Connersville High School

In June, recent Connersville High School graduate Christina Caldwell was named the Indiana FFA State Secretary. This is the first time in 45 years that a Spartan has held a prestigious title in the state FFA office. During Christina's current year of service, which begins and ends at the annual State Convention, she will travel the state presenting seven three-day leadership conferences and speaking to an estimated 14,000 FFA members, supporters, and individuals involved in leadership and agriculture. Throughout her four years of membership in the national FFA organization, Christina has served in numerous leadership positions at the Chapter, District, and State level and won many different awards. She has previously held the positions of State Chorus President and District IX President, allowing her to serve on the State Executive Committee for three years. This made her the youngest member elected to this committee (13yo) and one of the longest serving student members on the committee.

Beginning October 28th, Linq connect will replace the parent portal, k12paymentcenter.com, to add money to your child's account. It will also replace lunchapplication.com for online meal applications. All meals at Little Spartans Preschool and all elementary schools are still free. CHS and CMS still have free breakfast. Students are determined by meal application at CHS and CMS for lunch meals. Linq Connect will let you track student accounts to see how they are spending their money, add money for meals or extras, and also fill out free and reduced applications. Please call the food service department if you have any questions, 765-825-7841.

Our next BUS DRIVER TRAINING COHORT begins the week of October 28th. We are looking for responsible and passionate individuals to join the Spartan Family as bus drivers, substitute bus drivers, and event drivers. Reach out today to inquire about and sign up for our upcoming PAID training opportunities. Fayette County can take you from start to finish earning your license (with the exception of tests to be taken at the BMV). We can also cover expenses related to CDL testing, Drug screening, and pay you $10/hr. for your time during training. Once licensed, bus driver compensation at FCSC is as follows: Daily Routes: $24.39/Hr. Sub Routes: $22.90/Hr. Spots are limited. Reach out to Darrell Drew at ddrew@fayette.k12.in.us or 765-827-0891 to reserve your place today!

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT APRIL (McDIVITT) SCHILLING Eighteen women were named to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame's 2024 Silver Anniversary Team. Among those inductees was former Connersville Spartan April (McDivitt) Schilling. During her Spartan career, April was named 1999 Miss Basketball and named an Indiana All-Star. The awards didn't stop there as she also received All-American honors from the WBCA and was named a finalist for the Naismith Award that honors the National Player of the Year. She was also named Second Team All-USA by USA Today and First Team All-State by the AP. She also holds the Connersville school records for career points (1,908), assists (554), steals (446), field goals (673) and three-point field goals (271). If that wasn't enough, she led her team to three 20-win seasons and won the 1995 Hall of Fame Classic. April played collegiately at the University of Tennessee for three seasons and appeared in two Final Fours with the Lady Vols. During her first two years in Knoxville, she played alongside WNBA legend Tamika Catchings. She transferred to UC Santa Barbara for her final year of eligibility during the 2003-04 season and led UCSB to the sweet sixteen for the first time in school history. The WNBA veteran played for the New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx and Washington Mystics during her career. She has also been a coach for many teams at different levels, including spending time as an assistant for the Indiana Fever. Traditions of Excellence...that's the Spartan Difference! Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

UPDATED SUBSTITUTE TEACHER PAY! Do you have a heart for service and some extra time in your schedule? If so, we need you! As a substitute, you have the flexibility to work the days you want, serve in the buildings or grade levels you choose, and make a difference in the lives of children. Contact FCSC today for more information (chowe@fayette.k12.in.us) or apply today at: HTTPS://WWW.APPLITRACK.COM/FAYETTEK12/ONLINEAPP/ $85.00/DAILY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/GED/HSE OR AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE $95.00/DAILY BACHELOR DEGREE/MILITARY SERVICE $110.00/DAILY RETIRED TEACHER OTHER INCENTIVES: • $30.00 FOR ATTENDING ORIENTATION AND SUBBING FOUR (4) TIMES • $130.00 FOR SUBBING 25 OR MORE MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS • $50.00 FOR USING SMART PHONE APP TO RETRIEVE AT LEAST 12 SUBSTITUTE TEACHER JOBS • REIMBURSEMENT OF UP TO $100.00 (LICENSING, CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK), AFTER COMPLETING 10 SUBSTITUTE TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS • MEAL TICKET – ONE GIVEN EACH SEMESTER (GOOD FOR 10 MEALS)

At the Fayette County School Corporation, we put a premium on staff professional growth in order to best serve our children. Sometimes, this means learning from other school districts! Today, our awesome Spartan Learning Center (SLC) team visited Winchester Community High School to see their innovative P-Tech Program in action. The program focuses on strong community and industry partnerships, project-based learning, and providing opportunities for students to learn in authentic, hands-on ways. Thank you Winchester Community High School for hosting our team! That's the Spartan Difference! Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

CONGATULATIONS to the Spartan Boy's Soccer Team on their recent Sectional Championship and best of luck this Thursday as they compete in the Regional Semi-Final against Indianapolis Bishop Chatard here at CHS. Spartan Nation...we need you loud and proud on Thursday cheering on our guys! Tickets may be purchased in advance through EventLink and are $10. We ask that all spectators park in the Fieldhouse parking lot. https://ihsaa.eventlink.com/Tickets?l=Connersville+MS%2FHS+%28Spartan+Field%29&fbclid=IwY2xjawF7s8lleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHavKG3pZbwJMKyTkkp4QtzrWUSu8IURhWIP9ZVTf5aesTaiUXM0odgSyGA_aem_jtXH80Kh49zKht4czKlFVw&c=Soccer+%28Boys%29

BEGINNING MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2024 Parents and Guardians, In our continued efforts to enhance convenience and simplify your lives, we have partnered with LINQ to implement LINQ Connect. This innovative platform is designed to improve the way you make payments for various school-related expenses, including: •School lunches • Apply for free and reduced benefits and more To register for LINQ Connect and start enjoying its benefits, please visit your app store and download the app or visit https://www.linqconnect.com and click “Register” to create your account. Convenience: With LINQ Connect, you can make payments anytime, anywhere, using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Say goodbye to writing checks or sending cash. Easy Account Management: The platform provides a user-friendly interface for managing your account, tracking history, and setting up automatic payments for recurring expenses. Secure Transactions: LINQ Connect utilizes advanced security measures to ensure that your personal and payment information are protected at all times. Real-Time Updates: Receive instant notifications and updates regarding your child's account balance, upcoming payments, and any changes to scheduled activities or events. If you have any questions or need assistance at any point during the registration process or while using LINQ Connect, please do not hesitate to reach out to the LINQ Connect support team at support@linqconnect.com or 844-467-4700. For faster response, try the new online web chat support feature at linqconnect.com. Thank you, Chartwells Food Service/Fayette County Schools

October 9, 2024 To Whom It May Concern: School administration at the Fayette County School Corporation and Connersville High School have been made aware of alleged racial slurs used during an athletic contest toward our student-athletes. We have conducted a thorough investigation of the allegations and have reported the results to both the IHSAA and the other school involved. In addition to providing this information, we have offered our complete support on the next steps toward restitution. The Fayette County School Corporation is deeply saddened by these allegations. As an organization rooted in the belief that all individuals are innately created equal regardless of differences, such alleged incidents bring about pain and disappointment for all of us. The use of racial slurs or other derogatory comments in any context are hurtful, offensive, and simply put, unacceptable. At the Fayette County School Corporation, we are committed to fostering an environment of respect, inclusion, dignity, and love for all students and staff. As your Superintendent, I expect all members of our school community, as well as those that we compete against on the field or court of play, to uphold these standards to ensure a safe and supportive environment for everyone. With this said, it is very important to remember that we are working with young, impressionable individuals. We, as the Spartan community, have an obligation to be examples and carriers of the very things that we hold near…kindness, goodness, and understanding of different perspectives. Please keep these things in mind as we work to find healing, not hatred, on our path forward. Respectfully, Jeremy Duncan Superintendent Fayette County School Corporation

Congratulations to our very own Hayden Steele for being a nominated for the prestigious Beck's Player with Heart Award! From Becks: Hayden Steele was nominated as a Beck’s Player with Heart for her commitment and passion on and off the court. The thing she loves most about high school sports is how they are constantly pushing her to be better. Whether that is being a better person, friend, or dancer, the coaches and the sport help her grow. Hayden loves this about her team because it translates into her other passions such as showing pigs and cattle and being an FFA officer. She is involved in the class council, the dance team, and FFA. When she is not dancing, Hayden volunteers at all gleaner events in her county and runs many charity events through her officer position in her FFA chapter. She is also heavily involved in 4-H, where she helps with their cattle association. Agriculture is everything to Hayden. It is the food that she eats, the clothes she wears, and the labor she puts forth in her life. Hayden would like to go to Purdue to either get a degree in elementary education or veterinary science. Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

What a season! And, we aren't done yet. Your Connersville Spartans are IHSAA Boy's Tennis Sectional Champions! JV 13-0 Varsity 18-2 Connersville Invitational Champs Conference Champs (7-0) 3peat Sectional Champs

Best of luck to the Spartan Marching Band & Guard today in the ISSMA Scholastic Prelims at Whitelqnd Community High School! Go Spartans!

Therapy Dogs are just one of the many ways that the Fayette County School Corporation supports the well-rounded needs of its students. Research on the benefits of therapy dogs indicates that they help students with a variety of physical and mental health issues. Additionally, therapy dogs have been proven to improve social interactions and overall well-being. Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

Congratulations to our 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program finalists: Kierra Mckinney, Maddyson Sparks, Harley Morris, Terran Jefferson, and Gwynn Higbie. Best of luck in your upcoming interview rounds!

Check out these numbers! Did you know that in 2023-2024, Spartan students earned: 17 Associates Degrees 2,408 Total College Credit Hours $470,972 Tuition Dollars Saved All while still in high school! Great things are happening at the Fayette County School Corporation!

Upcoming dates for the food pantry/clothing closet

Chartwells would love for you to join their team!

IMPORTANT FINAL REMINDER! The Fayette County School Corporation needs your help! After today, Monday, September 30th, our Corporation Free/Reduced Lunch percentage is final for the school year. While you may still apply for Free/Reduced Lunch after this date, doing so prior to October 1st helps our School Corporation qualify for Title I funding, the USDA's Community Eligibility Program (free lunch for our elementary students), other grant funding, and more. If you believe you are near the income thresholds for Free or Reduced Lunch and have not yet filled out your application, please do so today! Applying and not receiving the benefit has no negative effect on you or your child. If you do qualify, you will receive either free or reduced lunches for your children. Only one application needs to be completed per household, per year. The quick and easy application can be found at: https://lunchapplication.com/ Thank you for your help! Go Spartans!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE! The Fayette County School Corporation needs your help! After Monday, September 30th, our Corporation Free/Reduced Lunch percentage is final for the school year. While you may still apply for Free/Reduced Lunch after this date, doing so prior to October 1st helps our School Corporation qualify for Title I funding, the USDA's Community Eligibility Program (free lunch for our elementary students), other grant funding, and more. If you believe you are near the income thresholds for Free or Reduced Lunch and have not yet filled out your application, please do so today! Applying and not receiving the benefit has no negative effect on you or your child. If you do qualify, you will receive either free or reduced lunches for your children. Only one application needs to be completed per household, per year. The quick and easy application can be found at: https://lunchapplication.com/ Thank you for your help! Go Spartans!

Did you know that Fayette County School Corporation can train YOU to be a bus driver? We are looking for responsible and passionate individuals to join the Spartan Family as bus drivers, substitute bus drivers, and event drivers. Reach out today to inquire about our upcoming paid training opportunities. Go Spartans! Darrell Drew ddrew@fayette.k12.in.us