Carley Lanich

Rooted School Indy faces uncertain future The charter school, going through renewal with the city, is pursuing a new authorizer.

It comes at the same time legislation awaiting Gov. Mike Braun's signature could limit charter authorizing in the city.

@mirrorindy.org has the latest on what to know ahead of a public hearing tonight at the school (2/2): mirrorindy.org/rooted-schoo...

🧵: Rooted School Indy, an eastside charter school, is up for renewal soon. It's authorizer has concerns about academics & enrollment, signaling a difficult path to renewal.

But that may not matter. The school is pursuing a new authorizer & things are moving fast. (1/2)

IPS elementary parents worry about budget cuts Parents have heard more art, music, gym and computer science teachers could split time between schools

So what does that mean for other schools as they await word on next year?

It's hard to tell. An IPS spokesperson declined our interview requests & admins have revealed very little in emails to parents.

Here's a look at what we know as schools review budgets. (2/2) mirrorindy.org/ips-teachers...

🧵: Speculation is flying this week after parents of IPS' Eliza Blaker School 55 heard their school may be asked to share some teachers with another elementary school next year.

It's a change IPS has made in a few elementaries already. One family told me the transition has been rocky. (1/2)

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...

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...

🧵: Thousands of Indy students walked out of their schools last week to protest ICE.

The actions pushed educators across Indy to strike a balance between respecting free speech and facilitating student safety. (1/2)

Big changes await Wayne Township’s new superintendent Shenia Suggs talks academics, budgeting and planning for the future.

Snow days, student walkouts and big decisions about district budgets have all met Wayne Township's new superintendent Shenia Suggs in her first weeks on the job.

So what's next for the new leader? @mirrorindy.org caught up with the 33-year educator to learn more. mirrorindy.org/wayne-townsh...

You need to go see Pike’s girls basketball team before it's too late After a 21-game win streak, the team is chasing its first state championship.

Love this story from @theavgjourn.bsky.social about the Pike girls basketball team's remarkable season.

They're on a 21-game win streak heading into the IHSAA state tournament.... and you've got a chance to see them play this Friday night! mirrorindy.org/pike-high-sc...

Hundreds of students walk out of North Central to protest ICE Students held a demonstration Feb. 2 at North Central High School on the north side of Indianapolis, blocking traffic along 86th Street.

Hundreds of students walk out of Central Indiana high schools on Feb. 2 to protest ICE.

In addition to holding protests, students from the seven high schools released a letter sharing their purpose for the walkout: https://bit.ly/46sAMlM

How to help Indy kids facing housing insecurity Here’s 4 groups working to provide resources to students and their families.

The extreme cold is hard for everyone, but especially our neighbors facing housing insecurity.

The good news? There's quite a few resources to help. I put together a guide of school based supports for @mirrorindy.org. Check it out here:
mirrorindy.org/helping-home...

There's a lot of ideas floating around in Warren Township, but for what it's worth ... pickleball is *not* on the table.

Warren Township exploring new ideas for changes to the fifth grade The district may renovate or expand schools in the near future. Here’s why.

So what's next for fifth graders on the far eastside? @mirrorindy.org has the latest. (2/2) mirrorindy.org/warren-towns...

🧵: For the last few months, Warren Township has been exploring moving fifth graders back to elementary school buildings.

But administrators are going back to the drawing board after a recent study showed capacity concerns at the elementary level. (1/2)

IPS bill watch: When to show up to the statehouse A new bill would spell big changes for IPS.

.@mirrorindy.org has a new story on what you need to know to study up and how, if you're so moved, to testify next week. Check it out here: mirrorindy.org/ips-indianap...

Hey, IPS watchers! A lot happened over the holidays, so let's catch up. This week:

1️⃣ ILEA shared its final report from ~6mo of work.
2️⃣ A bill was filed carrying many of ILEA's recommendations.
3️⃣ The House education committee announced plans to meet Monday to hear the bill.

IPS advocates prepare to take their fight back to the Statehouse Some think a new corporation should control IPS buildings and buses. Advocates say not so fast.

“We’re now one step closer to having to consider: Is this where we want to stay?” McCloud told me this week. “Is this the educational landscape that I want my children exposed to?”

Here’s a look inside an emotional week for IPS, via @mirrorindy.org (3/3): mirrorindy.org/ips-indianap...

For teachers like Adrea McCloud, this isn’t just concepts thought up for a presentation.

It’s classrooms full of elementary kiddos looking to her for direction at the end-of-year musical performance. It’s also about her own children who attend IPS schools. (2/3)

🧵: So, you’ve heard about those recommendations for IPS?

Any sweeping changes for Indy schools are far from the finish line. And, while it seems like there's bipartisan support for some ideas, IPS advocates are readying themselves for another fight at the Statehouse. (1/3)

Alliance members voted 8-1 to move forward recommendations shifting power of school transportation & buildings to a new, appointed education corporation with an org chart that places the Indy mayor at the top.

There's lots to unpack. Stay tuned for more coverage via @mirrorindy.org.

Things are tense tonight as the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance considers recommendations to make major changes to IPS — giving significant power to the Indy mayor.

One speaker has been removed from the council’s Public Assembly Room. The alliance has yet to take a vote.

Child care providers are stretching to make ends meet These Indianapolis groups are stepping up to fill gaps.

By now you’ve probably heard about Indiana’s increasingly difficult child care landscape.

I spent some time talking to providers about how they’re faring & learned about how nonprofits & community orgs are stepping in to fill gaps.

More here, via @mirrorindy.org: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Meet Wayne Township’s newest school board member When he’s not volunteering, Gordon works as a purchasing manager … and plays Santa.

Wayne Twp's newest board member, Mikeal Gordon, took his oath last night.

A fun fact about Mikeal: He told me last night he has two full-time jobs — purchasing manager for a sheet metal fabricator and ... Santa.

Learn more about Mikeal here, via @mirrorindy.org: mirrorindy.org/wayne-townsh...

p.s. If you're a parent currently working your way through all of this, I'd love to hear about your experience. Feel free to message me here or reach me at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org.

Access to affordable child care in Indiana got more difficult this year Providers say they worry about the long-term consequences of tighter funding.

If you have a little one in your family, you probably already know how difficult it can be to navigate child care. This year, some of those challenges got worse.

I spent some time talking to providers about why. Here's more, via @mirrorindy.org: mirrorindy.org/indiana-chil...

Here’s what parents think about reshaping Indy’s public schools Ideas for rethinking IPS are coming into view, but it’s not too late to weigh in.

The group charged w/exploring big ideas for IPS' future is narrowing its focus. However, some parents & advocates are unhappy w/the new direction.

They're proposing an alternative plan. Here's a look at the sticking points & ideas being floated, via @mirrorindy.org: mirrorindy.org/ips-indianap...

Tell Indy officials what you think about proposed school changes Here’s two online surveys you can take to give feedback on Indy schools.

If you're busy tomorrow night, there's also a couple of surveys open where you can share your thoughts. More info on that here, via @mirrorindy: mirrorindy.org/ips-indianap...

Here’s your guide to changes being considered for Indy schools Use this guide to tell local officials in December what you think is best for Indy schools

And, if you're looking to get caught up on recent ideas for IPS and nearby charter schools, here's a look at what alliance members talked about just before the Thanksgiving holiday: mirrorindy.org/ips-indianap...

Here’s when the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance will meet next The Indianapolis Education Alliance will meet Dec. 3 to narrow down possible recommendations for changing who oversees schools and how school buildings and buses are managed.

IPS watchers: There's a chance tomorrow to share your feedback directly with the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (the group studying ideas for IPS' future).

📍4 p.m. at the City-County Building. More details here, via our partners at @chalkbeat.org: mirrorindy.org/indianapolis...

Wayne Township teachers disappointed with lack of raise this year School board members voted to give themselves a pay bump during the same meeting.

Recent property tax changes were at the forefront of salary talks this year in Wayne Twp.

The school board approved a bonus for teachers this week rather than a pay bump. The board, however, also decided to give itself a raise. @mirrorindy.org explains why: mirrorindy.org/wayne-townsh...