supports.... Life Gaps Charter School Updated December 6, 2014 Ever since LifeNets started 15 years ago, we continue to support LifeGaps Charter school in central Indiana. It is run by Jerry Cook who, in our estimation, has worked miracles with troubled teens. He's given them a sense of worth and accomplishment as you can see from the stories that follow below. Jerry Cook writes to us: Dear Mr / Mrs Kubik, What have we been doing? The conventional class work would involve math" language arts, science, history, etc. However, I am most proud of the skills that we teach in our small vocational shop. We teach small engines, woodworking, electricity, welding, career studies and more. We regularly go out directly to local farms. We have performed various skills along with cleaning out a chicken house, sheep pen, pen for 5 peacocks, 2 horses, a llama. We have also torn down a small chicken house, helped in building a 2-car garage, helped "frame" and put sheet metal on a hay barn, rode in a huge combine while harvesting corn and beans, rode in a tractor pulling a 34' disc. Also we have 2 acres on which we raise vegetables (truck crops) that will be sold at a local retail market in the name of the students who worked! We raise many of our own crops in the classroom plus 2 small greenhouses. I'm very proud of the fact that I teach skills, work ETHICS, things that can lead to productive jobs in their lives, if they will continue to develop in this "game oflife"! It's been quite a trip and I plan to continue what we are doing as we educate our teens in areas NOT being taught in many local public schools. Huge THANK YOU. Sincerely,   Updated March 23, 2013 Newest project: Life Gaps Teens help manufacture the TRIKE for children in developing countries such as Guatemala. (July 7, 2014) Read first story..... LifeNets has given continual support to Life Gaps Charter School, a very worthy cause and venture. Jerry Cook, founder and director writes this update: Life GAPS began in 2000 with the purpose being to help "Turned-off Teens" in our Indiana county. Each year we have an approximate dropout rate of more than 25% between 9th grade and 12th grade. Our 4 county schools graduate about 300 students annually which means that nearly 100 teens drop out each year. That means that during the last 5 years there have been 500 dropouts in our county. Question – WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Are they employed? If so what type of job do they have? If not employed are they on welfare or are they in jail? We estimate that it cots us taxpayers about $5,000 per year to educate one student. Do you know that it costs the taxpayers about $45,000 per year to house an individual in JAIL? Question – WHAT CAN WE DO TO CHANGE THAT? Life GAPS deals with teens below age 16 while CROSSINGS prefers those between ages 16 and 21. In both cases we focus on academics, vocational skills, job training, and a faith-based approach to family living. Most of these teens are being raised in broken homes. We are dedicated to breaking that cycle of "battered teens" and giving them a strong basis for a satisfactory job / career and to raise a family in a positive home environment in their future. We are pleased to have a team of parents, teachers, community leaders and groups like LifeNets who cooperate with us as we try to be a "Bridge over Troubled Waters" (CROSSING the GAPS in the lives of our "turned-off" teens.) THANKS. - Jerry Cook Wolcott, Indiana UPDATED August 18, 2002 May 31, 2002 story about Life Gaps students spending a few hours with Muhammad Ali Read informative Lafayette Journal Courier account of Jerry Cook's work as founder and director of Life Gaps school.  Life Gaps School in Monticello, Indiana is designed to help students who were expelled from school and to assist them with their school work and to keep them off the street. It operates in a classroom at the Monticello National Guard Armory from 8:00 am to 3 pm daily. Founder and director Jerry Cook has been working with up to 15 young people at a time to help them regain their grade status in school and help build their self-image while at the same time engaging them in vocational study. LifeNets has helped facilitate contributions to Life Gaps Charter School from interested parties and local businesses. Our Mission is to bridge the gap for at-risk teens by lending them an academic hand, and to then teach them the criteria for mastering the art of life. Some of the students are dropouts, others have been expelled from school. Others need help with their Attention Deficit Deficiency (ADD). Course terms at Life Gaps School range from a nine week quarter to a full 36 week school year.   More Read local newspaper account about Life Gaps More Photos Purpose     1. To lead at-risk individuals toward a diploma     2. To provide on-the-job skills for at-risk individuals Why is this needed? An unidentified number of mostly young people are unsuccessful at or have left formal education. Some can't read, spell or perform basic math skills. This normally results in low self-esteem and also poverty-level minimum wage employment.  As a result they and/or their eventual offspring are likely to become a burden to many in our community. Goal For more information contact Jerry Cook 7605 W. 400 N Wolcott, IN 47995 (219) 279-2771 To cause some individuals to obtain a high school diploma while becoming skilled for a job that earns more than minimum wage. Program     1. Educational Program - A student could choose either the GED "Help" program or a regular education program leading to a recognized diploma.             a. If he chooses the second, he would be tested for grade level competency to determine where his individual program would begin.             b. This program can include daily or weekly classroom work with home study. The schedule can be tailored toward the individual.      2. On-the-job Skills Program - Either choice would allow the student to enroll in the on-the-job training program, if he chooses. This program would involve working for an approved business with the goal NOT being the income earned, but the skills to be learned. These skills would hopefully lead to a decent standard of living.             a. The job sites must be interviewed, selected and approved by the administrator.             b. Regular follow-up by the administrator is a must. Administration and staffing / Community Organizations         1. One administrator                 a. His purpose is to survey and evaluate to determine if the need is there by meeting with school principals and guidance counselors. Court Probation Department and Police leaders and selected business and professional leaders . Possible clientele could be former students from OSS (Out of School Suspension) or Alternative school or incarcerated individuals         2. Staff as needed beginning with one   Special Activities and Rewards (educational or recreational)         Bowling, mini-golf / driving, ball games, museums, "decent" concerts, Minnesota canoe trip Comments from Students Gabe Hallman - "I caused the teachers lots of trouble in school.  I was really low in my test scores. Mr. Cook is rough and tough and it's a good thing because I need that. I am doing better and I really like it here at GAPS school Next year I plan to be a freshman at TL" Jami Hankins - "I was being home-schooled but I was not disciplined enough to do the work. I want to go to Ivy Tech in nursing but my grade level is very low. Thankfully, I am getting help from Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Stevens and Mr. Cook." Nasha Hufford - "I wasn't getting along in high school I hope to try a couple of classes at Ivy Tech this summer" Rene Ayala " I was in a lots of trouble in school  I am getting better but I have a ways to go. Thanks to Mr. Cook, I have leaned lots of things outside of the classroom. I've done lots of farm things." Kurt Vesley - " I am 13  I was lazy in school and I was falling behind. I have now caught up. I plan to be in the 8th grade next fall."