Dear Indy,
Today we begin with an important story out of Indianapolis Public Schools from K-12 education reporter Carley Lanich:
Corey Bass sits curled over a desk in the back of the room as a writing specialist guides him and a handful of other teenagers through a series of exercises.
Spend three minutes making a list of hobbies you enjoyed as a child. Take eight minutes to write a letter to your younger self. Think about what things bring you comfort at the end of a long day. List them in two minutes.
A few jot down ideas. Others look at their phones, headphones in ear, scrolling through social media. When it’s time to share, Corey answers just above a whisper.
“For the comfort thing,” he says, “I put that I like to read and write.”
The sophomore is one of a small group of students in Crispus Attucks High School’s creative writing club run out of the school’s new Vonnegut Youth Writing Center. The center, along with new programs at Arsenal Tech and George Washington high schools, largely replicates a long-standing writing center at Shortridge High School.
Together, the four writing centers partner with the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library to offer in-school tutoring, classroom support and creative writing opportunities with the help of four staff and 12 paid interns. Their team plays a key role in working with students like Bass to find their voice in writing, prepare for life after high school and even, for some students, better understand a language different from what’s used at home.
As Indianapolis Public Schools begins offering more classes for college credit, the writing centers are seen as a way to support teachers and students amid a collective push for more academically challenging coursework.
But with a major source of funding going away at the end of the year, leaders are looking for ways to continue paying the tutors who work with the students every day.
Continue reading the article here.
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In other news
- Over the weekend, diabetes patients and their families rallied at Monument Circle to call on Eli Lilly to further lower the price of insulin. Among those in attendance was Desi Rybolt, an eastsider who lost her brother in 2019 after he was forced to ration his medicine. “Nobody should be struggling to afford (insulin),” Rybolt told Mirror Indy.
- Indy area colleges are making alternative plans for next month’s solar eclipse. Some are canceling classes, some are going virtual and some are a mix. Learn more here.
- Misty Copeland, the world-renowned ballet dancer who has broken barriers, will be speaking Wednesday at the Madam Walker Legacy Center. Indianapolis author Ashley C. Ford will moderate the event, which will be livestreamed on the Indianapolis Public Library’s YouTube channel. The details are available here.
What’s going on around the city
- Tomorrow, March 20: In honor of the International Day of Happiness, Happiness Is Courage, LLC is hosting Happiness in the Heartland. The daylong celebration, which starts at 2 p.m. at 3400 S. Rural St., includes meet-and-greets with authors, a seminar on finding happiness through yoga and a workshop on mastering the art of appreciation. Ticket prices vary.
- Thursday, March 21: Indianapolis bookworms can read their way through the inaugural Indy Indie Book Crawl. Through March 23, you can explore 23 participating bookstores for a chance to find new books and be entered to win several door prizes. Free.
- Friday, March 22: The Indiana German Heritage Society kicks off its 40th annual meeting and symposium with several programs, including a chat on “German Influence on US and Indiana Beer” and “Moving the Feast. German Cooking, Hoosier Style.” The two-day symposium, which begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, is open to the public. Tickets are $25.
— 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: City-County Council Vop Osili said the city should begin requiring developers to include more green space for any developments in Indy.
- Indiana Capital Chronicle: Gov. Eric Holcomb vetoed House Bill 1002 — the antisemitism bill — essentially saying it wasn’t strong enough and contained confusing language. He also signed into a law a bill that will weaken the public access counselor and reduce government transparency.
- WRTV: It’s time to start planning ahead of the solar eclipse.
Resources
Summer camp season kicks off in January. And the openings go fast.
But lucky you, we found some that still have availability.
So no matter whether your child loves — music, comedy, biking or exploring — our newest resource guide should have you covered.
We have more resources on our website. Find them here.
Reflections
Wanna be even more mad about yesterday’s snow? Today is the beginning of spring, supposedly.
But cheer up: It’s also the start of March Madness, or what I’m referring to as the first (of many) days when everyone in Indiana calls in sick to work.
On the men’s side, my beloved Missouri Tigers had a down year, so I’ll be cheering on Purdue because I already own a Boilermakers cap.
Oh, and consider this a reminder. You have until 6:40 p.m. to fill out a men’s bracket. The women’s bracket will begin tomorrow.
Ryan
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at ryan.martin@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
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