News from the Ridge
Shortridge High School News and Updates
February 17th, 2021
Dear Friends,
I hope all enjoyed the extended weekend and stayed warm and safe.
Our learner profile for February is Balanced:
We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
As we continue to navigate the many things in our lives, it is important to remain balanced, maintain a connection with those things dear and important to you, and continue looking for ways to grow. I hope you take the time to read our Feel Good Wednesday newsletter (linked below) with tips and advice on staying well balanced. This is a weekly newsletter put together by our gifted social working team focused on social-emotional wellness.
It is the second week of our "Expo Month" at the Ridge-- last week, we kicked off with the MYP Personal Project Expo showcasing our sophomore class's work.
The Expo is completely virtual and can be accessed by visiting our Virtual Expo page linked here. The Theory of Knowledge Exhibition begins February 17th.
The MYP Personal Project site started last Monday. Each week we will highlight one expo and republish the full site at the end of the month.
An important change to what was shared last week-- the district just shared that the week of March 22nd will be fully synchronous with real-time activities and instruction. This will resemble our current virtual instructional day. Students log into Teams for live instruction at the scheduled time. Assignments and class agendas are posted on Schoology.
ISTEP testing continues on Thursday and Friday for all Juniors that attend virtually. More details below.
Reaffirming COVID protocols:
- Don’t forget to screen your students daily for COVID-19 symptoms before sending them to school. Be sure to refer to the COVID-19 Screening for Parents and check for signs of illness, including fever, chills, sore throat, cough, diarrhea, nausea, headache, or new loss of taste or smell.
- Please continue to report to Shortridge if you, your family, or your student are exposed to COVID. We continue to track exposures and infections and are required to report these to the district and Marion County Health Department. Call 317-226-2810 to report.
Below you will find additional updates, celebrations, and important information from the Ridge.
Go Blue Devils!
Dennis Thomas
Principal
Additional Updates
Use this link to access our Hybrid bell schedule. This is a change from our full virtual schedule.
For updates and additional information on Shortridge's remote and in-person plan, visit our complete FAQ found here.
Choice Application Lottery
Even though the first round of the Choice Application Lottery window for 2021-22 just ended Jan. 29th, you can still submit your application.
- 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.
Yearbook sales are now $35 until March 19, 2021. Prices will go up after that date. Here is the link: https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/ use SHORTRIDGE to search the school’s yearbook when you open the link.
Seniors, Share your baby pictures, quotes and favorite moments captured at Shortridge at shortridgeclassof2021@gmail.com. If you have any questions please email Mrs.Griffin at griffind@myips.org or Cassandre Barthelemy.
Required Hearing Screenings (IDOE Requirement)
All Sophomores receive hearing screening each year. We will follow IDOE guidance for COVID safety procedures.
- Week of February 22-26th: In School test in-person
- March 9th and 11th: virtual, and walk-ins
We will be contacting the families of our fully virtual students to set up testing times.
Here is a link for more information and form to opt-out
Attention! Seeking hydroponics (or at least plumbing and electrical) expertise to help science teachers get our hydroponics unit up and running. The idea is that this volunteer could teach the teachers and some students how to run it so that the volunteer is not forever obligated to assist with the project. The science teachers would like to incorporate our hydroponics unit into service learning in the classroom. Please reach out to Mikayla Feetterer if you have questions/interest: tuszynskim@myips.org
Academics
The Counselors are in the process of meeting our students to schedule classes for next year. Below are presentations and documents shared at our 10th-grade parent meeting. These outline the important choices your student makes going into their Junior year at Shortridge.
CP/DP Updates:
- CP and DP Program Information slides from our 10th-grade parent meeting on Jan 27th.
- SHS CP Quick Reference Guide
- SHS DP Quick Reference Guide
CP/DP Updates in Spanish:
Student Services
Class of 2022 ISTEP Testing Begins:
We continue ISTEP testing for the class of 2022. This test is required and mandatory for all juniors to complete. The test must be taken in person.
All juniors who are virtual will take their English ISTEP test on Thursday, February 18th, and their math ISTEP test on Friday, February 19th. We will complete the practice test right before we start the actual test. If you ride the bus, it will bring you home at the conclusion of school at 4 pm. Testing will conclude for students receiving standard time on Thursday around 2:30 and Friday around 1:30. If student receives extended time, it will conclude around 3 pm on Thursday, 3 pm on Friday. We appreciate your help and flexibility as we complete this mandatory graduation testing.
Students need to bring their school-issued laptop (ChromeBook) fully charged and their charger.
The ISTEP test is one way that students can meet their graduation pathway requirements. If they are successful in passing both math and English sections of the test, then their graduation pathway is completely outside of their required class credits.
All fully virtual Juniors need to report to school Thursday the 18th and Friday the 19th to take the ISTEP.
Time To Schedule Classes
Even though a blanket of snow covers the ground and a cool breeze surrounds us, it is time to schedule classes for the academic 2021-2022 school year. Shortridge High School counselors will be meeting with your student individually to evaluate your transcript and help you make choices for courses next year. All Shortridge students follow the IB Curriculum but will be allowed to make elective choices as they relate to the IB Curriculum. We encourage each of you to begin thinking of any questions that you have regarding credits and the graduation pathways as they relate to your graduation goals. Counselors will begin to schedule student meetings February 8th through the first two weeks of March. We encourage parents and students to contact the counseling department with any questions or concerns about your academic plan. Deanna Ziegler (Current Juniors): zieglerd@myips.org Jeffrey Molina (Current Sophomores): molinajeffrey@myips.org Carolyn Claude (Current Freshman): claudec@myips.org Aimee Ladd (Current Freshman): ladda@myips.org
CAP/GOWN/SENIOR SWAG: JOSTENS INFO
Seniors, for information about cap/gown, senior swag, class rings, and more, check out the Jostens website. You can order online or mail-in order form to Jostens. Order deadline (before the price increase) is February 17th.
Cap and Gown Only:
Jostens SHS Website
https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1072816/Shortridge-High-School/
IB Learner Profile for February
Balanced:
We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
Click on Feel Good Friday linked below for more about how to support the trait Balanced.
Future Center
FAFSA Deadline – April 15
Do you have a senior attending a 2 or 4 year college? If so, the FAFSA must be completed and filed no later than April 15 to receive state and federal aid. Resources to support with completing this document are below.
INvestEd Indiana – Expert knowledge and advice available to Hoosier families. rt advice.
Phone – (317) 715-9007
Email – Outreach@INvestEdIndiana.org
College Goal Sunday – March 7 from 2:00 to 4:00pm
Free expert help with filing the FAFSA
Shortridge Future Center
Reach out to Mrs. Harris by email harria@myips.org or by phone 317-426-8423
21st Century Scholars
Is your student a 21st Century Scholar? If so, check out the below link and click on the High School Scholars section for information about the requirements and other frequently asked questions.
21st Century Scholar requirements while in high school
Indy Achieves
Senior parents, do you have a student planning to attend IUPUI or Ivy Tech? If so, be sure they register for the Indy Achieves mentor program. By registering, participating in the program and filing an on time FAFSA your student may qualify for gap closing tuition assistance.
Students can register at this link
Shortridge Scholarship Blog
Scholarship resources and opportunities can be found on the Shortridge Scholarship Blog. Check it out at this link
Exploradoor – Summer Opportunities
An online service for teens ages 14-18 to connect with programs and experiences, including internships, that 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
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
Project Ready
Project Ready is a signature program of the National Urban League (NUL) that seeks to provide enhanced academic and social support to students ages 11-18 as they prepare for post-secondary success. This program currently targets high school students (9th – 12th grade) and works with students and their families to:
- Increase college awareness
- Understand the correlation between post-secondary success and income
- Academic Advising
- Scholarship Application Assistance
- Free SAT and ACT Preparatory Workshops
- College Tours
- FAFSA Assistance
- College Application Assistance
- Service Learning Opportunities
For more information or to enroll your student in the program, please contact site coordinator Daesha Smith at dsmith@indplsul.org or 317-794-6337.
Shortridge Scholarship Blog
Scholarship resources and opportunities can be found on the Shortridge Scholarship Blog. Check it out at this link http://wsd7.2.vu/SHSScholarshipBlog
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 and can be found on the IUPUI Scholarship page here.
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 5:30 pm. 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
SAVE The Date: Butler University An Evening with Staff & Students
Butler University is partnering with IPS to present An Evening with Butler University Staff and Students: A Virtual College Tour for IPS 11th and 12th Grade Students Of Color and their Parents. Join Butler faculty, staff, and students for a conversation about admission, financial aid, and life at Butler!
- Student Events: 9:30-11 a.m. Tuesday, March 16, and Thursday, March 18.
- Parent Session: 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 20.
Athletics
Girls and Boys Track & Field has started conditioning. If interested, please meet at the historic gym at 4:30 on Monday. Should be a great season! Practices will begin the week of the 15th.
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.
Shortridge Letter Jackets are always available! Varsity student-athletes gain patches and pins throughout their time with us and this is a great way to show them off! If interested, please contact Randy Wintner at Randy.Wintner@jostens.com to find out more.
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
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.
Gamma Phi Delta has a scholarship opportunity for minority high school seniors. The deadline I believe to submit the application is February 15th. The link is below. If you have any questions, please only reach out to me. Mrs. Scott
https://www.gpdgamma.org/2018-scholarship
P-EBT Cards for 2021
A change was made, and the new P-EBT cards will be issued on February 28th. Each K-12 student should receive their own card. This card should be kept as future payments will be made as long as the Federal Public Health Emergency exists. When the FPHE ends, the P-EBT ends. The benefit amount is determined by the school based upon the number of days the Student participated in virtual learning, was in quarantine, or was out of school due to COVID-19 illness for at least 5 consecutive school days or the school had a delayed start or closure for five consecutive days or more.
Future payments are scheduled:
P-EBT eligible months/Issuance month
October - December 2020 /February 28, 2021
January - March 2021 /April 30, 2021
April - June 2021/ July 31, 2021
July – September 2021/ September 30, 2021
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Please contact our office to update your mailing information as well.
For full information on P-EBT, click here: https://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/dfr-policy-changes-and-actions/pandemic-ebt/
https://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/dfr-policy-changes-and-actions/pandemic-ebt/
Thank you 🙂
Malinda Scott
Family and Community Engagement Liaison
3401 N. Merdian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-226-2810
PTSA
Join the PTSA! Your partnership and support are critical for our work at Shortridge!