We the People | Indiana

The We the People program gives students a chance to prepare for mock congressional hearings and act as experts on issues raised in the units of the We the People textbook. Each student becomes a member of a team representing one unit and prepares answers to questions about the information in the unit. Lawyers, judges, teachers and other community members act as part of the congressional hearing committees. The hearings begin at the congressional district level with the winners advancing to state hearings. The winners of the high school state hearings are invited to participate in the national finals held each spring in Washington, D.C.

The following schools participated in Congressional District One Hearings held Nov. 14 at Indiana University Northwest in Gary: Andrean High School, John Szot, teacher; Munster High School, Michael Gordon, teacher; Clifford Pierce Middle School, Andrew Augustyn, teacher; Fegely Middle School, James Martz and Byran Tyman, teachers; Wilbur Wright Middle School, Jim Colias, teacher; and Willowcreek Middle School, Christopher Demorotski, Jim Wheeler and Gaelyn Mlynarcik, teachers.

Munster High School and Forest Ridge Academy will represent District One at the state finals in December.

The following schools will participate in the elementary and middle school showcase hearings Friday at Indiana University Northwest: Frank Hammond Elementary School, Diana Forstz, Bonnie Gardner, Ann Jung and Mrs. Sullivan, teachers; Clark Middle School, Anita Griffin and Silvana Morgan, teachers; Grimmer Middle School, Donna Spivak, teacher; and Kahler Middle School, Kristen Proffitt, teacher; Eggers Middle School, Jennifer Barr, teacher; and Bishop Noll Middle School, George Grenchik, teacher.

Frank Hammond Elementary School classes will participate at the elementary state showcase hearings held Dec. 17 in Indianapolis.

The Indiana State Bar Association and the Lake County Bar Association actively support the We the People program.

Educational foundation | Calumet Township

Officers for 2008-09 were elected at the Lake Ridge Educational Foundation meeting. They are President Eric Worthington, Vice President Connie Scudari, Recording Secretary Lorraine Geberin, Corresponding Secretary Estelle Becke and Treasurer Jo Ann Johnson. The first week of March has been selected for the annual Bingo night. Any community member who is interested in joining the board or who would like to make a donation can contact Estelle Becke at (219) 980-1810.

Money bus | Highland

Advance Financial Federal Credit Union staffers recently joined with teachers at Merkley Elementary School in Highland to make the most of a special visit from the Kids Count on the Money Bus youth financial literacy initiative. The Kids Count on the Money Bus program was developed specifically to help elementary age kids learn the basics of managing money.

Funding | Lake Station

Parents as Teachers of Lake Station, an early childhood parent education and family support program, has received significant funding from Lake Station Schools this year. Since 2002, when the program began at Lake Station's Virgil Bailey Elementary School, acquiring funding for the program has typically been a struggle, with staff salaries and educational supplies all dependent on grants from agencies and foundations. Lake Station Parents as Teachers serves families from pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, enhancing child development and school achievement through parent education and support. The goals of the program are the following:

· Increase parent knowledge of early childhood development and improve parenting practices.

· Provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues.

· Prevent child abuse and neglect.

· Increase children's school readiness and school success.

The program currently serves 62 families and 89 children in Lake Station. This school year, for the first time, Lake Station Schools were able to devote a significant portion of their Title I budget to support the program, dedicating more than $42,000. These dollars, coupled with existing grants and donations, has allowed to program to meet its annual budget early on, freeing staff to focus on their service to families and children.