May 2008 Issue

Events and Announcements

Tax-exempt, rendezvous, and tympanum were the winning words... 2008 Indiana Charter School Spelling Bee a Success! Signature Again Amongst the Top 100 High Schools According to Newsweek ICC Charter Honor Choir Planning Meeting

Professional Development Opportunities / Teacher and Leader Resources

Marian College Summer Math and Science Teacher Workshops Summer Institute for Educators at Purdue - June 23-26

Student Opportunities

Goodwill Youth Learning Center Future Focus: Summer Career Camps for Marion County Youth Free Bowling for Marion County Students

Fundraising and Grant Opportunities

US DOE Advanced Placement Incentive Program Mr. Holland's Opus Grants Program

Tax-exempt, Rendezvous, and Tympanum were the winning words... 2008 Indiana Charter School Spelling Bee a Success!

The second annual Indiana Charter School Spelling Bee held May 16, 2008, at Butler University's Jordan Hall produced winners in three divisions from each end of the state. The number of participants at this year's Bee increased 50% from last year's roster. View full release.

Signature Again Amongst the Top 100 High Schools According to Newsweek

Congratulations to one of Indiana’s own public charter schools. Signature School, in Evansville Indiana receives this honor for the second time in 3 years. With a #99 rating in the nation, Signature deserves congratulations from us all for raising the bar for Indiana public charter schools. Great job Sig!! [VIEW FULL RELEASE FROM THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE]

ICC Charter Honor Choir Planning Meeting

Don Steffy, Executive Director for The Indianapolis Children’s Choir will be hosting a planning meeting for all Charter School Academy Leaders, and or their designee, to discuss the pros, cons, history, and future of the Charter School Choir program. Please mark your calendar for this important meeting set for Thursday May 29th at 4:30 PM in the “large conference room” at the ICC offices located on the Butler University campus in the lower level of Lilly Hall. Lilly Hall is the first building next to Clowes Memorial Hall.

Please plan on a one hour meeting to brainstorm and discuss the various ways to strengthen participation and streamline operations between the Charter Schools and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. Your participation is highly valued and will “set the stage” for the vitality of next fall’s Charter School Choir. Please RSVP by Monday May 26th for yourself or another school representative to Melanie Dozier at melanie.dozier@geofoundation.org.

Marian College Summer Math and Science Teacher Workshops

Marian College offers an intensive summer workshop experience in mathematics and science for elementary, middle, and high school teachers. With Marian College faculty and award-winning Indiana teachers as workshop facilitators, teachers can gain invaluable information and experience in the areas of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. $100 Registration fee required.

• Elementary Teachers, Grades 3-5: June 9-13, 2008
• Middle School Teachers, Grades 6-8: June 23-27, 2008
• High School Teachers, Grades 9-11: August 4-8, 2008

[CLICK HERE] for more information and registration.

Summer Institute for Educators at Purdue - June 23-26

For educators that want to learn more about talent development, differentiation, and raising student achievement. Over 30 sessions with practical applications led by international experts, exemplary educators, and respected scholars. Indiana educators receive $100 off the registration cost. Commuter and residential registration options are available. CRUs are also available. [VISIT HERE] for more information.

Goodwill Youth Learning Center Future Focus: Summer Career Camps for Marion County Youth
Programs include Groove Theory which explores career opportunities for dancers and others working in the performing arts, College and Cash which shows you how to start your college search and pursue your career of choice, and Experience Indy which explores the wonderful tourist attractions and hotels in downtown Indianapolis. Students entering grades 9,10,11, and 12 are eligible to sign up for one camp only. [VISIT HERE] for dates and application.

Free Bowling for Marion County Students
Select bowling centers around the country are participating in the first ever “Kids Bowl Free” program. This program is designed to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way to spend the summer. Each child is able to bowl 2 free games a day, all summer long, courtesy of the participating bowling centers along with the schools and organizations. There is no cost to participate and signing up is quick and easy. Signing your children up for this program is easy! Just complete the registration form and your kids are on their way to bowling fun this summer. [SIGN UP HERE].

Available at the following centers:

• Woodland Bowl - 3421 E. 96th St. Indianapolis IN 46240
• Western Bowl - 6441 W. Washington St. Indianapolis IN 46241
• Southern Bowl - 1010 U.S. Highway 31 South Greenwood IN 46143
• Jubilee Bowl - 7420 N. Michigan Rd. Indianapolis IN 46268
• Expo Bowl – 5261 Elmwood Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46203

US DOE Advanced Placement Incentive Program

The Charter School Program encourages charter schools that are considered local educational agencies (LEA) in accordance with State charter law to work in partnership with state charter associations, resource centers and other charter LEAs in meeting the purpose of this program. The Advanced Placement Incentive (API) program awards competitive grants designed to increase the successful participation of low-income students in advanced placement courses and tests.

The program expands opportunities for low-income students to take college-level classes and earn college credit while still in high school. The program also supports efforts to raise the rigor of the academic curriculum for all students attending high-poverty high schools. Full announcement [AVAILABLE HERE].

Mr. Holland's Opus Grants Program
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation (MHOF) was inspired by the acclaimed motion picture Mr. Holland’s Opus, the story of the profound effect a dedicated music teacher had on generations of students. The film's composer, Michael Kamen, founded MHOF in 1996 as his commitment to the future of music education. The Melody Program helps K-12 School Music Programs and the Special Projects Programs helps after-school music programs. The next deadline is August 1, 2008. [VISIT HERE] for information on how to apply.