The Brilliance Bulletin - 04/27/26

Each week, this newsletter will share a variety of updates and information about The Genius School, including exciting highlights, upcoming events, and important announcements. Stay tuned to keep up with all the amazing things happening in our community!

This Saturday isn’t just another event—this is boots on the ground, community-building work, and it takes all of us.

We’re canvassing our neighborhoods to connect with families, spread the word, and grow The Genius School community. The more people we have, the more doors we knock, the more impact we make.

This is how we build the village—together.

work that changes communities.

We need as many hands as possible. Whether you can stay the whole time or just part of it—your presence matters.

📅 Saturday, May 2, 2026

⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Pull up. Walk with us. Build with us.

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/uhfzLkgex8ok5YnR8

Get ready for an exciting day of community, connection, and fun!

On Saturday, May 9 from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, MELI and the F.A.M.E. Foundation are hosting “The Pit Stop” during the Grand Prix race at IMS—and The Genius School will be there!

We’re proud to be sponsoring the Kids Zone, where our team will be bringing the energy with:

• Interactive games
• A FREE book giveaway
• Information for families interested in joining The Genius School

This is more than just an event—it’s a chance to come together as a community, support local organizations, and experience something truly special.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS: Live Art • Games • Giveaways

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

• Tickets are REQUIRED for entry
• Each person may reserve up to 2 tickets
• Each adult must register individually
• Tickets are limited and distributed through Eventbrite
• Parking + shuttle service will be provided

🎟️ Secure your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meli-presents-the-pit-stop-tickets-1986404513372

More event details will be shared as we get closer to the day! We would love to see our Genius families there—come out, have fun, and represent our community!

We’re bringing the community together for THREE unforgettable nights of fun—and this time, it’s bigger than just a game.

In partnership with Pink-4-Ever, we’re hosting 18+ Bingo Nights to support a powerful mission: ending disparities and uplifting our community.

📅 Friday, May 15 | May 22 | May 29

🚪 Doors Open: 6:00 PM | 🎲 Games Start: 6:30 PM

📍 Genius School Inc | 7880 Lafayette Rd, Indianapolis

Get ready for:

• High-energy bingo games
• Exciting prizes 💰
• Great vibes and community connection

Whether you come to win, support, or just enjoy the night—your presence makes an impact.

Grab your friends, mark your calendar, and pull up for all three nights! Let’s have fun—and make a difference together.

We are excited to announce that the application window for the 2026–2027 school year is officially open! If you are planning ahead—or know a family searching for a school that combines academic excellence, strong character development, and a nurturing community—now is the time to apply.

Families may qualify for the Indiana Choice Scholarship (voucher program) to help cover tuition costs. Please note that Choice Scholarship funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so we strongly encourage families to apply early to secure their spot.

If The Genius School has been a blessing to your family, help us grow our village. Share this opportunity with your network—friends, family members, church communities, coworkers—anyone who may be looking for a high-quality educational option for their child.

For questions about the application process or Choice Scholarship eligibility, please contact our office. We are happy to help guide you through the next steps.

We are excited to share that enrollment is now open for our Early Education Program serving PreK through 1st Grade!

Our PreK program is designed for children ages 3–4 years old and provides a strong foundation in early literacy, math, social-emotional development, and school readiness. (Students must be fully potty trained to enroll in PreK.)

We are also accepting CCDF vouchers for families who qualify, making high-quality early education more accessible to our community.

If you are interested in enrolling your child—or if you know a family who would thrive in a nurturing, academically strong environment—we invite you to schedule a tour today. Come see how we help our youngest scholars build confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning from the very beginning.

Spots are limited, so we encourage families to connect with us soon!

We are currently seeking donations of healthy snacks, fresh fruit, and fun games to support student activities through the remainder of the school year. Donations may be dropped off at the school’s front office Monday–Friday between 9:00 AM and 2:30 PM. Your generosity will help support several upcoming student events and activities.

At The Genius School, we are intentional about developing the whole child—academically, emotionally, and mentally.

One of the ways we do this is through Heart Coherence training, where students learn how to:

• Regulate their emotions
• Stay calm under pressure
• Build focus and mental clarity
• Strengthen confidence in challenging moments

This isn’t just a strategy—it’s a skill our students use every day.

In classrooms, during tests, and even at home, our students are learning how to pause, breathe, and reset so they can show up as their best selves.

The impact has been powerful: Students are demonstrating greater self-control, increased focus, and stronger academic performance as they learn to stay balanced and in control.

We’re not just preparing students to succeed in school—we’re equipping them with the tools to navigate life with confidence, resilience, and purpose.

Learn more here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W1ISnHUZmrFKn236g0swPFrPv3c2exNo/view?usp=drive_link

“Heart coherence is when your brain, heart, and emotions are balanced and in sync.”

For Davion, this isn’t just something he learned—it’s something he lives every day.

Before school. Before bed. Even during big tests.

Davion uses heart-focused breathing to stay calm, patient, and in control—even when the pressure is high.

When things get challenging, he doesn’t shut down.

He pauses. He breathes. He resets.

And what’s even more powerful?

He’s not keeping it to himself.

Davion is already stepping into leadership—teaching other students how to manage stress, stay focused, and push through challenges, even encouraging those who may struggle to keep going.

“That’s what excites me… helping somebody else combat stress.”

This is what growth looks like.

This is what leadership looks like.

This is what happens when students are given the tools to unlock their full potential.

“I didn’t know this would bring the full genius out of me… but being here really blew me away.”

• April 13 - May 8 - ILEARN Testing Window (Grades 3-7)
• May 2 - Community Canvas Day (10:00am - 1:00pm)
• May 9 - The Pit Stop
• May 15th, 22nd, and 29th - 18+ Bingo Night
• May 21 - Last Day of School
• May 22 - Records Closeout Day (Staff Only)
• May 25 - Memorial Day

We’ve heard your feedback, and we appreciate our families’ partnership in helping students look sharp and feel confident each day. To make things a little easier, we’ve updated our dress code — either hunter green or navy blue ties are now acceptable for all students.

Please remember that full uniform (including tie) is required daily, as it reflects our Genius standard of excellence and readiness to learn. Students not in proper dress code may be held out of class until the uniform is corrected, so please double-check each morning before heading to school. Thank you for continuing to support our shared commitment to excellence in every detail — from how we learn to how we show up.

Thank you so much for your continued flexibility and understanding during weather-related delays. Because many of our students and staff travel from all across the city, safety must always come first. For that reason, we will more often than not err on the side of caution when making decisions about delays or closures. To ensure you receive timely updates, please be sure your contact information is kept up to date in FACTS, as all official messages will be sent there and shared on our social media platforms. We truly appreciate your partnership and trust as we work together to keep our community safe.

During Genius Conferences, families received their child’s Individualized Genius Plan (IGP)—a personalized roadmap designed to support each scholar’s academic growth and success. Together, we reviewed student data, celebrated areas of strength, and identified focus areas for continued improvement. Each IGP outlines the specific steps, supports, and goals that will guide your child’s learning this quarter.

All students received personalized flash cards to strengthen foundational skills in both reading and math. Students in grades 2–7 received math fact flash cards aligned to their current Rocket Math level. As students show mastery and move up in Rocket Math, they’ll be given new flash cards to match their next level of learning.

Every student also received a set of leveled sight word flash cards. Beginning with our incoming Pre-K scholars, our school-wide goal is for every student to know all 1,000 sight words by the end of 3rd grade. As students master their sight word sets, families should contact their child’s teacher or Mr. Cassoday to schedule an assessment at school. Once a student demonstrates mastery, they’ll receive a new set of words to continue growing.

We encourage families to practice flash cards nightly for just a few minutes—consistent, focused practice at home makes a powerful difference in building fluency, confidence, and long-term success!

Before fall break, our Genius Scholars in grades 3–7 completed their ILEARN Checkpoint 1 assessments. These results were shared during Genius Conferences as part of each student’s Individualized Genius Plans (IGPs).

Families, we ask for your continued partnership in supporting these goals at home. Please help your child work through their assigned IXL skills for about 20 minutes in ELA and 20 minutes in Math each day. Our team is tracking student progress and will reach out if additional support is needed. Remember, this is a true school–home partnership—your involvement makes a measurable difference in your child’s growth and confidence. At school, we’re continuing to provide targeted remediation while also beginning our preparation for Checkpoint 2. To ensure every scholar is fully prepared, consistent practice at home is key.

When your child completes their IXL skill plan, please contact Mr. Cassoday so your child can take Checkpoint 1 – Opportunity 2. This allows us to monitor growth and make sure each student is on track for success on the end-of-year ILEARN Summative Assessment.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to helping our Geniuses shine!

Thank you to all of our families for your attention to the updated dress code over the past few weeks — we’ve seen a big improvement as we start the year strong! That said, we still aren’t quite at 100%, and we need everyone’s help to ensure consistency. Please remember that Monday through Thursday students should be in white button-down shirts (not polos) with a tie or cross tie, and navy blue pants are required every day (not khaki). Following the dress code helps our scholars look sharp, feel confident, and stay focused on learning. We appreciate your partnership in making sure every student comes to school prepared and in full uniform each day.

• Monday through Thursday, students should be in dress uniform — this means a button-up shirt (not a polo) with a tie, and a cross tie for girls, along with navy pants every day.
• Friday is our regular uniform day. Dressing for success not only reflects our school pride but also helps create a focused learning environment.

As we settle into the school year, we’ve noticed an increase in common illnesses going around. To help keep our school community healthy, we are asking families to partner with us in taking extra precautions. Please remind your scholar about the importance of good hygiene habits such as regular handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding the sharing of food or drinks. If your child is not feeling well, please keep them home to rest and recover — this helps prevent the spread of illness to others. Together, we can create a safe and healthy environment where all of our scholars can learn and thrive!

To help our days run smoothly, please note our arrival and dismissal procedures.

• Arrival is from 8:15 to 8:30 AM. Students arriving after 8:30 AM are considered late and must be walked into the building by the person dropping them off.
• Dismissal takes place from 3:30 to 3:45 PM.

A successful year starts with being prepared! If you haven’t had a chance to bring in your child’s school supplies yet, please send them in as soon as possible so our scholars have everything they need to learn and thrive. Having supplies in the classroom helps us start each day smoothly and keeps students ready for every activity. You can view and download the complete supply list here: Click for the Supply List. Thank you for your support in making sure our classrooms are well-equipped for a fantastic year!

Our student dress code can be found here.