Students who are part of Tippecanoe Valley Middle School’s Viking Leadership in which eighth graders mentor sixth graders spoke about the initiative at the Tippecanoe Valley School Board meeting on Monday, Feb. 20, at TVMS. From left: Owen Omondi, Hadley Wise, Bailey Anderson and Damian Garcia. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

AKRON — A student leadership initiative and extra homework help were a few of the Tippecanoe Valley Middle School-related topics discussed at the Tippecanoe Valley School Board’s regular February meeting.

TVMS Principal Scott Backus, his staff and students provided the annual update on TVMS to the board on Monday, Feb. 20.

Four students, Bailey Anderson, Owen Omondi, Damian Garcia and Hadley Wise, spoke about Viking Leadership, in which eighth graders mentor sixth graders.

Teacher Keaton Bell spoke about the Student Success Lab, in which students can get “one-on one-support” with academics as well as emotional and relational help. He worked with about 25 students during the last trimester and is currently working with around 20.

TVMS staff Robin Heckman and Lynette Mauger spoke about the Catch Up Cafe through which kids spend time during lunch getting caught up on homework they’re behind on. Heckman noted students had completed 7,000 assignments through the cafe so far this year.

In other business, the board:

• Approved the hiring of Mentone Elementary School instructional assistant April Jones and cook Cara Ousley; TVMS nurse Alexis Drudge and cook Leigh Anne Judy; and Akron Elementary School cook Ashley Potter and instructional assistant Kylie Morrow.
• Accepted the resignations of Akron fifth grade boys’ basketball coach Jon Ekhoff; TVMS cook Jackie Burket; and Mentone custodian Orion Svara and instructional assistant Lakota Thomas.
• Approved multiple trips for FFA members.
• Approved the following donations: $2,000 from Mill Creek Church in Rochester for books for Akron and Mentone students; $228 from Athens Community Church for books for Akron students; $675 from Pike Lumber Co. for 3D printers for Akron students; $467.51 from DonorsChoose for sensory items for TVMS special education teacher Cathy Olson’s students; and $500 from Van Duyne Block and Gravel for books for Akron and Mentone students.
• Heard a report on high school activities from senior class student representative Abby Bowers and junior class student representative Benton Nellans. FFA week is ongoing at TVHS, with the community appreciation supper 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the high school and the worker auction immediately following that. Riley week, with students fundraising for Riley Children’s Hospital, is next week.

The board’s next regular meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, March 20, at TVHS.