Education

By Andy Klotz— Muncie, IN– Due to a positive case of COVID-19 that has affected the entire front office staff and administration at Southside Middle School, the school will close immediately and not reopen until after the Thanksgiving break. Students will shift to e-learning by utilizing the district’s Schoology learning management system with live lessons taking place each period. A staff member received the positive test result Tuesday evening. After contact tracing, it was determined that the entire front office staff and…

By Joanna Robertson— Muncie, IN—Classroom Connections of ECI has been selected as the regional hub to distribute a Midwest portion of JOANN’s nationwide donation of 1.8 million masks to pre-K—12th grade schools in partnership with the Kids In Need Foundation. “Our longtime corporate partner JOANN’s, who donates tens of thousands of dollars in arts and craft products annually, will be playing an active role in ensuring the health and safely of regional teachers and students we serve,” said Stacy Wheeler,…

By Stacy Wheeler— Muncie, IN—Classroom Connections of ECI held a Teacher Supply Drive-Thru Event on Saturday, October 24th, 2020 at their outdoor location. With the help of volunteers from local Kiwanis, Altrusa and Ball State University, participating K-12th grade teachers received a trunk-full of classroom supplies safely from their cars to support area school districts. Classroom Connections of ECI distributed the following to local teachers during the drive-thru: 7,560 washable face masks and 100 boxes of facialtissues 3,852 #2 pencils…

By Kelsey Batten— Muncie, IN —Ivy Tech Community College will host a Virtual College 101 event Thursday, November 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. During the event, participants will learn more about what Ivy Tech offers, including numerous associate degree and short-term certificate programs, as well as transfer options. Interested participants must RSVP. During the appointment, participants will learn about programs in areas where employers are hiring such as Healthcare, IT, Supply Chain, Business and Advanced Manufacturing as well…

Indianapolis, IN—Financial aid professionals from all across Indiana will be volunteering to help collegebound students and their families open the door to financial aid during College Goal Sunday. The event is set for 2 p.m. (EDT), October 25th, 2020. The free program assists Indiana students in filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA form is required for students to be considered for federal and state grants, scholarships and student loans at most colleges, universities and vocational/technical…

By: Andrea McDermott, Future of Work Program Associate— Muncie, IN—Ball State’s iMADE projects are forging solutions to workforce needs through collaborations and community networking. By working with more than 10 local organizations and using multi-disciplinary approaches, iMADE exemplifies the dynamic partnerships of the Future of Work Muncie that create a unique opportunity for economic growth and cultural enhancement. From benches and entryways to farmers market improvements, and courtyard redesign, students create digital design ideas with partners Midwest Metals, Indiana Hardwood,…

By Dr. Sue Ellspermann, President, Ivy Tech Community College, Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner, Indiana Commission for Higher Education , Fred Payne, Commissioner, Indiana Department of Workforce Development Muncie, IN—We know that Hoosiers are facing many challenges due to COVID-19. Some have lost their jobs and others may not be able to return to the position they once had because the job requirements have changed. “In This Together” is the charge we often hear to collectively fight this virus. In that spirit, the Indiana…

By Kelsey Batten— Indianapolis, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College confirmed that it will continue to provide students with the same breadth of course delivery options in the Spring 2021 semester as those that started last month, and those beginning October 26. In January, students will once again be welcomed back onto Ivy Tech campuses throughout Indiana for face-to-face courses while the College will continue to offer a majority of its courses in blended, virtual, and online formats. The focus will continue…

By Andy Klotz— Funds to aid early learning literacy, teacher training, building security Muncie, Ind. – Four grants totaling $825,000 will allow Muncie Community Schools (MCS) to improve young students’ literacy, help train teachers and increase security at MCS facilities. The funds come from various entities in the following amounts: $500,000 from the US Department of Justice’s School Violence Prevention Program $100,000 from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security $225,000 from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) – $150,000 for…