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PHS Spanish Teacher Headed for South America

Constancia Wendt, Spanish teacher at Plymouth High School, has won a Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellowship Grant and is headed for Peru, South America, for 6 weeks this summer to learn Afro-peruvian dance! Congratulations Constancia!

Green to compete in Poetry Out Loud Contest

Plymouth High School senior Christina Green will compete in the state round of Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest, held this Saturday, February 26 in Indianapolis. Christina won the school competition in December with a flawless performance of Martin Espada's "The Meaning of the Shovel." This Saturday, she will compete against twelve other students across Indiana. Along with "The Meaning of the Shovel" Christina will recite poems "Their Bodies" by David Wagoner and "Revenge" by Letitia Elizabeth Landon. If she wins the state competition, she will advance to the national round to compete against every state's winner.

State Wrestling Results

Congratulations to Damon Howe for placing 2nd in the State at the 285 pound weight class this weekend at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Damon won his first match Friday night over Ta'quan Walker of Fort Wayne North Side with an impressive 29 second pin. Saturday morning Damon handed Willie Henson of North Central High School his first loss of the year. Henson was 40-0 before meeting up with Howe. In the semi-finals Damon handed Eric Forrest of Jimtown a 4-0 loss. Damon wrestled an incredible match underneath the spot light at Conseco Fieldhouse going into overtime against Jeremiah Harvey of Culver Community High School before dropping a 3-1 decision. Damon finishes his senior season with a 36-3 record. He also ran his career win total to 100 wins in 3 years of varsity wrestling.

ISSMA State Vocal Contest Results

On Saturday, February 19, 30 Plymouth High School Choir students competed in the ISSMA State Vocal Solo and Ensemble Contest in Indianapolis. Out of 18 events, we took home 12 golds and 6 silvers. The following students received gold ratings in the solo competition: Tori Fox, Sarah Gouker, Priscilla Hammonds, Courtney Harris, Becca Houser and Alex Jeffirs. Receiving a silver rating were Grace Anders, Kendall Cooper, Cassie Gaines, Katie Galloway and Jessie Gibbs.

In the ensemble competition, Plymouth took 7 events to state, 6 placing with gold and 1 silver. Students participating in events with a gold placing were Jace Allen, Grace Anders (2 events), Jack Bowen, Joe Brennan, Kendall Cooper, Jenny Dudash (2), Bryce England, Karl Faulstich, Tori Fox (2), Cassie Gaines (2), Katie Galloway, Jessie Gibbs, Sarah Gouker (2), Priscilla Hammonds (2), Courtney Harris (2), Austin Haynes, Olivia Hilliard (2), Becca Houser, Margaret Howard (3), Kaitlyn Lenne (2), Tayler May (3), Blake Miller, Alex Moore (2), Morgan O'Neal, Elias Ortiz, Gina Rodeghero, Ty Shivley and Eli Wendt. Receiving a silver finish were Priscilla Hammonds, Mandy McPherron and Tia Merritt.

Congratulations on a job well done!

Weather for Monday, February 21

This morning we were on the roads and they were fine at 6:00 AM when our bus routes start. At approximately 6:30 it started raining ice. It was too late to cancel school and I am pleased to announce that students got to school without any accidents.

At approximately 11:45 AM it started raining ice again. It was too dangerous to release school during these conditions. The weather services have all reported that by the time of our regular release, the roads should be snow-covered, and a safer time to release students.

Because the weather is predicted to be bad tonight, we have canceled all after-school activities.

LJHS 4th Annual Craft Show

On April 16, 2011, the LJHS Music Department is putting on its 4th annual LJHS Craft Show and Concert as our fundraiser. If you or anyone you know would like to set up a booth at this event, please contact Brandi Brennan at Lincoln Jr High by March 15, 2011.

The festivities will begin at 11:00 and end at 2:00. The Lincoln Jr. High Music Department will be selling Nelson’s Port-a-Pit Chicken and providing entertainment throughout the day. Last year, more than 2000 people came to enjoy the day. We hope you will come join the fun!

Snow Make-Up Days

Just a reminder that school will be in session on Monday, February 21, 2011, as a snow make-up day. School will also be in session on April 1, 2011, a scheduled make-up day, and adding June 3, 2011, as the last student day. Hopefully, we will have no other weather that prohibits attending school, but this calendar is still subject to change. Think Spring!

Plymouth High School presents A World of Words

A World of Words our PHS Winter play.
Completely created, written and performed by our own PHS students.
Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18 and 19 in the PHS Auditorium.
The play is at 7:00 PM each evening and the doors

College Night in Indiana

On February 24 at 6:00 p.m. the IDOE will host College Night in Indiana. This live event will be available on the IDOE website: http://www.doe.in.gov/collegenight. College admission deans from Indiana University, Purdue University and Butler University will answer questions about the college application process, including how to earn scholarships. All high school students and their parents are encouraged to participate. If you have questions about this event, see your counselor.

State Swim Meet Results

This past Friday and Saturday, Kenzie Miller participated in the 2010-2011 High School Swimming State Meet. The meet was held in Indianapolis at the IU Natatorium. As a 4th year competitor for Plymouth High School, Kenzie held her place in the top 8 in both of her events and stood up to her name. In the 200 Individual Medley, Kenzie placed 4th with a time of 2:04 out-touching several competitors and moving up 3 places from Friday night. In the 100 backstroke, Kenzie swam a lifetime best time of :56.02 to place 3rd in the state! This is no easy task and it took hard work, determination and a desire to win to make it to the top! Congratulations Kenzie- What an outstanding meet and a rewarding end to a very accomplished high school career on the swim team!

Lady Redstorm wins Valparaiso Tournament

The 8th grade Lady Redstorm played two very competitive games at the Valparaiso Tournament this weekend. The first game they won they faced Grimmer (Lake Central). Bailey Brown came off the bench giving the team a much needed offensive spark. The championship game they faced the Lady Vikings of Valparaiso. The Redstorm defeated the Vikings in overtime leading to winning this tournament for the second year in a row! Haley Harrell led the way in scoring and Kirstin Riise provided some big baskets in the overtime. Each girl contributed greatly to both wins! The Lady Redstorm is now 9-0 and will face Culver at home on Wednesday!

2-Hour Delay

Plymouth Schools is on a 2-Hour Delay for Thursday, February 10, 2011. Bundle up as it will still be pretty cold at 10 AM!

Severe Cold Weather Bus Route

When weather conditions are severely cold, temperatures below -10 degrees Fahrenheit, or a windchill factor of -19 degrees below zero Fahrenheit or less, frostbite can occur at 30 minutes of exposure according to the National Weather Service Windchill Chart.

Plymouth Community School Corporation shall provide an additional route for students in the city limits who walk to school.. PCSC shall make a decision by 6:15 am. Announcements pertaining to school closure and the determination on whether the Severe Weather Route shall be provided will be announced by radio and television or a School Reach recording by telephone.

Listed below are the pick up points for students to catch the Severe Weather Route Bus:

7:12 am - Carriage Green Apartments
7:17 am - Baker & Fairbanks
7:20 am - Walnut & Novelty
7:22 am - Walnut & Harrison
7:24 am - Walnut & Monroe
7:26 am - Walnut & Washington
7:28 am - Walnut & Lewis
7:30 am - Pierce & Gilmore
7:32 am - Gilmore & Dickson
7:34 am - Pearl & Conger
7:36 am - Thayer & Nursery
7:38 am - Miner & Ewing
7:40 am - Bayless & Charles
7:42 am - Liberty & Pennsylvania

Any questions concerning the Severe Weather Route may be directed to the Transportation office at 936-3169. Click on this link to take you to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration web site to see the National Weather Service Windchill Chart http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/windchill/

Annual Dessert Recital at Plymouth High School

Next Monday evening, February 14, 2011, the Vocal Department of Plymouth High School will host their annual "Dessert Recital" starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Studio Theater. This event will feature all of the vocal state qualifiers for ISSMA's state competition. In order to qualify for state competition, each of these students had to sing a 1st division solo or ensemble chosen from a required list prepared by ISSMA officials. The singer then had to receive a Gold rating at the district level in order to advance to state.

The evening will feature 10 soloists and 7 ensembles. We hope you can attend this great event and support music in our schools. Desserts and beverages will be served immediately following the recital in the choir room.

Girls Swimming Sectional Results

This past Thursday and Saturday, the PHS Girls Swim Team competed in the Indiana Sectional Swim Meet at Warsaw High School. PHS finished in a well earned 4th place out of 11 different teams from the surrounding area. Leading the team and meet in points, wins and times, co-captain Kenzie Miller placed 1st in both of her individual events and led both of her relays to the top six. In the 200 IM, Kenzie broke the sectional meet and her own personal record swimming a shattering 2:04.72 which puts her in 1st place IN THE STATE going into Friday’s state swim meet at IUPUI. In the 100 backstroke, Kenzie swam a :56.77 to put her in 4th place IN THE STATE for Saturday’s meet as well. This is the 4th year that Kenzie has advanced to the state competition in individual events- Congratulations Kenzie- all of that hard work and dedication has paid off! Finally, Kenzie lead the 200 IM relay (along with Hannah Eads, Katelyn Brown and Katelyn Brashere) to a 4th place finish in the finals and the team of Eads, Kaley Brower and Kannika Chairsi to a second place finish in the 400 Free relay. Co-captain Hannah Eads placed 10th in both the 50 Free with a :28 and in the 100 back with a time of 1:12. Senior Katelyn Brashere placed 12th in the 200 Freestyle and 8th in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:10. Junior Katelyn Brown placed 11th in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:21 for a seasonal best. Sophomore Megan Senter placed 8th in the 200 free with a time of 2:13 and 7th in the 500 free with a time of 5:59. She was also a member of the 200 free relay (along with Kannika Chairsi, Holly Overmyer and Kaley Brower) that placed 5th. Kaley Brower swam the 50 free in a time of :26 to take 8th in that event and as well as 8th in the 100 free with a time of :59. Junior Alayna Holmquest came in 2nd in diving with a score of 312 and will be advancing to Divisionals on Tuesday at Penn High School- Good luck! Holly Overmyer came in 11th in the 500 free with a time of 6:13. Ella Portteus came in 12th in the 200 IM with a time of 2:47. Freshman Lexi Fetters swam the 100 butterfly and placed 11th with a personal best. Finally, freshman Kate Peters and Sidney Listenberger swam personal bests in the 100 Free and 100 fly to have a successful end to the swim season. Congratulations ladies on a great season!

District Vocal Solo and Ensemble Results

1st Division Solos:
*denotes State Qualifier

Grace Anders: Gold*
Kendall Cooper: Gold*
Tori Fox: Gold*
Cassie Gaines: Gold*
Katie Galloway: Gold*
Jessie Gibbs: Gold*
Sarah Gouker: Gold*
Priscilla Hammonds: Gold*
Courtney Harris: Gold*
Becca Houser: Gold*
Tyler Switzer: Gold*

Joseph Brennan: Silver
Katelyn Hartsell: Silver
Kit Hersick: Silver
Olivia Hilliard: Silver
Margaret Howard: Silver
Marie LaValle: Silver
Cinthia Lua: Silver
Tayler May: Silver

Amanda McPherron: Silver
Tia Merritt: Silver
Alex Moore: Silver
Zandra Norris: Silver

2nd Division Soloists:

Macie McMichael: Gold
Gina Rodeghero: Gold

3rd Division Soloists:

Debra Burke: Gold
Margaret Buza: Gold
Morgan Hite: Gold
Rachel O'Brien: Gold

Vanessa Hite: Silver
Isamar Reyna: Silver
Aaron Coffey: Silver

Samantha Anthony: Participation
1st Division Ensembles:
*denotes State Qualifiers

“Peg Leg Pete”: Gold*
Jace Allen, Jack Bowen, Joe Brennan, Bryce England, Karl Faulstich, Austin Haynes, Blake Miller, Elias Ortiz, Ty Shively, Eli Wendt

“How Can I Keep From Singing”: Gold*
Grace Anders, Kendall Cooper, Jenny Dudash, Tori Fox, Cassie Gaines, Katie Galloway, Jessie Gibbs, Sarah Gouker, Priscilla Hammonds, Courtney Harris, Olivia Hilliard, Becca Houser, Margaret Howard, Kaitlyn Lenne, Tayler May, Alex Moore, Morgan O'Neal, Gina Rodeghero

“A Joyful Alleluia”: Gold*
Grace Anders, Olivia Hilliard, Margaret Howard, Tayler May

“He's Gone Away”: Gold*
Jenny Dudash, Sarah Gouker, Olivia Hilliard

“Music When Soft Voices Die”: Gold*
Margaret Howard, Tayler May, Alex Moore

“Shoheen”: Gold*
Priscilla Hammonds, Mandy McPherron, Tia Merritt

“Stopping By Woods”: Gold*
Tori Fox, Cassie Gaines, Priscilla Hammonds, Courtney Harris, Kaitlyn Lenne, Tayler May

“Ching-a-Ring Chaw”: Silver
Jace Allen, Grace Anders, Jack Bowen, Kendall Cooper, Bryce England, Karl Faulstich, Tori Fox, Cassie Gaines, Jessie Gibbs, Sarah Gouker, Priscilla Hammonds, Courtney Harris, Austin Haynes, Olivia Hilliard, Margaret Howard, Tayler May, Blake Miller, Elias Ortiz, Ty Shively, Eli Wendt

“Stopping By Woods”: Bronze
Dakota Bradley, Tori Godwin, Krissy Wierenga

3rd Division Ensembles:
“Seasons of Love”: Gold
Sam Anthony, Gianella Cerritiano, Jessie Gibbs, Elizabeth Masson, Rachel O'Brien, Tyler Switzer

“Come To Shore”: Gold
April Bowen, Shelby Pratt, Ellen Smith

“Ordinary Miracle”: Gold
Cassie Gaines, Carissa May, Tayler May

“Bless the Broken Road”: Silver
Aaron Coffey, Morgan Hite, Carissa May, Griffin Masterson, Zandra Norris

“Ordinary Miracle”: Silver
Maggie Buza, Emily Merritt, Morgan Thomas

PCSC School Board Awards Roofing Contracts at a Big Savings Using QSCB (Qualified School Construction Bonds)

At last night's school board meeting Lawmaster Roofing was awarded contracts to install new roofing and to recondition roofing at Jefferson Elementary, Lincoln Junior High, and Plymouth High School. Five roofing contractors submitted bids from a high of $3,140,220 to the low bid by Lawmaster Roofing of $1,930,000. Those bids covered all labor and general materials. Architectural design costs are $11,000.

Each building is a separate project with specific roofing materials to be purchased by the school district using the GSA (Government Services Administration) purchasing list: Jefferson School - $147,338; Lincoln Junior High - $148,502; Plymouth High School - $148,367.

The total cost of the project is $2,385,307, that price compares very favorably with similar school roofing projects:
· Plymouth Community Schools $7.45 per square foot
· South Bend Schools $11.95 per square foot
· Duneland Schools $10.50 per square foot
· Southwest Allen Schools $9.85 per square foot

And the last piece of goods news is that the project has come in at $168,591 under budget!

2-Hour Delay

On Friday, February 4, Plymouth will have a 2-hour delay due to the extreme cold coupled with dangerous road conditions. We will still release students from school 30 minutes early.

Thursday Closed

At this time we have determined that the county roads are still unsafe for our busses to navigate so we are closing Thursday, February 3.

Thursday Delay

Because of the heavy snow, Plymouth Community School Corporation will operate on a 2-hour delay on Thursday, February 3. Marshall County still has a State of Emergency. Please stay off the roads and allow the county crews to clear the roads.

No School Wednesday

The Plymouth Community School Corporation will be closed on Wednesday, February 2, due to heavy snow and winds.

Early Release

Because of the severe weather warnings, Plymouth Schools will release two hours earlier than they ordinarily do. There will be no after-school activities and no Wednesday morning activities.