Volunteers Converge on Belzer Middle School for Beautification Project

By Bonnie Hinkle -

The grounds of Belzer Middle School in Lawrence Township were transformed May 20 by an army of Eli Lilly volunteers who participated in the second annual Global Day of Service. They partnered with students, Boy Scouts and other community members to complete projects to beautify the school.

The main task was renovation of a courtyard which, when completed, will include a covered outdoor classroom using material recycled from the former RCA dome, a pond, a rain barrel water collection system, a pathway of honor made up of inscribed bricks, picnic tables, gardens and bird feeders.

Students and volunteers were vigilant as they shoveled and cleared masses of rocks in the area, and the outcome of their efforts will be greatly appreciated for years to come. The volunteers planted trees, shrubs and native Indiana grasses to enhance the entrance of the school.

Two Eagle Scout candidates were involved in the project, helping to organize and lead the planning, preparation and volunteer efforts. The scouts are Cody Wilson, a junior at Greenwood Community High School, and Tyler Walls, a junior at Carmel High School.

The original building on the site had a long history. The three-story building was built as the community high school combining Oaklandon, Castleton and Lawrence Schools in 1941. It became Belzer Junior High School when the current Lawrence Central High School was built in 1964. It was then renamed Belzer Middle School when sixth grade was added in 1981. Last summer, a major renovation to the school took place when new seventh and eight grade wings were added, and the original three-story building was razed.

This workday was a culmination of efforts by the Belzer Faculty Organization, staff and teachers to beautify the grounds and honor the history of the school, as well as encourage hands-on learning about alternate energy and resource conservation. It was sponsored by the Project Green Schools Program of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. Pond building materials were purchased with a $3,000 Toolbox for Education grant from Lowe’s Charitable and Education Foundation.

Senator James Merritt was present during the transformation to pay honor to the school and the efforts of the community.  “This is a great opportunity for the community, staff and students to work together to transform and improve the appearance of this historical site,” said Mr. Ron Davie, Principal.

Pay a visit to Belzer this fall and see the beautiful completion of this project!

MSDLT Special Education Records Notification

The Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township Special Services Department announces that the special education records of former students who attended a Lawrence Township school during the 2003-04  school year will be destroyed after  July 1, 2009 . If you were a student who received special education services during this time, you are entitled to request your records. Please call Shirley Jackson at 317/423-8437.

Hamilton Southeastern Names Teachers of the Year

HSE not only celebrated teachers’ last day of school but also announced building and district teachers of the year, retirements and certified staff years of service awards.

Thorpe Creek Reach (G/T) teacher Agnes Pugel was named 2009 Teacher of the Year for her building as well as the district.  The G/T teacher for the building, colleagues credited her for sharing results of grants with all staff and having the energy to organize building activities, mentor new teachers and sponsor student groups. Her nomination said she is a “servant leader” for the good of not only her students, but her school and HSE as a whole. She was nominated and selected by building peers to represent her school, and then the district selection was a collaborative teacher association and central office administration decision.

Other building teachers of the year include Katie McLaughlin (BSE), David Greiwe (CRE), Sarah Pinkus (DE), Kristin Najem (FCE), Amanda Williams (FE), Erin Green (GE), Karon Bohlman (HPE), Janelle Spencer (HRE), Angie Holt (LRE), Amy Risinger (NBE), Chris Larson (SCE), Brenda McLean (FCI), Susan Drumm (RSS), Jana Rabadi (SCI), Andrea McMurtry (FJH), Jenny Slota (HSEJH), John Drozd (FHS) and Bill Reed (HSEHS).

Two HSE High School teachers receiving 30-year awards were Susan Wong and Janet Chandler. Twenty-year awards went to Carla Cole (HPE), Julie Cutter (NBE/FHS), Jean Doss, (FCE), Maria Ging (FCE), Vicki McIntire (NBE), Lisa Roach (LRE), Kathy Seitz (HSEJH), Claudia Silvey (HSEJH), Ellen Smith-King (FCE), Susan Tysen (HPE), Jackie Young (FCI), Brian Cronk (FJH) and Kathy Beall (CRE).

Teacher retirements included Michael Aldred (HSEJH), Nancy Allen (SCE), Dave Ballenger (HSEJH), Nancy Harrold (FHS), Charlotte Irish (HSEHS), Mary Ann Kaiser (SCI), James McKinney (FJH), Joanne Prater (FJH), Mary Ellen Pyrz (SCI), Claudia Silvey (HSEJH), Cecilia Tucker (FHS), Thomas Underwood (HSEHS) and Connie Wyant (FCI).

LN Football Camp for Grades 3-8

LAWRENCE NORTH FOOTBALL
GRADE SCHOOL CAMP, 2009
Open to all players entering grades 3-8
Sunday, July 12 through Wednesday, July 15; 5:30-7:30 p.m.

REGISTRATION FEE IS JUST $30.00
Join Head Football Coach Tom Dilley, the Wildcat Football Staff, and current and former Lawrence North Football players for four evenings of fun and football instruction.
Grade school and middle school players will be instructed in football fundamentals as well as speed, strength, and agility improvement techniques.
Call 964-7931 for more information.

INSTRUCTION INCLUDES: basic fundamentals or all positions; basic formation and alignment rules for all positions; fundamental instruction in speed development training; fundamental instruction in weight training technique; execution of the basic timing of Lawrence North offensive plays; execution of the basics of Lawrence North defense

LOCATION: the camp will be held in Dwaine Bell Stadium on the campus of Lawrence North High School
COST: the cost of the camp is $30. Each camper will receive eight hours of instruction, a camp t-shirt, and a written post-camp evaluation.
Participants should wear workout clothing and bring cleated shoes and indoor shoes each day. This is a NON-PADDED camp. Camp will proceed each evening—rain or shine.

Lawrence Student Group Raises $2,175 for Hodgin Scholarship

Several Lawrence Township students gathered recently to raise funds to support the Hodgin Character Achievement Award. The students, who are members of the Lawrence Township School Student Foundation (LTSSF), participated in the first annual phone-a-thon and called friends, family and Foundation supporters. In just a few hours, the group surpassed its goal and raised $2,175! The scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who exhibits outstanding character and a strong commitment to service. This award was established in 1992 to honor Lawrence Township Assistant Superintendent Dr. Duane Hodgin in appreciation of his outstanding service and tireless efforts supporting Character Education.

LTSSF was formed this fall with a mission to promote selfless giving by providing a venue for all Lawrence Township students to become creative leaders and participate in both raising funds and actively representing the voices of all students in order to reflect and enhance the goals of the Lawrence Township School Foundation. Ann Ostrom and Merry Thoe, Foundation Board members and LTSSF liaisons, are thrilled with the efforts of the student group. “They have gotten off to a great start this year and it is wonderful to see the kids working together to have a positive impact on others.”

The Hodgin Character Achievement Award is one of twelve scholarships administered by the Lawrence Township School Foundation. Donations are still being accepted for the award. Dr. Hodgin is retiring in June, having served the students and families in Lawrence Township for twenty years. For more information on the Lawrence Township School Foundation, please call 317-423-8300 or go to www.msdltf.org.

Geist Entrepreneur Introduces Funky Monkey Fruit Snacks

Have you ever eaten fruit that crunches like a potato chip?

I recently had the pleasure of sampling Funky Monkey, the newest 100 percent fruit snacks on the market. Geist resident Matt Herzog runs the Funky Monkey company from his Fox Hollow home, where his wife, Jennifer, and their kids — Jack, 7, and Melanie, 4 — serve as taste testers for future flavors.

“My son is a big fan of space and astronauts, and the astronauts take freeze-dried fruit. It’s much lighter, and it still has all the nutrients. It’s nutritionally equivalent to fresh,” Herzog explains.

Freeze-dried fruit is not just for astronauts anymore. Funky Monkey’s freeze drying technology improves upon the standard process that tends to make fruit dull-colored with a powdery texture that melts in your mouth. By contrast, Funky Monkey snacks are colorful, flavorful and surprisingly crunchy.

There’s Banamon (bananas with cinnamon), Jivealime (pineapple and lime), Carnaval Mix (banana, pineapple, apple, papaya and raisins) and Purple Funk (banana and acai — a “superfruit” that contains antioxidants and Omega 3). An apple cinnamon flavor will debut soon.

All of the fruit is grown and freeze dried in Brazil. “We get the premium fruit right from the source,” Herzog explains, adding that all Funky Monkey snacks are pure fruit (mostly organic) and contain no added sugar, preservatives or artificial colors. “For people with food allergies or who need a gluten-free diet, it’s a great thing.”

As a mom, I love the idea of giving my kids a snack of pure, wholesome fruit disguised in a fun package with a catchy name. But would the kids go for it? I took along two of my own “kid testers” to find out.

My 4 year old was too busy crunching on Purple Funk to talk much, but 10-year-old Autumn had this to report:

“These Funky Monkey snacks are delectable, healthy and easy to send in your kids’ lunches, with them still getting the fruit they need. These are wonderful snacks! If your child doesn’t like squishy fruit, these snacks should be perfect for them. They’re crunchy and sort of like chips only much healthier. These snacks are totally kid friendly!”

Funky Monkey snacks are available locally at Super Target, Kroger and, fittingly, at the new Monkey Joe’s play center in Castleton. Each 1-ounce packet contains three servings of fruit and retails for around $2. A smaller size is currently in the works that will sell for 99 cents. Cases are sold through Amazon.com.

My little “monkeys” couldn’t stop munching on these tasty snacks, and, to be honest, neither could I!

Geist RN Brings Hope to Sick Children in Middle East

Geist resident and Registered Nurse Becky Clark has traveled to the Middle East four times as part of a Riley Hospital medical team that has performed life-giving heart surgeries on 45 children in Amman, Jordan. Here she shares some of her favorite stories from her journeys.

The Gift of Life Program provides care for children with congenital heart defects who lack the resources to receive care in their native homeland. The program operates through local Rotary Clubs which collaborate with children’s hospital around the world to deliver care with no charge to the patient.

The Gift of Life Program began in Cardiothoracic Surgery Services at Riley Hospital for Children in July 1998 with a young four year old from St. Petersburg who required an aortic valve surgery. Since that time, we have completed 47 children from diverse regions of the world including China, Pakistan, Jamaica, Ecuador, Africa, Honduras, Haiti, Phillipines, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Early in 2006, through discussions with our Indianapolis Rotary Club, we started contemplating the idea of taking a team to one of these countries for a mission trip. Amman, Jordan, was selected because it had a favorable culture and capable hospitals, as well as an enthusiastic pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon who received his education in the United States but lacked the experience necessary to perform these kinds of surgeries with good outcomes.

It took approximately one year to finalize plans for this first trip. Under the leadership of our surgeon, Dr. Mark Turrentine, a team consisting of two operating room nurses, two intensive care nurses, a perfusionist and a pediatric cardiologist was compiled. Equipment and supplies were obtained through donations, and Rotary undertook fundraising for the cost of the flights and lodging for the team.

In March 2007, the team made the trip to Amman. The trip was hugely successful, with nine cardiothoracic surgeries completed. The cost of the surgeries, medical care and travel expenses for team members totaled approximately $65,000, which is the average cost or slightly less than the cost of one surgery for a child brought to Riley Hospital in Indianapolis for the same treatment.

During the second trip, in April 2008, there were 12 children completed, and on the third trip in October 2008, an additional 10 children received care. In late February 2009, we completed our fourth mission trip and our 45th child.

Ammar’s Story
On our first mission trip, we operated on  Ammar Sa’Ed Fayez Awni, a 10 year old from Baghdad, Iraq. He arrived with his mother and grandfather, who were very timid about the surgery. Before Ammar went home, with the help of an interpreter, his mother told us that his father had been killed by an American soldier in the war. They hated Americans and were fearful of how we would take care of their son. But, she said, in coming to Amman for surgery, “No one asked us if we were Muslim or Christian, if we believed in the war or not, or any other preconceived notion. We have been well taken care of and treated with kindness. When we return to Iraq, I will tell my family and my friends that Americans are just like us — they love the children, they care about people, and they have good hearts.”

Farah’s Story
Also on the first mission trip, we met, Farah, a 2 year old from Syria living in a refugee camp in Amman. Farah was born with only one ventricle in her heart and was very blue when we met her. The parents said very little during the evaluation and pre-operative stage. She did well in the OR, and then on the third post-operative day as the team was making rounds, the mother rushed to our female cardiologist and de-veiled to kiss her multiple times on the cheek. This is a really big display for a traditional Muslim woman in the Middle East.

On our second mission, Farah’s family invited us to visit them at the refugee camp. They live very humbly and have literally nothing. As we sat on the floor of their home, the children all sat with us and brought canned drinks and hugged us. The father wanted to slaughter a lamb for our dinner in an offer of friendship (which we didn’t allow) and then tried to give us their camel rug — one of their only possessions. As we left that night, many children of the refugee camp came out to see us and gathered around the team to thank us for taking care of Farah.

On our fourth mission trip, Farah returned to the hospital for her final staged procedure, and the entire family came along. They never enter without the traditional kiss to each cheek along with a warm embrace, and never leave without thanking us and telling us that we are like their family and will always be friends.

What the program has accomplished:
1) The surgeon in Amman, Dr. Fadi Khoury, has gained much experience in the field of pediatric heart surgery.
2) We have saved the lives of 45 children who had no means to receive the needed care in any other way.
3) We have established relationships with medical personnel in the Middle East. We continue to review studies and consult on request.
4) We are working with the government appropriations board at Clarian to initiate telemedicine robots in up to four different sites including Jordan, Baghdad, Iraq and Syria.
We have represented Riley Hospital and Americans as a whole to a diverse population of peoples in the Middle East, establishing trust and friendships with our patients and families, many of who continue to stay in touch.

In nursing, opportunities such as this are rare. I am fortunate to have had the ability to participate in such a tremendous experience. I’m really proud of the team and the work we’ve done there. I hope to continue with the same and hopefully to grow the efforts into telemedicine and an international clinic. And it is my hope that just maybe we’ve made a difference in the perceptions of some in the middle east in regard to relationships with Americans.

How you can help:
If you would like to make a donation to International Mission Trips for Kids with Congenital Heart Defects, please make checks payable to Riley Hospital (Memo: Riley Heart Center International Mission Funds) and mail to:
Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Inc.
Attention:  Becky Clark, R.N.
545 Barnhill Drive, Suite 215
Indianapolis, IN   46202

Tigers Shatter Records at 2009 FAST 500

It was an impressive early season performance for the FAST Tigers as the 115+ Tigers that competed in the meet combined to swim to 715 lifetime best times, 56 team records, 14 FAST 500 Invitational Meet records, three Fishers HS Aquatic Center records, four individual high point winners and two individual runner-up high point winner at the 2009 FAST 500.

Invitational, held Friday through Sunday, May 15-17, 2009 at the Fishers HS Aquatic Center.

The FAST Tigers finished second in the team standings being the Northern Kentucky Clippers from Erlanger, Kentucky.  Locally, the Viper Aquatics Swim Team finished fourth and Noblesville Swim Club finished fifth.  Overall the meet featured 450 swimmers representing seven teams from Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Ohio.

Outstanding performers for the FAST Tigers that achieved 67% or better lifetime best times included, Davis Arick (11/12), Emily Baumgartner (4/6), Drew Blystone (6/7), Kevin Broad (11/12), Hannah Brungard (7/10), Rebecca Carr (11/11), Matthew Carr (11/11), Oyun-Erdene Chingis (5/5), Emma Cline (8/9), Sam Cline (9/10), Zoe Cochran (8/11), Cameron Corey (3/4), Heather Cunningham (9/12), Meghan Curran (10/11), Ren DeBrosse (6/7), Claire Denny (11/11), Meg Dimick (11/11), Max Eden (6/6), Rachel Gernert (4/6), Chance Harms (10/12), Carrigan Hayes (10/11), Jared Hyatt (2/3), Kayce Ingram (3/4), Luke Ingram (11/11), Brad Jacobs (11/11), Sarah Jacobs (6/9), Drew Jamrose (3/3), Savannah Kennedy (6/8), Jiwoo Kim (9/11), John Kim (10/12), Sam Kozman (8/12), Abbi Kuhn (4/6), Samantha Laslie (8/10), Lindsey Lemen (9/10), Maya Louks (3/4), Ben McAteer (9/10), Makenna McAteer (5/7), Joey McKay (9/11), Max McKay (11/12), Anna Miller (5/6), Bryce Miller (6/7), Keeley Miller (6/7), Sydney Miller (6/7), Ethan Moe (8/10), Patrick Montgomery (11/12), Emily Moser (8/11), Sarah Moser (9/12), Hannah Nguyen (4/4), Mai-Linh Nguyen (2/2), Mai Thanh Nguyen (2/2), Briana Nobbe (7/9), Lauren Parrish (10/10), Sydney Parrish (3/3), Bailie Pelletier (5/5), Anna Perez (5/5), Lucia Perez (5/7), Courtney Pfanstiel (9/11), Lizzy Pfeifer (9/10), David Phillips (9/10), Scott Rockley (9/11), Emma Roehrdanz (10/11), Faith Rosebrough (6/6), Gavin Rue (9/10), Jessie Sarabyn (7/10), Ally Saunders (11/11), Lauren Schingel (8/10), Abbey Schneider (6/6), Carissa Schneider (4/5), Kelly Sexson (6/6), Yaniv Shmukler (5/7), Ben Shuler (7/7), Ally Sperring (8/10), Sam Strensland (11/11), Jacob Stopkotte (7/10), Kayla Sutcliffe (6/6), Isabel Thielking (11/11), Mary Thielking (12/12), Miya Wai (5/5), Shinya Wai (5/6), AJ Waltermann (10/10), Jacob Weaver (5/5), Corinne Yorkman (2/3) and Chien Zhou (4/5).

FAST team record breakers included, Corinne Yorkman (6-Under Girls), Sydney Miller (6-Under Girls), Mia Wai (7-8 Girls), Lauren Parrish (9-10 Girls), Ally Sperring (9-10 Girls), Lizzy Pfeifer (9-10 Girls), Erin Moe (13-14 Girls), Emily Moe (15-16 Girls), Hannah Hendricks (15-16 Girls), AJ Waltermann (7-8 Boys), Brad Jacobs (11-12 Boys), Joey McKay (11-12 Boys), Max McKay (13-14 Boys), Kevin Broad (15-16 Boys) and Jonathon Dance (17-18 Boys).

AJ Waltermann (8-Under Boys), Brad Jacobs (11-12 Boys), Erin Moe (13-14 Girls) and Max McKay (13-14 Boys) won the high point award for their respective age group.  Lizzy Pfeifer (9-10 Girls) and Katie Lemen (13-14 Girls) finished runner-up in the high point standings for their respective age group.
Breaking Fishers HS Aquatic Center pool records for the FAST Tigers were Corinne Yorkman (6-Under Girls) and Sydney Miller (6-Under Girls).

FAST Tigers that broke FAST 500 meet records, included Max McKay (13-14 Boys), Erin Moe (13-14 Girls) and AJ Waltermann (8-Under Boys).

The Tigers qualified six new swimmers to the 2010 Indiana Central Divisional Championships and two new swimmers to the 2009 Indiana Long Course Age Group State Championships.

Lindsey Lemen (10-Under Girls) and AJ Waltermann (10-Under Boys) achieved their first-ever cutoff times for the 2009 Indiana Age Group State Championship meet to be held July 24-26, 2009 at Fishers HS.

Andrew Blystone (10-Under Boys), Sydney Parrish (10-Under Girls), Anna Perez (13-14 Girls), Lucia Perez (10-Under Girls) and Mia Wai (10-Under Girls) achieved eived their first-ever cutoff times for the 2010 Indiana Divisional Championships to be held March 5-7, 2010 at Fishers HS in Fishers, Indiana.

HSE Honors Top 25 Seniors and their Favorite Teachers

Hamilton Southeastern High School honored its top 25 seniors with a dinner May 3 that also recognized educators named as influential by each student.

Top 25 HSEHS Seniors – (Front row) Jennifer Campi, Erin Kelley, Nam Phan, Kristin Shaffer, Christine Kincaid, Abigail Schwarz, Meghan Parrott, Kara Dather, Ellen Spurgeon, Devon Strand, Julia Strzeszkowski, (Row 2) Devin Dearing, Melissa Egge, Taylor LaCross, Kathryn Hockemeyer, Christina Kunda, Scott Palmer, (Row 3) William Berry, Sara Twining, Ryan Klobusnik, Morgan Wade, Andrew Vissing, Courtney Osborn, Tim McCall

Top 25 Senior Educator Honorees – (Front row) Brian Catt, Jill McGrath,  Charlotte Irish, Julie Hauptmann, Greg Gastineau, Susan Wong, Janet Chandler, Craig Blossom, (Row 2) Greg Davidson, Mike Fassold, Laura Christie, Amy Shipley, Chris Huppenthal, (Row 3) Jacqueline Carson, Greg Roberts, Jeremiah Follis, Denise Malm, Eric Sturges, Letitia McCallister, Gerald Mellot

Hamilton Southeastern Schools Foundation Names Spring Grant Winners

Angie Holt, Lantern Road Elementary – $407.70 for Flip Camera Enrichment Project. Supports video book reports, Readers Theater Performances to improve reading, fluency.  Public Service announcements, interviews and “expert” classmate book reviews.  Records science experiments to demonstrate scientific method.

Patricia Bittinger Mansfield, Fishers Elementary School – $2,120.00 for Increasing Student Learning, Achievement, Motivation.  Five Kindles to help struggling readers with the “text to read feature.”  Can be used with Gifted and Talented and Resources.

Courtney Gibson, Alyssa Janutolo, Tina Johnston, Kristi King, and Lindsey Myers, Thorpe Creek Elementary – $1,964.04 for Math Problem Solving Centers in Second Grade.  Manipulatives/tiles, sets, all math related for hands-on reinforcement of standards.

Nancy Racine, Lori Linton, Alex Beiswanger and Cindy Biggs, New Britton Elementary – $888 for New Britton Math PALS.  Supplemental math program where students buddy up with one as “tutor” and one as “tutee.”   Partial funding for manuals and paper.

Sara Curan, All HSE District Elementaries – $1,400.00 for Poetry in PowerPoint, Pod casting.  Record audio with PowerPoint, pod casts to use a PowerPoint to illustrate a poem and narrate versus typing it up.

Molly Eley, Sand Creek Intermediate School – $1,917.53 for Sand Creek Intermediate Garden.  Functional Academic Classroom will be main gardeners.  Available for all school use. Will be hands-on approach to learning nutrition, consumerism, gardening, decision making, food prep.  Also teaches life skills through nurturing another living organism, cooking, social skills, money skills, etc.  Farmers will be offering tips and taking produce to local farmer markets to sell and learn market skills.  Also using chefs for cooking skills.

Andrea McMurtry, Fishers Junior High – $1,865.00 for Teach a Healthy Body, Get a Healthy Mind.  Will purchase four handheld PC’s and district-wide licensing.  Computer access while in gym to track testing results of Fitnessgram.  Students receive printouts with results and suggestions for improvement four times a year.  Possibly implemented throughout district in future.

Angela Fritz, Hamilton Southeastern High School – $1,940.80 for Technology Integrated Visual Arts Presentation.  Visual presenter equipment that provides clarity of demonstrated techniques to all students in drawing, clay etc.   Even the smallest of details can be seen at the back of the room

Meghan Jones, Cumberland Road Elementary – $1,009.94 for Video Modeling.  Behavior modeling in the general education classes (autism spectrum) for social skills.  Flip cameras utilized with current “creative zen” software.

Heidi Wasteney, Riverside Junior High – $1,199.97 for Wellness-Lifetime Fitness with Disc Golf.  405 students will be impacted to improve hand-eye coordination, balance and throwing skills.  Can be used in or out of doors.