Connect with us

Indianapolis, IN

Lollipops and love: Indianapolis east side school uses rewards to keep kids on track

Published

on

Lollipops and love: Indianapolis east side school uses rewards to keep kids on track


INDIANAPOLIS — It’s no secret that today’s youth face a lot of challenges that often spill into the classroom, and staff at Thomas Gregg Neighborhood School are rolling in rewards to keep students on the right track on Indianapolis’ East Side.

Lollipops and love: Indianapolis east side school uses rewards to keep kids on track

Advertisement

The sounds of cheering echoed through the halls and classrooms as the Bow Wow Behavior Cart — filled each month with different prizes and treats — made its rounds. Janice Jenkins, the school’s dean of culture, started the initiative to encourage students to follow the school’s core values: take care of yourself, take care of each other and take care of the building.

“If you did not receive any referrals in the month of September you get lolly pops and love,” Jenkins said.

The cart is part of a broader effort to create safety and support for students who are coping with trauma and other hardships.

“Today’s society is just stacked up against us. We have a lot of trauma-based children in our school. We want them to have a sense of safety and love, however they can get it,” she said.

WRTV

Advertisement

Students who go a month without behavior referrals earn rewards and recognition. Each class also chooses a Bulldog of the Month; that student’s photo is posted in the halls and the child receives a special party.

Kevin Brown, a fifth-grade student, said the program is about consistency. “It’s not just one day you should be good. It’s every day you should be good.”

Leo Caldwell, a fifth-grade student, said he’s noticed changes among classmates. “I’ve seen people change like them, not getting mad, them not having an attitude, then not getting write-ups as much as they used to.”

Screenshot 2025-10-14 at 10.04.20 AM.png

WRTV

Jenkins said staff frequently fill roles beyond educators, stepping in as surrogate parents, health-care navigators and mental health supporters when students need it.

Advertisement

“People take things for granted and assume that everyone’s parents the same. That all of our children receive everything. But we want to make sure we can do what we can do. Give them love when we can, give them hugs. We have to be the parents, the doctors, the healthcare providers. We try to meet their needs,” she said.

When students don’t earn rewards, Jenkins believes the program encourages students to keep trying. “If you did not get one this time, there’s always next month.”

School staff hope the small gestures — lollipops, recognition and a sense of belonging — will steer students toward brighter futures.

“We need a good fix and our children need every opportunity to be good,” Jenkins said. “They’re much more than their mistakes. I want everyone to understand we don’t have bad children and good children. We have children who make bad mistakes and children who make good choices.”





Source link

Advertisement

Indianapolis, IN

1 dead after shooting on Indy’s near south side

Published

on

1 dead after shooting on Indy’s near south side


INDIANAPOLIS — One person died in a shooting on Indy’s near south side on Saturday evening.

According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers were called to the 2300 block of S. Pennsylvania Street at approximately 9:45 p.m. on report of a shooting. This is a residential area located near Raymond Street and Madison Avenue.

Officers reported finding an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound outside a residence. The victim was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition, but later was pronounced deceased.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office has not released the deceased’s name at this time.

Advertisement

Police ask anyone with information about this shooting to contact Detective Kristina Friel at the IMPD Homicide Office at (317) 327-3475 or e-mail the detective at Kristina.Friel@indy.gov. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at (317) 262-TIPS.



Source link

Continue Reading

Indianapolis, IN

Pirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win

Published

on

Pirates farm report for April 18, 2026: Rafael Flores Jr. hits 1st homer in Indianapolis win


INDIANAPOLIS (Triple A, 6-14) thumped Omaha (Royals), 11-3. 1B Rafael Flores Jr. (.206) went 2 for 3 with a double, his first home run, two runs scored and three RBIs. LF Tyler Callihan (.239) went 3 for 4 with a double and his first homer, a two-run shot. DH Enmanuel Valdez (.273) went 2 for 4 with his first homer and three runs scored. RF Esmerlyn Valdez (.258) went 2 for 5 with two doubles and a run scored. SS Davis Wendzel (.269) went 1 for 3 with a double, two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. RHP Carson Fulmer (2-0, 5.51) started, gave up three runs on three hits in five innings and earned the win. RHP Chris Devenski (1.50) and LHP Joe La Sorsa (3.24) each pitched two scoreless innings.

Next: Sunday at Omaha (Royals), 3:05 p.m.

ALTOONA (Double-A, 2-12) had two hits – both solo home runs – and beat Portland (Red Sox), 2-0. LHP Dominic Perachi (1-0, 1.80) started and went six innings, allowing three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. RHP Landon Tomkins (3.38) followed with two scoreless. RHP Jaycob Deese (3.00) worked the ninth for his first save. LF Titus Dumitru (.146) went 1 for 3 with his second homer. C Shawn Ross (.182) went 1 for 3 with his second homer.

Next: Sunday vs. Portland (Red Sox), 1 p.m.

Advertisement

GREENSBORO (High-A, 10-4) lost 8-3 to Brooklyn (Mets). C Easton Carmichael (.273) went 2 for 4 with an RBI. RF Shalin Polanco (.250) went 1 for 3 with a stolen base and an RBI. 1B Jared Jones (.277) went 2 for 5 with a run scored. RHP Carlson Reed (0-1, 7.36) started, recorded one out and gave up four runs on two hits and four walks. RHP Jose Garces (3.60) pitched two scoreless innings.

Next: Sunday at Brooklyn (Mets), 2 p.m.

BRADENTON (Low-A, 5-9) allowed seven stolen bases in its 6-5 loss to Tampa (Yankees). CF Edward Florentino, starting a rehab assignment as he recovers from an ankle injury, went 1 for 3 with a walk, double and run scored. LHP Reinold Navarro (6.43) started and gave up three hits, four walks and two earned runs over three innings while striking out five. SS/1B Eddie Rynders (.128) went 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. DH Edgleen Perez (.238) went 1 for 4 and drove in two runs. LF/CF Josh Tate (.208) went 2 for 5 with an RBI. 2B/SS Antonio Pimentel (.154) went 2 for 4 with a double. RHP Greiber Mendez (5.40) and RHP Noah Murdock (0-1, 9.00), who took the loss, each gave up two hits and one run in one inning. RHP Treyson Peters pitched the final three innings, allowing five hits, one earned run and one walk while striking out two.

Next: Sunday at Tampa (Yankees), noon

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Indianapolis, IN

The Zone Extra | April 18, 2026

Published

on

The Zone Extra | April 18, 2026


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It was another busy week in high school sports in central Indiana and ‘The Zone Extra’ has it all covered.

Athlete of the week and Guerin Catholic senior outfielder Ian Taylor is off to a scorching hot start to the young season. Check out his interview as well as Guerin Catholic head coach Dave Schrage talk about Taylor’s success.

The Johnson County baseball tournament came to a close. See highlights from Center Grove’s tournament victory.

The 4A baseball coaches poll was released as well as the 3A softball coaches poll.

Advertisement

The former Columbus North gymnastics coach, John Hinds, passed away at 88 years old.

Center Grove head softball coach Alyssa Coleman joins the show for a coaches corner conversation.

See highlights from the Colts Local Pro Day, featuring several former Hoosiers and Purdue’s Devin Mockobee.

Girls lacrosse is in the first season as an IHSAA emerging sport.

All of that, and more, can be found in the full The Zone Extra show above.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending