Connersville High School

During the 1906–07 school year, Dr. W. Otto Miessner established the very first public high school band in the U.S. right here at Connersville High School. Since that time, the Spartan Marching Band and Crimson Guard have continued a tradition of excellence each and every year. This year, they finished their marching season at the ISSMA Scholastic A State Prelims with a SILVER rating. A history of firsts...that's the Spartan Difference! Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

This past week, our Connersville FFA Chapter attended the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis. At the Convention, the Connersville FFA was ranked a THREE STAR CHAPTER! The 3 star chapter designation is the highest ranking a chapter can receive in the nation! Only 3-star chapters are eligible for National Premier Chapter Awards. Statewide and National Recognition...that's the Spartan Difference! Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

This week, 38 new individuals were inducted into the National Honor Society at Connersville High School. NHS was established in 1921 to promote high academic standards and character. By empowering, championing, and recognizing well-rounded students, NHS provides a values-based framework to elevate a culture of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. DID YOU KNOW? Our chapter, the Minnie Torr Chapter, was founded in 1924 and was only the 168th chapter in the United States. Today, there are over 15,000 chapters. A tradition of excellence...that's the Spartan difference. Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

IMPORTANT SCHOOL BUS SAFETY MESSAGE October 30th, 2024 Spartan Family, The Fayette County School Corporation has recently experienced an uptick in school bus stop arm violations. We love our children and their safety is our highest priority. Simply put, stop arm violations are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. In Indiana, it's illegal for drivers to pass a stopped school bus that has its red lights flashing and stop-arm extended. This applies to all roads except for motorists on a highway that is divided by a barrier, such as a concrete wall or grassy median. Fayette County School Corporation buses are equipped with stop arm cameras. Those who illegally pass a stopped school bus will be held accountable. Tickets have and will continue to be written. Violators could pay a fine of up to $10,000 or have their license suspended for up to 90 days for the first offense or up to a year for the second. We thank you for your continued help and support as we strive to protect our most precious assets...our children. Mr. Jeremy Duncan Superintendent, Fayette County School Corporation INDOT Guidelines Two-Lane Roadways If a school bus stops on a two lane road and the red flashing lights are activated and the stop arm is extended, all motorists MUST stop. Multi-Lane Roadways with NO Barrier between Lanes When a school bus stops on a multi-lane roadway without a barrier and the red flashing lights are activated and the stop arm is extended, all motorists MUST stop. Multi-Lane Roadway with a Grassy and/or Concrete Barrier When a school bus stops and the red flashing lights are activated and the stop arm is extended, only vehicles behind the bus MUST stop. Vehicles that are approaching from the opposite side are NOT required to stop, but should proceed with caution.

The Whitewater Career Center specializes in giving students the opportunity to learn by doing, gaining valuable durable skills while exploring potential career pathways. This is certainly true about our Culinary Arts program, where students run a restaurant daily and take part in events such as the city's "Farm to Table" event. They received high praise from our Mayor, Chad Frank: ""I want you both to know how well the students from the culinary program did at the Farm to Table event. The dessert they made was fabulous, and the kids worked hard the entire time cooking, plating, and serving." Thank you, Mayor Frank, and thank you Whitewater Career Center for your hard work building brighter futures for our students. Future-Focused Opportunities...that's the Spartan Difference! Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

Spartan Family, We are proud of you! You child's ATTENDANCE MATTERS! It's been a great first quarter of the school year in many ways, including attendance. Congratulations to Everton Elementary School for having the highest attendance percentage of the first grading period at 99.27%. Job well done! The state of Indiana provides us with robust, real-time data to help us keep a pulse of our student attendance. Here are a few things of note from this data: -Each and every school here at FCSC is currently above the state attendance average of 93.43%. With that said, our 95.91% total is below our Corporation goal for the school year of 96%. We can do it! -Our unexcused (no parent phone verification) absence percentage of 1.21% is below the state average of 3.32%. With that said, please remember that ALL absences should be verified by parents/guardians to avoid potential truancy/legal issues for your family. Let's work to get this number closer to 0! -Our current Corporation percentage of 95.61% is above our percentages from the past three years (92.54% in 23-24, 92.42% in 22-23, and 92.14% in 21-22). Awesome! THANK YOU for your continued help and support getting your child to school each day on time unless there is a verifiable and unavoidable reason to miss. We appreciate you! After all, if our children aren't at school, we miss them and can't teach them. Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

Please click the below link for information about changes to Fayette County School Corporation's online portal for lunch payment and free/reduced lunch applications. https://www.fayette.k12.in.us/article/1835919

The Food Pantry and Clothing Closet at LSP will be open Thursday, November 14th and 21st, 4-6pm.

In June, recent Connersville High School graduate Christina Caldwell was named the Indiana FFA State Secretary. This is the first time in 45 years that a Spartan has held a prestigious title in the state FFA office. During Christina's current year of service, which begins and ends at the annual State Convention, she will travel the state presenting seven three-day leadership conferences and speaking to an estimated 14,000 FFA members, supporters, and individuals involved in leadership and agriculture. Throughout her four years of membership in the national FFA organization, Christina has served in numerous leadership positions at the Chapter, District, and State level and won many different awards. She has previously held the positions of State Chorus President and District IX President, allowing her to serve on the State Executive Committee for three years. This made her the youngest member elected to this committee (13yo) and one of the longest serving student members on the committee.

Beginning October 28th, Linq connect will replace the parent portal, k12paymentcenter.com, to add money to your child's account. It will also replace lunchapplication.com for online meal applications. All meals at Little Spartans Preschool and all elementary schools are still free. CHS and CMS still have free breakfast. Students are determined by meal application at CHS and CMS for lunch meals. Linq Connect will let you track student accounts to see how they are spending their money, add money for meals or extras, and also fill out free and reduced applications. Please call the food service department if you have any questions, 765-825-7841.

Our next BUS DRIVER TRAINING COHORT begins the week of October 28th. We are looking for responsible and passionate individuals to join the Spartan Family as bus drivers, substitute bus drivers, and event drivers. Reach out today to inquire about and sign up for our upcoming PAID training opportunities. Fayette County can take you from start to finish earning your license (with the exception of tests to be taken at the BMV). We can also cover expenses related to CDL testing, Drug screening, and pay you $10/hr. for your time during training. Once licensed, bus driver compensation at FCSC is as follows: Daily Routes: $24.39/Hr. Sub Routes: $22.90/Hr. Spots are limited. Reach out to Darrell Drew at ddrew@fayette.k12.in.us or 765-827-0891 to reserve your place today!

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT APRIL (McDIVITT) SCHILLING Eighteen women were named to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame's 2024 Silver Anniversary Team. Among those inductees was former Connersville Spartan April (McDivitt) Schilling. During her Spartan career, April was named 1999 Miss Basketball and named an Indiana All-Star. The awards didn't stop there as she also received All-American honors from the WBCA and was named a finalist for the Naismith Award that honors the National Player of the Year. She was also named Second Team All-USA by USA Today and First Team All-State by the AP. She also holds the Connersville school records for career points (1,908), assists (554), steals (446), field goals (673) and three-point field goals (271). If that wasn't enough, she led her team to three 20-win seasons and won the 1995 Hall of Fame Classic. April played collegiately at the University of Tennessee for three seasons and appeared in two Final Fours with the Lady Vols. During her first two years in Knoxville, she played alongside WNBA legend Tamika Catchings. She transferred to UC Santa Barbara for her final year of eligibility during the 2003-04 season and led UCSB to the sweet sixteen for the first time in school history. The WNBA veteran played for the New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx and Washington Mystics during her career. She has also been a coach for many teams at different levels, including spending time as an assistant for the Indiana Fever. Traditions of Excellence...that's the Spartan Difference! Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

UPDATED SUBSTITUTE TEACHER PAY! Do you have a heart for service and some extra time in your schedule? If so, we need you! As a substitute, you have the flexibility to work the days you want, serve in the buildings or grade levels you choose, and make a difference in the lives of children. Contact FCSC today for more information (chowe@fayette.k12.in.us) or apply today at: HTTPS://WWW.APPLITRACK.COM/FAYETTEK12/ONLINEAPP/ $85.00/DAILY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/GED/HSE OR AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE $95.00/DAILY BACHELOR DEGREE/MILITARY SERVICE $110.00/DAILY RETIRED TEACHER OTHER INCENTIVES: • $30.00 FOR ATTENDING ORIENTATION AND SUBBING FOUR (4) TIMES • $130.00 FOR SUBBING 25 OR MORE MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS • $50.00 FOR USING SMART PHONE APP TO RETRIEVE AT LEAST 12 SUBSTITUTE TEACHER JOBS • REIMBURSEMENT OF UP TO $100.00 (LICENSING, CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK), AFTER COMPLETING 10 SUBSTITUTE TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS • MEAL TICKET – ONE GIVEN EACH SEMESTER (GOOD FOR 10 MEALS)

At the Fayette County School Corporation, we put a premium on staff professional growth in order to best serve our children. Sometimes, this means learning from other school districts! Today, our awesome Spartan Learning Center (SLC) team visited Winchester Community High School to see their innovative P-Tech Program in action. The program focuses on strong community and industry partnerships, project-based learning, and providing opportunities for students to learn in authentic, hands-on ways. Thank you Winchester Community High School for hosting our team! That's the Spartan Difference! Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

CONGATULATIONS to the Spartan Boy's Soccer Team on their recent Sectional Championship and best of luck this Thursday as they compete in the Regional Semi-Final against Indianapolis Bishop Chatard here at CHS. Spartan Nation...we need you loud and proud on Thursday cheering on our guys! Tickets may be purchased in advance through EventLink and are $10. We ask that all spectators park in the Fieldhouse parking lot. https://ihsaa.eventlink.com/Tickets?l=Connersville+MS%2FHS+%28Spartan+Field%29&fbclid=IwY2xjawF7s8lleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHavKG3pZbwJMKyTkkp4QtzrWUSu8IURhWIP9ZVTf5aesTaiUXM0odgSyGA_aem_jtXH80Kh49zKht4czKlFVw&c=Soccer+%28Boys%29

BEGINNING MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2024 Parents and Guardians, In our continued efforts to enhance convenience and simplify your lives, we have partnered with LINQ to implement LINQ Connect. This innovative platform is designed to improve the way you make payments for various school-related expenses, including: •School lunches • Apply for free and reduced benefits and more To register for LINQ Connect and start enjoying its benefits, please visit your app store and download the app or visit https://www.linqconnect.com and click “Register” to create your account. Convenience: With LINQ Connect, you can make payments anytime, anywhere, using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Say goodbye to writing checks or sending cash. Easy Account Management: The platform provides a user-friendly interface for managing your account, tracking history, and setting up automatic payments for recurring expenses. Secure Transactions: LINQ Connect utilizes advanced security measures to ensure that your personal and payment information are protected at all times. Real-Time Updates: Receive instant notifications and updates regarding your child's account balance, upcoming payments, and any changes to scheduled activities or events. If you have any questions or need assistance at any point during the registration process or while using LINQ Connect, please do not hesitate to reach out to the LINQ Connect support team at support@linqconnect.com or 844-467-4700. For faster response, try the new online web chat support feature at linqconnect.com. Thank you, Chartwells Food Service/Fayette County Schools

October 9, 2024 To Whom It May Concern: School administration at the Fayette County School Corporation and Connersville High School have been made aware of alleged racial slurs used during an athletic contest toward our student-athletes. We have conducted a thorough investigation of the allegations and have reported the results to both the IHSAA and the other school involved. In addition to providing this information, we have offered our complete support on the next steps toward restitution. The Fayette County School Corporation is deeply saddened by these allegations. As an organization rooted in the belief that all individuals are innately created equal regardless of differences, such alleged incidents bring about pain and disappointment for all of us. The use of racial slurs or other derogatory comments in any context are hurtful, offensive, and simply put, unacceptable. At the Fayette County School Corporation, we are committed to fostering an environment of respect, inclusion, dignity, and love for all students and staff. As your Superintendent, I expect all members of our school community, as well as those that we compete against on the field or court of play, to uphold these standards to ensure a safe and supportive environment for everyone. With this said, it is very important to remember that we are working with young, impressionable individuals. We, as the Spartan community, have an obligation to be examples and carriers of the very things that we hold near…kindness, goodness, and understanding of different perspectives. Please keep these things in mind as we work to find healing, not hatred, on our path forward. Respectfully, Jeremy Duncan Superintendent Fayette County School Corporation

Congratulations to our very own Hayden Steele for being a nominated for the prestigious Beck's Player with Heart Award! From Becks: Hayden Steele was nominated as a Beck’s Player with Heart for her commitment and passion on and off the court. The thing she loves most about high school sports is how they are constantly pushing her to be better. Whether that is being a better person, friend, or dancer, the coaches and the sport help her grow. Hayden loves this about her team because it translates into her other passions such as showing pigs and cattle and being an FFA officer. She is involved in the class council, the dance team, and FFA. When she is not dancing, Hayden volunteers at all gleaner events in her county and runs many charity events through her officer position in her FFA chapter. She is also heavily involved in 4-H, where she helps with their cattle association. Agriculture is everything to Hayden. It is the food that she eats, the clothes she wears, and the labor she puts forth in her life. Hayden would like to go to Purdue to either get a degree in elementary education or veterinary science. Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

What a season! And, we aren't done yet. Your Connersville Spartans are IHSAA Boy's Tennis Sectional Champions! JV 13-0 Varsity 18-2 Connersville Invitational Champs Conference Champs (7-0) 3peat Sectional Champs

Best of luck to the Spartan Marching Band & Guard today in the ISSMA Scholastic Prelims at Whitelqnd Community High School! Go Spartans!