August 2025- NWIESC Newsletter
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Executive Director Notes
Does anyone in your corporation need to be certified or recertified in CPI?
What is CPI? Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) equips corporations and individuals with training and resources on preventing and de-escalating difficult behaviors and situations. The training provides individuals with skills to safely recognize and respond to crisis situations that occur everyday in schools. Certification and recertification requires an on-line course as well as a one day in-person training.
By the end of this month, I will have trained 153 staff members in three corporations that are members of either NIESC or NWIESC.
If your corporation or school is interested in me providing CPI training or you have questions about CPI, please contact me at dharman@niesc.k12.in.us.
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Cooperative Purchasing
Food Service
Cafeteria Staff Day Out 2025
Fueling the Team!
This year's Cafeteria Staff Day Out was a great success! We had over 250 participants attend the event that was held at Westchester Intermediate / Middle School in Chesterton. We had motivational speaker, Ashley Morena, as well as Mike Downey from IDOE and Mike McKay from Smart Systems present the group. The food show had over 40 food and equipment vendors. Thank you to Tammy Watkins the staff Westchester Intermediate / Middle School for being very helpful and accommodating during the event and event set up!
Curriculum
Click here to register!
Technology Integration
NIESC is now on LinkedIN!
Click here to follow us today!
STEM Integration
National Aviation Day
National aviation day is on Tuesday, August 19th. Celebrate the day and engage your students in some of the following activites!
If you are interested in exploring more opportunites to incorporate free aviation resources into your classroom, check out the Civil Air Patrol Program HERE.
CAP provides free aerospace/STEM educational opportunities ranging from a variety of K-12 curriculum materials and STEM Kits to participating in a teacher orientation flight aboard one of our Cessna aircraft at your local airport. This unique membership category is designed for formal or informal educators.
STEM Forward
STEM Integration is on Indiana's radar and NWIESC has the program for you! Click the link here to see in detail what the STEM Forward Program is all about!
Need funding to participate in STEM Forward? The Indiana STEM Integration Grant is open and ready for applications. NIESC has sections of the grant written for you if you are interested in contracting with STEM Forward.
If you have ANY STEM related questions, please contace Laura Unsicker, lunsicker@niesc.k12.in.us
School Counseling
nterested in joining? If you haven't already, email sharman@niesc.k12.in.us to be added to the contact list for the School Counselor or Social Worker Study Council. Registration for the School Counselor PD closes on Friday, August 22.
Register Here for School Counselor PD
Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities
NWIESC Staff Spotlight
Shannon Stone with her husband, Rob
We’re excited to welcome Shannon Stone as the newest member of our team at NWIESC, serving as one of our Food Service Specialists!
Her journey in school food service began eight years ago when she stepped in as a substitute lunch lady—and she’s been passionate about the field ever since. With her experience, dedication, and enthusiasm, we know she’ll be a valuable resource to the schools we serve. She officially joined NIESC on July 1st, and we’re thrilled to have her on board.
Outside of work, Shannon and her husband of 25 years are enjoying life in their unique home—a former barn that they’ve been renovating over the past two years. When they're not DIY-ing the house, they're spending time with their three children and three beloved grandchildren.
She loves the outdoors and finds joy in soaking up nature whenever she can. Shannon is looking forward to learning and growing in her new role, and we’re just as excited to support her on this journey.