Education

By Corey Ohlenkamp— MUNCIE, Ind. – The American Electric Power (AEP) Foundation, on behalf of Indiana Michigan Power, has pledged $225,000 over three years ($75,000 annually) to support the Ivy Tech Muncie Youth Empowerment Program. This first-of-its-kind partnership between the NAACP Muncie Branch, Ivy Tech Community College and Indiana Michigan Power will provide leadership development and educational programming for minority Muncie-area high school students. The Muncie Youth Empowerment Program will provide new opportunities and education to Muncie’s youth, investing in…

By Andy Klotz— MUNCIE, Ind. – Muncie Community Schools (MCS) has named Misty Ndiritu (DAY-ree-toe) the new principal at Southside Middle School. Ndiritu has more than 10 years of classroom and administrative experience, most recently serving as principal at Martinsville High School. “I am truly honored to become the next principal at Southside,” Ndiritu said. “I strive to be a hands-on leader, engaging in daily academics and culture in order to understand the student body, and I’m eager to get…

Partnerships with City of Muncie, Marian University make program possible By Andy Klotz, APR— MUNCIE, Ind. – Better grades, higher achievement, improved attendance and lower dropout rates are just some of the proven benefits of City Connects, a student-support program launching in Muncie Community Schools (MCS) this fall. The program calls for a master’s-trained social worker, school counselor or mental health professional – called a “family navigator” at MCS – to collaborate with teachers by assessing each student to determine…

By John Herrik & Kurt Darling, Network Indiana— WASHINGTON–The morning the World Trade Center towers and Pentagon were hit by hijacked jets, Mitch Daniels was inside the White House, working for the Bush administration as the director for the Office of Management and Budget. Daniels, who would later become Indiana’s governor and Purdue University’s president, said he remembers the day vividly. “My top deputy at the time had a long history of defense and we both looked at each other…

East Central Educational Service Center kicks off grant with Gala By: Mandi Isaacs, Instructional Specialist, East Central Educational Service Center— Connersville, IN—Educational leaders are collaborating in East Central Indiana to transform the learning recovery ahead. As schools are working to address the impact of COVID-19, they are exploring innovative ways to meet students’ needs. “We have the opportunity to lead in Indiana,” state Secretary of Education Katie Jenner said in a panel discussion at the East Central Educational Service Center…

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…