SHARE:  
Join Our Email List
 

Dear Members, 

Prior to launching the Forge Your Future Student Experience in October, we ambitiously aimed to reach 1,000 students during the current school year.


I am delighted to announce that we have already hosted 1,281 students, with an additional 1,323 scheduled to participate before the school year concludes. The response and engagement of our member districts have exceeded our wildest expectations. 


While the numbers above are exciting, this program's true impact lies in the meaningful conversations, reflections, and insights that students and educators carry with them after their experience with us. These are what drive our team each day.

I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our incredible team members—Lindsey Lovern, Taylor Philhower, Laura Hamm, and Liz Ferris—for their outstanding leadership in launching this student experience. Furthermore, I am sincerely grateful to our member districts and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education for partnering with us to bring this vision to life.


Indeed, our collective efforts resonate with Ed Hidalgo's powerful statement: "So every child can know there is a place in the world for them."


Thank you for your support and dedication to this crucial work. While we pause to celebrate these accomplishments, we also know that there is much, much more that we can accomplish together!


Pat Haney

Executive Director

ECESC News
 

NAEP Results Highlight Statewide Literacy Growth & Impact of Literacy Cadre


In August, Indiana saw the state’s largest-ever single-year increase in third-grade IREAD test scores. 


Schools that have opted-in to receive comprehensive teacher training and support through the Indiana Literacy Cadre had a 2.5 percentage point increase in students passing IREAD. This is 2.3 percentage points higher than schools that did not participate in the cadre. The overall growth for schools participating in the Literacy Cadre is 12.5 times higher than schools that did not participate in the Literacy Cadre. (IDOE, SBOE Meeting 8/14/24).


This month, we learned that our fourth and eighth-grade reading scores have jumped to sixth in the nation on the National Assessment of Educational Progress( NAEP) test. This is the highest ranking we have ever achieved in fourth-grade reading! In 2022, the last year this test was given, Indiana ranked 19th in the nation. Indiana is scoring above the national average.


ECESC Indiana Literacy Cadre Training Support Specialists Lori Ward, Sarah Heppner, Tara Bohn, and Jane Haudek are leading the charge in our area schools. The work they are doing in conjunction with the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) and IDOE is making a difference in the lives of our students!
 

Technology Rentals

Did you know ECESC has a Technology Rental Program? Choose from a variety of engaging options, from Marty coding robots and VR headsets to Lego Edu. sets and more! Learn more here.

 

District Spotlights
 

Summer of Learning Conferences

Save the date for the 2025 PIVOT Conference being held at Pendleton Heights High School on June 4. Learn More
 

Richmond Community Schools will host their annual Summer of Learning Conference on Thursday, June 12. Mark your calendar for Tech EnRiched!

 

Eastern Hancock Schools is excited to host Joy Jam again this summer. Joy Jam will be held July 15-16 in the district, and it’s shaping up to be the most exciting and joy-filled event yet. Joy Jam is more than a conference—it's an opportunity to recharge, connect, and be inspired by amazing speakers and engaging sessions, all while celebrating the promises of joy, connection, growth, and success. Register Here

Additional Professional Development Opportunity


Franklin County Community Schools is excited to share a valuable opportunity that is available to area educators this summer. On July 23, 24, and 25, we will host Scott Ervin, also known as “The Kid Whisperer,” for his highly sought-after three-day conference at Brookville Elementary. Scott’s approach has made a lasting difference for countless educators, and you and your team members could be next! You can learn more about Scott Ervin’s approach and explore testimonial videos on his website’s resource page. Behavioral Leadership Resources


Here is the link to a flyer, including a QR code and registration link, if you would like to pass it along to other members of your staff.


Registration Details:

Cost: $300 per participant

Group Discount: $25 off per participant when a district registers five or more staff members

PGP points are available for attendees.

Due to space constraints, available seats are expected to fill quickly.


If you have questions, please reach out to Dustin Gehring, Superintendent

Franklin County Community School Corporation
 

ECESC Seeking Member Superintendents for Podcast Interviews

We are currently taking interviews for Season 2 of the Forge Your Future Podcast, and we would be thrilled to spotlight the work of your district! The aim of the podcast is to lift up the great work of educators in East Central Indiana by celebrating individual districts. As a thank you for your time and collaboration, we would be happy to send the fully edited version of the interview to you and your team for professional use at your discretion.


You can visit this link to listen to the episodes that are currently available. You can also listen on Spotify and YouTube. 


Please select a district-level representative or two who would like to join us for an on-camera (virtual) conversation. Book a time for your interview using this calendly link.


Once your time is confirmed, we will send over a quick list of talking points. This will be very conversational–it shouldn’t require homework! Contact Lindsey Lovern with questions.

 

Event Spotlight
 
 

In-District RIASEC Training for Educators


Taylor and Lindsey spent a day with teachers at Alexandria-Monroe Jr/Sr High School, diving into the world of RIASEC. Identifying students' strengths and interests helps them think about their futures and heightens engagement!
 

February is National CTE Month


At ECESC, we empower students through Career Boost youth apprenticeships, Forge Your Future career exploration experiences, rural collaboratives, and collaboration with career centers throughout our region.


Let’s celebrate the power of CTE in shaping the future workforce!


 
 

Professional Development Opportunities

INspired Learning Hub Now Available
 

The INspired Learning Hub offers weekly, live, virtual professional learning sessions led by experienced facilitators. Each session is one hour long and covers essential topics to support the growth and success of all educators. Sessions are held weekly, 5:00 - 6:00 EST, allowing staff to join when it’s most convenient. Each session will be available to watch later, so your educators can catch up or revisit their learning anytime.

Please refer to our flyer for full session descriptions, dates/times, and facilitators.
 

HA Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid Skills Check-off (Feb. 25) 

Do you need to renew your license? We can help! Check out these hybrid training opportunities to help you meet your requirements. You will need to take the online course and then attend during the in-person time for a skills check-off. Register Here

 

Designing Success for Multilingual Learners (Feb. 26) 

Register for this FREE full-day interactive and engaging workshop to gain knowledge and tools to support multilingual learners effectively. Bonus: Registrants will receive two professional resource books with the cost of their registration. Register Here
 

504S and IEPS: When, Why, and How (Feb. 27)

Join us and presenter Mark Booth for a day of learning about Special Education Law (IDEA, ADA, Section 504), Special Education Compliance (Federal Indicators), Systemic Frameworks, and Student Achievement Frameworks. Register Here
 

Implementing Evidence-Based Writing Practices Across Classrooms (Feb. 28)

Join us for a half-day virtual session hosted by Keys to Literacy, designed to provide educators with practical strategies for teaching explicit, research-based writing instruction that can be applied in any classroom. Register Here

 

Mental Health Fundamentals (Feb. 27)

Preschool teachers and directors can become mental health allies and learn the principles of mental health, such as standard terms, definitions, and warning signs, to best support and promote mental health and wellness among your team and families through this professional development opportunity. This event is free! Register Here 

 

PAR Training (March 4)

Leading in the case conference process and understanding IEP development are vital to providing special education services that are aligned with students' needs and individualized and agreed upon by the case conference committee. PAR training gives staff members an overview of special education while training staff to work within the case conference process as a leader and problem-solver. Learn more about this professional development opportunity and register here.

 

School Nurse Spring Check-Up (March 11)

The Education Service Centers of Indiana are excited to be combining efforts as we connect school nurses across our regions. Join us in person (at your local service center) or virtually for this FREE informative morning. This event is designed to provide the latest updates from IDOE, share best practices in health care topics, and build local networks of school nurses. Register Here
 

Free Think Tank Event - Student and Staff Mental Health (March 13)

Join us for our FREE "Think Tank" event that will be held on March 13. During this event, we will be focusing on student and staff mental health and developing a shared school culture. Our partners at Cartwheel will lead the discussion on exploring strategies for fostering a collaborative, whole-school approach, including how to strengthen in-classroom supports, identify when additional interventions are needed, and engage parents and caregivers as partners in the process. This is an in-person event at ECESC, and lunch will be provided. Register Here
 
 
 

Thought Partner Spotlight

IPLI is excited to offer a two-year professional development experience funded by the Indiana General Assembly and supported by Indiana State University. Since 2013, IPLI has served almost 650 principals in small, personable networking cohorts, and we are ready to invite the next group to create Cohort 13.


Action research is the foundation of the two-year journey, focusing first on their leadership and then bringing teacher leaders from their school to develop research to increase teaching and learning in their school. IPLI is fortunate to have many partners, including the Process Communication Model and High-Reliability Schools from Marzano Institute, as well as elite educational speakers/authors, to provide world-class learning opportunities for Indiana Principals.   



As you have the opportunity to share great educational opportunities within your region, we hope you will also share the attached brochure and information with principals in your area; we appreciate all the support you provide to all educators.   



The application can be found on our website at www.indianapli.org. The deadline for principals to submit an application is April 15, 2025. This year, we hope to have a full cohort to support up to 50 principals state-wide.  
 

OUR TEAM

Need support? Our ECESC team is ready to support you!
 

East Central Educational Service Center | 2601 S. 14th St. | New Castle, IN 47362 US

Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice

Constant Contact