By Dr. Thomas Little
Superintendent of Perry Township Schools

STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) has been introduced to Jeremiah Gray and Rosa Parks elementary schools in the form of Project Lead the Way, which engages students to develop essential skills such as problem solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration and perseverance. 

This program supports all of our students, including those who struggle, our high-achieving ones and our English learners. 

Our first-graders are learning about light and sound. The students are given a challenge in which characters are lost and they must use only the materials in their backpacks to communicate over a distance by using light and/or sound. 

Children in the second grade have researched the various ways animals disperse seeds and pollinate plants. Students were tasked with starting a wildflower garden outside of their schools. The students applied their knowledge and skills to design, build, test and reflect on a device that mimics a way in which animals spread seeds or pollinate plants.

Our third-graders designed, built and tested an experimental model glider to find out how air and other forces affect its flight. 

Our fourth-grade pupils explored the properties of mechanisms and how they changed energy by transferring direction, speed, type of movement and force. Students discovered a variety of ways potential energy can be stored and released as kinetic energy. After watching amusement park bumper cars collide, the children applied their knowledge and skills to develop a vehicle restraint system.

Fifth-graders explored the ways robots are used in today’s world and their impact on society and the environment. Students were tasked with designing a mobile robot that can remove hazardous materials from a disaster site.

There are four modules at each grade level, and each module supports our state standards in science. The Project Lead the Way teacher works with each class of students alongside their teacher.

The students said they are excited to take part in these classes and are applying their knowledge to other subject areas and even experimenting at home.
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We are hopeful to expand the project to Clinton Young and Lincoln elementary schools for the 2017-18 calendar year. We are also planning to expand to Southport and Perry Meridian sixth-grade academies for the 2017-18 school year. These expansions will be dependent on this year’s pilot program.

By Dr. Thomas Little
Superintendent of Perry Township Schools

Annie Singleton, one of our beloved bus drivers, retired last week after 32 years of service. Annie began driving a bus for Perry Township when buses were privately owned. The first one she drove was owned by Fred Shonk’s family.

When asked what the best part of driving a bus was, Annie wholeheartedly replied, “The kids! I love the kids, all of them.” 

Annie said there is more to the job than driving ... there is developing relationships with the kids. Not all kids are alike and some have struggles. “Everyone, even kids, has bad days, days when they are sick and/or scared.” 
Annie listened, comforted and talked to the kids on her bus. “If you understand your kids, there aren’t a lot of issues,” she said.

Annie shared a story from her early years when her bus ran out of gas and two high school students ran to their homes for gas. There were no bus radios or cellphones. The students returned with gas, the bus started up, and the kids were delivered to their homes with hardly a delay. That wouldn’t happen today with modern technology, bus mechanics and security policies for students, and today’s buses do not use gasoline.

Another memory related to the annual senior day, when Annie drove her passengers to Dairy Queen.

Annie recalled driving kids and coaches to a game in Jasper, Ind., when her bus broke down. As this was before cellphones and bus radios, she walked to a nearby farm where she had seen a bus. The farmer let her use the bus to drive the kids home. 

Annie remembers the tornado that swept through the Southside in 2004. A lot of neighborhood roads were impassable; cellphone towers weren’t working and phone lines were down. Bus drivers returned students to their school where they waited for parents to pick them up. Later in the evening, bus drivers transported students to a central location set up at Perry Meridian High School for families to reunite. She transported students until 10:30 p.m. 

Annie noted that Perry Township has excellent drivers who care about kids. “I am proud to have worked with them. Everyday is different,” she said. “Take each day as it comes and build relationships. You have to show respect in order to receive it.

“Driving a bus for Perry Township has been my love,” Annie said.  “It was a great job to raise my family. It is a great life. I loved my job and I loved the kids. I have wonderful memories.”
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Annie, you will be dearly missed, but we celebrate you as you begin your retirement.

By Dr. Thomas Little
Superintendent of Perry Township Schools

I am an extremely fortunate person. The Lord has blessed me with a loving wife, three successful children and friends who are loyal. He has also extended me the privilege for the past nine years to serve Perry Township and the nearly 16,000 children who walk through the school doors every day as their superintendent.  

Life has been good to me, but sometimes there are curves thrown along the way that quickly remind you that you should be thankful for every day you are vertical and taking nourishment.  

Two weeks before the start of school I was experiencing weakness in my legs. After spending eight days in the hospital the doctors concluded that I was in the beginning stages of Guillain-Barre syndrome, which is a rare illness that attacks the nerve endings that connect muscles to your limbs. 

If an illness can have a positive outlook, there are many positive things about this ailment. The prognosis for full recovery is extremely optimistic. I am making good progress by exercising three times a day to build my strength. The physical therapist has tracked some impressive gains in strength returning to my legs.  

I am recovering at home but am placed on limited walking and use of stairs. This year was the first time in 40 years that I missed the opening day of school. There is something about the excitement of the first day that just sets the tone for the rest of the school year.

I have not been able to attend evening events and functions during the school day. I really miss walking down the halls of our schools and having the kids say hello. I believe it is so important that the individuals who are responsible for the operation of the school to have a direct connection to the children who are placed under our care by this community.

I will be on medical leave until the doctors tell me I am strong enough to return to the rigors of the position. I am fortunate to have seven board of education members who truly care about the welfare of their staff, including me. 

The board has advised me to focus on rest and recuperation, and I am following that advice. We have employed Associate Superintendent Patrick Mapes to serve as superintendent until I return. He understands the commitment that this community expects from its school officers.  

Mr. Mapes and I are philosophically, closely aligned. I am impressed because he has already purchased a home in Perry Township and attends events in my absence.  
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Enrollment is at a record high again this year as we have grown by almost 600 students. Achievement levels continue to rise and your children are behaving themselves. Life is good in Perry Township; I cannot wait to return.

By Dr. Thomas Little
Superintendent of Perry Township Schools

Perry Township Schools police are busy every day keeping our students and schools safe. As with any public servant, building relationships with the community and students is a vital part of their job. No matter the background, age or gender of individuals, these relationships help us to understand one another.  

The Perry police recently discussed ideas how to make an impact on students’ lives. The police wanted the students to know that they are people too, so they invited preschoolers to a tricycle-bicycle race.  

Since there is a little child in all of us, the officers thought a race would be a wonderful way to make a connection with the children. The officers packed up their bikes and took them to the track at Southport High School, and the preschoolers rode their tricycles to the track. Everyone took turns to race the officers: Alexandro Hernandez, Anthony McGavock, Tom Nolan, Lucas Quinlin and Sabrina Tharpe.

The children had a lot of fun interacting with the officers. The day was a huge success as the officers and students raced back and forth on their bikes. Even the principal participated. 

With a lot of smiles, high-fives and expressions of gratitude, this idea will now turn into an annual event. Our officers not only made a difference on this day but they made a positive and long-lasting impression on the children, one that will still be with them when they graduate from high school.  

The officers are professionals who are trained that communication skills are a key part of their job. By communicating with a person on their level and understanding that person, the officers can make a difference in students’ lives. This is not only true for public servants but all of as we go through life. 

Communicate with others, whether you know them or not, because you never know the difference those words or actions can make in a person’s life.