Cardinal Nation

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02 Open House/Title l Meetings Harrison, Lincoln, McKinley and Washington

07 NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

08 First Day for Pre-K - Harrison, McKinley and Special Needs (half day 9:00 am-12:00 pm)

09 CTE Parent Night

10 Open House/Title l Meeting Block Middle School

13 UBM Mexican Independence Day Parade

15 First day of Hispanic Heritage Month

16 E-LEARNING DAY

17 Open House Title l Meeting EC Central HS

21 First day Pre-K Washington and Lincoln

21 IREADY BOY (K-2) window closes September 25, 2026625 EC Central High School Homecoming Day

24 College Go Week Spirit Day

25 East Chicago Central HS Homecoming Day - Cardinal Spirit Gear

A committee was formed with stakeholders from the community, staff, an faith to work on a strategic plan. You may visit the district website and located the strategic plan in detail.

The School City of East Chicago educates and empowers every student through aligned instruction and meaningful partnerships and differentiated practices to ensure success in life, college, career and civic engagement.

SCEC will be a community where all stakeholders collaborate to empower student success, excellence and innovation.

At SECE, we believe every student deserves the opportunity for a joyful, meaningful, and enriching education. Our work is grounded in values that reflect who we are and how we lead:

• Access and Belonging
• High-Quality Learning
• Comprehensive Supports
• Integrity and Accountability
• Belief

• Academic Support Systems ensure that every student has access to the resources, interventions and enrichment opportunities needed to thrive.
• Behavioral, Emotional, & Social Support reflect our commitment to fostering student well-being through positive relationships, safe environments, and resources that nurture resilience and personal growth.
• Career Pathways demonstrate our dedication to equipping students for future success through challenging coursework, real world experiences, and strong partnerships that link learning to college and career opportunities.
• Family and Community Engagement is essential for building strong partnerships and empowering families as partners in education.
• Staff Relations & Professional Development highlight our commitment to fostering a supportive culture for educators, while providing meaningful growth opportunities that strengthen skills, collaboration, and overall effectiveness.

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the School City of East Chicago Board of School Trustees approved the renaming of the Carrie Gosch Early Learning Center to the Henry Gillis Vocational Center. Mr. Gillis was recognized during the Board meeting for his dedicated service and commitment to the School City of East Chicago over the course of 31 years.

The School City of East Chicago Administration Building is currently housed at the former Westside/Carrie Gosch Early Learning Center, now known as the Henry Gillis Vocational Center, located at 4001 Indianapolis Boulevard, East Chicago, Indiana.

We would like to welcome to Cardinal the following new staff:

New to the District:

Hollis Manna, Assistant Principal at Washington Elementary School

Courtney Parker, Interim Facilities Director

Jennifer Jimenez, Transportation Director

Mariah Lewis , HR Benefits Coordinator

Congratulations to your new position :

Daria Ranicifer - Principal at Lincoln Elementary School

Dr. Elroy Estes - Principal at Washington Elementary School

Stanetha Miller - Assistant Principal at Lincoln Elementary School

Harrison Elementary School

Linda Padilla, Principal

Sara Marszalek, Asst. Principal

4411 Magoun Avenue

219-391-4192

Lincoln Elementary School

Daria Rancifer, Principal

Stanetha Miller, Asst. Principal

3551 Block Avenue

219-391-4096

McKinley Elementary School

Dr. Rasheeda Green McKinley Elementary School

Jacklyn Sanders, Asst. Principal

4891 Magoun Avenue

219-391-4186

Washington Elementary School

Dr. Elroy Estes, Principal

Hollis Manna, Asst. Principal

2400 Cardinal Avenue

219-391-4077

Block Middle School

Matthew VanVlymen, Principal

Kelly Hildenbrand, Vice-Principal

2700 Cardinal Avenue

219-391-4084

East Chicago Central High School

Abrian Brown, Principal

Elsie Quiroga, Vice-Principal

1100 W. Columbus Drive

219-391-4000

Due to the recent storms and power outages in our community, the first day of Pre-Kindergarten was rescheduled.

Harrison, McKinley and Special Needs Pre-K students start on September 8, 2026. Students will attend half day from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Lincoln & Washington Pre-K students start on September 21, 2026.

We understand that changes to the school calendar can be challenging for families, and we sincerely appreciate your patience, flexibility, and understanding. This additional time will allow our teams to ensure that classrooms are fully prepared, welcoming, and ready for our youngest learners at their respective elementary schools.

We are excited to welcome our Pre-K students and families for a wonderful start to the school year!

SCEC will have it's first E-Learning Day on September 16, 2026. Please click on the link below to find out more information about the different E-Learning Days.

https://www.scec.k12.in.us/fs/pages/4286

The severe storm that impacted Indiana on August 11, 2026, left many families without power for several days. While this was a challenging time for our community, it also highlighted the strength, resilience, and compassion of East Chicago residents. Neighbors helped neighbors, and we are grateful to see power restored throughout our area. We hope all families are recovering and returning to their normal routines.

During the outage, the School City of East Chicago (SCEC) provided hot meals at Carrie Gosch Early Learning Center (New Administration Building), Lincoln Elementary School, Harrison Elementary School, and the Roxana Community Center. Thanks to a generous donation from AT&T, charging stations were also made available to families in need.

Throughout the recovery efforts, SCEC shared important updates through our district website, the Cardinal Nation mobile app, social media platforms (Facebook, X/Twitter, and Instagram), as well as email, text messages, and phone calls. To ensure you continue receiving important district communications, please make sure your contact information is current.

We want to ensure that all SCEC families are receiving district communications. Therefore, we are asking all families to complete the form below to verify and update their contact information.

Please click the link below to complete the form:

https://forms.gle/mcyWsFwuhVY3o3WN7

Thank you to everyone who came together to support one another during this difficult time. Your kindness and community spirit made a difference. Together, we are stronger.

To make up instructional days missed due to recent storms and power outages, students were required to complete E-Learning Writing Prompts (students needed their own paper to write their answers) The E-Learning prompts were available on the website by clicking the link. These E-Learning Writing Prompts are mandatory and must be completed by all students. The E-Learning Prompts available in English/Spanish. School City of East Chicago had a partnership with the East Chicago Public Library over 180 students attended the library during this time.

Incentive #1 - Credit - Students who turn in their assignments will receive credit for days of completion.

Incentive #2 - Dress Down - Students will earn dress-down days for each completed assignment.

Incentive #3 - PBIS Points - Students will earn PBIS reward points for completing their assignments.

*Students who return their assignments on the first day they return to school will receive the full number of points, while students who submit their assignments on subsequent days will receive partial points.

Additional Points - Students had the opportunity to earn additional PBIS pints each day by staying engaged in learning at the library. Students can earn points by reading a book, completing their E-Learning Writing Prompts, or doing both.

This is a great way for students to continue building strong reading and writing habits while being recognized rewarded for their effort.

On August 28 and 31, the School City of East Chicago, in partnership with LaJuan Clemons and the Gary Food Collective Organization, hosted two community food distributions to assist families impacted by the recent storm.

The distributions took place at the new Administration Building, located at 4001 Indianapolis Boulevard, Door G, and provided fresh vegetables and other healthy food options to community members in need. Between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., an estimated 400 residents attended the events.

This collaborative effort reflects our continued commitment to supporting the East Chicago community during challenging times and ensuring that families have access to essential resources when they need them most.

Join the School City of East Chicago as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on October 12, 2026!

All schools across the district will participate in this special event, featuring student performances that honor and celebrate Hispanic culture. Students will enjoy a morning program, while families and community members are invited to attend an evening performance.

Come celebrate a day filled with culture, tradition, music, and community spirit. More information coming soon!

While schools were closed due to the power outage, the School City of East Chicago remained committed to supporting our families by providing hot lunches throughout the district. Meals were distributed at various bus stop locations, as well as at Harrison Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School, the new Administration Building located in the now Henry Gillis Vocational Center and the Roxana Community Center.

A special "THANK YOU" to our community partner, AT&T, for stepping up during this time of need. AT&T provided charging stations so families could power their devices, along with water and treats for those impacted by the outage.

Despite the rain, families began lining up early for the Back-to-School Rally held on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the former Carrie Gosch Early Learning Center. While inclement weather moved the event indoors, it did not dampen the excitement. The rally was a tremendous success, with more than 1,100 people in attendance and families eager to take part in the festivities.

All School City of East Chicago students received a clear backpack and had the opportunity to visit a gymnasium filled with community vendors distributing free school supplies and resources. Attendees also enjoyed exciting performances by DH Mighty Hype and the Chicago Tumblers (CUT), along with free food, giveaways, and raffle prizes.

A special thank you goes out to our sponsors whose generous support made this event possible. Without their support, this event would not have been possible. We are also grateful to the many staff members and volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to ensure the day was a success. Your commitment helped make this a memorable event for our students and families as they prepared for the new school year.

The overwhelming turnout demonstrated the strength of the East Chicago community and its shared commitment to supporting students as they begin a successful school year.

Pangere

Cleveland Cliffs

People’s Bank

Hutton & Hutton

Dwayne Rancifer

Community in Schools

Foundations of East Chicago

CareSource

Main Sporting Goods

Women of Steel Local #1011

HealthLinc

Old National Bank

HPL

Strack & Vantil

EC Central HS Alumni

The safety and well-being of our students, teachers, and staff remain our highest priority. Following the recent severe storms, Lincoln Elementary School students will be temporarily relocated while the district works to ensure a safe learning environment for our school community.

Beginning Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Lincoln Elementary students will attend classes at the following locations:

• Kindergarten–3rd Grade: Washington Elementary School
• 4th–6th Grade: Block Middle School

Throughout this temporary relocation, students will remain with their Lincoln Elementary teachers and staff, helping provide consistency, familiarity, and continued academic and emotional support.

What Families Need to Know

• Arrival and dismissal times will remain the same.
• Transportation will be provided for students.
• Parents and guardians may choose to transport their children directly.
• Updated bus routes and times will be posted on the district website.

We recognize that an unexpected change like this requires flexibility from our students, families, and staff. District and school teams are working closely together to make the transition as smooth as possible and to ensure Lincoln students continue to experience a welcoming, supportive, and productive school day.

We appreciate the patience, understanding, and partnership of the Lincoln Elementary community during this time. The district will continue to keep families informed and will provide an update as soon as a return date to Lincoln Elementary School is determined.

Career & Technical Education (CTE) Department will be hosting a CTE Parent Night at Central High School from 4-6pm.

• CTE Awareness of Programs Offered

• Receive your CTE Program Welcome-Back Packet

• Expose 8-11 Graders about CTE Programs

• Meet our CTE Teachers

• Tour the CTE Classrooms with CTE Student Ambassadors

• Possibly Universities that we partner with for Dual Credit will be present

The School City of East Chicago (SCEC) is committed to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all students. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, SCEC will begin phasing in the use of clear backpacks across the district as an added safety and security measure.

To support a smooth transition, students and families will have the 2026-2027 school year to prepare for the change. Starting with the 2027-2028 school year, clear backpacks will be mandatory for all students.

This initiative is designed to enhance campus safety while helping school staff maintain a secure environment for learning. Additional information regarding backpack requirements and guidelines will be shared with families prior to implementation.

Thank you for your partnership as we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of all SCEC students.

Attention Lake County High School Seniors!

The deadline for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship has officially been EXTENDED to September 28th at 11:59 PM!

This tuition-busting opportunity awards full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation for books for four years of full-time undergraduate study at any eligible Indiana public or private non-profit college or university.

Eligibility: High school seniors graduating in 2027 who reside in Lake County and meet academic and community involvement criteria.

New Deadline: Monday, September 28th @ 11:59 PM CST.

Don't miss out on a full-ride scholarship—take advantage of this extra time to complete and submit your application!

Apply now: https://legacyfdn.org/schola.../lilly-endowment-scholarship/

Share this post or tag a Lake County high school senior or parent who needs to apply!

#LillyScholarship #LakeCountyIN #CollegeScholarships #ClassOf2027 #HighSchoolSeniors #LegacyFoundation #NWI Education