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Indianapolis Public Schools ~ 4 for Life Celebration

On Friday morning a sea of yellow school buses headed to Conseco Fieldhouse. Students, Teachers, School Staff and Principals were about to witness a promise kept by Dr. Eugene White, Superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools.

At the beginning of the year I.P.S. made a conscience effort to address behavior in our elementary schools. The emphasis was not placed on poor behavior but on expectations on what the district wanted students to model. Students were taught and expected to demonstrate IPS Core Values of Courage, Excellence, Scholarship and Respect. Students were issued wristbands of each core value....those who were able to keep their bands by practicing the Core Values were promised a BIG celebration at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Over 8,000 students attended the celebration on Friday. It was a wonderful site.... spotlighting the positive. The program featured Pacer players, Indiana Fever players and Boomer. Words of encouragement from Pacer Sports and Entertainment, Olgen Williams (IPS Alumni) and Dr. White ....and more.

Experiencing such a wonderful event highlighting the positive choice kids can and will make....made me wonder what is the Church's response? What can we as individuals and the collective body of Christ do to impact kids in Indianapolis Public Schools. The jury is still out on that one. I fully understand there are churches making impact...but how do we rally together collectively and intentionally. (For all of you facebookers...check out Shad Isaiah Hill's message from Indy's Reload Conference on Hope and Change!)

We are in a warfare and our kids..my kids and your kids are at risk. I encourage you to check out http://www.2020schools.net/ and think about what it will take for Indianapolis to take a model program from New York to infiltrate our schools to make a positive change. Where and when does the dialogue begin?

posted by Dian @ 7:48 AM