Education

Governor’s new executive order prompts change in protocol By Andy Klotz, APR— MUNCIE, Ind. – Thanks to Governor Eric Holcomb’s new executive order, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) will no longer require students designated as close contacts of a person who tests positive for COVID-19 to quarantine as long as they are not experiencing virus symptoms if the contact was in the school setting. This change in district protocol will go into effect Friday, September 3. “We are thrilled with the…

By Jennifer Gasiorek— MUNCIE, Ind.—Ivy Tech will begin the Fall Semester on August 18. To celebrate the first day, the College is having a Welcome Back Party, August 18th from 4:00-7:00 PM. The Chameleon Brothers will be playing on the West Plaza of the Fisher Building at 325 S. High Street. There will be food, family fun activities, learn more about Ivy Tech’s programs, short-term certificates and degree offerings, and an opportunity to meet with local employers. The following companies…

By Lesley DeVoss— MUNCIE, Ind.– An instructor sits at a computer console as a student stands in the center of the room, facing a wall with the projected video of a man with dementia. The man responds to the student volatilely. He’s having a difficult time adjusting to the world around him. The student, a member of the criminal justice program, has to think of the best way to de-escalate the situation. This simulation helps the student develop the skills…

By Andy Klotz— Masks required for all students, staff, visitors MUNCIE, Ind. – Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) will require facemasks be worn by all staff, students, visitors and volunteers regardless of vaccination status to start the 2021-22 school year. The school board cited new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Indiana State Department of Health and consultations with Indiana University Ball Memorial Hospital when announcing its decision…

By Ryan Hunter— MUNCIE, INDIANA—What do a water-cleaning robot, portable dishwasher, and school bus tracker app have in common? Those were just some of the solutions developed by middle schoolers at the first Tech-Spark event. On July 9-11, local middle schoolers gathered at the Innovation Connector in Muncie to collaborate and create their own business ideas. The three day experience, led by TechWise Academy, taught these young students the basics of tech entrepreneurship and foundational knowledge of robotics programming, drone programming,…

By Andy Klotz— Board delays announcement of reopening plan Muncie, IN – On the heels of providing raises for teachers in May and $1,000 COVID-related stipends for all employees back in April, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) has now raised starting pay for all support staff, which includes positions like administrative assistants, instructional assistants and permanent substitute teachers. The MCS Board of Directors tonight voted to increase starting pay for these jobs and others to $14/hour, up from about $11.20/hour. “Our…

By Ryan Hunter— Muncie, IN—On June 26th, local Delta Middle School student, Caleb Hunter, competed at the Nike 2021 National Youth Weightlifting Championship in Detroit. Caleb is a member of the Muncie Weightlifting Club and Youth Sports Performance Program at Muncie CrossFit at the Arsenal. He earned a spot at the national competition by lifting a qualifying total weight in the Snatch and Clean & Jerk in early May. These two lifts can be seen at the Tokyo Olympics this…

By Jennifer Gasiorek— Muncie, IN– Muncie Central High School offers the Early College dual credit program in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College. Sixty-four 2021 Muncie Central graduates earned enough credits to transfer at the sophomore or junior level to a four-year college of their choice, saving local students thousands of dollars as they prepare for their future. Through the program, graduates earned an associate’s degree in general studies or their state transfer general elective core (STEGC) from Ivy Tech…