News from the Ridge

FREE - The Waiting Game Film Screening at George Washington High School

All IPS students, families, alumni, and community members are invited to attend the FREE and exclusive screening “The Waiting Game” on September 17 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at George Washington High School. The screening of this Heartland Film Festival feature includes a Q&A with the filmmaker, former ABA players and GWHS alums Billy Keller and Wayne Pack.

The film follows the incredible story of the ABA (American Basketball Association) and its players, a flamboyant rival league to the NBA where the Indiana Pacers began. The film is also a celebration of Indiana’s ABA legacy and IPS history. Learn more and register at myips.org.

Indianapolis Local Education Alliance Next Meeting Date
The next meeting date for the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance (ILEA) is Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

The ILEA, a city-led body created to address key operational challenges for schools in Indianapolis, is responsible for developing plans related to facilities, transportation, governance, and efficiency. It will present its final recommendations by December 31, 2025.

Learn more about the alliance, meeting dates/times, and to sign up for public comment at indy.gov.

IPS in the News

• IPS Launching K–12 Swimming Program to Save Lives and Build Confidence
• James Whitcomb Riley School Cafeteria Manager Inspiring Students through Art

PARENT TEACHER STUDENT ASSOCIATION (PTSA)

THANK YOU TO the entire Shortridge community, as well family and friends, for helping us exceed our goal in the annual fall mums sale! A total of 161 plants were sold…yay!! This fundraiser brings almost $900 to support the amazing students and staff at Shortridge! Thank you!

Mark your calendars for the next PTSA meeting on Thursday, November 13th at 6:30p! Join us to get meet other families, get updates, and hear from the administration! Find ongoing updates on the Band app (still need to join? Check out https://tinyurl.com/PTSA-bandappinvite).

BAND BOOSTERS

Mr. Lapka, Mr. Chapman and the student musicians are busy getting ready for the fall concert on October 8th! Mark your calendars and plan to join us in the CMA!

Want ongoing band updates and info? Join the Band app at https://tinyurl.com/BandBoosters-bandappinvite or email us at shortridgebandprograms@gmail.com with any questions!

Looking for ways to get involved that is low commitment but very fulfilling? Join the Crock Pot Warriors! We are a group of parents that bring pitch-in style food for teachers, staff, and students. How does it work? Join us on the Band App under "The Crock Pot Warriors" or our Facebook page under "Crock-Pot Warriors". When events come up we will post a sign up genius in those two places and also this newsletter. Never feel guilty if you are unable to participate. It is a fun supportive group that understands stresses of life and shoe string budgets. You can also email any inquiries to hilariella@hotmail.com if you do not have social media. Please put in the subject line "regarding Crock Pot Warriors".

Go Blue Devil parents!!

Senior Parents/Guardians

EE or RP: The Extended Essay (DP students) and Reflective Project (CP students) final copy deadline is fast approaching for our seniors. Students have been using ATL, TOK/PPS class time, and visiting the writing center to work on polishing their essays before the final copy deadline of Sept. 15th. Please ask your student about their work. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jenny Bielefeld, Diploma Program Coordinator, bielefeldj@myips.org or Amanda Cory, Career Related Program Coordinator, coryal@myips.org.

Math IA: Students have begun the process of working on their Math IAs in their IB DP Year 2 Math courses. As parents/guardians we can use your support by encouraging curiosity, helping your student manage their time effectively, and discussing their progress with you. The upcoming deadlines for the Math IA are listed below. Please reach out to your student's math teacher or Jenny Bielefeld (bielefeldj@myips.org), DP Coordinator, with any questions.

Sept 15th-Math: IA Intro/Methodology and Math processes rough draft due

Oct. 1st-Math: IA Conclusion/reflection rough draft due

Nov. 15th-Math: IA Final Copy (citations & works cited complete, ready for upload)

Seniors also have a few more deadlines approaching. If your student is in IB Music or IB Visual Arts below are the next deadlines.

Music: Experimenting as a Performer recordings are due Sept. 15th

Art: Artwork and Exhibition Text #5 are due Sept. 15th

Here you can find the IB Deadlines Class of 2026. Be sure to scroll down to Year 2 (Senior Year deadlines).

Junior Parents/Guardians,

IB DP Dance: Juniors in IB Dance have their first IB task deadline. The rough draft for the World Dance Investigation Familiar is due Sept. 15th.

Extended Essay and Reflective Project: The Extended Essay (EE) and Reflective Project (RP) are integral components of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and Career-related Programs. The EE involves students conducting independent research on a chosen topic within a specific subject area, culminating in a 4,000-word essay that enhances their research, critical thinking, and academic writing skills. It is guided by a supervisor and contributes to the overall IB Diploma score, aiding university admissions. The RP, part of the IB Career-related Program, requires students to reflect on their career-related course, and analyze how these experiences have influenced their personal and professional development. While the EE focuses on in-depth research and academic inquiry, the RP emphasizes personal reflection and the application of career-related learning, both fostering essential skills and preparing students for future academic and professional endeavors. Students are just beginning this work. Students worked last week to come up with possible topics. Please ask your student about their work. If you have any questions, please reach out to Jenny Bielefeld, Diploma Program Coordinator, bielefeldj@myips.org or Amanda Cory, Career Related Program Coordinator, coryal@myips.org.

Here you can find the two-year IB Deadlines Class of 2027. Please reach out to Jenny Bielefeld (bielefeldj@myips.org), DP Coordinator, with any questions.

Do you know someone shopping for a high school? Appoints are now open. Share this link - Visit the Shortridge Campus

Students, if you are interested in Artificial Intelligence (AI )take advantage of this 3-day event, every Saturday in November. Applications are filling up fast. If you have questions, please come see Ms. Butler in Room 125B, Work Based Learning and let me know that you have applied.

The 2025–2026 Common App is officially open and our new guide is ready for you to share!

Our newest edition of How to Make Your Common App a Lot Less Common is a comprehensive guide for navigating the entire Common App process.

Inside, you’ll find:

• An overview of what’s new in the 2025–2026 Common App

• Step-by-step instructions for completing each section

• Expert tips for building strong, authentic applications

✨ Click here to claim your free guide!

You’ll also receive 15+ bonus resources to help answer questions and guide students toward their best work. Please forward this along to families who may benefit.

Happy reading!

Collegewise & the Common App team

Senior advisory on Friday was dedicated to preparing for what is next after graduation! This slide show walks through the steps for Seniors to identify their plans after graduation and for those going to college, provides information and tips for the application process.

Senior: https://secure.smore.com/n/t0s1u

Junior: https://secure.smore.com/n/4g8k0

Sophomore: https://secure.smore.com/n/tmw1d

Has summer moved too fast? Running out of time to visit colleges? Are you and your student trying to narrow down what you want to see in person? Try out these to options for learning about different colleges including virtual and video tours.

Campus Tours

The College Tour

Also - Remind your student that Xello is a great tool that has lessons, assignments and tools designed to help them learn more about what them want to study in college and which institutions could offer those majors.

Students in every grade level can start searching for Scholarships in the Xello platform under the College Planning Section. Check out this video or the attached document to walk through the steps with your student to help them find some great opportunities to support their post secondary education goals.

Exploradoor is an online service for teens to connect with programs and experiences, including internships, that can help them better prepare for life. Exploradoor.com is a free resource that simplifies outreach and connectivity among teens, their families, schools and program providers. With program information consolidated into one searchable platform, Exploradoor.com strives to improve teen engagement and preparedness so that they are more informed and confident about their choices after high school.

Exploradoor is operated by Exploradoor, Inc. an Indiana nonprofit corporation organized and operated as a Code Section 501(c)(3) organization# 86-2728466.

Exploradoor Inc. is an Indiana non-profit dedicated to equitable access of teens, especially those from marginalized communities, to career/job/skill development experiences that help them prepare for life.

Please email any questions or comments to discoveries@exploradoor.com

SHS school social workers distribute food to students and families every two weeks. Our stock is getting low! Please consider helping out by checking out our amazon wishlist. We will also always accept donations at the front office of nonperishable items or cash/check which allow us to shop at Gleaners and stretch our dollars further.

Contact an SHS school social worker with any questions:

Chelsea English (last names A-G) englishc@myips.org

Jack Killen (last names H-O) killenj@myips.org

Linda Temme (last names P-Z) temmel@myips.org

Meet the Shortridge Student Service Team

https://websites.eventlink.com/s/indianapolis-shortridge

Or search for “Shortridge Athletics” wherever you download apps

Get #GameDay ready with NEW gear from Indianapolis Shortridge's store!

Click here to shop!

We want to remind all families about vaccination requirements and documentation deadlines for students.

The Indiana Administrative Code requires that all students must have documentation of required vaccinations submitted to their school’s vaccine coordinator by the first day of the 2025-26 school year. The vaccination protocols are on the Health Services page on our website.

The exclusion date for the 2025-26 school year is October 20, 2025. This means, students who are not current with their vaccinations, will be excluded from school — per Indiana Code.

If you need additional information, including resources for vaccine access, review our vaccine toolkit for families. Please contact your school vaccine coordinator for guidance if you require additional assistance.

Information, in English, Haitian Creole and Spanish, on required vaccinations based on grade can be found here and on the Health Services page.

Click the link below to learn more about the priorities in Indianapolis Public Schools.

https://myips.org/ips-2025-legislative-priorities/

All potential volunteers (for schools and districtwide) must complete an Online Volunteer Application every school year. We can always use parent helpers! Visit myips.org to register to be a volunteer today!

Transportation: How to register, who to contact with questions, schedules, routes, partners and special circumstances.

Arrival/Dismissal Procedures: Please partner with us to ensure our students and surrounding community are safe during arrival and dismissal at SHS!

Dress Code: Uniform policy, core values, requirements, restrictions, enforcement.

Food Service: Menus, nutritional & allergen information, modified meal request process, policies, initiatives & more.

Student Technology: Policies, agreements and information about accessing PowerSchool to monitor attendance and grades, Xello to discuss career and college planning, and school messenger to manage your communication preferences.

Textbook fees: IPS currently does not collect textbook fees based off of additional funding from the state of Indiana.

School Year Calendar: This link will take you to a digital calendar for the district.

Student Code of Conduct: . The Student Code of Conduct sets the standards for student and adult behavior. It outlines rights, responsibilities and consequences for inappropriate behavior.

Health Issues: Health services and school nurses are an integral part of the IPS school community, ensuring the health and safety of students and staff.

PowerSchool is the place to make sure your contact information is up to date; set when, where and how often you want to receive messages from Shortridge; transportation details and view report card

Instagram and Twitter provide quick notices and reminders as well as showcase our activities.

SHS Comprehensive Community Calendar.
This calendar can also be accessed from the Shortridge website. It will be found in the
‘Navigation Menu’ on the homepage.

Our Website, is an excellent starting place for many questions.

In collaboration with our transportation partner, First Student, Indianapolis Public Schools is relaunching FirstView®, a real-time GPS vehicle tracking and student transportation monitoring platform.

With FirstView, parents and caregivers can download the secure, easy-to-use vehicle tracking mobile app that will allow you to stay easily connected with your student(s) daily trips.

• See the real-time vehicle location via GPS and track its progress.

• Easy access to vehicle details as well as updates regarding any changes.

• Receive multiple distanced-based ETA notifications when the vehicle is getting close.

• Set-up family members and caregivers to receive trip email alerts.

• Dedicated customer support team for all app-related questions.

Check out the attached flyer below for more information.

If you have questions about this content or something that is missing, feel free to reach out to Lori Armstrong at armstrlo@myips,org or by phone call or text at 317-690-7797

Andrea Salmon

Humble and Proud Principal of Shortridge High School

Email: Salmona@myips.org

https://twitter.com/shortridge

https://www.instagram.com/shortridgehighschool/

Part of Indianapolis Public Schools, Shortridge High School educates students to think freely, demonstrate intellectual vitality, and address needs and realities greater than themselves.