Time certainly flies. It’s cliché, but it also happens to be true. Next Thursday, May 24, is the last day of school in Perry Township. As we wrap up the school year we also make preparations for the upcoming year, which includes enrolling students.

Our Early Childhood Academy, which has been instructing children for eight years, is registering preschoolers for the 2018-19 school year at the Perry Township Education Center, 6548 Orinoco Ave., and Jeremiah Gray Elementary, 5225 Gray Road. 

The academy equips children with the tools they need to grow and learn emotionally, socially and academically. Instruction will focus on each child’s individual needs and will follow these guiding principles:
• Creating a caring community of learners.
• Teaching to enhance development and learning.
• Planning curriculum to achieve important goals.
• Assessing children’s development and learning.
• Establishing reciprocal relationships with families.
Our preschool is ranked as a Level 3 provider by Paths to Quality,  Indiana’s rating system for early care and education programs. The Level 3 designation recognizes our efforts to guide child development, kindergarten preparation and health and safety. The pre-K curriculum helps students develop literacy and math skills to ensure that they are ready to learn in kindergarten. It also introduces students to structure and builds their confidence in accepting new challenges.

We take incredible pride in the education our preschool staff provides. Our teachers are licensed and held to the same standards as the elementary and secondary teachers across the district. They receive professional development training and regular teacher evaluations.

Our rates are competitive. Tuition costs $160 per week. As a benefit to employees of Perry Township Schools, we offer a discounted tuition rate of $135 per week. Before- and after-school care are included at no additional fee. Before care begins at 6:30 a.m., while after care ends at 5:30 p.m. 

Learning is fun for the students and staff at the academy. When our new students arrive at the academy location in July, they will be greeted by our newest teacher, Israel, the facility dog. With support from a Perry Township Education Foundation grant, the preschool received Israel from the Indiana Canine Assistant Network, which trains and places service dogs with people and organizations that need them. 

Israel – affectionately known as “Izzy” – brings a smile to everyone he meets. He also has an important job: to help take care of our students, to comfort them and to teach them how to sit and focus. He also teaches students responsibility. They brush his coat and teeth, lotion his paws and walk him. But Izzy’s not all business. He also enjoys a game of fetch with a ball in our gym.
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For more information on Izzy and preschool registration, visit 
perryschools.org/ca/ or call 317-789-3900. 

Gone but never forgotten.

On April 28 the Perry Township community gathered to see the unveiling of a memorial for Edgewood Grade School. Crowds gathered behind James Whitcomb Riley School on Shelby Street, just north of Epler Avenue, to honor Edgewood School, which opened in 1914. Though it was demolished in 1980, it is still fondly remembered in our community.

The idea for the memorial was first presented to the Perry Township Board of Education in the spring of 2017 by Ted Lobdell and Barry Hix, alumni of the school. With great emotion they spoke of the impact that the school and its educators, including Catherine Sanders and Paul L. Bailey, had on them and the community. 

The board agreed that the memorial is an important part of honoring Edgewood’s history. Our district worked with Trophy House owner and Southport High School alumnus Chuck Sampson to select an appropriate plaque. Edgewood Landscape Supply donated the landscape materials. Duane Lytle, an Edgewood alumnus, donated his labor and built the landscape area. The Perry Township Schools grounds crew installed the post for the plaque and installed the plaque.
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We are thankful for Edgewood School for paving the way for quality education in Perry Township. We appreciate the privilege of looking at the past while planning for our futures.

Perry Township Schools is committed to taking a proactive approach in educating its students about the dangers of abusing opioids, which include some prescription medications. Each day 100 Americans die from opioid overdoses. In fact, 785 Hoosiers died from opioid overdoses in 2016, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. We appreciate the community partners who are leading the charge to help us empower our students to make responsible choices.

Last week Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill joined us at Perry Meridian High School to recognize the launch of a new prescription drug safety program aimed at helping students make wise decisions. Perry Meridian is the first school in Indianapolis to launch this digital curriculum, developed by the education firm EVERFI and financially sponsored by Walmart. 

“Almost half of all teens incorrectly believe that prescription drugs are safer than illegal street drugs,” Hill said. “We need to correct these misconceptions and help students make safe and healthy decisions.”

The EVERFI program uses an evidence-based, public health approach to enabling students to make well-informed choices. Through interactive scenarios and self-guided activities, students learn facts about drugs, how to properly use and dispose of them and how to step in when faced with a situation involving misuse. The course is aligned with the Centers for Disease Control’s National Health Education Standards and state academic standards.

Mr. Hill was joined by the following speakers: Pat Mapes, superintendent; Kert Boedicker, Perry Meridian principal; Kari Preston, Walmart director of health; Kevin Thompson, Walmart director of government affairs; and Mike Haley, IU Health’s senior vice president of behavioral health.

They all joined students during a lunchtime roundtable discussion. They discussed how to safely dispose of unused medications and why prescribed drugs can be dangerous when misused. The experience of hearing students articulate their thoughts on prescription medications was truly enlightening.

“The health and safety of our students is a priority,” said Superintendent Mapes. ”We believe education on prescription drug abuse can make a significant impact on helping our students make responsible choices.”
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After the discussion, all of the school and community leaders moved into the auditorium for an assembly with the entire freshmen class. Mr. Hill kicked off the discussion with a spirited Elvis impersonation, which excited the young audience. Next, he explained the seriousness of the opioid epidemic in our state. Mr. Haley detailed the health implications of abusing medications, while Ms. Preston and Mr. Thompson described their corporation’s role in educating the community about the dangers of prescription drug abuse and improper disposal of medications.

It is our hope that this event will encourage ongoing conversations between our students and staff about making safe choices. The prescription drug safety program will launch next at Southport High.

Assistant principals are powerful forces who work behind the scenes. Like building principals, they play a critical role in the achievements of schools and students. This month we recognized our assistant principals and deans during April 9-13 for National Assistant Principals Week.

Perry Township Schools has 31 assistant principals and deans who go above and beyond. As one might expect, they focus on the administrative work involved in operating a school, but that’s not all.

They oversee teaching staff, ensure the school’s standards for curriculum and discipline are followed and help teachers with strategies for implementing the curriculum. They address disciplinary concerns, communicate with parents and, when necessary, meet with parents and teachers to discuss ongoing issues. 

In addition, they help assess the performance of teachers and coaches. Our assistant principals also help with bus and lunch duty and passing periods – times of the day when students appreciate a friendly smile and encouraging words.

Our assistant principals also do so much more. They lead major district events like the Spell Bowl and the art fair. They make sure the logistics of events are well organized, and they oversee their marketing and promotion. They staff the events to ensure the programs go according to plan. 

Even more important, they treat every student as they would their own child. They have provided coats, gloves and socks to students who are in need. When families are down on their luck, they help them find the services they need. 

In cases of emergencies, our assistant principals have stepped up to fill the shoes of principals who are absent due to medical leaves and other urgent matters. They fill all of these roles with grace.

During National Assistant Principals Week, we brought all of our assistant principals together for a special breakfast to tell them how much we value their service and expertise. It’s rare that they are able to unite with each other in a fun, informal setting. 
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Though it was a brief fellowship, it was a meaningful opportunity to show appreciation to educators and leaders who help to make our district a positive learning environment for our growing student body.