News from the Ridge

Parents, caregivers, and families of our 10th grade students: Our annual Personal Project Expo will be held on February 12th after school from 5:30-7:00pm. All 10th grade students will be presenting their projects in the cafeteria and various locations on the 2nd floor from 5:30-6:45. We invite all families to attend the Expo and see the wonderful passion projects that our students have been working hard on all school year! We also welcome families to stay for the DP Art Show in the CMA after the PP Expo. Transportation home for students is provided by the activity bus that departs from SHS at 7pm.

Our next FAFSA Night will be Thursday, February 12, from 5:30 -6:30pm - FAFSA Completion Workshop. Enter Door1 and proceed to the Future Center immediately to the left. Our partners at INvestEd will be on hand to help families with questions, trouble shoot or just walk through the process one on one.

If this night and time doesn't work for you, INvestEd publishes a calendar of all the locations they will be offering in-person support to families. There are several schools in Indianapolis offering evening events this week and beyond. Check out this calendar here.

Of course, you can always contact Lori Armstrong at 317-690-7797 or armstrlo@myips.org, to schedule a visit at your convenience.

Next week will be a short one! School is closed Monday in observance of Presidents Day. Students will also have no school on Tuesday so teachers, administrators and staff can engage in Professional Development.

Students in grade 9 -11 will be taking the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, SPRING SAT. These tests serve as benchmark testing in our state accountability formula and help students, schools and families know where students are in college readiness skills. The 11th graders scores on this exam also are used to evaluate their eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship. Attendance as school that day is required. Students are receiving information during ATL and various classes about how best to study and prepare for this exam.

Seniors are encouraged to spend their day off campus doing any of the following activities or other tasks to prepare for life after graduation:

• Job Shadowing

• Work Experience

• Study for IB exams

• Do an admitted student college visit

• Engage in or complete documentation of Service Learning experiences.

• Completing 21st Century Scholars activities

• Work on IPS Foundation Scholarship application and/or other scholarships.

• Complete Housing Applications

• Ensure their resume is up to date.

• Meet with recruiters for military enlistment or schedule exams, appointment or tests.

• Work on getting a driver's license or state ID.

• Have your own idea? check with Ms. Hoyt, your counselor or the Future Center for the ok!

Students will be expected to complete a short survey to be marked as present in class that day.

The Future Center can assist students with these plans if needed.

Make sure you touch base with the school calendar frequently to keep up with important events at Shortridge!

SHS Comprehensive Community Calendar.

• Please encourage students to sign up for after-school tutoring on Thursdays! Students must fill out this Google Form to attend. It must be submitted on Wednesday before 12:00 PM in order to be eligible to attend.

• Brianfuse Help Now - Live, online tutoring from 2pm-11pm daily. This is a new thing we have access to due to our partnership with the Indy library. All they need is their library card number!

This past Saturday, February 7th, Nina Goldsmith received the Edie Atwell "Living the Dream" Award.

The recipient of this award is an Indianapolis Public School senior who is recommended by faculty members from their high school. This young person demonstrates leadership capabilities through their participation in school events and/or community organizations. Furthermore, this student exhibits qualities of outstanding citizenship with their adherence to school rules and high academic performance. The nominee must be in the 10% of their class, with a minimum of a “B+” grade average.

Do you know someone shopping for a high school? The last appointments are coming up fast! Share this link today!- Visit the Shortridge Campus

Senior Parents/Guardians

Thank you for your continued support during this important and exciting time for your students. This semester will focus on IB exams and outstanding IB tasks.

Mock Exams Feb. 23rd-Feb. 27 with official IB exams beginning on April 28th.

DP Grading-Are you interested in how DP grading works? Check out these resources.

• Understanding DP Grading

• DP Grade Boundaries-these are different for all classes. The DP grading document explains why the boundaries are different for each course.

• Class of 2026 boundaries for each course.

Please reference the IB Deadlines Class of 2026 for a more details regarding upcoming deadlines. Be sure to scroll down to Year 2 (Senior Year deadlines).

Please reach out to Jenny Bielefeld, bielefeldj@myips.org, with any questions.

Junior Parents/Guardians

Extended Essay and Reflective Project-The Extended Essay (DP students) and Reflective Project (CP students) are just getting started. 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 began this work in December by creating a question. Your student will meet with their supervisor during ATL beginning on Jan. 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.

DP History-Students are beginning their History IA. The History IA (Internal Assessment) in the IB Diploma Program is an individual research project where students investigate a historical question of their choice. They analyze and evaluate sources, examine different perspectives, and form a clear, evidence-based conclusion. The project helps students develop research, critical thinking, and writing skills, and it counts toward their final IB History grade.

DP Grading-Are you interested in how DP grading works? Check out these resources.

• Understanding DP Grading

• DP Grade Boundaries-these are different for all classes. The DP grading document explains why the boundaries are different for each course.

• Class of 2027 boundaries for each course.

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.

The Dean Team is asking for you help in discussing safety and attendance protocol with your students at home. We want all students to have a safe and secure learning environment and to attend classes on time and with respect and engagement in the lessons. This PowerPoint was shared in ATL and we continue to reveiw these expectations and consequences but sometimes, the message gets missed or forgotten. Please take a moment to review it with your students at home. Please reach out to a Dean if you have any questions. Thank you!

Help Shortridge seniors purchase and display yard signs celebrating their graduation.

We are using Cheddar Up for this project. Click here to donate!

PARENT TEACHER STUDENT ASSOCIATION (PTSA)

Thanks to everyone who attended the January PTSA meeting in-person or virtually! Always a great opportunity to meet other families, get updates from the administration, and brainstorm ways to support the amazing students and staff at Shortridge! Couldn’t make it? No worries! Check out the meeting notes at https://tinyurl.com/PTSAmeetingnotes012226

BAND BOOSTERS

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of the staff, students, and Shortridge community last year, concert black outfits will be purchased for the advanced band! The student musicians will look as amazing as they sound as they represent SHS and IPS during competitions and community performances! A special shout out to Dani Roth for helping to collect measurements.

Want more info about the Band Boosters? Sign up for updates through the Band app! https://tinyurl.com/BandBoosters-bandappinvite

Important Senior Dates can be found here. This document is updated regularly.

Many of your students have or will soon receive admission letters and now the financial piece will be coming too! For each college, the students should receive something that outlines the Cost of Attendance, any scholarships, grants and awards, loans and what your final costs would be. For more details, examples and other tips, check out this video linked below created by Ms. Rivas, our College Access Advisor.

Financial Aid Offers and Application Portals

If you have already filed your FAFSA, check out these videos for information about what happens next!

What Happens after submitting your FAFSA Form?

What Happens after your FAFSA is Processed?

Reminder - Engagement with the FAFSA is a graduation requirement. Also- we are entering scholarship season. Many scholarship applications will ask for the results of the FAFSA application. The 2026-2027 FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid) is now open!

We are getting busy in The Future Center holding FAFSA events, Scholarship Workshops and 21st Century Scholars events. It always helps to calm the nerves and add some fun to the work to have snacks and drinks available. If you are interested in helping to keep the water cooler, coffee station and snack basket full, please check out our Amazon Wishlist. Of course, if you can find similar products locally to send in at better prices, we will definitely accept drop off donations! We also have other items on the list that more durable products to support our events and activities.

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.

Fall Break too short for a college tour trip? 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.

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

Meridian Hills Caddie Program

Join us for the annual IPS Summer Camps & Resource Fair on Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Shepherd Community Center, 4107 E. Washington St. This fun and informative event will include more than 30 vendors featuring summer camps, internships, and jobs for teens. There will also be health and fitness options onsite.

Program Overview

When the Youth Tree Team™ (YTT) started, it was all about taking care of the trees. But taking care of the people who take care of the trees is just as important. Our seven-week summer job program for teens and young adults is one part improving the community through tree care, one part work readiness training, and all parts the best way to spend a summer.

KIB could not plant the number of trees we do each year (around 3,000!) without the Youth Tree Team. Newly planted trees need 15 gallons of water a week to survive, and annual mulching keeps weed competition down and moisture levels up. With hot Indiana summers, we rely on YTT to help our trees survive and thrive.

Program Details

Youth Tree Team Commitment

• Candidates must possess the following characteristics: initiative, professionalism, respect, interest in the environment, pride in your work, responsibility, and the ability to work with a team.
• YTT members must commit to not missing more than 8 days of the 7-week program.
• Primary duties include watering, mulching, and staking trees. Duties also include weeding, picking up litter, heavy lifting, filling out work logs, and completing other duties as assigned.
• Candidates are expected to carry one or two 40-pound buckets of water while walking several hundred feet

Along with daily work, YTT employees have weekly enrichment activities, including hiking, tree ID, financial literacy, and learning from community partners around Indianapolis.

Job Readiness Training

Getting our high school employees ready for future jobs is important to us. As part of summer employment, we provide job readiness training to all our youth, prioritizing weekly enrichment opportunities, lunch presentations, and mid- and end-of-season evaluations.

YTT Participant (Youth)

• Must currently be enrolled in high school AND must be at least 14 years old by June 4, 2026.
• $13/hour
• 20 hours/week (Monday-Thursday, 8AM – 1PM)
• Free lunch each workday
• Personal development enrichments each week

View the full job description for Youth Tree Team Member here. Applications close on April 1. Apply today!

YTT Leader (Age 19 and Up)

• $17/hour
• 30-40 hours per week (Monday-Friday)
• Free lunch each student workday
• Leadership development trainings and enrichments
• May fulfill internship requirements

View the full job description for Youth Tree Team Leader here. Applications close on March 2. Apply today!

Exploring Engineering at Purdue invites high school juniors and their parents/guardians to learn more about Purdue Engineering through sessions with various majors and programs, a tour of the West Lafayette campus or residence halls, and opportunities to network with current students and staff.

The event will take place on Monday, April 20, 2026, giving prospective students an authentic look at campus life. We will also offer an optional meet‑and‑greet on Sunday, April 19, featuring extended opportunities to speak directly with engineering majors, programs, and student organizations.

Registration is required and can be completed at engineering.purdue.edu/WiE under the “Exploring Engineering” tab. A flyer and QR code are included for easy access to the event webpage.

The VolunTEEN program provides Indianapolis teens with the opportunity to explore careers in health care. Along with volunteer work and shadowing/observations in a clinical setting, VolunTEENs will discuss educational requirements, short- and long-term goal setting and networking.

The application will be available beginning Monday, January 5, 2026, and will remain open until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb 27, 2026.

The program is available for teenagers age 14 - 19 who have an interest in exploring healthcare related careers.

The application will be available beginning Monday, January 5, 2026, and will remain open until 5 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026.

Once applications are submitted, individuals will answer 2-3 questions using HireVue video interviewing to discuss their experiences related to health-care settings, career of interest, and how this program may help them learn more about the dynamic and evolving healthcare setting. (Link provided after submission of application. Each applicant must also submit a short, one page summary (resume) of their academic preparation and extracurricular activities in support of their application. The summary will be uploaded and submitted online through the application portal. Applications and document submission are made online only.)

The program will offer three sessions to apply to and will run for two weeks, Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., meal tickets will be provided for lunch between 12p.m. and 1p.m. In 2026, Eskenazi Health will offer face-to-face interaction in a hospital setting through shadowing and volunteering. The first week includes orientation, tours, professional development training, discussions with professionals and activities related to careers healthcare. The second week includes shadowing/volunteering in a hospital- and patient-care setting.

-Session 1: June 1 – 12, 2026

-Session 2: June 15 – 26, 2026

-Session 3: July 6 – 17, 2026

Please use the following link online application to apply for the 2026 program.

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 - englishc@myips.org

Linda Temme - temmel@myips.org

Meet the Shortridge Student Service Team

Our student media class is working to 'tell our story' in this year's book with wonderful pictures and text!

Click on this LINK. (EntourageYearbooks.com)

Order yours now for the best price!

(Price increases after winter break, and again after spring break)

No books available after sales close on May 30.

Books print in the summer and can be picked up at SHS in August. We will contact you if you are no longer attending.

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!

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.