By SIERRA BAREKMAN, OPS staff writer
As this year comes to a close students have new classes and experiences. Students have already had their scheduling appointments with either guidance counselor Sally Shaffer or Amy Tolliver and put in their requests. It’s only a matter of time for them to find out which classes they got into. Usually schedules aren’t set in stone until late July before the school year begins.
When setting up student schedules, Shaffer and Tolliver look at each student individually. That means making decisions with needs and wants kept in mind. Most classes tend to stay between 25-30 students, so depending on how popular a class is there might be more requirements like a student needing teacher approval or meeting as specific GPA.
There are a few key factors that go into adding new classes to the curriculum. “The schedule is driven by two overriding factors, state graduation requirements and student course requests,” said guidance counselor Sally Shaffer. They keep in mind what students might want or need to graduate with and add classes from there. Shaffer said keeping classes at 25 to 30 students or less is optimal as well.
Early college students are especially affected by the additional classes. ECON 208, FINC 245 and MATH 111, known as global economics, introduction to investments, and finite math, respectively, are two new classes available for Vincennes University credit. ECON 208 and MATH 111 both fit into the 30 credit General Education Transfer Core Certificate. FINC 245 is available as an elective for VU credit, but doesn’t count towards the 30 Certificate.
Although early college classes are the main focus, not all new classes are directed to the early college kids. Updates for the curriculum affect all Lincoln students. There are some new elective classes for social studies credits such as ethnic studies, current problems and Indiana studies.
Students will have their schedules finalized later in the summer.
Filed April 29, 2019
By SIERRA BAREKMAN, OPS staff writer
Late winter and early spring is the time for seniors to shine and prove their worth to colleges. There are many local opportunities for students to learn how to apply for FAFSA and other major scholarships and grants.
Many seniors miss out on amazing scholarships because they miss the deadline. FAFSA closes June 30 for students graduating in 2019, and it doesn’t seem important to apply early, but those who file earlier have a higher chance to receive more aid. “The FAFSA is super important, you just need to set aside an evening with your guardians and just get it done,” said senior Trent Schaeffer.
It’s also not a one-time application. FAFSAs can be filed each academic year as long as the student is attending a university. Most financial aid offices require you to re-apply every year.
Lincoln hosted a meeting October 2018 for students and their families in media center. A representative from Vincennes University came for FAFSA Night and explained how to apply, how to bypass some problems and answered questions some parents or students had.
Another event in town is College Goal Sunday. VU and many other colleges offer seniors and their families the chance to apply for the FAFSA online with staff on campus to offer advice and answer questions. Being a VU student isn’t required to attend. It’s an event open to any senior planning for college, and will be held Feb. 24, 2-4 p.m., 1002 N First St. Financial aid experts will be ready with free help, so students and their families can file the FAFSA financial aid form online in one afternoon.
Guidance counselors Sally Shaffer and Amy Tolliver have packets and magazines chock full of information about college set up in the main office.
Shaffer explained that “scholarship applications are added to the shelf outside the Guidance Office as they become available and removed from the shelf as deadlines pass.”
Shaffer also frequently posts scholarship opportunities on her Google Classrooms divided by graduation year. Shaffer visits “english classrooms occasionally and [she posts] announcements in the bulletin weekly,” she even reminds seniors she sees in the hall to pay attention to the classroom.
Most of the scholarships Shaffer posts come from outside sources. According to her, local, state and federal organizations reach out first. Universities market those scholarships to high school students, so why not take advantage of that.
Filed Jan. 24, 2018
By JULIA EARNST, Old Post Sentinel staff writer
Life as many teens know, won’t be the same for much longer. Many teens are going to have to start worrying about their financial life, but unfortunately, many don’t know how to even budget correctly.
Lincoln High School has a Personal Financial class taught by Terri Thompson, and it is offered to freshmen. It is a semester long.
Thompson says that the first step to budgeting is identifying whether the students themselves are natural born spenders or savers.
She also has tips on how to budget properly.
“Simply give every dollar earned a name. Even save in the category of ‘fun spending’ or discretionary income.”
While it sounds simple on paper, Thompson explains ways on how to do this, because she understands that in the real world, it’s a little more difficult to spend the money on what it needs to be spent on rather what what one wants.
“Write things down on paper—have a to do list. Use either a day planner, their school handbook, even an index card. This can help with a number of things—from setting and accomplishing daily and long-term goals to just not forgetting what they need to do—such as a school assignment.”
Thompson recommends to figure out your net worth. Subtract the assets and liabilities.
Assets are possessions that are worth money. Liabilities are what is owed on something.
Establish the income and include allowances, birthdays, and Christmas gifts.
Estimate expenses, like gas money, which as of right now in Vincennes, cost $2.12 to the gallon. Depending on the gas mileage, set aside about $117 a month. Phone bills on average cost for one person is about $50 a month.
If a teenager works, they plan for tax time. With parents and employer if they should be saving to owe money come tax time in April.
A good rule of thumb is to save 10 percent of what you earn.
“The concept is that saving is a positive thing—and not a negative thing—because they are saving for themselves—in order to have money when something comes along—such as an emergency, an opportunity to go on a trip, or to save for a larger purchase,” explained Thompson.
Thompson said that she would like to have a second semester available to senior students.
“In that class, we do a review of the basics and get into more detail about investing, along with more details about life after high school, consumer awareness, bargain shopping, investing and retirement, insurance, and money and relationships,” she explained.
Getting a part time job is a great first step for teens to start learning about money, and with that, starting a savings account. It disciplines them into learning that just because they have money, it doesn’t mean they have spend it.
At Regions Bank, 2202 Sixth St., branch manager Marc McNeece explains the benefit of having a student account. A guardian must be on the account, and after a student turns 25, the account must be closed, but it’s a great way for a person to learn how to use their debit card.
It’s much easier to spend money that isn’t in a pocket, but in a bank far away.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” he explained, but it’s important for teens to have experience handling both virtual money and cash.
McNeece says that it takes only $25 to open a student account, and says that it’s best to always try to keep at least 25 in it. In order to keep this account open, there must always be a positive balance.
A good rule of thumb is to take 10 percent of all expenses and total them. Put that amount in the emergency category to save towards each month, so an emergency fund is built.
Also, but setting up a portion of a paycheck to automatically deposit into savings, this money is less likely to be spent in other ways, putting a student closer towards a savings goal like tuition, rent, or a car.
Filed Jan. 24, 2019
By HANNAH KINDLEY, Old Post Sentinel staff writer
Halloween is a fun loving holiday that kids love and enjoy every year. What’s not to love? Candy, costumes, going with friends, pumpkins, and festivities! Knox and Daviess counties have lots of events going on in October. Many events are perfect for a fall family outing with the kids or grandkids!
Haunted High ll: Terror On Main Street.
Washington Catholic High School, 201 NE Second St., is hosting their annual haunted house.
Every Friday and Saturday night in October, with the last night set for Oct. 23. There are two options. A lights on, no scare, highly recommend for kids 8 and below, is from 6-7 p.m. The admission for lights on is $3. The second option is lights of and is called an “extreme event” with strobes, fog, and low/no lights from 7-11 p.m. The admission for lights off is $10.
Autumn Ambling
Join local Master Naturalist Terri Talarek King for a casual walk on woodland trails at Ouabache Trails Park, just north of Vincennes. During “Autumn Ambling”, participants will be taking in the autumn splendor, looking for changing leaves, and being aware of how animals are preparing for winter. All ages are welcome, and families are encouraged. Meet at 2 p.m. in front of the park office. The walk will begin on Trail 1 nearby, with a stop at the butterfly garden, and will continue for 1 to one and a half hours. The event is free with no registration required. For questions or information, email leapingfrog55@yahoo.com, or leave a voice message at 812-881-8987.
Fright Night Middle School Halloween Dance
On Oct. 20, Fright Night will take place at Clark Middle School from 6-8 p.m. The admission is $5 per student. Concessions and novelties will be for sale, along with a costume contest and a photo booth. IS THIS LIMITED TO CLARK STUDENTS ONLY???
4th Annual Halloween Fall Festival.
The Fall Halloween Festival will take place at Ouabache Trails Park from 3:30-9 p.m. The admission is free, and this event includes fun booths, trick-or-treating, a haunted house, guided haunted trails, free halloween children’s games and a costume contest beginning at 5:30 p.m. Free pumpkins will be available after 5 p.m. Volunteers are needed for games and trails. For more information please contact Kristy at 812-890-5148, David at 812-324-2489 or the Knox County Parks and Recreation office at 812-882-4316.
“Fort Fright”
The annual Halloween program of the Vincennes State Historic Sites will be held Oct. 25-27 from 6-11 p.m. at historic Fort Knox II. The first part of the program is for younger children with fun activities, dramatic stations, featured haunted trails, games and a hay ride. The second part is for older children and adults with haunted trails and dramatic stations following a literary or historic theme. Admission is $5 for children 12 and under, $8 for children 12 and up, and $8 for adults. For more information, please contact the Vincennes State Historic Sites at 812-882-7422.
Halloween Comic Fest
Oct. 27 from 2-5 p.m. at The Geek Boom, 431 Main St., we will be giving out free Halloween themed comics, and hosting a costume contest. They will host local artists doing free sketches for kids, and holding game demonstrations.
Vincennes trick-or-treating hours will be announced after Oct. 22.
Kindley is a sophomore at Lincoln High School and is enrolled in the newspaper publications class.
Filed Oct. 10, 2018
By JULIA EARNST, Old Post Sentinel staff writer
According to a study done in 2013-2014 by the U.S Department of Education, 13.7 percent of all males and females are likely to be chronically absent.
Lincoln High School finds itself just below the national trends, with 8 to 10 percent of students chronically absent in the 2016-2017 school year.
As of October 19 of the 2018-2019 school year, seven students missed seven or more days already, bringing just this year to 0.9 percent, before the first quarter of the year has concluded.
To be considered chronically absent, a student would have to miss 15 days of school in the school year.
Regardless of where they are, students who don’t come to school are negatively impacted.
“It is imperative that students be in attendance each school day in order to not miss a significant portion of their education,” explained social worker Kellie Cargal. “Important learning results result from active participation in classroom and other activities which cannot be replaced by individual study.”
The Lincoln attendance policy allows parents to excuse any absence up to seven days for any reason, but after that, disciplinary actions are taken.
According to student handbook, students who have reached seven absences in one semester without a doctor’s statement will not be able to participate in class field trips.
Students under the age of 18 reaching five unexcused absences in one school year will be reported to the Knox County Juvenile Probation office.
Students under the age of 18 reaching ten unexcused absences will be reported to the Department of Children and Family Services and to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for suspension of driving privileges.
Although, there are exceptions, such as certified absences, which do not count toward the days allowed missed per semester.
“Students who miss school are obviously missing instructional time,” said Cargal. “This makes it difficult for them to complete their make-up work or at times the student is not proactive in finding out what they missed which leads to a grade of zero on the assignment, quiz ot test. Our teachers cannot go back to reteach a class because a student was not there. Being here is important.”
Studies have found absenteeism rates differ between ethnicity.
When referring to race or nationality, the American Indian nationality is more likely to be chronically absent more than any race at 22.5 percent and chronic absenteeism is 20 percent more likely among non-English learners than English learners.
It also is greatly affecting those with a learning disability versus those without. Students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) were among 16 percent of the chronically absent students. People with disabilities are 6 percent more likely to be chronically absent then those without them.
Over all though, chronic absenteeism doesn’t differ significantly by gender, females at 13.8 percent, and males at 13.6 percent, but what grade a student is in school greatly affects the amount of chronic absenteeism.
Elementary learners are only 10.9 percent chronically absent while middle school students are at 12.5 and high schoolers are at a staggering 18.9 percent.
That means that approximately 98 million school days were lost throughout a year.
According to research, the reasons for chronic absenteeism varys with the challenges students and families face, including poor health, lack of safely, limited transportation, and poverty.
Lincoln is making an effort to combat attendance apathy by touching base with students when they miss.
At a recent faculty meeting, the Teachers Interact Everyday program was launched by Vice Principal Shea Duke and Cargal. They are looking to build stronger connections with students who have had attendance related issues in the past. Teachers keep an eye on individual students’ attendance and make contact with kids if they miss, letting them know their absence was noted.
Cargal wants students to feel more connected to their school and noticed that they tend to have better attendance if they do.
She also wants students to know that the LHS faculty notice when they are not here and care about students having the best high school experience possible.
Earnst is a sophomore at Lincoln High School and is enrolled in the newspaper publications
Filed: Oct. 10, 2018
By SIERRA BAREKMAN, Old Post Sentinel staff writer
Students are putting in the work to study abroad in France. Whether they’re baking or washing cars, they need to raise a lot of money.
In order to travel to Vincennes, our sister city and a subdivision of Paris, students need to raise nearly $2,700.
It’s worth the hefty price though. They’ll be attending some classes at private Catholic high school La Providence during the day and spending time with host families at night. During free time French teacher Bailey Hacker will take the students to over a dozen tourist places.
“I just believe it’s a once in a lifetime chance to travel,” said sophomore Skyleah Risley.
The money raised will go towards individual cost for plane tickets, passports and souvenirs. Hacker puts time and effort into getting the cheapest flights she can. As a frequent traveler to France, she’s experienced enough to save students money by getting the cheapest flights, setting up students with host families and planning lots of group activities. If everything is paid for in bundles, it becomes cheaper overall for the students.
So far, about 10 students have confirmed they’re going on the trip and submitted their $50 non-refundable deposits. If more would like to go, it would lower costs a little bit, but they’d have to submit their deposit now because it was due in September.
Since Hacker has so much on her plate with planning the trip, students take fundraising into their own hands. Some even divided into a group.
The group consists of sophomores Skyleah Risley, Hya Pasana and Julia Earnst. They’re currently doing an ongoing bake sale in which they make and sell cookies, cupcakes, brownies and vegan cookie dough. They bake on Fridays and start selling the following Monday. It’s hard work, but they keep at it.
They carry baked goods with them and sell to classmates and teachers throughout the school day.
So far they’ve made a little over $240 just from bake sales, but that’ll be divided between the three of them. Even though it’s not much, it definitely helps.
This group also has a car wash planned for Oct. 13 at Memering Motorplex, 1949 Hart St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They have been selling car wash tickets for $5, and people can pay or donate at the carwash.
Additional fundraisers will include trash bag sales, and a future dessert raffle at Pea-Fections.
Pasana explained, “I want to experience the culture of France and what the country has to offer.”
Being exposed to out of country customs is very rare, and although the trip’s focus is Paris, there’s also a side trip. It’s Hacker’s favorite part because it changes every year and no one ever knows what to expect.
One year they went to Bordeaux, a small village on the west coast, for their side trip.
Those willing to support or donate to the students’ efforts can contact the school at 812-882-8480.
Barekman is a junior at Lincoln High School and enrolled in the newspaper publications class.
Filed: Oct. 9, 2018. This story additionally appeared in the Oct. 7 edition of the Sun Commercial.
OPS staff report
The Gay Straight Alliance and the League of Women’s Voters hosted a voter registration drive on Sept. 27. They didn’t register as many students as they would have liked, but they’re hopeful for the spring.
The League cares about voting and vote turnouts, due to the fact that the rate keeps lowering. And rates were lower than nearly every state that has released numbers.
More Hoosiers voted in this year’s primaries than they did in 2014, but the voter turnout rate was still lower than nearly every other state that has released numbers so far.
More than 870,000 Indiana residents voted in this year’s primary, or 19.6 percent of registered voters. That’s seven percentage points higher than the historically low 2014 primary turnout and one percentage point lower than the 2010 primary.
Only a handful of Lincoln students were eligible to register this fall, but the League and the GSA will partner again in the spring, when students who are 17 can register and vote in the May primary if they will be 18 by the November 2019 general election.
Of the 15 states analyzed by the IndyStar, only Iowa had a lower primary turnout rate than Indiana this year. North Dakota’s rate was nearly identical to Indiana’s.
According to Secretary of State, Connie Lawson, contested statewide and county races brought voters from both parties out in very pleasurable numbers, and thanks to preparations made by clerks and election administrators in all 92 counties, Indiana’s reputation is protected and efficient elections continue.
Most state’s percent turnout fell within the 20’s, with Oregon, Idaho, California and Montana reporting turnouts of over 30 percent.
A number of states haven’t held their midterm primaries yet, and other states still haven’t released official voting numbers, so Indiana could still have a higher turnout rate than some additional states.
In Indiana, early voting accounted for 20 percent of those who voted, compared to just 11 percent eight years earlier.
Jay County had the highest voter turnout rate, 57 percent. Vanderburgh County had the lowest turnout rate at just 10 percent. With the LWV, they hope to raise the lowest turnout rates, and even raise the highest up just a smidge.
Staff writer Hannah Kindley contributed to the writing of this report.
Filed: Oct. 3, 2018
By SIERRA BAREKMAN, OPS staff writer
The Wabash Valley Progressives want to make Knox County a place suitable for liberal ideas, so more people want to live here.
Their goal is “to promote open discussion and further understanding of the complicated race relations in our Wabash Valley communities,” according to vice-president of WVP Meghan Quinn.
The WVP haven’t been around for long — their first event was in 2017 — but have received incredible support and made a significant difference in the lives of Knox County residents. Although the credit doesn’t just go to them.
Change would be much more difficult if not for the folks in our community. Quinn humbly stated, “None of our footwork would matter at all if community members didn’t show up to work with us.”
Hosting events is their way of proving to young folks that Indiana is adapting to the modern world and becoming a safer place for progressive liberals and minorities.
They first sponsored a March for Science n Earth Day in 2017, and Latino Fest in September 2017. They repeated their Earth Day event in 2018, and added Vincennes’ first Pride festival on June 23.
Pride over the Wabash went over well with attendendees and had a lot of support from nearby towns. They’ve already announced the next Pride Festival will take place on June 22, 2019.
There was a concern among members that there would be some resistance to Pride.
“Save for a handful of vocal individuals, this event, too, was met with overwhelming support and community contributions,” Quinn explained.
Upcoming events include repeats of past events, but they’re open to ideas from the public. They have monthly meetings for WVP for ”addressing ways we can realistically contribute to local causes,” said Quinn. They invite the public to come and share ideas.
They “generally meet more than once a month, but we consistently meet on the second Tuesday of each month,” Quinn clarified, “We meet in people's apartments, kitchens, or sometimes choose a local restaurant.” Although the meeting place varies, if one wants to participate they can contact the WVP.
Their website is http://wabashvalleyprogressives.org/ but for specific questions send them an email at wabashvalleyprogressives@gmail.com or join their Facebook group.
Filed Sept. 6, 2018
By EMMA KYFFIN, OPS staff writer
Good Samaritan Hospital will be hosting their first ever suicide prevention 5K on Sept. 8 in an effort to raise awareness of the serious mental health issue.
It will take place at Kimmel park and will begin at 9 am.
Sierra Mullins, freshman at Lincoln high school, has so far ran a total of three 5k’s and is looking forward to participating in this race with her family after hearing about it from a family friend.
“I love running and the 5k is for a good cause,” Mullins said.
Sierra has been running for years and feels like running benefits her emotionally and physically. It keeps her in shape and she can use it as a stress reliever.
When Mullins doesn’t already have soccer practice, she runs 2 miles or 20 minutes on the treadmill in order to prepare herself for the 5k.
GSH is welcoming walkers to join in on the fun.
Registration will start at 8:30 a.m. for runners or walkers not already registered, and will cost $25. Registration forms can be also found online suicideprevention5k.eventbrite.com or at any Good Samaritan center location.
The top female or male runner will win awards and medals will be given to the top three runners in each age group.
Filed: Sept. 5, 2018