You can read the latest edition of the Red Devil Pen newsletter now!
https://secure.smore.com/n/pfyg7

As part of the strategic planning process, we invite our WLCSC families and community members to participate in either an in-person or virtual focus group hosted by Skybound, our strategic planning partner. Each family and community focus group will last about one hour as participants provide perspectives on follow-up topics derived from the earlier survey. Staff and representative student groups will have the opportunity to participate in focus groups at the school during the school day.

• Please respond to this form if you would like to participate: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc93YNToDsRYjVxOa61X7-9-UWH47zl5uu7RvwcXqAmWRaAbg/viewform?usp=sf_link
• Respond by December 17 at 9am to take part in the in-person focus group on December 20. Information about the location of the in-person session will be sent on December 18 to the email address you provide.
• Respond by January 13 at 9am to take part in the final virtual focus group on January 15. The link to join the virtual session will be sent on January 14 to the email address you provide.
• We ask that each person planning to participate in a focus group submit a separate form to help us plan for capacity.

Today U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recognized 356 schools as 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools, including West Lafayette Elementary School in West Lafayette, Indiana. This prestigious recognition highlights schools that excel in academic performance or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.

"The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award is a testament to the exceptional achievements of students and educators at each of these schools," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

"We are both honored and proud to learn that our West Lafayette Elementary School has earned National Blue Ribbon School status," said West Lafayette Community School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Shawn Greiner. "This achievement is a testament to the hard work and collaborative efforts of our dedicated students, teachers, families, and community. It is the collective commitment to excellence that drives the high achievement and success of the students we serve. Together, we are building a brighter future."

The 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools reflect the full diversity of American education andserve students from all backgrounds. While awardees represent a wide array of schools, they share common traits. National Blue Ribbon Schools are led by leaders who articulate a clear vision of instructional excellence and uphold high standards. They showcase effective teaching methods and offer robust professional development for their staff. Data-driven instruction is a hallmark, and there is a concerted effort to ensure every student succeeds. Collaboration among families, communities, and educators is a key component of their success.

Principal Sara Delaney said, "On behalf of all WLES staff, current and former, I want to let you know how proud we are to accept this honor. Our success would not be possible without the support of our families and the greater community. From volunteers, guest speakers, and traveling programs to families who read with their children nightly and join us for school events, we proudly showcase our Blue Ribbon acknowledgment. The dedication to excellence shown by all has resulted in this great honor."

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes all schools based on student performance data including assessment results, student subgroup performance, and graduation rates. Schools are recognized in both or either of two performance categories:

• Exemplary High Performing Schools: These schools are among the top performers in

their state as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

• Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools: These schools excel in narrowing

achievement gaps between different student groups and the overall student body.

Each nominated school submits a comprehensive application detailing its school culture,

programs, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership, family, and community involvement.

Access Announcement Video

You may access the announcement from the following links:

https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov

https://www.ed.gov/nationalblueribbonschools

https://twitter.com/NatlBlueRibbon

https://twitter.com/usedgov

https://www.facebook.com/nationalblueribbonschools

https://www.facebook.com/ED.gov/

https://instagram.com/nationalblueribbonschoolshttps://instagram.com/nationalblueribbonschools

 Online registration for returning students will open on Monday, July 22nd. Please login to the desktop version of Skyward to complete online registration for each child. 

 For students in kindergarten through seventh grade in the current 2023-24 school year

Kindergarten Roundup Online Enrollment begins March 18th!

Take a look at what's been going on across the corporation in February's edition of The Red Devil Pen!  

Tuesday, February 27th was the Golden Apple Awards night where WLJSHS's Mr. Levy was honored as a Golden Apple recipient. We are so proud to have him on our WLCSC team! Thank you for all you do for our students!

Are you, or someone you know, interested in joining the WLCSC team? We're looking for paraprofessionals! Scan the QR code or click on the flyer and apply today!

Westside Robotics was in Greenwood today competing in the First Tech Challenge regional qualifying tournament for the state robotics competition. Four teams (Red, Gold, Gray, and Black) worked to build a robot and write a program in preparation for the event. This morning they presented their design and process to a panel of judges, demonstrating their ability to work as a team. During the competition they executed an autonomous program, then drove the robot to grab tile "pixels" to build a mosaic, then fired a paper airplane or "drone" outside of the arena, and finally suspended the robot from a bar over the field - all in 2 minutes and 30 second! We are proud of these students for their technical skills, dedication, and sportsmanship. Thank you to their coaches and mentors for their leadership. In the end, the WL Black and WL Gold combo won the competition!  

West Lafayette Junior High and West Lafayette Intermediate competed at their Chapter MathCounts Competition on Saturday, February 10th. The Junior High placed first and the Intermediate placed 2nd in this 6,7,8 grade competition. Out of the top 20 students, 18 of them were from West Lafayette! Congratulations! Next, they will compete at the state competition in March. 

WLCSC is grateful every day for our school resource officers! Today, we honor them for their commitment to the safety of our students and staff. Thank you!

Due to a recent legislative change, and beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, West Lafayette Community Schools will no longer be charging our families textbook and course fees.

We wanted to let you know this news as the summer is ending and you are preparing for the upcoming school year. 

The West Lafayette Community School Corporation school board approved ballot language during its July 10 meeting to renew an operating levy to attract and retain teachers and staff, and fund academic programming and operating expenditures.  No tax increase is proposed with this operating levy renewal.

West Lafayette is recognized as one of the best public school districts in Indiana and the country.  West Lafayette is ranked as the #1 public school among 291 in Indiana and #8 of 10,751 in the US, as reported by Niche rating.  The corporation is ranked #4 in the state; 341 nationally by US News & World Report.

Superintendent, Dr. Shawn Greiner expressed gratitude to the community for its past support of the school corporation, noting "Voters have approved operating levy referenda in 2010 and 2017 by 65.5% and 94.3% respectively.  We are grateful for the confidence voters have placed in the school corporation and for the ability to continue important staffing and programming levels that support our goal of excellence in education."

The referendum, which makes up 18% of the district's revenue, collects 37 cents per $100 of assessed property value.  If voters approve the question on the November 7 ballot, property taxes would stay the same as they are today.  The school corporation receives the third lowest amount of total per-pupil funding from the State among all Indiana districts (IDOE, 2021-2022).

The school corporation is committed to sharing factual information about the referendum, its impact on student learning, and its impact on the community.  Community meetings will be held to discuss the needs and referendum, information will be posted on the school corporation's website, and will be shared on social media and through other media platforms.  Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact Dr. Shawn Greiner, superintendent, at (765-642-1602, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 

Reference:  Website Referendum Information 2023-24