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Nonprofit, Kids Dance Outreach, celebrates 10 years of bringing inclusive dance experiences to Indy children

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Nonprofit, Kids Dance Outreach, celebrates 10 years of bringing inclusive dance experiences to Indy children


INDIANAPOLIS — Breaking down limitations and offering alternatives to shine — that is what one native group within the Indianapolis space strives to do daily for kids locally.

Children Dance Outreach is a nonprofit group that gives high-quality arts and dance training to youngsters with dwell music irrespective of their background, irrespective of their skills, and irrespective of their potential to pay.

“It is superb to see when youngsters are simply given the chance with correct steerage and a secure setting to take part in one thing that is significant and enjoyable and joyful. It is superb what they’ll obtain,” stated Michael Johnson, founding creative director for KDO.

Johnson and the KDO neighborhood are celebrating 10 years of serving youngsters throughout central Indiana this 12 months, and this system continues to develop with waitlists for them to come back into colleges.

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“No matter their background. no matter their financial standing. no matter their potential … we wish this to be an inclusive and accessible program for all youngsters,” stated Johnson.

Up to now, greater than 17,000 children in Indianapolis have taken half within the KDO program in a roundabout way.

KDO offers quite a lot of programming alternatives, together with bringing its educating strategies to school-age youngsters in Indianapolis public and constitution colleges. These colleges are 70% minorities, with greater than 80% on the free/decreased meal program, 50% of boys and 50% ladies, based on KDO’s web site.

The KDO Adaptive Dance Packages, like Dancers with Disabilities, attain youngsters with developmental disabilities and spotlight all of their skills to work as a staff and have enjoyable.

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Michael Kaufmann’s son Atlas has been part of KDO for a number of years.

“He loves the academics. He loves to bop. He dances at house now and does his personal routines,” stated Kaufmann. “Children construct a camaraderie the place they assist one another and encourage one another.”

Kaufmann says a father or mother to a baby with Down Syndrome, it may be tough to seek out alternatives to participate in actions the place your little one can shine. However they discovered a house for Atlas and a neighborhood by way of KDO.

Kid Dance Outreach celebrate 10 years of bringing dance opportunities to children in Indianapolis

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“It is exhausting to seek out issues uniquely tailor-made the place no matter potential and no matter expertise, children are welcome and are getting an opportunity to try this,” stated Kaufmann. “He was within the huge present that they did … the place there (had been) a whole bunch of individuals there to see him dance and carry out — and he did a terrific job.”

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Johnson says KDO will not be about making skilled dancers.

“It is actually about exhibiting youngsters that if you happen to strive your greatest day after day, week, after week, month after month, and also you assist your teammates, assist your classmates and let’s applaud and assist one another’s successes, then we’re all going to be okay,” stated Johnson.

“, we will be doing the suitable factor, making the suitable choices. And, yeah, we simply need to deliver folks collectively and present them that arduous work and celebrating one another pays off. After which our neighborhood goes to be a a lot better place for that,” he added.

A giant a part of showcasing the worth of KDO to the neighborhood lies within the arms of their Neighborhood Engagement Coordinator, Dana Vanderburgh, who says she grew up with a dancing background. However KDO works to deliver the enjoyment of dance to all youngsters.

“We’re an enormous neighborhood of parents that imagine dance could make a distinction,” stated Vanderburgh. “KDO isn’t just a mode of dance, it’s a methodology, it’s a pedagogy. It’s particularly designed to make it possible for each little one within the area — irrespective of who they’re, the place they arrive from their bodily skills, any of that — that they are going to have the ability to get that pleasure of dance.”

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Kid Dance Outreach celebrate 10 years of bringing dance opportunities to children in Indianapolis

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Vanderburg says an enormous a part of their program is the dwell music aspect. It not solely helps the creative instructors repeatedly have interaction the scholars with out having to stroll over and mess with beginning and stopping music, however the pianist works proper together with the trainer and the scholars.

“Our musicians are matching what is occurring within the classroom. They’re speaking with our educating artists. If we’re doing huge motion, they make the music actually loud. If we’re doing comfortable motion, they quiet it down, They type of maintain little areas with type of interludes in between in order that the music would not cease,” stated Vanderburgh.

“The music is a part of what we’re doing, and that numerous occasions grabs children’ consideration. And that holds their consideration. And so we’re simply extremely fortunate that we’re in a position to present this. After which additionally, it is to the credit score of our musicians and their unbelievable expertise, that they are in a position to take part alongside the educating,” Vanderburgh added.

KDO works to have interaction college students who might battle in a typical classroom setting or at house. Johnson says when the youngsters come to their courses, they’ve a clear slate.

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Kid Dance Outreach celebrate 10 years of bringing dance opportunities to children in Indianapolis

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“Generally what we see is a baby that was actually struggling in school or actually struggling in teachers or actually combating habits. Oftentimes, once they come to our program. We do not know their backstory, we do not know that they’ve possibly been labeled by a few of their classmates because the one which’s not good at math or the one which will get in hassle loads.

“It is a clear slate when the youngsters come to us. And oftentimes these youngsters which have had actually struggled being profitable wherever else, generally that one scholar will be profitable in our program, and so they develop into a frontrunner for his or her class in our program. After which when their classmates and academics are lastly standing up and applauding and cheering for one thing that they did nicely, that feeling of success and accomplishment ought to translate again to their tutorial success, again to their decisions on the subject of habits,” Johnson stated.

Johnson says there’s a waitlist for his or her programming and so they at all times need to present it totally free to youngsters and households, which is why they want your assist.

To study extra about find out how to assist KDO and their efforts within the Indianapolis neighborhood, you may try their web site KidsDanceOutreach.org.

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts’ Shane Steichen Talks Anthony Richardson’s Status vs. Giants

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Colts’ Shane Steichen Talks Anthony Richardson’s Status vs. Giants


Anthony Richardson hasn’t practiced this week, but Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen isn’t ready to rule him out for Sunday afternoon’s game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

Richardson, who is listed on the injury report with foot and back ailments, played throughout the Colts’ 38-30 victory over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. However, Steichen told reporters on Friday that Richardson came out of the game feeling the injuries, and he’s been “really sore” all week. Steichen elaborated that it’s moreso Richardson’s back that’s been bothering him rather than the foot.

“We’ll see how the next 48 hours go,” Steichen said about Richardson’s availability this Sunday.

The Colts, who are still technically alive in the AFC playoff hunt, will be eliminated from contention if the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers both win on Saturday. “No matter what, we’re trying to go win a football game,” Steichen said when asked if Saturday’s results will affect whether or not Richardson plays.

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If Richardson cannot play, Steichen confirmed it will be Joe Flacco getting the start at quarterback.

What happens next for the Colts? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

Richardson missed Weeks 5 and 6 with an oblique injury earlier this season and then was benched in favor of Flacco for Weeks 9 and 10 before returning to the starting lineup in Week 11.

In 11 games this season, Richardson is 126-of-264 (47.7%) passing for 1,814 yards (6.9 YPA), 8 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions for passer rating of 61.6. He’s also carried the ball 86 times for 499 yards (5.8 avg.), and 6 touchdowns.

The Colts finish the season next Sunday, January 5 at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Need your fill on daily Colts’ content? Head over to the Locked On Colts’ YouTube channel where Jake Arthur and Zach Hicks hit on all the major topics surrounding this team. Hit that subscribe button while you are there!

Become a Locked On Colts insider! Ask your burning questions and get prompt answers from someone who’s around the team every day! Get special access from the locker room, practice field, and press box!

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Indianapolis, IN

Wet and breezy Friday, Spring-Like Saturday ahead | Dec. 27, 2024

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Wet and breezy Friday, Spring-Like Saturday ahead | Dec. 27, 2024


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Some areas could receive up to 1″ of precipitation through the end of the weekend.

This morning:

A few showers are already starting to work through the area very early this morning under mostly cloudy skies. Temperatures are hovering in the mid and upper 40s so far this morning.

Friday:

Clouds will continue to increase through the morning hours heading into midday. Scattered showers become a bit more widespread as we get later on into the morning hours. There will be some moderate pockets of rain from the midmorning to early afternoon hours. Once we head into the afternoon, we’ll see our chances of rain become a bit more spotty and lighter.

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Meanwhile, winds will ramp up a bit with gusts as high as 30 mph.

High temperatures will top out into the mid-50s this afternoon.

Friday night:

Cloudy skies will continue as we head into the overnight hours with a few areas of light rain and drizzle. Temperatures are going to remain very mild with overnight lows into the upper 40s and lower 50s. 

Weekend:

Saturday looks dry for the daytime hours with mostly cloudy skies. Temperatures will be very mild for this time of year. In fact, we could push close to a record high, which is 65°(1984). Saturday, we’ll see highs into the low to mid-60s across Central Indiana.

Showers will return as we head into your Saturday late evening, coming in from the south. Heaviest rainfall will occur during the overnight hours.

Scattered showers will look to continue on and off through much of our Sunday. Total rainfall amounts could push close to an inch of precipitation.

High temperatures will top out into the low to mid 50s on Sunday. In addition to the rain, look for winds to gust over 30 mph at times.

We will start off the New Year’s week dry on Monday with partly cloudy skies and highs around 50°. Another storm complex coming in on New Year’s Eve will bring widespread rain and gusty winds and highs into the upper 40s.

A big pattern shift moves in for the new year with a trough of colder air coming in from Canada. He will return to the 30s starting on Wednesday. There are some hints of some light snow showers possible for New Year’s Day.



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Richardson's status still unknown for Sunday's game at Giants

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Richardson's status still unknown for Sunday's game at Giants


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts are still in the playoff hunt, but there is a chance they’ll have to play Sunday’s must-win game against the New York Giants without starting quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Richardson did not practice Thursday — as the Colts returned to the field after having Christmas Day off. The Colts quarterback is dealing with injuries to both his back and foot.

This was the second-straight day Richardson was listed as “DNP” on the team’s practice report. However, Wednesday’s designation was only an estimation as the Colts didn’t practice on the holiday.

ESPN is reporting that the Colts are optimistic Richardson will be available for Sunday’s game in the Meadowlands, but a lot of that decision will depend on how much — let alone if — Richardson will be able to practice Friday. Richardson’s never played a game in his young two-year career after being limited in any capacity during the week of practice.

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Neither Richardson nor head coach Shane Steichen have spoken to media since Richardson’s injuries were first listed on the practice report. However, Richardson did comment on how his body’s been feeling as the Colts use him more and more as a runner.

“You’re going to feel those hits the next day,” Richardson said. “It’s kind of weird because I was telling my family, like in college I didn’t really get sore. But NFL, it’s a different breed, different game. You have some grown men out there playing football, so it’s always a little different getting tackled by those guys. But it’s all part of it. You just have to keep adjusting and just keep your body right so you can keep performing.”

Richardson ran for 70 yards and a touchdown in the Colts 38-30 win over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. He also was 7-of-11 and threw for 131 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Richardson’s amassed 499 total rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns so far this season — both stats franchise records for quarterbacks.

If Richardson is unavailable Sunday, the Colts will have to lean on veteran backup Joe Flacco, who was taking starting reps during Thursday’s practice. Flacco’s played in six games this season. The Colts are 1-3 with Flacco as starter.

Indy needs a win against the Giants to keep playoff chances alive. If the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos both win during their respective matchups on Saturday, the Colts will be eliminated from the postseason. Otherwise, the Colts need to win these final two games against the Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars and get some help from a slew of other AFC teams. Full playoff scenarios have been detailed by the Colts’ JJ Stankevitz here.

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