IPS Seeks Public Input on Planning
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Public Schools District leaders are preparing to draft the IPS strategic plan and are asking the public for input. Families, alumni, neighbors, and all community members are invited to participate in the planning process during a series of community meetings throughout February to explain the strategic plan drafting process.
The IPS Board of School Commissioners will host meetings focusing on the district’s goal areas: teaching and learning, efficient operations, and family and community.
Upcoming meetings will be on Feb. 9 at Central Library (40 St. Clair St.) from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Feb. 12 at Concord Community Center (1310 S. Meridian St.) from 6:30-7:30 p.m.; a meeting on operational efficiency on Feb. 16 at Central Library from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and another on Feb. 25 at the Library at 4180 N. College Ave. 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Further meetings include those on teaching and learning on Feb. 18 at Central Library from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and on Feb. 19 at Community Alliance Far Eastside (8902 E. 38th St.) from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
RSVP online or call the IPS Service Center at 226-4000 to reserve a seat at one of these important meetings. Childcare will be provided to families who make a reservation, and public transportation vouchers can be made available through the RSVP service as well.
“Cash for College” Campaign Begins
INDIANAPOLIS — “Cash for College” is a statewide effort to help Hoosiers of all ages pay for education beyond high school with a series of activities leading up to Indiana’s March 10th deadline for filing the FAFSA — Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
The state is encouraging local schools and communities to host regional “FAFSA Friday” events throughout the month of February with financial aid experts who can provide step-by-step assistance on filing the FAFSA, opening College 529 Savings plans and more. FAFSA Fridays are designed to build upon College Goal Sunday, the annual FAFSA-filing event that will take place on February 22nd this year at 36 locations across Indiana.
The Cash for College website at CashforCollegeIndiana.org offers a variety of helpful tips and free resources for K-12 students, current college students and returning adult students, including the Indiana College Costs Estimator. Available online or as a mobile app at IndianaCollegeCosts.org, the free tools offers side-by-side cost comparisons that show how much students should expect to pay out-of-pocket at each Indiana college once various sources of financial aid are applied, as well as details on local scholarship opportunities.
Led by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, Learn More Indiana is a partnership of state and local organizations working to help Hoosiers of all ages complete education and training beyond high school. In print, in person, online and on the phone, Learn More Indiana helps students plan, prepare and pay for college and career success. Learn more at LearnMoreIndiana.org.
Marion Co. JAG Schools Prep for Competition
INDIANAPOLIS — Eleven Marion County Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) schools will compete in the regional Career Development Conference Feb. 5. The competition focuses on career-building skills and qualifies sixteen students for the March 13th state finals.
One hundred Marion County high school students will compete in seven individual and three chapter events. The categories will test students’ career skills in areas of presentations, creative and critical thinking, interviewing and public speaking, writing, and finance. The top two students in each event qualifies for the upcoming state finals.
The March 13th state finals will be held at Ivy Tech Community College’s Central Indiana campus.
The Marion County Jobs for America’s Graduates program is currently operating at Arsenal Tech, Arlington, Ben Davis, Decatur Central, Decatur Township School for Excellence, George Washington, Indianapolis MET, John Marshall, Northwest, North Central and McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology focuses on reaching high school juniors and seniors who are at high risk of dropping out. Since 2007 JAG has serviced over 2,511 area high school students.
Active Month for Tech Music Dept.
INDIANAPOLIS — Arsenal Tech’s spring musical this year is a departure from the more traditional musical style, as the cast presents “Shrek—The Musical” on Feb. 19, 20, and 21 at 7 p.m., with an additional 1:00 p.m. show on Sat. the 21st. Phillip Carroll will perform the title role as the ogre, Shrek, opposite fellow senior Carena Hasara as the “beautiful princess-by-day and ogre-by-night” Fiona. Senior Deont’a Stark will star as the talkative Donkey, and Christian Pullings, junior, will be the diminutive evil Lord Farquaad. Some other major roles include seniors Roland Neal as Pinocchio, Sandy Covarrubias as The Gingerbread Boy, and Patrick Eldridge as the Big Bad Wolf. The Three Little Pigs are played by Antonio Stevenson, Lamont Toliver, and Jake McNew. Kaylee Brunsting will be the Wicked Witch, and Jessica Bowles and Lauren Miller will perform as the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Fairy Godmother. Over 70 Tech students, each one a fairytale character, will sing and dance onstage, with 32 students assisting as backstage/stage crew or playing in the excellent orchestra.
Shows will be on Feb. 19, 20, and 21 in Tech’s auditorium, 1500 E. Michigan St. Adult tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the door, any age student prices are $3, and 5 and under are free. Audience members are welcome to wear their favorite fairytale costumes. Call the Tech Music Office at 693-5328 for more information.
In other music news from Tech, the ATHS instrumental ensembles will be going to Disney World this year, and need help raising funds. During spring break, the members of Tech’s excellent band and orchestra will pack their suitcases and board the bus for Disney World. The orchestra will take the stage at EPCOT on March 22, and the band will perform in the Magic Kingdom itself on March 23rd.
As the deadline nears, the instrumental groups are ramping up their fund-raising efforts. The “Sweetest Sounds” dance night on February 6 is open to the public. Come and dance to the jazz bands and special guests
Group fund-raising activities and efforts have helped reduce the cost for each student, but some members are still struggling to pay for their share. To make a donation to the trip or sponsor a student, please contact the Tech Music Department at 693-5428 or contact Beth Meyer at meyerb@myips.org Any donations or contributions will be gratefully accepted!