December 2024 Blazer Gazette

Home December 2024 Blazer Gazette

Jeremy's Corner

The holidays are upon us. I love this time of year. Enjoy this exciting time with your students the last couple days of school.

Congratulations to our three legacy schools for securing an extended 15-year charter renewal from Trine University this month. This is an incredible accomplishment for Success Academy, Career Academy Middle School and Career Academy High School.

I am extremely proud of the work happening in our schools. Our professional learning community goals for the past 3 years remain unchanged. We will focus on learning, build collaborative teams and become results-oriented.

We initiated the building design process at The Bend. The building near Career Academy located at 3919 Crescent Circle has undeveloped square footage. We plan to renovate it for additional classroom and instructional space. We are working with Panzica to create dynamic learning spaces for our students and team members. The goal will be to have the entire building renovated for the start of the 25-26 school year.

Considering the 124th General Assembly legislative session begins January 8, 2025, we have been busy preparing to advocate for our students, teachers and schools. Governor-elect Braun is a proponent of expanding school choice. Legislation to secure equitable funding will be a key focus for us. Currently, Indiana’s public charter schools do not receive local county property tax dollars that traditional schools collect. Typically, these dollars are used for facilities and transportation.

We are hosting the Secretary of Education, Dr. Katie Jenner, for the Notre Dame vs. IU football game on Friday. She continues to be an advocate for ALL schools within the state. Go Irish!

Have a wonderful holiday break. We’ll see everyone on January 6 for breakfast and State of the Network event.

Season’s Greetings from the CANOPS Leadership Team

As the holiday season approaches, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the students, families, staff, and community partners who make the Career Academy Network of Public Schools a thriving and supportive community.

This time of year offers a special opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments we’ve achieved together and to look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead. Whether it’s the dedication of our teachers, the hard work of our students, or the incredible support from families and local organizations, every effort contributes to the vibrant learning environment we’re so proud of.

During this season of giving, we are reminded of the importance of kindness, connection, and the collective strength of our network. As we celebrate, we also extend our warmest wishes for joy, health, and peace to you and your loved ones.

Thank you for being an essential part of the CANOPS family. We are excited to continue building an even brighter future together in the coming year.

Happy Holidays and best wishes for a wonderful New Year!

Warm regards,
The CANOPS Leadership Team

Help Career Academy Robotics Team 5484 Pack a Bus for The Center for the Homeless!

This holiday season, our incredible Robotics Team 5484 is stepping up to make a difference in our community! Join us in helping them “Pack a Bus” with essential items for those in need at The Center for the Homeless.

We’re collecting:
Clothes (new or gently used)
Toys
Toiletries
Sanitary items

Where to Donate:
Drop off your contributions at Career Academy or any school within the Career Academy Network of Public Schools by Friday, December 20th.

Let’s come together to fill the bus with kindness and make the season brighter for our neighbors in need. Thank you for your support!

Mighty Giants visit the Central office to Spread Holiday Cheer✨🎄

Earlier this month, our Central Office was buzzing with excitement as Kindergarten and 1st-grade students from Success Academy at Boys and Girls Clubs paid us a special holiday visit! Their smiles and festive energy truly lit up the building, making it a morning to remember.

Highlights Include :
A behind-the-scenes tour of our new Central Office, giving students a glimpse into the inner workings of our district.
Delicious treats like cookies, hot chocolate, and candy canes to spread holiday warmth.
Meet-and-greets with our incredible District Leadership team and the hardworking members of the Business Office, IT, Marketing, and HR departments.

Our students got an up-close look at the important roles that keep our schools running smoothly, while our staff had the joy of connecting with the bright young learners who inspire all we do.

It was a day filled with laughter, learning, and holiday cheer, creating memories we’ll cherish for years to come. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to everyone who helped make this magical day possible!

Success Academy Wolf Pups and Wolf Cubs punch ticket to Semi State

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news from our FIRST Lego Robotics program! Both of our teams, the Wolf Pups and the Wolf Cubs, have officially qualified for the semi-state competition! This incredible achievement results from countless hours of hard work, ingenuity, and teamwork.

Our students have poured their hearts into designing, building, and programming their robots while also tackling real-world challenges through innovative solutions. Their determination and creativity have truly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of their success.

A round of applause to the amazing team members and their dedicated coaches and supportive families who have played an essential role in this journey. This milestone showcases our students’ talent, collaboration, and commitment, and we are beyond excited to cheer them on as they take the next step in the competition.

Congratulations again to the Wolf Pups and Wolf Cubs! We are rooting for you as you prepare for semi-state. Keep up the great work, and continue to shine!

Celebrating Dr. Nash’s Legacy as She Retires

After a remarkable career dedicated to education, inspiration, and innovation, we bid a fond farewell to Dr. Nash as she embarks on her well-deserved retirement.

Dr. Nash has been an integral part of our community, sharing her knowledge, wisdom, and passion with countless students and colleagues throughout the years. Known for her engaging teaching style, thoughtful mentorship, and unwavering commitment to excellence, Dr. Nash has left an indelible mark on all who have had the privilege of learning from and working alongside her.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Nash’s contributions extended to curriculum development, staff training, and community outreach initiatives that enriched the lives of many. Her legacy includes the knowledge imparted and the values of curiosity, perseverance, and empathy that she modeled for everyone around her.

Though we will greatly miss her presence in the classroom, we are excited for Dr. Nash as she enters this next chapter of her life. We wish her joy, fulfillment, and adventure in her retirement. Thank you, Dr. Nash, for everything you have done for our school and our community. Your impact will be felt for generations to come!

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Nash’s incredible career and wishing her all the best in the future!

Freshman Leadership Immersion at
The Portage School of Leaders

Our Freshmen Leadership Immersion is all about answering a pivotally important question: how can young people be effective leaders in their communities? To answer this, students engaged in intensive academic study of leadership, including its portrayals in art and literature along with analysis and theory in the social sciences. This important scholarly work was coupled with real world application through our partnership with 5 Star, whose Summit Leadership location guided our students’ work in archery, equine care, and other activities that cultivate their growth. As students did things like groom horses, they learned patience, care for others, and empathy, while archery taught them patience with self and others, the importance of a good set up, and how crucial their follow-through is–all strong habits of mind for leaders to develop. We were thrilled to see how they grew into their leadership through these weeks and look forward to seeing their ongoing growth in trimester two!

Exciting Experiential Learning: Exploring Animal Adaptations with the Potawatomi Zoo at SABGC!

Learning came to life in an unforgettable way at our school as we hosted a special guest from the Potawatomi Zoo! Josh Sisk, a wildlife expert from the zoo, joined us for an experiential learning session that had our students buzzing with curiosity and excitement.

Josh brought along a delightful companion—an adorable armadillo! This unique guest instantly captured everyone’s hearts while serving as a fascinating example of how animals adapt to their environments.

Josh led an engaging discussion on animal adaptations, focusing on how wildlife responds to changing seasons and weather conditions. From hibernation to fur changes, our students were captivated by how animals survive and thrive in nature’s ever-changing conditions.

This hands-on experience wasn’t just educational—it was inspiring. Students asked thoughtful questions, observed the armadillo’s behavior up close, and left with a newfound appreciation for the resilience and ingenuity of animals in the wild.

We deeply thank Josh and the Potawatomi Zoo for bringing such a meaningful and exciting learning opportunity to our school. This experience deepened our students’ understanding of wildlife and sparked their imaginations and curiosity about the natural world.

Thank you, Josh, for making science come alive for our students! We’re already looking forward to the next adventure.

Career Academy Students Reach for the Stars with NASA Visit!

Last month, Career Academy students experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to delve into the wonders of STEM through a special visit from NASA at The Portage School of Leaders. This hands-on and inspiring event was made possible thanks to an exciting collaboration with the Notre Dame Turbomachinery Laboratory (NDTL), a partnership dedicated to equipping students with cutting-edge STEM opportunities.

During the visit, students were introduced to groundbreaking concepts in aviation and aerospace, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. From interactive discussions about engineering innovations to insights into aircraft technology advancements, the session was designed to spark curiosity and empower students to imagine their futures in STEM fields.

NASA and NDTL are working together to provide students with access to state-of-the-art learning experiences, showing them how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can be applied to solve real-world challenges. By exploring the processes and technology behind the future of aviation, students not only gained invaluable knowledge but also were encouraged to think creatively and innovate.

The visit highlighted the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and hands-on learning in shaping the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators. As students asked thoughtful questions and engaged with NASA experts, it was clear that this experience ignited a deeper interest in STEM subjects and career possibilities.

This visit is just the beginning of an incredible journey for our students. With opportunities like these, they are developing the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to tackle tomorrow’s challenges and achieve their goals. We are excited to see how this partnership with NASA and NDTL will continue to inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation in our classrooms.

Stay tuned for more updates as Career Academy students continue to reach for the stars and beyond!

Carrer Academy is a Notre Dame Flagship Partner

Ciao