grant is available for two (2) years and covers up to the number of credits required by the qualifying program. The grant does not cover courses that do not directly apply to the student’s certificate program. Program-specific fees and equipment are not covered.

QUALIFYING PROGRAMS

The qualifying high-value certificate programs were selected based on employer demand, wages, job placements and program completion rate. These programs are aligned with Indiana’s highest demand sectors:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Building & Construction
• Health Sciences
• IT & Business Services
• Transportation & Logistics

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

To qualify for the grant, students must:

• Be age 18 years or older
• Be an Indiana resident and U.S. citizen or (eligible non-citizen)
• Have a high school diploma (or equivalent) but less then a college degree
• Enroll in a qualifying program at an eligible training provider
• File the FAFSA**
• Enroll full-time (typically four courses) if you are a Dependent Student**
• Enroll at least half-time (typically two courses) if you are an Independent Student**
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress**
• Meet any other minimum criteria established by the Commission

**Credit-Bearing programs only

HOW TO APPLY

• Visit the Next LevelJobs.org to connect with an eligible training provider
• Submit a complete and corrected FAFSA (please allow 5-7 business days for processing).
  • Applicants do no need to meet the April 15th deadline for state financial aid
  • The Workforce Ready Grant is not limited by family income

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

The East Central FFA Chapter had 23 members that competed in the Indiana 4-H/FFA State Horticulture Career Development Event on Saturday, September 21st at Purdue University. There were a total of 52 teams that participated in the event. Teams had to use their knowledge to identify ornamentals, indoor plants, fruits, and vegetables. They also had to complete a general knowledge exam and a plant grading exercise. East Central’s top team placed 3rd. The team consisted of Heath Doll, Maria Hartman, Amelia Hartman, and Travis Foote. East Central’s second team placed 7th this team consisted of Rachel Kraus, Adrien King, Alex Newport, and Madison McAdams. Other members who participated in the senior division include: Julia Bulach, Lydia Kidd, Bradley Kolb, Justin Harper, Emma Reatherford, Evan Kuhn, Lewis Darringer, Daphne Burns, Nick Steele, and Andrew Rennekamp. Our top individual in the senior division was Heath Doll, placing 4th out of 140 contestants. We also had 1 middle school team placing 7th, consisting of Isaac Hartman, Lloyd Darringer, Lucas Smith, and Gavin Klingman. Autumn Martin also competed as an individual in the junior division. Congratulations to all the members that competed!

On Saturday September 21 st , three East Central FFA Members competed in the State

Livestock Skillathon Contest. The members identified, meat, breeds, equipment, took an

industry quiz, and took a quality assurance quiz, as well as judged hay and wool as individuals.

The members then worked as a team to identify feed, evaluate carcass, evaluate a performance and marketing scenario, complete a keep or cull class, and complete another quality assurance quiz. The team consisted of Maddie Dawson, Madison Shumate, and Jacob Kuhn, and placed 18th . Congratulations to all members that participated!

Tina Waechter - twaechter@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

Computer Science Teacher, Krista Hutzel nominated for: Engineering Technology Educators of Indiana(E/TEI) Award for the State of Indiana!

Congratulations to Mrs. Hutzel who won the Engineering Technology Educators of Indiana Award. She was awarded this at the annual ACTE Conference on September 20. Krista has transformed our Computer Science program over the years to make it what it is today. She is a very hard working, well deserving candidate for this award.

The Drop Zone (IT Tech Support)

So far this year, the Drop Zone students have resolved over 200 Chromebook issues and returned to them to students in a timely manner. The Drop Zone is an asset to our department and an asset to our school.

The Trojan Exchange (Principles of Business Management/Administrative and Office Management)

The Business Management Classes are making the Trojan Exchange look and perform better than ever! Stop by for some new spirit gear today. Follow us: @TrojanExchange or visit us @ https://www.trojanexchange.com

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

Students in Mr. Kennedy's PLTW Principles of Engineering class are designing and building their team Rube Goldberg machines for an upcoming competition.

(POE 1)

Mr. Boyd's students in the Computers in Design & Production class are applying their skills with computer-aided drafting software AutoCAD to design and create a 2-layer hanging ornament with the 60-watt laser cutter/engraving machine.

(CAD 1b)

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

English 12 is currently studying William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The play's namesake Macbeth is a Scottish general who turns his back on his king, his friends, and his better judgment, only to face his own demise at the hands of his former allies. The play explores the themes of power, ambition, morality, and corruption, which generate great classroom discussion and real-world connections.

The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company will perform Macbeth in EC’s PAC for all seniors and juniors on Wednesday, November 17th. Live theater gives our students the opportunity to practice good audience habits and to witness professional actors give life to memorable characters and complex themes. We in the EC English Department are very excited for our students to have this opportunity.

Brenda Osman bosman@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

Nutrition and Wellness

Students in Nutrition and Wellness have been exploring the essential nutrients. Students have collaborated in small groups to become experts on one nutrient, then shared their knowledge with their peers. Students were also able to collaborate in kitchen groups to create a healthy sauteed zucchini dish, which was served with fresh lemon water. Their objectives were to demonstrate a simple method of preparing healthy food, demonstrate safe knife skills, and to practice planning and working with other students in a lab setting. Students were also able to explore the different needs that our bodies have and the food groups that help us get various nutrients. Students created booklets with important information about the USDA MyPlate guidelines.

Intro to Culinary Arts & Hospitality

Students in Intro to Culinary Arts started off September learning about Kitchen Safety. Students worked in groups to create a safety presentation over an assigned Kitchen Safety topic. They then taught their classmates about Kitchen Safety through their presentations. In the next unit students began learning about Measuring in the Kitchen. We spent a lot of time learning about and practicing proper measuring techniques, kitchen equivalents, and kitchen abbreviations. Students showed off their knowledge of proper measuring skills through making Chocolate Chip Cookies in the foods lab. Currently students are learning about Standardized Recipes. Students have learned and identified the essentials parts of a well written recipe. They then made Mini Muffins in lab to showcase this knowledge. During this unit students have also learned about how and why recipes might need to be modified. Students learned how to change the yield of a recipe. This week in lab they are making a Mini Cheesecake recipe that they first had to change the yield of.

ProStart 1: Culinary Arts & Hospitality

Students in ProStart 1 & 2 have been very busy. ProStart 1 continued into September learning about the Hospitality and Foodservice Industry, focusing on Hospitality. Students participated in many foods labs including making Canapes, and various dishes for their “Time period” labs.

ProStart 2: Advanced Culinary Arts

Students in ProStart 2 have been learning about Nutrition. Students enrolled in this class can earn dual credit with Ivy Tech in “HOSP 104: Nutrition” if they meet certain requirements, therefore we will spend a lot of this semester learning all about Nutrition and how it relates to the Foodservice Industry. Most people in the US eat out at least a few days each week, therefore it is important for people in the foodservice industry to have a solid understanding of nutrition and corresponding menu offerings.

ProStart 1 & 2

Students in both the ProStart 1 & 2 classes prepared a variety of different recipes for the Aurora Farmers Fair Baking Contest. These Students also helped prepare food for the following school activities: FCCLA/FFA Pork Chop Dinner, FCCLA Eat Dinner with Your Family Night and Pies for the EC Homecoming “Pie Eating Contest.”

Introduction to Fashion and Textiles

The Intro to Fashion and Textiles students completed a unit on the elements and principles of design. While studying the unit students learned how to tie dye and draw their own fashion designs. The students are currently learning how to operate the sewing machine and will begin sewing their pajama pants.

Fashion and Textiles Careers

The students in this program are finishing their disappearing nine patch quilt tops and then they will investigate the various ways to finish their quilts. They are turning out beautiful and students have learned how important measuring and cutting can be as well as sewing with the correct seam allowance. They have done a fabulous job!

The East Central FCCLA held their annual “Eat Dinner with Your Family Night” on Sept. 11th. This is where members and their families come together for an evening of food, fun and games. During this evening, officers explain some of the activities that happen in FCCLA and also why it is important for families to eat dinner together. According to website www.centeronaddition.org, “kids and teens who share family dinners 3 or more times per week; have better relationships with their parents; are more likely to eat healthy foods; perform better academically and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors-such as drugs or alcohol.” FCCLA families also enjoyed a dinner made by the ProStart Culinary Students of Homemade Lasagna, Tossed Salad, Green Beans, Breadsticks and Cake.

The East Central FCCLA Chapter also attended the Cincinnati Reds Game on Sept. 24th with the FFA Chapter. They had a great time at the event!

On September 26th, 9 members of our chapter attended the Indiana FCCLA Fall Leadership Rally at Purdue University where they learned about the Career Pathways in Family and Consumer Sciences, learned more about FCCLA topics including STOP the Violence Program, membership recruitment, STAR Events, and being an involved member. They also had the opportunity to see the Purdue University Campus. Also a special thank you to our three state officers for leading the Fall Rally; Katelynn Osman, Natalie Douthit and Hayley Lewis.

Upcoming FCCLA Activities

Oct. 1-FCCLA Chapter Meeting

Oct. 15-FCCLA Meeting & FCCLA/FFA Hayride

Oct. 24th-Pumpkin Carving & Dinner at North Dearborn Village

Melissa Gulasy - mgulasy@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

Digital Design

I would like to ask you to take a look at your EC agenda cover. Do you like the design of it? Do you fell the depth in colors used? Do you feel all the design elements are well balanced?

The students in the Photoshop classes spend two to three weeks to create simple, but strong agenda cover designs. They experience the entire design process, from idea sketches to design analysis to design revisions. The attached image shows the students with the different revisions they have created. Although only one of them will be chosen as the agenda for next school year, there are many great artworks I really enjoy. The students patiently worked on the long revision process to complete the project. Way to go, students!

Sculpture

Mr. Focke’s classes have been working on a project of sculpting soapstone. The students have been learning the techniques of drawing designs to scale, transferring designs to stone, sawing out the basic shape, top view, side view, and rounding out the form.

Congratulations to the following students!!

Ellie Lengerich won “Best of Show”, “Tri Kappa Award”, and “People’s Choice Award” for her entry in the Versailles Pumpkin Art Show. Ellie was awarded $125 in prize money. Other winners were Katie Priebe (Tri-Kappa Award and 2nd place in portraits), Jasymn Brumley (1rst place in portraits), and Abigail Bowling (3rd place in portraits). Below is the artwork created by Ellie Lengerich.

Matt Lyon - mlyon@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

With the school year now in full swing, our foreign language clubs are beginning their activities. Spanish Club had a great turnout for their first meeting. Students were able to use Spanish while getting to know their fellow club members and enjoy chips and salsa from a local Mexican restaurant. French Club played Pétanque for their first meeting (see pictures). This is a popular French game also known as Bocci Ball. The club also had a fundraiser at the Harrison Chipotle to raise money for a future trip. Japanese Club is now entering its twelfth year here at East Central. Club members participate in many activities focused on Japanese culture. This includes: clothing, music, food, history, movies, calligraphy, origami, holidays, Japanese creation myths, folktales, schooling, studying abroad in Japan, anime and manga. All are welcome to attend these club meetings and see how fun new languages/cultures can be.

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

Happy Fall! I can’t believe the first quarter of the 2019-2020 school year is already under our belt! Great job to the students, faculty, staff, and our parents.

I would like to introduce our first instructional aide - Faith Eckstein.

Mrs. Faith Eckstein works as an instructional aide in Ms. Jansing’s Algebra I class, Ms. Bauer’s English 9 classes and in Mrs. Huber’s classes. She lives near Sunman and attends St. Nicholas church. Mrs. Eckstein has 3 children all of whom are E. C. graduates: Kraig, who is married and has two children; Katie, who works as a teacher at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic School in Cincinnati, and Becca, a senior at Indiana State. She is married to Kenny who drives a truck for Batesville Casket Company.

Mrs. Eckstein loves being a part of our school and not only helps students by day but also keeps the home scorebook for the E. C. Volleyball teams. In her spare time, she enjoys her two grandkids, Oliver and Declan, and serves her church on the Parish Council. A fun fact about Mrs. Eckstein is that she worked at Milan Schools for a number of years but then came here to be a part of our E. C. family, of course!

If you see Mrs. Eckstein in the hallway, be sure to say “Hi!” and “Thank you!” for all that she does to support students here at E. C.!

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

The choir department presented their first Disney Character Breakfast Fundraiser on Saturday, September 28th. The high school students came as their favorite Disney character and spent the morning with students from our school district. The children were able to wear their favorite costumes and compete in the best costume contest. We also offered face painting, wand making, coloring and tattoos. Our students gave wonderful performances and enjoyed taking pictures with the students.

The fall concert will be Sunday, Oct. 20th at 3:00p. We will have performances from the Women’s, Show and Concert Choir with a special halloween feature after intermission. Our new group, Tonal Eclipse, will make their debut performance.

Congratulations to the following choral students for being accepted into the 2020 All-State choir.

Mark Foster mfoster@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

Greetings from the Physical Education and Health Department! We would like to welcome Lou Sipe to our department and East Central High School. Lou is a veteran teacher with eleven years of prior experience at Columbus North High School. He is teaching our freshman girls' physical education classes and one section of lifetime fitness. We are excited about having Mr. Sipe as a part of our department and school family.

Tim Maluvac - tmaluvac@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us

Mrs. Gilmour's Biology classes are using microscopes to study the cellular organization of plant and animal cells. Students observe the organelles that carry out life processes, compare plant and animal cell structures, and describe their differences.

In the AP Biology Photosynthesis Laboratory the students measure the light intensity, light wavelength and temperature to see how they affect the photosynthetic rates in plants using a spectrophotometer.

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

The Social Studies department is excited for the new school year and are very happy about the courses we have to offer! There are many opportunities for students take college dual-credit and AP classes. Please see guidance for any details about Social Studies courses.

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

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

https://ectrojansathletics.com/

https://sunmandearborn-in.finalforms.com/

NO TOBACCO USE (INCLUDING E-CIGARETTES)

More information below regarding Indiana Codes

NO BACKPACKS

NO OUTSIDE FOOD/BEVERAGE

NO PASS OUTS

House Enrolled Act 1149 “Indiana Smoke-Free Air”

IC 7.1-1-3-47.5"Tobacco product"

Sec. 47.5. (a) "Tobacco product", except as provided in subsection (b), has the meaning set forth in IC 7.1-6-1-3. (b) "Tobacco product", for purposes of IC 7.1-3-18.5, means a product that: (1) contains tobacco, including e-liquid (as defined by IC 7.1-7-2-10) that contains nicotine; and (2) is intended for human consumption.

As added by P.L.250-2003, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.176-2015, SEC.8; P.L.60-2016, SEC.2.

IC 7.1-7-2-10"E-liquid"

Sec. 10. "E-liquid" means a substance that: (1) may or may not contain nicotine; and (2) is intended to be vaporized and inhaled using a vapor product. As added by P.L.176-2015, SEC.9. Amended by P.L.206-2017, SEC.9.

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