West AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE WEST NOBLE SCHOOL CORP.
SUMMER 2021
Color run celebrates WNP staff, friends
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
These runners took part in the annual Ligonier Color Run May at Kenney Park. The event is in celebration of the memories West Noble Primary friends and staff members who have died. Honored were Nancy Howell, Troy Riser, Ethan and Shawn Kiser, Barb Miller and Carol Rose.
Welcome back to West Noble Primary The staff at West Noble Primary School hopes you had a great summer and are now ready to get back to school. We had a great year at WNP and are ready to improve even more in the upcoming school year. Our custodial staff has worked very hard to prepare our building for the start of the 2021-22 school year. They have set the tone with a fresh coat of paint and a shine on the floors:Way to go Nick Gaff, Cindy Staton, and Tim Records! We look forward to serving your child as a whole person. We care for them from an educational side with great programs such as Pre and Post Assessments, Guided Reading, Guided Math, Tier 1, 2, & 3, Grapeseed, and Leader in Me. We also focus on the physical wellness of your child.We have a fitness club with 50, 100, and 150 mile club levels. Each level earns awards with the 150 mile club members receiving shoes. We were unable to have this program in 2020/21, but we look forward to bringing it back. :) Look for the Charger Mile papers to come home sometime in September. WNP will compete against other schools in a 1000 meter run at the WNHS. We are defending champions!
WNP believes in the power of kindness. Our first grade classrooms will go on several “Kindness Missions”. Look for them out in the community doing “The Right Thing” for others! Come see us in our Annual Kindness Parade! This year, ask your child about Tiering. They will receive on level instruction based on Common Assessments. This will enable your child to work toward grade level or be enriched. The goal is to assure that all students have mastered the critical standards, represented on WNP’s Standards Based Report Card, before moving on to the next level. Our newest program is Leader in Me. This program will focus on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Ms. Juday will be heading up the program and her lessons will stress the habits to make staff and students more effective at WNP! The lessons will be built on these 7 habits: 1. Be Proactive 2. Begin with the End in Mind 3. Put first things first 4. Think Win – Win 5. Seek first to understand, Then to be understood 6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the saw Our Meet the Teacher/Back to School Night will be Thursday, August 12th from 5-7 p.m. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet your child’s teacher as well as other staff and look over West Noble Primary School. There will be games, food, and music for all to enjoy! Your child can have their picture taken with our Charger Mascots or pick a face painting picture. Make plans now to come as we look forward to an exciting 2021-22 school-year at West Noble Primary School! Your child’s supplies will be $5 for kindergarten and $5 for first grade. Please send the money with your child on the first day of school. In addition, there will be a list of other supplies, found online, for your child to bring on the first day. Great things are happening at West Noble Primary School! This is due to a great staff that is willing to work with you as a parent to help your child reach their fullest potential. Please feel free to come visit us. We look forward to working with you!
#UNCOMMON Brian Shepherd, Principal West Noble Primary School
Register your students for the 2021-22 school year
SHERYL PRENTICE
Students arrive early Friday morning at West Noble Primary School for their first day of classes in the 2020-21 school year.
Welcome back to West Noble Elementary School We are eagerly anticipating the start of a new school year. A new school year means welcoming new students, reconnecting with returning students, and a new sense of excitement and enthusiasm. This new year will be especially exciting as we look forward to doing many of the activities we have done in the past. The start of the year is also a time to build new relationships. We believe that the most important thing we can do as a school is to build strong connections. We strive to build connections with students, families, and each other that will create a culture of belonging, caring, and learning. We believe that strong relationships are the key to creating a school environment that will help our students learn, grow, and be successful. We will be kicking off the 2021-2022 school year with a “Back to School”
Open House in August. It will be held on August 12 from 4-5:30 p.m. This will be an opportunity for our kids and families to meet their teachers, bring their school supplies, and know where to go on the first day of school. West Noble Elementary’s school hours will be 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.. The school day officially starts at 7:45 a.m. Our first bus dismissal will be at 2 p.m. with the second bus dismissal at 2:10 p.m. Student drop off/pickup will, like last year, be at the back of the school. Students may be dropped off before school from 7:30-7:45 a.m. and picked up after school from 2-2:25 p.m. We truly appreciate your involvement and support for your kids and West Noble Elementary. Together we can create a safe, caring, and welcoming learning environment that provides the best education for every student!
Stewart, Brimner, Peters & Company
Serving The West Noble School Corp. 3702 Rupp Dr. P.O. Box 5577 Fort Wayne, IN 46895 Phone (260) 482-6900 Fax (260) 482-7305 Page 2
Jason Brimner, CPCU
Also in Kendallville, Stewart, Brimner, Peters & Company 260-347-1352
What you need to know for 2021-2022: If you have a returning West Noble student, log in to Skyward Family Access to register for the coming new year 2021-2022. If you have a new student and ALSO have Family Access in Skyward, please log in to enroll your new student through Family Access. If you are a NEW STUDENT at West Noble, please use the link on our website. Website address: westnoble.k12.in.us Click on “Register a Student” then “New Student Enrollment Portal.”
EOE Statement •
The West Noble School Corporation is committed to equal opportunity. It is an “Equal Opportunity Employer” and does not discriminate on the basis age, race, color, religion, sex, handicapping conditions, disability, or national origin, including limited English proficiency, in any employment opportunity. If you have experienced discrimination you should make written inquiries about procedures that are available for consideration of complaints. Complaints alleging such discrimination should be directed to: Superintendent of West Noble School Corporation 5050 N. US Highway 33 Ligonier, IN 46767-9606 Phone: 260-894-3191 CTE Courses available through West Noble School Corporation include Agriculture, Various Computer Applications, Family and Consumer Science, Cooperative Education, Culinary Arts Career, Education and Early Childhood Careers, Emergency Medical Services, Automotive, Introduction to Health Care Systems, Law Enforcement, Construction, Cosmetology, Printing/Graphic Design, Machine Tool, Project Lead the Way, Radio & TV Broadcasting, and Welding. Pre-requisites for each course vary and are available by contacting West Noble High School.
Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Welcome back to West Noble Middle School BY STEVE GARBACZ
sgarbacz@kpcmedia.com
Welcome to West Noble Middle School! We look forward to having you with us for the 2021-2022 school year. We believe that middle school should be awesome, and we work hard to create exciting experiences for our students. In addition to our challenging and interactive classrooms, our students also enjoy activities such as the Homecoming Dance, STAR Parties, special ILEARN week activities, and Spring Fling. We also offer a wide range of music classes, sports and after-school clubs! We are excited to continue programs such as the Charger Reading Challenge, Achieve 3000, 5th Grade BizTown, 6th Grade Outdoor School
5th Grade
• Earbuds or Headphones
(to remain at school) • 2 boxes tissues • 24 count of #2 pencils • Colored pencils (Any size of 12 or more) • 200 ct. Loose leaf lined paper • Dry erase markers (8 pack) • Dry erase eraser or sock • Scissors • 1 glue stick • 2 rolls of Scotch tape • Erasers (cap or pink) • Highlighter • 3 composition notebooks (100 page) • 2 pocket folders • Ruler • Gym shoes • Water bottle • 2 black Sharpie markers (art) • 1 fine tip, 1 ultra fine tip • Colored markers (art) • Sketchbook (art)
6th Grade
• 1 box of tissues • 4 dry erase markers • Scotch tape (for math teacher) • 24 #2 pencils • red pens • 1 box of 12 colored pencils • 1 glue stick • 4 composition notebooks • pencil box • earbuds or headphones
(to remain at school) • gym shoes
and student recognition programs such as the Charger Character Awards, the NJHS Induction Ceremony and Athletic Awards. We have also invited our Paw Patrol canines to come back to join us this year! Middle school is a terrific time to make new friends and try new things! Our students help us to make WNMS the best it can be, and we continue to listen to their suggestions for improvements to our school. Our students credit our staff as being the best thing about the middle school. We are here to help you and can’t wait for you to join us! Welcome Back!
Mrs. Tijerina, Mrs. Bradley, and Mr. Teel WNMS Administrative Team
Opening Day Information • Back to School Night (open house) — Monday, Aug. 9 6-8 p.m. • First Student Day — Friday, Aug. 13 • School begins at 8:45 a.m. • School ends at 3:20 p.m. • Student schedules can be picked up at Back to School Night or viewed on Skyward in early August. • Check our school website for updates!
West Noble Middle School Supply List •
• water bottle • 2 Highlighters • 2 Erasers (Cap or Pink) • 2 black Sharpie markers (art) • 1 fine tip, 1 ultra fine tip • Colored markers (art) • Sketchbook (art)
7th Grade
• 3 composition notebooks • erasers • 4 Pocket Folders • Earbuds (to remain at school) • 24 #2 pencils • highlighters Yellow and Pink • 1 box of 12 colored pencils • 1 box of tissues • Scotch tape • Water bottle • Ruler • Glue stick • Scissors
8th Grade
• 1 box of tissues • colored pencils w/ hand held
sharpener • highlighters (2) • #2 pencils (24) • eraser • 3-ring binder (science) • 4 spiral notebooks • earbuds (to remain at school) • $5 class dues • water bottle
5th Grade
• audifonos para guardar en la escuela • 2 cajas de kleenex
• 24 lapices #2 • lapices de colores (12 or mas) • paquete de papel de hojas sueltas
(200 o más) • marcadores de borrado en seco (8 pack) • borrador de pizarra seco o calcetín • tijeras • pegamento de palo • 2 rollos de cinta adhesiva • borradores • resaltadores • 3 cuadernos de composición de 100 páginas • 2 carpetas con bolsillo • regla • 2 marcador permanente de negro (para arte) • 1 punta fina, 1 punta ultra fina • marcadores de colores (para arte) • el cuaderno de bocetos (para arte) • botella para agua • zapatos para gimnasio
6th Grade
• 1 caja de kleenex • 4 marcadores de borrado en seco • rollos de cinta adhesiva
transparente • 24 lapices #2 • pluma roja • lapices de colores (12 or mas) • palo de pegamento • 4 cuadernos de composición • caja para guardar lápices • audifonos para guardar en la escuela • zapatos de gimnasio • botella para agua
Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
• 2 borradores rosas • resultadores • 2 marcador permanente de negro
(para arte) • 1 punta fina, 1 punta ultra fina • marcadores de colores (para arte) • el cuaderno de bocetos (para arte)
7th Grade • 3 cuadernos de composición • borradores • 4 carpetas con bolsillo • audifonos para guardar en
la escuela • 24 lapices #2 • resaltador amarillo and rosa • lapices de colores (12 or mas) • 1 caja de kleenex • rollos de cinta adhesiva transparente • pegamento de palo • botella para agua • tijeras • regla
8th Grade • 1 caja de kleenex • 2 resaltadores • lapices de colores (12 or mas) • sacapuntas • 24 lapices #2 • borradores • 4 cuaderno spiral (social studies) • botella de agua • audifonos para guardar en
la escuela • carpeta de tres anillos (ciencias) • $5 (cuotas de clase)
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Welcome back to West Noble High School Dear Parents and Community, Welcome back! The start of school is fast approaching, and I couldn’t be more excited for this new year. For some, I may be a familiar face. For those that don’t know me, I’d like to introduce myself. I’m from Wilmot, and I am an alumni of West Noble. After college, I taught social studies at Westview for 11 years. I became assistant principal at West Noble high school in 2011 and enjoyed that role for 7 years. Since then, I was the junior high principal at Westview and assistant principal at Warsaw Community High School. I’ve been blessed to work at three amazing schools, and I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned back home. I know the last school year was a struggle for everyone, and for some, the effects are still there. Our goal at the high school is to make sure all students feel welcome and connected and to ensure they know they are an important part of our West Noble family. We have big plans and goals in place, and I know 2021-2022 is going to be a great year. I look forward to meeting our freshman class at orientation and to seeing our students back in the building on the first day. Go Chargers! WNHS Back to School Information Athletes, please make sure you have a physical turned in so you can start on time. A meeting for fall athletes and their parents will be held on August 5th at 5:00 PM in the high school blue seats. The cutoff for schedule changes is August 9th. Remember, a form with a parent signature must be filled out before that date.
The high school will hold a freshman orientation August 12th from 6:00-8:00 PM. There will be a meeting for parents at 7:00 PM. Students and parents may feel free to come in before or after to find their classes, meet administrators and teachers, and participate in a drawing. Upperclassmen may feel free to come in and walk their schedules as well. The first day of school is August 13th, and school hours will remain the same: 8:45 AM -3:20 PM. Student drivers: If you recently got your driver’s license or changed cars, please make sure you purchase a parking permit or update your information. This can be done during freshman orientation or during lunch. The cost of a permit is $5. Dear Parents and Community, Welcome back! The start of school is fast approaching, and I couldn’t be more excited for this new year. For some, I may be a familiar face. For those that don’t know me, I’d like to introduce myself. I’m from Wilmot, and I am an alumni of West Noble. After college, I taught social studies at Westview for 11 years. I became assistant principal at West Noble high school in 2011 and enjoyed that role for 7 years. Since then, I was the junior high principal at Westview and assistant principal at Warsaw Community High School. I’ve been blessed to work at three amazing schools, and I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned back home. I know the last school year was a struggle for everyone, and for some, the effects are still there. Our goal at the high school is to make sure all students
feel welcome and connected and to ensure they know they are an important part of our West Noble family. We have big plans and goals in place, and I know 2021-2022 is going to be a great year. I look forward to meeting our freshman class at orientation and to seeing our students back in the building on the first day. Go Chargers!
Amanda Nine West Noble High School Principal
WNHS Back to School Information Athletes, please make sure you have a physical turned in so you can start on time. A meeting for fall athletes and their parents will be held on August 5th at 5:00 PM in the high school blue seats. The cutoff for schedule changes is August 9th. Remember, a form with a parent signature must be filled out before that date. The high school will hold a freshman orientation August 12th from 6:00-8:00 PM. There will be a meeting for parents at 7:00 PM. Students and parents may feel free to come in before or after to find their classes, meet administrators and teachers, and participate in a drawing. Upperclassmen may feel free to come in and walk their schedules as well. The first day of school is August 13th, and school hours will remain the same: 8:45 AM -3:20 PM. Student drivers: If you recently got your driver’s license or changed cars, please make sure you purchase a parking permit or update your information. This can be done during freshman orientation or during lunch. The cost of a permit is $5.
All students eligible to receive free meals Notice: Free Meals for All Students The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved all schools to offer free lunch to all students regardless of income. Those schools that offer breakfast will be able to offer free breakfast to all students as well. This means students will receive their meals for FREE for the 2021/2022 school year. Some things to keep in mind: Students must take the required components to make a reimbursable meal in order for it to be free. How students make a reimbursable meal will be posted/displayed in the cafeteria or Page 4
during meal delivery. The cashier or other school staff will help students take a full reimbursable meal. If students purchase extras (such as a bottled drink) available in the serving line, a la carte (such as a singular milk or entree), snacks from vending machines, etc.,the student will be charged for these items. If your student intends to purchase items other than a meal, please make sure there are adequate funds on their account. Nothing needs to be sent to the school in order to have a student receive meals for free. Free meals are automat-
ically offered to all students regardless of income. Families that believe they would qualify for free and reduced meals normally, should still submit a free meal application as this can help with qualifying for other assistance programs for the family and student. Benefits from completing applications stretch far beyond the cafeteria and impact students in the classroom and at home. All information submitted in these applications is private and confidential. Applications are available on West Noble’s website under “Services”.
Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Former WNHS prinicpal takes over lead at Lakeland BY SHERYL PRENTICE
sprentice@kpcmedia.com
LIGONIER — An education career forged, then shaped, at West Noble High School is propelling Principal Greg Baker to new heights soon. Baker will become superintendent July 1 at Lakeland School Corporation in LaGrange. As he leaves the nest at West Noble, Baker is reflecting on what he will miss most. “The students,” he said. “We have a great bunch of kids. I never say ‘I’m going to work.’ I always say, ‘I’m going to school. It’s the relationships with the kids.” Baker didn’t take the direct route into education and it took him a while to figure out what his life’s work would be. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps right out of high school, serving four years before his discharge. After that, he worked at various construction jobs, RV factories and other jobs to try to figure out what he wanted to do. That all changed suddenly at a workplace in Millersburg. “I just stopped and said, ‘What am I doing?’” Baker said. He turned to a favorite teacher, Mr. Freisner, his eight-grade history teacher, for advice. Baker had always enjoyed the subject of history in school, so his teacher suggested he take a couple of college classes to see whether teaching would be a good fit. Baker took several classes at IPFW, then quit his job to attend college full-time. The discipline he learned as a Marine served him well in his studies. He earned a master’s degree in administration at IPFW. Baker has spent his entire career in education at West Noble. He was a social studies teacher for five years and a wrestling coach. He was assistant principal at the high school for six years before moving into the principal’s office 10 years ago. He became principal as he was near the halfway point of his master’s degree program. It was another mentor, former superintendent Dennis VanDyne, who planted the seeds for a doctoral degree. He approached Baker in 2010 to suggest that the principal get his doctorate. “I learned from him what an impact you can have as a superintendent,” Baker said. The doctoral program was a challenge for Baker, who had two young
SHERYL PRENTICE
Greg Baker sits in his office at West Noble High School in the waning days of his tenure as West Noble High School principal. He will become superintendent of Lakeland School Corporation in LaGrange on July 1.
daughters at home. He earned his Ph.D. at Purdue University, West Lafayette. “Classes were online, and on campus sometimes,” Baker said. “I set my clock for 2 a.m. and would get up to do my work” so that it didn’t cut into time with his family. Another factor with the Lakeland position is timing. Baker’s favorite school event is graduation. This year, it’s even more so, as his twin daughters are graduating from West Noble. One will attend Indiana University; the other is going to Purdue. As principal, Baker gets to present the diplomas. The task of pronouncing the graduates’ names falls to the assistant principal. As assistant principal, he practiced the pronunciations before commencement, often asking students about the correct way to say their names. Baker said he’s enjoyed the relationships he’s built with students, striking a balance between being approachable and establishing appropriate boundaries.
“We are not friends. My first name is ‘Doctor’ or ‘Mister’ to you,” he said. He has great satisfaction in seeing his former students and wrestling athletes mature into productive and responsible adults. One of his wrestlers later became a West Noble school resource officer. Baker acknowledges that the pandemic has been tough on students, who missed many 2020 events that would make memories any other year. The shutdown last spring denied students the chance to engage in activities and with each other. “I love to see students enjoying the prom, the Theater33 productions, the band concerts, the games,” he said. “It’s (the pandemic) a little like the Blizzard of ’78 for those of us who remember it. We remember it all our lives.” There were dark times during Baker’s tenure at West Noble, too. The deaths of students or faculty members weigh especially hard, so Baker tries to use those experiences to make students stronger. “When I think about the students we’ve lost, it’s a stark reminder of how short life can be,” he said. Baker is preparing for the June 4 graduation ceremony for 144 graduates as his last official act as principal. He’s excited that the 7 p.m. ceremony on the gymnasium’s main floor will be in person, and that each student will have a limited number of family members present to keep the capacity within guidelines. “Graduation is important for the families to watch their son or daughter graduate,” he said. I’m glad that we’re able to have that.” After that, Baker will spend June cleaning out his office and transitioning to his new space at Lakeland. One key element he will take along is his own talent for hiring people who bring skills and talents to the table that he says he doesn’t have. “The key is to hire the best possible people you can get,” Baker said. “Their strengths will complement your weaknesses.” Baker said he was influenced by a book called “The Good Degree” that former superintendent VanDyne recommended he read. The book used the analogy of passengers on a bus. “If you get the right people in the right seat,” he said, “You blossom because you are where you’re supposed to be.”
Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Theatre33 hones skills during pandemic shutdown BY SHERYL PRENTICE
sprentice@kpcmedia.com
LIGONIER — Live theater performances — from high schools across the country to the lights of Broadway — came to a screeching halt a year ago when the coronavirus pandemic hit the nation. The very nature of stage productions, with actors interacting close together onstage and audiences packed tightly together in the house seats, created an ideal environment for transmitting the virus. West Noble’s high school club, Theatre33, has tried to keep its 20-30 student members engaged in learning theater skills, even without the usual shows, through activities such as table reads of scripts and improvisational games. Theatre33’s students are especially dedicated to their craft with their time and talent because the club is an extracurricular activity, not a class for Page 6
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
Lilly Klein, Anna Wines, Isaac Porter, Ethan Wilkins, and Ryan Stump, from left, play “Party Guest,” an improvisational game, on the stage at West Noble High School. The school’s theater club meets after school to practice and learn improvisational skills.
credit. Theater arts classes at many high schools are part of the curriculum. Club sponsor Amy Dreibelbis said the club meets once or twice a week,
working around the students’ schedules for studying, jobs and sports. Even before the pandemic hit, students committed their time on Saturdays to build sets for productions and rehearsals during after-school hours. “We had no idea what to do” when the pandemic canceled everything, “ Dreibelbis said. “Most schools had to postpone their shows or cancel them. Carroll (High School) did one show, but only parents could attend.” Theatre33 bears a financial cost for the loss of its productions. The club depended on proceeds from each show’s ticket sales to fund the next production. In the past, students parked cars and performed in re-enactments for the Stone’s Trace Pioneer Festival to earn extra money, but that festival was canceled in 2020. Another popular fundraiser, a pizza buffet, also was canceled in 2020.
Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
SEE THEATRE33, PAGE A7
THEATRE33 FROM PAGE A6
The actors, especially seniors, suffered disappointment, too. They anticipated playing lead roles in the 2020 shows, because it was finally their turn to shine. Some of them looked forward to doing interviews if they captured a lead role, Dreiblebus said. Dreibelbis is hoping to schedule public improvisation sessions or open mic nights, all properly masked and social distanced, so that students have some opportunity to perform. “I felt bad for the 2020
seniors because there was no closure,” Dreibelbis said. “And the 2021 season is in limbo, too.” The health of cast members is also a factor in planning for a show. Casts are often small in the number of actors, and there’s no safety net if they get sick. “It’s not like sports. There’s no bench of understudies waiting to go on,” Dreibelbis said. Theatre33 is accepting financial donations for its future productions. Contact Dreibelbis at dreibelbisa@westnoble. k12.in.us to make a contribution. Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Lylah McNamara, Jasmin Gibson, Sierra, and Makayla Withrow, from left, pose with Theatre33’s giant greeting card, created for the Kendallville Parks Department’s large Christmas card display in Bixler Lake Campground. The West Noble theater club has participated in the holiday display for several years. Page 7
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Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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C.H.A.R.G.E Club
Members of West Noble Primary school’s C.H.A.R.G.E Club (Children’s Hands And Reading Get Entwined) are shown with their books. Members read “Pete the Cat Falls for Autumn” and made glittery autumn leaves for an art project. The second book was “Snowmen at Night” with an art project of découpaging a snowman napkin onto a jar. The Ligonier American Legion and Ligonier Rotary Club donated funds to support the club.
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
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Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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Chargers make grid season in sectional opener BY KEN FILLMORE
kfillmore@kpcmedia.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: With a new school year and new sports season approaching, KPC Media Group sportswriters took time to recall some of their favorite events from 2020-21. This is part of the series. It was a tough season for West Noble’s football team in 2020 after having one of its best seasons ever in 2019. But in a struggling season, you can make your season in one game. A lot of times, it can happen against a neighborhood rival, whether it be in the same county, the same city or the same school district. A lot of times, it can be accomplished in the postseason. The Chargers did just that in their first sectional game they hosted John Glenn on Oct. 23. West Noble held the Falcons to 89 yards of total offense in winning the contest 14-0 to advance to the Class 3A Sectional 26 semifinals against Jimtown. It was clearly an upset. The Chargers got their second win of the season against a John Glenn team that ended up 4-6. I thought this was a winnable game for West Noble on the days leading up to kickoff after looking at statistics and results. I told Fred Inniger that on the Hawk Sports Talk program on WAWK radio (95.5 FM, Kendallville, and 94.3 FM Auburn) prior to the sectional openers. Glenn struggled offensively based on what I found. It only scored more than 20 points twice, and that was in its first two games of the season, which were both victories. The Falcons did beat Jimtown 10-7
FILE PHOTO KEN FILLMORE
West Noble quarterback Kolby Knox (15) runs the football all the way to the end zone as Charger running back Peter Bradley gets out in front as a blocker during the first quarter of a Class 3A sectional first-round game in Ligonier against John Glenn on Oct. 23, 2020. The Chargers went on to their biggest win of the season defeating the Falcons 14-0.
early in the season. But the result that really caught my eye in their regular season was a 15-6 win at South Bend Clay on Oct. 9. The week before, I saw Clay provide no resistance when it mattered against an Angola team that was short-handed due to COVID-19 issues with the Hornet junior varsity team where some starters and other role players on the varsity were in close contact and could not play for a couple of weeks. Angola led the Colonials 42-0 with 53 seconds gone in the second quarter and went on to win 49-0.
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It was a rebuilding situation for West Noble after they graduated its strong 2020 class, led by a couple of its all-time greats in Brandon Pruitt and Josh Gross. Then the Chargers were hit hard by injuries early and often to start last season. Proven lineman Jeremyah James, an All-Area selection in 2019, suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 1 home loss to Central Noble. Nine Chargers were sidelined by season-ending injuries when the sectional rolled around. Not one senior started on defense against the Falcons. West Noble had to keep it simple to give themselves a chance. Run the ball, run the clock, take care of the ball. A couple of first downs are better than nothing and will help tilt field position. Led by Braxton Pruitt and Peter Bradley, the Charger defense forced three John Glenn turnovers in the first half and held the Falcons to 24 yards of total offense in the second half. West Noble scored both touchdowns on relatively short fields. After Charger freshman Nolan Parks picked off sophomore quarterback Aden Johnson, West Noble scored 29 yards and seven plays later on a 1-yard plunge by quarterback Kolby Knox with 7 minutes, 8 seconds left in the first quarter. West Noble recovered an onside kick to open the second half, and the game was in John Glenn territory for much of the third quarter. Bradley broke loose for a 33-yard touchdown run with 4:18 left in the stanza. Brayden Barth made both extra-point kicks. “We knew it was going to take awhile before it culminated into something like this,” Chargers coach Monte Mawhorter said after the game. “This was a big step. “Bradley stepped up. He never left the field and carried the ball around 30 times. The offensive line did an awesome job.” John Glenn-West Noble was hardly a glamour matchup. But that sectional football game had its own charm and should be very beneficial for the Chargers for this upcoming season. The anti-climactic postseason ending we are all too familiar with happened a week later when the Chargers lost at Jimtown 38-0. But to persevere from adversity and achieve victory against the Falcons was West Noble’s game of the year.
Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Cromwell Days Festival September 24-25
Free Kids Carnival, Parade, Talent Show, Fireworks, Food & Craft Vendors, Live Entertainment, Tractor Pulls, Baking Contests, Family Games & More. Follow “Cromwell Days” on Facebook for more information
CUSTOM DESIGNS RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED
West Noble royalty
West Noble High School’s homecoming king, Eric Medina, and queen, Jacqueline Mayorga, were introduced to the crowd at the home football game between the Chargers and Garrett Railroaders.
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Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Page 13
Street stops: Yellow minibus joins West Noble fleet BY SHERYL PRENTICE
sprentice@kpcmedia.com
LIGONIER — West Noble’s new pint-size yellow minibus made its maiden voyage in April, taking its place alongside the full-size buses in the fleet. The new minibus may make West Noble the envy of other area school districts. Transportation director Brandon Chordas couldn’t be happier that the Thomas Minotour bus is on the road and ready to serve students who need a ride in the middle of the school day. Chordas said school transportation isn’t just morning and afternoon bus routes but happens throughout the school day. The school district provides transportation for students who have modified schedules, attend half-day alternative school, take vocational classes elsewhere, or have an Individualized Education Plan. The district also picks up and drops off so-called “homeless” students, who attend West Noble schools but have circumstances that require that they live with relatives in nearby Goshen and other towns.
SHERYL PRENTICE
West Noble transportation director Brandon Chordas shows off the safety features in the district’s new yellow minibus, capable of stopping traffic for street pickups and drop-offs. A nearly all-glass entrance door and extra side window give the driver a better view of students getting on and off the bus.
The district does most of its midday routes with white activity buses, which are not equipped with flashing lights and a stop arm for stopping traffic on the street. White activity buses must pull off of the street into a driveway to pick up or drop off students. Most of West Noble’s full-time bus drivers have a second job, so
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they can’t do the midday routes. Problems arise when students live in neighborhoods that have no driveways or no available parking on the street, and the activity bus has nowhere to park for stops on the route. Pulling in and backing out of a driveway — when one exists — is also a risk. “This bus has the stop arm to pick up students from the street like the bigger buses,” Chordas said. “It’s the same size as the white (activity) buses but has the color and equipment to stop on the road.” The small yellow bus meets all the same federal motor vehicle safety standards as larger yellow buses. School buses have a “safety cage” body construction, one-piece roof supports, and internal roof rails for rollover protection. Inside, seats carry seat belts and built-in child safety seats for younger students. “West Noble is fortunate to have the small bus,” Chordas said. “It is very versatile. It’s not something that the community has seen before.” And just like the full-size yellow buses, all traffic must stop when the yellow minibus stops, lights flashing and the stop arm is activated. Chordas, who is a former police officer and school resource officer, said most stop-arm runners can expect to be caught and prosecuted. He has direct communication with law enforcement officers when stop-arm violations occur. Everyone works together to catch motorists who blow by school buses when the stop arm is activated. Chordas said West Noble bus drivers are very good at capturing violators’ license numbers and relaying that information to the district’s current school resource officers, Chris Shearer and Grant Moser. All violations are treated as serious crimes. Most stop-arm violations happen in town but they also occur in rural areas, Chordas said. For safety, bus drivers on routes along U.S. 6 and U.S. 33 will still pull into driveways for stops if the driveway is large enough. The small bus will be used for on-street stops in town, at residences around the lakes or in mobile home parks, all places where space is limited. One advantage of the small yellow bus is in the licensing requirements. Drivers of full-size yellow buses must have a CDL license and a Yellow Card, a certification obtained in three days of training that includes bus laws and regulations, student management, railroad crossing protocols and traffic crossings for students.
Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
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F 3 10 17 24
Sa 4 11 18 25
3 10 17 24 31
Su 1 8 15 22 29
Tu 3 10 17 24 H 31
M 2 9 16 23
W 4 11 18 25
Th 5 12 19 26
May 22
F 6 13 20 27
Sa 7 14 21 28
Su M Tu W Th F Sa H 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
January 22
Th 2 9 16 23 30
1 2 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 27 28 29 30
September 21
5 12 19 26
Su M Tu W 1 5 H 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29
4 11 18 25
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
July 21
Su M Tu W 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29
Th 2 9 16 23 30
Th 3 10 17 24
June 22
W 2 9 16 23
F 3 10 17 24
F 4 11 18 25
February 22
October 21
Su M Tu W Th F 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31
Su M Tu 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28
Aug 12, 2021 Aug 13, 2021
Sa 4 11 18 25
Sa 5 12 19 26
Sa 2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
H 11 18 25
F 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29
Su M Tu W Th
Sa 2 9 16 23 30
Th F Sa 3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26 31
Th F Sa 4 5 6 11 12 13 18 19 20 H 26 27
July 22
W 2 9 16 23 30
W 3 10 17 24
March 22
Su M Tu 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 29
Tu 2 9 16 23 30
November 21
Su M 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29
180 Student Days (includes 1 Flex Day) 184 Staff Days
First staff day First student day
School Year Calendar
2021-2022 August 21
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
Su M 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29
Tu 2 9 16 23 30
W 3 10 17 24 31
Th 4 11 18 25
F 5 12 19 26
August 22
April 22
F 3 10 17 24 31
6 13 20 27
Su M Tu W Th F 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 H 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29
Th 2 9 16 23 30
5 12 19 26
December 21
2 9 16 23 30
Su M Tu W 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29
1 8 15 22 29
Sa 6 13 20 27
Sa 2 9 16 23 30
Sa 4 11 18 H
7 14 21 28
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
West Noble School Corporation
Winter Break End of Trimester 2 Staff Work Day Spring Break Good Friday Last Student Day Last Staff Day Graduation
Dec 20 - 31 Feb 21 Feb 22 April 4 - 8 April 15 May 25 May 26 June 5
Make-up days will be added to the end of the school year
First Staff Day First Student Day Labor Day Parent Teacher Conferences Flex Day Fall Break End of Trimester 1 Staff Day Thanksgiving Break
Holiday - No Classes
Aug 12 Aug 13 Sept 6 Oct. 4 & 6 Oct. 8 Oct. 28, 29 Nov. 9 Nov. 10 Nov. 24-26
H
School Closed
Staff Only
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Go West • Summer 2021 • kpcnews.com • ©KPC Media Group Inc.
F 3 10 17 24
Sa 4 11 18 25
3 10 17 24 31
Su 1 8 15 22 29
Tu 3 10 17 24 H 31
M 2 9 16 23
W 4 11 18 25
Th 5 12 19 26
May 22
F 6 13 20 27
Sa 7 14 21 28
Su M Tu W Th F Sa H 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
January 22
Th 2 9 16 23 30
1 2 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 27 28 29 30
September 21
5 12 19 26
Su M Tu W 1 5 H 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29
4 11 18 25
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
July 21
Su M Tu W 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29
Th 2 9 16 23 30
Th 3 10 17 24
June 22
W 2 9 16 23
F 3 10 17 24
F 4 11 18 25
February 22
October 21
Su M Tu W Th F 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 31
Su M Tu 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28
Aug 12, 2021 Aug 13, 2021
Sa 4 11 18 25
Sa 5 12 19 26
Sa 2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
H 11 18 25
F 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29
Sa 2 9 16 23 30
Th F Sa 3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26 31
Su M Tu W Th
W 2 9 16 23 30
Th F Sa 4 5 6 11 12 13 18 19 20 H 26 27
July 22
Su M Tu 1 6 7 8 13 14 15 20 21 22 27 28 29
W 3 10 17 24
March 22
Tu 2 9 16 23 30
November 21
Su M 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29
180 Días de Clases (incluyendo 1 Día Flex) 184 Días para Personal
Primer Día -Personal Primer día de Clases
Calendario Escolar Anual
2021-2022 August 21
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
F 3 10 17 24 31
6 13 20 27
Su M 1 7 8 14 15 21 22 28 29
Tu 2 9 16 23 30
W 3 10 17 24 31
Th 4 11 18 25
F 5 12 19 26
August 22
Su M Tu W Th F 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 H 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29
April 22
Th 2 9 16 23 30
5 12 19 26
December 21
2 9 16 23 30
Su M Tu W 1 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 19 20 21 22 26 27 28 29
1 8 15 22 29
Sa 6 13 20 27
Sa 2 9 16 23 30
Sa 4 11 18 H
7 14 21 28
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
Corporación Escolar West Noble
Día Festivo - No Hay Classes
Los días a recuperar se agregarán al final del año escolar.
Dic 20 -31 Vacaciones de Invierno 21 de feb Fin del 2do Trimestre 22 de Feb Día de Trabajo para Personal 4-8 de abril Vacaciones de Primavera 15 de abril Viernes Santo 25 de de mayo Ultimo Día de Clases 26 de mayo Ultimo Día para Personal 5 de junio Graduación
12 de ago Primer Día para Personal Aug 13 First Student Day 6 de sept Día Laboral 4 & 6 oct Juntas entre Padres y Maestros 8 de oct Día Flex 28, 29 de oct Vacaciones de Otoño Nov 9 Fin del 1er Trimestre 10 de nov Día de Trabajo para Personal 24-26 nov Vacaciones de Acción de Gracias
H
Escuela Cerrada
Solamente Personal