Excitement and nerves as families prepare for first day of school at new IPS middle schools

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The students embarking on their first day at Thomas Carr Howe Middle School and Broad Ripple Middle School on Thursday morning weren’t the only ones feeling those familiar first-day jitters.

A significant change took place at both schools as T.C. Howe and Broad Ripple expanded to include grades 6-8 for the first time.

“They requested that parents remain patient,” said Francisca Abarca, whose daughter started sixth grade at Broad Ripple on the initial day of classes for Indianapolis Public Schools. “It might be a bit rocky for a couple of weeks.”

The middle schools were launched this year as part of the district’s initiative to promote equity and enhance educational opportunities, including access to extracurricular activities. IPS leaders emphasize that transitioning K-8 schools into separate elementary and middle schools ensures that every middle school student can engage in foreign language studies, Algebra I, sports, art or music, and college and career counseling.

“We have observed that when our students participate in extracurricular activities, sports, arts, clubs, we notice better attendance rates, reduced disciplinary incidents, and improved academic performance,” stated Superintendent Aleesia Johnson.

Nevertheless, many parents express anxiety and frustration as the school year commences. Various parents voiced concerns about the practicalities of this phase of Rebuilding Stronger, from alterations in transportation to students’ emotional reactions to the transition. However, they also expressed enthusiasm about the new curriculum and extracurricular programs.

Cheyenne McAleese disclosed that her son felt devastated upon learning he could no longer attend Sidener Academy for High Ability Students, where he had established relationships with peers and teachers. Under Rebuilding Stronger, Sidener shifted from serving grades 2-8 to grades 1-5.

“It felt like my child’s world was completely upended,” McAleese remarked.

The change also impacted her family’s eligibility for transportation. At their new school, T.C. Howe, they fall within the walking zone and are thus ineligible for school bus services. However, McAleese and her husband cannot accompany their son on foot due to work schedules. Additionally, McAleese deems it unsafe for her 11-year-old to walk alone on their street due to the criminal activity she has observed in the area.

“I don’t feel comfortable having my child navigate that route to and from school,” she voiced.

Nonetheless, McAleese expressed delight regarding the expanded extracurricular offerings. Her son will relish the new clubs and sports available to him, alleviating the need for after-school care on days he participates in such programs.

Other parents shared her excitement. Hillary Brown, who is establishing a Parent Teacher Association at T.C. Howe, affirmed her family’s support for Rebuilding Stronger, emphasizing the increased accessibility of opportunities that more students will now enjoy compared to a year ago.

Brown revealed that her son eagerly anticipates joining the clubs and sports programs at his new school. In contrast to their prior expectations of attending George W. Julian School 57, the array of choices feels “limitless”.

“Transitioning from a school where extracurricular activities were scarce to having a plethora of options is immensely thrilling for him,” Brown added.

Johnson remarked that the inauguration of T.C. Howe and Broad Ripple signifies one of the most substantial changes unfolding in the district this year.

“These schools are essentially being launched anew,” Johnson highlighted. “From our everyday routines of transitioning between classrooms to addressing scheduling logistics as students settle into the building and we observe movement patterns.”

Abarca and her husband, Braulio Munoz, accompanied their sixth-grade daughter to Broad Ripple in the morning alongside their younger children. Although she was feeling nervous in anticipation of the day, she immediately eased upon spotting familiar faces from her previous school.

The family engaged in capturing moments with selfies and warm embraces, standing before the freshly unveiled sign for Broad Ripple Middle School Rockets that reads “Ignite minds, inspire futures”.

They stuck by her side up to the school’s main entrance. She bid them a final wave and a smile before stepping inside.

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