Food insecurity was a problem in Indiana well before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2018, roughly one million Hoosiers had limited or uncertain access to adequate food, above the national average.

PIERCETON — A reading interventionist and Title I teacher at Pierceton Elementary School, Mary Helen Gensch took her own struggles as a child and uses those lessons to help children now. “I struggled with reading as a kid and my third-grade teacher discovered how to make me feel proud of myself. My reading grew that year,” Gensch explained. “I decided I wanted to help kids feel the same way.”

By Briley Gargis  InkFreeNews PIERCETON – The food bank of Northern Indiana, along with The Salvation Army, hosted a drive-up food distribution at Pierceton Elementary school Wednesday morning, April 29. Members of the community were able to line up in the school’s parking lot and receive a box of food as well a box of …read more.

  PIERCETON — After graduating from Indiana University Bloomington, Hilary Stouder began the search for a teaching position. She applied at Whitko and began her career as a second grade teacher. She has been with the Whitko school system for 18 years. She later transitioned to a full-time instructional coach for teachers. In this position, …read more.

PIERCETON — On Aug. 27, Mrs. Baum and her fourth-grade students at Pierceton Elementary School participated in an edible Indiana graham cracker activity. Mrs. Baum called it “Nibble Indiana.” As a part of the student curriculum, fourth-grade students at Whitko get an opportunity to focus on Indiana history. Using a map they had constructed earlier …read more.

PIERCETON — Ricky Jefferson has been the music instructor for the past year at South Whitley Elementary School, but thanks to a new opportunity, he is now the elementary music instructor for both of Whitko’s elementary schools. “We are so excited to have Mr. Jefferson join the Pierceton family,” said Pierceton Elementary School Principal Michele …read more.

  [weaver_youtube KIwh6TzYc70 rel=0]   The following is the first of two stories about Little Free Libraries in Kosciusko County. This story focuses on locals’ experiences with establishing the stands, how the Little Free Libraries work and where they can be found. Part two will be posted Friday. WARSAW — There are six public libraries in …read more.

LARWILL — The Whitko School Board heard a presentation on Little Free Libraries during its meeting on Monday, July 15. Hilary Stouder, a librarian at both Pierceton and South Whitley Elementary Schools; and MaryHelen Gensch, Title I reading interventionist for Pierceton Elementary School, held the presentation. On July 8, a Little Free Library was established …read more.

PIERCETON — Michele Smith, chief academic officer for Marion Community Schools, was announced as Pierceton Elementary School’s new principal during the Whitko School Board meeting held Monday, May 20. Smith has worked as a chief academic officer for four years and also worked as a principal for four years. “I’m really excited to work for …read more.

PIERCETON — Thanks to a grant from CenturyLink Foundation for $2,897, beginning in fall 2019, Makey Makey Kits will arrive at Pierceton Elementary School’s fourth-grade classrooms. The kits are an extension of PES commitment to engage their students in STEM disciplines. The kits will allow students to experiment with alligator clips, which are often used …read more.

SOUTH WHITLEY — Ink Free News was recently contacted by an anonymous source regarding an alleged child abuse situation that reportedly occurred at Pierceton Elementary School. The source reported the incident to Ink Free News on March 19, the day after Whitko School Board’s meeting. During the school board meeting, Pierceton Elementary School Principal Mike …read more.

SOUTH WHITLEY — Each year, students from both Pierceton and South Whitley Elementary schools participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. At South Whitley Elementary School, Cliff Hawkins earned the top honors, followed by Ciera Leughmyer in second place. The third-place spot went to Keeli Dennis. At Pierceton, Cale Bennett returned as champion after earning …read more.

PIERCETON — “On Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, at around 1:46 in the afternoon, I signed my contract, which would be my first step to living out my dream of becoming a United States Marine,” said Brad Trump from the podium at the Pierceton Elementary School veterans program Monday morning, Nov. 12. Trump, a senior at …read more.

SOUTH WHITLEY — All veterans are invited to attend the annual Veterans Day celebrations at Whitko Community Schools. Whitko will host programming at all three of its locations — Pierceton Elementary School, South Whitley Elementary School, and Whitko Jr.-Sr. High School. Students have been preparing for weeks, learning the significance of the American flag, what …read more.

PIERCETON — New York Times Best Selling Author Chris Barton, the author of 16 children’s illustrated books, visited Pierceton Elementary School on Monday, Oct. 1. Throughout the day, all six grades at PES had an opportunity to listen to Barton’s presentation, which included a brief introduction about finding his gift for writing. Barton also read …read more.

PIERCETON — The month of October represents a time of fun, games, and traditional Halloween celebrations, and at Pierceton Elementary School, students are adding one more element of excitement. They call it Socktober. Students from PES fourth-grade classrooms initially decided to participate in Socktober after watching a video by the renowned Kid President on Youtube. …read more.

PIERCETON — Parents picking up or dropping off their students at Pierceton Elementary School last week, Aug. 30, were surprised by Pierceton police and paramedics who held pre-planned safety inspections of each vehicle. The inspections were requested by the school. Officer Ryan Piper and Paramedic Alicia Elder visited each vehicle as families exited the pickup …read more.

SOUTH WHITLEY — Back to school for Whitko Community Schools began Thursday, Aug 9. School administrators spent the evenings before hosting back-to-school events and orientation meetings, as well as connecting students with their new teachers. Students in grades kindergarten through six will attend Pierceton and South Whitley elementary schools this school year while students in …read more.

LARWILL — Right now, Whitko staff members are working behind the scenes to update internal processes: the school website, social media, and messaging systems, to reflect the new changes for Pierceton Elementary School, South Whitley Elementary School and the new Whitko Jr./Sr. High School. Parents and students can expect that over the coming weeks, some …read more.

PIERCETON — On Wednesday, April 25, Pat Welch of CenturyLink’s Warsaw office showed up at Pierceton Elementary School with a poster-sized check for $4070.50 for Dana Clutter and Brittany Hamm, PES teachers who were named recipients of a Centurylink grant they had applied for earlier in the year. Clutter and Hamm revealed in their grant …read more.

MILFORD — The Kosciusko County Spelling Bee kicked off at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at Milford School. A total of 21 student finalists, 17 fifth- and sixth-graders and four seventh- and eighth-graders, competed for the two $2,500 Richard R. Long scholarships and the title of spelling bee champion.

PIERCETON — Historical figures were brought to life during the annual biography museum held at Pierceton Elementary School on Monday, May 22. Third graders at PES were given the assignment to pick a historical figure to research and create an informative presentation on for the museum event. The annual event was a little different this …read more.

PIERCETON — Pierceton Elementary School’s Learning Commons features a Makerspace. A makerspace is an area designed to allow for ‘makers’ of any kind to gather, collaborate and be creative.  Pierceton Elementary’s goal of their makerspace is to allow students to have an area in the building that works as an extension of their classroom.  In this …read more.

WARSAW — A new school year means a fresh start for kids, a chance to start new routines and habits, build new friendships and discover new possibilities and interests. As children transition from summer to fall, Kosciusko Community YMCA offers programs to school-aged children throughout Kosciusko County to keep them active, busy and engaged during out-of-school …read more.

PIERCETON — Pierceton Elementary School spent the week of May 2-6 celebrating School Lunch Hero Week. Before a child can learn, his or her belly must be full and for that reason, the school lunch staff is an important part of the school team. PES purchased the “Lunch Lady” book series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka, …read more.

By AMY CHRiSTOFFEL Administrative & Marketing Coordinator, Whitko Community School Corporation KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The Whitko Community School Corporation has named the students of the month of May. Lindsay Moseley is the Student of the month at Whitko High School. Moseley is truly the embodiment of what Whitko High School is all about. She is a …read more.

WHITLEY COUNTY — The following Whitko students have been announced as students of the month: Anna Ousley – Whitko High School Anna Ousley was nominated as the student of the month for her important role as a peer helper in the functional skills classroom. She models respect and patience with her classmates and presents herself with …read more.

PIERCETON — Pierceton Elementary School has released its honor roll for the first grading period of the 2015-2016 school year.

PIERCETON — Come downtown Pierceton where 11 permanent shops and one banquet facility filled with 20+ vendors will be ready for your holiday shopping at unique one-of-a-kind shops and one day vendors. This year Santa will make a visit at Lakeland Art Christmas Boutique 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and can be seen at The Train …read more.

PIERCETON — Citizens from all over Kosciusko County gathered at the new Pierceton Elementary school to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony, hear from keynote speakers and witness the new and much improved building for the first time.

On Monday, May 11, the Pierceton Elementary retired teachers met to walk the halls of the school one last time before the building will be demolished this June. Teachers enjoyed a special lunch fixed by the cafeteria and went on a guided tour by head custodian, Mr. Oaks. The picture above represents many years of …read more.

By ASHLEY ROBERTS Pierceton Elementary School On Friday, Feb. 6, Pierceton Elementary School held its annual science fair. The first place winner was Jordyn Leininger, a fourth grade student. Leininger tested different types of feed to determine which type of feed is the best for her sheep. The second place winner was Madilyn Bradley, also …read more.

By MICHELLE BALL Pierceton Elementary Fourth graders at Pierceton Elementary School are giving up a school gift exchange this year to help others in need. The fourth graders have donated shoe boxes and small items to go in them. Students are packing the shoe boxes to be sent to children of disaster relief and in …read more.

Students in Jessica Long’s fifth grade class at Pierceton Elementary recently wrote persuasive essays on a charity that they felt passionate about. They had to research their charity and write a persuasive letter, which they would later present, on why the class should donate to their organization. To make a competition out of it, the …read more.

[weaver_youtube HjbXrLiFWMw rel=0] Phase one of a construction project at Pierceton Elementary School (PES) began today. “Phase one for PES is the demolition of a couple classroom wings to make room for the new building,” said Steve Clason, superintendent of Whitko Community Schools. The classrooms being torn down once housed the first and third grade …read more.

The Monroe School is holding a reunion from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, at the Pierceton Elementary School gym. In 1917, Monroe was one of six small schools in Monroe Township that was consolidated into Monroe Consolidated Schools. A new building was built  on land located on 600 South and State …read more.

  The second and third grade students of Pierceton Elementary held their Spring Art and Music Program on April 1. The students displayed their art projects in the commons area and then preformed songs such as “Animal Crackers In My Soup,” “Let It Go” and “Dynamite” in the gym.  

Parents, staff and community members are encouraged to attend a meeting at Pierceton Elementary School at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, to hear plans for the construction of a new elementary building. Design and flow plans will be shown. The impact on students will be discussed as changes and moving of classrooms are made next …read more.

Parents, staff and community members are encouraged to attend a meeting at Pierceton Elementary School at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, to hear plans for the construction of a new elementary building. Design and flow plans will be shown. The impact on students will be discussed as changes and moving of classrooms are made next …read more.

The Whitko High School Class of 2022 met for the first time all together on May 17 at the Pierceton Park in Pierceton for the annual Pen Pal Picnic. These third graders from Mrs. Gawthrop’s Class, Mrs. Kinney’s Class, and Mrs. Mohr’s Class at South Whitley Elementary School and Mr. Fitzsimmons’ Class, Mrs. Garber’s Class, and Mrs. Underhill’s Class at …read more.

Bethel Baptist Church of Pierceton is having a special Teacher Appreciation at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 17.  Teachers and staff of Pierceton Elementary School will be honored as guests and given a special gift. Other teachers from other area schools are also welcome. Pastor Jim Baughman said the congregation will also be praying for and …read more.

  In a recent cross country meet against South Whitley Elementary School, Pierceton Elementary School had four of the top six runners. The PES Cross Country team, coached by Paula Popenfoose, is composed of mostly third, fourth and fifth graders. Those top runners in the South Whitley were Kaiden Templeton, Sara Walters, Lily Spurlin and Paige …read more.

Pierceton Elementary School is hosting a nationally recognized child abduction prevention program for all students from Kindergarten though 5th grade. KID ESCAPE™ teaches children how to “Grip, Dip & Spin™” away from potential abductors, and will be taught by authorized instructor, Steve Zorn of Warsaw. The students will be divided by grades and a total …read more.