Newsletter for employees of the Tippecanoe School Corporation |
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SaferWatch is a new, optional web and mobile-based security system available for TSC employees through a partnership with the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office.
All staff would have access to the app on their personal cell phones that allows them to press a panic button in case of an emergency while on any school grounds or inside any TSC school. It would be the same as dialing 911 except law enforcement would know exactly who pressed the panic button and his or her location. The panic button feature in the app is not functional while driving a school bus or anywhere else away from a TSC building. Dialing 911 is always the first and best action and this panic button feature in the app serves as a supplemental option should the need arise during an emergency.
In the coming weeks all TSC staff will receive an email from SaferWatch with instructions for having the option to set up their own account from their cell phone. The free app is currently available to all Tippecanoe County citizens, but the panic button feature within the app will be available only to TSC staff who choose to set up their account from the forthcoming SaferWatch email. The panic button feature will go live with Tippecanoe County Emergency Dispatch starting January 1, 2021.
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Dear TSC Teachers,
During the spring and fall of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced K-12 teachers like you to quickly shift to online instruction. We know that this was (and continues to be) a challenging experience for you. As faculty at Purdue University together with TSC teachers, we are developing online teaching support resources with the goal of supporting Indiana teachers during these uncertain times. We need your experience, insight, and help!
Linked below is a brief survey to understand your perspective regarding what works/does not work and how teachers can be better prepared for future online instruction. In addition to helping inform the development of these resources, by completing the survey you will be:
- Granted free priority access to all created resources, training, and materials
- Entered into a drawing for one of 10 $50 Amazon gift cards.
We realize that answering these questions is just one more thing in a long list of tasks you are asked to undertake during these pandemic times. We appreciate your help! You should be able to complete this survey in approximately 10-15 minutes.
Thank you for your time. Your insight and support are invaluable!
Tim Newby
Learning Design and Technology, Program Coordinator
Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Assistant Head
College of Education
Purdue University
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Researching the digital divide |
Purdue University explores how the pandemic and access to the internet have impacted K-12 education. TSC Technology Director Devin Arms weighs in on what TSC is doing to address those challenges.
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TSC teachers win Evonik grants |
Evonik Tippecanoe Laboratories awarded Partners in Education grants to two TSC teachers to fund science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) projects this school year. The winners are Stephanie Bosma from Klondike Elementary School and Hannah McElroy from Burnett Creek Elementary School.
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Benefits open enrollment is underway |
Any changes in benefit elections for 2021 must be made before November 11. If you do not log in to the benefits portal, your current insurance elections will roll over into the new plan year at the new rates. It is highly recommended that you review your benefits and beneficiaries every year.
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Understanding how to protect your identity |
First Merchants Bank recently held a seminar on identity theft. Click here to see the presentation and review ways to protect yourself.
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National Online Safety: Remote education tip sheets |
Remote education ensures continuous learning outside the classroom. For school staff and teachers, there is a lot to consider and planning is key to ensuring effective and successful delivery. That’s why we’ve created these top tips to help school staff ensure they deliver the most secure and safest remote education experience they can, both for themselves and their students.
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November - Energy management - Mental energy |
Mental energy is the force that drives our purpose. Read more.
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TSC INtegrate employee discount guide |
Please email us at [email protected] if you have any suggestions for a gym or vendor that you would like to add to the discount guide.
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TSC State of Mind
with Megan Ulrich
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As we enter a season of thanksgiving amidst an ongoing pandemic, it’s helpful to know what science says about gratitude. Being grateful is not to be confused with “toxic positivity” which is denying challenging emotions and adversity for the purpose of being positive. Gratitude is being thankful for what is going right and what we have so that we can more effectively manage our own emotions and adversity. |
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See this article from Harvard University that includes practice suggestions as well as the benefits of gratitude: Improved health, increased positive emotions, an increased ability to deal with adversity and build stronger relationships.
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We’re excited to kick off a challenge that you can do with your fellow coworkers and friends. The challenge is for TSC health insured employees and runs through November 24.
The Trailblazers Leaderboard Challenge is a social steps challenge in the Engage app and when you participate, you can win prizes like a $100 Visa Gift Card, $50 Amazon Gift Card, and more. Click here for details on how to join.
Quarterly sweepstakes winners: Courtney Doll, Brian Hall, Melissa Beers, Jennifer Prosser, Sara Wright, Natalie Betz, Bethellen Crum, Michael Metzger, Karen Lucas, Kelly Caudill, Jennifer Garriott, Lori Vanarsdel, Aaron Hamilton, Michelle Hernandez, Melanie Quinlisk, Jessica Spall and Shanda Royal.
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Wea Ridge Middle School has started a Purdue/IU challenge. Staff teams will track their walking/running to finish the 235 mile roundtrip from PU to IU before the Old Oaken Bucket game, December 12. |
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Be sure to use #TSCINtegrate to encourage others when you tweet/post pictures of how you are integrating more healthy choices into your routine.
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INSPIRATION MATTERS
with Kathy Nimmer
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Maura McBride, a brand new teacher at Mayflower Mill Elementary School, wrote this about her young students in a recent email: "They are so patient with me as a first year teacher and I feel like I have really gained their respect." The word that jumped out at me was "patient." Maura noticed how even six-year-old children were displaying a sensitivity to everything that was new for their teacher.
I struggle with patience. It is not a default character trait for me. And yet, in Maura's case, the patience of some super sweet kiddos ultimately led to respect for their teacher; that is not a connection I would have contemplated. I am now pondering what outcomes might arise when I choose to embrace patience in my daily interactions with the world around me.
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Employee Name: Jackie Spitznagle
Years with TSC: 22
Position: Treasurer, Hershey Elementary School
How this employee demonstrates the TSC State of Mind: Jackie is a part of our Hershey family. Because of her, our students and parents feel welcomed from the minute students enroll until they graduate. She takes the time to make connections with everyone.
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Employee Name: Tais Dadajanov
Years with TSC: 2
Position: Paraprofessional, Burnett Creek Elementary School
How this employee demonstrates the TSC State of Mind: Tais always goes above and beyond to serve students. She always makes sure they are the number one priority.
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November 26 & 27 - No school, Thanksgiving
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