Indianapolis, IN
Schools will close, some academic programs will grow in IPS after Rebuilding Stronger passes
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19837678/DSC09226_e1552004208219.jpg "Schools will close, some academic programs will grow in IPS after Rebuilding Stronger passes")
Indianapolis Public Colleges will shut six buildings and reconfigure elementary and center faculty grades all through the district following the college board’s approval of the Rebuilding Stronger plan Thursday night time.
The sweeping overhaul, which was accredited by the board in a unanimous vote, is the district’s try to deal with a number of of its most urgent points, together with declining enrollment, looming monetary instability, and academic inequities for college kids of coloration.
The passage of the plan got here after months of public enter, dozens of neighborhood and college conferences, and objections from numerous faculty communities.
Now, the district should deal with passing two poll questions totaling about $810 million in new property taxes that officers hope to place earlier than voters in Could, with a purpose to fund the modifications included in Rebuilding Stronger.
College board president Evan Hawkins addressed college students in his assertion earlier than the vote.
“Your decisions are yours. And on the core of Rebuilding Stronger is the idea that you simply deserve entry to the perfect that this neighborhood has to give you,” he stated. “To the workers and the directors, I need to acknowledge that change is tough. We’ve all been by means of a lot of it the final couple years. However I consider that you’re poised to make this district actually unimaginable for the scholars and households that belief you.”
The hours of public remark earlier than the vote featured a variety of help and opposition to the plan. Present and former college students at colleges with particular applications to being replicated voiced help for the enlargement of particular arts and Heart for Inquiry colleges. Different attendees urged the college board to delay the vote, arguing the plan nonetheless doesn’t tackle fairness.
Mother and father affiliated with nonprofits that help constitution colleges repeated their considerations concerning the plan’s replication of Heart for Inquiry colleges. Many have insisted the college as an alternative accomplice with the Paramount constitution faculty community, the place knowledge signifies many Black college students have been profitable.
“The faculties we select to develop underneath this plan matter,” stated LaToya Hale-Tahirou, a guardian of Paramount college students. “And I can’t help the plan until it contains rising data-proven fashions which might be closing the chance hole.”
However Michael Harris, assistant principal at Butler Lab College 60, stated the plan’s transfer to interrupt up Ok-8 colleges into separate elementary and center colleges will assist run his faculty extra easily.
“I perceive that selections are exhausting, those that are sitting there perceive this very effectively,” he informed the board. “However we now have to make selections for the long-term. And I feel this plan units us up for being profitable in the long run.”
Colleges will shut, tutorial applications will broaden
The plan permits the district to shut six underutilized colleges on the finish of the college 12 months and merge grades in others in an effort to function extra effectively. Grade reconfigurations on the district’s remaining elementary and center colleges will start largely in 2024-25.
It would additionally broaden specialised tutorial applications — resembling Worldwide Baccalaureate and Montessori — to college students all through the district, which shall be divided into 4 broad enrollment zones. College students will be capable to select any faculty inside their zone.
These modifications, district officers have stated, are designed to extend academic alternative and broaden selection — a important aim, on condition that the district lately has misplaced a lot of its college students to constitution colleges.
Rebuilding Stronger will give all center faculty college students entry to band and orchestra, world language, and Algebra I. Lower than half of center schoolers at the moment have entry to these choices.
The plan may even double the variety of seats in specialised applications that produce sturdy tutorial outcomes or are in excessive demand.
Disappointment over Rebuilding Stronger stays
Following neighborhood suggestions, the district made a number of modifications to the plan after the preliminary model was launched in September.
The Heart for Inquiry at College 2, as an illustration, won’t shut and merge with the City Act Academy at Washington Irving College 14 as Rebuilding Stronger first envisioned. Earlier this month, the district dropped plans to have a constitution operator run a twin language program at Harshman Center College.
And the Francis W. Parker Montessori College 56 constructing won’t be demolished to make room for a brand new Sidener Academy for Excessive Skill College students. As a substitute, Sidener shall be moved to the positioning of the outdated Joyce Kilmer College 69.
However these revisions haven’t addressed all considerations or exhausting emotions.
Tremendous College 19 and City Act Academy, two constitution colleges throughout the district’s innovation community, will not function the colleges if the board decides to not renew the district’s settlement with them, as district workers will suggest.
And College 56 dad and mom have been nonetheless hoping for his or her youngsters to stay within the constructing. As a substitute, College 56 will shut and college students there’ll relocate to the close by James Russell Lowell College 51.
The three individuals who have been elected to the college board earlier this month have additionally expressed considerations concerning the plan, saying in an October discussion board that they might have voted no on the unique plan.
The Thoughts Belief, which helps set up constitution colleges all through Indianapolis, stated in an announcement earlier than the vote that it doesn’t help the plan. Amongst different considerations, the group argued that the district’s lately introduced intent to accomplice with extra innovation constitution colleges is an try and keep away from promoting or leasing its closed faculty buildings to constitution colleges for $1, as required underneath state legislation.
“Taken as an entire, The Thoughts Belief believes the Rebuilding Stronger plan will exacerbate racial disparities inside IPS, not scale back them,” the group stated.
Amelia Pak-Harvey covers Indianapolis and Marion County colleges for Chalkbeat Indiana. Contact Amelia at apak-harvey@chalkbeat.org.
WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — The Colts lost a major contributor to last year’s defense to injury, Samson Ebukam, who suffered a torn Achilles’ at training camp on Sunday.
Ebukam led the team in sacks last season with 9.5.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen talked about Ebukam’s injury on Tuesday after practice.
“That’s a tough break for us,” Steichen said. “I mean, what a great competitor he is. The sacks he had last year, and he was just continuing in the right direction. So, big blow there but guys have got to step up.”
Fortunately for the Colts, they have a lot of depth at defensive end. Kwity Paye, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Tyquan Lewis combined for 20.5 sacks last season for the Colts. Plus, they drafted Laiatu Latu in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Ebukam and Latu built a strong bond in the past few months since Latu was drafted.
“That’s my big bro,” Latu said. “So, I was learning a lot from him. He’s been like a big brother to me since I got here, even before. I watch a lot of film on him. He’s just been somebody that I really look up to. So, I really just want to go out here and play for him and be able to do what he does on the field so that it doesn’t feel like we’re missing a link.”
With the loss of Ebukam, Steichen said that the reps are likely going to pick up for the rest of the guys at defensive end. But, he said they’re going to have be smart about it during training camp.
While Latu has been really impressive so far in training camp, Steichen also had great things to say about Lewis for the depth that the Colts have at the position.
“He’s tremendous for us,” Steichen said. “He’s been here for a while. Just the way he goes about his business every single day, the way he rushes the passer. I mean, he’s a leader in that room for a reason and we’re extremely excited to have him.”
“We still have a lot of great leaders in that room,” Lewis said. “We know that we have a void to fill. He (Ebukam) was our sack leader last year, but we’re going to come in waves. We all stick together as one.”
The Colts return to practice at training camp on Wednesday from 10-11:30 a.m.
“Silence is not working” mom says to encourage important conversation
Amy Powell’s son, Cameron, died from accidental Fentanyl overdose. Mental health/substance abuse must be discussed, she says, to avoid more tragedy.
INDIANAPOLIS — People who are most vulnerable to a drug overdose will now have medication that saves lives delivered directly to their hands.
Indianapolis EMS medics responding to an overdose will offer kits to patients, their families, friends or bystanders. The kits include two doses of intranasal naloxone, a resource card with a QR code to the program’s webpage, how to sign up for text alerts about an overdose surge in Marion County and educational materials on recognizing an overdose and administering naloxone.
The initiative is part of the “Naloxone Leave Behind” project, in tandem with the Marion County Public Health Department.
The program’s goal is to reduce overdose deaths in Marion County by delivering the opioid reversal medication naloxone directly to those who are statistically at higher risk of fatally overdosing in the future.
“Indianapolis EMS stands among those who work on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic in our community, where seconds can mean the difference between life and death,” said Daniel O’Donnell, chief of Indianapolis EMS. “Increased access to naloxone can greatly increase survival chances in overdose situations, which can lead to more people seeking treatment to break the hold that addiction has on so many.”
Most people who fatally overdosed in Marion County in the first half of the year – about 62% −died in a home, according to a new report by the coroner’s office. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, continues to rank the most common substance driving up overdose deaths in the Indianapolis metro area.
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How to sign up for ‘bad batch,’ overdose surge text alerts
To receive texts about bad drug batches or overdose spikes in Marion County, text SOAR to 765-358-7627.
Texts will be sent when a bad drug batch is detected, when a neighborhood sees a spike in overdose or when police conduct a drug seizure in an area — a move that research has shown disrupts the drug supply and increases overdose. The program, called the Community Harm Reduction and Improved Outcomes Team (CHARIOT), is part of the statewide nonprofit Overdose Lifeline, which aims to help individuals impacted by substance-use disorders. The Office of Public Health and Safety has partnered with the organization.
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Be in the know: Is your Indy neighborhood at risk for overdose?
Other ways to get Narcan in Indianapolis
Narcan, the common name brand for naloxone, can be requested through Overdose Lifeline website at overdoselifeline.org. The supplies can be delivered anonymously.
Contact reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com
Indianapolis, IN
‘Supernatural’ convention bringing stars Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki and more to Indy
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An SPN Family reunion is coming to Indianapolis.
Creation Entertainment’s “The Road So Far… The Road Ahead” tour is bringing stars of the CW’s “Supernatural” to downtown Indy next month, including Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and more. The weekend-long event includes panels, meet-and-greet opportunities as well as a special event hosted by Collins.
Here’s what you need to know about the event, scheduled for Aug. 23-25.
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Where is the ‘Supernatural’ convention in Indianapolis?
The Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, 350 W. Maryland St. Aug. 23-25.
Lineup includes Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins and more
According to the event’s website, the following stars and special guests are expected to attend the event:
- Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester)
- Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester)
- Misha Collins (Castiel)
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan (John Winchester)
- Samantha Smith (Mary Winchester)
- Ruth Connell (Rowena MacLeod)
- Rob Benedict (Chuck Shurley)
- Richard Speight Jr. (Archangel Gabriel)
- Matt Cohen (young John Winchester, Archangel Michael)
- Briana Buckmaster (Donna Hanscum)
- Julian Richings (Death)
- Kim Rhodes (Sheriff Jody Mills)
- DJ Qualls (Garth Fitzgerald IV)
- Osric Chau (Kevin Tran)
- Adam Rose (TikToker)
- Jason Manns (musician)
Creation cautions that all guests and scheduling are subject to change.
How much do Supernatural convention tickets cost?
Single-day general admission tickets start at $70 for Friday, $80 for Saturday and $100 for Sunday. A general admission weekend pass is $249.
A variety of weekend packages, with benefits like exclusive panels and autograph opportunities, range in price from $379 to $1,775. For tickets and more information, visit bit.ly/4d8xc16.
‘Supernatural’ meet-and-greets, autographs
Photo opportunities and autographs will be available for purchase with many of the scheduled guests. Here are the prices for photos and autographs with the headlining stars:
- Jensen Ackles: Photos $199 / Autographs available for gold and silver weekend patrons only
- Jared Padalecki: Photos $199 / Autographs $169 (will not be signing for gold and silver patrons)
- Misha Collins: Photos $149 (Saturday only) and $169 (in costume, Sunday only) / Autographs $119
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan: Photos $199 / Autographs $169
Interactive opportunities with the featured guests don’t stop there. DJ Qualls will also host a masquerade-themed karaoke night with ticketed pre- and post-events.
For a full list of experiences and prices, visit bit.ly/4d8xc16.
What’s the schedule for the ‘Supernatural’ convention in Indy?
The full schedule has not yet been released as of late July. According to Creation’s website, the final schedule will be released closer to the event.
Misha Collins’ special event at Creation Indianapolis
Collins will host a special, 18+ event on Saturday evening called “It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time.” In a June Instagram post, he described it as a one-person show that’s “part memoir, part therapy and part indecent exposure.”
Do I need convention passes for Misha Collins’ show in Indy?
No; this is a separately ticketed event that does not overlap with the convention’s scheduled Saturday night concert. Tickets are priced at $79 for general admission and $139 to $189 for reserved seats. For more information, visit bit.ly/3WfAlFQ.
Things to do in Indianapolis: Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them
Contact IndyStar pop culture reporter Holly Hays at holly.hays@indystar.com. Follow her on X/Twitter: @hollyvhays.
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