🎙️ Now Playing: Inside East Porter Episode 6
Next school year, we are bringing our Applied Skills students back to East Porter! They will be housed at our Washington Township Elementary and Middle/High School campuses.
In Episode 6, we catch up with teacher Megan Lawrence as she discusses her experience in Applied Skills and the excitement of bringing our students back home to East Porter.
Listen to the full episode here: 👇
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3XgdpNSntcflo4YnWtOA37?si=a40fb11ebe574c5c
❤️💛💚
Families and caregivers of children who have an IEP—or are in the process of pursuing one—are invited to an upcoming CommUNITY Meeting! This is a great opportunity to learn more about Behavioral Supports & Services, ask questions, and connect with others.
🗓 Date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (CST)
📍 Location: John Simatovich Elementary School
424 W. County Road 500 N.
Valparaiso, IN
Please help us spread the word by sharing this post so we can reach more families. Mark your calendars and join us for an informative and supportive evening—we hope to see you there!
We have two exciting ways for you to stay connected with East Porter County Schools today:
1️⃣ The Pulse of East Porter: Q2 Edition! 📰 Our second quarter newsletter is officially here! Don't miss out on all the details regarding district news and student successes. 🔗 Read it here: https://www.eastporter.k12.in.us/article/2624044
2️⃣ Inside East Porter Podcast: Episode 5 is LIVE! 🎙️🏈 With the NFL playoffs starting this weekend, Mr. Kaufman sat down with Mrs. Crystal Lembke to discuss how she is implementing NFeLementary in her classroom!
Hear about the incredible experiences her students are having and how other classes can jump aboard the NFeLementary train! 🚂💨
Click to listen: 👇 https://open.spotify.com/episode/3kUbTKoIOZjDUBkPIvt4eP?si=cbcWBBF6SGWJOqs4Xk4fQg
🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Inside East Porter Episode 4 is LIVE! 🎙️
We are spending some extra time with family this week, but Episode 4 of Inside East Porter is live and ready for a quick listen! ❤️💛💚
This week, we’re heading to Mustang Nation to talk about one of the coolest new classes in the district: Forensics! 🔬🧪
Join us as we chat with Mrs. Rachel Pauer and Principal Jillian Blakely at Kouts about how this course was created and the hands-on investigative skills our students are mastering.
Catch the new episode here: 👇 Short, sweet, and scientific! 🎙️🕵️♀️
We are spending some extra time with family this week, but Episode 4 of Inside East Porter is live and ready for a quick listen! ❤️💛💚
This week, we’re heading to Mustang Nation to talk about one of the coolest new classes in the district: Forensics! 🔬🧪
Join us as we chat with Mrs. Rachel Pauer and Principal Blakely at Kouts about how this course was created and the hands-on investigative skills our students are mastering.
Catch the new episode here: 👇 https://open.spotify.com/episode/02ea2MWJV9rTOxTfrCNdIt?si=Gpo7cNP2QT6ZWQ1pXaS2pQ
Wishing our entire East Porter family a restful and happy week!
East Porter Community Members — today is the final day to complete our community survey.
Your feedback is essential as the School Board continues discussions about programs, services, and long-term priorities in response to changing financial conditions and student needs.
The survey closes tonight, January 2, 2026.
Please take a few minutes to participate and help guide future planning.
👉 Take the Survey: https://forms.gle/ZAj1k3LBTAb6TXtr9
Thank you for supporting East Porter Schools!
A new year brings new possibilities, and we are excited to continue building bright futures for our students. Thank you for being part of our supportive and caring community.
Cheers to 2026! 🎆
Happy Holidays! We hope you are enjoying a restful and fun-filled winter break.
Just a quick look ahead:
Schools are closed: We remain closed through Friday, January 2nd.
Students return: All students return to school on Monday, January 5th.
Enjoy the New Year's celebrations! We can't wait to welcome everyone back, ready for the second semester!
Thank you, Lori, for your hard work, care, and commitment to our students and staff. You will be greatly missed, and we wish you nothing but happiness, good health, and many enjoyable moments in this next chapter. 💚🍽️
Episode 3 of Inside East Porter is now live! This week, we travel across the district to highlight creativity and academic excellence.
❤️💛💚
🎧 Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Bi1ycGsvEYAHYrkpdI8Bo?si=CIcSKlN3RhifpFZxu8gBww
Thank you for supporting our students and staff!
Wishing all of our students, staff, families, and community members a truly joyful and peaceful Christmas Day.
May your holiday be filled with warmth, laughter, and wonderful memories spent with those you cherish most.
Thank you for being the heart of the East Porter School Corporation. We hope you enjoy this special time!
Happy Holidays!
Please take a few minutes to complete our community survey. Your input is essential as the School Board continues discussions about programs, services, and long-term priorities in response to changing financial conditions and student needs.
Your feedback will help:
• Gather insight on comfort with funding considerations
• Identify priorities for programs, services, and facility needs
All responses are confidential, and the survey closes January 2, 2026.
👉 Take the Survey: https://forms.gle/ZAj1k3LBTAb6TXtr9
Thank you for supporting East Porter Schools!
East Porter County is built on some fascinating history and geography! Since our district serves the areas around Kouts, Morgan, and Washington Townships, here are a few things that make our local area unique:
Ancient Ice: The very ground we walk on was shaped by massive glaciers! The land here is part of the Valparaiso Moraine, an ancient ridge of rock and sediment left behind by a melting ice sheet over 20,000 years ago.
The Kankakee: Early settlements were vital because of the nearby Kankakee River, which was once a vast marsh region—valuable for its fish, furs, and the prairie hay that was pressed and shipped out by rail.
The Namesake: The town of Kouts was originally established around 1865 as a station at the junction of two major railroads (the Erie and Pennsylvania) by the Kouts family.
Our history is a great reminder that learning is all around us!
🎙️ EPISODE 2 of "Inside East Porter" is officially LIVE! 🎙️
In this week's broadcast, we’re highlighting the incredible people who make our school community feel like home.
What’s inside this episode:
❤️ A Community Connection: We chat with Chris Birky, who has been a pillar of the East Porter community for decades. Discover the many ways he has impacted our East Porter family!
🏫 Campus Visit: We headed to Morgan Township Elementary to talk with Principal Niebel and two talented students, Bryce Birky and Lucia Wappel.
⭐ Veteran’s Day Tribute: Bryce and Lucia shared some beautiful original poems during our November celebration, and we wanted to give you a behind-the-scenes look at their hard work and creativity!
Don't miss these stories of service, community, and student success.
Click the link below to listen and subscribe! 👇
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0weKu3WMWRzMwVvXu3vImL?si=iT14CYI1QqqQXBbFzz3Yxw
As the winter weather continues and our holiday break approaches, remember to stay safe!
- Driving/Bus Safety: Please slow down near school zones and bus stops, especially in icy or snowy conditions.
- Layer Up: Encourage students to dress warmly in layers—hats and gloves are a must!
- Emergency Plans: Ensure your family has a plan for power outages or severe weather.
We appreciate our bus drivers and all our families for prioritizing safety this season!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new podcast, Inside East Porter!
This insightful podcast is designed to bring you closer to the heart of what is happening across East Porter County Schools. We know that while you see the exciting events and accomplishments from the outside, it can be difficult to see the work that goes on behind the scenes.
What you can expect from "Inside East Porter":
-Campus Highlights: Hear about the exciting events and major accomplishments taking place across all three of our East Porter Campuses.
-A Deeper Look: Get an insider's view of the inner workings of our school system—how decisions are made, the strategies behind our successes, and how we address challenges.
-The Full Picture: We'll be sharing the stories of our students, staff, and programs to provide a comprehensive look at the vibrant life of East Porter Schools.
Listen to the first episode today!
➡️ Click here to listen and subscribe: https://open.spotify.com/show/4B5ofta6XDWBsmfv41gAd7?si=dbba193c6a3143db
We encourage you to subscribe so you never miss an episode. We believe this podcast will be an invaluable resource for every member of our school family.
Thank you for your continued support!
East Porter Community Members— we want to hear from you!
As the School Board continues discussions about our programs, services, and long-term priorities in response to changing financial conditions and growing student needs, your input is essential.
Please take 5–7 minutes to complete our community survey. Your feedback will help:
• Gather insight on comfort with various funding considerations
• Identify priorities for programs, services, and facility needs
Your responses are confidential and will directly help guide future planning. The survey will close on January 2, 2026.
👉 Take the Survey: https://forms.gle/ZAj1k3LBTAb6TXtr9
Thank you for supporting East Porter Schools!
Our December Core Value is Caring—showing interest, concern, and compassion for others. This week, we encourage students to apply this value to their school work!
How can you show "Caring" through your effort?
- Care about your work: Put in your best effort on projects and final assignments.
- Care about your classmates: Be supportive and encouraging as everyone works toward the quarter finish line.
- Care about your future: Use the last two weeks to set yourself up for a successful second semester!
A little extra focus now pays off big later!
The end of the second quarter is right around the corner! (December 18th is the last day!)
This is a critical time for middle and high school students to:
1) Check Grades: Log into your Skyward portals and see where you stand.
2) Talk to Teachers: Reach out to your teacher before break if you need to turn in late work or schedule extra help.
3) Plan Ahead: Use this week to make sure you head into the break stress-free!
We are cheering you on! Let's wrap up 2025 with success!
