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September 2016
USTANG EXPRESS
Corporation Monthly Newsletter for the School Town of Munster
The Art of Schooling
In this issue:

Back to
School News

Alumni Hall
of Fame

Super Chat

Corporation
Contact
information
As I contemplate the beginning of another year, I am reminded how quickly Dr. Jeff Hendrix
Superintendent
the year passes for me as an adult, but for some children, the school year
seems like an eternity. Many of us have vivid memories of school. Some
days were better than others. Success is the desire, but failure felt like the end of the
world. Each day can bring joy and it can bring disappointment, but there is one constant
that greets every child at the schoolhouse door, and that is his or her teacher.
As an individual who has attended public school all of my life, I have reflected upon those
days many times. I am still amazed by the people who greeted me at their classroom door
every day. Most of us can remember the names of many of our former teachers. There
are reasons for these memories. The first is that our experience was not very good. We
got into trouble a lot. We did an embarrassing thing. We broke up with a friend.
Somehow, our teachers were there to get us through that tough time. As we get older, we
share those stories as though they are badges on our chest.
For all those negative experiences, if we think back, we can also remember many happier
experiences. Those childhood friends that we walked to school with each day or sat on
the bus with every day. We shared stories about our family and our vacation. We talked
about “crushes”. We gathered on the playground to partake in games of kickball, tag, and
jump rope. We remember our band playing days, the school plays, and those speeches
in front of everyone in school. We recall the glory days on the court, the diamond and the
gridiron. We think about those projects and presentations in class. We even remember
our trips to the pumpkin patch, the zoo or to the nation’s capital. Throughout all of those
memories, we somehow thought we had life figured out. We didn’t realize who was there
helping us through it all.
TEACHING TODAY for TOMORROW
Page 2
The Art of Schooling, continued….
If we remember back to all those days, we should be thanking a teacher. It was a teacher who planned
our days, provided the freedom to learn, and supervised our time on the playground. It was a teacher
who spent hours after school to coach, sponsor and direct us through our playing and performing. It was
also the teacher who took the time to ask us about our lives, what we wanted to do when we grew up.
They wanted to know our interests because they really cared about us.
So is there an art to schooling? The answer is yes! The artists, painters, sculptors and directors are the
teachers. They work with the unformed clay, blank canvasses and untrained voices of each student.
They teach, mold and form each child so that child will begin to believe in his or her abilities to be
successful. This is an art. There is no prescription for success. The success comes from providing a
learning experience that ensures a rigorous curriculum is being taught, and that the curriculum and
instruction are relevant to each child. The real key to the success of every child is impacted by the
relationship that the teacher has with students. If we think back to our favorite memories, many of them
involve our relationship with our teachers.
This school year it is my hope that every child in the School Town of Munster will have the opportunity to
make “happy memories” through experiencing a rigorous and relevant curriculum. More importantly, I
hope that every child will have the opportunity to develop a positive relationship with his or her teacher.
That will make the difference. I wish you all a great school year.
Dr. Jeff Hendrix
Super Chat with Dr. Jeff Hendrix
Super Chat with Dr. Jeff Hendrix is a monthly podcast program for the School Town of Munster
hosted on the corporation website at http://www.munster.us. The program is designed to provide
corporation and school information on events, issues and information that is pertinent to the School Town
of Munster community. Topics for this monthly program will range from finance/budgeting, academic
programs, curriculum, assessment, and instructional practices to student organizations, extracurricular
activities and sports. The program this month will feature our PTO Presidents, sharing information about
their Parent Teacher Organizations and up coming events this school year. The show is hosted by Gary
Puckett, a national talk show host and writer. To access the show from the STM website, the listener
must click onto the FlyPod logo, where the listener will be redirected to the podcast page and player.
There is also a comment section on the FlyPod page for community feedback. We look forward to our
community’s responses and ideas for future shows.
Page 3
Assessment
Assessment windows for School Town of Munster have been established and are published online at
www.munster.us under the Academics, then Assessment tab. For your convenience, a copy of the 20162017 Assessment Calendar is included.
Upcoming Assessment Windows

NWEA Fall Window (Grades K-8)
August 22-September 12, 2016
 ISTAR, Part 1
October 3-November 4, 2016
 Accuplacer, Part 1
October 3-November 23, 2016
 PSAT
October 19, 2016
High Ability
The third annual High Ability Summit was held on June 1, 2016 in order to review current practices in
high ability identification, processes and procedures. Changes include:



High ability identification in kindergarten will include scores from both CogAT and winter NWEA.
High ability identification in grades 2, 5 and 8 will include scores from InView and the winter window
of NWEA.
Students identified for high ability math for the first time as 5th graders will be placed in AdvanceMath
in 6th grade and upon successful completion (B- each semester) will be placed in Honors Pre-Algebra
in 7th grade. This will provide transitional instruction for these students who have not previously been
receiving accelerated and compacted curriculum. There is a possibility that these students will be
moved into Honors Math 6 during the year based on performance in Advanced Math 6.
High Ability Identification Schedule 2016-2017
January 18, 2017
InView testing, Grade 8.
January 17-27, 2017 CogAT testing in kindergarten classes; InView testing in grades 2 and 5.
March 24, 2017
High Ability assessment information and preliminary placement determinations for
grades K, 2, 5, 8 and students new to the district will be mailed home to parents.
This mailing will include the Scales for Identifying Gifted Students (SIGS) for
students who score within the Standard Error of Measure (SEM Window).
April 7, 2017
Deadline for SIGS to be returned to child’s school. No late submissions will be
accepted.
April 10-13, 2017
Elementary and Middle School placement letters for students scoring within the
SEM window sent to parents.
April 13, 2017
Honors requests determination meeting at Munster High School for students
currently in grades 9, 10 and 11.
April 18-28, 2017
Elementary and Middle School appeal submissions due. No late submissions will
be accepted.
Munster High School determination notification letters mailed to parents. All
determinations are final.
May 1-12, 2017
Elementary and Middle School Placement committees review and rule on appeals.
May 15-19, 2017
Parents notified of appeal status. All appeals are final.
Page 4
2016-2017 Assessment Calendar
Name of Assessment
Window Begins
Window Ends
Indiana Statewide Testing of Educational Progress Plus (ISTEP+; Grades 3-8 and Grade 10)
ISTEP+ Part 1
February 27, 2017
March 10, 2017
ISTEP+ Part 2
April 17, 2017
May 5, 2017
Indiana Reading And Evaluation Determination (IREAD; Grade 3)
IREAD-3
March 13, 2017
March 17, 2017
ISTEP+ End of Course Assessments Algebra I and English 10 (ECAs; Grades 10-12)
ISTEP ECA Algebra I and English 10 (Winter)
December 5, 2016
December 16, 2016
ISTEP ECA Algebra I and English 10 (Spring)
April 24, 2017
May 26, 2017
Indiana Standards Tool for Alternate Reporting (ISTAR; Determined by Individual Education Plans)
ISTAR Part 1
October 3, 2016
November 4, 2016
ISTAR Part 2
January 9, 2017
February 3, 2017
ISTAR Part 3
April 10, 2017
May 19, 2017
NWEA MAP Testing (Grades K-8)
Fall Window
August 22, 2016
September 12, 2016
Winter Window
November 28, 2016
December 16, 2016
Spring Window
March 20, 2017
April 17, 2017
World-Class Instructional Design and Assessments (WIDA) for English Language Learners
WIDA ACCESS Annual Assessment
January 9, 2017
February 24, 2017
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT; Kindergarten)
CogAT
January 17, 2017
January 27, 2017
InView (Grades 2, 5 and 8)
Inview – Grades 2 and 5
January 17, 2017
Inview – Grade 8
January 18, 2017
January 27, 2017
Accuplacer (Grades 11 and 12)
Accuplacer Part 1
October 3, 2016
November 23, 2016
Accuplacer Part 2
February 13, 2017
March 31, 2017
Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)/
PSAT (Grades 8, 9, 10, 11)
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT)
October 19, 2016
Advanced Placement Testing (College Board; Grades 9-12)
AP Window
May 1, 2017
May 12, 2017
Page 5
Munster Police Department News
REMINDERS FOR PARENTS AS THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS
Parents are asked to remember the following safety tips as we begin our new school year:

Please follow the proper drop-off and pick-up procedures for your child's school to ensure a smoother
process for everyone. Never leave your vehicle parked along the curb or in the pick-up line, and do not
pick up or drop off your child in unauthorized areas.

Please be aware of children and parents who are crossing at intersections or walking out from behind
vehicles. Slow down in school zones (20mph speed limit) and always yield to pedestrians.

Please speak with children who walk to school about strangers and about how to react if they are
approached or if they get lost. Always make sure to accompany small children to school for their safety.

Be aware that you MUST stop for school bus stop arms, unless there is an unimproved median or barrier
in the center of the street. Even on multi-lane streets such as Ridge Road, you MUST stop for the safety
of the children boarding or departing from the bus. School bus drivers have been trained to report
violators to the Munster Police Department.

The Munster Police Department maintains directed school zone patrols during arrival and dismissal and
will issue citations for individuals who are speeding or disregarding crossing guards, stop signs, or other
signage.

Make sure to avoid parking in handicapped zones, which is punishable by a fine. Please leave these
spaces for people who need to use them.
Please report individuals who are driving recklessly in the school zones immediately by calling 911 along
with a description of the vehicle and/or license plate. Any ongoing safety issues should be reported to your
child's principal or the appropriate school resource officer (Officer James Ghrist, elementary schools,
219-836-6639, or Officer Joe Pacheco, middle/high schools, 219-836-6629).
RED RIBBON WEEK POSTER CONTEST FOR GRADES K-12
The Munster Police Department and Choice Community Council invite all Munster students, grades K-12, to
participate in their annual Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest, which begins on Monday, September 19th. On
that date, homeroom teachers will be instructed to provide information to their students about the contest,
which is held to promote awareness about drug prevention and to encourage students to make positive
choices.
Any student wishing to participate must complete a poster on a standard 8 X 11 sheet of paper
(nothing larger please) and include the words "Munster" and "Red Ribbon" somewhere in the poster design. All entries must be turned in to the main office of your child's school (not their teacher) no later
than Wednesday, October 5th at the end of the school day.
A grand prize winner will receive a $50 gift card, and additional individual winners representing each
of the individual schools and will receive $25 gift cards sponsored by the Choice Community Council
of Munster. The winners will be announced later in October in time for Red Ribbon Week.
Please encourage your children to participate in our poster contest this year. For more information, please
contact Munster Police Officer James Ghrist at 219-836-6639 or [email protected].
Page 6
YOU’RE INVITED
Please join us for a series of meetings
the future of our Munster
Find out more about our
and
finances.
All meetings will be held at
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Thursday,
Frank H. Hammond Elementary
Monday, October
Wilbur Wright Middle
Monday, October
Munster High
For more
and to let us know
you plan to attend, please
Page 7
Eads Elementary School
Eads Elementary
Celebrating Indiana……200 Years!
Eads Elementary School is celebrating Indiana’s Bicentennial all year long. Our lobby features 12
famous Hoosiers in our Hoosier Gallery along with a life skill that each person personifies. Each
month the students will learn about a famous Hoosier as well as the character trait. In September, we
are honoring Abraham Lincoln and learning about honesty. Students can earn brag tags from their
eachers for being honest in the classroom and around the school. We are very excited to spend the
year learning more about our State!
Eads kicked off the school year with a ‘splashtastic’ pool party at the Munster pool. Our PTO hosted
families at a back-to-school get together. New families were welcomed in to the Eads school family.
Students enjoyed the warm water and the fast flowing water slides. Our PTO will also be hosting our
annual Back-to-School BBQ on September 15th. Parents will be grillin’ up hot dogs and hamburgers
as a D.J. spins tunes for the students to dance along with.
As August comes to an end, I am pleased to say the school routines and schedules are coming
together. During the first few weeks of school, the teachers have spent time establishing procedures,
routines and classroom rules while the students are learning to work together. We have completed our
Fall NWEA Assessment. The NWEA data allows us to get a good handle on how students are coming
along during the year in Language Arts and Mathematics.
Happy New School Year!
Splish Splash Bash 2016
September Life Skill-Honesty
Famous Hoosier- Abe Lincoln
Linda Bevil
Principal, Eads Elementary School
Page 8
Elliott Elementary School
Elliott Happenings……..
Welcome back to a new school year!! We have had a very busy start to the school year. 4th
grade classes have received their chrome books. The 5th graders received their laptops the
second week of school. They were so excited!
We had a great turn out at the Back to School Bash. Thank you to the PTO Board and all of the
parents that volunteered their time. The children had a great time watching the staff members in
the dunk tank. We now have over 200 families that joined the PTO. Thank you for your continued
support.
Page 9
Elliott Elementary School cont.
Elliott instituted a Summer Math Program to promote practice with Math fact fluency over the
summer. Students that participated were recognized and placed into a drawing for different
prizes. The main prize was a Chrome Book. Seamus Riley won the Chrome Book. There were
also drawings for t-shirts and Dairy Queen gift cards.
We are continuing with the Community Reader program this year. If you are interested in
participating as a Community Reader, please contact the school office.
We are all looking forward to a great school year!
Ms. Nicole Guernsey
Elliott Elementary Principal
Page 10
Frank Hammond Elementary Notes
FAQ: “What do you do all summer?” – FHH getting ready for 2016-17
The 2016-17 school year is off to a very successful start. But none of this would be possible
without the efforts of many staff members who put in summer hours to make sure we are ready
for that first week of school! While students enjoy their well-deserved summer break,
administration, teachers, and staff are busy getting ready for the next school year. Staff
members moved to new classrooms; we added a kindergarten classroom; and all classrooms
were cleaned top to bottom. The office was kept busy with welcoming new enrollments,
creating class lists and schedules, and ordering all the supplies and materials that we need to
have an awesome school year! The FHH website gets updated so parents can find all the
important information they need for the new school year like Arrival/Dismissal maps, Parent
Information Guide, Student Handbook, supply lists and much more!
Teachers spend many hours of their summers thinking about school and planning too! Many of
them are involved in a variety of professional development activities including online courses,
research, and grade level meetings. They are preparing lessons using the new social studies
materials. Some spent preparation time learning about new and exciting programs like
Everyday Math and Blackboard that they are “piloting” this year. Many of their sun-tanned
faces show up in the building all summer long to start organizing books, collaborating with
peers, and getting their classrooms ready for the first day of school.
Summers are also spent interviewing to find the very best teachers to invite to join the FHH
staff. This year we are very excited to welcome three new faces to our faculty:
Melissa Strohl in Grade 5
Megan Zyglowicz in Grade 3 and
Staci Choros in Kindergarten
Each of them brings some very special new talents to our already awesome staff!
Page 12
Frank Hammond Elementary Notes cont.
FHH PTO parent volunteers gave up some of their summer fun to help out too! Parent
volunteers were ready and willing to help out with many of the activities that get our year started
such as Registration Day, Orientation Days, New Family Walk Through, Picture Day, and the
beautification of our outdoor property, just to name a few. Our Back to School Bash swim event
at the Munster Pool on Saturday, August 27th was a huge success with over 900 in attendance!
A perfect summer night for swimming along with great food and activities.
PTO has also already wrapped up a Cookbook publishing project and Spirit Wear orders!
Looking ahead, parents will be assisting with our Curriculum Day for students in November that
will focus on STEM activities! And as always, their help and expertise is so greatly appreciated!
Also thanks for the awesome attendance we had at our August PTO meeting… not only a big
crowd, but a very positive and enthusiastic one as well! Our next meeting will be at 9:15 AM on
September 21, and will include a presentation by Officer Ghrist on School Safety.
Mrs. Nancy Ellis,
Principal, Frank Hammond Elementary
Page 11
Wilbur Wright Middle School
Structured learning class sells school supply kits
The students and teachers in the structured learning program took on a new project this year, the
creation, sale, and delivery of school supply kits for middle school students. These kits included a host
of general supplies all placed in a handy and reusable Wilbur Wright cinch bag. The kits were on
display at registration so parents could view them and decide if they’d like to purchase one for their
child. The kits were then assembled and delivered to teachers’ classrooms so that students would
have them on the first day of school. All of the proceeds from this project will be used by the structured
learning class to attend a variety of field trips to local destinations such as the apple orchard and the
performing arts center. Thanks to Mrs. Stork and the students in the structured learning class for
providing a wonderful service to the school.
New faces around Wilbur Wright: Several educators join the staff at Wilbur Wright in a variety of
capacities.

Mrs. Gretchen Peluso joins the science department to teach 8th grade science. Mrs. Peluso has
relocated to the area with her family after a successful teaching career in the state of Texas.

Ms. Brenna Giazzon joins the music staff to teach middle school band. Ms. Giazzon is a proud
graduate of Butler University and is excited to also work with the MHS marching band.

Dr. Andy Sargent joins the administrative team as principal. Dr. Sargent was a classroom teacher at
Crown Point High School and has served the past eight years as the assistant principal at Ben Franklin
Middle School in Valparaiso. He has a Bachelor’s degree in biology from Indiana University in
Bloomington, a Master’s degree in secondary school administration from Purdue University Calumet
and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Purdue University in West Lafayette. Dr. Sargent has
been married for 16 years to his wife Liza and they have three elementary-aged children.
Page 13
Wilbur Wright Middle School
School Safety is Priority #1!
Each summer the Wilbur Wright administrative staff reviews safety and security policies for the building to
ensure every protocol is current and we are following best practices to be sure that our building is as safe
as possible for students and staff. A few reminders for parents regarding the process are as follows:
1. Any adult coming to Wilbur Wright must press the buzzer outside of the main doors and speak with a
secretary regarding the nature of their business at school. The secretary will then buzz in the parent
who must report to the main office immediately.
2. We do conduct numerous emergency drills throughout the school year so that we can prepare students
in the event that there was a true emergency. These drills will include weather, fire, and lockdown
drills.
3. Student drop off and pick up is a very busy time for traffic around our schools. We ask all parents to
please be patient with us as we get all cars into the flow of traffic that we designed to keep all students
safe as they enter and exit the building. Also please be reminded that the main circle drive in front of
Wilbur Wright is not used for drop off and pick up and should only be used when visiting the school or
to pick up a student who is leaving early during the day.
We very much appreciate your cooperation in helping to keep our school a safe and secure learning
environment!
Beautification – a work in progress
A special thank you goes out to the Wilbur Wright PTO and Beautification committee chairperson
Mrs. Arzumanian who are continuing to work on improving the landscaping around Wilbur Wright.
Recently, many over grown bushes as well as dead trees were removed in preparation for new grass and
some better landscaping. Additionally, the front entrance areas received a fresh layer of mulch right before
the first day of school and it looks amazing! Thanks to everyone on the PTO as well as the volunteers who
come out to help establish and maintain our landscaping improvements!
Dr. Andy Sargent
Principal, Wilbur Wright Middle School
Page 14
Munster High School News
It seems as if each summer seems to move faster than the previous one. I hope everyone has had
a chance to enjoy time with family and friends over the last couple of months. Shortly, we will
be embarking on a new school year that will present new opportunities for our students and
school.
Our second Alumni Hall of Fame and inaugural Faculty and Staff Hall of Fame induction took place on
August 26st, 2016.
Our ten inductees will visit the school, participate in an all-school assembly, be inducted into the Hall of
Fame at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts, and they will be introduced during halftime of the
football game that evening.
The brief biographies for each individual is listed below:
Faculty and Staff Hall of Fame
Helen Engstrom
Munster High School 1965-1995
After three years of teaching at Arlington High School in Indianapolis, Helen Engstrom began a storied
career as an English teacher and Forensics coach at Munster High School. For 30 years,
Mrs. Engstrom taught English and developed Munster’s Speech and Debate team into the nationally
recognized program that it is today. Mrs. Engstrom has coached two National Speech Tournament
Champions and many state and national finalists. Under Mrs. Engstrom’s leadership, Munster High
School has earned several state titles and twice has been named a “Team of Excellence” at the
national finals. She has been honored twice nationally as a speech coach of the year, and has been
granted the five-diamond coaching award from the National Speech and Debate Association.
Engstrom has been elected to both the state and national Speech and Debate Hall of Fames. In 2016,
Helen Engstrom was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash by the State of Indiana and was honored
by Alpha Chi Omega Society as an inductee to their inaugural class of “Strong Women of Distinction.”
Helen Engstrom remains a valued part of Munster High School’s Speech and Debate program,
mentoring its newest director and serving as a volunteer coach.
Page 15
Munster High School News cont. from page 14….
Munster High School 1972 - 2010
Nancy Hastings
For 38 years, Nancy Hastings developed Munster High School’s journalism program as Publications
Director for the Paragon yearbook and Crier newspaper. In addition to managing her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Hastings served on the School Improvement Committee and the National Honor Society
Selection Committee and sponsored the Munster’s Journalism Honors Society Quill and Scroll. Under
Mrs. Hastings’ leadership, the Munster High School journalism program was honored by the Columbia
Scholastic Press Association with Gold and Silver Crowns, by the National Scholastic Press Association with Pacemaker Awards, by Quill and Scroll with Gallup Awards, and by the Indiana High School
Press Association as a Hoosier Star. Nancy Hastings has been honored as the Inland Steel Outstanding Teacher of the Year, The Journalism Educator Association National Yearbook Advisor of the
Year, and the Ella Sengenberger Indiana Journalism Teacher of the Year. She was awarded Ball State
University’s Marilyn Weaver Excellence in Journalism Education. Nancy Hastings has been inducted
into Ball State University’s Journalism Hall of Fame and received the Journalism Education Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. Currently, Nancy Hastings continues to teach students and
teacher at summer journalism workshops and conferences across the country and serves as Indiana’s
Journalism Education Association state director.
Pat Premetz
Munster High School 1979-2015
Earning Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at Purdue University, Patricia (Pat) Premetz devoted 43
years to her teaching career. After seven years of teaching at Morton High School, Mrs. Premetz
served 36 years in Munster High School’s Math Department, becoming the Department Chair in 1997.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Premetz taught students of every ability level and devoted herself to
expanding pedagogical knowledge for herself and her colleagues. Mrs. Premetz mentored student
teachers and served on a host of committees, including the Gifted and Talented Committee, Textbook
Adoption Committee, and the Faculty Committee on Grades. Mrs. Premetz was a member of Munster’s
first School Improvement Team in 1990 and remained committed to its work throughout her tenure,
chairing the committee in 2005 and leading its Data Team until retirement. Mrs. Premetz’s commitment
to expanding pedagogical knowledge is evident in the sheer number of workshops that she attended
and then led, including: Dual Credit workshops with Purdue North Central, Cooperative and
Collaborative learning workshops with Purdue Calumet, Common Core and State Standards workshops
with Valparaiso University, Mathematics and pedagogical conferences with the Northwest Indiana
Educational Service Center, and many more with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and
the Indiana Department of Education. For 36 years at Munster High, Pat Premetz worked tirelessly to
improve instruction and was extremely successful in her efforts.
Page 16
Jack Yerkes
Munster High School 1969- 1995
After seven years of teaching English in Hammond, Indiana, Jack Yerkes devoted the next 26 years of
his professional life to the students of Munster High School. Mr. Yerkes led in both the classroom and
the athletic field. He twice chaired the English Department, sponsored several classes for student
government, helped create Munster High School’s first computer writing lab, and redesigned a coherent
writing program for the Munster students’ grades 9-12. Mr. Yerkes, along with fellow inductee Mrs.
Mary Yorke, created Munster High School’s Summer Reading Program. Outside the classroom, Mr.
Yerkes coached eight seasons of both basketball and football for the 7th, 8th and 9th grade teams before
serving as the high school’s varsity basketball head coach from 1979-1982. Mr. Yerkes has been
honored as the State Middle School Representative for language arts (1967-1969), and as the
Inland-Ryerson Teacher of the Year (1995). In addition to his contributions to the school community,
Mr. Yerkes has served as a longtime member of the Munster Lions Club and as an educational leader
at the First United Methodist Church. He works with the Children of Abraham – a pan-religious
cooperative that has raised over $100 million to provide school and medical supplies to the neediest
countries around the world. Mr. Yerkes served as admissions associate at his alma mater, Wabash
College, and as a board member of Campagna Academy. During his retirement, Mr. Yerkes twice
returned to Munster High School to cover fellow teachers’ maternity leaves and has chaired the
referendum committee of 2013.
Mary Yorke
Munster High School 1970 – 2005
Graduating from of Marquette University in 1963 and Purdue University in 1975, Mary Yorke has
shared her knowledge and passion for language and learning as a teacher and leader for the School
Town of Munster for over four decades. Mrs. Yorke served as a Munster High School English teacher
for 35 years in which she chaired the English Department, helped create the Munster High School
Student Writing Handbook, and, with fellow inductee Mr. Jack Yerkes, developed the school’s Summer
Reading Program. Mrs. Yorke served as a longtime coach for the Speech and Debate team, for which
she was honored nationally as a Diamond Coach and inducted as a member of the Indiana State
Speech and Debate Coach Hall of Fame. After retiring from her teaching position in 2005, Mary was
elected and reelected to the Munster School Board, serving for 8 years. During this time, she helped
develop the Teacher of Merit Award. Mrs. Yorke returns to Munster High School frequently, as she
continues to guide and volunteer speech and debate students as a guest judge and coach.
Page 17
Alumni Hall of Fame
Munster Class of 1999
Christine Nzinga Blake
After graduating with highest honors from the UCLA school of Film, Television and Digital Media in
2003, Ms. Nzinga Blake has served as a producer, writer, actor, and TV host with a true penchant for
social activism and human rights. She has hosted TV shows, including Culture Click, shown recently
on ABC, and the Cartoon Network’s Fridays, in which she was one of the first live humans to be
broadcast on the predominantly animated network. She has been a correspondent on various
television networks including BET, TV Guide, and Network 10, an Australian / ABC affiliate. Ms. Blake
has co-starred on the TV Pilot, He Said, She Said and has guest starred on Showtime’s Barbershop,
and ABC’s What about Brian. Ms. Nzinga Blake was part of the 2007 Emmy winning team as a writer,
host, and producer for Current TV. Her most recent projects include producing and co-directing World
AIDS Day Public Service Announcements for the United Nations International Labor Organization and
the writing and directing of “End Ebola Now,” a PSA that has aired all over West Africa in an effort to
help educate and inform the public about the Ebola crisis. In conjunction with Doctors Without Borders
and UNICEF, the End Ebola Now PSA has resulted in a #ShakeEbollaOff viral campaign that is helping
to fund the only fully functioning hospital in Sierra Leone. Ms. Nzinga Blake continues to promote youth
empowerment in Africa and other developing nations through entertainment, media and the arts.
Munster High School 1973
Todd Neil Donoho
Todd Donoho graduated from the University of Missouri in 1977 and has gone on to a storied carrier in
sports journalism. Working as a sports anchor and reporter Mr. Donoho has been the play-by-play
voice for NBC’s radio coverage of the NFL, college football, basketball as well as major and minor
league baseball. In the 1980’s Mr. Donoho become nationally recognized for a critically acclaimed
syndicated televised sports trivia show called “Time out for Trivia” in which he was featured in Sports
Illustrated magazine. Mr. Donoho went on to become the sports voice of the nationally syndicated
“Mark and Brian” radio program and LA’s “Monday Night Live” an NFL postgame show that was the
highest rated local program in LA. In 2004 Mr. Donoho added author to his resume as he wrote and
published three University of Missouri affiliated books: a coffee table book, MizzouRah! Memorable
Moments in Missouri Tiger Football History, a children’s book, Hello Truman! about University of
Missouri Mascot Truman the Tiger, and its sequel, Hello, Truman: Show Me Missouri! in which he has
Truman the Tiger showing popular tourist attractions throughout the state of Missouri. Currently Mr.
Donoho hosts a University of Missouri Basketball postgame show on the statewide Tiger Radio Network, while serving as the sports voice on both the Los Angeles KLOS radio “Heidi and Frank Show,”
and weekday morning drive time program “McIntyre in the Morning.” Mr. Donoho has been married to
his college sweetheart, Paula, for 35 years and lives in Missouri. They have three sons Kevin, Jeff and
Scott, a daughter-in-law Lauren and two wonderful grandchildren Meghan and Nolan.
Page 18
Munster class 1967
Phil Lengyel
Phil Lengyel was part of the first graduating class of Munster High School. After earning a Bachelor’s
degree in telecommunications at Ball State, he has gone on to become a leader in branding and
marketing for Walt Disney, the Indianapolis Speedway, and Dick Cook Studios. While working with
Walt Disney World, Mr. Lengyel rose from publicist, to promotions manager, to Director of Marketing
and in 1999 Vice President of Alliances. During his 23 year tenure with Disney, he led the Walt Disney
World marketing organization domestically to two new theme parks, 5000 new resort hotel rooms, three
new convention facilities, and dozens of new attractions. Internationally he led the worldwide marketing
strategies team to open global marketing offices in London, Toronto, Paris, Tokyo and Munich setting
the stage for Disney theme park expansion around the world. In 2005 Mr. Lengyel joined Indianapolis
Motor Speedway as their Executive Vice President of Marketing, providing brand leadership and
strategic counsel for the Indy Racing League that attracted new sponsors and a multiyear television
agreement. Most recently in 2014, Mr. Lengyel became the Executive Vice President of Marketing for
Dick Cook Studios a California based international media content company that focuses on commercial
multi-generational family entertainment where he continues to find ways to expand brand awareness.
and market availability. Mr. Lengyel lives in California with his wife Jana. They have four children
Lauren, Shane, Kelly and Will.
Munster class of 1969
Lieutenant General Jeff Sorenson
Graduating from the United States Military Academy of West Point (1973) and earning an MBA from
Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management (1983) Lieutenant General Sorenson served in
the United States Army for 38 years using his knowledge in defense acquisitions and rising to the
position of Army’s Chief Information Officer before partnering with ATKearney in 2011 where he
continues to provide expertise as a consultant for clients at the federal, state, and local levels.
Lieutenant General Sorenson successfully developed, procured, and delivered over 30 different military
systems including systems that improved communication for battlefield intelligence, field tested night
vision reconnaissance googles, tracked systems for tactical missile use, and provided soldiers and their
vehicles with lifesaving body armor. He has worked with Congress, the Department of Defense, and
private sector contractors to re-program and re-direct over $3 billion in resources and work contracts to
accelerate delivery of body armor for soldiers in the field and armor packages for their vehicles.
Lieutenant General Sorenson has been interviewed and quoted by several esteemed publications
including Defense System, Government Computer News, and Federal Computer Week. He has been
honored with Distinguished Service Medals, Meritorious Service Medals, and an Army Commendation
in addition to being named the Program Manager of the Year in 1998. Lieutenant General Sorenson
lives in Mystic, Connecticut with his wife Katherine of 45 years. They have three wonderful boys Brad,
Erik and Marc.
Page 19
Andrew Yerkes
Munster Class of 1982
Earning a bachelor’s degree in Literature and Letters from Ball State (1986) and a Master’s degree in
creative writing from New York University (1988) Andrew has gone on to become a proficient writer of
television programing, short stories, and theater. He has headed the development of over 500
television program episodes that have appeared all over the world including Allegra’s Window for
Nickelodeon, The High Life for HBO, The Book of Pooh for the Disney Channel, and Word World for
PBS. He has been the lead writer for over 100 such programs including episodes of PBS’s Space
Racers and Arthur, Disney Channel’s Jojo’s Circus and Stanley, Mama Mirabelle’s Home Movies and
Nickelodeon’s Gullah Gullah Island. In addition to his TV work Mr. Yerkes has published several short
stories including “First Steps” and “Mayonnaise,” and produced plays such as “Henry David Thoreau
Visits His Mother for Lunch” that has been performed in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Mr. Yerkes has been nominated for six Emmys including three for Bear in the Big Blue House a
wonderful children’s show that teaches children important social skills such as sharing and cooperation.
Andrew Yerkes is the son of two Munster teachers Sue Yerkes (retired Eads 4th grade) and Jack
Yerkes (Fellow inductee and retired MHS teacher). He currently resides in New York.
We are looking forward to another great year at MHS! Go MUSTANGS!!
Mike Wells
Principal, MHS
Page 20
Student Nutrition & Food Services
“Feeding the Future
One Bite At A Time”
Our Mission:
The School Town of Munster Nutrition Team is dedicated to offer every student the highest quality meals
that are healthy, nutritious and enjoyable. These meals are served by a friendly staff while meeting or
exceeding USDA and Health Department expectations which enhance and support student educational
achievements and wellness goals for lifelong success.
We offer delicious and nutritious meals that will provide “fuel for learning” that students need to make the
most of their school experience.
Serving Fresh and Nutritional Options Daily
Did you
KNOW
Research shows that students who skip breakfast have
shorter attention spans and don’t do as well on test.
Make sure your child gets up in time to have a nutritious breakfast
BREAKFAST Served daily!!!
8:30am and 9:00am (Thursday) – All Elementary Schools
7:15am and 7:30am (Thursday) – Wilbur Wright
7:10am (M,W,F) and 7:30am (Tues & Thurs) – High School
Students have many fresh and nutritional options at all schools at all grade levels
School Town of Munster Student Nutrition Services Website
It is our goal to keep parents as informed as possible. One avenue of
communication is the School Town of Munster Student Nutrition
Webpage. The webpage can be easily accessed at
www.MunsterCafe.com or by visiting the school website at
www.munster.us; choose the department’s tab and click on the Nutrition and Food Services home page. A wealth of valuable information
can be accessed here. Find the newest and most up to date menus,
nutrition and fitness education resources, payment
information, policies, contact information and much more .
TEACHING TODAY for
TOMORROW
before school lets out!
Munster Education Foundation can make your gift giving easier!
Give that special educator an apple!
Make a contribution to the Munster Education Foundation, and an individual
of your choice, affiliated with the Munster schools, will be honored.
He/she will receive a specially designed card, with your name,
special greetings, and a gold apple pin.
Complete the form below and send your check payable to:
Munster Education Foundation, P.O. Box 3046, Munster, IN 46321
All donors will receive an acknowledgement with receipt for a tax-deductible gift.
Forms and donations must be in the Foundation box by Friday, May 22
in order for honoree to receive gift before Summer Vacation.
________________________________________________________
Please submit one form per honoree
NAME of Person Being Honored _____________________________________________
School/Building/Bus # ____________________________________________________
Donor Name ______________________________________ Phone ___________________
(Name, as you want it to appear on gift card)
Address _______________________________________________________________________
Email Address ____________________________ Donation Amount Enclosed _______________
Include your special message on a separate piece of paper! It will be enclosed with the gift card &
apple pin.
Suggested donation: $15.00 or more
Vision
All School Town of Munster students have the skills necessary to participate successfully in a global society.
Mission
The School Town of Munster, in partnership with all stakeholders, implements equitable and challenging learning experiences that provide the foundation for independent and innovative thinking.
Beliefs
The success of our school system depends on the collaboration and commitment of all students,
parents, and staff to high quality standards, expectations and performances.
Addressing unique learning styles and needs enables all students to learn.
A safe and supportive learning environment enables continuous learning opportunities for all students and staff.
Students will solve real world problems through the development of creativity, critical thinking, and
communication skills.
The curriculum is aligned both horizontally and vertically with national, state and local standards
and includes a variety of assessment strategies that provide feedback about learning to students,
parents and staff.
Data is used to drive instructional practices and monitor program effectiveness.
Professional development is an integral part of our ongoing plan for continuous improvement in the
use of research based instructional practices.
Diversity enriches our school system through the recognition of various ideas, values and cultures.
Access to and utilization of current technology is necessary for success in an ever-changing world.
All stakeholders have a voice and the opportunity to participate in the educational process.
School Contact Information
Administration Offices:
219.836.9111
8616 Columbia Avenue, Munster, IN 46321
Munster High School Office:
219.836.3200
8808 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN 46321
Wilbur Wright Middle School Office:
219.836.6260
8650 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN 46321
James B. Eads Elementary School Office:
219.836.8635
8000 Jackson St., Munster, IN 46321
Ernest R. Elliott Elementary School Office:
219.838.5250
8718 White Oak Ave, Munster, IN 46321
Frank H. Hammond Elementary School Office:
1301 Fran Lin Pky, Munster, IN 46321
219.838.2060

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