On Tuesday, representatives from the Indianapolis Colts and American Family Insurance brought their annual Colts School Uniform Blitz to Central Elementary School.
Students interacted with Colts players and cheerleaders and received a short-sleeve polo shirt, a short-sleeve shirt, a fleece crewneck, pants, socks, a pencil pouch, a water bottle, beanies, a toiletry kit, and Colts gear. The Colts and their partners also donated a washer and dryer to the school and provided 100 books for the library.
Representatives from the Indiana Department of Transportation were also on-hand to fit and gift our students new bicycle safety helmets.
One student excitedly told his friends, "This is the best holiday ever!"
It truly was a special experience for our CES students and staff. We are grateful to the Colts, American Fidelity Insurance, INDOT, and everyone who generously gave of their time and treasure to make the amazing day possible.
Pike High School will be well represented at the Circle City Classic on Saturday, September 26th, with our choir, band, cheerleaders, dancers, and color guard participating in the Parade at 10:00 a.m. and taking the field for featured pre-game and halftime performances.
Our Red Devils will face Warren in the Football Showcase at 2:00 p.m., followed by the HBCU Battle of the Bands.
Tickets may be purchased online (price will include the Ticketmaster fee) or purchased at the Lucas Oil Stadium Box Office for face value.
This is more than a football game. It’s a celebration of legacy, excellence, education, and the power of our community.
Don't miss your opportunity to enjoy our phenomenal Pike High School Orchestra in concert with the Philharmonic of Indianapolis on Tuesday, September 22nd, at 7:00 p.m. in the Pike Performing Arts Center.
Choirs in Construction
Our Pike High School Performing Arts Department will proudly present Choirs in Construction, featuring choirs from Guion Creek, Lincoln, and New Augusta North Middle Schools, at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 24th, in the Pike Performing Arts Center.
Food plays a significant role in every culture and in many of our most cherished traditions. In addition to nourishing and sustaining us, food has the unique ability to bring us together, evoke positive feelings, remind us of special experiences, and foster a sense of community and connection.
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, we invited some of our staff members to share recipes for some of the foods that have personal and cultural significance for them.
Our first recipe, Empanadas de Carne a Cuchillo, was submitted by Antonela Guazzone. She shared, "An Argentinean empanada de carne cortada a cuchillo is a traditional baked or fried pastry filled with tender, hand-diced steak rather than standard ground beef."
She said, "It's a food that takes me back home—especially to my grandma's kitchen, where we would all get together to help her make Empanadas."
If you want to try Empanadas de Carne a Cuchillo but don't feel like making them yourself, Antonela recommends the restaurant Che Chori, 3124 W 16th St, Indianapolis, IN 46222.
If you have a special recipe you would like to submit, please fill out this form.
Last week, one of our Pike High School Jazz Bands, Pike Jazz I, performed at the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents (IAPSS) Administrators of Color Conference.
Their Director, Mrs. Mohl, shared, "The students were so excited to be able to play for everyone coming into the conference. They worked really hard to make sure they had a full hour of music only 4 weeks into the school year, and did a fabulous job."
Photo Courtesy of Amy Mohl
Pike Theatre will proudly present DreamWorks Madagascar - A Musical Adventure JR. on Tuesday, September 29th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Pike Performing Arts Center. Admission is FREE.
Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto your stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime. Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR. follows all of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar.
Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York's Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends — Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo — have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape — with the help of some prodigious penguins — to explore the world.
Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score, Madagascar JR. will leave audiences with no choice but to “Move It, Move It!”
Important Dates & Upcoming Events
Saturday, September 26th - Circle City Classic - Pike vs. Warren @ 2 PM
September 28th - October 2nd - Homecoming Week
Friday, October 2nd - Homecoming Carnival & Game
Thursday, October 8th - Family Teacher Conferences - eLearning Day
Friday, October 9th - Waiver Day - No School for Students
October 12th - 16th - Fall Break - No School
Wednesday, October 28th - Safe Trick-or-Treat @ Pike High School
Save the Date
This year, our week-long, community-wide celebration of Pike Pride, Tradition, and Excellence will take place from Monday, September 28th to Friday, October 2nd.
Our Pre-Game Homecoming Carnival will take place from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 2nd, in front of the Pike High School Stadium. It will feature games, bounce houses, food trucks, face painting, music, performances, prizes, fun, and Pike Family fellowship.
Pike Township Cub Scout Pack 830 is collecting donations for the Pike Red Zone Food Pantry.
Please help us Pack the Pantry by dropping off your donation at any Pike elementary school or the Nathaniel Jones Early Learning Center during regular school hours the week of September 28th.
As we enter the second month of school and settle into our daily routines, we ask for your continued help reminding your child that Indiana state law prohibits the use of wireless communication devices during the school day.
If your child brings a device to school, it should be powered off during the school day. Elementary school students should keep their devices in the designated classroom location, middle school students should put their devices in their locker, and high school students should keep their devices in their backpack.
Thank you for your continued partnership & support!
This year, Eagle Creek Elementary School’s theme is “Level Up at the Creek: Learning, Leadership, and Kindness.”
Principal Hopkins shared that the theme reflects what they want for every Eagle, and that collaboration, which includes focused instruction and strong grade-level collaboration, is at the heart of how staff at ECES support student learning.
During daily WIN (What I Need) time, teachers work together across grade-level classrooms to provide targeted, differentiated instruction based on student needs. This collaborative approach provides the opportunity to respond to students with greater intentionality and has resulted in encouraging growth in our 2nd and 3rd grade IREAD performance.
"Students are challenged to level up in their learning, develop their leadership skills through opportunities such as Student Council, and demonstrate kindness through the way they treat and support one another.
Our twice-monthly Meeting of the Minds brings the entire Eagle Creek community together on Friday mornings to celebrate those values in action. Students are recognized for demonstrating our weekly Life Skills and for the ways they contribute positively to our school community. We also recognize a staff member nominated by colleagues, giving us an opportunity to celebrate the adults who make a difference for our students each day.
From targeted instruction in the classroom to schoolwide celebrations of character and community, our Eagles are learning that “leveling up” is about more than academic growth—it is about becoming stronger learners, leaders, and members of our school community," Hopkins said.
GCMS Celebrates Pike Excellence in a Powerful Way
Guion Creek Middle School is using its bulletin boards to show students what is possible by highlighting Pike Excellence. This year, the school's theme is "We Grow Academic Excellence."
This week's featured bulletin board:
Voice
Adrian Matejka — Class of 1990
"For a lot of us, the Herculean task is just making it to the next thing."
Adrian is an award-winning poet, former Indiana Poet Laureate, and the 12th editor of Poetry magazine—the first Black person ever to lead the publication in its more than 100-year history. Through his writing and leadership, he has elevated voices and stories that are often overlooked. His message reminds us that perseverance does not always mean making huge leaps—sometimes it means finding the strength to take the next step.
Background:
GCMS librarian Valerie Dennis shared, "I wanted to use our community space to highlight that Pike has an extended history of excellence.
As I worked on this project, I realized that although each person has taken a different path, their stories create a larger conversation about the qualities that help people make an impact. Together, these individuals remind our students that success can look many different ways—and that their own stories are still being written.
I hope our students see more than just successful Pike graduates and community members on these boards. I hope they see examples of people who faced challenges, embraced who they are, cared for others, and found their own paths.
Together, these stories share a message with our students: Be curious. Be compassionate. Celebrate differences. Create belonging. Be yourself. Believe in yourself. Keep going."
We absolutely love this initiative and look forward to sharing each of their wonderful displays throughout the coming weeks.
Courtesy of GCMS & Valerie Dennis
Your Voice is Essential. Your Vote is Vital.
The deadline to register to vote in the November 3rd election is October 5th.
The MSD of Pike Township proudly provides pathways to success for every child. Invite someone you know to join our #PikeFamily by completing our online registration (returning students) or enrollment (new students who reside in Pike and out-of-district transfers for students who reside in a school district outside of Pike) for their child today!
The Metropolitan School District of Pike Township believes in providing students with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of high-quality athletic experiences at every level. Our recreational and competitive youth, middle, and high school sports programs promote academic achievement, encourage positive character development, and foster mental, physical, and emotional growth.
A quick and important reminder for our Pike families!
While all students currently receive free meals, completing the Household Income Form is still essential.
This form does so much more than help ensure continued meal benefits—it directly impacts our ability to secure funding for programs that benefit all students across the district, from discounted internet access in our schools to funding that directly supports learning.
It can also help your family qualify for valuable benefits like college exam waivers and scholarships.
Help us support all of our students; please complete your Household Income Form today:
