Dr. Jack Parker
Celebrating Great Things at Mt. Vernon!
As we move forward into the second half of our school year, I’m reminded once again of how special our Mt. Vernon community truly is. Everywhere I look—inside classrooms, on our stages and athletic fields, and throughout our hallways—I see students and staff doing remarkable things. It’s a joy to pause and celebrate some of the highlights that make us proud to be Marauders.
Proud of Our Staff
Our staff continues to be the heart of Mt. Vernon. Their passion, creativity, and dedication show up every day in the way they support and care for our students. Because of their impact, we remain committed to attracting and retaining exceptional educators. As part of that commitment, about one-third of all referendum funds are placed directly into the Education Fund, which helps to pay for teacher salaries. This is a purposeful investment in the people who make Mt. Vernon such a wonderful place for children to learn and grow.
Student Excellence on Display
We are thrilled to celebrate our Lilly Endowment Scholarship Finalists, whose hard work and leadership have earned them well-deserved recognition. Learn more about these two incredible scholars below.
And for the third year in a row, Mt. Vernon High School (MVHS) has been named a U.S. News & World Report Best High School. This continued honor speaks to the quality of our academic programs, the determination of our students, and the dedication of our MV staff who set high expectations and support every learner.
Lilly Scholars
Congratulations to MVHS seniors Tate Cougill and Brady Webber, who have been selected as the 2025��2026 finalists for the Community Foundation of Hancock County (CFHC) annual Lilly Endowment Scholarship. To be named finalists, students must rank in the top 15% of their class and demonstrate a strong commitment to serving their communities. In addition to being named a Lilly Scholarship Finalist, Tate is also a National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. Tate is deeply involved in community service through a wide range of activities and programs. He has combined his passion for volunteering and filmmaking by supporting the Heartland International Film Festival and founding the Mt. Vernon Film Club. Brady Webber is dedicated to his faith and community, volunteering through multiple church programs and initiatives. He also founded a men’s Bible study group with his peers. A three-sport athlete, Brady is committed to serving others through numerous school and church programs. Tate and Brady exemplify the values of the Mt. Vernon community through their leadership, service, and character. MVCSC is incredibly proud of their achievements and wishes them the best as CFHC selects the county’s two scholarship recipients in December.
Celebrating Our People
We are also proud to recognize a few remarkable members of our Mt. Vernon family who have recently earned noteworthy honors. Kasey Pasyk, MVCSC Assistant Food Services Director, was named the Indiana School Nutrition Association’s Assistant Director of the Year, a well-deserved recognition of her dedication to supporting students through healthy, welcoming meal programs. Her work has a daily impact on the well-being of our children. We also celebrate Mt. Vernon High School (MVHS) Coach Julie Shelton, who recently achieved her 400th win as the girls’ varsity basketball coach. She is one of only 12 coaches in the entire state to reach this incredible milestone. Her leadership, mentorship, and passion for developing young women both on and off the court make this accomplishment especially meaningful. Another incredible accolade was received by MVHS's Mandarin Teacher, Yi-Fan Lin. Besides winning the 2024-2025 district teacher of the year for MVCSC, we recently were notified that she was also awarded Secondary Teacher of the Year for the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association! And yet...there's more! Es Cole, Art Teacher at Mt. Comfort Elementary, was named Indiana’s 2025 Outstanding Community-Based Art Educator by the Art Education Association of Indiana. These leaders remind us of the excellence that shines throughout Mt. Vernon. Their accomplishments not only elevate our schools but also inspire our entire community. We are grateful for their leadership, proud of their success, and excited to see the continued impact they will make on our students and our district.
Harnessing Hope
MVHS students recently engaged in a powerful learning experience through a partnership with Harnessing Hope Therapeutic Riding and Driving, thanks to a generous grant from the Weil Foundation.
The grant supported a series of interactive, hands-on sessions in which students connected with horses, learning how body language, patience, and mutual trust play a role in effective communication. These activities allowed students to make meaningful connections between classroom learning and their real-world interactions with the animals.
This unique opportunity provided students with valuable lessons in communication, empathy, and relationship-building beyond traditional classroom walls. The experience left a lasting impression on many participants and strengthened MVHS’s commitment to providing enriching, community-supported learning opportunities.
We Need Your Voice!
I want to encourage every parent and community member to take our Parent & Community Survey if you haven’t yet. This is the last chance to participate. Your feedback helps guide our decisions and ensures we continue moving in the right direction for all students. Bit.ly/MVCommunity2025. Please fill out the survey only once.
Community in Action
I wanted to share my sincere appreciation for our community, who continue to impress with its generosity. The inaugural Miles for Meals Turkey Trot 5K raised over $12,000 to support our Student Meal Balance Accounts, ensuring students have the nutrition they need to thrive. Thank you to the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation and all our sponsors for supporting this initiative—and to everyone who bundled up, laced up, and came out to support this great cause!
MVCSC Parents/Guardians, Do you need support understanding ParentSquare, our mass communication system? You don't need an activation invitation to access ParentSquare; just log in to ParentSquare.com with the email listed in Family 1 of your child's Skyward account. We highly recommend downloading the free ParentSquare App to easily access school communication. Did you know that the Digest setting sends all non-urgent posts daily at 6 p.m.? Tip #1: Learn more about ParentSquare through the "Parent/Guardian FAQ" (no login required). Tip #2: Access the "Getting Started Overview for Parents/Guardians" (must log in to ParentSquare to access). Tip #3: Watch the overview video below. Again, no activation invitation is needed; just log into ParentSquare using the email listed in your child's Skyward account.
Calendars
Sincerely,
MVCSC Superintendent Dr. Jack Parker
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MVCSC, 1806 W. State Road 234, Fortville, IN 46040 - 317-485-3100