MSD of Steuben County

While much of the world is still asleep, one of MSDSC’s incredible staff members is already hard at work. At 3 a.m., the alarm goes off for Dená Helmuth, who arrives early, rain or shine, to prepare breakfast for the students at Pleasant Lake Montessori. You can find her in the basement cafeteria, known as The Galley, where she’s been creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for 14 years. Dená’s personal touch is evident in the vibrant colors and playful ship design on the walls that she helped design and paint. The bright, cheerful setting is only further enhanced by the friendly, dedicated cafeteria workers who make every meal special. As the cafeteria manager, Dená brings her signature smile and positive attitude to the job every day. In addition to running Pleasant Lake, she has also managed the summer lunch program for several years at Carlin Park, ensuring all our students have access to nourishing meals year-round. Dená takes immense pride in her role, particularly in providing healthy meals to students who may not have great options over the weekend. She makes sure each student leaves on Friday with a hearty meal to sustain them through the weekend, and returns Monday morning with another nutritious start to their day. Though she may be quiet and unassuming, Dená’s dedication to her family is a cornerstone of her life. Outside of work, she cherishes spending time with her grandsons, ages 6 and 10, especially during the summer when they can enjoy boating and swimming together. One of her travel dreams is to visit Italy with her grandsons, having already shared their love of the country by studying its history and language together. When Dená talks about her family, her face lights up with pride and joy. A special perk of her job is having her grandson attend Pleasant Lake, where he can pop into the cafeteria to visit her. While family is at the heart of Dená’s life, she also values her moments of solitude. Whether it’s curling up with a good mystery novel, particularly those by James Patterson, or enjoying a scary movie, Dená knows how to unwind. Her personal motto, “Don’t sweat the small stuff. You can’t change everything, so focus on what you can,” is a philosophy she lives by. We are incredibly proud to have Dená as a part of the MSDSC community, where her unwavering dedication, warm spirit, and love for her family and our schools shine through every day.

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The latest IDOE report on graduation rates reveals a historic milestone, with the state average at an all-time high. We are super excited to announce that Angola High School's graduation rate of 97.22% is not only significantly higher than the state average but also the highest in the region. Dr. Matt Widenhoefer, Superintendent of MSDSC, attributes this achievement to the school’s unwavering commitment to supporting every student. "At Angola High School, we strive to provide each student with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed," he said. "This accomplishment reflects the dedication and hard work of our entire school community." Angola High School has placed a strong emphasis on ensuring that no student falls through the cracks. Programs such as ACE Academy, led by Tia Buchs, offer students who may be struggling an opportunity to catch up. Additionally, the school’s Online Academy supports students who prefer a non-traditional learning environment, giving them the tools to thrive. We are incredibly proud of our students for their perseverance and grateful for the dedication of our exceptional staff, whose commitment continues to inspire success.

2025 Summer Day Camp Registration is now open! Email jhubbard@msdsc.us for questions! Click on link included or scan QR code to register! https://www.transparentclassroom.com/s/4512/online_applications/new?locale=en&fbclid=IwY2xjawHvxK1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSGkWEewGEt8EM8IoqENshR-B0CnarPzjOGaZIh4UeFrirUJM-rXE3bHWw_aem_M5omOE3YJU0dADXWPnVV9Q

Today is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and to show our gratitude for all that they do, Angola Middle School welcomed officers from the Steuben County Sheriff's Office and the City of Angola Police Department to stop by for a coffee and a cookie as a small token of our thanks.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) chapter at AMS! Last night, we proudly inducted our very first 41 members. These exceptional students were selected for their dedication to the core values of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character, and Citizenship. The AMS cafeteria was filled with excitement and pride as family, friends, and staff gathered to celebrate this significant milestone. 🙌 A huge congratulations to all our inductees! 🎓 You’ve worked hard, and we’re incredibly proud of you! A heartfelt thank you to the families who came out to support our students and to the teachers whose commitment to excellence continues to inspire and guide our students toward success.

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Welcome back, students! We're excited to kick off the new year with some amazing things in store. Before we dive into all the new opportunities, let's take a quick look at some highlights from last semester: 5th-grade students at HP created balloon globes. Carlin Park hosted a fun fundraiser celebration with a silly string. RP students enjoyed a unique lunch experience in the library. AMS students had a human snowmenbuilding competition. AHS students brought art to life by painting a vibrant mural in the bathrooms. Here's to another fantastic year ahead!

Checkout our Monthly Parent Guidance Newsletter:--Building Better Behaviors: Mental Health Solutions for Child Behavior Problems https://drive.google.com/file/d/174WZPqGWDfnL5gAgeZfHO6TyPA-1AqPB/view?usp=sharing

Before the break, Mrs. Alexander's kindergarten class spent two weeks "traveling the world". Some of the special events they did were - transforming themselves into elves, engaging in a video call with Ms Sparks while she was at a Christmas market in Belgium, having Jammie day, and sipping on hot cocoa made by Mrs. Wolfe (thank you, Mrs. Wolfe)

"Cheers to a new year full of new opportunities! May this year bring you continued success and the chance to reach new heights." "Wishing our students, staff, families and community all the best in 2025."

The holidays may be winding down, but let's take a moment to look back at some of the festive fun before the break! From Grinch and Whoville sightings to a special visit from Santa himself, we were even joined by a few reindeer. It’s been a season full of holiday cheer and unforgettable moments!

Wishing our students, staff, families, and community a very Happy Holiday.

As the semester comes to a close, we bid farewell to three incredible exchange students who have joined us from Brazil, Germany, and South Korea. To celebrate their time here, the Steuben County Quilt Society lovingly crafted beautiful quilts for each of them as a special memento of their journey. We wish these students the best of luck as they return home, but we hope they’ll always carry a little piece of Angola in their hearts.

The K-5 Emotional Disabilities program at Hendry Park spread holiday cheer this year with their 3rd annual project-based learning service project: a Christmas gift drive. With the support of students, staff, and families, they collected 105 gifts, which were donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana. This heartwarming initiative not only brought joy to children in need but also reinforced the spirit of giving and community involvement. #SmallCommunitiesBigOpportunities

Angola High School students have been having a great year, and on Friday, they got a special surprise! A merry guest visited spreading some holiday cheer and bringing a little Christmas magic to lunchtime. The surprise appearance brought out smiles, laughter, and countless selfies as everyone embraced the festive spirit!

This week, students from Pleasant Lake Montessori graced the stage for their enchanting winter concert. The performance featured a variety of festive songs, and a special appearance was made by the delightful characters from the 12 Days of Christmas, adding a magical touch to the event.

Frosty showed off his dance moves at Carlin Park's 1st and 2nd grade winter program! The event was filled with festive cheer as students sang holiday songs and played kazoo tunes. Mrs. Vonderau also got into the spirit, donning a charming outfit perfect for the occasion.

Hendry Park’s 1st and 2nd graders took the stage for a magical winter concert! Before the big performance, the other students enjoyed an exciting sneak peek. Frosty the Snowman joined in on the fun, while the sound of kazoos filled the air during the lively rendition of “Dashing Through the Snow.” It was a heartwarming celebration of the season, full of laughter, music, and festive spirit!