News from the Ridge
Shortridge High School News and Updates
January 10th, 2021
Dear Friends,
I want to extend my gratitude to the Shortridge community for the hard work and support through this very unusual and difficult year! Our families, students, faculty, and leadership have taken on the many challenges, leaned into the discomfort, and preserved. Shortridge continues to develop and implement innovative ways to engage and equip our students, and I ask that you continue to encourage your child to log in on time to every class each day. This includes Wednesdays starting with ATL and World Changing 101 and the opportunity to meet with teachers during office hours and study tables, providing extra help and mentoring with assignments, assessments, or projects.
The district is reviewing the most recent data and information shared by the Marion County Health Department last week. IPS is currently reviewing this new information, including what it means to return to in-person learning, and provide an update to our families and staff this week. Full-time remote instruction will continue at least through the end of this week. Unless you have notified Shortridge, your student's designation as in-person or remote will continue as designated the first semester. If you want to change from in-person to remote or have additional needs use this form.
First Semester grades are finalized. To access your child’s Report Card, please log into Powerschool through the Parent Access Powerschool portal. Review this video (also embedded below) and document to help with accessing PowerSchool.
While PowerSchool provides you with the official grades (transcript), we use Schoology to upload assignments and give our students feedback and track progress throughout the semester. An instructional video on how to access Schoology is also linked below. Of course, reach out to your student's teacher if you have any questions.
If you or your student have not picked up the novel sets for second semester English classes, we are open from 9-4 pm Monday through Friday. And this Tuesday, the 12th, will extend novel set pick up hours until 6 pm.
Below you will find additional updates, celebrations, and important information from the Ridge.
I wish all a New Year filled with joy, hope, and wellness!
Go Blue Devils!
Dennis Thomas
Principal
Additional Updates
This week we continue to follow our AB bell schedule Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, with Wednesday starting in ATL at 9:00 to check-in establish goals and World Changing 101 at 9:30, followed by office hours and additional instructional support opportunities.
1(A): 9:00-10:15
2(A): 10:25-11:40
Lunch: 11:50-12:20 (30 minutes)
ATL/World Changing 101: 12:20-1:10 (50 minutes)
3(A): 1:20-2:35
4(A): 2:45-4:00
7th Annual IPS Showcase of Schools
Join IPS for the 7th annual Showcase of Schools on Wednesday, Jan. 13, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. This will be a fully virtual event that will include online booths for all IPS schools to learn about academic and extracurricular offerings. Families can participate in live chats with schools, learn about district programs and departments, enroll in an IPS school for the 2021–22 school year, and much more. To learn more, visit IPS Showcase of Schools.
Choice Application Lottery
The Choice Application Lottery window for the 2021-22 school year is open for all grades, and you can still submit your application for the first round, which ends Friday, Jan. 29.
- Sixth grade families at K–6 schools should apply to their preferred middle school.
- Eighth grade families must apply for their preferred high school.
- Other families interested in exploring the many exciting IPS school options can learn more and apply through Enroll Indy at enrollindy.org.
Free Meals
The IPS Food Service and Gleaners meal distribution has resumed its regular weekly schedule,
providing meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays for students and families. Check out Free IPS and Gleaners Meals for times and locations.
Pick up Art Supplies and 2nd Semester Novel Sets
Attention SHS Visual Arts Scholars.
If your student has not picked up their art supplies, please do so this week. Use Door 1, near the football field Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday between 9am and 4pm. If you have any questions, please talk to your art teacher.
Novel sets for the Spring Semester English Class will also be distributed this week for all students. Every day except Wednesday between 9am and 4pm.
And this Tuesday, the 12th, will extend novel set pick up hours until 6 pm.
Accessing Schoology
Schoology not only creates a single hub for students to access their classes but also provides families the ability to keep up with your student's academic progress.
Below is a quick video tutorial on navigating Schoology and checking grades/progress in their classes.
Academics
MYP Updates: Hello MYP Families (and especially 10th-grade families!),
Just a quick note to remind you that I've uploaded TONS of new resources to the Personal Project resource folder. This includes more videos, access to my own Personal Project Model workbook, a detailed view (still draft form!) of the calendar for ATL this year, and much more! If you're curious to see my own progress on my model project, follow the Instagram account I'm using as my Process Journal (a required component of the project for all students): @merlin_makes_shs. I'll be posting my own (beginner) woodworking stuff there, as well as guidance/details about my goals, criteria, and final product/outcome for my project.
Student Services
Shortridge Student Service Team Overview
Feel Good Friday -- weekly Mindful updates.
Future Center
Center for Leadership Development (CLD)
Programming through the Center for Leadership Development offers scholars opportunities for growth in all areas of life. To learn more about the variety of programming offered or attend an upcoming virtual Open House, follow this link.
Exploradoor
An online service for teens ages 14-18 to connect with programs and experiences, including internships, can help them better prepare for life. Exploradoor.com is a free resource that simplifies outreach and connectivity among teens, their families, schools, and program providers. With program information consolidated into one searchable platform, Exploradoor.com strives to improve teen engagement and preparedness so that they are more informed and confident about their choices after high school.
Check out the opportunities at Exploradoor here.
Through Their Eyes Scholarship
IUPUI hopes to repair the damage created over 50 years ago with a scholarship for descendants of families displaced when the university was constructed in 1969.
Students who are related to individuals displaced by the development of the IUPUI campus, are pursuing their first undergraduate degree at IUPUI, and can provide appropriate documentation showing familial linkage through documentation or photographs will be eligible for a scholarship award of up to $15,000, renewable for up to four years. Applications for the Through Their Eyes Scholarship will open in January.
Upward Bound
The IUPUI TRIO Upward Bound program supports low-income and first-generation college-bound students in preparing for college.
Learn more by attending an Open House held every Tuesday at 5:30pm. Email Upward Bound at ubound@iupui.edu for the link to attend.
Or apply here
Helpful Resources
- FAFSA Friday events offered through the Future Center
- Creating Your FSA ID
- FAFSA Checklist
- Scholarship Search Help
Interested families, please email Mrs. Harris, Future Center Coordinator, at harria@myips.org.
Andrea Harris – Future Center Coordinator – harria@myips.org – 317-426-8423
Christie Powell – Future Center Resource Associate – powellc@myips.org – 317-732-5088
Chris Speckman – Writing Specialist – speckmanc@myips.org
Athletics
Spring Athletics will begin before we know it! Boys Golf, Girls Tennis, Co-ed Track & Field, Baseball, and Softball will start having conditioning and try-outs during February/March. If your child is interested, please keep your eyes out in this newsletter or on Twitter: @Blue_Devils_SHS
Shortridge Athletics currently has two open coaching positions if you are interested or you can share:
Please think about donating or sharing to help fund our Blue Devil Swim Teams (GoFundMe)
Due to Covid, schedules are changing daily. Please download the athletics app and follow us on Twitter at: @Blue_Devils_SHS for all the latest updates.
We will continually be doing our best to keep the athletes, coaches, and fans safe. Masks and distancing will continue to be required. Every little part each of us contributes is one day further that our athletes get to compete.
Craig Huljak
Athletic Director
Archived World Changing 101 Events
- Speak The Truth
- IPS Board Commissioner Evan Hawkins
- Liane Groth Hulka & Vote Safe Indiana w Ziv Zellars
- Shortridge Racial Equity Forum
- Dr. Payne's interview
- Nine13Sports interview Tom Hanley
- World Changing 101: Ashley Toruño
- 9/11 Presentations-Introductory Reflection from Mr. Zummo, Pre-recorded Interview with Pete Cowden
- Ms. Cory Interviews Two Shortridge Grads (share their SHS experiences)
- PIT week recordings (link to September 27th 2020 newsletter)
- Shortridge Racial Equity Summit: Shortridge Racial Equity Forum and Dr. Payne's interview
PTSA
Join the PTSA! Your partnership and support are critical for our work at Shortridge!
FACE -- Family and Community Engagement
Hello, our wonderful Shortridge Parents/Guardian,
Below you find a link from the Marion County Energy Assistance Program for utility services.
Check the link out to see if you qualify parents. If you do not need any assistance, please give this information to someone that needs assistance.
Parents, I sent out our Shortridge Compact Policy form last year. I would like for every parent to please return this form to me either by mail, drop it off at the school, or email the form back to me if you have already sent in your form "KUDOS" to you. All my information is below. If you need anything or have concerns about something that I am sending out, please contact me, and I will do my best to help you.
Choice Application Lottery
Don’t forget The Choice Application Lottery for the 2021–22 school year is now open for all grades, with the first round of lottery applications due by Jan. 29.
- Sixth-grade families at K–6 schools should apply to their preferred middle school.
- Eighth-grade families must apply for their preferred high school.
- Other families interested in exploring the many exciting IPS school options can learn more and apply through Enroll Indy on their website at enrollindy.org.
Showcase of Schools✨
https://myips.org/blog/district/ips-showcase-of-schools-a-virtual-experience/
Thank you 🙂
Malinda Scott
Family and Community Engagement Liaison
3401 N. Merdian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-226-2810