Join us from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. today, Friday, October 2nd, for our Pre-Game Homecoming Carnival! The carnival, which will take place in front of the Pike High School Stadium, will feature games, bounce houses, food trucks, face painting, music, performances, prizes, fun, and Pike Family fellowship.
Homecoming Game:
Come out & support our Pike Football Family as they take on Center Grove at 7:00 p.m. this evening.
What to Know:
Gates open at 6:15 PM EST
Spectators are encouraged to purchase tickets early and arrive early.
Spectators who do not arrive before the end of the 2nd quarter WILL NOT BE ADMITTED INTO THE GAME.
Gates will close after the 2nd quarter. NO ONE will be admitted after the second quarter has ended – even if tickets were purchased in advance. NO REFUNDS.
Students MUST present a valid Center Grove or Pike Student ID at the gate.
An attending adult must accompany students in grade 8 and below.
Students from schools other than Pike and Center Grove will NOT BE PERMITTED ENTRY to this evening's game unless accompanied by an attending adult, and we will issue NO REFUNDS.
No tailgating or loitering in the parking lots AFTER the game begins. Lots will be patrolled.
State Mandated Safety Exercise
This month, all MSD of Pike Township schools will conduct a mandated safety exercise. The drill, which Indiana state law requires, will allow us to practice our lockdown procedures in the case of an intruder or other threat. It will not consist of any simulations or loud noises.
Pike Students Shine at the Circle City Classic
Congratulations to Willie Champman III and Kamaile King, who received Student-Athlete Achievement Awards at the Circle City Classic Coaches Luncheon at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 25th.
Please join us in congratulating the incredible Pike High School student-athletes and performers who participated in the Circle City Classic on Saturday.
From the parade to the game, our Pike High School ROTC, Marching Red Devils, Color Guard, Choir, Red Devil Dancers, Cheerleaders, and our Pike Football Family made us proud.
We are grateful to the dedicated educators, coaches, family, and community members who pour into our students by seeing their brilliance, believing in their potential, supporting their dreams, offering unconditional encouragement, and celebrating their successes big and small.
There is so much power in providing people with opportunities to learn, grow, shine, persevere, and experience new things, and Saturday was so powerful.
On Tuesday, it was announced that our Pike Marching Red Devils placed 3rd in the Top Band Performance category at the 2026 Circle City Classic® Parade!
Graphic courtesy of Indiana Black Expo, Inc.
This year, Fishback Creek Public Academy’s theme is “Soaring to Greater Heights of Excellence.” Fishback earned a STEM School Certification from the Indiana Department of Education for demonstrating leadership in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. They are excited about their STEM partnership and after-school program with Eli Lilly engineers.
They are also particularly proud of the fact that they have provided more than $12,000 in scholarships and book awards to Pike High School seniors pursuing higher education through the Fishback “Explorers of Today; Leaders of Tomorrow” Scholarship Program.
eLearning Day for Family Conferences
Thursday, October 8th, will be an asynchronous (no live instruction) e-Learning Day for our NJELC & K-12 students due to Family-Teacher Conferences. Students will not come to school. They will complete assignments posted on Canvas or provided by their teacher(s).
Fall Break
There is no school for students on Friday, October 9th. All MSD of Pike Township schools will be closed for Fall Break from Monday, October 12th to Friday, October 16th.
We look forward to welcoming our students and staff back when school resumes on Monday, October 19th.
When Pike High School launched its girls flag football program three years ago, it marked the beginning of an exciting new athletic tradition. As we count down to it becoming an official IHSAA sport next school year, we would like to recognize the dedicated student-athletes who have been part of the program since day one.
Over the past three seasons, Jakari Harrison, Trinity Lawrence-Russell, Manyhia Darling, and TaLiah Johnson-Elkins have done far more than compete; they have established a culture of teamwork, sportsmanship, and Red Devil pride. Their commitment from inception to today serves as an inspiration and demonstrates what it means to lead by example both on and off the field. We would also like to thank Coach Spencer for the vital role he has played in making these opportunities possible.
Important Dates & Upcoming Events
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
Tuesday, November 3rd - Remote Learning Day for Staff Professional Development
November 23rd - 27th - Thanksgiving Break - No School
Band Blueprints
Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy our 2026 Pike High School Fall Band Concert on Tuesday, October 6th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Pike Performing Arts Center.
Our Pike High School Marching Band will host a free Community Night, featuring our 8th-grade band members from all three Pike middle schools, on Tuesday, October 20th, at 7:00 p.m. in our Pike High School Stadium. It is a wonderful way to support our talented students and celebrate a spectacular season.
On Friday, September 18, Deer Run Elementary School proudly celebrated the conclusion of its Read-A-Thon Spirit Week with Pajama Day, lots of reading, and a meaningful demonstration of community partnership and a shared commitment to literacy. Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® Chi Chi Omega Chapter joined Deer Run students as special guest readers, bringing enthusiasm, encouragement, and a love of reading into classrooms throughout the school.
This collaboration aligns with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®’s 2026–2030 International Program under the leadership of International President Charletta Wilson Jacks and its Educational Support & Advocacy target, which seeks to advance educational excellence by creating equitable pathways to learning, leadership, literacy, and lifelong achievement. By giving their time and engaging directly with students, members of Chi Chi Omega helped reinforce the importance and joy of reading while providing students with positive examples of leadership, service, and community involvement.
MSD of Pike Township and Deer Run Elementary are grateful for community partners like Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® who continue to show up, pour into our students, and help strengthen the connection between our schools and the communities they serve. It was a wonderful way to close out Read-A-Thon Spirit Week and celebrate the power of literacy, service, and community!
Courtesy of Principal Graham
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.
This week's featured recipe, Pupusas, was submitted by Joshua Villafuerte, who teaches Spanish at Pike High School. Josh said, "Pupusas are made by forming a dough from "masa" (a type of flour made from corn), filling it with ingredients such as cheese, refried beans, and chicharrón (pork), and flattening them to about the size of a pancake. They are cooked on a griddle and served with curtido (pickled cabbage slaw) and salsa."
He shared, "This dish is a comfort food that reminds me of my childhood and the times I've taken trips to El Salvador to visit my family ."
If you want to try Pupusas but don't feel like making them yourself, Josh recommends the restaurants Pupusería Casa María, 7363 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268, and La Guanaquita, 5435 W 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46254.
COMING SOON
Skills Test – The purpose of the skills test is to evaluate each player’s ability to shoot, pass, and dribble. This is helpful during the PYBL player draft/team placement process as we try to create fair and balanced teams. Participation in the Skills Test is FREE. However, in order for your player to be included in the Player Draft on October 27th, your player must be registered for the PYBL 2026-2027 season. A deposit option is available.
PYBL Draft – The purpose of the draft is to allow coaches to select players and give the league an opportunity to match players with teams and situations that create balance. Players must be registered for the PYBL 2026-2027 season at least 48 hours before the draft in order to be included in the draft pool. If not, PYBL administration will assign the player to a team after the draft. Returning players who are not registered will not be assigned to their most recent team. Only coaches and PYBL officials can attend the draft.
Location: Pike Freshman Center
October 27th Draft:
Boys 3-4 Division - 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
Boys 5-6 Division - 7:30 to 8:15 p.m.
October 28th Draft:
Girls Division - 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
Courtesy of Pike Youth Basketball League
As we settle into the school year and 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!
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:
Humanity
Oscar Rivas Jr. — Class of 2010
"Justice works best when we never lose sight of each other's humanity."
As an Indianapolis immigration attorney, Oscar has chosen to stay connected to his community and dedicate his career to helping others navigate some of life's most challenging moments. His work reminds us that justice is not just about laws—it is about people.
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:
