January News
Hoosier Indy - January 2021
Head of Schools Update
Dear Parents of Hoosier Academy,
As I join the Hoosier Academy Network as your Head of Schools, I am energized and deeply committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our children. By fostering a positive school culture, setting high standards for performance, increasing academic expectations for all students and engaging the community, we will obtain our goal of preparing all students for college and careers and beyond.
I would like to share my background with you. I served as a Middle School Teacher in Chicago Public Schools for 7 years, teaching Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. I obtained a Master’s Degree from Concordia University, and worked as an Assistant Principal in CPS for four years. During my tenure, our school moved from Level 3 to Level 1+ in two years. I have pursued doctoral studies at UIC, and I have also served as Principal of two Chicago Charter Schools. As you can see, I love education… I have never left the school environment! I am a life- long learner and I am so very honored to be leading Hoosier Academy Network of Schools.
After reviewing the school data, my action plan is to engage the staff in professional development to improve instruction and to also focus on informational text in the content areas of social studies and science to ensure that students expand their literacy skills. We will also focus on attendance, engagement, social emotional learning, and CRE initiatives to ensure that our students are prepared to learn. This will be a very productive second half of the year.
I am looking forward to working with you and our students as we embark on an exciting journey into academic excellence. Hope to see you at the Meet and Greet!
Sincerely,
Tina Walker
Interim Head of School
Hoosier Academies and Insight School of Indiana
A Note From Your Principal
We are so glad to be back after the winter break! I hope you were able to rest, relax and make some new traditions while we were out. As we head into the remainder of the year, we want to encourage your help in ensuring our students continue to excel. Making sure students attend all scheduled classes, arrive on time, and prepared to learn is essential to setting the foundation for success. If there are ways we can support your family or your student, please feel free to reach out to your teachers or myself at anytime!
Mrs. Randi Tolentino, Hoosier Indy Principal
REMINDER FOR IN BUILDING DAYS
Newrow for Learning Coaches
Have you heard about the exciting update that is coming to Class Connect? Next term, we will transition from Blackboard Collaborate to our new Class Connect collaboration platform, Newrow. Join us for Newrow for Learning Coaches to become familiar with the Newrow platform. The sessions will explore how the platform will look, what engaging in a lesson will be like, explore some upgraded features and learn some basic troubleshooting tips.
Newrow sessions for Learning Coaches will be offered 3 sessions per week the weeks of:
1/18 and 1/25.
- Tuesday 7-8 pm EST
- Thursday 12-1 PM EST
- Saturday 3-4 pm EST
Initial Graduation Plans (grades 6-8)
Students in Grades 6-8 will be working on creating Initial Graduation Plans in SEL Class! Mrs. Freund will be emailing out resources and documents. Learning Coaches are active partners when establishing a Graduation Plan. Please contact Mrs. Freund if you have questions.
Middle School Career Speakers
We are excited to announce that we will be welcoming virtual career speakers each month to speak with our Middle School students! We will be operating on a modified schedule on Career Speaker days to ensure that students are able to attend each of their classes.
Students will be sent a survey prior to a Career Speaker day to select which speaker they would like to attend (we hope to have 2-4 speakers each month). Students will have 24 hours to reply to the survey. If they do not reply to the survey within 24 hours, they will be randomly assigned to a Career Speaker. All Career Speaker Sessions will be recorded. Students will have access to recorded sessions.
Career Speakers will be presenting during school hours. Student attendance is required.
A follow-up survey will be emailed to students after each Career Speaker. Students who complete the survey within 24 hours will be entered into a prize drawing for a gift card.
Career Speaker Days (2-3PM EST):
- Wednesday, January 27
- Wednesday, February 24
- Wednesday, March 31
- Wednesday, April 14
- Wednesday, May 19
Just for Learning Coaches
Coach to Coach is a 30 minute session offered year round. Hear from a veteran learning coach on relevant topics, such as What to Expect and Best Tips and Tricks. Join in the discussion with other coaches from across the nation.
Registration Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K12C2C
Learning Coach Café is a 60 minute drop in session offered year round where coaches can ask school questions or chat with other coaches. It is an informal chat led by a veteran learning coach. The Café is a great place to meet other coaches, receive support, and offer support.
Registration Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/lc_cafe
Facebook Groups
K12 New Learning Coaches for NEW Learning Coaches: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NewK12LearningCoaches/
K12 Learning Coach Café for ALL Learning Coaches: https://www.facebook.com/groups/K12LCCafe/
We also have a LC group just for Hoosier families!
Records Requests
Shop delivery or pickup? Submit your receipts!
Box Tops for Education
PROJECT ELEVATE
Do you have a great story to tell about your student(s) and the role that online and blended school has played in their lives? Are you interested in sharing your story with local reporters and media outlets?
If so, please submit it to Project Elevate, our story-collection tool, and we’ll contact you for possible media opportunities. You can submit your story online or via the free K12 Project Elevate app for iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play) devices.