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January 2025 Blazer Gazette
Exciting Updates and Announcements at the Career Academy Network of Public Schools!
Jeremy's Corner
With January nearly behind us, we successfully navigated our first frigid eLearning adventure. Even in the heart of winter, I want to acknowledge the excitement and energy our students bring to school. It’s truly inspiring to see their enthusiasm for learning and the dedication of each of you to facilitate transformational experiences. Together, we are building a community of learners who are eager to engage, experience and contribute to the world around them.
Thanks to all who took the time to meet with me during my recent listening tour. Your willingness to share your ideas, celebrations, and solutions is critical for us to continue improving our craft for students.
Once again, congratulations to Career Academy High School, which has achieved an outstanding 98.48% graduation rate—the highest in St. Joseph County. This accomplishment speaks volumes about the hard work and commitment of our team.
Governor Braun’s inauguration was held on Monday, January 13. Several education and school choice bills are currently circulating in the General Assembly. The bills support high-quality educational options for students across the state. These legislative efforts, along with Governor Braun’s recent budget proposal, which includes a 2% increase to K-12 tuition support in fiscal year 2026 and an additional 2% in fiscal year 2027, promise to promote better teacher compensation and strengthen the future of innovation within public education.
Career Academy High School Joins Indiana’s Educational Elite with a Remarkable 98.48% Graduation Rate
Career Academy High School reached a remarkable milestone in 2024, achieving a 98.48% capped graduation rate. This accomplishment highlights the school’s commitment to academic excellence and positions it among the top-performing schools in Indiana.
Competing with Indiana’s Best
Career Academy’s graduation rate places it alongside high-achieving schools like Western Boone Jr-Sr High School (100%) and Carmel High School (99.69%). With Indiana’s state average graduation rate at 90.23%, Career Academy’s performance far exceeds expectations, cementing its reputation as one of South Bend’s best high schools.
Why Career Academy High School Excels
The school’s success stems from:
- Personalized Learning: Tailoring education to individual student needs.
- Rigorous Academic Programs: Preparing students for college and careers.
- Strong Community Support: Building a supportive and empowering environment.
Leadership and Vision
“This outstanding graduation rate reflects the dedication of our students, staff, and community,” said Jeremy Lugbill, Superintendent of the Career Academy Network of Public Schools (CANOPS). “It shows our commitment to creating pathways for every student to succeed.”
Setting the Standard
Career Academy High School continues to set benchmarks for excellence, inspiring students and schools statewide. Its dedication to student success positions it as a leader in education and a model for achieving near-perfect results.
CANoPS Students Partner with NASA and Notre Dame for Groundbreaking Aviation Research
At the Career Academy Network of Public Schools (CANoPS), we prepare students for real-world challenges through hands-on learning and partnerships with industry leaders. Recently, students from The Portage School of Leaders High School and Career Academy High School collaborated with NASA’s Glenn Research Center and the University of Notre Dame on groundbreaking research for the Advanced Noise Control Fan project, featured on NASA’s official website.
This revolutionary technology, designed to create quieter, more fuel-efficient aircraft engines, could transform the aviation industry. On November 7, 2024, CANoPS students visited Notre Dame to witness the fan in action, observing its impressive ability to reduce engine noise in outdoor tests.
Some students even contributed directly by 3D-printing key components for the project, applying classroom knowledge to real-world innovation. These experiences equip our students with technical and problem-solving skills, preparing them to shape the future of STEM.
The experience brought STEM to life for the students, showing how scientific principles can address real-world challenges. “It was beyond words,” said Rebecca Anderson, a junior at Career Academy High School. “The part I enjoyed most was when they got the fan running. It was really impressive to see how quiet it was. I feel like everyone involved in STEM would love to work for NASA, including me.
Career Academy junior Shares Inspiring Journey to Meeting the President at the White House
A remarkable story of determination, leadership, and community support culminated in an extraordinary opportunity for Rima, a 17-year-old junior at Career Academy High School. Her journey, which began in second grade at Success Academy, led her through academic and extracurricular excellence and, ultimately, to a meeting with the President of the United States at the White House.
Rima’s path to success is deeply rooted in her early experiences at Success Academy, where she first enrolled with her twin brother. “I joined when Success first opened,” she recounted. After transitioning to Career Academy for middle and high school, Rima quickly distinguished herself through academic excellence, enrolling in advanced classes and participating in honors programs.
Her involvement in the school’s robotics team became a pivotal turning point. Initially hesitant to join, Rima was encouraged by her science teacher. “I didn’t think I could do it—I didn’t know how to code or use a drill,” she admitted. However, through persistence and support, she discovered talents she hadn’t realized she possessed. Her newfound confidence propelled her into leadership roles and advocacy work, including presenting at the Indiana Statehouse to promote robotics education.
Rima’s leadership extended beyond the robotics team. Reconnecting with the Boys and Girls Club, a community she participated in as a child, reignited her passion for youth advocacy. She competed in the Youth of the Year program, earning recognition at local and regional levels before advancing to the Midwest competition, where she placed first. Her communication skills, honed through years of school tours, honors programs, and public speaking engagements, played a significant role in her success.
These accomplishments garnered attention at the national level. In December, Rima received an invitation to meet the President at the White House, a moment she described as surreal. The visit included a meeting with the Secretary of Education, a tour of the White House’s Christmas displays, and an unforgettable sit-down with the President in the Oval Office.
“Meeting the President was incredible,” Rima shared. “He talked about dignity, honesty, and knowing what you’re willing to lose for. Those words will stay with me forever.” In a special moment, the President invited Rima to sit at the Resolute Desk and addressed her as “Madam President,” encouraging her aspirations to one day lead the nation.
Throughout her journey, Rima credits the unwavering support of Career Academy staff and the unique partnership between the school and the Boys and Girls Club. “Our school is so supportive. Without them, I wouldn’t have had these opportunities,” she said.
Rima’s story exemplifies the transformative power of supportive communities and the limitless potential of motivated young leaders. Her advocacy and achievements continue to inspire her peers, showcasing the profound impact of the Career Academy Network of Public Schools.
Happy Birthday to the Portage School!🎂🎉
It was a day of celebration and reflection as we marked our first anniversary in our newly renovated building. Our building houses the Portage School, the Future Lab, and the Club and has become a cornerstone for innovation, learning, and community engagement. This birthday celebration provided an opportunity for students and faculty to reflect on our journey from the early days at Ivy Tech and to recognize the successes we’ve experienced in the past year. Moving into this space has transformed how we are able to support our students and offer them opportunities to thrive.
To prepare for the celebration, students helped to create photo collages documenting the renovation of the former Temple Beth-El into what is now the Portage School, highlighting our student activities that have grown over time, and documenting some memorable moments since our first day of school in August of 2023. During the party, students and faculty were encouraged to share their favorite moments on a memory wall and write “Heron High-Fives,” or notes of gratitude to members of our community, to be delivered throughout the next few weeks.
Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and inspiration at the Portage School of Leaders!
Welcome Jo Carroll To the SASB MakerSpace!
We are thrilled to welcome Jo Carroll as the new Makerspace Manager at SASB! Jo brings a wealth of experience and a true passion for science. She has eight years of teaching and hands-on learning experience and ran a makerspace at a local elementary school for a year and a half, using innovative strategies to engage students through science and technology.
At SASB, Jo is already making a big impact by offering Open Lab sessions where students can explore and experiment. This initiative rewards positive student behavior and encourages engagement through creative problem-solving. In addition to Open Lab, each class visits the Makerspace every three weeks.
Jo’s main focus in the makerspace is using Virtual Reality (VR) for real-world applications. These tools enhance students’ understanding of math and reading while bringing science and social studies to life in immersive and engaging ways. Here are some exciting projects her students are working on:
5th Grade: Studying monuments using 3D printing and laser cutting.
4th Grade: Designing and testing tools to clean up oil spills, building critical thinking and engineering skills.
3rd Grade: Creating working sundials.
K-1: Designing animal habitats and learning about ecosystems.
Jo is dedicated to ensuring the Makerspace is accessible to all students, with activities aligned to district standards. Her passion for teaching and love for science shines through everything she does, from exploring nature and professional development to creating engaging lessons.
We’re thrilled to see the amazing things Jo will continue to inspire in our Makerspace and the SASB community. Welcome aboard, Jo!
Experiential Learning at SABGC: Nurturing Mighty Giants Through Engaging Learning Experiences
At SABGC, experiential learning is at the heart of our mission to inspire and educate our Mighty Giants. This quarter, our students are diving into exciting, real-world topics tailored to their grade levels:
- Kindergarten and 1st Grade: Exploring Homes and Communities, understanding the spaces we live in and the people who make them thrive.
- 2nd and 3rd Grade: Delving into Hydroponics, discovering innovative ways to grow plants.
- 4th and 5th Grade: Learning about Recycling, emphasizing environmental stewardship and waste reduction.
Our students have already engaged in numerous hands-on learning experiences, including visits to the South Bend Museum of History, Green Bridge Growers, Fernwood Botanical Gardens, Wellfield Botanic Garden, Elkhart Environmental Center, and Goodwill Industries Inc. Guest speakers, such as experts in construction, have brought these lessons to life.
Our 4th and 5th grade students took a trip to the South Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant, that provided a deeper understanding of environmental systems.
The learning doesn’t stop there—more enriching opportunities are on the horizon!
If you’re interested in volunteering or attending future experiential learning events, we’d love to have you join us. Please reach out to SABGC Principal, Brie Childs, to get involved. Together, we can continue nurturing our Mighty Giants as they grow into curious, capable leaders of tomorrow.
Portage Pythons and Career Academy Wolf Pack Gear Up for the 2025 FIRST Robotics Competition: ReefScape
As the excitement builds for the 2025 FIRST Robotics season, we want to wish the best of luck to our two FRC teams, the Portage Pythons and the Career Academy Wolf Pack, as they prepare to take on the ReefScape challenge!
Both teams have been working tirelessly since the season kicked off on January 4th, prototyping, building, and testing robot designs. This year’s challenge, ReefScape, promises to test the creativity, teamwork, and engineering skills of all teams as they navigate the game’s unique obstacles and scoring opportunities. Here’s a link to see this year’s game: 2025 ReefScape Competition!
Both teams are excited to represent their schools and communities, and we’re all cheering them on for a successful season.
Let’s show our support for these young engineers, problem-solvers, and future leaders as they take on this exciting challenge. Best of luck to The Portage Pythons and The Career Academy Wolf Pack!
Go Pythons! Go, Wolf Pack!
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