District News

Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation (MVCSC) holds our student and staff health and safety as our number one priority. The Greenfield Daily Reporter newspaper has reported a jail employee in Hancock County has been diagnosed with the coronavirus (COVID-19). There are currently no cases of COVID-19 in any MVCSC school.

Out-of-District Transfer Application Information:
2020-2021 School Year

Students who live out-of-district and wish to transfer into Mt. Vernon Schools must complete an online application during the designated windows. All students who are currently attending a Mt. Vernon school and do not live within the school district boundaries are required to submit an application.

Due to the current mandate from the governor to close schools and stay-at-home, MVCSC will be offering our Town Hall Meetings virtually to discuss the Delayed Start/Early Release proposed change for the 2020-2021 school year.

At the March MVCSC School Board Meeting, Superintendent Dr. Jack Parker presented the Future Growth Plan that the MV Community Champions developed through an eight month process. The MVCSC School Board unanimously passed the 10-year Future Growth Plan that will see Mt. Vernon through its imminent growth. Within the next 10 years, the Future Growth Plan will have Mt. Vernon: 

In an effort to teach students the best ways to stay healthy, the elementary STEM teachers have provided engaging programs to teach students how easily germs are spread and what students can do to mitigate the transmission. This lesson actually started prior to the current coronavirus pandemic, and proved to provide students with valuable knowledge on how a virus can spread. Mt. Comfort Elementary (MCE) STEM Teacher, Amy Lovell, Fortville Elementary School (FES) STEM Teacher, Kathy Tingwald, and McCordsville Elementary School (MES) STEM teacher, Fred Bays, have been teaching their students about the different ways that germs can spread around their schools.

Engaging STEM activities are inspiring creative inventions at a few Mt. Vernon elementary schools! Fortville Elementary School (FES) third grade teachers hosted an Invention Convention on Friday, March 6, and Mt. Comfort Elementary (MCE) also hosted an Invention Convention just before Spring Break.  Each third grader was tasked to invent a device using simple machines that would be useful in everyday life. Some of the simple machines they could include are: a lever, pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, or a screw. Students then presented their final invention to their class.  

The Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation (MVCSC) was recently awarded a $50,000 Digital Learning Grant, written by MVCSC’s Curriculum Integration Coordinator, Misty Hall.  The grant money will be dedicated towards three primary areas: instruction and learning, leadership and staff development, and college and career ready initiatives.  

Superintendent Dr. Jack Parker has scheduled six “Traveling Talks” throughout the district for the 2019-20 school year.  These “Traveling Talks” are an opportunity for community members to communicate directly with Dr. Parker and share their hopes, questions, and/or concerns about Mt. Vernon schools. This casual dialogue is designed to connect the community with school leadership.  

It's time for Kindergarten registration! Visit ANY of the three elementary schools on the scheduled dates. It is imperative to have all Kindergarten students register so the schools may prepare enough teachers to keep the class size low. Registration can be done at ANY of the three sites for any of the three schools; just list what school you will be attending at registration. MVCSC will have FULL day kindergarten only. 

Mt. Vernon Middle School and Mt. Comfort Elementary School Student Councils came together on Saturday, February 22, to host a Million Meals Movement at the middle school and packed more than 12,000 meals for those in need. The two student councils collectively raised $2,400 to bring the Million Meals packaging event to Mt. Vernon. The Million Meals Movement is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to provide meals for the hungry and promote the importance of volunteerism.

As a K-12 STEM-Certified district, the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation (MVCSC) has continually implemented science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) into the schools’ curriculum.  The MVCSC teachers find creative ways to engage the students by teaching various lessons and hands-on activities to incorporate STEM in the classroom. 

Fortville Elementary student Tyler Ralstin lives the motto of giving back to others. As a child who battled a very difficult journey of conquering Leukemia and also a recipient of a Make-a-Wish, Tyler has taken the initiative to raise funds to be able to fund another child’s Make-a-Wish. 

Mt. Vernon Middle School celebrated Black History Month with an annual live concert for eighth graders that featured a variety of genres including jazz, blues, rock, R&B, and contemporary/pop. The upbeat and engaging band played music written or performed by famous African-American artists. The band included Principal Benjamin Williams as the drummer/vocalist and Superintendent Dr. Parker made a guest appearance as a saxophonist. The concert is always a big hit with the students.

Beginning March 9, the Activate Employee Clinic will be adding more before and after school hours. Mrs. Andrea Mayfield, FNP-C, will return on March 9 and the Activate Employee Clinic's hours will be changed to:

The Mt. Vernon Middle School (MVMS) Counseling Department has recently become a Recognized ASCA Model Program, or RAMP, by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).  The ASCA seeks to support school counselors’ efforts to help students focus on academic, personal/social, and career development to achieve success in school.  This ultimately prepares students to lead fulfilling lives.  

At the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation (MVCSC) School Board meeting on January 27, all five MVCSC principals presented a report that included data on the impact of Delayed Start Wednesdays at their schools. 

The Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation (MVCSC) is appreciative of the over 240 community members that came out on 1/21 to share their views as MV Community Champions. Attendees shared their thoughts on the multiple options of growth possibilities, including how grade configurations are assigned in our schools. 

Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation (MVCSC) recently hosted a very productive legislative breakfast with Speaker Brian Bosma, Senator Michael Crider, and Representative Bob Cherry. MVCSC’s board members, administration, and many representatives from public schools enjoyed breakfast while engaging with our local legislators. School districts in attendance also included Eastern Hancock, Greenfield, Southern Hancock, as well as representatives from South Madison, Shelby Eastern, and Warren Township Schools.

In January 2020, three FFA members (Madisen Carns, Kaeden Smith, and Ruthie Lamaster)  from Mt. Vernon High School will be traveling to Denver to compete at the Western National Roundup in at Colorado State University.  

Mt. Vernon High School senior, Tessa Freeman, was one of two seniors in Hancock County to receive the Lilly Endowment Scholarship.  Both winners were formally recognized at a reception hosted by the Hancock County Community Foundation (HCCF) on December 10th. The CEO of the HCCF, HCCF Committee Chair, school administrators, and past Lilly scholars all spoke to honor the scholarship recipients. 

Bus stop violations are serious offenses that endanger the lives of children everywhere. Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation (MVCSC) wants to put an end to the stop arm violations by encouraging parents, community members, and student drivers to pay attention and always stop when a bus stop arm is out.

McCordsville Elementary School (MES) hosted their fifth annual “Shark Tank” on November 22, 2019.  This event gives the opportunity for fourth grade students create their own business ideas and present them to four fourth grade teachers who are posing as “sharks.”  The Shark Tank event began the event with a video clip of the “Little After Noon” talk show, hosted by MES Art Teacher, Terry Trowbridge, in which he interviewed the world famous band “Sonny and the Samsonites,” (also known as the MES fourth grade teachers).  

The Fortville Elementary School (FES) fourth grade students utilized a number of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) applications to create a gingerbread replica of the Town of Fortville.  Students were placed into groups and assigned a business to research and create. All buildings were then connected to create a delicious replica of Main Street.  

The Mt. Vernon High School (MVHS) Girls Soccer team was one of two Indiana teams to recently be recognized with the Team Pinnacle Award for the 2018-2019 season. To be considered for this award, the teams must have received a platinum, gold, silver, or bronze version of the High School Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Award, achieved the High School or College Team Academic Award, and winning percentage of 75% or higher during the respective season.  

Ressie Lemmon, a third grader at Fortville Elementary School, has just recently advanced to the ages seven through nine Drive, Chip, and Putt (DCP) National Finals at Augusta. Ressie scored 93 points at the Regional Qualifier at Oakland Hills to advance her to the Nationals. 

With Indiana’s unpredictable weather, Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation (MVCSC) parents/guardians should be prepared with childcare plans for school cancellations and multiple two-hour delays. In the unlikely event that we have more than six eLearning days per year, MVCSC has developed guidelines to ensure we have at least 174 (out of 180) days of in-school instruction. Beginning in the 2019-2020 school year, we will try to have no more than six cumulative eLearning days per school year. 

Providing support and resources for mental health is a top priority in the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation (MVCSC). Mt. Vernon Schools are taking major steps in educating students, staff, and parents/guardians on the importance of mental health and wellness through programming and resources. 

Mt. Vernon High School sophomore, Maitlyn Griner, was recently selected to represent the state of Indiana as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Youth Advocate.  D.A.R.E. is a program that is dedicated to teaching children about the dangers of substance abuse, violence, and other potentially harmful behaviors. Maitlyn will hold this position until she graduates in May 2022.

New! Any resident living in our district that is at least 65 years old will be able to receive a new “Mt. Vernon 65+ Club” card that will provide them with free admission to most Mt.Vernon Middle School and Mt. Vernon High School events. There are a few exclusions, such as IHSAA playoff games, ISSMA events, HHC tournament games, and designated events. Additional information can be found on the www.mvcsc.k12.in.us/65Club webpage.

Mt. Vernon Middle School (MVMS) principal, Mr. Benjamin Williams, recently graduated from the Indiana Principal Leadership Institute (IPLI). Housed at Indiana State University’s Bayh College of Education, IPLI is a two-year experience that addresses the professional needs of Indiana public school principals with an emphasis on student success. It was created with bipartisan support by the Indiana General Assembly in 2013.  

The Indiana Department of Education has recently awarded Mt. Vernon Middle School (MVMS) with the Indiana Gold Star School Counseling Award. This award recognizes the effort that MVMS continuously makes to have a comprehensive, data-driven counseling program that aims to reach ALL students.

Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation has recently named school board scholars from the 2018-2019 school year.

The Senior Class of 2019 celebrated their graduation preparation by participating in the “Marauder Mile,” modeling to younger students that they too can achieve the ultimate accomplishment: graduation. Seniors had the opportunity to parade through all three Mt. Vernon elementary schools, as well as Mt. Vernon Middle School (MVMS). The seniors were greeted warmly by the students who lined the halls, giving them high-fives throughout their walk.

McCordsville Elementary School (MES) and Fortville Elementary School (FES) recently celebrated the month of racing by hosting "Kindy 500." This event has also been called the “Cutest Spectacle in Racing.” Kindergarteners decorated a cardboard box as a race car, paraded through their school and completed a lap in front of an audience of parents. The former Indy 500 broadcaster, Paul Page, was in attendance to announce the race at MES. The festivities ended with medals, milk, and lots of smiles.

The Class of 2019's graduation was a great success with the graduates, speeches, performances and weather. There were approximately 298 students who walked across the stage to receive their diploma. The graduates seemed ready to move on to their bright futures, prepared with one of the finest academic preparations in the state. (See the photo gallery HERE).

The graduation ceremony for Mt. Vernon High School’s (MVHS) Class of 2019 will take place on Friday, May 31st at 7:30 p.m. at the MVHS Hancock Health Stadium.

Mt. Vernon High School (MVHS) seniors set out to give back to Mt. Vernon on senior work day. Seniors who participated in the event worked from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., and went to several different locations to perform various service duties. Their day of service was followed by a cookout with the administration team at the track. After lunch, they picked up their cap & gown in preparation for graduation next week.

McCordsville Elementary School (MES) fourth grade students recently participated in their annual Living History Museum event. Each student was assigned a famous American from Indiana who they researched and personified for an afternoon. Students created a poster, dressed up as the character and prepared a brief speech that was automated when their “button” was pressed.

Mt. Vernon High School (MVHS) hosted its annual career fair on Tuesday, May 14th, 2019.

The music department at Mt. Vernon High School (MVHS) has recently been awarded with the coveted Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) All-Music Award for the 2018-2019 school year. MVHS is one of only 14 high schools in the state of Indiana to earn a Total Department Award in 2019.

McCordsville Elementary School (MES) art teacher, Mr. Terry Trowbridge, recently put forth a daring effort to break the world record for largest god’s eye, as found in the Guinness World Records. A god’s eye is a object made by weaving yarn around an “x” made with two wooden sticks. Mr. Trowbridge led his fifth grade class in the quest, and they will hear the results of their feat in the fall of 2019.

Many students from the senior class of 2019 attended the Senior Honor Night to be recognized for their outstanding achievements. As the seniors entered the stage, students’ names were announced with the college or university they plan to attend next year, as well as their intended course of study. The ceremony began with opening remarks from the Mt. Vernon High School (MVHS) Principal, Mr. Greg Roach and the Director of the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation (MVEF), Mrs. Renee Oldham. The MVEF sponsored the event as well as a reception for students and their families to celebrate after the awards ceremony.