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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Salem Community Schools announced free breakfasts and lunches for all the students during the next school year.

The question an individual may ask is, “how is this possible?” It not a simple answer. It is the result of a combination of several different government programs.

The program is a part of Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) which is alternative to collecting, approving, and verifying household eligibility applications for free and reduced-price meals for eligibility students in high poverty situations that are enrolled in a local educational agencies (LEAs) that qualifiy for consideration to participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. They must go by the following protocol. The USDA looks at the number of directly certified students in the school system.

If the family gets SNAP, TENF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or Medicaid Free this makes the child a directly certified student. Automatically any child that is homeless, migrant farm worker or a foster child is a directly certified student.

Free meals are calculated by this percentage number and then multiplied by 1.6% to get the percentage of students that qualify for free lunches. An example would be if 40% of the students were directly certified then 64% would get free lunches. The reimbursement is $4.33 per meal. If the percentage was 63% x 1.65 would be 100%. The Salem school system presently stands at these figures Elementary 55.7%, Middle school 65% and high school at 41.2%.

The thinking here is if this many are in need of help how can we help the rest? Filling the price gap is 48 cents, again from the USDA.

The Salem Community Nutrition Program Is totally funded and self-sufficient and does not receive any local tax dollars or any funds from the school budget.

No child has not been fed lunch at Salem Schools in a long time. Some times teachers, staff or cafeteria workers would pick up the tab in the past.

The Department of Defense helps in many ways for example they give the $0.36 ½ per meal fed.

Before the free breakfast and lunch program, a supplemental lunch was $2.60. This would be more without government programs. The government figures for lunch are $4.33 per meal.

A big help in this deficit is commodities and procurement. An example of this is if the USDA gave you raw chicken, then they may make a deal with a company like Tyson to make the school chicken nuggets, a child’s favorite dish. The same goes for Red Gold tomatoes. The school system can also buy commodities valued at $80,000 (raw food commodities) for $25,000. This money may come from the government from either the USDA or Department of Defense. Another venue is the State of Indiana may have a surplus of food that they give away if someone changes an order. This example could be if they decide their students don’t like a certain can food.

It’s quite a balancing act for Karen Libka, the school Food Service Director.
Libka said, “I am a math person and our goal is to feed the children.” She credits her staff of 35 to 40 for their thrifty ways. She says you have to order and prepare enough food but not over-order.

This program guarantees that every child is fed a nutritious breakfast and lunch.

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EVANSVILLE, IN (05/15/2024)-- Students at the University of Evansville are named to the Dean's List every fall and spring semester. To merit the honor of being placed on the Dean's List, a student must have carried a full academic load of 12 hours or more and have earned a grade point average of 3.5 or above. The following local students have achieved Dean's List Honors:

Hannah Fleenor of Salem (47167)

Kaleb Tucker of Salem (47167)

Ella Heavin of Salem (47167)

The University of Evansville is a private, comprehensive university located in the southwestern region of Indiana. Established in 1854, UE is recognized across the globe for its rich tradition of innovative, academic excellence and vibrant campus community of changemakers.

Home of the Purple Aces, UE offers over 75 majors, 17 Division I sports, and a unique study abroad experience at Harlaxton, the University's very own Victorian manor located in the countryside of England. For more information, please visit evansville.edu.

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SNHU Announces Winter 2024 President's List

MANCHESTER, NH-- It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Winter 2024 President's List. The winter terms run from January to May.

Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

Sarah Gregerson of Salem

Carly Barnett of Vallonia

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Salem School Board

There was plenty to think about and consider at the Salem School Board meeting Monday night. The board opened their meeting by presenting ROAR Awards to the Disney Club at Salem High School, BSE Math Bowl Team, National History Day State Qualifiers, Math Counts, and John Hopkins.

APPROVED: minutes of the Executive and Regular Session of the April 15, 2024 School Board Meeting, agenda, claims to date.

APPROVED: the personnel and ECA recommendations

Amy Abner as the 6th grade digital citizenship teacher, Angela Snelling as the SMS health teacher beginning 2024-25 school year, Mallory Myers as the SMS health teacher beginning 2024-25 school year.

APPROVED: the new hires of Whitney Bowers as BSE corporation nurse and Kaleb Ravellette as vehicle maintenance assistant

APPROVED: the resignations of Adam Brock as IT specialist, Michele Burton as BSE teacher, Jerry Hickey as SHS assistant principal; last day June 1, 2024, Christine Mahuron as SHS counselor, Janine Terrell from full time cafe position to sub position, Rebecca Braid as cafe worker and bus monitor, Danielle Schocke as BSE instructional assistant, Gina Wientjes from BSE cafe, Autumn Gray as SMS teacher, Felicity Jones as SHS custodian.

APPROVED: the retirement of Troy Albert as SHS principal and Martha S. Deisch as SCS Bus Driver, but will remain a sub driver

APPROVED: Caitlin Ellis and Gwen Dowling for maternity leave

APPROVED: SHS summer school teachers: Frank Myszak, John Heavin, Todd Alexander and Brian Glesing

APPROVED: SHS, SMS, BSE high ability summer school teachers: Crystal Mikels, Emily Johnson, Jessica Morgan, John Calhoun and Lisa Nice

APPROVED: Emily Johnson and Crystal Mikels for stipends from K-12 Robotics Grant, Jamie Malloy for High Ability stipend, Savannah Goss for McKinney Vento Stipend

DONATIONS: Consider Approval of the following donations:

$1,000 mini grant donation from Washington County Substance Abuse Council to SADD

$250.00 donation to BPA from the Law Office of Church, Langdon, Lopp & Banet LLC for BPA National Conference

$100.00 from Dwayne Guenther Farm Bureau Insurance for BPA National Conference

$250.00 from Eddie Gilstrap Motors to Salem Golf Team

ACTION ITEMS: Consider appointments to the Washington County Community Foundation Board, Approved Steve Hunt

Consider approval of a gift from the 50 Year Class 1974

Consider approval to add Salem High School to the CEP Program

Consider approval of the Handbooks for BSE, SMS, SHS for the 2024-2025 school year

Consider approval of revising the Volunteer Policy #8120

Consider approval of the LifeSpring Health System Agency for 24-25

Consider approval of the LifeSpring Health Care Clinic for 24-25

First reading of the Wireless Communication Policy #5136, Therapy Dog Policy #8390, Proof of Residency Policy #5111, Metal Detector Policy #5517

Consider approval of an affidavit for payment

Consider approval of an overnight and out of state trip to Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida on March 19-25, 2025 for the Disney Club

Consider approval of a resolution to transfer funds to the Education Fund

Consider approval of the SHS 2024/25 textbook adoptions and orders

Consider approval of the BSE science adoption

Consider approval of the SMS book adoption

FUNDRAISERS: Salem HS Boys Soccer- Summer 2024 for new equipment

Disney Club-Car Wash June 15, 2024 to raise money for Disney trip

Disney Club Calendar Fundraiser September 2024 to raise money for Disney trip

Disney Club Halloween Party for elementary students. Date TBD

The next school board meeting is June 10, 2024

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CAST (Creating Avenues for Student Transformation) is offering three sites for summer learning labs for June and July. The goal of CAST is to increase potential in youth through tutoring and mentoring.

Classes will be offered at East Washington Elementary June 3-July 3 (, Bradie Shrum Elementary June 3-July and Campbellsburg Community Building June 10-July 12. There will be no programming at any location on June 19.

The labs will run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and are offered through the “Summer of Success in Washington County” program. Adults are asked to register children at a site where they are currently enrolled in school.

To participate in the learning labs, a student must:
Be entering 1st-5th grade
Be able to commit to all sessions
Provide own transportation
Be able to work in a small group
Want to learn, grow and have fun

Each day will include literacy, mathematics and additional Orton-Gillingham phonics lessons taught by reading specialists and certified teachers. Students are required to attend all 22 sessions of the Summer Learning Lab for best results. Excused absences in case of illness or injury are permitted.

The Southeast Summer Learning Labs are provided through the "Expanding What Works" grant from the Indiana Department of Education. The grant is an opportunity to increase access to high-quality academic and enrichment programming during Summer 2024 for Hoosier Students.

To register, please visit: https://www.castwashco.org/summerlearninglabs

CAST provides structured, multi-sensory, explicit tutoring based upon the science of reading. They have been able to provide this service free of charge for students for the last year due to a grant partnership. As that money goes away, CAST wants to make sure they are able to still serve the 140+ local students who need help. It costs CAST approximately $75 per hour for tutoring services.

The public may support the organization through donations. Monthly donations may be set up at Vemo@CASTWashCo>.

Cash or checks may be sent to:
CAST
1707 N. Shelby St., Suite 107
Salem, IN 47167