Santas, menorahs, snowmen, twinkling lights. The signs of the season are everywhere. However, the signs that mean the most are the gestures of generosity from all around the district.

Perry Township Schools believes that its responsibility is not only to empower student success but also to encourage civic leadership. This time of year, especially, brings out the kindhearted nature of our school community, which helps people within our township and elsewhere.

The district is excited that all of its schools will participate in Goodwill’s Youth Township drive next month. Students, parents and friends of our schools are encouraged to donate at least two 13-gallon bags or copier boxes filled with clothes, books, toys, electronics and other goods to Goodwill stores. 

For every 13 gallons donated, the school district will receive a $5 voucher that can be given to families in need. This annual drive is a win-win for our families and Goodwill, whose collection and sales of donations employs 2,000 people who have limited job options.

From our small corner of the world, 145 students and staff at Southport Middle packed 32,000 meals made of rice, soy, spices and vitamins. The project supports Pack Away Hunger, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and others who suffer from hunger and malnutrition. The school also raised $8,350 through jeans days, which allowed students and staff to wear denim for a small donation.

At James Whitcomb Riley School, students and staff collected food to benefit Hunger Inc. Students who donated the most items were able to tour the facility and learn how 10,000 pounds of food is distributed to approximately 350 families in Perry Township and Beech Grove every month.

Southport Elementary student Shyla Warman took it upon herself to bring happiness to children this holiday season. After losing her father on Christmas Eve 2016, her holidays were overtaken by sadness. 
 
This year she decided to spread joy throughout the community by collecting toys for children at Especially Kids, a physical rehabilitation center in Shelbyville, where her friend is a patient. Kids Go Round Toys in Plainfield heard about her story and offered to give Shyla 20 percent off her toy purchase. The store also donated $200 to her mother, who works two jobs to provide for her children.

Homecroft Elementary’s Project Perfect Gentleman and GIRLS Club helped the less fortunate by going on a shopping spree at Walmart. Nearly 50 students – accompanied by 17 staff members – purchased $850 in gifts for 15 children whose families are in need.

Similarly, students at Perry Meridian Middle raised money through a friendly competition to provide Christmas gifts for four families.

It is never too early to learn about giving. Preschoolers in Alisha Savage’s class at Jeremiah Gray collected 13 pairs of pajamas and made Christmas cards for hospitalized children.
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These examples represent a small fraction of the ways in which our community is giving back. No gesture is ever too small. It’s important to remember the saying, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

Perry Township Schools exemplifies the rich, diverse world in which we live. 

Each year our enrollment grows and welcomes new students from a variety of backgrounds. Because we are committed to helping all students succeed – regardless of background – we want to empower our administrators, teachers and staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively educate our newest residents.

Perry Township Schools is proud to team with Olivet Nazarene University, an accredited Christian, liberal arts school, to help our employees continue their education and earn a Master of Arts in education. The partnership is designed to develop our school leaders into local leaders and prepare those who teach students who are diverse in culture and language. The initiative will offer the Ethical Building Leadership Program and the English Language Learners Program.

The leadership program will help meet the needs of 21st century educators and those seeking to advance into these positions. The initiative prepares future school leaders through educational leadership lessons and real-life experiences. Our scholars will be able to apply what they have learned from the courses in professional seminars.

The learners program is intended to help teachers work more effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse students. This year 16,299 students are enrolled in our district. Of that amount, 47 percent are white, 27 percent Asian, 14 percent Hispanic, 7 percent black, 5 percent multicultural.

Approximately 20 percent of our students receive services in the English learning program to acquire language skills necessary for full transition into a regular academic program and participation in the total school community.

Learning about cultural nuances and sensitivities is not an exercise that happens once or twice for our teachers, administrators and staff.

To best serve our students, training efforts must be ongoing. Our English Learning Department hosts lunch-and-learn events to teach our employees how to be welcoming and respectful to all cultures that call Perry Township home. These groups represent our district in large numbers, and their experiences often differ from our customs and expectations. 
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Accommodating these differences is a critical component of our inclusion efforts. We want every student to receive the best possible education, and we are committed to investing in our employees to achieve this goal. 

As the end of the year nears, we prepare for changes and transitions ahead. This month the Perry Township Board of Education will say goodbye to a beloved board member who has fiercely advocated for our students for years.

Dr. Steve Maple has submitted his resignation because he is moving out of the district, and policy requires that members must reside within the district. Dr. Maple has faithfully served Perry Township Schools for 24 years.

Dr. Maple is a fixture in our community, having first served on the board from 1992-2004. He was recognized as the Indiana School Board Member of the Year in 2004 and has received the district’s Martin Luther King Living the Spirit Award. 

He returned to the board in 2006 and has served us with great devotion ever since. His commitment goes beyond the township. He is the Fitzwater chair of business at the University of Indianapolis, where he has taught since 1975 – making a difference in the lives of countless students as they begin their journey into adulthood.

The board is reviewing resumes and letters of interest from candidates to fill the vacancy. It is our hope that a person will be identified in January.

Ideal candidates will help the board set priorities and achieve goals. He or she will be expected to share their vision for success for our district and our students while working collaboratively with the board. Effective members don’t simply focus on a single issue. Instead, they champion the success of all students in the district.

We are excited to welcome the new addition to our board in the coming weeks. We also wish Dr. Maple well in the next chapter of his life.