MSD OF DECATUR TOWNSHIP
DISTRICT NEWSLETTER - April 2023
A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Dear Decatur Township Families,
Welcome back to school! We hope all families enjoyed a fun and relaxing spring break. With eight weeks left of the school year, I encourage all students and staff to finish strong and make each day count! ILEARN testing will begin soon, and we will embrace this opportunity for students to perform at their personal best!
We are Decatur Proud to present our highest achieving students from the Decatur Central High School Class of 2023! Congratulations to Co-Valedictorians Keegan Cox and Ashlynn Leight, and Salutatorian Alexis Petty! Thank you for your leadership and excellence throughout your high school careers.
Our Decatur Central Fine Arts Department has also excelled recently in several performances. The Expressions Show Choir, Winter Color Guard, and Percussion section qualified for the State Finals in their respective competitions. The Expressions Show Choir won 6th in the state and Percussion finished in 8th place, 4 places higher than their seed! Congratulations to all students and staff in these groups for your outstanding achievements!
The month of April is a time to recognize several of our employee groups. This week, April 3rd-7th, is Assistant Principal Week. April 6th is Paraprofessionals Day, and April 26th is Administrative Professionals Day. Thank you for your important roles and work to support our students each day!
As a reminder, 2023-2024 registration is open at decaturproud.org for all returning students, as well as for Kindergarten, Preschool, and new enrollments. Registering students now helps us to plan for appropriate class sizes and needs for the future. Please help us by completing this online process for your student(s) and spread the word to your friends and neighbors in the township.
Also, don’t forget to join us for STEAM Fest on April 13th, 5:30-7:30 pm at the Blue and Gold Academies. This is a district-wide event with fun, engaging, and educational activities in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math. We are Decatur Proud of the STEAM opportunities offered at all schools, preparing our students to be tomorrow ready!
Dr. Prusiecki
Superintendent
MSD of Decatur Township
Decatur Township Families,
Registration is now open for the 2023-2024 school year! Registering your child right away helps the district to plan for student and hiring needs. Please go to https://www.decaturproud.org and click on "Returning Student Registration." You will need your Skyward Family Access login information. If you need assistance with this information, please contact your child's school office.
Registering a new Kindergarten student? Please click on "Kindergarten Enrollment (2023-2024)."
Kindergarten Round-Up Events at each elementary school will take place on April 20th, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
We are #DecaturProud to announce that two of our MSD of Decatur Township Teachers have been named as recipients of the Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program, 2023 by Lilly Endowment Inc.
Congratulations to Ms. Tracey Krell, Graphic Art Teacher at Decatur Central High School and Mrs. Diane Stebbe, Music Teacher at West Newton Elementary! Both Ms. Krell and Mrs. Stebbe are now two-time Lilly Endowment Fellowship recipients.
Ms. Krell’s Project, entitled “Cairo to Chinotimba,” was written, “to renew love of art and culture by traveling from Northern Africa to South Africa; explore ancient mysteries, exciting safaris and meet with indigenous people.” Ms. Krell shared that her inspiration for the project is her students. She strives to learn about each student as an individual, including their cultural heritage, so that they can learn and grow together. Ms. Krell shared that her students were very helpful in offering suggestions and advice in planning the project.
Mrs. Stebbe’s project is titled, “Music Composition Inspiration: Following the Footsteps of a Child Genius by Tracing Mozart’s Grand Tour.” She will, “gain inspiration to write a piece of vocal music in the style of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by traveling the three-year itinerary he took as a child, experiencing the sights he saw and the places where he performed.” Mrs. Stebbe pledges to bring back her new learning and share with students: “I want to provide an opportunity for my students to do some composing of their own and maybe find some hidden talent among the students of West Newton Elementary.” We can all look forward to a performance of Mrs. Stebbe’s original composition at West Newton in the Spring of 2024!
https://lillyendowment.org/for-grantseekers/renewal-programs/teacher-creativity/
Official MSD of Decatur Social Media Accounts:
Board Meeting Recognition
At the MSD Decatur Township School Board Meeting on March 14, 2023, Decatur Middle School 8th Grade Student Luis Sanchez-Gonzalez was recognized by Dr. Stephanie Hofer, Assistant Superintendent, for his outstanding season on the swim team. Luis is the Junior Mid-State Conference Champion in the 400 Freestyle and the Marion County Champion in both the 100 Individual Medley and 400 Freestyle. He also set a new middle school record in the 400 Freestyle at 4:20.81. Congratulations to Luis on his achievements! #DecaturProud
L to R: Dr. Prusiecki (Superintendent), Sam Houston (DMS Swim Coach), Luis Sanchez-Gonzalez, Judy Collins (School Board President)
Dr. Brad Rose, Assistant Principal at Stephen Decatur Elementary, was recognized by Dr. Prusiecki, Superintendent, for completion of his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Foundations from Indiana State University. Congratulations Dr. Rose!
L to R: Dr. Prusiecki (Superintendent), Dr. Brad Rose (Assistant Principal at Stephen Decatur Elementary), Judy Collins (School Board President)
Heather Brenegan was approved as the new Assistant Director of Child Nutrition. Welcome to the Decatur Family! #DecaturProud
Views From Around the District
DISTRICT NEWS
It's the time of year to celebrate the Earth!
Earth Day is April 22- celebrate by ordering an Earth Day shirt designed by a Choice Academy student. The Choice Academy's annual fundraiser of selling Earth Day shirts starts today and ends April 12.
DCHS/Gleaners Food Pantry
Decatur Township Families,
Dry and fresh food items will be available for drive thru pick-up for any families with children enrolled in MSD of Decatur Township Schools!
When: Selected Thursdays 11:30AM – 12:50PM (dates below)
Where: DCHS, Door 1
How to apply: Complete the intake form below and submit! (required for each distribution date) The form must be completed by the Tuesday before the pick date. 2023 days have been updated on the google form.
Click Here to complete the form.
Mark your calendars for additional pick-up dates this semester:
March 16
April 13
April 27
May 11
Tobacco, E-Cigarette, & Vaping Diversion Program
Decatur Township School Police Department, (DTSPD), in collaboration with the Drug Free Coalition, is excited to offer a new diversion program for students found to be in possession of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and or vaping devices. DTSPD has also partnered with our local courts in an effort to minimize the use of these products and devices on our campuses. Our students, if found with the aforementioned items, would be in violation of Indiana Code 35-46-1-10.5, Minor in Possession of a Tobacco Product or an Electronic Cigarette or 7.1-5-12-8 Smoking in a Prohibited Area. Each of these would be met with an Indiana citation, also known as a “Uniform Traffic Ticket,” (UTT). When submitted to the courts, the cost of the ticket for this violation is $170.50. This is an actual ticket and will affect your license or the ability to obtain one if left unpaid.
Our objective however, is not to create financial hardship, but to have an opportunity to educate students and families on the dangers of vaping and tobacco products. Twice per month, DTSPD officers will present a 1-hour class for students who have opted to accept the terms of the diversion program. The cost of the class for a student attending alone is $75.00. If a student attends the class with a parent or guardian, the class is discounted at a cost of $25.00. Upon the completion of the class, the UTT, or citation, will not be referred to the courts, and there will be no record of the violation. A student may only participate in the program once per school year, and only twice throughout their entire school career.
CHILD NUTRITION
2022-2023 SCHOOL FEES
Please make arrangements with your school's Treasurer to pay any fees you may owe. Or, you may pay online here.
Daily Rate $25.00
Monthly Rate $450.00
Annual Cost $4,500.00
Supply Fee $50.00
HALF-DAY PRESCHOOL:
Daily Rate $10.50
Monthly Rate $189.00
Annual Cost $1,890
Supply Fee $25.00
ELEMENTARY:
KG - $181
Grade 1 - $186
Grade 2 - $186
Grade 3 - $181
Grade 4 - $181
Grade 5 - $181
Grade 6 - $176
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
$128 plus course/consumable fees (varies based on student schedule)
HIGH SCHOOL:
$118 plus course/consumable fees (varies based on student schedule)
DTSE:
$145
Athletics
TRANSPORTATION
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Click HERE to sign up.