Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 135, Number 37, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 15 September 2016 — Page 3

SCIENCE ADDITION iSolm LfcrLhUj ° life HH * • rdiaCP . • ■ " 't| ? ; ■ ATHLETIC \ h w«— i- i*— * cjU CENTER —~ f£: ADDITION ti Fi * i •

Photo provided This schematic illustrates where the changes will be made during "The Panther Project," which is planned for launch in the spring of 2017. The areas in darker colored represent new construction, whereas the sites shown in lighter reflect changes to existing facilities.

Project, cont, from front

recent years, that new debt incurred amount will be offset by bond issues. "The proposed project is less than the existing debt," Sabo said. "This project, as the school board has planned, is tax neutral, and for many, taxes will actually go down. If assessed value continues to rise as it has virtually always done, that will also additionally lower the individual property owner tax rates." The Board of School Trustees is planning to a crept bids fey the first part ofWyTftMrTons traction fig North Wood High SchoorS share of the project encompasses a large portion of Phase 5, an system-wide upgrade that transpired throughout the district over the past several years. Phase 1 included security upgrades at North Wood High, followed by a restyling of the former office space and entryways. In Phase 3, there were technology upgrades at all five schools, plus a new roof for Nappanee Elementary School. Phase 4 entailed further mfrastructure upgrades and minor renovations at the athletic facility. Phase 5 will also include security enhancements for the entire district. North Wood High School will see the most improvement overall, beginning with new construction at the exterior wings currently used for science, the performing arts adjacent to the auditorium, and the athletic

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center facility. Once those areas are completed, modernized equipment and furniture will be added to and reinforced within the sections of the school that are programmed for agriculture, arts, industrial and career technology, the media center, and business. "The Panther Project has been a long time coming," said Board President Don Lehman. "The Wa-Nee Community Schools Board of Trustees, listened to stakeholders, 'faculty, ■wd*afW*estaMish several Ijpiteria before launching The Panther Project. The information we received helped us to prioritize the needs of the school corporation. As was illustrated in the detailed Power Point presentation narrated by Sabo, North Wood High School was built during an era when technology was not in the forefront of classrooms as it is today. The impact of the dated equipment and usable work space was evident in the images, such as in the career technology section, where the machinery is older and not conducive to the work environments of today. Similar improvements are being planned for the STEM segment of the curriculum, encompassing science, technology, engineering, and math. The arts area was another department showing worn effects, such as the repurposed drafting tables and the need for greater space in both two-dimensional and

Community

three-dimensional creation. Musicians are sometimes relegated to rehearsing in the hallways, as there is no insulated space to soundproof various groups. Many of the areas are also tiered like risors, which is not wheelchair accessible for students with that need. And the railing surrounding the upper level of the Panther Pit will be made safer with the installation of plexiglass covering. The Athletic Center, originally added to the North Wood complex in 1981, is also in dire need to grow beyond its current proportions. Storage is limited at best, and the ceilings and floors are worn and patched in places. There are plans to clean up all of these issues and install an indoor track as well. "It was apparent that the number one priority is to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for the students," Lehman said. "The high school will see critical infrastructure retrofitting and improved accessibility for students and visitors with mobility issues." "Providing classrooms and technology that can facilitate the type of curriculum that employers and colleges are demanding is a priority," Lehman continued. "Science and engineering classes are in high demand and now our facility shortcoming will be addressed." "Technology is always a challenge to keep up with," added Sabo. "We can use this opportunity to bring the

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school up to today's standards. Older computer labs are being replaced as we move to a digital learning enviroment for each student." "It was important to the board that these improvements are made without any impact to the taxpayers of the school district," said Lehman. "Timing was a critical component for that to occur. Like all of us working within a budget, waiting until we can afford this without any tax impact is a win-win for this school district and the taxpayer." "Most importantly, this is a big win for the youth of this community," Lehman declared in his closing remarks. "The success of our students is key to everything we do. The Panther Project is a major step to help provide Wa-Nee students with the tools they need for success." To track the ongoing progress of "The Panther Project," including construction updates and other events as they occur, visit the new website at www.the pantherproject.com.

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Advance News » Thursday, September 15, 2016

Around, cont, from front

pork chops on Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Madison Township fire station on S.R. 331 in Wyatt. They will also be available at Woodie's Supermarket in Bremen, 116 N. Bowen Ave. Hours are from 11 a.m until 2 p.m., and the cost is $5 per piece, carryout only. PIRATE STORY AT WAKARUSA LIBRARY WAKARUSA The next editions of Story Hour at the Wakarusa Public Library will feature the tales of pirates in "Swap!" by Steve Light. The sessions will take place on Sept. 19 and Sept. 20, both at 10:15 a.m. Children ages 3-5 years old are eligible to participate, but registration is necessary to attend. COVER TO COVER BOOK CLUB AT NPL NAPPANEE The next edition of Nappanee Public Library's "Cover to Cover" book club will take place on Sept. 20, with the featured book being "Last Call: the Rise and Fall of Prohibition, 1920-1933 by Daniel Okrent. The group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the library, and new members are always welcome. To reserve a copy of the latest title, call the service desk at 574-773-7919. BE A CAKE ARTIST NAPPANEE Take your parties to the next level with the Nappanee Public Library's class on basic cake decorating techniques, with pro Tina Erwin. The class fee of $lO includes a supply kit with a pastry tube set, rose nail, 'spatula, and cake pan. Open to teens and adults, the class will be offered on Tuesday, Sept. 20 at the library, from 6:30-8 p.m. STORY HOUR FOR TODDLERS WAKARUSA Beginning Story Hour, for those ages 18-36 months, will meet new fall friends on September 21 at i 10:15 aim. Registered children will explore bubbles, shapes, and colors. They will also listen to the story called "Lots of Dots" by Craig Frazier. LIGHT UP THE NIGHT IN NAPPANEE NAPPANEE Relay for Life of Elkhart County will be sponsoring a Luminaria Ceremony at the downtown pavilion in Nappanee on the evening of Saturday, September 24. The event begins at 7:30 p.m., and for a $lO donation, participants

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can buy a bag, which will then be used to light the way on a walk to City Hall. While donations are appreciated, it is not necessary to offer one to take part in the walk. All proceeds will be given to Relay for Life of Elkhart County. Bags may be purchased at City Hall, 300 W. Lincoln St. For more information, contact the City Hall at 574-773-2112. LITTLE GIRL, BIG CHALLENGES WAKARUSA "Thumbelina" is currently running on the Wakarusa Public Library's "Dial-a-Story" line. Callers to 574-862-4441 will hear how tiny Thumbelina has many adventures in a world of people many times her size. TORCH RELAY COMES TO WA-NEE ELKHART COUNTY A once in a lifetime chance to see a historic event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 4, when the 92-county Bicentennial Torch ‘ Relay passes through Nappanee and Wakarusa, with an anticipated arrival time of midday. To see a detailed map of the route, and those who have been chosen to bear the torch from our Wa-Nee communities, visit www.elkhartcounty2ol6.com. NEW PROGRAM LAUNCHING AT NPL NAPPANEE NPL has a new program series, The Adventure Club, which will educate participants with fun and unique activities on a variety of different topics spanning from history, science, and art. For every adventure completed, attendees will receive a unique key. The first Adventure Qub program will be explorers. Each guest will be given the identity of a reallife explorer throughout history. Some explorers will include Amelia Earhart, Jacques Cousteau, and Edmund Hillary. All attendees will learn about the different kinds of explorers and the importance they have had on history. For more information, visit www. nappaneelibrary.org.

Keeping Your Life in Motion

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Richard McClain, DO Orthopedic Surgeon on staff at SJHS Plymouth Medical Center

Partial knees As our Knees wear out, the articular cartilage (the shiny white stuff) thins, fluid and swelling increase, range of motion worsens and painful, stiff joints result. Knee arthritis is extremely common, and knee replacement surgeries are extremely common, with about 600,000 done annually. Knee replacement surgeries involve removing worn cartilage and replacing it with metal and high-tech plastic. A "total" knee removes all the cartilage in the knee, A "partial" knee removes cartilage only from the affected side. A partial's advantage is less cutting, quicker healing and more range of motion, and it's better for more active patients. Just as all cars are not the i same, not all partials are the same. A "mobile-bearing" partial, where the plastic moves between metal parts, outperformed and outlasted “fixed-bearing" partials where the plastic does not move. Mobile-bearing partial knees have a 15-year result of over 93 percent - nearly equal to total knees meaning 93 percent of all patients were happy and their implant was intact. Ultimately, knee replacement surgery, done correctly, effectively reduces pain and restores function. And my goal is to get Your Life in Motion. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClain, please call Allied Bone and Joint at 574.540.2500.