001All right, good evening everyone. We'll start the meeting at 5:30. Thank you for being here. Um we will start with item number two. Um the celebrating academic excellence. Um Dr. Windham. >> Thank you, Mrs. Woodward. Um, we are excited to hear an update from Mrs. Rodkkey here in a few minutes about the great things happening at the Avon Academy. Uh, but we also wanted to highlight some academy students. So, Mrs. Rodkkey is going to introduce us to two Avon Academy students and talk about all the great things that they are doing. Good evening. Thank you for allowing us to come. who are always excited. I don't know about them so much that I drag them everywhere, but I'm excited for them that we we get to share um what's been happening here. And um this
002time I've asked Gwen and Liz, and they are both seniors at the academy. And so we're just going to kind of have a conversation in front of you rather than a prepared speech. So Gwen, we'll start with you. Gwyn's been on my speaking tour with me. Um, how many months have we been speaking together? We've been like four or five months now. >> Transferred to the academy after winter break >> almost a year now. We've been speaking together in public. So, when you you transferred over and tell me what prompted you to come to the academy? >> Um, my mom passed away in 2016. So, I'm without a guardian on that part. My dad's been like on and off incarcerated my whole life. So, I didn't really have the parental guidance or the as the
003youth and she was able to help me and open up doors like you program even oneonone in class. I'm not worried about missing work. I'm keeping straight A and B. I started with a 0.7 GPA there. Now I'm at a 2.6 which is phenomenal for just the it's helped me grow a lot, learn a lot of independence, learn how to socialize other people and speak in front of people as well. So, it's been >> What has been one or two things? You You had a lot on your plate when you came to us. You still do. You're still >> You're a 17-year-old kid doing adult things right now. So, what is it at the academy that we were able to do that maybe the high school wasn't able to do because of the sheer size?
004>> Um, one, work with like my work schedule and understand that like money isn't just something that I want. need for bills, you know, food necessities. They're able to work with my work schedule and then they were also able to help me open up like services, get car insurance, get health insurance. Um, just guide me in those directions pretty much. There's so much I could talk about, so it's kind of hard to like. >> So, you talked about um we were able to be flexible with your schedule, but who helped you with those other items like you know the social security >> Melissa from Melissa but before I literally let me get that encouragement back in education I didn't want to go to college till what four months ago I made up my mind to
005go to college hopefully butler founders college where I applied to >> so let's talk about that a little bit so Butler's founders college um has been in existence. This is its second year. Um they have a partnership with Simon Youth Foundation which we are a part of and last year we were introduced to this and um it is a two-year uh program that takes kids that you have to be eligible for the PEL grant and um it will give Gwyn a free 2-year associates degree. It is basically when we visited what did it feel like? >> The academy like pretty much I mean one class is 20 steps away. You don't have to go outside worry about being cold walking the rain or anything. They have their own pantry with Reese's in there which I
006can't complain about. So yeah. So um last year we had Kaylee Alexander, one of our students. She is there currently. She got accepted and we went and I went on a visit there. And who did they bring out to meet you? >> The dean. The dean was very not intimidating. She was very very sweet. She has like what was it? Six master's degree in like social work. Many different types of certifications for that. She talked to us got to meet Miss Rocky and then she was also at the other event you ran. >> Yeah. That at the Simon Youth. Gwen also spoke with me. The National Simon Youth Conference was in Indianapolis over fall break and Gwyn drove to the conference and spoke at the conference and the dean of the founders college was there
007as well. So tell them what you what you want to be going forward with. >> Um social work I really don't know exactly know what but community advocacy associates it really gives you kind of not an exact point where you have to go but a label where you kind of learn everything. So something to do with social work because I know what it's like working with social workers that are just there for the money rather than to actually help you out. So it's a lot easier to understand the kid whenever you not very it feels good to help other people. >> Where are you working right now? >> Right now I'm working at Turbonos. I was originally working at Ford's Garage and while I was working there I was looking for something more flexible, something
008more open to me moneywise because as a 17-year-old it's hard to get a good job not being. Um, it's just a weird stage. So, I was trying to find good money. So, she got an email from Jeff, our GM, and he welcomed multiple of us into his work environment working. >> Yeah. So this year I reached out I I knew Mindy um Cunningham through dance being a dance mom wasn't that kind of dance mom but I was a dance mom and so um I reached out to her and said hey can we get a partnershop partnership going met with her husband who was like what do you need just and that was awesome and so I just said well here's what we need and pretty much everything on the list which I'm going to talk
009about some of the things in the in a minute. He said yes to and even threw in a couple things I didn't ask for. So, um he hired Gwen and three other of our students and it's close enough where we can take our lovely white van and drive them there half day when we need to. Um or they can walk if it's a nice day. So, Gwen has had a really good um experience I think so far. And then did you see Jeff today? >> Yeah, Jeff came in. Um he donated well catered I guess. I don't donated. Yeah. Um turkeys and then as well as mashed potatoes which our mashed potatoes are amazing because they actually have skins in them. So they're like real mashed potatoes. So um those were really good. And then
010everyone else was by staff and administration. >> Yeah. For our Thanksgiving lunch. >> And your dessert was I loved it. It was so so good. >> Dr. Windom even made food. >> Hey, let her know. >> Yeah. And he's he's served now. He doesn't have a future career as a pie cutter. We'll tell you that. But [laughter] >> but but it was very nice of him. So, and Mrs. Simmons was there helping as well. So, >> I even talked to Maline. I let her know that I >> Okay. >> All right. We're going to switch over here to Liz. So Liz, talk to us about your journey from your switch over from Avon or from Avon High School to the academy. Why did you come? >> I was in a lot of mental situations I
011could not get myself out of. And then when I did, it just continued to get worse. And it got to a point I just had to like skip class. That was the only way I could like exit myself and to basically like be be myself and just do what I needed. And then I had somebody talk to me about the academy. And at first I did not want to come here. I was too nervous to even leave the high school um because I thought I wasn't going to graduate on time, wasn't going to pass. And then I made the decision to come and the best year I could have ever asked for. >> Why is that? What how did you transform? It wasn't us. You transformed. How what happened? >> Um I was actually able
012to be in class and not have people like me. And I actually got the one-on-one help that I needed instead of just being pushed to the side. And was able to just focus myself and the school instead of just people around. >> When you came in, did you have any idea what kind of career you wanted? >> No. And so tell them about what you're doing right now, your internship. >> The internship I'm at is over at Maple. I'm with third grade and I kind of just want to be a third grade teacher and right now. I love it and I don't want to leave. >> And they love you so much. What have they been asking you to do? >> They've been asking me to go to their cheer games, volleyball games, basketball games,
013so much more. Even help out over there. I'm supposed to leave in December when I graduate, but they want me to stay till May. Even the teacher does. So, she not only found a career that she wasn't expecting, but um It has brought I think your self-confidence. I mean physically you look like a totally different person. You come in smiling. You're you know confident about yourself. You you have this goal and you know that that you have a place moving forward and they beg you. They beg her to come extra. You know we'll have class and they'll say well can she get out a little bit more to come help us? There was a day you spent the day there. Right. And so it it's just been really cool to see your transformation in that.
014And so you do plan to go on to teaching. Who's been kind of helping and guiding you through all this? >> Mainly Mr. Jones making sure I'm not late because sometimes here lately there has been issues where I feel like giving up, but he has talked me through it and I'm not giving up. I'm still like pushing through and it has gotten better. So All right. Well, ladies, thank you. I'm gonna go on to my portion, but you I mean, these are just two representatives of, you know, every kid in the academy I could bring up here and it'd be a very similar thing. Um, we are like a family. Uh, there aren't too many secrets that we all have. you know, they're just comfortable letting us know what they need and and we're thankful
015for that and thankful that we have your support and the community support especially to be able to help them out and and watch them grow. That's the best part. So, >> thank you. [applause] I have a public comment. [snorts] Um, so Gwen and Liz, that is we just love hearing about the academy. I mean, when our kindergarteners come in and talk to the school board, we're really excited about them. And when our uh fourth and fifth graders come in, we're real excited about them. But when our academy students come in, that's magic because where you have been able to come from and now to um is miraculous and we're just so proud that Avon has the resource in the academy and this resource right here who is a magician um that we're able to help
016you achieve at that high level and turn things around for you. So, um, just so proud of you and what you've done. Um, and I will let you know, Gwen, that uh, Mike Cunningham was my boss for a long time. I worked there for about 10 years. I know Jeff Kelly really well. Um, and Daniel, your chef. Um, and I think I've seen you actually when I've gone into Charbonos. Uh but it's just so uh gratifying to know that um he's still giving back to the Avon community. Um because you may or may not know this, but have you heard of the Mary Lee Mayor Community Pantry? So the Mary Lee Mayor Community Pantry is a food pantry in our community now it's at Evergreen. And the reason it's called Mary Lee Mayor Community Pantry
017is that Mary Lee Mayor was Mike Cunningham's mother-in-law and and she was a teacher. Um and so when he saw that there were some food insecurity problems u starting to come out in the Avon community, he decided to give a lot of money to help um start a food pantry that would benefit our Avon students, their families, and Avon employees. So, um, he's generous. Um, and I'm pleased that, uh, he was able to make that way for you at Charbonos because that really is an awesome place to work. Um, and that you can get a reliable schedule. I love that. And Liz, I wish that I had a kiddo at Maple. I had a kindergartener at Maple, but not in third grade. So, I'm afraid he missed you and all your talents to help those
018kids. Um, thank you for coming tonight. I know it's probably nerve-wracking to speak in front of us, but um, you gratify our hearts. So, thank you so much for being here. Board members, >> yes, [clears throat] Gwen, Liz, Mrs. Rodky, thank you uh, for coming in and uh, showing us uh, what a what a great opportunity the academy is. But, you know, the the academy provides the opportunity. You make the opportunity. You're important. you mattered. You get up each and every day and you say, "I'm important. I matter. And I'm going to do something." Um, and I'm so excited about your futures. I mean, what great careers, social work and teaching. I can't imagine uh a better future for the two of you. And uh the best part about this entire story is not just
019where you have gotten, but where you're going. And you're going to share again and again and again. and thank you for being you and for not giving up and and uh staying after this. And um I look forward to seeing big important things you both do. [clears throat] in there often and I see so many great things happening. Uh the students are polite, they're happy, and they like to share hip vocabulary. Here's an here's an instance. All right. One student asked me as I was helping her finish assignments, "Have you ever crashed?" And I said, "Yeah, I've crashed a couple times. Kind of total my car." And then I asked the student, "Have you ever crashed?" And she replied, "I do lots of times." I thought, "Okay." So this got me wondering what this meant.
020Well, I found out the hip meaning of crash is a situation or a matter that you can't figure out so well. And I said, "Well, I have those, too. I have a lot of those kind of crashes." And I just had so much fun. We just laughed and giggled. And uh she graduated, so she's gone now. But I had so much fun with her and finding out these hip words. Um, and it it I've got one more thing. Uh, I would like to thank Mrs. Rodkkey for making the academy help a big success for everyone. As you heard, Dr. Windham and I went to serve lunch today and I was blabbing and talking to them and and u I got done helping clean up. Well, there were some kids at some tables working on some
021ornaments and stuff and I was just walking around. There was two kids playing Uno and they said, "You want to play?" And I said, "Sure." I said, "You guys got old old people cards. They were this big." And I said, "Well, I can see them." And of course, I got smoked. So, uh, they beat me, but what an experience. So, thank you. And thank you guys. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you, Gwen, Liz, and Miss Rocky for coming tonight. Um, like Miss Woodward said, it just touches our heart. I mean, we love seeing the other kids come, but when the Avon Academy comes, that's just something that really touches deep, you know, deep within us. And I applaud you guys for the progress you've made and what you're going to achieve in the future.
022I do have a daughter at Maple, but she's in fifth. So, hopefully maybe you'll get to work with them a little bit. Um, but I am proud of you guys if you don't hear it enough, but keep on going and I cannot wait to see the amazing things you do in the future. Thanks for speaking and coming. I echo everything that they said. I'd also just want to again thank you, Mrs. R. You have made this program with the partnership of Simon Youth Foundation what it is today and the stories that they we need the community needs to keep hearing these stories. But most of all, the vulnerability that you show in sharing those stories matters. Um I am so thrilled to hear that you're getting the supports that you need. uh the Avon Youth
023Assistance Program. We continue to hear great things. I'm so glad that we decided to be a part of that. Um it it's just amazing to to continue to hear this and please know that you matter and we're grateful for you and this community. >> Thank you. Uh we'll go on to item four, which is an update on strategic goal number three. Mrs. Rokey, I'm going to call you Magician Rody. [laughter] Um, before I start this, you know, I appreciate all the compliments and and I'll keep saying this. This is not just me. This this is you for allowing this. Again, every time I go to a Simon youth conference, I feel so fortunate because I talk to my colleagues across the United States and they do not have the backing that we do. They do
024not have a youth assistance program. They do not have a a community that says what do you need? We'll help. They do not have a facility like we have. Most of the othermies are like a room in a basement somewhere where kids feel forgotten. So, you know, when we moved here in 2009, we took a chance and um you know, coming from a place that was our hometown, I'd lived there forever. And now I'm coming to the big city and um I I have ne we have never made my husband and I a better decision. And uh this community continues and with the referendum vote, you know, it continues to really support families here and kids. And so I I thank you. You guys do a tremendous job and not everybody can say they has
025a board like have a board like this. So kudos to you. Um so we always start out with our goals for every kid every um time we intake a new kid and every time we uh have our our beginning of the quarter meeting. These are the goals we talk about. The these are the two things that every kid knows has to happen. and that's that you're all going to graduate on time. We're going to get you graduated with your class. And not just that, but the most important thing is having a path for your future. So many kids and you know, they don't have that thought in their head of what to do when they're coming to us or how to get there. You heard that tonight. Neither of them came in knowing what they
026wanted to do and now they're leaving. They're going to accomplish both of these goals. But again, this is community. You know, both of them have had experiences in the community and with our partners to be able to help open those doors for them. So, it's not just us and it is them for being vulnerable and putting themselves out there. Um, most of our kids come in um with significant barriers. Um, this past year we had three homeless students, two in foster care. We have um gone down just a tiny bit in free and reduced lunch. We're down to 60%. It was around 77%. Um and then now we're at five students who are parenting or pregnant. We have two newborns coming in in January with us. Those mothers are on maternity leave right now. So,
027um we'll have those coming into our nursery. Here are some pictures of just this fall, some things that have happened. And you can see a lot of our community resources that we've already talked about. Um at the top there, there's Gwen. Um she was with um Avon Youth Assistance Program and um on one of her me speaking ventures and she helped receive a grant that the women of Hendricks County, is that right Gwen? Do you remember? That they gave to the youth assistance program. Um and so Gwen was there to to receive that and represent u youth assistance. At the top middle picture, those are um our moms, some of our moms there. And we have a group called Parent Life that comes in every Thursday to meet with those moms. So pregnant or parenting
028moms and it is a huge support for these girls. They do things like um healthy relationships and building confidence, but they also do things like, okay, here's a pediatric dentist. Let's talk about how to take care of baby teeth or here's how do you put a a car seat in. So, it it's just a huge gamut. And then they support them also with diapers at each of their meetings. They have access to a clothes closet that has baby clothes and um clothes for older kids. So, it's just a really great partnership we have. As always, there on the right, those are our crochet ladies. One of our crochet ladies. They come in on Friday from Avon Christian Church. Teach our kids to crochet and become grandmas to our kids. Our kids love them. They can't
029wait till they get there. And um that's Evan there. I He was actually going to come speak tonight, too, but he had to work. But he's a kid who if you met Evan about a year ago and said that Evan's going to be crocheting and maybe public speaking, I would have said I I think you're wrong about that. But Evan has really taken advantage of our program and and done very well. He's going to be our student speaker at the December graduation. At the bottom is a yoga event. We partner with Jesse Vega's um scholarship fund. Um Amanda Galloway is his mom and we work with her to run our student leadership team. Gwen was a part of this too. Um we run a yoga event that makes money for Jesse's scholarship and suicide prevention.
030So our students this year planned the entire thing, marketed it, and then they attended. We had one of our kids was a DJ. Just a really cool event that they were at. Um something new on the bottom left there that is um one of our incentive field trips that was to Beasley's. So this year a new program we have is called the incentive field trip. I got part of it funded through Simon Youth. I got the Optimus Club to give me some money this year and then um Cunningham is going to um allow us to go visit their green houses um tour some restaurants and he has promised uh lunch at Commission Row and I was like really now so that's going to be my favorite field trip. I will definitely go on that one.
031But our students who reach their goals we have bag checks. bag meaning behavior, attendance and goals. And every other week we look students look at their own data and it and they set goals for themselves. And so at the end of each quarter if they have reached their behavior, attendance, and grade goals, they will be eligible to go on a field trip each quarter during our golden ticket week. And so that was our first one at Beasley's Orchard and that was paid by um Optimus Club. And then in about a week, right after Thanksgiving, we are using the Simon Youth money and we're going to Pin Heads in uh Brownsburg and they're going to bowl and um they have a pizza buffet we're going to have and an arcade and they even are opening up
032an hour early for us. They were really cool about helping us out. And then there's our kids giving back there right above that and that's at the outdoor learning center. We work a lot over there because it's walkable and so some of our science classes will go out there. I've had kids just if they have free time they'll walk over there and volunteer. I had a one kid who stayed for two weeks he got his golden ticket and didn't didn't want to leave and so for two weeks straight he went every day to the outdoor learning center and volunteered his time. So it's just a great partnership um that's nearby that we can use. So lots of um good support in the community as always. Here are our workbased learning partners. As you can see,
033we've added Charbonos there and we've talked about that. Maple is a great one. And then, um, shout out to Jason Brahmis over here. The technology department is also walkable for us and they've hosted a couple kids for us. And uh we just got a really nice email last week, I think it was about our student that we have there now who has done a fantastic job getting a lot of computers. I don't know what he's doing, but um Jason can tell you he's doing some great computer work over there for them. So um another um partnership that we really appreciate. Here is the nittygritty. So our first year, this is our third year at the academy. So our first year um we had a total of 58 students graduate um over the course of the
034year and we were at about a 90 I think it was a 96 point something graduation rate that first year. Last year we had a total of we thought 67 kids. So in May walking across the stage with us were 67 kids. And and so we had these other two that were supposed to graduate that May, but they didn't quite finish all their courses. They had some more adment coursework to do. They had some packet assignments um that they hadn't finished up with the in-class learning with the teachers. And both of these gentlemen had kind of had some family issues going on. Um but we were not ready to give up on them. specifically my secretary who drove to an Arby's multiple times in Greenwood, Indiana, um to meet one of these kids at Arby's
035to give him his work and take back work to the teachers because he couldn't afford to get back here and he was living with a different family at that time. So by October, which was the cuto off date for the cohort, we graduated both of those students for a 100% graduation rate last year. Super super proud of that. And it took a whole team of people to make that happen. But and those kids, they didn't give up either. They could have ghosted us and said, "We're not doing this." But they plugged right along and kept working. So very proud of that. Um, of those uh of that 100% graduation rate, 10 of those or 10% of them went on to full-time employment, 12% enlisted in the military. Just last week, we had another student who
036was sworn in. Um, he had to go to this MEPS, which I don't know what that is, but he spent the night and then went all through this final testing and then brought back pictures of himself um getting sworn in. So, we love when our students do that. And then 77% last year were in enrollment. So 13% of those went to a four-year college and that would um a couple of those actually were kids who went to Ball State to become teachers. The Maple pipeline has been great. Maple is turnurning out some teachers for us and hopefully we'll see them come back to Avon at some point. And then we had 26% go to a two-year um college and then 38% of our kids go to trades. Mr. Don does a a heck of a
037job with trades. We um he just took a couple weeks ago kids to a union pipe fitters and plumbers um location. He's always getting in people to speak with the kids. um just opening up those trade jobs, especially the union ones where kids can work, get paid to train, and get paid to work all at the same time. And and kids don't often realize that that's out there. And so, um kudos to him for opening those doors for us. Also, last year we had students earn $30,000 in scholarships. 30,000. And a lot of those scholarships are only for our building. We have people um for example, the Optimus Club, they gave us four scholarships last year. They said in the past they never had anybody apply, so they focused solely on the academy. Um and
038then Simon Youth, um Kaylee, the girl who went, she actually had the full ride to the Founders College. She won $18,000 from Simon Youth Foundation. after the end of her two years at Butler, she can continue to go to Butler for $10,000. Yeah, I know. I have a kid there. So $10,000 a year. And so her scholarship money from Simon Youth means she can get a bachelor's for free from Butler University. She'd never heard of Butler until we talked to her about it. So just huge for kids. Um, and then in December, on the 17th, you're all invited to sit up on the stage with me. Um, on December 17th, we are expected to have 27 students graduate. Nine of those already finished with us um, quarter 1 and we're finishing up here with the
039rest. So, our kids are amazing. They um, they get up every day in spite of what's happening around them a lot of the time. They put a smile on their face. They come in. They love each other. They help each other and, you know, give back when they can. They were so appreciative today of our Thanksgiving lunch. Um, and, you know, we just, we love that family time. We love being their second family. So, great stuff happening. I couldn't work at a better place. >> That's awesome. Thank you for sharing all that. Um, and it is amazing to me that the academy in three years has just I mean we started at well above where I think any of us dreamt that we would be and just to see it um continue and 100% graduation
040um is just phenomenal. Um, and I know that it takes a village and I know that it takes a lot of people contributing a lot of love and attention uh on those kids. But Kelly, you just really personify the um the dream that we all have about what happens when you really care about students and you really love them with your whole heart. Um, and what can happen. It's um that's just a testimony uh to you and the vision that you've had and how you've been able to kindle that in others. So, thank you as always for um for loving our students and taking care of them, guiding them the way that you do. Plus, you're the only administrator that gets to hold a baby every day if you want to, which I think is
041pretty >> that's a perk >> awesome. Um so thank you for sharing those metrics with us. Um really testimony to um just the transformational value of um of the academy and what it's doing for our Avon community and our Avon students. And I hope that every single student that says Liz, you listen to this, okay? Every single student that says, "Boy, I'd like to be a teacher." you know, there's Avon. You can come back. You could be a teacher in Avon. I hope that um they that we can continue that pipeline uh with our students that, you know, lets them uh go and become a teacher and then come back and be a teacher for us. We'll save a place in Maple Third Grade. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um another thing that they love Mrs.
042Rodki, they were telling me how great she is at lunch today. And this is another funny one. And she had made some macaroni and cheese. No, it's a good one. This involves Mr. Hind. >> And you had a dish of macaroni and cheese. And then Mr. Hines had brought some in. Did >> Mr. Hines, guess which one went first? >> They knew it was Mrs. Rodky's, but yours was second. We had none left. They were both wiped out, but they love her and uh I can tell they they just love her and you respect her. >> Thank you for all you do. Like Miss Woodward said, we can just tell how much you love these kids and how much you pour yourself into them. And I don't think we could find anybody else as great
043as you. So, thank you for what you're doing. And like I said, I don't think when this program started that we thought it was going to take off like it has. But all we've seen is amazing results. So, thank you for all your hard work. >> One one thing I'll quickly say. So, the community I grew up in, another Indiana community, a lovely community, uh I was in public school there in the 1970s and 80s. Okay? So, that makes me officially old. But in many ways, uh we're not better than we were in the 70s and 80s, but in this regard, we're way better. There was a program that we had that was sort of not really but in function kind of the equivalent of the academy and we called it North Campus and North
044Campus truth be told was it was an exit program. It was a way to get kids out of the school system on their way out and away because they were trouble. And uh I can tell you not a lot of great things happened. I feel like this is the opposite of an exit program. It's an entrance program. It's how are we going to get you to enter into a better life? And that just is a it's a great evolution. So, I'm so happy to be part of this community that values an entrance program. >> Me, too. Thank you. >> Well said. Well, thank you so much. Um, board members, if there's nothing else, we'll adjourn at 608. Thank you, everyone. Thanks, Gwen and Liz.