MSD OF DECATUR TOWNSHIP
DISTRICT NEWSLETTER - BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION - JULY 2023
DISTRICT NEWSLETTER - MARCH 2024
A MESSAGE FROM DR. STEPHANIE HOFER
Dear Decatur Township Families,
It is always a privilege to share accomplishments of our students!
Congratulations to three members of our Decatur Central High School Speech Team who qualified to compete at State: Braedon Meadimber (5th USX), Taiwo Ogunmilade (5th IX), and Desiree Rojas (2nd DIS). We wish them best of luck in this important competition!
We are also Decatur Proud of Isaiah Winko, who competed in the Swimming State Meet on February 23rd, finishing 20th in the 200 Individual Medley and 26th in the 100 Butterfly. Congratulations to Isaiah on all of his effort, dedication, and accomplishments this season!
I encourage all 2nd and 3rd grade students across the district to give their personal best on the IREAD-3 this month! I have personally observed reading instruction in grades K-3 at all of our elementary schools and am excited to see student growth and instruction rooted in the Science of Reading. At the secondary level, the SAT will be administered at DCHS and DTSE in March to Juniors as well. I encourage all Juniors to embrace this opportunity to show your Mathematics and English Language Arts skills.
March 1st was Maintenance Worker Appreciation Day and we are grateful for the BEST FACILITIES DEPARTMENT here in Decatur Township! Thank you for all you do to keep our school facilities in top-notch condition.
Online registration for the 2024-2025 school year begins today, Monday, March 4th. Registering your child or children right away helps us plan ahead for student and staff needs. Go to decaturproud.org and click on the blue button to register. Parents/Guardians will need login credentials for Skyward Family Access. If you need assistance, please contact your child’s school. Kindergarten Enrollment is also open! Click on “Kindergarten Enrollment” to sign up children who will turn 5 years of age on or before August 1st, 2024.
We hope you will join us for the Culver’s Dine to Donate event on Wednesday, March 6th. Culver’s will generously donate a percentage of each purchase to support our 2024 Backpack & School Supply Giveaway!
Please note that Spring Break for all MSD of Decatur Township Schools will begin with no school on Friday, March 22nd and extend through Friday, March 29th. School will resume on Monday, April 1st. We wish all students, families, and staff a restful and relaxing spring break full of warm weather.
Decatur Proud,
Dr. Stephanie Hofer
Interim Superintendent
MSD of Decatur Township
We are happy to announce a new way to recognize our amazing staff here in Decatur Township. The Vision of the MSD of Decatur Township is “Preparing Students to be Tomorrow Ready.” The “Tomorrow Ready” Award will recognize staff members (nominated by peers, supervisors, parents, or community members) who exemplify our beliefs of equity, teamwork, and excellence, going above and beyond to positively impact our schools and students.
Nominations for the “Tomorrow Ready” awards can be submitted through this Google Form: Tomorrow Ready Staff Awards
District Administration will select 1-2 nominations per month to be recognized at the MSD Decatur School Board of Education monthly meetings.
In January we started a "School of the Week" feature. Make sure to check it out on our social media accounts.
(Links to all official district social media accounts are at the bottom of the newsletter)
Here are some of the highlights:
Stephen Decatur Elementary
Mr. Low and some members of the team.
Decatur Township School for Excellence
Decatur Township School for Excellence offers a unique option for students in grades 10-12 to complete graduation requirements in a small school setting. “DTSE” combines “live” instruction with small group learning, which allows students to gain high school credits at their own pace. Programs for both credit recovery and early graduation are offered.
Click the photo below to learn about Data Café. Data Café is just one program at DTSE that promotes student progress and credit attainment.
Assistant Principal Mr. Swafford, Interim Superintendent Dr. Hofer, and Principal Mrs. Andrews at the Data Café.
Gold Academy Elementary
At the start of the day, the students gather together for a morning meeting.
Lynwood Elementary
Our final School of the Week for February was Lynwood Elementary. At Lynwood, the spotlight was on English Learner Instruction. Lynwood Elementary has 115 students representing 12 different languages. The focus of English Learner instruction includes listening, reading, writing, and speaking with the goal of English language acquisition. Click the photo below to read more about English Learner Instruction.
Mrs. Starnes begins a small reading group with students at Lynwood Elementary.
February School Board Meeting Highlights
April 8th, 2024: eLearning Day
At the February 13th School Board Meeting, a recommendation was approved to make Monday April 8th, 2024, an eLearning day for all of MSD of Decatur Township. This is due to the solar eclipse that will pass directly over central Indiana on this day. Students will not report to school. This will be the first total solar eclipse passing directly over Indiana in 819 years! While the total eclipse is a historic event and educational opportunity, district administration and the School Board of Trustees considered multiple factors in making this decision including safety concerns related to the long solar eclipse, as well as potential traffic issues with visitors to the area near dismissal times. Because central Indiana is one of the best places to view the eclipse, the Indianapolis area will likely host thousands of visitors! Look for more specific information regarding the eLearning day requirements from each school as April 8th approaches.
These amazing students from the Blue Academy ROCKED the NWEA, far surpassing expected mid-year growth in English/Language Arts and Mathematics AND confidently led the Board Meeting attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance!
Mazeed Amoo
Grayson Brown
Grace Temedekou
Kenan Caro
Chloe Stansbury
Kirsten Moreland
L to R: Dr. Stephanie Hofer, Interim Superintendent, Blue Academy students, Principal Mr. Adam Allen, Board President Mr. Larry Taylor
Congratulations to Mr. Andy Starnes, Instructional Tech Specialist, who was recognized at the School Board Meeting for the above and beyond assistance he provides to staff and students each day! Mr. Starnes plays a vital role in bridging the gap between curriculum and technology, leveraging his valuable experience as a teacher to understand the needs of both educators and students. His dedication, positive attitude, and expertise are invaluable. Mr. Starnes is #DecaturProud to accept the recognition on behalf of the entire technology team!
L to R: Dr. Stephanie Hofer, Mr. Andy Starnes, Mr. Larry Taylor
Blue Academy Teacher, Mrs. Alainey Christy was commended by the School Board for saving the life of her student, Ryan. Without hesitation, she bravely performed the Heimlich maneuver when he was choking on food lodged in his airway. Her calmness and quick thinking saved his life! Mrs. Christy is not only an amazing educator, but a hero as well!
Congratulations to Chief Terance Smith of the Decatur Township School Police Department, who was sworn in at the board meeting by Dr. Hofer. Chief Smith is returning to the position he previously held.
Officer Jeffrey Frencher, Dr. Stephanie Hofer, Chief Terance Smith, Sergeant JeJuan Westmoreland, Mr. Larry Taylor
Community Virtual Care
With cold and flu season upon us, don't forget that Decatur Township students in grades K-12 can receive FREE Virtual Care services through Community Virtual Care! Appointments are held at the clinic (5106 S. High School Rd, Suite B, Door #4 in the Technology Center, beside the entrance to DMS) and the students will see a provider virtually. Schedule an appointment by calling your school nurse or emailing decaturvirtualcare@ecommunity.com.
SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS
February Photo Gallery - Highlighting our Schools of the Week
School of the week Stephen Decatur Elementary
School of the week Decatur Township School for Excellence
School of the week Gold Academy Elementary
School of the Week Lynwood Elementary
INFORMATION CENTER:
MEAL BENEFIT APPLICATION
Apply for Free & Reduced price meals HERE!
Eligibility results will be emailed or mailed. You will also have the option to print the meal eligibility letter to keep for your records. Only one application per household is needed.
Important: A new application must be filled out each year for meal benefits to continue. Meal benefits begin when the application is approved. Applications in other languages will be provided upon request to the Child Nutrition Department.
MENUS
Check out this school year's menu! Don't forget that breakfast is free for all students! Join us for some delicious, nutritious meals!
E-FUNDS
Need to load funds to your student’s lunch account? Click here to load funds through eFunds!
PURCHASES & ACCOUNT INFO
Check out our new lunch portal! You can monitor purchases, complete a meal benefit application, and much more!
Register here: https://linqconnect.com/WPME5A
MSD of Decatur Township Child Nutrition Department
5275 Kentucky Ave., Indianapolis IN 46221
317-856-5265
STAY CONNECTED
Visit https://www.parentsquare.com or download the ParentSquare app:
Connect to Skyward here or download the Skyward App:
STUDENT FEE CHANGES
K-12 Curriculum Fee Changes for 2023-2024
The state legislature has determined that schools can no longer charge fees for educational materials. As a result, MSD of Decatur Township families will not be charged textbook fees for the 2023-2024 school year. Parents and students will continue to be responsible for any lost or damaged educational material, including but not limited to, lost textbooks, lost or damaged iPad and related components, library books, cafeteria fees, extracurricular activities, fundraising, and NSF check fees.