January 14, 2015 

Dear Parents and La Porte Community Members,

As we reflect on the year 2014, we have much for which we can be thankful. The historic fall of 2014 encompassed both the achievements of our students and changes in education. “The bar has been raised” and we look forward to the challenges now before us.

Work has already begun to include a focus on college/career standards and career readiness. Our teachers are preparing our students for the changes in the state academic standards and for the new assessments which will be administered in grades 3 through 8 this spring.

In conjunction with the City of La Porte, GLEDC, and the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce, the La Porte Community School Corporation will soon be unveiling opportunities to engage our business community in K-12 career and technical education experiences. We, too, have “raised the bar”, endeavoring to promote career-readiness experiences for students and help them prepare to make well-informed decisions regarding their futures. Many of our local businesses are already partnering with schools in other ventures and we intend to continue those efforts. We hope that these partnering businesses will prove to be an invaluable resource in providing career exploration opportunities for our students.

The new year brought with it changes in the weather, as well. Last week, we missed three days of school. These days will be made up according to the established corporation calendar, using make-up days which were built into the school year. If additional days need to be made up, we will add days to the end of the school year. We will not be opting to extend school days to make up instructional time.

The decisions regarding delays and cancellations are made by a dedicated team comprised of the Maintenance Director, corporation CFO, Transportation Director, and Superintendent. Weather conditions and projections are carefully examined and extensive communication precedes any decision regarding school delays or cancellations. It is our primary objective to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

Last week, we were able to communicate the night before regarding school cancellation. Please realize that this is not always possible. Many times, we must wait until we can actually assess the conditions before making decisions. I encourage students and parents to set aside additional time to prepare for travel delays during inclement weather. Challenging our students to prepare for success in their chosen careers includes helping them understand that the “real world” does not provide two-hour delays. As educators, we will continue to balance this challenge with our commitment to the safety of our students and staff.

Lastly, I encourage you to tune in to the live-streamed board meetings held on the second Monday of each month. The year 2015 will be an exciting time to share the vision of La Porte Community Schools through the building and program feasibility process. We invite the community to engage with us. Together, we can ensure that the final vision reflects what is best for both our students and our community.

I am proud to be serving as your Superintendent and look forward to celebrating all of the successes that 2015 will bring.

Respectfully,

Mark D. Francesconi

January 15, 2015

 LPCSC BUSINESS AND EDUCATION ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN

In conjunction with the City of La Porte, GLEDC, and the Greater La Porte Chamber of Commerce, the La Porte Community School Corporation will be unveiling opportunities to engage our business community in K-12 career and technical education experiences. Considering the recent changes in the academic standards to include a career focus, it is imperative that we foster opportunities at all grade levels for students to explore careers of interest.

Currently, the Indiana school grading system, high school graduation requirements, and high school course selections predominantly encourage students to attend college. It is our desire to collaborate with our business community and establish a K-12 menu of student career experiences. These experiences would better prepare them for the world of work and help provide a workforce that meets the needs of the La Porte community.

It is the vision of the La Porte Community School Corporation to increase the number of school-business partnerships and foster relationships which lead to new opportunities for our students. At the secondary level, we will be looking for partnerships which provide guest speakers to make presentations regarding their career and/or the products associated with their field of work. Job shadowing experiences, creation of “maker’s spaces”, school-to-work opportunities, and internships will also be utilized. In the middle school and lower grades, we would like to expose students to a variety of careers through field trips, guest speakers, classroom visits, virtual tours, etc.

Many of our local businesses are already partnering with schools in other ventures and we intend to continue those efforts. Career exploration and preparation would create another valuable link between our school community and local businesses.

We are thankful for the efforts of the Mayor, GLEDC, and the Chamber of Commerce in initiating this new opportunity to engage the La Porte community in the education and preparation of our students.

LaPorte's Educational Future

Opportunities Menu

Please click on the link to view the LPCSC Seclusion and Restraint Plan

LPCSC Seclusion and Restraint Plan

Franciscan St. Anthony Health –Michigan City and IU Health La Porte Hospital are reaching out to La Porte County residents to get their views on the most important health needs in their communities. Please take five to seven minutes to share what you think are the most pressing health needs in our community by clicking on the following survey link surveymonkey.com/s/inhealthneedssurvey .

Resident responses to the online survey will be used to help each hospital determine its community benefit strategies for the years 2016-2018.  In 2013, Franciscan St. Anthony Health Michigan City and IU Health La Porte Hospital invested more than $98 million to improve the health of the community and provide free or reduced cost healthcare to qualifying residents.

Please take a few moments to help guide the hospitals’ strategies to make the most impact in the health of our community.

Thanks,

Maria Fruth

Executive Vice President|Chief Operating Officer

The Foundation in support of IU Health La Porte Hospital

PO Box 250

La Porte IN 46352

(O) 219-326-2472  I (Cell) 219-363-6335

Become a supporter today…iuhealth.org/laportefoundation

Monday, January 19, 2015 will be scheduled as a regular school day to replace the January 7, 2015 school cancellation day.

Monday, February 16, 2015 will be scheduled as a regular school day to replace the January 8, 2015 school cancellation day.
 

Friday, March 13, 2015 will be scheduled as a regular school day to replace the January 9, 2015 school cancellation day.

All school and corporation offices will be open and both students and staff will report to school.

Please click on the link to read a letter regarding Ebola Virus Disease.

Ebola Virus Disease Letter

Covering Kids & Families of Indiana Health Insurance Enrollment Event - 100 Percent Campaign.

Health Insurance Enrollment Event

Please click on link for information regarding College and Career Ready Standards

College & Career Ready Standards

Please click on the link below for the immunization requirements for the 2014-2015 School Year.

2014-2015 School Immunization Requirements