From Superintendent Andrew Melin, Ph.D. for the week of April 18, 2011:
Dual credit partnership with Purdue North Central benefitting many VHS students
Dual credit is a program that gives high school students an opportunity to take courses for both high school and college credit. This concept has grown around the state and country over the past several years, and our administrative team at Valparaiso High School has done an outstanding job of developing a strong partnership with Purdue North Central (PNC) that is currently in its second year. This school year 193 VHS students are enrolled in a total of 1,091 credit hours through PNC. Individual VHS students have earned anywhere from three to 28 college credits while still in high school. Another great benefit of the PNC partnership is the cost. VHS students pay half the cost of regular PNC tuition, and all free/reduced lunch students receive 100% tuition assistance. VCS greatly appreciate its relationship with PNC, and our dual credit partnership continues to grow as the number of VHS students participating has more than doubled this year over last year’s 94 student participation. VHS students can enroll in up to 21 dual credit classes in five main subject areas: English, foreign language, math, science, and social science. Dual credit courses not only satisfy Academic Honors Diploma requirements, but the credits are also accepted at all Indiana state (non-private) colleges and universities. PNC Dual Credit Student Applications are available in the VHS Guidance Office for the 2011-2012 school year. PNC is not the only dual credit partnership for VHS students. Numerous classes taken at the Porter County Career and Technical Center offer dual credit with Ivy Tech. VHS hopes to expand its dual credit program by pursuing additional dual credit arrangements with Ivy Tech as well as initiate new dual credit arrangements with Valparaiso University and Indiana University Northwest.
VCS News
VCS will host a School Messenger (automated phone system) and “Edline” Help Night on April 21 beginning at 6 p.m. in the VHS Auditorium. Parents need to bring cell phones for School Messenger and they need to make sure their current cell phone number is on file at their child's school. If uncertain, parents should call the building secretary to verify. If it's not in our school management system, parents need to ask the secretary to have it added. Also, to access Edline, parents will need their child's Edline account number. If they don't have that, they need to bring a photo ID and their child's report card for verification purposes.
The annual VCS elementary art show is being held at the public library from April 16-May 12.
VCS Standouts
Congratulations to those students exhibiting art in the VHS AP/IB Art Show last Thursday and Friday, and good work by the VHS Drama Club in hosting the annual “April Antics” show last Friday and Saturday.
Important Dates:
- April 19 School Board Meeting
- April 21 School Messenger and “Edline” Help Night
- April 22 Snow Make-Up Day/School in session