Rensselaer Rotary 9-03-2-13

NEXT WEEK AT THE BAKERY!!

Twenty-two members were present at the Pub today, plus guest Sheila Maxwell. We appreciated and enjoyed host Bill Bruce's food, service, and venue.

Mindy Beier announced that porkburger setup for Little Cousin Jasper Festival would be Thursday, with sales Friday from 10:30 to 1:30, then open again at 4:30, Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 to 3. Help is still needed Saturday and Sunday. 

Organizations which helped with porkburger sales at the county fair were recognized: Iroquois Valley Harmonizers, Tri Kappa, Boy Scouts, and Main Street Rensselaer.

Octoberfest will be the last weekend of September.

Dene Mattocks was the winner of the Kentland Rotary Club's annual raffle--he may need to expand his garage.

Ned Speicher, Superintendent of the Rensselaer Central Schools, was today's speaker. Much of his talk related to teaching "digital citizenship"--learning to be a good citizen in a digital world.

In the 1:1 initiative, 1800 I-pads were distributed to students in grades 3 through 12. Grades K - 2 received I-pad minis, but do not take theirs home. All parents and students were required to attend meetings prior to receiving the I-pads; a record 98% attended. All the school buildings are wireless and have filters to regulate content. If students access "improper content" at home, the school filters detect that when the students next enter the building. 50% of Indiana's schools are digital, versus about 30% nationally. Basic skills continue to be stressed, but combined with digital skills for today's digital world.

Next follow a few of the superintendent's many informative remarks.

In the 3rd grade, 127 students took the reading test, and 126 passed.

The high school gym is not yet open; the new floor should be complete by mid-September.

Block scheduling has been dropped, resulting in increased instructional time, which is especially valuable in making math available daily.

The school corporation's administrative offices will move, probably in January, to the former 2nd grade wing of Van Rensselaer School. Under Miss Monnett's will, the Grove St. property will revert to the city.

About 56% of our students receive free lunches, up from 52% last year. Eligibility is determined by the federal government.

Remember: next week at CLAUSS BAKERY. Hope to see you there!