Blog Bits

LJH Principal
The Board of Trustees appointed Dan Funston as principal of Lincoln Junior High. Dan has served as a middle school and high school teacher in Northern Wells Community Schools. He has served both as the assistant principal and principal at John Glenn. Dan’s official duties will begin July 1, 2007.

All Day Kindergarten
At a special meeting last evening the Board of Trustees voted to initiate All Day Kindergarten in the Plymouth Community Schools. The Elementary Leadership Team will begin planning immediately for the implementation of the program. Please watch this website and local media for details as they become available.

Honors at PHS

Sunday, May 20, 2007, Plymouth High School inducted eight members of the senior class into the Academic Hall of Fame. To qualify for the hall of fame, students must take at least eight trimesters in the respective department, maintain at least an A average in that department, and be a graduating senior in good standing. Congratulations to the following for their hard work and dedication in their respective fields.

Heidi Keiser – Science
Brendan Fox – English and Social Studies
Eric Beck – Math
Sanchara Ballog – Vocal Music
Meredith Barron – Physical Education
Ryan Carlberg – Performing Arts
Derek Harrell – Agriculture
Audrey Kelly – World Languages

Teachers were also honored Sunday at the National Honor Society Induction. Six were nominated for Teacher of Excellence. They include Mark Wagoner, Cindy Wagoner, Monty Peden, Donna Chaney, Dena McLochlin, and Allison Hargrove.

Congratulations to Allison Hargrove the Teacher of Excellence recipient for the 2006 – 2007 school year at Plymouth High School. Allison, a first year teacher at Plymouth High School, was the student choice for this award. Allison’s rigorous curriculum and amiable personality has immediately made her a student favorite. Good job, Allison! The Plymouth School Corporation is proud to have you on our staff.

Blog Bits

We received word this morning that Angela Hissong, pre-school teacher at Washington Elementary, has been named Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year for the Plymouth area. Congratulations to Angela for the great accomplishment!

ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE CLASS of 2007

The following PHS senior athletes were named to the All-Conference Academic Teams for the 2006-2007 school year. We are very proud of our athletes and their work on the field and in the classroom. Also, kudos to their parents and coaches for helping these fine young men and women balance their time on the playing field and in the classroom.

Heidi Keiser Golf, Basketball, and Tennis
Meredith Barron Volleyball, Basketball, and Track
Brendan Fox Cross Country, Wriestling, and Track
Byron Faulstich Basketball and Baseball
Jason Renz Football, Basketball, and Baseball
Jacob Palmer Tennis, Basketball, and Track
Michael Hooker Football, and Track
Chad Clinton Football, Basketball, and Baseball
Elaine Hessel Basketball and Track
Alex Morris Football and Track

Blog Bits

As a young teacher in 1979, I was introduced to Mr. Richard Benefiel. I developed an immediate respect for the man, not because he demanded it, but because of what he stood for. Rigidly organized, a strict disciplinarian, but most importantly his students could play music and the loved every minute of every song. He rarely smiled, but when he did, his students knew that they had played the piece to perfection. From his marching shows at football games, to his jazz bands, and to the Big Red Band Variety Show, everyone in town knew that when Mr. Benefiel took the podium, he stood for excellence.

When I heard that he had passed away, I was deeply saddened. Plymouth has lost one of the finest teachers to have ever graced our classrooms. I'm going to the Variety Show this weekend and had planned to all along. It's what you do in Plymouth on the first weekend in May. And when the overture sounds and the lights come alive, there will be a smile on my face in the back of the darkened house. Not just because my two children are in the show, but the evening promises to bring back great memories of Mr. Richard Benefiel. A good friend, a fine father, and a tremendous teacher. We're going to miss you, Dick. We're going to miss you!

Blog Bits

For the 4th year in a row, the Destination Imagination Team from Lincoln Junior High has qualified to compete in the Destination Imagination Global Finals tournament to be held in Knoxville, Tennessee in May. This year’s structural problem is called Card-DI-ology. The students are required to build a structure entirely of glue and cards (from a deck of playing cards). Thus far this year’s structure has held 512 pounds.

Members of the team include Riverside students: Danielle Krou and Adam Kolacz, and Lincoln students: Monica Weaser, Victoria MacLain, Jacob Segraves, Michael Gray, and Cassie Gaines. Managers for this year’s team are: Denise Benczik, Jennie Mikesell, Ryan Benczik, Sarah Benczik, and Steve Benczik.

Congratulations to students and their coaches for a job well done.