Decatur Proud Newsletter

With the semester coming to an end, be sure to check out all of MSD of Decatur Township’s updates, announcements and more!

We are proud to unveil our latest community initiative in this semester’s newsletter. The “Hawks Helping Hawks” initiative focuses on three primary programs: Champions of Character, Healthy Hawks and Hawks Giving Hope. Our goal is to impact our communities and provide the most meaningful experiences for our students. Want to learn more? Click here.

We are happy to be highlighting Kathy Flores, our administrative assistant for curriculum and instruction and Support Staff of the Year. Kathy is a valuable component of our administration who works tirelessly to identify areas of interest and need for students so each one can find success, acceptance and happiness within the Decatur Township community. Learn more about this all-star employee in our Employee Spotlight.

This past semester we announced a new athletic program for elementary students called Junior Hawks. Spearheaded by our Director of Wellness Brad Rose, 5th and 6th grade students have the opportunity to participate in an after-school training program focused on promoting physical activity, injury prevention and sports development. Read our article highlighting Junior Hawks for more information.

We are excited to spotlight Alice Milhous Emmert, a Decatur native and the DCHS Alumni Association’s 2017 Alumnus of the Year. Alice has been instrumental in enlightening our community with the history of Valley Mills, West Newton and Decatur Central high schools. Learn more about this Decatur Central superstar through our Alumni Spotlight.

Our school district just won $4 million! Learn all about how we will use the Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program (TSL) Grant to support Insight Education Group’s E3 program in our latest announcement!

This year we teamed up with the University of Chicago to implement STEP, a research-based program aimed at ensuring our ninth and tenth-grade students remain on-track for graduation. Check out the progress we’ve made so far with the piloted STEP program.

The MSD of Decatur Township was one of eight school districts in the State of Indiana to be awarded the 2017-2018 AEMing for Achievement Grant by PATINS Project thanks to our desire to improve meaningful access and achievement for ALL of our students. Take a closer look into the AEM grant and learn how it will improve student performance!

The Blue Academy robotics team hosted its first tournament of the year on Saturday, November 11, 2017 where 23 teams participated in the VEX IQ Ringmaster challenge. Our students had a great showing with the boys’ team placing 3rd overall and the girls’ team winning the STEM presentation award. Coached by Rachel Nesbit, Kenny Owens, Shawn Powers and Jordan Hoffman the Blue Academy will be hosting another tournament on Saturday, January 13, 2018. Let’s cheer them on as they aim to qualify for the state tournament and advance to Worlds!

As 2018 approaches, the Decatur Township Scholarship Association Inc. gears up for its annual Phon-a-thon on January 22! Since DTSA’s start in 1992, the committee has awarded 1,213 separate scholarships for a total of $985,550. The association is led by parents and wouldn’t be possible without our schools, the administration, businesses, and friends of our school district – including many memorial donations. Applications for 2018 are due on Feb. 9th and all interested students can apply here. DTSA will host its Afternoon of Recognition on Sunday, May 20th where scholarship awards are presented by the donors.

Science Teacher - Decatur Central High School

Receptionist - West Newton Elementary