Grove Gazette

As we get ready to start Fall Break, I’d like to thank all of our parents and guardians who took the time to meet with their children’s teachers during Parent-Teacher Conferences. As a parent of eight children, I understand the demands you have on your time and what it takes to prioritize these meetings in your busy schedules. It is so important to be an active partner with your child’s teachers. Our teachers, staff, and administrators are incredible and want to do whatever they can to help our students succeed. We are very fortunate to have families who are involved in our schools, as well as a community that provides generous support.

We are also appreciative of the support we receive from our community partners. This week, the Mayor of Greenwood announced plans for a proposal that would give Center Grove $333,000 from the American Rescue Plan to spend on safety and security. As I shared with you at the start of the school year, the safety of our students, staff, and school campuses remains a top priority for Center Grove. We have been working diligently with our School Board to add needed safety measures and mental health resources using funds as they become available through our budget process, grant opportunities, and other partnerships. We are proud of the progress we have made, but know safety is not a box that can be checked off of our list. We will continue to work on both proactive and reactive ways to improve the well-being and security of our district. Embedded in this newsletter and at this link, you can watch a video we did with our students explaining some of the safety features we have in place.

I hope you all enjoy a safe and restful Fall Break next week!

Sincerely,

Richard A. Arkanoff, Ed.D.

Superintendent

National Merit Semifinalists

Five Center Grove High School seniors were named Semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program. They are Grant Embrey, Gowthamm Mandala, Walker Millhoff, Micah Robertson, and Zoey Varney.

Approximately 16,000 Semifinalists were chosen from the highest scorers in each state on the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) for the 68th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. They represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. Read more.

National Merit Commended

Ten CGHS students received Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Scholarship program in recognition of their outstanding academic performance. They are Maxwell Barton, Claire Combs, Levi Farmer, Jack Forrest, Cody Hewitt, Brinna Porat, Austin Rogers, Joseph Sowers, Jacob Thornton, and Amanda Zheng.

Approximately two-thirds of the high scorers on the PSAT/NMSQT receive Letters of Commendation. Commended Students are chosen based on a nationally applied Selection Index score.

5th grade student leaders from Pleasant Grove Elementary School visited the White River Township Fire Department Headquarters on Friday, September 9. The students delivered drawings and letters to the firefighters in remembrance and honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11.

PGES students also held a silent dismissal on Friday. Students held American flags while classmates quietly filed out of the building for the day.

Center Grove High School hosted 17 colleges and universities at its 3rd Annual College Preview Day. More than 290 seniors signed up to participate. They were able to visit with college recruiters in the high school media center on Friday, August 26.

"The recruiters said our students asked awesome questions," said Meaghan Krukemeier, CGHS Guidance Director. "One of our students who is a recent transfer from out of state was excited to see how many colleges and universities Indiana has to offer. This event really helped our college-bound seniors become ready to hit the ground running this year! "

Center Grove High School's Girls Golf team placed 2nd in the IHSAA Golf State Championship held September 30 and October 1 at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel. This is the best finish for the program in school history. CGHS senior Sage Parsetich placed 10th overall in the competition and earned 1st Team All-State honors. The team is coached by CGHS teachers Cale Hoover, head varsity coach; Alyssa Coleman, assistant coach; and Josh Hart, junior varsity coach.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association recognized Center Grove High School as a Champions Together school for the 2021-22 school year. CGHS Athletic Director Joe Bronkella and Asst. Athletic Director Katie Fisher accepted the award.

To be recognized by Special Olympics Indiana as a Champions Together school, each school must utilize an inclusive student leadership team to plan, organize, and administer school-sponsored activities; participate in at least one activity designated around whole school engagement; organize and participate in at least one Unified Sports activity; and raise a minimum of $1,500 (high schools) for the Champions Together project.

Center Grove's communication platform ParentSquare allows parents, staff, coaches, and sponsors to choose their communication preference and how often they receive that communication.

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