News from the Ridge
Shortridge High School News and Updates
November 15th, 2020
Dear Friends,
As announced last week, all schools in IPS are shifting to fully remote instruction starting November 23rd. At Shortridge, to maintain consistency and reaffirm the rituals and routines we have established, the 23rd and 24th instruction days will be fully synchronous. This will include all classes and ATL and continue through December 17th. We are also returning to the bell schedule we used when fully remote at the start of the school year. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday will follow the same AB rotation. Wednesday, will start with ATL and continue to feature World Changing 101, office hours, and additional instructional support opportunities.
In preparing for this shift to remote instruction, please look for communication this week for any updates. Below is an update from the Visual Arts department about art supply home art kit distribution.
As shared in my communications this week, we have had 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. 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.
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
Additional UPDATES
Do you know any families or students looking to join the Shortridge Devil Team? We had an Open House for prospective students and families on November 10th. We will upload the open house video recording this week on our website. 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-
- 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.
Attention SHS Visual Arts Scholars.
If you are attending in person this coming week Nov. 16, 2020, you will receive your art supplies in class based on your response to our art supply form you filled out in September.
If you are virtual you will have to pick up your supplies at Shortridge, Door 1, near the football field Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday between 9am and 4pm this week. If you have any questions, please talk to your art teacher.
Academics
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.
NWEA aka MAP Growth Testing
We began the NWEA, aka MAP Growth Testing, last week with 9th grade. 9th and 10th-grade students are taking this test in their math and English classes. Juniors and seniors enrolled in Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II will also be taking this test.
What is MAP Growth?
MAP Growth helps teachers understand what students know today, so goals can be set to improve their growth throughout the school year
Students cannot pass or fail this test.
This test does not affect students’ grades.
It is normal for students to only answer about half the questions correctly.
Please don’t help them while they’re testing!
Given the challenges of home learning and remote instruction, MAP Growth test results will be especially helpful for your students’ teachers this year.
These results will help us know the correct levels of learning targets students are ready to tackle.
For more information about how you can help your student prepare, please click on the link here for more information.
Thanks!
Anne Katz | MTSS Coach | Shortridge High School | myips.org/shortridge
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
Freshman Academy:
This month, we focus on our IB Profile Trait “Principled” and will continue to focus on this trait through November. The “Principled” IB Profile Trait is defined as “students acting with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions, and their consequences.” Our discussions, current events, podcasts, and films were focused on what it means to be “principled.”
Teachers are continuing to touch base with students about their grades and have conversations about improving their studies. Next week, ATL teachers will continue to have these conversations with students and holding them accountable for what was discussed this week. The goal is to see improvement in grades. The goal is to encourage students to try and not give up! Perseverance has never been more important as it is right now, and we are continuing to support and encourage as students work through these difficult times. If you still need help with understanding grades listed on Schoology, please use this video. As always, I am available if you have any follow up questions. My email is Salmona@myips.org.
Student Services
World Changing 101
Shortridge Speaker Series:
Archived Friday Connects
- Speak The Truth
- IPS Board Commissioner Evan Hawkins
- 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
We made it through the fall season during the pandemic! We will continue to be safe and follow protocols to ensure the health and wellness of all at Shortridge. The fall season was a success... more than the wins, awards, and laughter, fielding teams, and continuing to improve. Thanks to all the students and coaches for jumping through countless hoops to make it happen!
Winter season is upon us:
Girls & Boys Basketball is underway.
Boys & Girls Swimming is just getting started. Please reach out to Coach G, groothuism@myips.org or Coach Hill, hillt@myips.org if you are interested.
Volunteer Opportunities:
We would struggle without the wonderful help from our concession and gate crew. If interested, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090e48a8ac28a6f85-volunteer
Winter Covid Restrictions:
Please see attached flyer
Take care, and I hope you all have a wonderful winter/holiday season!
Craig Huljak
Athletic Director
Future Center
Through Their Eyes Scholarship
IUPUI hopes to repair the damage created over 50 years ago with a scholarship for descendants of families displaced when the university was constructed in 1969.
Students who are related to individuals displaced by the development of the IUPUI campus, are pursuing their first undergraduate degree at IUPUI and can provide appropriate documentation showing familial linkage through documentation or photographs will be eligible for a scholarship award of up to $15,000, renewable for up to four years.
Applications for the Through Their Eyes Scholarship will open in January
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
Hello, Shortridge families:
Tabernacle Presbyterian Church on 418 East 34th Street would like to give the community a small gift as their way of sharing God's love and letting you know that they care. The Blessing Days are during our free Open Door meals on Wednesdays, 11:00 am-noon, first come, first served. Feel free to invite others as well. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Scott (FACE Liaison at Shortridge)
SCHEDULE OF BLESSING DAYS*
November 11- Blankets
November 18- Hygiene Kits and Hand Lotion
November 25- Special lunches from the Women's Ministry Team
December 2- Hats, gloves, scarves, and reading glasses
December 8- Socks (again) and Hand/Foot warmer packets
December 15- Christmas Grab Bags Surprise
December 23- Blessing Table Closed for Christmas. Lunch is served!!!
December 30- Hygiene Kits and Hand Lotion
****all items are first-come, first-served and while supplies last****
****we are taking safety precautions to force us to operate our ministry outside. If the temperature starts to drop, they do plan to add patio warmers near the carry-out area.
JOIN THE UPWARD BOUND FAMILY
They offer tons of resources and activities like college visits, academic tutoring, free trips, participation money, and summer residential experience. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE!
To apply. visit: ub.iupui.edu
Join them for open houses every Tuesday at 5:30 pm
Zoom Meeting ID:
844 5241 2809
CME Church of Phillips Temple, 210 East 34th street Indianapolis, IN 46205, has a seasonal program that will include free winter jackets, gift cards for parents to buy holiday food or Christmas gifts, and other assistance. You can reach them at 317-925-2000 for more information. If you anything from me, Mrs. Scott, please email me. Have a great day!!!!!
Thank you 🙂
Malinda Scott
Family Community and Engagement Liaison