A Message from the Superintendent

Dear Lawrence Faculty & Community Members,

The work of the Building Capacity Task Force was to develop potential options in response to current and future student enrollment growth in the MSD of Lawrence Township. After a series of committee meetings, two community forums, and a community-wide district survey, the following four options evolved to potentially address the building capacity issues at the elementary schools:

LECC becomes a 12th elementary school LECC becomes a 6th grade center LECC becomes a 5th/6th grade center Add a 6th grade center to each of the two middle school campuses

The feedback from the community showed little support for the first three options, all with less than 30% in favor. The fourth option of adding a 6th grade center to each of the two middle school campuses re-ceived an overwhelming level of support with 72% of respondents in favor of this option.

Based upon those results, it was the recommendation of the task force to further study the details of add-ing a 6th grade center to each of the two middle schools. The work of the Building Capacity Task Force has come to an end and a new team will begin an extensive study which will include, but not be limited to:

Options to enhance the curriculum experiences Options to enhance extra-curricular experiences Options to enhance related arts and performing arts opportunities Options for bus transportation

Upon completion of this study, a recommendation will be brought to the Board of Education with details of the extended plan and a goal of transitioning to the new configuration by the fall of 2019. The needs of the students will guide both the design and the timeline of the plan, all while staying within the allocated budget.

MARCH 2017

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MSD of Lawrence Township Lawrence Education and Community Center

6501 Sunnyside Road Indianapolis, IN 46236

317-423-8200

Visit us on the web at www.LTschools.org

A District of Destination

Recruit, Retain, Reward

To deliver excellence every day in Lawrence Township it requires a culture that attracts and retains the

highest caliber staff for all positions. To that end, The Lawrence Township Human Resources Department, in

keeping with the Strategic Plan priorities of “Attract and Retain Talent,” is gearing up for the 2017 Recruiting

Season where we will recruit both internally and externally over the next several months.

More specifically, a diverse team of LT School Administrators will travel near and far to interview candidates

from the traditional Indiana universities such as: Indiana University, Purdue, Ball State, Indiana State

University, IUPUI, and Butler, as well as two college area Consortiums, one for the northern part of the state

and the other for the middle and southern areas of Indiana. A sampling of the schools invited to these

Consortiums are: Manchester, Goshen, Huntington, Marion, DePauw, Hanover, Anderson, Evansville and

University of Indianapolis. Additionally, LT HR will again this year extend our recruiting reach out-of-state

specifically targeting teachers of color at job fairs in Chicago, Nashville, and Kentucky. In addition, and for a

second year in a row, HR will recruit off shores in Puerto Rico where we seek specifically bilingual educators.

Lastly, please remember that some of our most talented teachers are already with us and working their way

into a classroom from our Support Staff ranks. Many of these folks are discovered or referred to HR via

“word of mouth.” Please keep those recommendations coming and know that you, our current staff, are the

ultimate marking team. We must continue to tell the successful story about the Lawrence Township

community of Learners Today and Leaders Tomorrow!

Click here for more information about employment in our school district.

2017 District Heart Challenge Congratulations to all the MSDLT employees who participated in the 2017 District Heart Challenge! We are

thankful for their commitment to get heart-healthy and to raise funds on behalf of the American Heart

Association. It is the mission of the American Heart Association to improve the lives of all Americans, by

providing public health education in a variety of ways. During this challenge, the MSD of Lawrence

Township raised $2,025 for the American Heart Association. These funds do not incorporate the tens of

thousands raised by our schools participating in the annual Jump Rope for Heart program.

Again, thank you! You have made our community healthier through your participation in the Challenge, and I

am proud to have you on our team. People are why. Students are why. Life is Why.

Sincerely, Dr. Shawn A. Smith Superintendent of Schools

Profile in Excellence

Milo Ellis

Milo Ellis is a fifth-year teacher at Lawrence Central. In 2012, he graduated with High Distinction from The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Originally from Geneva, Illinois; Milo has found home in Indianapolis. While at IU, he focused on classical music, Musical Theatre, and Improvisational Comedy, though he is really a rock musician at heart. He travels as much as possible, and even had the opportunity to teach music in Scotland during his undergraduate career. Milo teaches five different choirs at LC and collaborates annually on the school Musical. His LC ensembles have had the honor of performing all over the country; including ISSMA finals, The National Convention of the Society for Eth-nomusicology, Disney World’s Candlelight Processional, The Indiana Symphonic Choir’s Festival of Carols, and many other local events. Milo enjoys Indian food, the outdoors, and spending time with his 8 nieces and nephews.

The Central Sound 2017

The Central Sound is the top mixed choral ensemble from Lawrence Central High School. This year, the group has 48 students from Lawrence Township. The students rehearse after school throughout the year and compete in both show choir and concert choir events. This year, The Central Sound has won Grand Champion in concert choir events, taken home trophies in Show Choir events, had students win solo competitions, and won Grand Champion in Show Choir from the Warren Central Invitational. Saturday, March 18th, The Central Sound performed in State Finals at North Central High School, placing sixth in the mixed division. The Central Sound is under the direction of Milo Ellis, accompanied by Charles Manning and choreographed by Brent Holland. The Central Sound student backup band is directed by Zachary VanderElzen.

The Sweet Sensation 2017

The Sweet Sensation is the top women’s choral ensemble from Lawrence Central High School. The group is

comprised of 44 singers from LC. Sweet Sensation is comprised of ladies who excel at many different things

at LC. Many girls participate in band, orchestra, drama, and sports; as well as service and academic clubs. The

girls won second-runner up at the Warren Central Invitational, and earned a spot in State Finals, held on

March 18th at North Central High School, where they finished seventh in the unisex division. The Sweet

Sensation is under the direction of LC’s Milo Ellis, assisted by Kayla Harris from Belzer Middle School.,

choreographed by Brent Holland, and the back-up band is directed by Teresa Mazzini from Fall Creek Valley

Middle School.

Excellence Design Challenge Finalists

The MSD of Lawrence Township is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2017 Excellence Design

Challenge, sponsored by the Lawrence Township School Foundation. The Design Challenge seeks to

financially reward a teacher (or teachers) for an innovative idea that, if implemented, meaningfully impacts

the organization through efficiency, effectiveness, and/or measurable improvements. These four individuals

have been selected from a group of sixty to proceed to the Research and Development phase. These finalists

will now complete a comprehensive Research and Development phase outside of the contract day, providing

a progress report to the administrative team mid-way through this phase.

A Research and Development Award of $750 will presented to all finalists who successfully complete and

submit the research and development portion of the challenge. This award will be shared if there are

multiple applicants for one proposal. From those finalists, the Design Challenge Award Winner will be

selected and the idea implemented in the MSD of Lawrence Township.

The winner receives a personal award of $20,000.

MSD of Lawrence Township staff members identified for the next phase of the Challenge are:

Mr. Doug Price & Mr. Robert Cline (Oaklandon Elementary School): Behavior HQ

Ms. Mandy Perdue (Mary Castle Elementary School): Lawrence Lunch & Learning Limo

Mr. Walter Feshold (Fall Creek Valley Middle School): MSDLT Tech Masters

Mr. Jeff Mann (Belzer Middle School): Road Scholars: A School Bus Literacy Program

National Merit Finalists Announced

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the MSD of Lawrence Township has four National Merit

Finalists this year who have been selected to move on in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

The Lawrence Central representatives are Alan Jiang, Justin Powless, and Emily Vollmer. The Lawrence North

representative is Emma O’Leary. Click student's name to read his/her biography.

Lawrence Township ECampus Summer School

A select number of high school credit courses in English, Mathematics, PE/Health, Science, Social Studies, and World Language are available during summer school.

Click here to learn more or to sign up online.

Spring Break

Spring Break in the MSD of Lawrence Township is Thursday, March 23rd through Friday, March 31st.

Classes resume Monday April 3rd.

Lawrence Education and Community Center

The Lawrence Education and Community Center will be CLOSED on Friday, March 24th and Friday, March

31st. We will be open to the public Monday, March 27th through Thursday, March 30th from 7:30 am to

4:30 pm.

If you need to meet with someone at LECC over Spring Break you are advised to call ahead, as many people

will be taking vacation during this time.

Welcome Center

The Welcome Center will be CLOSED on Friday, March 24h and Friday, March 31st. We will be open to the

public Monday, March 27th through Thursday, March 30th from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

District offices will resume regular hours on Monday, April 3rd .

Alan Jiang Justin Powless Emily Vollmer Emma O'Leary

Featured Alumnus—Nick Hardwick, Lawrence North Class of 2000

Nick Hardwick, a 2000 graduate of Lawrence North, was recently induced into the Breitbard Hall of Fame for

his achievements in football where he dominated the field for the San Diego Chargers offensive line from

2004-2015.

At Lawrence North Nick was a three-year varsity letterman in wrestling and a member of the state champion

wrestling team. Hardwick believes that wrestlers are the hardest-working athletes. He also thinks that being

a former wrestler has influenced the way he approaches athletics. "Physically, wrestling has helped me with

balance and leverage," Hardwick said. "Mentally, I think it has really helped me with my work ethic."

("Catching Up With ... Nick Hardwick". Purdue University Athletics. October 29, 2004. )

An economics major at Purdue, Hardwick was inspired by Drew Brees’s performance in the 2001 Rose Bowl

to try out for football. He joined the football team as a walk-on and the next year he became the team’s

starting center and was an academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2002 and 2003. In 2004 he was a third-round NFL

draft pick, which led to an 11-year career with the San Diego Chargers. Since retiring from football Hardwick

hosts a morning sports talk radio show in San Diego. Learn more.

Donors Pay off School Lunch Debt for Students in Need

Recently a Lawrence Township parent reached out to our Food Service department, asking how she could

help students. She decided to assist families who owed lunch money. The story was picked up by Fox 59

and another community member and a local business pitched in to help.

To date, over $2000 has been donated to pay off lunch balances for 75 students. Similar donations have

been made across the country. Click here for the Fox 59 coverage.

Photo curtesy of Fox 59 News.

MSDLT Celebration Snapshot

Click here for the Celebration Snapshot for March 13, 2017

Board of Education Recognitions—Celebrating Excellence

Each month the Board of Education recognizes individuals and groups for outstanding achievement and for

going “Above and Beyond.”

Click here for the March 13, 2017 Board of Education meeting recognitions

Lawrence Live!

In this edition of Lawrence Live, Dr. Smith talks to Lawrence North senior and student leader MaiLan Brown

as well as Mr. Bill Dreibelbis, Director of the Office of Exceptional Learners.

Video Recording by Communication Studies Students at Crestview Elementary. Editing by Mr. Randy Tomes,

Communication Studies Teacher, Crestview Elementary.

LC Students Dance to Benefit Riley Hospital

More than 300 dancers participated in Lawrence Central High School’s third annual Dance Marathon (LCDM),

benefiting Riley Hospital on Saturday, March 4th, 2017. This event was open to LC students, staff, and

community members as it aims to bring the Lawrence Central community together to help raise funds for

the kids at Riley Hospital for Children.

Students surpassed their goal,

raising a grant total of $37,458.77.

According to LCDM Co- President

and senior, Caitlin Helmus, “I am so

proud to be the part of the sixth

most profitable Dance Marathon in

just our third year.” She adds, “This

event and the people that make it

possible are a great example of

Lawrence Excellence!” Helmus

co-lead the event with Sydney

Steinhardt.

New Partnership Expands Advanced Manufacturing Opportunities for MCIT Students

McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology is partnering with , NASA’s agency-wide HUNCH (High

School Students United with NASA to Create Hardware) program and the SME Education Foundation’s PRIME

(Partnership Response In Manufacturing Education) program provide our students with career opportunities

in the industry and prepare them to become the next generation workforce for jobs that are in high de-

mand. Students who experience PRIME and HUNCH enter college or move into post-secondary careers with

essential advanced manufacturing knowledge and expertise.

Click here to learn more.

Lawrence North senior point guard Destiny Perkins has been named to the 2017 Indianapolis Star Indiana

All-Star team. She becomes the 11th girl’s basketball player at LN to be named an Indiana All-Star, and the

6th Wildcat to be named to the team in Coach Chris Giffin's five years as head coach of the program.

Perkins will attend the University of Akron on a basketball scholarship where she will study sports

broadcasting/communication.

Three Lawrence Township Wrestlers qualified to

compete in the state meet. Held February 17 and

18 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Robert Samuels, Lawrence North and Jesus

Mancera and Cameron Simmons, Lawrence Central.

Click here to visit the IHSAA Wrestling State

Tournament website.

Computerized Admittance Process

The MSD of Lawrence Township CAP (Computerized Admittance Process), for those residing within the MSD

of Lawrence Township boundaries, will open on Saturday, April 1st and will remain open through Sunday,

May 21.

Additional Information regarding the CAP process:

April 1: CAP application opens for ALL current MSDLT families

April 30: Deadline for submission of CAP applications to be consider for the 1st run to take place mid-

May. This first run will ONLY be for kindergarteners applying to Forest Glen, and for 1st-graders applying

to any/all schools. A separate run will take place for all other grade level placements (1–6) in Late-June.

May 21: CAP application closes at midnight.

Week of June 26: School placements finalized for the 2017-2018 school year. Families will receive e-mail

notification regarding placement status on or before July 1.

Preschool Registration

Registration for Preschool for the 2017 - 2018 school year is now open. Space is limited, so register early to reserve a spot! Enrolling for Next School Year - 2017-2018

Preschool Enrollment Forms (Complete Information and Enrollment Packet)

In addition to completing the forms above, families must also complete the district online registration process.

New Families-Click here to visit Skyward to create an account and begin the enrollment process. Families that already have a Lawrence Township Skyward Username and

need to enroll a new student for the 2016-2017 school year can enroll

by clicking here to go to the skyward website and completing the

enrollment online.

Early Learning Center Tours

All ELC sites will host tours on Tuesday, April 11. 9:00 a.m. for adults only and 6:00 p.m. for the family. Reservations are required. Click here for more information.

Summer Camp

The MSD of Lawrence Township, in partnership with the Benjamin Harrison YMCA is offering a variety of summer camp opportunities for children ages 3 through 15.

A variety of kid friendly activities will be provided at these summer programs that will run from May 30 – July 28, 2017.

LT Schools Pre-K Summer Camp for children age 3 through entering Kindergarten

Early Learning Center at Amy Beverland, 11660 Fox Road Early Learning Center at Winding Ridge, 11845 East 46th Street

Activities include: Ninjas, Legos, Water Play, Sports, Arts & Crafts, Music, Science, Technology, Books & Stories, Dramatic Play, Animals, and More!

Three Day Option (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) $105; Five Day Option $175 CCDF Accepted.

Click to email for additional information or call the Early Childhood Education Office at 423-8363. Click here to register online.

YMCA Summer Camp for children ages 5 through 15

Amy Beverland Elementary, 11650 Fox Road Winding Ridge Elementary, 11825 East 46th Street Benjamin Harrison YMCA, 5736 Lee Road

Traditional Camp will be held at all three locations. The Amy Beverland location will host Enrichment Camp that includes a variety of activities and crafts. The Winding Ridge location will host Sports Camp that includes a variety of sport related activities.

Fees vary depending on number of days attending and Y membership. CCDF accepted at the Winding Ridge and Benjamin Harrison YMCA locations.

Click here for additional information.

Click to email for additional information or call the YMCA Indy Day Camp Office at 484-9622.

Click here to register online.

Lawrence Swim Team FREE Swim Lessons—-Ages 4-14 April 8th at Lawrence Central & April 22nd at Lawrence North Check the Announcements on our website or contact Coach Tom Burchill: Tom.Burchill@yahoo.com

Dr. Smith and staff from our Early Learning Centers greet parents and students at the annual Celebrity Reader Night.

Favorite book characters came alive to entertain and captive the Early Learning Center students!

Middle School Open House

Belzer and Fall Creek Valley Middle Schools will hold an open house for incoming seventh graders (current sixth graders) and their parents on Wednesday, April 5th from 6:30 –8:00 pm. Students should attend the open house at the school that they are boundaried to attend next year.

Middle School Boundary Map

Learn more about the middle school experience in LT Schools.

High School Open House

Lawrence Central and Lawrence North Schools will hold an open house for incoming ninth graders (current eighth graders) and their parents on Thursday, April 13th from 6:30 –8:00 pm. Students should attend the open house at the school that they are boundaried to attend next year.

McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology will also be open for families to tour and talk to staff about course options.

High School Boundary Map

Learn more about the high school experience in LT Schools.

Belzer Middle School

7555 East 56th Street

Fall Creek Valley Middle School

9701 East 63rd Street

Lawrence Central High School

7555 East 56th Street

Lawrence North High School

9701 East 63rd Street

McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology

7250 East 75th Street

Check out the Community Opportunities and Information page on our website for a list of local

cultural and civic events, scouting opportunities, academic opportunities, youth sports teams and

camps, and music and performing arts classes.

The Lawrence Township Schools post this information as a community service. We do not

necessarily endorse any of the programs, services, events listed. Bookmark this site and visit it often to

get the latest news!

Visit our Community Opportunities and Information webpage to learn more.

Board of Education News

Go to BoardDocs to access board meeting agendas and minutes. The Board of Education will meet on April 10, 2017 at 5:30 pm at the Lawrence Education and Community Center, 6501 Sunnyside Road. .

Click here for a complete listing of Board of Education Meetings and Work Sessions. Information from current and past School Board meetings can be found at our MSDLT public BoardDocs site below.

Audio Recordings from regular Board of Education meetings are available in BoardDocs, however, for easy access, they can also be found on their own webpage. From the School Board section of the web-site, just click on the link to Board Meeting Audio on the left side of the page.

Click here to access the Board Meeting Audio Recording webpage.

LT School Foundation News

2017 Scholarship Applications Now Open

Apply Now for a scholarship through the Lawrence Township School Foundation! The deadline is March, 24, 2017 @ 5:00 pm. Click here to view available scholarships!

Geist Half Marathon Volunteers Needed! Click here for additional information.

“Fore the Kids” Golf Outing Register Today!-Thursday, June 1, 2017 at Old Oakland Golf Club 2017 Sponsorship Information 2017 Golf Flyer

Foundation Gala Video

The Lawrence Township School Foundation held its 17th annual "Light Their Future" Celebration on Saturday, March 10th. Guests were treated to a video "Thank You" performed by the Lawrence Central High School Central Sound. We invite you to take a moment to check it out!

Music performed by Lawrence Central High School Central Sound, Mr. Milo Ellis, Director Video produced by McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology Interactive Media, Mr. Eddie Mathews, Teacher

For more MSDLT News:

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Stay in touch with LT School Foundation

MSDLT Social Media Directory

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Watch Lawrence Live! On YouTube!

LT Inside Out is our electronic newsletter designed to share information about our school district with

parents, community members, and stakeholders.

Parents who have registered their email in Skyward will be included in our electronic mailing. We are

working to build an email list of community members and friends of MSDLT. Interested parties can sign

up by going to our homepage, https://www.LTschools.org. Click on List Serves on the right side of the

screen and select LT Inside Out. Or click here to go directly to the listserve webpage.

Before printing this newsletter, please think green and conserve paper.

Check out the Community Opportunities and Information page on our website for a list of local

cultural and civic events, scouting opportunities, academic opportunities, youth sports teams and

camps, and music and performing arts classes.

The Lawrence Township Schools post this information as a community service. We do not

necessarily endorse any of the programs, services, events listed. Bookmark this site and visit it often to

get the latest news!

Visit our Community Opportunities and Information webpage to learn more.