From the Desk of Mr. Hoover:

Great Work Everyone!
As I am sure you know, we have earned the 4 Star recognition for the first time in almost a decade. This is the IDOE’s way of identifying those schools who are “hitting the target” in four areas. The criteria as defined by the IDOE and found on their website is: To earn the distinction, a school must be fully accredited by the Indiana State Board of Education, meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), and perform in the top 25 percent of all schools in the state in each of the following areas:

• I-STEP+ Percent Passing both English/LA and Math
• I-STEP+ Language Proficiency T-Score
• I-STEP+ Math Proficiency T-Score
• Attendance Rate

There were only 19 high schools that met these criteria, so this is quite an achievement.
How did we do this? The answer is: everyone did their job. Our students are learning, our staff is teaching, our support staff is contributing, and parents are assisting their child and our school. Although this may seem like a simple statement, it is obviously difficult to achieve (only 19 out of almost 400 high schools received 4 Star recognition). The difference is we have a community that cares. The students care if they are learning and preparing properly. The teachers care if the students are learning and if they are reaching each student. The parents care if their child is being prepared for life after high school and what they can do to support the school. Finally, we have a community as a whole that cares about what is going on in the schools. All of these factors must be in sync in order for this type of success to occur.
I appreciate all the hard work everyone has put forth in order to achieve this accomplishment, but I want us to continue to work hard to improve now and in the future. Our goal should now be to see if we can repeat this success in consecutive years. We need to understand that improving a little takes a lot of effort and we must continue to improve.
I am proud to work with such accomplished professionals and to serve such motivated students. Great work everyone!

Feed the Hungry

Can you imagine not knowing when or where your next meal is going to be? Do you know what it’s like to be homeless, wandering in the cold while carrying your child? Our goal is to help the less fortunate, struggling families in our community by supplying food for them. Rossville FCCLA members, C. Denham, E. Hurley, C. Gordon, and S. Stull are participating to help feed the less fortunate in our community. They have raised money to purchase food, and they cooked food to serve at the Lafayette Urban Ministry. About 50 people were served at the homeless shelter. In December, they served at the Ministry of Hope in Clinton County, an outreach of the Kokomo Rescue Mission. In addition, they have washed toys so that children would receive Christmas gifts. They have worked and donated their time for the “Bountiful Harvest” for needy families here in Rossville. Members provided childcare for families while they “shopped” at the “Harvest” for food and clothing. They have worked with Nurse Murphy and Rossville Lions Club to purchase Christmas gifts for the school’s Christmas Angel Program. This program buys gifts for the needy children in the Rossville are. Also in December, FCCLA held a Middle School Dance at which students gave canned goods for the Rossville Food Pantry.
 The girls are currently planning to hold another fundraiser called “Souper Bowl” the week prior to the Super Bowl. Listen to the announcements or check the school website at www.rcsd.k12.in.us for more details. FCCLA members are also going to be asked  to “Can the Principal” in which we are going to be asking the Middle School students to bring in as many canned food items as they can during Super Bowl week to fill up Mr. McCracken’s office so much that we can eventually we can kick him out! J
In other FCCLA news, please purchase Little Caesars pizza kits from FCCLA members between Jan19-Feb1 to fund their trip to State Leadership Conference. Look for more information on the school website or contact any FCCLA member as well as Mrs. Mosson, the FCCLA advisor. She can be reached at 765-379-2551 ext 242 or  emosson@rcsd.k12.in.us.

Thank you!
Rossville FCCLA

The Rossville FFA
Community and School Appreciation Breakfast
during FFA Week

Thursday, February 25th
School Cafeteria/Multi-purpose Room
6:30-8:00 am Buffet-style

Menu

Pancakes & Sausages
Biscuits and Gravy
Donuts
Coffee, Juice and Milk

Please join us for a time of food and fellowship as we say
“Thank You”
for all that you do for the Rossville FFA and our Community.

Some FFA Dates at a glance

• February 3 FFA State Degrees and Proficiencies are due postmarked, and February 15 FFA National Scholarships are due; the three Rossville FFA Scholarships are Due March 1.
• National FFA Week;

          Tuesday, 2/23 Drive Your Tractor to School Day
          Wednesday, 2/24 FFA Parliamentary Procedure Contest
          Thursday, 2/25 FFA Farmer/Teacher Breakfast 6:30-8a.m.
          Friday, 2/27 FFA Member Donut Day 7:30-8 am in the Ag Barn

• March 11 District FFA Leadership (speaking) Contests.

• March 16 Rossville FFA Member Auction from 7-8 pm.
• March 17 All day the Envirothon Regional Contest at Camp Buffalo 

• April 10 Rossville FFA Banquet in the Multi-purpose room, 6 pm
• April 6 or 7 State FFA Welding Contest
• April 14-16 The FFA helps with the SWCD Farm/Conservation Camp
• April 17 State Floriculture, Practical Forestry, and Nursery/Landscape Contest, State Ag Mechanics     Contest

• April 20 State Envirothon Contest
• April 29 Area Dairy and Livestock Contest
• May 1 State Horse Contest
• May 22 State Livestock Judging Contest & State Dairy Judging Contest

• June 14-16 State FFA Convention

FFA Scholarships
The Rossville FFA currently has three Scholarships available to graduating seniors in FFA; the FFA Advisory Committee Scholarship, the Rossville FFA Scholarship, and the Jeff Eller Memorial Scholarship, all of which are each $500 to $1000 scholarships (depending on Pastry Sales – this past year the scholarships were for $750).  We sold Pastries this past fall to supplement and add to these scholarships, and the Advisory Committee also sells cookies at events where there will be large crowds.  Next September we will be selling the frozen Pastries again – look for them; they taste good and they go for a great cause!  Also, coming soon . . .

BEEFHOUSE ROLLS!
The Rossville FFA Advisory Committee will be selling the ever famous and most delicious Beef House Rolls to add to their scholarship fund and to send another FFA Member on the Washington Conference Trip (last year the Advisory Committee sponsored Adrian Skiles for $800 for the trip).  There are two trays of six rolls per package (so a dozen rolls per package for $7.50).  The Committee will begin selling March 8, turn in orders by March 30, and delivery is April 5 (just in time for Easter!).  Contact Summer Noether, Karen Rodkey, Marna Huffer, Christina Griffin or any FFA Member.

If you want to donate to the FFA Advisory Committee Scholarship, or volunteer to help with anything FFA Advisory Committee related, Please contact the Advisory Committee Chairman;

Marna Huffer
8414 N CR ‘O’ EW
Frankfort, IN 46041

Seniors in FFA should also be filling out the National FFA Scholarship Form that has to be completed online.  This one form will make seniors eligible for hundreds of agriculturally related scholarships.  Please talk to Mr. Griffin if you are having any problems.  This scholarship is due to be finished and submitted by February 17, and Mr. Griffin has to complete a section.  Only two students have completed everything.

Guidance Department Chylene Price, Guidance Director

On January 6th the Guidance Dept held a financial aid meeting at Frankfort Senior High School with the other county schools.  At this meeting information was shared on filling out the FAFSA form, looking for student aid, and education loans.  Rossville parents/students were given a red folder filled with handouts and information about local scholarships available and frequently asked questions.  For those who did not attend the meeting Mrs. Clark gave each senior a folder.  If you haven’t seen this folder ask your student about it! 

Mark Your Calendars…Kickoff Your Future College Goal Sunday February 21, 2010 @ 2pm local time.
Get FREE help with your financial aid application.  Locations is Lafayette and Kokomo will be available, for more information call 1.800.992.2076 or visit www.CollegeGoalSunday.org .

Carroll County REMC would like to send one student to an all expense paid trip to Washington D.C. this summer.  The trip, known as the Indiana Cooperative Youth Tour to Washington D.C., is sponsored by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and Carroll County REMC.  The tour is June 10-17, 2010. Students will visit many landmarks and historical sites.  Deadline is February 26, 2010.  Applications are available in the Guidance Office.