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Crown Point High School 1500 S. Main St.
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Jan. 31, 2014
Crown Point, IN 46307
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Vol. 78 Issue 5
inklings@cps.k12.in.us
teach
PHOTO BY Amy Schuch
State Superintendent Glenda Ritz speaks with area school administrators today in the auditorium on a variety of educational hot topics. Ritz opposes key elements of REPA 3.
What it takes to
Proposed rules aim to lessen requirements for teacher licensing
BY DYLAN TAYLOR
editor-in-chief
All drivers need experience in the before receiving licenses. Nurses need prior training before being able to practice nursing. Even hairstylists require prior training to cut hair. Whether or not it requires classroom experience and training to teach or manage schools, however, has been a topic of discussion in Indiana. The “Rules for Educator Preparation and Accountability,” otherwise known as REPA, are up for their third revision—and teacher licensing standards are at the center of the debate. “(REPA 3) would include the adjunct teacher (rule), which really says that anyone with a 3.0 and a bachelor’s degree can become a teacher for five years without prior teaching experience,” State Superintendent Glenda Ritz said. See Teaching on page 3
PHOTO BY Maggie Gelon
Ritz is greeted by principal Chip Pettit. She addressed some members of the Indiana Association of School Principals as well as other administrators.
Severe weather impacts school schedule BY SHANNON ROSTIN
managing editor
It’s a snowy morning as students slide their way down icy roads to get to school on time. The first reaction may be an ugly tweet blaming whoever they deem responsible for not letting students stay home for the day. However, there is a much more indepth process in calling a snow day. “Our central office staff (superintendent, directors of human resources, transportation, and security) stays in touch with law enforcement and local transportation agencies as well as the national weather service, to gather information to make a decision based on student safety,” principal
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Our first and foremost consideration is the safety of our students and staff. - Emergency Weather School Closing Policy
Chip Pettit said. According to the school district’s website, “Our first and foremost consideration is the safety of our students and staff. We take a number of steps to ensure they have a safe trip to and from school.” This is a collaborative effort, taking into account the weather conditions and the way it effects transportation to school. “Director of transportation collabo-
rates with our buildings and grounds department, other local schools, police and fire departments, (and the) county highway department. The transportation director will confer with the superintendent about the information gathered. The superintendent makes the final decision,” Director of Transportation Karin Toth said. While student safety is of concern, the Emergency Weather School Closing Policy,
Sports
Feature Snow Science Learn how to make ice cream from snow
page 8
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See Winter Weather page 3
A&E
A whole lot of hoop-lah Boys and girls basketball improve season records pages
which can be found on www.cps.k12.in.us, states that parents have the final say in determining if it is safe for their child to come to school. Factors that are considered in the decision to cancel or delay school, according to the website include monitoring current conditions and forecasts, personnel on the street, ability to clear pathways, monitoring temperature, visibility and the coordination of sources. Safely transporting students, among other factors, is a major concern when monitoring weather conditions. This pertains to both student drivers and students
12 & 13
Smokin’ good barbeque Smokey’s Basement BBQ opens on the square
page 14