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Before and After-School Programs

Before and After-School programs offer opportunities for area youth to learn and grow outside of the classroom. Dedicated staff provide activities, homework help, field trips, and sports/games designed to expand the horizons of youth in kindergarten-6th grade before and after school.

Program hours are 6:30 am-6:00 pm 

Click here to download an application which can be completed and brought to Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center along with your child’s shot records.

Please call 639-6106 ext 158 for more information.

Data Shows Washington A Success

The greatest success measurement of our collective efforts for student achievement at George Washington Community School in Indianapolis clearly is our percentage of students graduating accepted into college. The Indiana Department of Education reports that 80 percent of our 2006 graduates – our first group to graduate from the new George Washington Community School opened in 2000 – pursued post-secondary education, while 88 percent of the our 2007 graduates and 91 percent of our 2008 graduates did so. Our official college-going data far exceeds a statewide average of 76 percent of public and non-public high school graduates to pursue post-secondary education, according to the IDOE. We directly attribute this success to the ongoing, collaborative efforts of our more than 50 community partners and service providers working with our families and educators to address the conditions necessary for learning that are intentionally aligned with our collectively determined annual academic improvement efforts. We believe that post-secondary education is the ultimate outcome of a K-12 education in the 21st century global economy. All measurement of efforts beforehand are indicators toward such success.

Community News for August 13, 2008

Indy Reads Hosts Literacy Summit

Did you know that one in five Indianapolis residents cannot read this sentence? This is an example of one of the staggering statistics given at the Literacy Summit sponsored by Indy Reads on Tuesday, June 17th. Planned and facilitated by the executive director of Indy Reads, Mr. Travis DiNicola., the Literacy Summit gathered professionals from a variety of organizations committed to fighting illiteracy at the Indianapolis Star’s downtown office. The goal of the summit was to begin educating attendees about what Indianapolis organizations are currently doing and what can be done collectively to ensure that Indianapolis achieves 100% literacy. Attendees gave short presentations about how they are fighting illiteracy. Some examples of the literacy initiatives included: Wishard Health Services which began by addressing low reading skills and under education with its employees. Networks Financial Services combats financial illiteracy by educating third through sixth graders about savings accounts and money management through a program called Kids Count. Attendees also gathered in small discussion groups to outline future steps.

West Indianapolis undoubtedly values education and is striving to become 100% literate. You can help by visiting the local library and participating in literacy programs given at the Mary Rigg Center. If you need more information about literacy resources for adults and/or children, please call WIDC at 317-638-9432 or visit our office at 1211 S. Hiatt St.

A dream realized for Daniel Webster kids

The families of Daniel Webster Family Academy IPS #46 and the community surrounding the school have had a dream of building a neighborhood park on some land owned by Indianapolis Public Schools at the corner of Reisner and Miller Streets for three years.

On September 23, 2008, that dream will come true. The Indianapolis Colts and National Starch LLC have teamed up as the primary funders for this project in conjunction with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. on the near Westside of Indianapolis. They came together with parents, students, and staff from the school along with representatives from local organizations and businesses to conduct a “Design Day” on July 23, 2008. Leading the project is KaBoom!, a national non-profit organization that helps build playgrounds all around the country. KaBoom! has a vision of “a great Playspace within walking distance of every child in North America”.

Design Day was filled with excitement and lots of fun. The Indianapolis Colts’ mascot, Blue, was a hit with everyone along with Korny, the mascot from National Starch. The kids really enjoyed Mrs. Schenkel dancing with Blue. The students in each class drew a picture of their dream playground and chose a favorite from their class to present to everyone at an assembly that morning. Each student presenting their dream playground received a certificate from Korny. 

After lunch parents, community members and representatives from the Indianapolis Colts, National Starch, KaBoom! and Indianapolis Public Schools came together to discuss the technicalities and needs required for the Build Day in September. Then, the student’s wishes were matched up with actual playground pieces and a wish list was put together. KaBoom! will use this wish list to make three playground designs and everyone will will have a chance to vote on their favorite.

Washington Community School needs you!

Any one interested in helping to plan non-school-hours activities for students, parents and other interested Westside adults this fall at George Washington Community School are invited to participate in a planning meeting Friday, Aug. 8, 11am to 12pm, in the Fugate Community Room at the school, 2215 W. Washington St. This year, school partners plan to offer such activities at least until 7 p.m. schooldays and on weekends. For more information, contact Jim Grim, 693-5540.

 

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Join in for a free discussion hosted by Kathryn Rietmann

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Friday, August 1st, 1-3 pm

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Before and After-School programs offer opportunities for area youth to learn and grow outside of the classroom. Dedicated staff provide activities, homework help, field trips, and sports/games designed to expand the horizons of youth in kindergarten-6th grade.

Program hours are 6:30 am-6:00 pm

Click here to download an application which can be completed and brought to Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center along with your child’s shot records.

Please call 639-6106 ext 158 for more information.  

Washington gears up for football

Continental football players of George Washington Community School prepare for the upcoming season in their new, 6,000-square-foot fitness center. Saturday, Aug. 9, 10 AM-1 PM, the public is invited to celebrate with the team in the second annual Continental Kickoff Classic at Springer Field behind the near-Westside school, 2215 W. Washington St. with new Head Coach Henry Jordan, the football team plans to participate in inter-squad competition during the celebration. Athletics Director Guy Grubbs says free hot dogs, popcorn and drinks also will be available. Washington alumni and staff will offer Continental apparel and other items for purchase to help fund the GWCS athletics programs this year. 

“So come out to the Classic, wear your purple and have a hot dog,” Grubbs said. “We look forward to seeing you, and hope you join the excitement for the upcoming season.” 

Seniors Rick Owens lifts weights and Josh Masters exercises with arm curls.

Dollars for Scholars honors 18 graduates

Scholarship America and George Washington Community School Dollars for Scholars recently awarded 19 GWCS graduates of 2008 scholarships to continue education beyond high school. Sixty-seven seniors graduated May 22 at the Westside Indianapolis Public School with 91 percent accepted into post-secondary education, Principal Keith Burke announced.

Scholarship America named Gail Humphrey and Brandi Pugh recipients of the Minnesota-based organization’s 2008 Community Volunteer Service Award providing each with a $500 scholarship. They were among recipients from across the country to be awarded Community Volunteer Service Awards

The GWCS Dollars for Scholars, an affiliate of Scholarship America, honored 18 of the 2008 graduates with scholarship awards for post-secondary education. Recipients, their awards and schools they plan to attend were:

Jonathon Allen, $1,000 GWHS Alumni Scholarship, Indiana University Bloomington;

Rosa Boyzo, $1,000, Ivy Tech Community College;

Latoshia Crawford, $1,500 USA Funds Scholarship, Ivy Tech Community College;

Joshua David, $1,500 USA Funds Scholarship, Vincennes University;

Donavan Ferguson, $1,000 GWHS Alumni Scholarship, Ivy Tech Community College;

Starcie Gordon, $1,500 USA Funds Scholarship, University of Indianapolis;

Marisol Gutierrez, $1,000 Eileen Champaign Scholarship, Indiana State University;

Diego Hernandez, $1,000, Ivy Tech Community College;

Gail Humphrey, $1,500 USA Funds Scholarship, Ivy Tech Community College;

Rigoberto Magallanes, $1,000 GWHS Alumni Scholarship, Ivy Tech Community College;

Angelica Ramirez, $1,000, Ivy Tech Community College;

Amber Randolph, $1,000 Danny Cook Memorial Scholarship, Ivy Tech Community College;

Emillia Reyes, $1,500 USA Funds Scholarship, Ivy Tech Community College;

Ivonne Salgado, $1,000 GWHS Alumni Scholarship, Indiana State University;

Kori Smith, $1,000, University of Indianapolis;

Maycdon Sprowl, $750 Bill and Phyllis Usher Scholarship, Wabash College;

Maricela Valdez, $1,000, Ivy Tech Community College, and

Annika Williams, $500 Devon Powell Memorial Scholarship, Ivy Tech Community College

“We are very proud of these graduates and wish them well in their further educational pursuits,” Mr. Burke said. “We hope they graduate from college and come back to our neighborhoods and further enrich our community with their talents and skills as successful young adults.”

The GWCS Dollars for Scholars, an independent nonprofit, is part of the school’s Learning Communities Initiative to get Washington students into post-secondary education after high school