How should staff at Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools communicate with students?  The district’s Policy Committee reviewed proposed new school policies governing these communications Thursday morning, with a myriad electronic platforms available to staff and students.

Deputy Superintendent Matt Kegley told the committee the district has been grappling with such communications, particularly athletes.  Coaches, club sponsors, and teacher assignment reminders are examples of such communications done electronically.  Kegley cites the implementation of Parent Square as a way to do so within the school district’s systems.

Director of Educational Technology Jeff Harrison told the committee the idea is to limit staff-student communications within technology under the purview of HSE Schools.  Student Square is a part of Parent Square, allowing students to use the same system.  The system has been in use for 2 years and Harrison says users find it an easy system to navigate.   Parent Square can be inspected by school officials at any time.

Parent Square also has a language translation feature, for those where English is not the first language of the parent.

The proposed policy states it is not acceptable to like, follow, friend, personally text or utilize e-mail on personal social media accounts when staff communicates with students, according to Harrison.  The policy change would not impact athletes until the spring sports season, allowing coaches to move to the Parent Square system.

Kegley and Hamilton Southeastern Education Association President Abby Taylor agreed that teachers are generally very supportive of this proposed policy.  Kegley says this policy would protect teachers when a message is not perceived the way it was intended, the entire conversation can be reviewed.

Board member Sarah Donsbach asked about using electronic media when a student is being recruited, or wants to be recruited by a university. Harrison said coaches showcasing their athletes to college recruiters should not use personal accounts.

There was a lengthy discussion about how Facebook accounts that are not private can allow students to follow a teacher’s personal Facebook account without the teacher’s knowledge, which would be a violation of this proposed policy.  Teachers would need to review their Facebook followers now and in the future, if not a private account.

Taylor said ISTA does not recommend that teachers identify themselves as teachers on personal social media accounts.  Taylor added that staff needs a detailed review and explanation of how this policy will be implemented once adopted by the board.

This proposed policy will be presented at the August 14 school board meeting for discussion, but no vote is expected at that time.

The Fishers Plan Commission voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation to the City Council for the proposed 80,000 square foot Meijer grocery at Southeastern Parkway and Cyntheanne Road.

Local developer Corby Thompson provided some history on that plot of land where Meijer wants to locate the store, with the bottom line that this land was considered commercial going back to 2006 when Fishers was a town.

There were 9 speakers during the public hearing, with 7 voicing opposition to the proposal, 2 expressing support.  City Councilors Pete Peterson and Selina Stoller, both also members of the Plan Commission, argued that this land has been considered commercial for some time, agreeing with Mr. Thompson’s analysis.  Concerns raised by nearby residents about additional traffic is something that always comes with development, according to Peterson.

7 of the 11 Plan Commission members were present for the Wednesday night session.  All 7 present voted for the favorable recommendation to the Council.

One speaker during the public hearing said the HyVee Grocery planned for Fishers was not going to happen.  City Councilor Brad DeReamer, also a Plan Commission member, said HyVee still plans to construct a grocery in Fishers.

The Fishers Art Center is launching an extensive lineup of art classes and workshops this fall, catering to both adults and children. Located in the newly established facility within Fishers City Hall at 1 Municipal Drive, the center boasts over 100 multi-week classes and 30 one-time “Make It Take It” (MITI) workshops, all taught by professional artists from around central Indiana.

“If you are curious or creative, want to learn something new or build on your skills, we have something for you,” says Mark  Williams, president of the art center. “Amazing art experiences for all ages are now available, and not far from home.”

The Fishers Art Center is a collaborative effort between the City of Fishers and the Indy Art Center. The facility features 1,200 square feet of exhibition space, three art studios, and a flexible theater designed for performances, meetings, events, and classes. Adult classes range from beginner to advanced levels in various disciplines, including drawing, painting, clay, digital art, and printmaking.

The center also offers unique opportunities for parents and young children to create art together. Classes such as “Little Big Art: Messy Art” and “Art & Stories” cater to children as young as 2 years old. Older children, aged 4-14, can explore a variety of art forms, from clay to digital art. High school students have the opportunity to join “Teen Institute” classes, focusing on more advanced techniques and projects.

The MITI workshops provide a creative outlet in a shorter format. Notable sessions include the “Paint Your Pet!” painting class, “Clay Play Wheel” on the pottery wheel, and “Digital Art on the iPad.”

In addition to classes, the center offers private lessons, programs for homeschooled children, one-day Fall Break Camps for ages 6-14, and team-building workshops. Information on all available classes can be found at fishersartcenter.org.

For those interested in art appreciation rather than creation, the center hosts ongoing exhibitions. Currently, Kurt Vonnegut’s “Balderdash” is on display until August 18. Beginning September 3, the center will feature “Interwoven,” showcasing the works of sculptors Austen Brantley from Detroit and Susan Tennant from Indianapolis. The gallery is open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with free admission to exhibitions.

While classes require a fee, tuition assistance is available for those in need. For more information, visit fishersartcenter.org.

Teachers have been preparing their classrooms the past two days, and today is the day students are entering the buildings of the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District.  This is a big day for teachers and parents.  I anticipate plenty of social media posts with photos memorializing the first day of school 2024-2025.

For the public, a few important reminders.  Watch for students waiting for the buses.  Watch for school buses and obey the Stop sign arm when extended by a school bus driver.  Observe the school zone speed limits.

Let’s wish all families with students in HSE Schools an outstanding school year!

The National Night Out is a way for local police departments to connect with the community officers serve.  The Fishers Police Department held their version of that celebration Tuesday night at police headquarters and the public responded with a good crowd.

The best way to show how it all went is to provide photos I was able to take, which you will find below.

Continue reading FPD draws good crowd for National Night Out →

The City of Fishers has announced the headline acts for each of the two nights for the 2024 Blues Fest.  The remaining acts each night will be announced at a later date.

On Saturday, August 31: Shemekia Copeland will take the stage at the Nickel Plate Amphitheater.  Ms. Copeland has been a Grammy Award nominee multiple times.  She hosts a daily blues radio show on SiriusXM’s Bluesville and continues to perform globally, sharing stages with legends like Bonnie Raitt and The Rolling Stones. Copeland’s latest release, “Blame It on Eve,” offers a lighter, more joyous side of her music, providing a respite from the weight of the world.

Bernard Allison is set to perform on Sunday, September 1st. He is the son of Chicago blues legend Luther Allison, and has dedicated his career to honoring his father’s musical legacy while forging his own unique path. He has grown-up immersed in blues traditions.  Over the decades, Bernard has consistently included Luther’s songs in his albums and performances, ensuring the enduring presence of his father’s music. His latest release, “Luther’s Blues,” showcases 20 remastered tracks, reflecting his lifelong commitment to celebrating and reinventing Luther’s compositions for new audiences.

The 12th Annual Fishers Blues Fest is a free event.  For more information, use this link.

it was a very hot, but breezy, early Tuesday afternoon as city officials gathered at the construction site of the new Fishers Community Center, near 121st Street and Hoosier Road.  The final steel beam was placed on the structure and the city decided it was a moment to celebrate.

The $60 million, 105,000 square foot facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2025.  When Jake Reardon McSoley,  Director of Recreation and Wellness for the city, said the project was on time and on budget, you could see a broad smile on the face of Mayor Scott Fadness.

Once opened, the Center will provide a large indoor playground, indoor track, dog park, aquatics facility with a two-story waterslide, as well as a café operated by Sahm’s Hospitality Group.

The Fishers Health Department also plans to locate their headquarters in the Community Center.

Several city officials signed the final steel beam before it was hoisted to the top of the building.  The beam had an American flag attached, along with a evergreen tree.  The tree is a long-standing traditional symbol in construction projects, a salute to the past.

The Fishers Events Center has another act booked shortly after opening in November.  The legendary country-rock group Alabama, along with famed performer-songwriter Lee Greenwood, are set to appear at the Center Monday, December 9.

Both Alabama and Lee Greenwood have been around popular music for a very long time.  Alabama has sold 80 million albums during the band’s illustrious career.  Greenwood is credited with writing songs such as ‘God Bless The USA” and “A Love Song.”

Tickets go on sale Friday, August 9, at this link.

When it was time to cut the ribbon at the Cumberland Cottages Open House, August 1st, the duty went to one of the first residents of the affordable housing project on Cumberland Road & 141st Street.  HAND Incorporated, a Noblesville-based nonprofit organization, constructed the development.

That new resident cutting the ribbon was Constance Grier, a health care professional.  I recorded a short conversation with Ms. Grier and you can feel her excitement about her new home.