News from the Ridge
Shortridge High School News and Updates
August 29th, 2020
Dear Friends of Shortridge,
Congrats to all members of the Shortridge learning community, on completing the third week at the Ridge and second week of fully remote instruction. As we did last week, we will settle into the "normal" A/B schedule with all A classes meeting Monday and Wednesday and B classes meeting Tuesday and Thursday. Our Friday connect (C Day) schedule provides our learning community the ability to adapt and meet each student's needs. On Friday, our students start the day checking in with their advisor in ATL-- reviewing the week's classwork and setting goals and priorities focused on academic success. The students then have time for completing assignments, reaching out to teachers with questions, or working collaboratively with their peers. Friday is a time for the students to dig deeper into their learning and seek help if needed.
For more details, visit our Daily Schedule page on the SHS website.
Last week I emphasized our commitment to embracing the discomfort to make ourselves better. From our Black Lives Matter Pledge, O-Week, to our Friday Connect initiative, we at Shortridge high school are reimagining how to engage, equip, and empower youth to change their world. Below this welcome message is an embedded video of our interview of Tom Hanley, founder of Nine13Sports. His message-- to be all in... to find your passion... is a perfect example for our youth as they look to impact and influence their world.
Below you will find 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
World Changing 101
Link to Vidoe here: Nine13Sports interview Tom Hanley
Freshman Academy Introduction
This week, I met with all freshman students in their World History classes to introduce myself and talked about the Student Owned Code Of Conduct in the virtual classroom setting. I also took that opportunity to let students know I have heard a lot of positive feedback regarding their behavior and how they have handled themselves in the virtual classroom environment! Please keep encouraging freshman students to keep up the great work!
I stressed to students the importance of coming to class on time and talked about strategies they could use to help make sure they remembered to attend class. I also talked to students about attending their class instruction live Teams meetings and that the expectation is that they attend those just like they would attend school. Please continue to support your student in making sure they attend all classes.
Looking forward to a great week three!
Andrea Salmon
Assistant Principal
Shortridge Learning Garden
Next time you are at Shortridge, take a walk on 34th and stop to see our beautiful learning garden full of vegetables and herbs. In partnership with Big Green Indianapolis, Shortridge has planted, harvested, and prepared fresh vegetables to share with students, teachers, and community members. Cathy McElroy, an SHS parent and gardener, has volunteered her time and skills to the Shortridge Garden club, Environmental Science classes, and Cooking Club over the last couple of years.
During the pandemic, Ms. McElroy took on the charge to maintain our garden and ensured this valuable resource continued to contribute to the public good. Through the spring and summer, while our school was closed during the pandemic, Ms. McElroy prepared, planted, harvested, and shared the bounty with our neighborhood partner, the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church.
A few weeks ago, the Tabernacle chef prepared gumbo from bountiful harvest, including collard greens, kale, Swiss chard, turnip greens, fennel, green beans, mint, oregano, sage and the first of the ripe red tomatoes.
When asked about her work, Ms. McElroy stated- "As a gardener, you are always learning. I have no training as a gardener. I just love the feeling you get when you plant a seed in the earth, and after watering and caring for it, a beautiful vegetable appears that you can nurture yourself and your family with! What a beautiful relationship."
The Blue Devils look forward to once again working in the garden. Thank you, Ms. Mcelroy, for the care and time you have given to the Shortridge community!
Academics
Class of 2020 CP and DP Students Updates
Shortridge 11th and 12th graders choose one of the following programs: IB diploma program (DP) or IB career-related program (DP). If you are Interested in learning more about the DP and CP programs at SHS, check out this video.
All 11th and 12th grade students at Shortridge take at least one IB DP course. These courses use the Shortridge IB DP grading system. Watch this video for more information about how IB DP courses at SHS are graded.
Ask your senior about his or her Reflective Project (CP) or Extended Essay (DP). These are due this fall, and students should have done research and written drafts at this point. If students are behind or need support, they can set up an appointment with the writing center and/or contact their EE supervisor. Students who have forgotten their login information or who have questions should email Mel Coryell.
MYP Updates:
"Hello SHS Families! A few updates from Mr. Merle - MYP Coordinator:
- A short introduction to the MYP program at SHS (Grades 9 and 10) as well as the MYP Personal Project (all Grade 10 students) are now available at the links below:
- More detailed videos will be coming up soon, so keep an eye out in the next newsletter!"
Next Week's (and future week's) Bell Schedule: Linked here
- Instruction will be delivered daily by student’s teachers using Microsoft Teams and Schoology.
- Student Attendance will be taken every period by the student’s teacher.
- Need to log in at scheduled start time for each class
- Students and teachers will follow a set schedule daily as assigned in PowerSchool.
- Students will receive their school’s curriculum, access assignments, and complete assessments through our Single-Sign-On (SSO) Clever.
- The student day is 900 am to 400 pm.
- Teachers should record lessons in Teams so lessons are available to students to view in the event they are absent or need additional support.
Technology Updates and Resources
Day in the Life A / B days (80 min blocks)
Student Services
Athletics
Home Games this week:
- Football – 9/4 7:00 vs Purdue Poly
- Boys Soccer – 9/3 5:00 vs Park Tudor at TAB Recreation
- Boys Tennis – 9/3 5:00 vs Warren Central at Tarkington Park
IPS Home Game Covid Policies:
- Only 2 Family members per student-athlete may attend
- Shortridge Home Game Attendance Form – All fans that attend must fill out this link before entering
- Masks are required
- Social Distancing is required
Full Schedules can be found on our Shortridge Athletics App which can be found at the Apple Store or Google Play
Please follow us on Twitter: @ Blue_Devils_SHS for the most up to date news
Craig Huljak
Our practices continue to run, and if a student still wants to play boys/girls soccer, boys tennis, boys/girls cross country, football, cheerleading, or volleyball, please reach out to Craig Huljak, huljakc@myips.org, and we can get them joined in!
Events hosted by Shortridge can only be attended by two family members per athlete, and masks will be required. We will also be doing online ticketing, and that information will be released soon. Go Blue Devils!
Craig Huljak
Athletic Director
Future Center
The SHS Future Center hosted a district wide Class of 2021 College Application Night this past Tuesday evening. The evening began with a panel discussion from a group of Indianapolis Area Regional Admission representatives followed by a presentation by Mrs. Harris, SHS Future Center Coordinator. If you were unable to attend, please find the Powerpoint that was shared here
To keep up with how Covid-19 continues to affect SAT and ACT testing please follow the below links for the most up to date information.
· SAT - https://pages.collegeboard.org/sat-covid-19-updates
· ACT - http://www.act.org/content/act/en/covid19.html
Scholars who have registered for an upcoming test date should pay very close attention to their email communication from SAT and/or ACT for updates regarding test center closers and safety protocols.
College Admission Representative visits begin August 31. This is a great opportunity for scholars at all grade levels to begin learning about the variety of college options available to them. Scholars are encouraged to register for these visits in Naviance by following these steps – Login to Naviance via Clever > Once in Naviance Go to the Colleges Tab > Click on Colleges Home > Scroll down and Click on Show More under College Visits and Click Register. Scholars are encouraged to explore all college options not just those names they are familiar with.
- This week’s College Rep Visits
- August 31 – IUPUI
- September 1 – Butler University
- September 2 – Marian University
- September 3 – Central Michigan University
- September 3 – Indiana University Bloomington
Future Center Events Week of August 31 – Links to join all below events have been shared with scholars in their Class Groups in Schoology
- Senior Open Teams Meeting for College Questions and Support
- Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12:00 to 1:00pm
- Workshop Wednesday
- Every Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:00pm
- This week’s topic – Preparing to Apply to College
- Individual Appointments from 1:00 to 3:00pm daily
Please reach out if you have any questions about the 3E’s – Enrollment, Enlistment and/or Employment
- 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
Andrea Harris
Future Center
PTSA/FACE
SHS PTSA welcomes you to a promising new year! This is quite the year to be starting a new school, and I wanted to touch base with you on a few important things. First and foremost, be assured we are doing our very best to maintain a sense of normalcy and sense of community for our families.
As parents, we all support our children in their educational journey. As a PTSA, we work collaboratively to support the staff and students of SHS and create a community where all feel welcome. Even though we do not know what the future will hold for this school year, our mission holds firm.
This is your PTSA! We welcome and encourage you to attend all of our meetings (via zoom for now), events (socially distanced or virtual), and/or volunteer your time (opportunities tbd). To join the SHS PTSA, please follow this link: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/ptsa-membership-gift-campaign-campana-de-membresia-y-rega
Members who join before September 1st will get a car magnet to show your Blue Devils pride!
Since this year is going to be ever-evolving, I urge you to join our Facebook group, “SHS Blue Devils Family Group.” This is an easy platform to ask questions and stay up to date on what is happening at our school.
We are always here for you if you have questions. You can either reach out to the general PTSA email or email me directly.
Samantha Weinbrecht
SHS PTSA President
School Updates
Picture Day make-up
There will be a make-up day in mid-September. Students who are unable to attend either day and have a previous IPS student photo will have that photo used on their ID cards.
Information from LifeTouch can be found here