By Dr. Thomas Little
Superintendent of
Perry Township Schools

Perry Township Schools continues to embrace the philosophy that every student who walks across the graduation stage must have a strong background in reading, writing, mathematics and problem solving. These basic academic skills serve as the foundation for any chosen career path. Beyond these fundamental skills are a host of classes and extracurricular opportunities in which our students may participate.  
Outstanding examples are the music programs that continue to thrive and gain in popularity. The district has installed two classroom trailers at Southport Middle School to accommodate student enrollment in band and orchestra. The directors in our music departments are passionate about their subject and share their joy of music with their students. 

On Jan. 22 I attended the Band-O-Rama at Perry Meridian High School, where sixth- through 12th-graders displayed their talents as individual bands before joining forces (nearly 400 students) for the final piece. Upon the concert’s conclusion, directors Ken Belt, Alan Slightom and Andrew Wilson hugged one another with joy.   
Perry Meridian Middle School will host the Indiana State School Music Association solo and ensemble competition for winds, strings and percussion on Saturday, Feb. 7. There are approximately 120 sites for the association’s events during the school year. An estimated 200,000 students participate, requiring more than 1,000 judges.

The association provides performance opportunities for individuals and classes in the following areas:

• Solo. 
• Ensemble. 
• Marching band festivals and competitions (state finals are at Lucas Oil Stadium). 
• Choir.
• Orchestra.

PMMS will be one of nearly 40 district level sites. More than 1,000 musicians in Grades 6-12 from 26 schools will perform.  

Statewide, nearly 500 schools will send 70,000-plus musicians to the competition. Perry Township will be well represented by the Perry Meridian and Southport music departments. Those who play the most difficult music, designated Group I, and receive a gold rating will qualify to compete at state finals.

PMMS and PMHS will host the state vocal and piano finals Saturday, Feb. 21. The vocal performers will compete at PMHS, while the pianists perform at PMMS. The level of competition is most high as these musicians are considered the best of the best. Colleges from around the state will have recruiting tables with representatives to discuss the performers’ plans for collegiate participation to further their musical careers.       
   
Friends and families are invited to attend specific student performances. Judges use a specific rubric, which is reviewed with all participants before the event. Later, the students and music instructors will receive written feedback along with their score sheets. Score values are much like golf: the lower the score, the better the rating. Scores reflect a rating of gold, silver, bronze or participation. Solo and ensemble awards are medallion pins. 

Good luck to all of our participants. These students represent our schools and community with class and distinction.

By Dr. Thomas Little
Superintendent of
Perry Township Schools

The old adage that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” still rings true in Perry Township Schools. We are working hard on numerous fronts to protect your children from the influences of drugs and alcohol.  

Recently, the district’s Police Department recruited a new “staff member” who is just beginning his career with us. Roscoe is a 10-week-old black Labrador retriever who will be trained as a drug dog. Officer Tom Nolan was selected as Roscoe’s partner, and they will eventually work as a team in and around the schools.
Roscoe is still eating moist puppy kibble. His favorite snack is Smartfood white cheddar popcorn. As for toys, he enjoys any type of ball and is also quite fond of a leather teething rag (which saves the family’s couches and slippers). 

Roscoe loves the snow. Nolan has trouble getting him to come inside when it snows because the dog loves to bite at the falling snowflakes and bulldoze his nose into the snow. Since the puppy is too little to jump into the police car, Nolan helps him get in. Roscoe wants to sit on Nolan’s lap, which is not safe. Roscoe will soon have his own kennel in the car.  

Roscoe was selected because of his drive and natural demeanor as a working dog. He has already started basic obedience training and is being socialized with people; last week he visited Rosa Parks-Edison Elementary. 
When he is between 9 and 12 months old, Roscoe will attend a four-week detection school with Nolan. Detector dogs are imprinted with specific behaviors upon smelling certain odors, especially those of narcotics. District Chief David Stalcup is state-certified as a detection instructor and will be helping along with trainers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. 
When “working,” Roscoe’s uniform will be a collar clearly marked “POLICE K9.” When fully trained, he will be a full-time officer first and a family pet second. 

Roscoe will also serve as an ambassador to the township and Indianapolis for drug prevention programs, such as Red Ribbon Week. When Roscoe is certified, he will not only work for the township but all of the county. There is a need for police dogs in other school districts and police entities inside the city.
The district has one state-certified narcotic dog, Drake, a Belgian Malinois partnered with Stalcup. In addition, the township has access to an unlimited number of such dogs through the assistance of MCSD, IMPD and the Indiana State Police.

Thanks to all our school officers for keeping our schools safe.

By Dr. Thomas Little
Superintendent of
Perry Township Schools

Perry Township Schools’ primary focus is to provide an educational experience that prepares children to pursue their hopes, dreams and aspirations. While classroom instruction is critically important, there are many other facets of the school experience that support daily instructional lessons. 
Extracurricular programs, such as athletics, play a key role in many of our students’ lives. Our athletic programs provide opportunities for students to participate in organized sports, receive recognition, build relationships and develop life skills. We are fortunate to have well-established programs that promote school spirit. 
While we have a number of successful programs, I would like to highlight two at the high school level: Southport’s undefeated boys basketball team, which won the Hall of Fame Classic, and Perry Meridian’s wrestling team, this season’s state runner-up and winners of 10 straight Marion County tournaments.
Every successful athletic program has two key components: a coach who has a passion for the sport and parents who are supportive and involved. 
The following are some comments from the outstanding coaches of the aforementioned teams:  

• Kyle Simpson, Southport basketball coach. “I am a coach for two reasons: Number 1: I love the game of basketball. It has been a big part of my life in high school and college. When I was playing in college I knew I wanted to continue my career as a coach. Number 2: I appreciate the impact coaches can make on the lives of our student athletes. 
“In my family I’m a third- generation basketball coach. My grandfather coached for 40 years in high school and college, and my father coached high school for 17 years. I saw the impact they had on their players and how much they helped them in their lives. I wanted to follow in their footsteps.
“I stress to our athletes the fact that they represent themselves and their school – on and off the court. There is a big picture called LIFE that we, as coaches, are preparing our student-athletes for. I believe that we have a basketball program that can make Perry Township proud.” 

• Jimmy Tonte, Perry Meridian wrestling coach. “Here at Perry Meridian High School we consider our program to be much like a family – ‘the wrestling family.’ We strive for our family to live in a house that has a strong foundation built from the bottom up, in which we strive to be our best at each level: elementary, middle, high school and even college. 
“To live in our house, we expect our wrestlers to attain good grades, to excel in citizenship by displaying upstanding character within our community and to develop a work ethic that is second to none. We often use the phrase ‘be a good kid, be a good student.’
“We believe we can make a huge impact on a young man by furthering his education through the wrestling program. We currently have 11 kids wrestling in college. Three more that are seniors have signed near full scholarships for next year. 
“Bottom line, no matter how many championships we win, ultimately, we do this for the kids.”
As the winter sports season continues, I would like to invite you to attend one or more of our athletic events so you can see for yourself the effort, discipline and teamwork of these young athletes.

By Dr. Thomas Little
Superintendent of
Perry Township Schools

Happy new year! Welcome back students and staff. The second semester of the 2014-15 school year is certain to be filled with a tremendous amount of academic success.
January, February and March are often challenging months due to inclement weather. I always receive questions about what our policies are for snowy and cold weather. 
The decision to delay or close school is always based on the safety of children, and it’s important to know that that decision lies solely on my shoulders. I maintain close contact with our transportation, maintenance and plow crews. I also drive the roads. 

The following are some general guidelines that I use during the crucial time between 4 and 5:15 a.m. 
Freezing rain/sleet: This is the most unpredictable weather variable as it is temperature sensitive and fast-occurring. There is not a vehicle that maneuvers well on ice, especially not a school bus. A decision is generally made in the morning.

Snowfall: Meteorologists generally give a 2-inch variable when predicting snowfall accumulation. Any decision regarding school status is delayed until the accumulation indicates a need for action. These decisions are usually made in the morning.

Extreme snowfall: When snowfall has accumulated to a significant level, a decision regarding school status may be made the previous evening. 

Extreme cold: If the temperature is predicted to be 10 below zero at 7 a.m., the district will consider a two-hour delay. If the temperature is forecast to remain at minus 10 at 9 a.m., the district will consider closing. 

Extreme wind chill: Wind-chill concerns emerge at a predicted wind chill of 19 below zero. If the wind chill is predicted to be minus 19 or lower at 7 a.m., we will consider a two-hour delay. If the wind chill is predicted to be minus 19 or lower at 9 a.m., closing is an option. This decision would likely be made in the morning.
Functional facilities: It is possible for gas, electric and water issues to cause one or more schools to close. Our utility companies keep us informed of any interruption or delay in service.

The electronic age has truly helped us in communicating with families in an efficient manner. In addition to phone messages, parents may elect to receive email alerts. Notices are posted on the district website, Twitter and Facebook accounts and television stations.

Parents should have plans in place for weather-related delays and closures. The district appreciates the commitment of parents to dress their children appropriately for weather conditions when sending students to school. 

If school is delayed, the district will respect a parent’s decision to keep their children home for the day. Parents are expected to contact their children’s school and inform the administration of their decision. The students will be counted as absent, per state code. 
Families entrust us with their children’s safety, and we take that responsibility to heart.