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May 2025 Blazer Gazette
Exciting Updates and Announcements at the Career Academy Network of Public Schools!
Candy's Corner
A Month of Celebration, Reflection, and Momentum
As we bring the 2024–2025 school year to a close, May has proven to be one of the most vibrant and celebratory months yet across the Career Academy Network of Public Schools.
Our students and staff wrapped up the final rounds of state testing and end-of-year benchmarks with focus and resilience. Their hard work and dedication have set a strong foundation for continued growth, and we are proud of all they have accomplished academically this year.
Beyond assessments, May was filled with meaningful events that showcased the heart of our schools. Success Academy hosted final music performances that were both joyful and moving, reminding us of the power of the arts in our students’ lives. We celebrated milestone moments with our fifth-grade graduations at both Success Academy and Success Academy at Boys & Girls Club, as well as kindergarten graduations at both elementary schools. These events were a powerful reminder of the growth our students experience at every level.
The Portage School of Leaders held its 2nd annual Convocation, a beautiful tradition that honored student achievement and set a tone of pride and aspiration for the future. Our seniors continued another important tradition—the graduate walk-throughs at each school building and, for the first time this year, at the central office. Watching our younger students cheer them on was a powerful visual of the full journey through our network.
Our senior class also enjoyed special moments including Kona Ice, the annual senior cookout, and the Distinguished Graduate Banquet. Each of these events celebrated their leadership, accomplishments, and readiness to take the next step in their lives. We could not be prouder of our Class of 2025, who will graduate on June 7th at Four Winds Field—a fitting venue for such a momentous occasion.
Throughout this year, we have continued to focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and developing future-ready leaders. Our schools have embraced experiential and competency-based learning in meaningful ways, giving students real-world context and ownership in their education. One highlight this month was welcoming Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana’s Secretary of Education, to our network. During her visit to The Portage School of Leaders and Success Academy at Boys & Girls Club, our students and staff shared how experiential learning has transformed engagement and outcomes. Her visit affirmed the powerful work happening across our schools.
As we head into summer, I want to thank every member of the CANOPS community—students, staff, families, and partners—for a year marked by growth, resilience, and community. We have built momentum that we will carry forward into the next school year, continuing to disrupt the status quo and elevate student agency, voice, and success.
Wishing you a wonderful summer filled with rest, inspiration, and connection.
The Scoop
CANOPS Human Resources Feature
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Welcome to our new HR Coordinator!
Corinne Jaeger is excited to be joining the HR team and looks forward to contributing to the Network’s positive culture. Outside of work, she enjoys skiing in the winter and traveling with her twin sister in the warmer months. She also loves baking and reading in her free time.
Have an idea for the next HR Newsletter?
Email: Jane Schlichter
Great Courses: Student Studio Proposals at the Portage School of Leaders
Studios bring our competency-based approach to life through authentic experiences in our community. Over the course of a trimester, students engage in problem-solving with a community partner, ideally in an apprenticeship model, with a focus on critical thinking, design-thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and more. As we considered studio options for next year and beyond, we looked to our students for inspiration.
With this in mind, our teaching faculty posed a question to our students: What would you like to learn about or learn how to do? The students wrote their responses on sticky notes, with ideas ranging from learning how to speak Japanese to how to put siding on a house, from exploring aquatic animal species to how to change a tire. Why did we ask this question? Our goal was to encourage student voice and choice, giving them the agency to design a studio course for current and future students.
Over the course of two days, our students collaborated to create fourteen original studio proposals based on their own passions and interests. Each group drafted a robust written proposal, including a rationale for the course, clear learning objectives, and links to our competencies. Students were tasked with considering potential community partners and relevant out of building experiences, as well constraints such as budget, transportation, and class size. Throughout this experience, students learned firsthand what goes into planning and structuring a course and had the chance to take control of their own learning.
The Great Courses project culminated in two special events, an exhibition and a student panel. After presenting their pitches to faculty mentors and a small group of their peers, students displayed their work in the hallway for our very first exhibition of learning. Students refined their pitches for the second round of presentations, fielded questions, and marketed their studios to potential learners, and then had the chance to hear proposals from their peers. Finally, a group of students reflected on this experience in a moderated panel during Assembly. These leaders considered the qualities they bring to the table when working in a collaborative setting, discussed how they respond to challenges, and explored the necessary next steps to make their studios a reality.
Whether it is “Culinary Arts: Let Us Cook,” “Reeling in Relations: A Fishing and Wellness Journey,” “Dive into Driving,” or all of the above, we hope that we see many of these studio proposals come to life next year!
Convocation: Celebrating Our Community
On Thursday, May 22nd, students, families, faculty, mentors, and friends gathered in the Commons to celebrate the culmination of another phenomenal year at the Portage School of Leaders. With spirits bolstered by the music of Mr. Hernandez, Mr. Schrader, and student performers from our ukulele band and jazz ensemble, our community gathered to share a meal together and recognize the exceptional achievements of our students.
To start off our evening, our coaches honored students from the Portage Pythons Robotics Team and the Heron Harriers, the first athletes in Portage School history to compete in interscholastic sporting events. Whether our students were competing in Robotics competitions in the packed gymnasium at Penn High School or looping around Leeper Park, we are proud of how they represented their teams and our school through their persistence and team spirit.
Next, the Portage faculty took turns celebrating students’ achievements in this year’s Immersion courses, commemorating these one of a kind, three-week learning experiences with special gifts. A highlight of the evening was Mr. Schrader’s presentation of a handcrafted, cedar walking stick that he made for the recipient of the award for his Invasive Species Immersion.
To round out the evening, the Portage team recognized students for their progress toward mastery in the competencies that make up our “Portrait of a Leader.” Whether it is leading Breakfast Club, volunteering at a local festival, making a new or prospective student feel welcome, crafting a reasoned written response, or developing a competency of their own, our students live out these competencies in their daily experiences. We could not be more proud of their accomplishments this year.
Thank you to all who made our Convocation such a memorable evening!
A Musical Week to Remember at SASB!
On Tuesday, May 13th, and Wednesday, May 14th, our talented students took center stage and dazzled audiences with a series of unforgettable choir performances!
Our Kindergarten and 1st grade students kicked off the excitement with Roar, Hop, Sing—an adorable, animal-themed concert bursting with energy, imagination, and heart. Their joyful performance brought the wild to life and left the crowd beaming.
Next up, our 2nd and 3rd graders enchanted everyone with Once Upon a Disney Melody, a magical showcase of beloved Disney tunes that had families smiling, clapping, and singing along. Their enthusiasm and stage presence lit up the room!
Capping off the week, 4th and 5th grade students took us on a nostalgic ride with Singing Through Time, a spirited tribute to musical hits from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. With flair and confidence, they brought each decade to life through song and movement.
Each performance was a shining example of our students’ hard work, creativity, and passion for music. Bravo to all of our amazing young performers—you made us proud!
Career Academy South Bend High School Symphonic Band Earns First-Ever Superior Rating at Cedar Point Music Festival
For the sixth consecutive year, the Career Academy South Bend High School Symphonic Band has journeyed to Sandusky, Ohio, to participate in the prestigious Cedar Point Music Festival. While the trip is packed with excitement, thrill rides, and funnel cakes, it’s also a deeply meaningful educational experience—one that challenges young musicians to grow in artistry, discipline, and collaboration.
This year, however, the trip held even greater significance.
After years of consistently receiving “Excellent” ratings, the band, under the direction of Mrs. Alice Koehler, reached a new milestone: a “Superior” rating, the highest honor awarded at the festival.
“The ensemble this year has had a special vibe,” said Mrs. Koehler. “When discussing the results of previous years, the students wanted to work extra hard to get that Superior. I brought in several specialists to work with us—providing feedback, critiques, and encouragement. The band was incredibly prepared. A Superior rating isn’t just about hitting the right notes—it’s about going deeper into the music: crafting a beautiful sound, playing with nuance, and performing together as a cohesive, expressive group. And they did just that.”
The journey to this achievement began at 6:30 a.m. on the day of the festival, with a four-hour bus ride to Cedar Point. There, the band performed for a panel of three adjudicators who provided live verbal commentary, written feedback, and numerical scores across five categories: tone quality, intonation, rhythm, technique, and musicality. To earn a Superior, the ensemble had to score above 9.0 in all areas.
Each year, Mrs. Koehler reviews previous scores with the band, tracking their growth and setting goals for improvement. “Our musicians have taken ownership of their progress,” she said. “It’s been incredible to see how seriously they’ve worked to improve year after year.”
Adding to the celebration, the Career Academy South Bend Music Department has once again been recognized with the NAMM Foundation’s Support Music Merit Award—an honor the department has now earned for eight consecutive years and the only recognized school in the state of Indiana!
Congratulations to Mrs. Koehler, the High School Symphonic Band, and all of our talented student musicians. Your dedication, passion, and excellence continue to make us proud.
Innovation and Collaboration Thrive at the Career Academy Environmental Center!
Exciting things are growing at the Career Academy Environmental Center—both in nature and in creativity! Our students and staff are coming together across subjects to reimagine and enrich this unique outdoor learning space.
In Mr. Roggow’s Biology class, students are putting their scientific skills to work by identifying and labeling trees throughout the center. They’re even creating informational plaques to educate visitors on local flora.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Piggott’s Agriculture class students are using their green thumbs and design savvy to revamp the center’s entrance, bringing fresh life and a welcoming feel to the space.
Over in Mr. Bernhard’s classroom, students are taking a tech-savvy approach by designing the Environmental Center virtually in Minecraft. A full virtual tour may be on the horizon—stay tuned!
Adding a creative touch, Ms. Garibay’s Poetry students are crafting nature-inspired poems to be placed along the trails. These literary stops will feature QR codes, offering visitors an interactive experience that connects art, nature, and learning.
This powerful collaboration is a perfect example of hands-on, cross-curricular learning in action. We can’t wait to see how the Environmental Center continues to grow—both literally and figuratively!
Superheroes in the Garden: Success Academy Breaks Ground on Unity Garden!
We’re thrilled to announce the official launch of the Success Academy Superhero Unity Garden! Our young heroes rolled up their sleeves, got their hands in the soil, and planted the first round of vegetables—marking the beginning of an inspiring new chapter in hands-on learning.
But this garden is more than just a patch of dirt—it’s a living classroom. As students nurture their plants, they’re also cultivating life skills like responsibility, teamwork, and patience. It’s a space where they can connect with nature, learn where food comes from, and discover how simple—and empowering—it can be to grow their own food. 🌿💪
This is just the beginning! As the garden flourishes, so will the opportunities for learning, leadership, and community-building. Stay tuned as we watch our garden—and our students—grow together!
Celebrating Excellence: The CASB Distinguished Graduate Banquet
The Distinguished Graduate Banquet is a cherished tradition at Career Academy, honoring our exceptional seniors who are graduating with a GPA of 3.75 or higher.
This special evening celebrates not only academic achievement but also the meaningful relationships that have shaped our students’ journeys. Each distinguished graduate is invited to select one educator—from any point in their 13 years of schooling—who made a lasting impact on their life. Together with their families, students and educators gather to share a memorable dinner, filled with heartfelt reflections and appreciation.
As students express their gratitude and educators hear firsthand how they’ve inspired and influenced young lives, the evening becomes a powerful celebration of growth, mentorship, and the enduring value of education.
We are incredibly proud of our distinguished graduates and grateful to the educators who helped guide them along the way.
Our SABGC Mighty Giants Shine at Trine University’s STEM Day!
Our Mighty Giants had an unforgettable experience at Trine University during their recent STEM Day adventure!
Our kindergarten and first-grade students kicked off the day by tapping into their creativity—designing and testing paper airplanes to explore the science of flight. In grades 2–3, students took on the challenge of engineering marble mazes, learning how design and physics influence motion. Meanwhile, our fourth and fifth graders showcased their problem-solving skills by reading technical instructions to construct cotton ball launchers—with fantastic results!
After a morning of hands-on STEM exploration, Trine University treated our students to a delicious lunch in the college dining hall. For many, experiencing campus dining was a highlight, especially the excitement of creating custom sundaes at the ice cream machine.
Following lunch, students enjoyed a well-deserved recreation break with a variety of outdoor activities provided by Trine. It was the perfect way to release energy and continue building connections in a fun, active setting.
By the end of the day, our Mighty Giants were happily exhausted, many enjoying a quiet and restful bus ride back to school.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Trine University for their warm hospitality and continued partnership. Opportunities like these make learning come alive and inspire our students to dream big!
574-299-9800 
Fax: 574-288-6125 
info@careeracademysb.com