News from the Ridge
Shortridge High School News and Updates
November 2nd, 2020
Dear Friends,
As shared in email and phone call Sunday night, we have three confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Shortridge. The diagnosed individuals are in self-isolation. All spaces these individuals came in contact with have been sanitized and disinfected. Classes will continue as scheduled. School staff and students who have been in direct contact with one of these individuals have been contacted and directed to quarantine for 14 days to ensure they are free of any symptoms. Close contact is defined as anyone who was within 6 feet of the infected person for a total of 15 minutes or longer.
Our priority continues to be the Safety and Wellness of our Students, Staff, and Families! Please make sure to complete COVID-19 Screening for Parents before sending your student to school.
This weeks schedule:
- Tuesday, November 3, Election Day (no school). Vote!
- Wednesday, November 4 = Virtual B-Day for all Students
- Thursday, November 5 = Normal Rotation (L-Z in person)
- Friday, November 6 = Normal Rotation (L-Z in person)
- November 6. ASVAB for all Juniors in the building
Below you will find additional updates, celebrations, and important information from the Ridge. If you have anything you would like to share, please email Malinda Scott, our FACE coordinator.
Go Blue Devils!
Dennis Thomas
Principal
Atlas--wellness journaling app
Advisors introduced the app during ATL last week. You are invited (encouraged) to download and review the materials.
Students attending in-person instruction:
- Mask at all times (except when eating)--on the bus, in the halls and classrooms.
- Enter the door closest to your drop off and exit at 4:00 through the same door
- One way halls on the 2nd and 3rd floor--follow the arrows and social distant floor stickers.
- Assigned seating in classes and lunchroom
- All students must leave Shortridge at 4:00 (end of the day) unless participating in competitive activities.
- Student IDs and Lanyards distributed the first day back (required). Remote students can pick up at school during school hours.
- No lockers--bring your backpacks with your supplies.
- Bring a fully charged Laptop and charger every day.
- Be safe, on time, and engage!
Additional UPDATES
Do you know any families or students looking to join the Shortridge Devil Team? Open House for prospective students and families is November 10th. Visit or share our website to learn more-SHS OPEN HOUSE info.
Please review the Updates to the Student Handbook with your student.
Links to Additional details and expectations-
- Daily Bell Schedule
- PowerSchool lists student schedules and course times.
- Schoology hosts student assignments
- Read the previous FAQ here
- For updates and additional information on Shortridge's remote and in-person plan, visit our complete FAQ found here.
Due to COVID-19 and the district's health and safety practices, all visitors, including parents, must have a confirmed appointment with a staff member to enter Shortridge. Upon entry, please be prepared to present the staff member's name, department, and your appointment time.
Academics
Congratulations, senior families! Your student has completed more than half of the IB Diploma or Career-related Program at Shortridge High School!
As we approach their last semester at Shortridge, we are pleased to share that the District will waive fees for any student whose quarter 1 grades indicate they are on track to earn the IB Diploma or IB Career-related Certificate, for any student whose IB exam will qualify them for the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma, and for any student who is on track to earn a 4 or higher on any IB exam. In advance of the November 15 registration deadline, these students will be automatically registered for IB exams and will confirm their exam registrations with the CP and DP coordinators. Students have been informed via Schoology and in their advisory class whether or not their scores qualify for the fee waiver.
Students who do not qualify for the fee waiver and do not wish to pay to take the official IB exams will take Shortridge final exams, which are IB exams from past years assessed by the student’s classroom teacher. Students who do not qualify for the fee waiver but want to pay for and take an IB exam should contact Mel Coryell, coryelmd@myips.org, by November 9.
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.
AUDITIONS! Calling all actors and future actors! This year, Shortridge High School Theatre Department's fall play will be: Clue: Stay-At-Home Version! No experience is needed! Anyone can audition!
Auditions will be on Tuesday, November 3rd, from 5pm-7pm on Teams. If you have any questions, please email Miss Myers at myerss@myips.org
See you at auditions!
Microsoft Teams meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
Click here to join the meeting
To view the update, click the link below:
http://myips.schoology.com/course/3163013472/update/3260893926
Schoology Tutorial
We continue to improve ways of supporting parents and guardians during this time. Schoology not only creates a single hub for student access to their classes but also provides families the ability to keep up with your student's academic progress.
Below is a quick video tutorial on how to navigate Schoology and check grades/progress in their classes.
FRESHMAN ACADEMY
This week is the first week of November, which starts our next IB Profile focus of “Principled”. In ATL (advisory), we focus on building the skills and knowledge needed to be successful at Shortridge. Each week we follow a predictable schedule providing a foundation for success:
- Mondays are “Make It Happen Mondays” focusing on goal setting and grade review/follow-up for students.
- Tuesdays are “Talk About It Tuesdays” where we feature a current event and talk about it as a group.
- Wednesdays are “World Changing 101 Wednesdays” which is just a shift from what we were doing on Fridays before our hybrid schedule.
- Thursdays are “Think It Through Thursdays” where we feature a podcast for all students to think about.
- Fridays are “Film Fridays” that focus on a film/documentary. Last week and this week, students will be watching “The Social Dilemma” on Netflix.
As we plan for ATL, we always consider providing students learning opportunities in various formats to engage all of our students. We hope to continue to do this as the year progresses, as we are finding students are really into the new concepts and ideas!
Student Services
Shortridge Student Service Team Overview
Feel Good Friday -- weekly Mindful updates.
World Changing 101
Shortridge Speaker Series:
Archived Friday Connects
- 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
THIS MONTH, OUR IB LEARNER PROFILE FOCUS IS Principled
Technology Updates and Resources
Athletics
If anyone has a passion for basketball and is confident in running our home clock, we are always looking for capable individuals! Please contact Craig Huljak: huljakc@myips.org if interested.
Our Shortridge Booster Club is a wonderful organization that supports Blue Devil Athletics through social events and fundraising. Our athletic teams benefit greatly from their support, and meeting with them every 4-6 weeks is a wonderful way to meet new people within our Shortridge community. If interested, please reach out to shsdevilboosters@gmail.com
Craig Huljak
Athletic Director
Future Center
A and C Day Junior ASVAB Survey
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or ASVAB will be administered at Shortridge High School on Friday, November 6. While this test can serve as the vocational aptitude for those choosing to enlist in the military it is also a test that can fill Bucket 3 towards high school graduation requirements for those who score a 31 or higher.
Graduation Pathways information can be found here
We are encouraging all juniors to be present to take this test on November 6. However, due to the hybrid schedule that will be in effect, we are asking that each junior reserve their spot.
This will allow us to best plan and provide the safest testing environment for all students.
Please complete the following survey no later than Wednesday, October 21.
Building Your Personal Brand Virtual Event – November 11
A free event, featuring keynotes from brand builders and creators, discussions on advocacy and social capital. Also, big prize giveaways! Students and parents interested in learning more and to register visit this link
FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened on October 1. Any student planning to attend a 2 or 4 year college must complete this document in order to determine eligibility for student financial aid. To complete this document, go to fafsa.ed.gov
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
PTSA -- Parent, Teacher, and Student Association
FACE -- Family and Community Engagement
I would like to thank Sherry Gray from Raphael Health Center for taking the time out of her busy schedule to talk to me today. Sherry did a fantastic job with helping the community with the "Grocery Give Away" at Tabernacle Church. Below you will find images of volunteers that demonstrate selfless service as they are giving back to the community.
Malinda Scott
Family Community and Engagement Liaison