Upcoming Events
A part of being in high school is the maturity that comes with growing and learning alongside your teachers and peers. Something that signifies the beginning of this new-found independence is obtaining a job. For many at Kouts though, this can be difficult as the town is small and it is hard to find a reliable job. Fortunately, an opportunity has arisen for those searching for a new job! The Indiana Dunes National Park is accepting applications for the National Park Service Youth Conservation Corps. In order for your application to be considered, you must be 15 years old before June 2nd, 2019, but you must not turn 19 before August 10th, 2019. This program has been developed to help students appreciate our nation's environment and heritage through various activities like helping to maintain fences, cleaning up beaches, building trails, or even painting and staining park buildings. The employment opportunity will last 10 weeks, and there are currently three positions available for the summer. Employment will last from June 2nd, 2019, and end on August 10th, 2019. The starting wage is currently $7.25 per hour for a 40-hour week. For more information, please refer to their website at https://www.nps.gov/indu/getinvolved/ycc.htm.
What’s Happened
High school is a time where someone can make memories that will last forever. Whether it be where they sat in the lunchroom, their English teacher’s catchphrase, or the class prank, there is always something memorable made within those short four years. For Kouts seniors, the annual trip to Washington DC is something unforgettable. On March 16th, the seniors piled onto a bus, with a few select teachers and chaperones, and headed for Washington DC, where they were able to have the experience of a lifetime with their fellow peers. The students visited iconic areas, such as Arlington National Cemetery, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and Ford’s Theatre. The students stayed in groups of three to four in their hotel rooms and most of them used their alone time in their rooms to catch up on some much needed sleep. The class of 2019 was also able to visit the United States Capitol Building, Pershing Park, World War II memorial, 9/11 memorial, the Smithsonian, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. After visiting these amazing and humbling areas, the seniors arrived home with enough memories to last them a lifetime. The trip was some much-needed bonding time with peers, and they were able to laugh with and get to know other students they may not spend time with when home.
Students
As the cold, bitter months between October and February begin to heat up, the students and staff of schools everywhere welcome a new event: Spring break! Friday, March 22nd, East Porters announced students free for a week, closing the third quarter of the grading period. Many kids from around the area were eager for family vacations to Florida, California, and many other areas. For others, though, home is far enough to relax from the stress of school and the intermission from the daily work is much-needed. Even though some families chose to stay home during Spring Break, there were still plenty of fun activities throughout the week. After speaking with fellow peers and family, we concocted a small list of must-dos in Kouts.The Kouts’ Pool is a must for most residents of the area. With a variety of swimming areas as well as softball and soccer fields, there is plenty of room for entertainment! If you're not looking to get wet, then Drazer Park should be your next stop! New sensory equipment was put in for a more enjoyable time for all children along with several large pavilions for a resting place for mom and dad. Families can even rent out the area for birthdays or get-togethers. If you're not one for going outside in the heat, then Birky’s Bakery might be the way to go! Located just off the intersection of route 49 and route 8, it is a family-owned coffee shop that offers a wide range of delicious treats, as well as a comfortable and homey environment for you to relax and enjoy your time.
Staff
At Kouts High School, Freshman year is when students read that famous Shakespeare play: Romeo and Juliet. Although the amazing Mrs. Flanigan works hard to help students understand the importance behind studying Shakespeare’s work, reading, verbal explanations, and tests alone are sometimes not enough. In an attempt to solidify the information, as well as provide a fun adventure for students, the annual Shakespeare field trip is a privilege the students are granted with. Students leave school for a day and travel to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, to, this year, watch Macbeth. Schools from all around the Midwest are given a chance to learn more about Shakespeare and the work he created. This field trip is often the talk of the school for months with many upperclassman, as well as teachers, fighting for a seat.