In the Mirror: Haitian Creole voices in school

Dear Indy,

Estimates show that up to 30,000 Haitians are now living in Indy, with many settling on the east side.

That’s why Websder Corneille’s job at Promise Prep Elementary is so important. Corneille is the school’s Haitian Creole ESL interventionist, making sure students get help with schoolwork but also helping families communicate with school staff.

And he’s glad to see students staying connected to their Haitian heritage.

“Even when I’m addressing one of them in English, the answers are always in Haitian Creole,” Corneille said. “They want to learn about the country, they want to belong to a place, they want to belong to a country.”

Read more here.

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In other news

Thomas (from left), Luna, and Amanda Patsis pose with Luna’s new doll house that they purchased at the Woodruff Place Flea Market on June 1, 2024, on the east side of Indianapolis. Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy

Last weekend, photojournalist Ted Somerville ventured out to capture the eclectic scenery of the 48th annual Woodruff Place Flea Market. Check out what he saw.
Several college students at the Indiana Women’s Prison graduated this spring, so we asked to share the commencement speeches delivered by speakers Brittney Watson and Apryl Hammer. As Watson put it: “Our minds will take us into every place that we’ll ever go in our lives. That’s why our education is so important. Life is a series of mistakes, but this time you made the right decision. You’re brilliant, intelligent, accomplished and now you’re equipped to succeed.”
On Thursday, you can experience poetry, visual art, film, and more at “Nourishing Well: Black Women and the Poetics of Sacred Space.” An art gallery will open at 6 p.m. at Madam Walker Legacy Center. Get the details here.

What’s going on around the city

Thursday, June 6: Kiln Creations and Metazoa Brewing Co., 140 S. College Ave., have teamed up for a night of Pints and Pottery. From 6-8 p.m., you can paint your own beer stein, with 5% of proceeds going to animal welfare organizations. $50, 21+
Friday, June 7: Indiana Landmarks, IUI Special Collections and Archives and Herron School of Art and Design have partnered for an exhibit celebrating the works of artist Harry Davis. From 6-9 p.m., you can find some of Davis’ works and hear a lecture from Rachel Berenson Perry about the artist’s life, work and impact on local preservation at the Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Ave. The lecture is $5, but the gallery admission is free.
Saturday, June 8: Indiana Community Yoga hosts a Mindful Nature Walk at the 100 Acres, 1850 W. 38th St., from 10-11:30 a.m. All experience levels and abilities are welcome for the hike. Free, but click here to register

— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter

Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.

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What else we’re reading today

Axios Indianapolis: The growth of road rage shootings in Indiana is outpacing the national average.
ProPublica: Former President Donald Trump’s campaign committees and businesses have paid significantly more money or doled out greater benefits to nine witnesses in the criminal cases against Trump. In one example: An aide was given a position on the board of the former president’s social media company — after being subpoenaed but before testifying.

Resources

We previously told you how you might be able to consolidate your student loan debt thanks to new federal relief. The original deadline to apply was April 30 — but President Joe Biden’s administration extended the deadline to June 30.

So if you missed the first deadline, you now have time to catch up.

The issue is kinda complicated, though, so let higher education reporter Claire Rafford answer your questions.