MJ Slaby

One more day! Indiana college journalists: make sure to get your applications in for the Indiana Pro Chapter of @spj-posts.bsky.social scholarships by tomorrow's deadline.
Details: www.indianaprospj.org

Women+ in journalism networking March meetup This month's focus is on relaxing and crafting.

Learn new crafting skills. Make new friends. This Women+ in journalism meetup hosted by the Indianapolis Press Club has it all. Join us on Monday!

RSVP now:
www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-j...

How much appetite is there for a tax hike for schools? A new appointed Indianapolis board must decide. IPS is already struggling from a financial perspective. If voters don’t approve a tax measure to fund schools in November, the district will be in truly dire straits.

IPS is already struggling from a financial perspective. If voters don’t approve a tax measure to fund schools in November, the district will be in truly dire straits.

It’s official: Letter grades are coming back to Indiana schools As the state pursues flexibility from the Trump administration, education officials have made the SAT a key part of how high schools are graded. They’ve also added the Classic Learning Test to the ways that students can demonstrate academic achievement in reading and math.

As the state pursues flexibility from the Trump administration, education officials have made the SAT a key part of how high schools are graded. They’ve also added the Classic Learning Test to the ways that students can demonstrate academic achievement in reading and math.

Women+ in journalism networking March meetup This month's focus is on relaxing and crafting.

The next Women+ in Journalism meetup is March 9. Join us for drinks, crafts and meeting new friends.
www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-j...

How should parents, teachers, counselors, and high school students think about the costs and benefits of higher education? What explains the disconnect between the data and the vibes in higher education? RSVP: ckbe.at/4apQCQO

📣 Calling all college journalists! Here's 2 scholarships to apply for:
1) The Last Row Party Scholarships: Deadline news, feature writing, or sports reporting. Due March 16. Apply: mnalawy9q96.typeform.com/to/qSAJW8HH

2) The SPJ Indiana scholarships: Due March 6 and details at indianaprospj.org

Plus, the most important part (IMO) is the Last Row Party scholarships for journalism students. If you are a student or know one, make sure to get applications in by March 16. Apply now: mnalawy9q96.typeform.com/to/qSAJW8HH?...

2026 Last Row Party A giant race party, 11th row driver meet and greet, Dallara tours and virtual driving experiences

Never too early to talk May in Indianapolis. The Last Row Party returns Thursday, May 21 for an unforgettable night at Dallara IndyCar Factory. Meet the Last Row drivers, tour the facility, compete on simulators, and dance the night away. Tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-last-...

Warren Township delays move of 5th graders into elementary schools Here’s why the 9 elementary schools will become K-5 buildings in the 2027-28 school year.

After some delays, Warren Township has decided to move fifth graders back into elementary schools.

It'll take some construction & more time than planners anticipated. So how do parents feel?

Here's what three families had to say about the change, via @mirrorindy.org: mirrorindy.org/warren-towns...

Women+ in journalism networking March meetup This month's focus is on relaxing and crafting.

🗓️ Mark your calendar for the next Women+ in Journalism meetup on March 9. This time, we're crafting!

Details and RSVP for free here: www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-j...

How schools in Marion County responded to anti-ICE student protests Indy walkouts prompted schools to strike a balance between expression and safety.

Many schools sent home messages reviewing student attendance & code of conduct policies. So, where did Indy schools land?

We teamed up with @chalkbeat.org & @wfyi.bsky.social to find out. Check out our reporting here. (2/2) 👇 mirrorindy.org/marion-count...

Indy charter advocates’ use of race ‘reeks of paternalism,’ coalition spokesman says The African American Coalition of Indianapolis rejected claims that parents of color support a controversial bill to reduce the power of the elected school board.

The African American Coalition of Indianapolis rejected claims that parents of color support a controversial bill to reduce the power of the elected school board.

What does the immigration bill moving through the Indiana statehouse mean for schools? Amendments to exempt school districts and school resource officers from the provisions of the bill failed. Education groups are still trying to determine how SB 76 could affect cooperation with immigration enforcement and school policies.

Amendments to exempt school districts and school resource officers from the provisions of the bill failed. Education groups are still trying to determine how SB 76 could affect cooperation with immigration enforcement and school policies.

After their daughter’s death, Hailey Buzbee’s parents call for social media protections for youth A proposal to restrict Indiana children and teenagers from making social media accounts has stalled in the statehouse. Lawmakers are now considering a narrower bill to require minors 15 and under to have parental permission to make an account and would ban communication with strangers and algorithmic feeds for these accounts.

After their daughter’s death, Hailey Buzbee’s parents call for social media protections for youth

PPHS to close South Bend campus to focus on Indianapolis schools amid financial challenges The decision comes amid declining enrollment at both its South Bend and Broad Ripple locations.

The decision comes amid declining enrollment at both its South Bend and Broad Ripple locations.

Don't forget to enter the Best in Indiana Journalism Awards. We've extended the deadline to Monday night, Feb. 9. Don't miss your chance to have your great work celebrated. Enter here: awards.indianaprospj.org

The deadline is tomorrow! Get your entries in, and don't forget the A-Mark awards come with cash prizes.

Details & entry portal on the Indiana @spj-posts.bsky.social website: indianaprospj.org

ICE is ‘at the school yard gate.’ Here’s what it means that agents are getting closer. One legal expert said even up until recently, “it would have been pretty unthinkable” for ICE to come onto school grounds like agents did at Roosevelt High in Minneapolis.

One legal expert said even up until recently, “it would have been pretty unthinkable” for ICE to come onto school grounds like agents did at Roosevelt High in Minneapolis.

Indiana House passes IPEC bill. What comes next? Indiana House lawmakers approved HB 1423 on Monday, creating a mayor-appointed board to oversee transportation, accountability, and some facilities for Indianapolis district and charter schools.

Indiana House lawmakers approved HB 1423 on Monday, creating a mayor-appointed board to oversee transportation, accountability, and some facilities for Indianapolis district and charter schools.

At the halfway point, here’s which Indiana education bills are still moving through the Statehouse Lawmakers have dropped some controversial measures, like a bill to create an appointed board for South Bend schools and another to require public schools to post the Ten Commandments.

Lawmakers have dropped some controversial measures, like a bill to create an appointed board for South Bend schools and another to require public schools to post the Ten Commandments.

Friday is the deadline for the 2025 Best of Indiana Journalism awards. Get your entries in this week!

Details: indianaprospj.org

Education bill tracker: What bills are moving through the Statehouse? A bill allowing districts to permit teachers and principals to display the Ten Commandments will be heard for the final time in the House Monday before it could move to the Senate.

The Indiana House meets at 1:30p.m and bills have to pass to keep advancing in the second part of session. Here's where education bills stood as of Friday:
www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2025... via @aleksappleton.bsky.social

How a key GOP lawmaker wants to change control over Indy school closures and buildings The proposed amendment from Rep. Bob Behning would clarify who can close schools, and would allow for an appeals process on school closures. It would also let charters opt out of a facility management plan overseen by the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation.

The proposed amendment from Rep. Bob Behning would clarify who can close schools, and would allow for an appeals process on school closures. It would also let charters opt out of a facility management plan overseen by the Indianapolis Public Education Corporation.

The deadline for the @IndianaProSPJ 2025 Best of Indiana Journalism contest is one week from tomorrow. Don't be late!
Details: indianaprospj.org

How a key GOP lawmaker wants to change control over Indy school closures and buildings The proposed amendment from Rep. Bob Behning would clarify who can close schools, and would allow for an appeals process on school closures. It would also let charters opt out of a facility management...

A proposed amendment to the bill that would create a new education board in Indy would give charters an opt out on buildings and clarifies who can close schools. More:
www.chalkbeat.org/indiana/2026...

Indiana lawmakers move to allow — but not require — display of Ten Commandments in schools Supporters say the text is necessary to understanding the country’s founding documents. But critics say the display violates principles of religious freedom.

Supporters say the text is necessary to understanding the country’s founding documents. But critics say the display violates principles of religious freedom.

Don't forget to submit your best work from 2025 to the @IndianaProSPJ Best in Indiana Journalism contest.
Details at indianaprospj.org

College journalists in Indiana: Apply now for @IndianaProSPJ's scholarship.
Details at: indianaprospj.org

This school chef gets students to eat brussels sprouts and salad. Yes, really. Tracey Couillard, lead chef at Circle City Prep, educates students on fresh foods and vegetables, encouraging them to try new foods and build healthy habits.

Tracey Couillard, lead chef at Circle City Prep, educates students on fresh foods and vegetables, encouraging them to try new foods and build healthy habits.