LAPEL — For its increase in gifts to United Way, Frankton-Lapel Community Schools earned the 2019 Rise to the Challenge Award.
Kim Williams of United Way of Madison County presented the award to the corporation at the most recent school board meeting on April 18.
Williams said 11 businesses and schools received the award, which indicates an increase of more than 5 percent in employees giving to United Way.
Frankton-Lapel schools surpassed that amount substantially with an 80 percent increase.
“Every school system in the county received the award,” Williams said. “The schools were amazingly generous.”
Williams said the Frankton-Lapel school system had the greatest increase of all the schools and businesses.
More than $8,000 was raised, which will be matched by the Indiana United Way organization.
“Because of their generosity, $16,000 will go back into Madison County to (help) struggling families,” Williams said.
Assistant Superintendent Sterling Boles said 42 percent of all Frankton-Lapel school system employees gave.
Putting a stop to it with STOPit
Boles informed the board on usage of the new STOPit app, which lets students anonymously report concerns, such as bullying, cyberbullying, hazing, student/teacher relationships, violence/threats, substance abuse and others.
Launched in March, Boles said there had been 169 entries logged into the app.
The assistant superintendent said 75 percent of the submissions have been valid. He said they have had students with concerns about personal issues, other students being picked on, or just noticing a friend or classmate seems to be depressed.
“We’ve had (submissions) where kids knew if someone has Juuls on them. There are friends worried about friends, and it’s hard to put a price on that. (The app) has been a very good thing.”
Boles added the app keeps the conversation threads open so dialogue can continue about the students concerns.
“By and large, it has been a good thing,” Boles added.
Retirement
The board approved the retirement request of Lapel Elementary fifth-grade teacher Johanna Baker at the end of the 2018-19 school year.
Baker has served in the school system for 36 years.
Upcoming dates
The board also announced dates for upcoming key events, including the final day of school and graduations for both Frankton and Lapel high schools.
The last day of school is scheduled for May 24, a flex/day eLearning day is scheduled for May 17. Both high school will have graduation ceremonies on June 2. Frankton High School is scheduled to have commencement at 2 p.m. Lapel High School graduation time is 5 p.m.
Alternative School graduation will be at the Administrative Office at 7 p.m. May 30.