3rd Quarter Updates

As we wrap up the third quarter, I am pleased to share that we are officially entering the home stretch of the 2025-2026 school year! t is hard to believe how quickly the year has flown by, and I hope you are as proud of your children's growth and accomplishments as we are. From the very first day of school, our teachers and staff have been committed to meeting every student where they are and leading them forward - and the progress we have seen this year is a true testament to that dedication.

These final weeks are always among the most exciting, filled with special events, celebrations, and milestone moments that remind us all why we do what we do. As we head into the fourth quarter, I want to take a moment to update you on some important happenings across the district and express my sincere gratitude for your continued support and partnership. Together, we will finish this school year strong, continuing to meet every child where they are — and leading them forward every step of the way.

Sincerely,

Jake Wiese

Superintendent

Indiana's New School Grading System: What Parents Need to Know

Indiana has updated the way it grades schools, and the changes are designed to give a fairer, more complete picture of how students are actually doing. Instead of averaging test scores across the whole school, the new system looks at each student individually — meaning no child gets lost in the numbers. Here's what you need to know:

• Schools still get A-F letter grades, but the math has changed. Every child now earns points based on how much they know, how much they've grown, and other signs of success. That means the grade reflects real student progress, not just school-wide averages.
• Schools are evaluated in three groups. Elementary, middle, and high schools are graded separately based on what matters most at each level, then combined into one overall school grade.
• High schools are graded on readiness for life after graduation. This includes graduation rates, SAT scores, job-related credentials, work-based learning experiences, and whether students are staying engaged in school.
• This school year (2025-26) is a "practice year." The new grades will be calculated and made public, but won't have any official consequences yet. It's a trial run for schools and families to get familiar with what the new grades mean before they officially count starting in 2026-27.
• Grades will be a little easier to earn during the transition. This year, schools need an 85 (not 90) to earn an A. That bar will gradually rise over time as schools improve.

Resources:

IDOE Presentation Slides

IDOE Two-Page Overview

I want to take a moment to provide you with an important update regarding our district's financial situation and what it may mean for Shenandoah School Corporation as we plan for the 2026-2027 school year. Like many school districts across Indiana, Shenandoah is facing financial challenges driven primarily by declining enrollment and reduced funding resulting from SEA 1. I want to be transparent with you - not to cause alarm, but because you deserve to be informed and involved in what is happening in our schools.

What You Need to Know

• No layoffs are planned — Our goal is to manage these financial adjustments through reduced operational spending and natural employee attrition, rather than reductions in force.
• Staffing adjustments may occur — As we plan our master schedules for the 2026-2027 school year, some teachers may be asked to adjust their instructional assignments. These decisions are being made carefully to minimize disruption to students while continuing to meet their educational needs.
• We are committed to transparency — I will be providing regular financial updates through email and social media to keep our families informed every step of the way. I encourage you to follow our district social media pages and watch your inbox for updates as they become available.
• Your child's education remains our priority — Throughout this process, every decision we make will be guided by what is best for our students and the quality of their educational experience.

We Are In This Together

I want you to know that we do not take these challenges lightly. Every decision being made is done with your children and our community at the forefront. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. Thank you for your continued trust, support, and partnership - we will navigate this together.

Additional Resources

• Side Effects of Property Tax Reform
• Property Tax Cuts Impact on School Corporations

On Friday, February 27th, our annual FFA Breakfast brought the school community together for a wonderful morning of great food and great company. The breakfast was delicious as always, and it was a joy to celebrate and support our FFA students. Events like this are a true reminder of the dedication and hard work our FFA members pour into everything they do!

We know the value of each member of our team and know that nothing happens because of one person. Each of us plays a critical role in achieving our goals. We work to build a culture of support, fun, growth, and winning.

Congratulations to the following groups and individuals for recently exemplifying our 5th Promise - Winning Together:

• Middle School Wrestlers won the County Tournament
• Several middle school students placed at the State BPA Convention
• 7th Grade Girls, 7th Grade Boys, and 8th Grade Boys won the County Basketball Tournament
• Middle School students received honors at the ISSMA Choir and Band contests
• Aiden Coffey earned Honorable Mention All-State from the IBCA Coaches
• Aiden Coffey, Zane Mitchell, Jarrett Helman, Maddox Davis, and Garrett May were selected to the Courier Times All-Area Teams
• Jarrett Helman and Zane Mitchel received 1st team Academic All-State and Carter Gray received honorable mention honors
• Gabbi Patrick, Reid Helman, and Sloan Coffey were named to Courier-Times All-Area Teams
• Reid Helman was named the Courier-Times Most Improved Player, Gabbi Patrick was named the Courier Times Outstanding Hustle
• Gabbi Patrick received All-State Honors from the IBCA and All-State Academic Honors from ICGSA.
• The elementary school hosted another successful STEM Night
• Karter Gray is a recipient of the Cato Memorial Scholarship from the IHSAA
• Drake Masters, Landon McDuffee, and Ryan McNeil were named to The Herald Bulletin All-Area Team.

May 21st - Last Student Day

May 22nd - Teacher Work Day

May 22nd - High School Graduation

You can find a copy of the 2026-2027 calendar here!

For the first time ever, our before and after school program, Raider Reach, will be offering FREE summer programming. More information can be found here.