Map page 16
The Broad Ripple Gazette
Vol. 15 No. 09
Including the Cultural Districts and Midtown: Meridian-Kessler, Butler-Tarkington, and Meridian St.
Diamond Malone and Sylvia Denice of Renaissance Kids Inc.
Crossword page 13
Apr 27 - May 10, 2018
photo courtesy of Renaissance Kids
Renaissance Kids - taking kids beyond the classroom By Mario Morone
mario@broadripplegazette.com
INDEX
Elementary School Educators Diamond Malone and Sylvia Denice go beyond the classroom in educating children with Renaissance Kids, Inc. Ms. Denice recently described their endeavor. “We are a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that started in May of 2017. We have a cohort of five Renaissance Kids who started with us in October. The Renaissance Kids and their families participate in activities to support their social, emotional, academic, and cultural well-being through our programming. I am the vice chairman and my colleague, Diamond Malone, who is also a teacher, cofounded Renaissance Kids, Inc. together. We are not affiliated with the Crooked Creek Elementary School where our members come from. We do not yet have a facility, but are hosted by Crooked Creek Elementary School on Michigan and Kessler here in Indianapolis,” she explained. “We are teachers who own and run a nonprofit organization facilitating activities encouraging Indianapolis children to reach their fullest potential. The events happen after school hours and on the weekends. It is open to all Indianapolis kids, but acceptance into the program involves an application and interview process. Our ultimate goal is to have a rolling application process with periodic interview dates for acceptance of new families into the program,” she added. Ms. Denice explained how they decided to start Renaissance Kids Inc. “Diamond felt there were resources lacking where she couldn’t meet the needs of students during the school day during her first year of teaching. We met when we got placed on the same team of teachers instructing fourth graders. She thought I would be a good fit for this program. There was a project she was working on in graduate school during one part of spring break last year as we spent time putting the program together. We are both from Indiana. I am from Fort Wayne and went to Marion College Indianapolis and ending up teaching after I graduated.” She reflected on the rewards of teaching. “I would say that the most rewarding thing about teaching is that I get to keep learning from the kids I educate. They teach me more than what I teach them.” Enrollment information is available at: www.renkidsindy.org/apply. “There is a yearly donation fee of $50.00 for one child, $75.00 for two children, $100 for three children, or $125 for four or more children requested when entering the program. This donation is used to purchase supplies, snacks/meals, play equipment, games, fund program activities, etc. The fee is due at the time of agreement to participate in Renaissance Kids, Inc. We never want finances to be a deterrent for a family who we feel is a good fit for the program; so, if there are any barriers there, families donate their time to the organization in place of the fee,” she described. Ms. Denice mentioned some of their recent activities. “We have launched our eXposure programming, which includes monthly field trips for our Renaissance Kids. So far, they have participated in seeing a musical production at North Central High School and visiting Lights at the Brickyard in Speedway. We have also launched Family Time, which encourages our Renaissance Families to participate in activities with all members of their family units. They have participated in a Family Math Night and a family bowling event, and we will be having a family photo session this month. Our next undertaking is our mentoring program, where each Renaissance Kid will be paired with a mentor, a professional in the Indianapolis community.”
Slide presented at meeting showing the expanded Midtown North Riverwalk that could be realized if two large grants are awarded.
BRVA public meeting shows possible new trail By Alan Hague
alan@broadripplegazette.com Attendance was close to 100 at the April public meeting of the Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA). The meeting was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. BRVA president Joshua John ran the meeting. A major item discussed was the possibility of two large grants that could allow for an expansion of the proposed Riverwalk project (Riverwalk story, connecting BR Park to Monon Trail, in next BR Gazette). One proposal is to build a pedestrian bridge across the White River at 64th Street (where the car bridge was a long time ago) connection the trail to Marott Park. Kent Springer, past BRVA president, spoke about the reuse of the BRHS building. He said that both Purdue University and Herron High School are interested in opening additional schools and want them to be in Broad Ripple. Bryan Luellen of IndyGo gave an update on the Red Line. He said federal funds could be coming very soon and would allow for construction to begin 30 days later. The part of the Red Line that will be on College Avenue will be the last part to be constructed. Newly-hired BRVA executive director Colleen Fanning talked about all of the things the BRVA does as an advocate of the Village. Door prizes from Half Baked Pottery, Dr. Eve Earley, and Petite Chou were given to drawing winners. Food and drink was provided by Average Joes and Broad Ripple Brewpub. The next public meeting will be in October and will include the election of BRVA board members.
BRHS Open House before closure this year by N’Deya Fuqua
On Thursday, May 10, from 3 to 8pm, the last graduating class of Broad Ripple Magnet High School will be hosting an open house for the community in an effort to say farewell before its closing. Students will lead tours around the building and memorabilia will be available for purchase. There will be a host of activities including the Broad Ripple High School history quiz, open gym with the boys varsity basketball team, and the viewing of the Broad Ripple High School documentary created by the Television Production 3 students. The gospel choir will provide entertainment in Grand Central. Byrne’s Grilled Pizza and The Grub House food trucks will be available on the south parking lot. Guests may eat in the cafeteria and listen to the sounds of saxophonist, alumni Bryan Thompson. This event is open to the community and all are welcome! Broad Ripple High School is located at 1115 Broad Ripple Avenue.
1 Renaissance Kids
3 Calendar
6 Public Notices
11 Record Store Day
1 BRVA meeting
4 Kiwanis scholarship
7 Local Contacts
11 Random Rippling Re-Bath 13 Win BRAF Tickets
1 BRHS open house
4 Reader Random Rippling
7 Mistakes winner
12 Where in the Village?
14 Wine Scene Jill A. Ditmire
2 Random Rippling check
4 Random Rippling Zen
8 Buzzing Around Town
12 Hidden History
15 Directory / Maps
2 Random Rippling Opti-Park
5 BR Brewpub Quiz
9 Poetic Thoughts
12 Sudoku
19 Life of the Party
3 Random Rippling sushi
6 Classified Ads
13 Historic Ad
20 Random Rippling Blaze
10 Round the Ripple
13 Crossword