Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 25 August 2011 — Page 9

The Muncie Times • August 25, 2011 • Page 9

Metal Stampings Firm to Expand in Delaware County

MUNCIE, Ind -Indiana Stampings, LLC, a manufacturer of metal stampings for the automotive industry, announced plans today to expand its operations here, creating up to 75 new jobs by 2013. The company, which specializes in the noise, vibrations and harshness market for the automotive sector, will invest $7.28 million to lease and equip a 155,000 squarefoot facility. "Seeing a home-grown business like Indiana Stampings expand so soon after their formation is a testament to Indiana's pro-business climate," said Governor Mitch

Daniels. "We're happy they've experienced quick success in Indiana and look forward to working with them as they continue to grow." Indiana Stampings, which currently employs 51 associates, plans to begin hiring new tool makers, press operators, material handlers, robotic welding operators and administrative associates later this year. "Indiana Stampings is a great fit to our manufacturing footprint in the core of the automotive market, with seasoned skilled associates in a target market for our company,"

said Michael Haughey, president of Indiana Stampings. The North American Stamping Group (NASG), the parent company of Indiana Stampings, currently operates six facilities in North America including locations in Ohio, Tennessee, Canada and Mexico. Indiana Stampings, the newest addition to the NASG, was formed in October 2009 from the assets of Duffy Tool, LLC. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Indiana Stampings, LLC up to $625,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $100,000 in training grants

based on the company's job creation plans. The city of Muncie approved tax increment financing (TIE) bonds and property tax abatement at the request of the Muncie/Delaware County Economic Development Alliance. "Indiana Stampings' commitment to the City of Muncie is positively impacting 126 families in our community," said Mayor Sharon McShurley. "In addition to retaining 51 former Duffy Tool employees, Indiana Stampings is creating 75 new high quality jobs. The efforts and determination of the city of Muncie, the Economic

Development Alliance and Indiana Stampings has created the climate for investment that fosters sustainability and economic growth for our community." The Indiana Stampings announcement comes just one month after Naturally Recycled Proteins, a manufacturer of protein additives for pet foods, announced plans to invest $15 million in building a new facility in nearby Randolph County. The company projects to create up to 68 new jobs by 2014 as part of the project.

Classrooms Just a Click Away The times they are a-changing ...

There is hardly a single area of modern life that has not been touched by the Internet in some way. Even the simple phrase “going to schooT’ has taken on an entirely new meaning with the advent of online schools. Adult learners in search of post-secondary or professional development credits were the early consumers of online education services, but now students of all ages can learn anywhere an Internet connection can be found. Beyond the screen Online education (also referred to as virtual learning) is becoming increasingly popular for elementary, middle and high school students. In a 2008 report, the National Center for Education Statistics estimated that the number of K—12 public school students enrolling in online courses grew by 65 percent in the two years from 2002—03 to 2004-05. A 2009 estimate puts the number at more than one million online students. In addition, data suggests that by 2019, about half of high school courses will be delivered online. For some students, online

learning gives them the opportunity to access single courses not available through their brick-and-mortar school — perhaps a foreign language or an AP course. However, an increasing number of students have made the leap to full-time online schooling, frequently through an online public school option offered tuition-free by their state or school district. How it works An online public school utilizes a combination of online and offline coursework — including a wide array of textbooks, CDs, videos and hands-on materials. Students are guided by a state-certified teacher who may also set up class outings to museums or science centers. While older students can work independently, a parent (or “Learning Coach”) keeps younger students on track. Families report that the extra effort involved is more than offset by the ability of the program to be adapted to each child’s learning style. Individualization is frequently the spark needed to jump-start a student’s interest in learning. “Every child learns differently, so a one-size-fits-all approach can’t succeed,” says John Holdren, senior vice president of content and curriculum at K12, a leading online curriculum provider. “Engaging curriculum and a really powerful partnership between parents and teachers — these are the things that help each of our students achieve their personal academic poten-

tial.” Is online learning right for your child? Now that kids are back in school, the education experts at K12 suggest conducting a 30-day checkin assessment. Here are some tips to help you determine whether your child’s current education solution best suits his or her unique learning needs. •Create and maintain an open dialogue with your student: Is your child happy in school? Is he motivated? Does he feel safe? •Monitor progress. Learning isn’t always linear, so some hiccups are to be expected, but if your child is consistently underperforming in one or more subjects it should raise red flags about potential learning-teaching style mismatches. •Communicate with your child’s teacher. How is your child doing compared to others in the class? If your child has specific needs, effective communication with her teacher is crucial to supporting her education. •Be on the look-out for signs of stress. If your child begins dreading school, or lacks enthusiasm, talk it through with him. There may be factors unknown to either you or his teacher which are making him unhappy. Many children simply do not thrive in a traditional classroom. These students include those who: •Are accelerated learners or are bored with the pace of classroom lessons.

•Are easily distracted in a classroom setting or have a learning challenge that means they may need a little more time to master concepts. •Travel frequently for extracurricular obligations (art, sports) or are uprooted during the school year as part of a military family. •Feel they don’t fit in, or are being bullied in their school environment. To learn more about online learning, visit www.kl2.com. Choosing an online school Making a change in your child’s education to a fulltime online public school is a big decision, with many questions to consider: •Is our family ready for this change? Most families are surprised by the rigor of online schools. Parents and students alike need to be engaged to succeed. •What kind of support will we receive from the teachers and school? Is my teacher local if I need to meet with

him or her? How often do teachers check in? Are they state-certified? •What do other families think about the school? High parent satisfaction scores and glowing testimonials bode well. To get the real scoop, look for opportunities to get together with parents currently involved. •How do students stay connected to their classmates? From outings to moderated online community areas to clubs and discussion areas, online school students stay connected and wellsocialized. Does the school offer activities your child is interested in? •How many students are using this program, and where are they going when they graduate? Does the school offer career and college counseling to help students find their path post-graduation? Get more tips on selecting an online school with “The Yes List” at www.kl2.com.