LT Inside Out March 2019

MARCH 2019

A Message from the Superintendent Dear Lawrence Faculty & Community Members, There is much to celebrate in Lawrence Township Schools! Beginning with our elementary schools, and thanks to the support of the Lawrence Township School Foundation, we are pleased to now have Vex Robotics Teams at all eleven schools.

Schools are beginning this spring with friendly inter-school competitions. Those with more established teams have continued their regular competition schedule, with several advancing to the state competition on March 9th. Forest Glen has teams who qualified for the World Competition! Robotics fun continues when students get to middle school. The Fall Creek Valley Gearcats Vex Robotics team will also be headed to the World Competition!

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In performing arts, secondary schools have continued to have success. Lawrence Central hosted their Annual Show Choir Invitational. Legacy and Belle Bravada were in attendance from Lawrence North. Both groups received best vocals, best visuals, and were named Grand Champions! The Belzer Sound were the middle school Grand Champions! Lawrence Township Winter Percussion continues to perform at the highest level, and will appear this Saturday in the WGI Mid East Power Regional Competition in Kentucky.

We are so proud of the pride that the Lawrence North Girls Basketball team brought to our district this past month during their run for the state title. They are an amazing group of young women. Though they came up short in the championship game, they truly represented our district well and demonstrated Lawrence Excellence.

Earlier this month, McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology inducted the largest group to-date into the National Technical Honor Society. 100 students representing Lawrence Central and Lawrence North High Schools were inducted in to this prestigious organization. Many thanks to Senator Jim Merritt for speaking to our students. It was wonderful for there to be standing room only at this important event for our students.

The District of Destination 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

Finally, our third quarter of the school year wouldn’t be coming to a close without the annual Lawrence Township School Foundation Celebration. It was a packed house at Crane Bay on March 9th. This year’s superhero theme was fitting, given that we have over 1,000 superheroes teaching our children each and every day. We are grateful to those who attended and who give time, talent, and treasure to support our students.

Wishing you a happy and restful Spring Break.

Sincerely,

Dr. Shawn A. Smith Superintendent of Schools

Lawrence North Girls Basketball Team is State Runner Up! Congratulations to the Lawrence North girls basketball team on a great season! As state runner-up, the team, lead by Coach Chris Giffin, won their sectional, regional, and semi-state match-ups to make their first ever trip to the state finals.

Finishing his seventh season as coach for the Wildcats, Giffin said this year’s team was “as pleasurable to coach as any team I’ve had. They should be very, very prideful and happy about the run they made and what they accomplished,” Giffin said.

Click here to read the Indianapolis Star feature on the Lawrence North Girls Basketball team after the game.

Bears Are Sectional Champs!

The Lawrence Central Bears Varsity Basketball team defeated defending state champions Warren Central (69-52) to win the Sectional 10 crown!

Click here for Indy Star coverage of the Bears Sectional Championship win.

Click here for the Bears Sectional Championship Highlight Reel.

Shout Outs and Accolades…….

Congratulations to our winter athletes, boys and girls basketball, swimming and wrestling, who made the all-MIC teams! Click here to see the complete list in the Indy Star.

Fall Creek Valley’s Robotics Team, 1024X, won the Indiana State Championship STEM Award and qualified to go to the World Robotics Championship!

17 Gold Medals earned by the two Fall Creek Valley Middle School ensembles at ISSMA State for vocal groups.

Congratulations to The Belzer Sound, the Middle School Grand Champions at The Classic at LC! Best Performer went to Anna Seitz Lawrence Township Winter Percussion placed first at the WGI Indy Regional (National circuit).

Both of Lawrence Central’s Show choirs have made state finals finishing 9th (Sweet Sensation) & 7th (Central Sount) The Lawrence North Dance Team placed 9th in Hip Hop and 10th in Jazz at STATE today in Lafayette.

The Lawrence North Show Choirs competed at the LC Classic receiving best vocals, best visuals, and GRAND CHAMPIONS! The LN Speech Team advanced to state competition and Maya Caselnova earned 6th in state in discussion!!

Kristian Young Gets Junior Indiana All-Star

Maddie Howe Gets Mental Attitude Award

Congratulations to Kristian Young, who was named one of this year’s girls basketball Indiana Junior All Stars

Congratulations to Maddie Howe, who was presented with the prestigious Patricia L. Roy Mental Attitude Award at the IHSAA State Championship game.

LC and LN Swimmers Place at State Swim Meet Congratulations to swimmers from Lawrence Central and Lawrence North High Schools who made it to the state meet. Landon McMonagle, LC, placed 21st in the IHSAA state diving championship and Bennett Vail, LN, placed in three events and set two Lawrence North school records.

Lawrence Central wrestler, Terrell Leavell, finished 7th in IHSAA state wrestling championship, weighing in at 145 pounds.

Bears Sectional Champs!

Lawrence Central Boys Basketball finished the regular season 20-3 and ranked #3 in Class 4A. It was the first time since the 1995-96 season the Bears won 20 regular season games. The team went on to win their sectional, knocking out Warren Central, the 2018 State champions.

Sixth Grade Basketball Tournament is in the Record Books Congratulations to our sixth grade basketball tourney winners! The undefeated Amy Beverland girls and the undefeated Brook Park boys teams came out on top of their competition.

Coach Keefer Recognized at Pacers Game Lawrence North Boys Basketball Coach, Jack Keefer, was recognized at halftime on February 7th at the Indiana Pacers—LA Clippers game. Coach Keefer, along with J.R. Holmes of Bloomington South and Scottsburg Girls Coach, Donna Chatham, are the winningest active basketball coaches in the state of Indiana!

Community Partnerships Power Multiple Programs Listen in as Rafael Sanchez, WRTV, talks with Dr. Smith at the McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology, about how we are making sure that our students are competitive in today's economy. Our strong partnerships with the work world have big benefits for our students!

Click here to watch the video and learn more.

Students from Belzer Middle School became the “test� subjects, while getting real hand-on experience while touring the Biomedical Science and other science programs at the McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology.

On March 5th, 2019, 100 high school students from Lawrence Central and Lawrence North were inducted in to the National Technical Honor Society at McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology. This is the largest group to be inducted, to date. Many thanks to the staff who made the program possible, and to Indiana Senator, Jim Merritt, for delivering the keynote at the event.

Computer/Information Technology courses at MCIT will benefit from 75 pieces of networking equipment generously donated by Bingham Greenebaum Doll, LLP. Included are various switches, routers, adaptive security appliances (A.S.A.s), Voice over IP System, and Servers. This donation represents the power of community and how public and private partnerships continue to benefit the students that we serve!

LN Senior Jassmine Dominguez-Torres Named Lilly Scholar Kaniya Hester, Lawrence Central and Jassmine Dominguez-Torres, Lawrence North were named Lilly Scholars and have been awarded four years of tuition to any Indiana college/university to complete their education.

Kaniya is pictured with Lawrence Central assistant principal Dr. Brian Davis and Lee White from Bosma Enterprises. Mr. White was the Lilly Scholar representative.

Jassmine is pictured with Lawrence North principal, Brett Crousore.

Lawrence Township is proud to have two 2019 Leukemia Lymphoma Society Student of the Year candidates. Pictured with Dr. Smith, Maia McIntosh (far left) from Lawrence Central and Sophie Treend (far right) from Lawrence North.

Jacob Weaver, Lawrence North senior and automotive collision student at McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology, received the Outstanding Career Technical Education award from the Indiana Department of Education . Jacob is pictured with his teacher, Clarence McGowen.

Lawrence North Senior, Janyiah Martin received notice she is the recipient of a 4-year, fulltuition scholarship from the University of Indianapolis.

LT Seniors Recognized by Kiwanis The Castleton Kiwanis Club recognized four seniors from Lawrence Township for Outstanding Character. Shown left to right are Ashley Jewell from LN, Aranza Sierra from LC, Timothy Jones from LN, and Conner Dowden from LC. Visit the Castleton Kiwanis website.

Lawrence Live!

In this edition of Lawrence Live, Dr. Smith introduces us to two outstanding high school students who are working to help raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Then meet our two middle school principals, Mr. Andy Harsha, Belzer and Mr. Ruben De Luna, Fall Creek Valley, and learn about the innovative teaching and learning taking place in our middle schools.

In this edition of Lawrence Live, Dr. Smith introduces us to two outstanding high school students athletes who led the Lawrence North Lady Wildcats to the state basketball finals and two leaders from the LT Winter Percussion state championship team. Then meet Mr. Troy Knoderer, Chief Academic Officer for LT Schools and learn more about academic instruction in our school district.

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

Forest Glen Robotics Forest Glen Team 10525A won the Skills Award and Teamwork Award at 1/26 Stephen Decatur VEX Robotics Competition. With the Teamwork Award Team 10525A automatically qualifies for Indiana State competition joining Forest Glen Teams 10525D &10525K as already qualified for state.

Congratulations, Robotics Team!!

The Lawrence Township Winter Percussion is the WGI (Winter Guard International) Champions in the Indy Percussion Finals!

Congratulations of the Winter Percussion Group for another outstanding season. Lawrence Township Winter Percussion is a combined effort with membership from both Lawrence Central and Lawrence North High Schools under the leadership of director, Mr. Neal Titus. They are now on to semi state competition and hope to bring home another Indiana Percussion Association (IPA) Open Class State Championship!

Clash of the Sequins Two Lawrence Central show choirs, Sweet Sensation and Central Sound, competed in the Clash of the Sequins Show Choir Invitational in Chicago. The renowned competition features the best of the best show choirs in the Midwest. Central Sound finished fourth runner up out of twenty-two very competitive groups.

Profiles of Excellence IU Armstrong Teacher Educator Award Recipients Announced Two LT teachers, Antonia Fields and Tamara Markey, have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Indiana University Armstrong Teacher Educator Award for 2019-2020. This award was inaugurated in 1997 to honor exemplary teachers throughout Indiana interested in working with teacher education students, faculty, and staff at Indiana University, Bloomington. Armstrong Teacher Educators take an active role in shaping the next generation of teachers!

Ms. Fields, pictured left, teaches Language Arts at Belzer Middle School.

Ms. Markey, right, is a pre-engineering/Project Lead the Way teacher at McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology and the 2019 Indiana Teacher of the Year.

Click here to learn more about the Armstrong Teacher Educator Award

Antonia Fields Language Arts Teacher, Belzer Middle School Antonia Fields has a very positive demeanor and maintains high expectations for students. She treats students with respect and earns their respect in return. She is instructionally sound and her students consistently perform well on assessments. As an instructional coach, Antonia shares her strategies with other teachers to help them improve and grow professionally. She is always there to lend a had to any student or staff member who needs support.

Eloyda Lopez Spanish Immersion Teacher, Early Learning Center at Brook Park As our Spanish Immersion teacher, Eloyda has made an incredible impact on our staff and our families. Eloyda believed in the work we were doing so much she moved her family here from Puerto Rico and enrolled her son in a first grade immersion program. Ms. Lopez has educated our staff about cultural differences in the Spanish speaking community. She is more than willing to try new things and has an incredible heart and passion for all of our students!

Blue Ribbon Facilities Welcoming. Safe. Secure. Engaging. Energizing. Lawrence Township is investing in every building to better meet student needs and foster achievement. All academic, athletic, & performing arts programs will benefit from enhanced learning communities and operational upgrades.

2019 Renovations  Amy Beverland Elementary  Sunnyside Elementary  The Transportation Facility.

2020 Renovations  Lawrence Central High School  Lawrence North High School Exterior rendering of Amy Beverland Exterior rendering of Sunnyside  Oaklandon Elementary  Forest Glen Elementary  Brook Park Elementary  Winding Ridge Elementary  The 4 Early Learning Centers. * Note: Proposed 2020 projects are beyond the scope of the Blue Ribbon Facilities Plan 2021 Renovations  To be Determined 2023 Renovations  Belzer & Fall Creek Valley Middle Schools Upon conclusion of our Blue Ribbon Facilities Plan, every school in our district will be renovated!

The newly renovated state-of-the-art auditoriums at Lawrence Central (left) and Lawrence North (right), pictured below.

Cost Cutting Corner The MSD of Lawrence Township continually monitors the healthcare options for our employees to save taxpayer dollars on premiums. By implementing on-site health clinics for staff, we have reduced our annual claim costs by more than 10% annually.

Important Dates School will be in session on Thursday, March 21 to make up for the school closure on January 30 due to extreme cold.

There is no school on Friday, March 22. (designated snow day).

Spring Break Spring Break is March 25—29. The first day of school after Spring Break is April 1.

The last day of school is May 29.

2018 - 2019 School Year Calendar

2019 - 2020 School Year Calendar

Middle School Open Houses Fall Creek Valley and Belzer Middle Schools will host a Spring Open House on April 3 rd from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. at their respective schools. Sixth grade families are invited to come and explore and learn about the exciting opportunities that await! Meet teachers and learn about your choice of electives and all of the clubs and after school activities available in middle school!

Belzer Middle School, 7555 E 56th St

Fall Creek Valley Middle School, 9701 E 63rd St

Computerized Admittance Process for Elementary Students The MSD of Lawrence Township CAP (Computerized Admittance Process), for those students who wish to apply to attend a school other than their current assigned school is open April 1 through May 17.

Visit the website under Announcements for complete details.

RSVP—Returning Student Verification Process Our annual Returning Student Verification Process, or RSVP, will open in Skyward Family Access on Monday, April 15th.

If you are unable to log into Family Access, please contact your child’s school.

RSVP will verify that your student or students will be returning to MSD of Lawrence Township for the 2019-2020 school year. Through this process, you will verify contact information and complete the required medical, technology, and bus forms that will have your student ready for next year!

If your student is not returning for the 2019-2020 school year, please contact their school.

Watch the videos below to learn more: How to log in to Skyward Family Access - English

How to log in to Skyward Family Access - Spanish

Skyward Family Access Overview - English

Skyward Family Access Overview - Spanish

Click here for a direct link to LT Online Summer Course Registration.

LT School Foundation News Superhero Board of Education President, Mr. Reginald McGregor, and Member, Mrs. Carol Helmus channel the Incredibles at the annual LTSF Gala. Ms. Tamara Markey, 2019 Indiana Teacher of the Year, served as Honorary Chair. Superhero administrators at the gala are all smiles with Dr. Smith and the “Incredibles.” Many thanks to Foundation Executive Director, Mrs. Cori Korn, for making it all happen!

Click here to view the video released at the 2019 “Superheroes Unite” Celebration.

Special thanks to Milo Ellis, Kayla Harris, and LC senior, Shaniya Broshers for lyrics and vocals.

Fore The Kids Golf Tournament The Lawrence Township School Foundation annual golf outing is June 6, 2019.

Watch the website, msdltf.org for details.

Board of Education News Go to BoardDocs to access board meeting agendas and minutes.

The Board of Education will meet on April 8 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 website, 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.

MSDLT Celebration Snapshot Profiles of Excellence for February 2019 / Profiles of Excellence for March 2019

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.”

February 25, 2019 Board of Education meeting recognitions

IHSAA Leadership Conference Lawrence North sent several student-athletes to the IHSAA Student Leadership Conference.

It was a great experience for these young men and women, and they were outstanding representatives of Lawrence North High School!

Click here to sign up.

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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.

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Visit our Community Opportunities and Information webpage to learn more.

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