Last week, Christel House marked the special occasion with reading events around the world.
Dr. Suess epitomizes a love of children and learning. His use of rhyme makes his books an effective tool for teaching young children basic reading and life skills. Here, Christel House South Africa celebrates reading (and hats!) and Christel House Academy in Indianapolis enjoyed a visit and a book with Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Bennett.
Recently the eighth graders from Christel House Academy traveled downtown to see their state government in action.
They heard from State Representatives and Governor Mitch Daniels. During their speeches, the lawmakers kept reiterating the fact that school is important and today’s youth are tomorrow’s future. Samira Martin said she learned, “We are the future, we have to get ready in life so that we can take over.” Students had an opportunity to ask the lawmakers questions, and a few Christel House students bravely asked about issues that are important to them.
Later in the day, the students enjoyed playing the role of legislators during a mock committee meeting. Students debated the school calendar bill. Natalia Taylor said that this was her favorite part. “I realized it is very hard to agree on something that will affect others.” One group proposed a mandatory amount of summer break days instead of a specific school start date.
Students also toured the State House and learned about their state history and government. They even got to sit in the seats where the State Representatives debate and cast their votes. Many were surprised to learn that the basement of the State House used to be a stable for horses.
It was a fun and educational day that the students will not soon forget.
Christel House Academy held its third All Pro Dad Breakfast Friday. Students were encouraged to invite a special male figure in their life to join them for breakfast at the school. Food was provided, as well as the opportunity to spend quality time with one another. The event was held in the upper gymnasium of the school and drew in approximately 70 fathers and students.
At the breakfast, fathers and their children discussed this month’s topic: validation. After watching a short video clip, parents were asked to consider the importance of the words they choose to use and how they can affect other people. Parents and students were then given time to validate one another. The event was a definite confidence booster for the students and parents.
After the discussion, everyone was encouraged to continue giving validation to other people in their daily lives. The breakfast ended with a raffle. Each attendee had been given a raffle ticket when signing in for breakfast. There were five lucky winners who took home Colts gear!
The breakfasts have really brought a strong sense of community to Christel House Academy and we are excited to continue this tradition!
All Pro Dad is the fatherhood program of Family First, a national non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families and is supported by the NFL. The All Pro Dads program at CHA is made possible by a Sharing the Dream Grant from the NAESP.
The Sharing the Dream grant, funded with generous support from the Met Life Foundation, enables principals to test ideas on how to involve and engage their communities to build wider ownership for the work of the school by sharing leadership and decision-making.
The Colts have been great friends and supporters of Christel House. Back in August 2000, the Colts played the Steelers in the American Bowl in Mexico City. During their trip, the team visited with children from Christel House Mexico and presented a commemorative football used in the game that is still on display today. (Picture: Colts owner Jim Irsay with other staffers and Christel House families and students)
Many of our friends and supporters have asked if we have any direct connection with those affected by the devastation in Haiti. As one of our students put it, "Yes, we are directly connected. We're members of the same human race and we call the same planet home". We'd add that our children and their families have experienced similar hardship and poverty in their own way.
All our children and staff learn that at Christel House "We share, we care and we make a difference".
Our Learning Centers around the world are all doing different things in response. At Christel House South Africa, our students learned about the tragedy, held a moment of silence, and lit candles - one for the mothers, one for the fathers, and one for the children of Haiti. They also formed the country's name to let them know they are on our hearts and minds.
From collecting items, donating to relief efforts and holding candlelight vigils - we encourage you to continue to support the people of Haiti.
Besides being the home of the Indianapolis Colts, the Stadium is also known for its retractable roof, grand entrance, larger-than-life hallways and...Christel House Artwork!
RCI, a new partner of the Colts, asked Christel House Academy students to create a painting showing the benefits of a good education which incorporated Christel House, the Colts and RCI. It is now on display in the north entry ramp of the stadium.
Not only did the students get to see their painting, they also toured the press box and suites, walked through the tunnel onto the playing field and learned about all the behind-the-scenes activity that happens on game day.
It may have been a blustery winter day outside, but on January 14th the atmosphere was anything but cold inside Christel House Academy. The joy of giving kept everyone warm as students in both the Builders and K Kids clubs worked along side Christel House volunteers and staff to make fleece blankets for the patients of the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital.
In all, a crew of 28 people handcrafted 15 blankets to donate to the patients of the hospital. Hopes of bringing cheer to those fighting illness was evident as students discussed how the children will enjoy the bold colors, shapes and patterns of the cozy fleece blankets.
Afterwards, Christel House staffers treated their volunteers to pizza and then made their way down to the gym to cheer on the boys' 5th and 6th grade basketball team. A fun time was had by all. Learn more about volunteering at Christel House.
Earlier today, fourth grade students at Christel House Academy supported the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in the dedication of the new Mildred S. Compton School Services Wing. The new wing includes a special entrance for school groups and a sack lunch area.
Mildred Compton was a former CEO and President of the Children’s Museum who exemplified excellent leadership and passion towards children and for the museum. Christel House Academy is happy to be a part of such an exciting time for the Children’s Museum and appreciate another great organization with a commitment to learning and transforming the lives of children and their families.
Please see the excerpt below from a letter written in support of the campaign by Ambassador Randall Tobias, Chairman Emeritus, Eli Lilly and Company, Chair of the Capital Campaign and close friend of Gus Watanabe.
Dear Friends,
Christel House Academy is located on Indianapolis’ near south-side, and serves a high-needs population of more than 450 children, 89% receiving free or reduced lunches. The school’s 2009 ISTEP scores showed 74.25% of students passing both the language arts and math sections of the exam. This compares to a 49.9% passing rate of Indianapolis Public Schools. The Academy’s attendance rate is 96.8% and 95.5% of its students return following the summer break. After accomplishing so much, we (and our many supporters) feel these students deserve the opportunity to continue their education in a high school with high academic aspirations and an emphasis on tertiary educational goals. That is what the Watanabe High School can accomplish.
It is impossible to measure Gus Watanabe’s impact on our community. He was a savvy businessman, meticulous scientist and caring physician, mentor and friend. He believed strongly in the importance of preparing young people with a cutting edge curriculum focused on the skills necessary to succeed in the 21st Century workplace. That’s one of the reasons he was a founding board member of Christel House. Gus recognized that because Christel House Academy students often lacked role models and stable home environments, an effective character development program was essential to support them during their vulnerable adolescent years, and help them become solid citizens.
Gus exemplified those qualities we want our young people to display, and Christel House Academy will use his example to inspire and motivate them. Every student who graduates from this school and becomes a productive citizen will honor Gus’ memory. I can’t think of a more fitting tribute. I hope that this initiative will touch your heart as much as it touched mine.
Sincerely,
Ambassador Randall Tobias
Chairman Emeritus, Eli Lilly and CompanyCampaign Chair, Open a Door CampaignWatanabe High School
Please take a moment to write a brief memory about Gus using the comments section below. You can do this whether or not you financially support Watanabe High School.
If you have questions or want to discuss naming opportunities at the school, contact Ken Sheetz, Chief Development Officer at Christel House at 317-464-2086 or ksheetz@christelhouse.org.
Today at 3:30 PM Christel House will hold the official ground-breaking ceremony for the new Christel House Academy-Watanabe High School, the newest charter high school in Indiana.
In 2002, based on the results of ISTEP tests administered three weeks after school opened, Christel House Academy ranked as the worst-performing school in Indiana, clearly demonstrating how far behind these students were. Today, the Academy's ISTEP scores have increased to where 74.25% recently passed both parts of the test compared to the Indiana state average of 71.4% and the IPS average of 49.9%. Learn more.
The sound of roaring engines cut through the brisk fall air on Saturday morning, October 10, as Christel House hosted its first annual "Braking the Cycle Ride" to help children break the cycle of poverty. The police-escorted 100+ mile trip saw 93 riders go from the Christel House Academy, on the near-south side of Indianapolis, to Brown County and back. Registrants received breakfast, lunch and a t-shirt and collectively raised over $15,000 for our students in need around the globe! It was an amazing, fun-filled day that truly made a WORLD of difference!
Native American photographer and instillation artist Will Wilson (Dine) directs the project which includes tracing and organizing students and volunteers to join forces in creating the beautiful finished product. The mural celebrates the "Indians of Indiana" and is part of the multicultural education program at Christel House Academy.
The mural will be unveiled at the site this Thursday, October 15 at 2:30 p.m.
Andrea Sánchez is attending the Creating Artistry workshop at Butler University, where she is developing different strategies and techniques to conduct the choir as well perfecting her vocal skills. Diana Szelei, the music director at Christel House Academy, is also attending.
Through individual and master class teaching, conductors study Conducting Gesture, Vocal Techniques, Rehearsal, Efficiency, Pacing, Score Analysis, Repertoire, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Choral Administration and Multicultural Interpretation. Laboratory choruses provide the opportunity for participants to actively explore the conducting processes.
We appreciate the opportunity that Butler University gave us to improve our music programs in the U.S. and Mexico.
More than 100 Christel House Academy students joined Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning in launching Project 18, a new program aimed at fighting childhood obesity in Indiana today. The state-wide health and wellness campaign is an initiative of Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St.Vincent (courtesy photo) and focuses on school health education and community outreach.
The project, which is named after Manning’s football jersey number, provides Indiana elementary schools with an 18-week health and wellness curriculum designed to address the major risk behaviors in third-grade to fifth-grade students. It focuses on the areas of nutrition, physical activity and holistic health. In 2008, Indiana ranked 11th in the country for obesity. Approximately one-third of Hoosier children are overweight, and are more likely to develop high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, low self-esteem and depression. Marsh Supermarkets, Ball State University and Strategic Marketing & Research, Inc. (SMARI) have also teamed up with Manning and St. Vincent as they work to educate Indiana students and their families on healthy living choices through Project 18.
In addition to launching the program at Christel House Academy, Principal Carey Dahncke was also invited to be the only school principal to participate in videotaped public service announcements (see Carey in the Goal Setting video).
Be sure to check out the local Indianapolis evening news for highlights of the launch and press conference that took place at Christel House Academy this morning. Also watch our website for updates on our Academy students’ progress in the program beginning this fall.
Ivy Tech is the state's most affordable college. Christel House Academy is currently K-8 but is planning for a high school. These two leaders in education are working together to create access for those in need.
Today, Dr. Hank Dunn, Chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College, presented a scholarship certificate to Carey Dancke, Principal of Christel House Academy. The certificate is good for one full scholarship to Ivy Tech for a future Christel House Academy graduate.
Cole Porter Family Orchestra "Rocks the State House"
Amidst a crowd of supporters and state officials, the Cole Porter Family Orchestra at the Christel House Academy filled the halls of the Indiana Statehouse with beautiful music. The orchestra was invited to play as part of the "Charter Schools Rock" day organized by the Indiana Public Charter School Association.
The orchestra began in the fall with the help of a gift from Margaret Cole Russell on behalf of the entire Cole Porter Family. For more on our students' activities and how you can help, visit www.christelhouse.org.
