


Superintendent's Corner
12-15-2023 ----- HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
INCLUDED IN THIS EDITION
* UPDATE ON DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLANNING
* 'LUNCH WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT'
UPDATES FROM ACROSS THE DISTRICT
* $10M BOND MOVES FORWARD FOR DISTRICT IMPROVEMENTS
* CURRICULAR & OPERATIONAL UPDATES AT BRV
STAFF SPOTLIGHTS
* BETH GOFF (ENGLISH TEACHER)
* ELIZABETH HIBBARD (ELEMENTARY HEAD CUSTODIAN)
BRV 'LIFE' - 2023-24 - S1 PHOTO GALLERY
MESSAGES FROM CENTRAL OFFICE
DISTRICT STRATEGIC PLANNING
With the halfway point approaching for the 2023-24 school year, I would like to give a quick update on the status of our various strategic plans across our district. If you will recall, I gave a similar update last May. Diagrams and timelines to that effect are shown below. Our overarching district strategic plan has not seen a lot of traction since last spring as our various leadership teams have been focused on the targeted objectives that fall under the phase II goals of Student Learning and Operations. This fall we have launched our new digital platform, Canvas, as well as made continued efforts this semester in the areas of Career Readiness, long range facility planning, and enhanced staff collaboration time.
STUDENT LEARNING REPORT (from Mrs. Dickerson)
As educators, we are always learning and growing along with our students. This semester we have focused on career readiness initiatives for all students. In lower elementary the students have been reading about Bentley and learning that their dreams are achievable. In our middle and upper grades, students have been using the Major Clarity platform to take personality and learning assessments and learn about various careers. Recently we had our first Career Day with the 7th-12th graders. We used the results from each student’s Major Clarity assessments and found guest speakers that would fit their top three suggested career pathways. We had over twenty guest speakers and our students got to talk to at least four different speakers that morning. The elementary building is planning a similar event in March for elementary students. If you are interested in being a guest speaker, please reach out to Mrs. Dickerson (lori.dickerson@brv.k12.in.us).
This semester our staff has participated in Wednesday Collaboration Groups. Each week our teachers participate in collaborative groups to prioritize academic standards, share teaching strategies, discuss career readiness lessons and activities, and meet as a building-level team. While we continue to evaluate the morning meetings, we know that our teachers are working together and collaborating for the betterment of our students.
In the news, you will continue to hear about elementary students and reading in Indiana. Blue River Valley Elementary School is a part of the state Literacy Cohort this school year. Our Reading Specialist, Robin Gregory, attends weekly professional development with other Reading Specialists and completes required assignments. Mrs. Gregory co-teaches in our Kindergarten-2nd grade classrooms during their reading blocks to assist students and oversees our Title 1 programming. Blue River Valley is very fortunate to have been selected to participate in the state Literacy Cohort and is being provided with valuable resources for all of our students. We are excited to see our reading growth at the end of this year.
FACILITIES & GROUNDS REPORT (from Mr. McCormick)
Much is happening across our district with respect to long-range facility planning and coordination for our upcoming 2024-25 renovation project. Construction is scheduled to begin in September, 2024 on a renovation of existing space in the high school for a new corporation central office. Most of the $10M construction bond will go toward much needed improvements and equipment throughout our elementary building. Additionally, there are plans for a new bus fueling station as well as other smaller capital expenditure projects across the district. The new tennis court project ran into cold weather but is scheduled to be completed next spring when the asphalt plants start back up.
UPDATE ON OTHER FACILITY & GROUNDS IMPROVEMENTS
The FFA Ag barn project is complete with all new interior electrical components installed by Custom Electrical Services along with a new outer metal shell and new roof. Additionally, there are brand new farrowing pins that have been installed in the farrowing room.
New tables, chairs, and a wall booth have been installed in the Jr/Sr high school cafeteria
A refresh and update of the athletic atrium at door 7
New TV monitor system in athletic atrium and concession stand that live stream action occurring in the main gym
New paint job in Shelton gymnasium, the auxiliary gym, door 7 atrium, ag. hallway, and Jr/Sr high school cafeteria.
New paint job and new Hussey bleachers in elementary gymnasium
This fall local tree trimmer, Kris Meese, carried out a tree trimming project across our campus for improved safety and appearance
Approximately $15,000 was spent this semester on various office furniture items at the elementary building to professionalize offices and meeting spaces
A masonry project was carried out this fall where the entire envelope of the Jr/Sr high school was evaluated and subsequent work was carried out to repair a variety of damaged brick and masonry.
Recently, a new sign was installed along Viking Trail drive directing guests to our elementary building’s main office.
The Jr/Sr high school will see all ceiling light fixtures and exit signs throughout the building replaced with LED fixtures over the Christmas break. This project will result in substantial annual energy savings moving forward.
CONTINUED STRATEGIC PLANNING
The BRV administrative team will be meeting over the upcoming holiday break with the goal of continuing work on our district strategic plan as it aligns to our district’s mission, vision, and core belief statements.
Happy Holidays,
Mr. McCormick and Mrs. Dickerson
Go Vikings!
LUNCH WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT
It has been a pleasure having lunch with our junior high and high school students during Q2. Six students are selected by the front office every other week to get out of class a few minutes early to come down and have lunch with Mr. McCormick. There is no specific agenda... "we just eat lunch and chat about BRV life and how things are going. It is refreshing to just sit and talk about life in general and hear what's on the students' minds." Lunch with the Superintendent will continue next semester.
INVENTORY OF CURRENT BRV STUDENT LEARNING INITIATIVES INCLUDING IDOE 'CAREER READINESS' REQUIREMENTS
UPGRADES ACROSS THE DISTRICT
STAFF PROFILES
BETH GOFF - HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER
Mrs. Goff graduated from Lapel High School and Anderson University with a Bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education. She completed a high ability teaching certification in 2012 from The National Council Teachers of English. She plans to begin her Masters program this summer in Educational Leadership. She also has her State of Indiana Cosmetology license and enjoyed working in a salon as a hairstylist for six years prior to teaching.
Mrs. Goff taught English and Yearbook at Shenandoah HIgh school for 21 years. While at Shenandoah, she coached varsity softball for 12 years and was the Junior Class sponsor for 17 years. In 2022, she went to New Castle Middle School for one year to teach 8th grade English. She shares, "Middle school was a great learning experience for me; however, I really missed teaching high school students. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach at Blue River Valley HIgh School and spend my days helping high school students master their English skills."
She likes to spend time with her husband, Greg; daughter, Laken; son in law, Wesley; two granddaughters, Georgia and Violet; and her son, Tanner. They all enjoy spending summer weekends on their boat at Dale Hollow Lake reading, swimming, wakeboarding, and waterskiing. Mrs. Goff shares, "You will always find me with a new book in my hand, my car, my bag, or my purse. I don't leave home without one!"
What she enjoys most about teaching -- "For the past 22 years, I have had the opportunity to make a positive impact on students' lives, contribute to their educational development, and make a difference in their lives even if it was only for a short time. However, building relationships and witnessing the success of my students whether academically, socially, or personally provides me with a sense of accomplishment and pride and helps to reinforce the positive impact I have on my students."
From Principal Whaley... "Mrs. Goff brings experience to our English/Language Arts department having taught for over 20 years. She has high expectations for her students and pushes them towards excellence. Mrs. Goff also immediately joined leadership teams and is willing to help in any way at BRV Schools. We are thankful she is a Viking!"
MRS. GOFF AND HER FAMILY
ELIZABETH HIBBARD - HEAD ELEMENTARY CUSTODIAN
Ms. Hibbard started working at BRV in September of 2015. She worked briefly at the high school before transitioning to the elementary. She is now the head custodian at BRV Elementary. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid.
Ms. Hibbard is a proud mother of one daughter. She grew up in Mooreland and attended BRV from K-12 graduating in 1996. She shares, "My favorite hobby is gardening. I grew up helping my grandma and my dad every year and it’s something I have carried on with and enjoy."
Ms. Hibbard notes, "There are a couple things I enjoy most about working at BRV and that is the family environment created between co-workers... But the best part is when those little kids stop and say Hi or give you a hug and they have no idea that they just made your day, and that we need them as much as they need us."
From Principal Wordinger... "Ms. Hibbard works hard behind the scenes to keep everything clean and tidy to have a great learning environment. She makes sure our classrooms and hallways are ready for us each day, and she deserves a big thank you for all she does!"
MS. HIBBARD AND HER DAUGHTER (LACIE)
BRV LIFE -- 2023-24 -- SEMESTER 1 -- PHOTO GALLERY
Trent McCormick
Blue River Valley Schools
Email: Trent.McCormick@brv.k12.in.us
Website: brv.k12.in.us
Phone: 765-836-4816