School briefs: Peru considering food pantry, more
Dec. 6—Food pantry being considered
Peru Community Schools will explore starting a food pantry for its students.
The decision comes at a time when one in eight students deals with hunger issues, according to Jessica Jones, a high school counselor.
There are 110 families enrolled in the weekend backpack program through the United Way of Miami County.
Jones said more than half of Peru students are economically disadvantaged. There are 25 homeless students in grades seven through 12. Jones said there could be more the school isn't aware of.
"I think it's something we can step in and fill a gap," she said.
Additionally, the few food pantries in Miami County have limited days and hours of operation, many of which are open only during the school day and not weekends.
Jones said there are grants available, if Peru schools goes ahead with a food pantry.
School officials will continue to research possibilities.
Ceres scholarship applications
In a continuing effort to support youth pursuing careers in agriculture, Ceres Solutions will offer $25,000 through scholarships to high school seniors and college students this spring. Students receiving the scholarships are selected based on their commitment to agricultural youth programs and their desire to pursue higher education.
Selection criteria emphasize involvement in agricultural youth groups such as 4-H and FFA. Applicants must be children or grandchildren of current cooperative members, entering their freshman year of college in the fall of 2024 and pursuing an agriculture-related field of study. Since committing to offering a scholarship program, Ceres Solutions has provided more than $275,000 in scholarships to local students.
Students interested in applying for these scholarships or learning more about Ceres Solutions are encouraged to visit the website at www.ceres.coop or contact David Smith at 260-571-6990.
Completed scholarship forms must be submitted by March 1.
Principal shake up at Peru
Blair Pointe Upper Elementary School is under new leadership.
Superintendent Jaime Cole named Daric Fuller as interim principal and Rob Martin as interim assistant principal Oct. 30.
The announcement marks the end of Abby Isenburg as school principal. Christ Snyder, assistant principal at Blair Pointe, was transferred to a different position at the junior-senior high school.
Cole did not comment on the reason for the shakeup when asked by the Tribune after a board meeting Nov. 20.
The superintendent did say that Fuller, who was teaching at the high school, and Martin were doing well in their new positions.
"They're really focused in on climate and culture," Cole said.
College sponsors Sieberling night
The Sieberling Mansion will have a free night open to the public Friday, thanks to Ivy Tech Kokomo.
The community college is sponsoring the free night. The event is 4-8 p.m.
With nearly two dozen areas of the Seiberling Mansion decked out for a proper Victorian holiday this year, Ivy Tech's display in the second-floor foyer salutes the theme "The Nutcracker Ballet" as part of the Howard County Historical Society's annual holiday festivities. Nutcrackers stand guard throughout the area as decorations adorn the trees that fill the foyer.
Ivy Tech alum and professor Bob Sucharski will star as Santa on the third floor of the Sieberling. He will be there from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Peru board OKs raises
Various Peru Community Schools employees are set for a pay raise.
This includes bus drivers, food service workers, IT techs, custodians and nurses.
Instead of across-the-board raises, increases were determined by looking at the wages of those employees at other area schools.
Superintendent Jaime Cole said the goal was to increase pay to a livable wage and offer a competitive salary.
Increases for food service workers raise their salaries to between $15/hour and $17.50/hour.
Custodians and IT techs got bumped up by $2/hour. For bus drivers, it was $1.50.
School nurses will get a $1,000 raise.
These raises put Peru schools somewhere in the middle of or above average of other area schools.
"We want to be a little bit above average," Cole said.
Vaping education offered
Peru Community Schools will partner with the Miami County Health Department to offer vaping education for students.
The curriculum is called CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) My Breath, an evidence-based program, that features peer-led discussion groups.
A representative with the local health department told the Peru School Board Nov. 20 the peer groups make it more likely children will take the messages against vaping to heart.
The Peru School Board signed off on the program, which is for students in fifth grade and above. It also includes education materials about vaping THC.
