Lorraine Woodruff Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Please welcome our newest Special Services staff member, Lorraine Woodruff.

Behavior Analysts work using the science of human behavior to assess student environments, and help create plans to increase positive behaviors and decrease problematic or disruptive behaviors. BAs work with the learner's whole team (teachers, principals, inter-disciplinary teams), to teach students coping skills, emotional regulation, and functional communication according to their needs. "As the District BCBA, I will be conducting Functional Behavior Assessments and working to help establish Behavior Intervention Plans for the students we serve. I will also be providing professional development and training to area teachers and staff. I look forward to getting to know the individuals within this amazing district and supporting our learners!" Welcome to New Castle, Mrs. Woodruff!

Dr. Shoemaker, Board President Jennifer Blackford, East Central Education Center's Director Katie Lash, and Mayor York are excited to bring new jobs to the City of New Castle!

Education Partners

We're thrilled to announce that Sunnyside Elementary school is going to be a hub for our local education partners! Starting fresh renovations in June, the Sunnyside Education Center will now host

• Adult Basic Education
• Ivy Tech Classes
• East Indiana Works
• East Central Education Center's Corporate Offices and Training Facility
• Model Classrooms

Sunnyside Education Center will be a professional development training facility with classrooms designed for educators across the region. Because of this partnership, 41 school corporations and their administrations will visit Sunnyside for yearly training! New Castle Schools is once again helping #BuildBetterFutures in Central Indiana.

The ISSMA (Indiana State School of Music Association) has awarded NCMS the Middle School Choral All-Music Award for the 22-23 school year! Matthew Hurst, Choir Director said,

"Receiving an All Music award from the ISSMA simply means that the music program, middle school choir in our case, does all types of ISSMA events available, and does them at a 'Gold Rating' level according to the judges."

Only ten middle school programs in the state of Indiana achieved this award, so we are very proud of our students and teachers. Specific criteria for the All Music Choral Award must be met:

• A Gold rating on at least one solo and one ensemble entering Group III, II, or I.
• A Gold rating in a District Jazz event.
• A Gold rating in a J.M.E. Organization event entered in Group III, II, or I. 

Principal Jacob White boasts, "NCMS is proud of the All Music Award earned by our Choral department leaders, students and supporters. The award reflects the total effort by all involved, dedicated to showcasing talent and hard work... It's an amazing accomplishment to receive this statewide recognition, while helping students build better futures."  Hurst continued, "Though the Middle School All-Music Award is relatively new, New Castle Choirs have been performing at a high level at ISSMA events for many years. We are grateful that ISSMA has begun to acknowledge the hard work of middle school students across the state with this award; it is an honor to be among the schools presented. Our students have put in a great deal of musically technical work over the past few months. We know they are all excited to finish the year strong with Spring Sing this May!"

Ella Garvin, NCHS senior, has received the IHSAA (Indiana High School Athletics Association) Cato Memorial Scholarship, given to one of 12 seniors in the state! Recognized April 19 at the Thomas A. Brady Sports Achievement Awards, Garvin left Lucas Oil Stadium with her award and $2,500 for college preparation. The scholarship's criteria included a “well-rounded, positive role model, who demonstrates excellence in academics, school and community involvement, character, sportsmanship, and citizenship.” Ella was a natural recipient! In June, Garvin will graduate with a weighted GPA of 4.57, ranking 3rd in her class of 173 students, with a list of academic athletic, and community accomplishments:

• 15 Honors/AP Classes
• 6 Dual-Credit Honor/AP Classes  
• Three-sport athlete, earning 13 Varsity letters in Cross Country, Gymnastics, and Track & Field (all four years.) 
• Diving Team as a sophomore. 
• Team captain
• Raises School Spirit as the Treasurer of Renaissance
• National Honor Society, Secretary for Student Government.
• Works Part time at New Castle Cakes during the school year
• Works part time at Baker Pool & Mt. Lawn Speedway during the summer.

Ella will be attending Miami of Ohio to with a Track and Field scholarship in the fall, and will be joining the Farmer School of Business and Honors College. Congratulations, Miss Garvin.