Tippecanoe School Corporation 2025 Back to School Newsletter

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Growing together

Ready for the 2025-26 school year

At the Tippecanoe School Corporation, we believe in the power of community. Whether you are a parent, educator, volunteer, business partner or supporter of public education, your involvement helps shape the success of our students.

This newsletter highlights just a few of the ways we are working together to provide meaningful learning experiences for all students. You will read about valedictorians preparing for their next chapter and educators honored as Teachers of the Year.

As the Lafayette area continues to grow, our schools are evolving to meet new challenges. We are expanding programs and partnerships that will allow us to continue to pursue excellence, one student at a time.

Let’s make 2025–26 a great year—together.

Dr. Scott Hanback Superintendent, Tippecanoe School Corporation

Tippecanoe Online Academy grad spotlight

One student’s journey: Abigail Roe finds her path at TOA

Abigail Roe is one of the first nine graduates of Tippecanoe Online Academy (TOA). After attending Harrison High School, she joined TOA for her senior year and says she’s grateful for the flexibility and support she received.

“TOA gave me the chance to learn in a way that worked best for me. I took a hospitality and management class that helped me explore different career paths and discover what I’m passionate about.”

– Abigail Roe, TOA Class of 2025

Abigail will continue her education at Ivy Tech Community College.

Celebrating our graduates

Harrison High School

Charlie Berry participated in various bands and Raiders for Christ. Charlie will attend Cedarville University to study engineering and mathematics.

Simon Boulac served as treasurer of the Drama Club and as section leader in the Crescendudes Low Voices Choir. Simon will study mathematics and German at Indiana University.

Danica De Los Reyes competed on the girls swim team and served on the Student Council and National Honor Society. Danica will attend Indiana University Bloomington to study human biology on a pre-med track.

Jerad Diehl participated in National Honor Society, Spanish Quiz Bowl and Academic Super Bowl. Jerad will study engineering at Purdue University.

Bethany Dinius participated in competitive dance, played in Concert Band and competed in German Quiz Bowl. Bethany will attend Taylor University and study chemistry education.

Ashley Dunk participated in the Athletic Leadership Council and Letterman’s Club. Ashley will attend Purdue University to study medical laboratory sciences.

Olivia Estep competed in Spanish Quiz Bowl and participated in Writer’s Club and National Honor Society. Olivia will study biology and Spanish at Purdue University.

Dominick Fattore ran cross country and track and participated in Model United Nations. Dominick plans to attend the College of William and Mary to study political science and government.

Braden Laffoon played soccer and participated in National Honor Society and Pickleball Club. Braden will study engineering at Purdue University.

Joseph Loop played on the golf team and participated in Raiders for Christ and Pickleball Club. Joseph will attend Purdue University to major in engineering.

Clay Meister played on the golf team and participated in the Raider Pep Band and Militia Band. Clay plans to attend Purdue University and study engineering.

Anna Morehouse competed in swimming and participated in Keyettes and White County 4-H. Anna will study engineering at Purdue University.

Nela O’Brien competed in soccer and track and served in the National Honor Society. Nela plans to attend West Virginia University to major in forensic science.

Class of 2025 valedictorians

Om Patel participated in Harrison Boiler Robotics, Student Council and National Honor Society. Om will attend Georgia Tech to study computer science.

Abigail Schneider competed in cross country and track and participated in the Harrison Militia Band. Abigail will study elementary and special education at Purdue University.

Tobias Tillett participated in National Honor Society and Unified Track. Toby will attend Purdue University to study engineering.

Seth VanHoosier played in the Raider Pep Band and Militia Band and participated in Chess Club. Seth will attend Purdue University to study engineering or physics.

Addelyn Welch participated in various bands, Writers Club and her youth group’s leadership team. Addelyn will major in marketing at Purdue University.

McCutcheon High School

Christopher Cleveland competed in cross country, swimming and diving, and track and field. Christopher will attend Indiana University to study business management.

Victoria Kendall served as a drum major for the Pride of McCutcheon Marching Band, played French horn in the Indiana All-State Band and performed in school musicals. Victoria will attend Purdue University to major in biochemistry on a pre-vet track.

Sarah Luban competed on the swim team and participated in HOSAFuture Health Professionals and the Red Cross Club. Sarah will study biochemistry at Purdue University.

Connor Menon competed on the FIRST Robotics team, played tennis and participated in Quiz Bowl. Connor will attend Purdue University to major in aerospace engineering.

Madalyn Pitts participated in the Pride of McCutcheon Marching Band, Pep Band and National Honor Society. Madalyn will study biology at Purdue University.

Margaret Schnerre sang in two McCutcheon choirs, worked backstage for theatre productions and participated in the Citizens Science Club. Margaret will attend Benedictine College to study biology with a focus on restoration ecology.

Kathyrn Wilson played on the girls soccer team and participated in Hoosier Girls State and served in Bridges Club which mentors students whose first language is not English. Kathryn will attend Brigham Young University–Idaho where she plans to explore education and statistics.

Front row: Margaret Schnerre, Sarah Luban, Madalyn Pitts, Victoria Kendall
Back row: Connor Menon, Christopher Cleveland
Not pictured: Kathryn Wilson
Pictured left to right:
Front row: Ashley Dunk, Nela O’Brien, Danica De Los Reyes, Olivia Estep, Bethany Dinius, Anna Morehouse Middle row: Joe Loop, Om Patel, Simon Boulac, Abigail Schneider, Addelyn Welch, Tobias Tillett
Back row: Clay Meister, Dominick Fattore, Braden Laffoon, Seth VanHoosier, Jerad Diehl, Charlie Berry
Pictured left to right:

Inspiring the next generation

TSC Teachers of the year

Lisa Merryman, elementary

Woodland Elementary School

Bachelor’s degree, Purdue University 28 years in education

“I want to make a lasting impression by creating a classroom where children feel safe, valued and are excited to learn.”

– Lisa Merryman, Woodland Elementary

Merryman creates a nurturing, engaging environment where young learners thrive. She believes success goes beyond academics—it’s about helping students become kind, resilient individuals with a strong work ethic and a love of learning. Her students’ energy and joy motivate her every day as she builds meaningful connections both in the classroom and throughout the community.

Kristen Trella, secondary

English Harrison High School

Bachelor’s degree, Indiana University Northwest

Master’s degree, Indiana Wesleyan University 25 years in education Kindergarten

“There is no greater joy than seeing a student understand how to navigate the turns and twists within a lesson, an assignment or even a full school day.”

Kristen Trella, Harrison High School

Trella creates a dynamic classroom where all students feel seen and supported, whether they’re building confidence or tackling complex challenges. In addition to teaching, she coaches the girls swimming and diving team and leads service projects through the Travel Club, modeling for students how character and compassion matter both in and out of school.

2025-26 TSC school calendar

Back-to-school checklist

Whether you’re new to the Tippecanoe School Corporation or a returning family, here are five key steps to get ready for the 2025-26 school year. You can find more details on the Parents page at tscschools.com

1. Register your student

Registration for the 2025-26 school year is now open at tscschools.com/enroll or scan the QR code at the bottom of this page to get started.

2. Download the TSC2Go app

Get the latest school delays and closings sent right to your phone. The app also includes news, calendars, lunch menus and staff directories to keep you connected all year.

3. Download My Ride K-12

My Ride K-12 is a free bus tracking app that sends alerts to your smartphone or computer when your child’s bus is approaching the stop. Use it to find your child’s bus number, pick-up time and stop location.

4. Review school menus and café payments

View menus, add funds to your child’s lunch account and apply for meal assistance if needed.

5. Watch for back-to-school updates

Your child’s school will share open house details and supply lists. You can also find school supply lists on the Parents page.

Community partnerships fuel student success

Bringing learning to life beyond the classroom

Hands-on tech with SCALE K-12

In collaboration with Purdue University, students are diving into the world of microelectronics through SCALE K-12—an initiative supporting future workforce opportunities, including careers tied to the upcoming SK hynix microchip facility.

Boosting aviation education

A generous $150,000 grant from GE Aerospace is taking the aviation maintenance program at the Greater Lafayette Career Academy to new heights— doubling student capacity and upgrading hands-on equipment.

Personal finance in action

Through a strong partnership with Junior Achievement, hundreds of students are exploring real-life financial scenarios through Finance Park and BizTown, helping them build skills to make informed decisions about money.

Grants fuel learning innovation

Thanks to support from the Public Schools Foundation, SIA Foundation, Lafayette Breakfast Optimist Club and others, classrooms continue to benefit from grants that enhance educational experiences.

Community fundraising impact

Students and staff have raised thousands of dollars for organizations such as Food Finders Food Bank, Riley Children’s Hospital and the American Heart Association, demonstrating the power of giving back.

Community support advances health sciences

Thanks to a grant from the Lafayette Breakfast Optimist Club, students in the health sciences program at the Greater Lafayette Career Academy now have access to realistic models to study pressure injuries. These tools help students understand how pressure injuries—commonly known as bedsores—form and progress, reinforcing key concepts for those pursuing careers as certified nursing assistants (CNAs).

“Knowing what pressure injuries are and how they develop is extremely important as a CNA. Bedsores can lead to serious infection and even be fatal. The models help us visualize how each stage looks as it progresses.”

– Avarey Benker, recent McCutcheon graduate

Student Success

Investing in TSC

From updated classrooms to new operational spaces, the Tippecanoe School Corporation is growing to meet the needs of our students, staff and community. These improvements reflect our commitment to excellence on every campus, in every classroom and behind the scenes.

Facility highlights

• 95% graduation rate—among the top in the state

• 700+ high school students earned dual credit or AP course credit

• 250+ Indiana Academic Honors Diplomas awarded in 2025

• 40+ career pathways available through the Greater Lafayette Career Academy

Academic and enrichment opportunities

• 20 Advanced Placement courses offered at McCutcheon and Harrison high schools

• 1-to-1 device access for all students in K-12

• 10,000+ students in extracurricular activities, including athletics, robotics, band and drama

• 50+ student clubs for a wide range of interests, including pickleball, ecology, culinary arts and gaming

Excellence in teaching

• 800+ certified teachers across the district

• 11.5 years average teaching experience

• 10 national board certified teachers

• Ongoing professional development and training in STEM, literacy and reading intervention strategies.

Klondike campus update

Renovations continue at Klondike Intermediate, while final touches are underway at Klondike Elementary— creating modern, studentcentered learning spaces.

New learning spaces at Wea Ridge

Extracurricular excellence on the world stage From facilities to futures

Wea Ridge Middle School has opened a new classroom wing designed for essential skills students, providing an inclusive environment that supports diverse needs.

Elston Administration Center opening soon

The new building at 20 Elston Road will soon open, bringing key district departments together to streamline operations and better serve families and schools.

With support from local businesses and mentors, the McCutcheon Robotics team made history as the first Indiana team in 21 years to win the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championship.

“It takes so many different skills to make our team successful. Winning the world championship showed what’s possible when students and the community come together.”

– Jersey Troxell, senior, FIRST Team 4272

Scan to watch a video from the Indiana Department of Education featuring Maverick Robotics’ world championship journey.

Tippecanoe

21 Elston Road, Lafayette, IN 47909

765-474-2481

tscschools.com

Support. Volunteer. Connect.

Be a Read to Succeed volunteer

Join a community effort to support student reading success! Volunteering just one hour a week at an elementary school can make a big difference.

Learn more and sign up at uwlafayette.org/readtosucceed

Volunteer with TSC

Volunteers are vital to our schools—whether helping in the classroom, supervising field trips or supporting events. Your time and energy help students and staff thrive.

To keep everyone safe, volunteers who work directly with students must complete a background check through our secure system. The fee is $20.45, and the volunteer identification card is valid for three years.

Get started or learn more at tscschools.com/volunteer.

TSC VIP passes

Free VIP passes are available for residents 62 and older within our attendance area. These passes provide complimentary access to all TSC-sponsored events (excluding athletic tournaments).

To request a pass, call 765-474-2481 to schedule an appointment.

TSC Board of School Trustees

Bradley

Julie Cummings

Connie

The TSC Board of School Trustees meeting schedule can be found at tscschools.com under About/Board of Trustees.

receiving this newsletter

We mail this publication to every household in the district to keep our entire community informed about the great things happening in our schools. Even if you don’t currently have children enrolled, your support helps make these programs possible. To keep costs low, we use bulk mailing, which delivers our newsletter to every residence on each postal route.

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