MSD OF DECATUR TOWNSHIP

Dear Decatur Township Families,

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a nice and relaxing Spring Break. As we begin the last eight weeks of school, I encourage everyone to embrace all opportunities for excellence as we finish this outstanding year. I am Decatur Proud to share many recent celebrations and accomplishments from across the district:

• Congratulations to Director of Athletics, Justin Dixson, who was named Athletic Director of the Year for the State of Indiana by IIAAA! (Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association)

• Congratulations to Missy Harvey, who was named District 3 Middle School Athletic Director of the Year, also by IIAAA!

• 15, 3rd grade elementary students from across the district earned perfect scores on the IREAD-3.

• The Decatur Township Educational Foundation supported our teachers by awarding 18 grants for classroom innovation across 8 of our schools this spring, totaling $15,796.01!

• The Decatur Township Scholarship Association is ready to award 57 scholarships to current and former Decatur students at the annual banquet scheduled for May 5th.

• Both the DC Varsity and JV Winter Guards qualified for the State Competition. JV Guard finished 4th, while Varsity finished 7th in their divisions. Congratulations on a great season!

• Three members of the DCHS Speech & Debate Team qualified for the State Competition and competed with excellent results: Braedon Meadimber - Top 42 in state for U.S. Extemporaneous; Taiwo Ogunmilade - Top 30 in state for International Extemporaneous; and Desiree Rojas - Top 12 in state for Discussion. Congratulations!

• The Goldenaires Show Choir qualified for the ISSMA State Show Choir Finals for the first time ever, placing 9th in their division. Congratulations!

• The Expressions Show Choir qualified for the ISSMA State Show Choir Finals for the 2nd year in a row, placing 8th in their division. Congratulations!

• We started the Tomorrow Ready Awards to recognize staff members who go above and beyond to positively impact our students and schools. Toni Leedy from Valley Mills and Renee Knoop from Decatur Central High School were the March award recipients, recognized by the School Board, and over 30 staff members were nominated!

• Hawks Senior Wrestler Alejandra Hernandez qualified and competed at the State Wrestling Meet!

• DC Hawks Swimmer Isaiah Winko qualified for the IHSAA State Finals in the 200 yd Individual Medley and 100 yd Butterfly.

• Decatur Township School for Excellence has had 12 students graduate early this semester, celebrating with the traditional Bell-Ringing Ceremony.

• Coach Bryan Surber was named as the Mid-State Conference Coach of the Year, for Boys Basketball. Congratulations!

• Decatur High Ability Academy 6th grade students competed in the Indiana Future City Competition at the Purdue Ft. Wayne campus on January 20th. They came home with three awards: Most Technically Sound City, Best City Layout, and Most Innovative Use of Engineering. Congratulations!

• The Decatur Middle School 8th Grade Band performed at the JME Contest on March 15th, earning a Gold Rating!

• DCHS Teachers, Ms. Abigail Strahla and Ms. Elizabeth Carpenter are recipients of the National FFA Lilly Endowment Classroom Enhancement Grant for $10,000. These funds will go toward the expenses of building a greenhouse for the agriculture program.

• The National Technical Honor Society, sponsored by Mr. Robert Bowling, was instituted at DCHS and inducted 27 students who are enrolled and are excelling in their career pathways.

• Sophomores at Decatur Township School for Excellence meet with community and staff members from around the district in February to analyze their data and set goals for productivity and future success.

• The Valley Mills Elementary construction project is progressing with several newly painted and carpeted rooms and remodeled restrooms. Thank you staff, students, and parents for your patience and flexibility during this time.

• 13 Staff Members will complete the Aspiring Leadership Academy this month, with enhanced leadership skills and knowledge of our school district.

It is a joy to share these accomplishments! I have enjoyed getting to know even more students across the district through eating lunch with them as part of the social media school of the week focus. Thank you to all students, families, staff, and community members for your dedication to learning and success each day.

We hope you will join us and spread the word about some important events in April. Our annual district-wide STEAM Fest is scheduled for April 11th, 5:30-7:30 pm at the Blue & Gold Academies. There will be many STEAM-based activities, as well as a showcase of student work. Each of our elementary schools will also host a high ability showcase, featuring grades 3-5 on the evening of April 18th. Kindergarten Round Up will be on April 25th, 5:00-7:00 pm at each elementary school as well.

April is also a time to celebrate several much-appreciated staff groups! April 1st-5th is National Assistant Principals Week. April 3rd is Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, and April 4th is National School Librarian Appreciation Day. April 24th is Administrative Professionals Appreciation Day. Please join us in saying THANK YOU to these dedicated staff members throughout the district. Don’t forget that April 8th is the solar eclipse and an eLearning day for students and staff.

I am truly Decatur Proud!

Dr. Stephanie Hofer

Interim Superintendent

MSD of Decatur Township