Orioles In-The-Know: Recent Episodes
Superintendent Dr. Scott Wyndham
Welcome to the official podcast of Superintendent Dr. Scott Wyndham and the Avon Community School Corporation. Listen in as Dr. Wyndham talks about a wide range of timely topics with students, staff, and corporation partners.
Avon Community School Corporation (ACSC) offers students high-quality educational instruction with a keen focus on improving student achievement. We serve more than 10,000 students in grades Pre-K to 12 in 12 schools (1 early learning center, 6 elementary, 2 intermediate, 2 middle, and 1 high school). Our 1,400 employees dedicate themselves to the academic success of our diverse student population. Visit our website at avon-schools.org.
Enrollment Links:
- Preschool
- Kindergarten
- Non-Residents
Read the story of Mrs. Mize's full-circle moment and see the photos.
- Attend the special education Transition Fair, Tuesday, March 3, 2026
- Kimi Perry's Avon Magazine Feature
- Kimberly Lobosky, 2025 Teacher of the Year
Avon Schools is a great place to learn and work! In this, the first podcast episode of 2026, Dr. Wyndham sits down with members of two families that contain both Avon students and employees. Hannah Rutledge teaches at Avon High School and has two daughters: Chaniya, an AHS student, and Charlotte, a student at Maple Elementary (who didn't know she was going to be a podcast guest but who played along anyway). AHS teacher Chris Hill is a three-time podcast guest. This time he joins with his son August, who attends Avon Middle School South. Listen in as these parents and students talk about what it's like to learn and work in Avon Schools.
- Avon Marching Black & Gold are 6x Grand National Champions
- Meet Your 18x State Champions
- Avon Band Website
Mary Lee Maier Community Pantry Webpage
Register to Shop the Pantry
Sign Up to Volunteer
In this, the first of what will be an annual Avon alumni episode, Dr. Wyndham catches up with three Avon High School grads, individuals who excelled in academics, arts, and athletics during their time in Avon and who are continuing to do great things in college and beyond. Alanna Porter (class of '22, IU class of 2025), Zainab Syed (AHS class of '23), and Nevaeh Wren (AHS class '25) joined via video call to share their insights. They talk about where they are and what they're doing. They reminisce about their time in Avon, shout-out some of the teachers and coaches who made the biggest impact on them, and give their advice to current Avon students. You'll find out how their time in Avon Schools shaped them, helped them uncover their passions, and equipped them to succeed in college and beyond.
Karie Mize has filled a variety of roles in Avon Schools since she did her student teaching here in the early 90s, and she is now the Principal at the White Oak Early Learning Center. She and her husband are long-time Avon residents and both of their children graduated from Avon Schools — her son even teaches here. Matt Shockley is in his 13th year as Principal at Avon High School. After starting in the role, he and his family sank their roots deep into the community. He and his wife live here and both their children graduated from AHS. Karie and Matt been leaders in our school district for long enough to have experienced many peaks and valleys, yet they've remained committed to our students, their colleagues, and our community. Listen in as Dr. Wyndham talks with Karie and Matt about their experiences in Avon Schools and hear from them as they give firsthand accounts of the impact of Avon's failed 2011 Operating Referendum and the voter-approved 2018 Operating Referendum. You'll learn how much the community's support has meant to Avon's 11,000 students and 1,600 employees.
"After the 2011 Referendum failed, with less staff, with less teachers, with less assistants, there was a lot less individual work [with students]. We spread ourselves really thin. But then since [the 2018 Referendum passed] we're back to small classes. My small groups are small. The IEPs are manageable. I've noticed a huge difference." Sue Misner
"We have about 1,700 multilingual (ML) students in the district now with over 100 languages spoken. [Since 2018] we have been able to have our ML teachers and our assistants push into classrooms to support student learning. We help them build vocabulary. We help them build background knowledge. ... We are also able to work with small groups inside and outside the classroom for students who need targeted support to grow their proficiency in the English language. ... The smaller class sizes really make a big difference." Sarah Valentin
"We moved here just a few years ago and I love the community. I tell all our families about all the youth sports programs we have. I tell them about everything that's going on at the high school. I love talking about how our schools are succeeding — about our Bands, our sports programs, and all the things that are offered. ... I'm really passionate about it. ... I see how those smaller numbers and the pull out groups and the supports help." Nicole Derhammer
Welcome to episode 100 of the Orioles In-The-Know podcast. After 99 episodes of Dr. Wyndham playing host — listening to others answer his questions — Avon High School senior Robert Porter flips the script on him, taking control of the podcast for this special episode. A lot has happened in Avon Schools in the five years that have passed since episode 1, which covered the ins and outs of returning to school in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Find out why Dr. Wyndham started the podcast, which episode he looks most forward to each year, and what it's like to be Superintendent of a growing, dynamic school corporation like Avon. Stick around to hear Dr. Wyndham flip the script back so he and listeners can learn more about Robert. Thanks for tuning in for our first 100 episodes. Subscribe so you don't miss the next 100.
"[Kindergarten students require] a lot of consistency, and love, and care, and nurturing. ... My goal is that they'll come out happy, enjoying school, loving every moment they can, and making memories because they have a teacher — or teachers — that can do that with smaller class sizes." Janet Craig, Maple Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher
"I feel like one of the biggest words that summarizes the people in Avon is 'committed'. The educators, the children, the community — everyone is committed to Avon Schools." Lauren Ruth, Evergreen Elementary School 1st Grade Teacher
"At the high school level, class size is probably one of the greatest changes we've seen. Prior to the referendum, I'd say we were averaging 30-35 students per class. Once the Referendum passed in 2018 we immediately hired a Math teacher, which was able to reduce class size, specifically in some of the areas on which we wanted to focus like Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 — those skills that students really need to be successful in the high school." Andrea Austin, AHS Math Department Chair and Math Teacher
Seniors' Advice to the Class of '29
"Every opportunity that you're presented with, take it. Take it and have fun with it. Really get to know people who can help you in the long run. And when you make it up there, check your ego at the door. ... Just make sure that every opportunity that someone hands you, take it, have fun with it, and make it your dream." Rion Bolden
"A lot of 8th graders come into high school with the mindset that they're all that and that they're cooler than everybody. ... I think that making sure that you're not taking away from opportunities you could have because you're not having an open mind and you're thinking oh, that's not cool or oh, I don't want to do that. I think that it's really important that you're going to high school to learn, to get friends, and to make good experiences and memories." Mercy Olaniyan
"Show up and take the chance. Even if you've never done it before, just show up. If it's a club or an extracurricular, just give it a shot. You don't know who you're going to meet in there. You could meet your best friend in there. You just don't know. You have to give yourself the opportunity to excel." Luke Sigler
"Find what you're passionate about and pursue it wholeheartedly. I could never sing, so choir is definitely not my passion. But I know a lot of people who are in choir and they love it so much. For me academics has been a passion because I love learning. I've thrown myself into academics and it's brought me a lot of good experiences. And it's appreciated after you graduate, too." Adelyn Wyndham
May 5-9 is Teacher Appreciation Week here in Avon and across the nation. It's a week when we make sure to acknowledge the women and men who have made it their mission not just to educate the minds of the next generation, but to cultivate their lives so they can succeed long past their time in school. For this very special episode, Dr. Wyndham has a fun and fast-paced conversation with five veteran teachers: Preschool Teacher Kastonia Gray, Kindergarten Teacher Renee Moore, 5th Grade Teacher Dee Andrus, 7th Grade Teacher Luke Tudor, and High School Teacher Chris Hill. You'll learn what brought these incredible teachers to Avon and what has kept them here. You'll hear about the teachers who helped them decide to pursue careers in education and what makes them #AvonProud. Each of them talk about the sense of family and community they have experienced here in Avon Schools and how they're working to help young teachers experience it too. Finally, you'll be inspired by their obvious passion to make a lifelong impact on our 11,000 students. Be sure to take time to share your appreciation with an educator this week.
Avon High School's Show Choir program swept every competition it entered this season — including the state finals — making them the first AHS Show Choir to win a state championship in the program's history. In honor of this incredible achievement, Dr. Wyndham sits down for a conversation with two student leaders, seniors Olivia Gibson Logan Fraley, and Show Choir Directors/Teachers Leah Trigg and Drew Stainbrook. They give Dr. Wyndham a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put together a successful show choir performance (hint: they're already hard at work on next season), how the students embraced this year's Olympics-themed show, how students held one another accountable to achieve high standards, and much more. Plus, you'll learn about Olivia and Logan's plans for the future and what schools they have attended since starting in Avon Schools as kindergarten students. Stick around to hear what makes each guest #AvonProud.
- Heiabeal Ainom, Lilly Scholar
- Calleigh Neal, Delegate to the US Senate Youth Program and Indiana's Distinguished Young Woman
- Lisa Kern, Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching
In this very special episode of the Orioles In-The-Know podcast, Dr. Wyndham sits down for a warm conversation with two members of our district's Building Corporation and long-time Avon Orioles, Linda Dobbs and Lloyd Acton. Beyond the discussion about what the Building Corporation is and what they do, you'll love hearing Linda and Lloyd walk down memory lane, recounting the Avon community and Avon Schools of yesteryear. You'll also enjoy their perspectives on what makes them #AvonProud and their hopes for the future. Here are a couple notable quotes that will give you an idea of what Linda and Lloyd have to say:"As the community has grown and the schools have been added onto, I think the one thing that has remained a constant is the pride in our schools and the desire to make sure that our kids are getting a quality education," Linda Dobbs."My life has been to be a loyal Oriole and to do what I can for kids in this community. ... What else would you want to do [with your life]? What else would you want to be involved in other than kids and their futures?" Lloyd Acton.We hope you enjoy this episode — that you learn something new about our history and that it makes you #AvonProud.
- Avon Middle School North
- Avon Middle School South
- Avon Middle School West
- Avon Middle School Athletics
- 2025 Redistricting Project
Learn about ACSC's '25 Redistricting Process and access FAQ, timelines, committee meeting recaps, and much more.
Discover the backstory of the redistricting project — ACSC's history of growth — on our strategic expansion webpage.
- Avon High School
- Avon Middle School North
- Cedar Elementary School
- Sycamore Elementary School
National Teaching Assistants' Day is celebrated annually on September 27. What better way to celebrate than to highlight the work of a few of our incredible Teaching Assistants! In this dynamic episode of the Orioles In-The-Know podcast, Dr. Scott Wyndham sits down for a conversation with Laura Collier from Avon Intermediate School East, Jill Parson from Avon Middle School North, and Vanessa Belcher, also from AMS North. They talk about what drew them to Avon Schools and what keeps them here. They also share favorite memories, what keeps them motivated, and what it's like serving in Avon Schools. Stick around to find out what makes them #AvonProud and what Dr. Wyndham thinks is the highest compliment employees can give to our school corporation.
Strategic Expansion in Avon Schools
Making Room for More at AHS, AMS North, AMS South, AMS West, AIS East (Evergreen Elementary), AIS West (Willow Elementary), Cedar, Maple, Pine Tree, River Birch
2024 Demographic Study
2025 Redistricting Webpage
Meet all 12 of Avon Community School Corporation Teacher of the Year Honorees in this video.
- Avon Marching Black and Gold
- World Guard, Drumline & Indoor Winds Sweep State
- Avon Wins Best Communities for Music Education Award
- Avon Alumni Association 2024 Banquet
- Avon Gold Card Program
- Jason Young, Corporation and AHS AD
- Ed Faughnan, AMS North AD
- Will Mahan, AMS South AD
- AMS West
- Avon Youth Sports (formerly AJAA)
Ms. O'Brien is currently assisting other Avon Schools as they launch their own clubs. If you're interested in bringing Family Book Club to your school, email her.
Learn more about AIS East's Family Book Club.
Interested in participating? Want to learn more? Email DYW.
DYW of Avon
DYW of Indiana
DYW National Website
- River Birch Elementary
- Sycamore Elementary
- Avon Intermediate School East
- National Education Association report
- Hickory Elementary
- Avon Middle School South
- Avon Middle School North
- Avon Academy
Are you interested in joining the Avon Schools team? Browse positions and apply online.
- See the current AHS weight room in use
- AHS Renovation & Expansion Project
- AHS Athletics
Listen in as Dr. Wyndham talks with three giggly Maple Elementary 3rd-grade students about their experience in school. Lexi, Evie, and Logan are joined by 3rd-grade teacher Andrea Brown, and they talk about a lot: math word problems, reading chapter books, science curriculum, a stuffed hedgehog named Cookie Dough, foam parties, their playground, extra-curricular activities and other big items from life in 3rd grade. You'll enjoy Mrs. Brown's perspective as a 21-year teaching veteran -- all in third grade at Maple -- about how the school has grown and changed over time. Stick around as the students flip the script on Dr. Wyndham, becoming the interviewers and asking him all their burning questions.
Welcome to season 4 of the Orioles In-The-Know podcast. We're kicking off this new season with a very special episode featuring 2023 Teacher of the Year Sarah Valentin. Listen in as Dr. Wyndham talks with Sarah and Pine Tree Elementary Assistant Principal Jennifer McCann Thomas about what set Sarah apart from a crowded field of deserving honorees, what keeps her motivated, her advice for new educators, and why she's chosen to transition into a new role at Pine Tree teaching multilingual learners. Welcome back for what will be our best and most exciting season yet.
We're wrapping up season three of the Orioles In-The-Know podcast by highlighting some of our graduating seniors. Join the conversation as Dr. Wyndham and three members of the AHS Class of '23 -- McKenzie Musser, Wendel Hollister, and Cheaney Schoeff -- discuss their immediate plans for the future, how well their Avon Schools education has prepared them for their next steps, their favorite memories from being a student in Avon, and much more. Be sure to listen to the entire episode so you don't miss the students' advice to current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors as well as their shout-outs to former and current educators and support staff. We're excited to celebrate with these students -- and all members of the Class of '23 -- as they wrap up their educational journeys in Avon.
May 8-12 is Teacher Appreciation Week, and we are excited to celebrate the incredible women and men who choose to teach in Avon Schools. Don't just take it from us. In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Scott Wyndham features students from Kyle Lee and Ashley Koontz’s classrooms at Avon Middle School North and Mandy Tobin and Erin Ringham’s classrooms at Avon Middle School South. Listen in as they share who their favorite teachers are and what makes them so special. We hope you’ll join our students in showing your appreciation to our teachers this Teacher Appreciation Week.
- Access Avon Schools Mental Wellness resources
- Connect with an Avon School Resource Officer
- Learn more about Willow Center
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, please contact a trusted adult, a teacher, or your school administrator. You can also contact Krista Fay, Sam Leahy, or Chase Cotten directly. Help is available.
The Avon High School Jobs for America's Grads (JAG) program is an excellent illustration of our mission to make sure that all belong, learn, and grow. According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, JAG is a "state-based, national non-profit organization dedicated to helping high school students of promise who have experienced challenging or traumatic life experiences achieve success through graduation. JAG is a resiliency-building workforce program that helps students learn in-demand employability skills and provides a bridge to post-secondary education and career advancement opportunities." Listen in as Superintendent Dr. Scott Wyndham is joined by AHS JAG Coordinator Elena Stidham and two outstanding JAG students who have recently won statewide recognition for their success. Senior Neva Verbik earned the prestigious title of Indiana's 2023 Outstanding Senior. She will compete in the national JAG competition this month in Orlando. Junior Esther Bankole-Brown won first place in the Employability Skills competition at this year's state finals. Both students talk about how JAG has impacted them and how it is helping to set them up to pursue their dreams and plans for the future.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Avon Schools Finance Webpage
- Gateway
- 2018 Referendum Report
- Avon High School Construction Project
- Pine Tree Elementary Construction Project
- Future Growth
Mentioned in this episode:
- Avon High School
- Avon Food Services Department
- Cedar Elementary Library
- McAllister's Deli (Plainfield)
- Avon Education Foundation Teacher Supply Store
- Monical's Pizza
- Avon Grounds Department
- Mama Bird Bakery
- Hendricks Regional Health YMCA
- Metro Diner
- Speck's Pet Supplies
- Avon Middle School North
- Erskine Green Training Institute
Automation, artificial intelligence, and computer programming used to be the stuff of science fiction novels and high-budget films. Today, these are among the high school STEM subjects capturing students' imaginations, holding their attention, and producing incredible results. In this episode, Dr. Wyndham talks robotics with members of the Avon High School Roborioles: Peyton, Stephen, and their Teacher Chris Hill. This season, for the first time, AHS has fielded three separate teams of student innovators and all three have qualified to compete in the state competition in March. Listen in as Mr. Hill, Peyton, and Stephen explain how robotics competitions work, their process for bringing their designs from concept to reality, and how their hands-on STEM experiences at AHS are preparing them for exciting and fulfilling careers - not in science fiction, but in the real-world career landscape of the 21st Century.
Quotables
"Having the opportunity to come back and then get to work with all those amazing teachers was something that really drew me toward Avon. [I get] to come back and be inspired and learn from essentially my mentors in high school," (Hartsock).
"Not only am I able to work with the person who got me into teaching, I'm with the people I grew up looking up to. [Coming back to Avon] was like a no-brainer to me," (Hawk).
"Every day when I walk into my classroom, those 25 kids are my heart and soul and my lifeblood and I will do anything for them. That's a passion that I don't think, for me, will ever go away," (Edick).
"When you've got kids that you want to serve and you've got great people around you who are helping you, that does make those hard days [as a teacher] a lot better," (Wyndham).
Since our successful referendum in 2018, we have been fortunate enough to have an Instructional Coach in each of our schools, kindergarten through 12th grade, and we're seeing great growth as they support our teachers in best meeting the needs of their students. Today, Dr. Wyndham highlights the work of our coaches during this conversation with Kristle Chalos and Emily Steffen, Instructional Coaches at Hickory Elementary and Sycamore Elementary, respectively. Learn more about what Avon's Instructional Coaches do, how they partner with both new and experienced teachers, how they use data to monitor progress, and how their work is accelerating growth for all students.
To learn more about these strategic growth options, visit our website at avon-schools.org/growth.
With Thanksgiving coming up this week, we take a break from our normal conversations. Come visit several of our classrooms and hear directly from our students at our elementary, intermediate, middle, and high schools as they answer a simple question: What are you thankful for? Thank you to Zachary Rohrbach's 12th grade Physics class, Luke Tudor's 7th Grade students at AMS North, Jessica Belcher's 5th grade class at AIS West, and Dawn Alexander's 3rd graders at River Birch Elementary. Happy Thanksgiving, Avon.
During this episode, Dr. Wyndham and guests mention work to train Avon employees to recognize the warning signs of suicide among students. We recognize this is a sensitive topic and can be triggering to some. If you or someone you love is having suicidal thoughts or behaviors, please contact the national suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988 or by visiting 988lifeline.org.
Legally Blonde will run in the Hendricks Regional Health Performing Arts Center at Avon High School from September 30 through October 1. Tickets are available online and can also be purchased at the door on the night of the performance.
During the last two school years, Avon Schools has pursued the goal of becoming a Professional Learning Community (PLC), improving student achievement by providing equitable experiences and opportunities for all students. Listen in as Dr. Wyndham discusses PLCs with seven educators: Jenny Shayotovich (Data & Acceleration Coordinator), Kelly Weaver (White Oak ELC), Amy Nisenbaum (Cedar), Andrea Brackman (Pine Tree), Jessica Belcher (AIS West), Denise Williams (AMS North), and Kim LaHaye (AMS South). Learn about PLCs, what they are, how they're impacting educators, and how students are reaping the benefit as academic growth and achievement rise.
Apply to be a member of the Oriole Advocates class of '23. >> Apply here
Connect with Oriole Advocates online:
- Website
Each spring, our schools and departments each choose one person to be their Support Staff of the Year. These secretaries, custodians, food service workers, treasurers, and classroom assistants work hard to enable our educators to be able to focus on what they do best, help all students belong, learn, and grow. This year, Avon High School Principal's Secretary Carol Ayler was chosen from among the 15 honorees to represent Avon Schools as our 2022 Support Staff of the Year. Dr. Wyndham has a conversation with Carol and AHS Principal Matt Shockley. Listen in as Carol describes a day in the life of a secretary at a 3,500-student-strong (and growing!) high school who works for Indiana's only two-time Principal of the Year. Spoiler alert: No two days are the same, and she can't imagine spending them anywhere else. Learn what brought her to Avon Schools and what keeps her here, serving with such distinction.
Meet all 12 of Avon's Teacher of the Year honorees in this video.
Visit River Birch Elementary School's website.
To learn more about the Andy Mohr Automotive Group, visit andymohr.com.
There's no more appropriate way to conclude season 2 of the Orioles In-The-Know podcast than to highlight some of our graduating seniors. Join the conversation as Dr. Wyndham and four members of the AHS Class of '22 discuss their experiences in Avon Schools, the importance of balancing academics and extracurricular activities, their plans for the future, and their advice to students in the class of '23, '24, '25, and beyond. Be sure to listen until the end so you don't miss their shout-outs to current and former teachers, highlighting that they're primed for success beyond the walls of AHS because of the investments educators have made in them during every stage of their experience from kindergarten through high school. We're excited to celebrate with these students -- and all members of the Class of '22 -- as they wrap up their educational journeys in Avon.
Since COVID-19 entered into our daily conversations more than two years ago, virtually every part of our lives has been affected. Listen in as Dr. Wyndham sits down with Avon's Directors of Teaching and Learning Carrie Alday (PreK-6) and Dr. Dustin Lemay (7-12) to talk about what we're doing across Avon Schools to help students succeed and grow. From sustained efforts to create a culture of professional development among educators to additional student academic and social supports to strategic scheduling decisions to the effort to remain on-mission, you'll get an inside glimpse at how we're supporting students beyond the pandemic and how we will continue our trajectory of growth in the coming school years.
Recent Special Education news and updates:
- Challenger Baseball: A League for Athletes with Special Needs
- AHS Grads Make Smiles Possible
For more information: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Recent Avon Schools Music Education news and updates:
- AHS Chamber Orchestra Wows Statehouse Crowd
- Attraction, Accents Show Choirs Hit High Notes
- AHS Dance Team Wins State Competition
- Avon Marching Black and Gold Receives Commendation
- Indiana All-Region Jr. High Orchestra, All-Region Jr. High Band, and All-State Jr. High Orchestra
- A Salute to Excellence
For more information: Music In Our Schools Month®
The mission of Avon Schools can be summarized in five short words: ALL belong, learn, and grow. Two new clubs at Avon High School are achieving this mission by giving students a safe space where they can encourage one another, hold one another to high standards, and dream together about their bright futures. Join Dr. Wyndham for this conversation with AHS Dean Dr. Aaron Willis and the three student leaders who launched Black Women Speak and Avon Men of Purpose (AMP). Learn why they've worked so hard to start these groups, where they believe the clubs are headed, who can be involved, and what their individual hopes and plans are beyond AHS.
Listen in as Dr. Wyndham talks with four of Avon's outstanding educators, Hayley Hatchett (Avon High School), Dewitt Jackson (Avon Middle School South), Megan Lofgren (Avon Intermediate School West), and Clare Hoover (Pine Tree Elementary School). While, individually, their educational experiences range from first-year to veteran, all four of these educators are still in their first year in Avon Schools. Learn about why they chose Avon, what they have experienced this year, and what excites them about the future. Learn about the collaborative culture across the district, the joy of building relationships with students and watching them succeed, the enriching diversity of the student body, and even lessons learned from teaching during COVID-19. We are grateful to have awesome teachers in Avon Schools.
Learn about Jasmine's IASP Rising Stars award and Summer's Lilly Endowment scholarship.
With Thanksgiving coming up, we take a break from our normal conversations and invite you into some of our classrooms. We want you to be able to hear directly from students at our elementary, intermediate, middle, and high schools as they answer a single question: What are you thankful for? So that’s what you’ll hear. From pets to sports, from friends to family, from silly to serious, you’ll hear that there are so many things that make our students thankful. You’ll even get to hear from a few of our incredible educators. We hope this episode brings a smile to your face and causes you to reflect on what you're thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving!
Quotes:
"We are on the same team. This is a partnership and it is in the pursuit of collaboration. ... If we can recognize that on behalf of our young people -- our students, the next generation -- we all have a vested interest in their education, then we can start as teammates."
"It's been healthy, I think, to realize that I can have complete philosophical disagreements with somebody [with whom I serve at the Statehouse] and we can still be genuine friends. And where we have disagreements we can sit down like mature adults and talk it out."
"At the end of the day, what are we about? We are in the business of educating the next generation to be positive, contributing members of our society. And so the work that's being done at Avon ... and all of our school districts is so critically important. Whether these young people fully realize it right now or not, they are the future. So it behooves us to make sure that we are giving our very best investment in our very best resource."
Links:
- Senator Crane's Bio
- Indiana Association of School Principals
- Indiana Graduation Pathways
- Indiana General Assembly
Matt Shockley, Avon High School Principal, is the only two-time Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) Principal of the Year.
Amber Walters, Principal at Avon Intermediate School West, was IASP's District 8 Middle School Principal of the Year.
Matt Hines, Assistant Principal at Avon High School, was recognized as the IASP District 8 Assistant Principal of the Year.
Learn more about National Principals Month.
Register to attend Digital Citizens: Empowering Parents to Keep Kids Safe Online on Monday, October 25. This event will be held in the Avon High School Auditorium. Attend in person or via livestream. >> Tickets
Avon School Safety
Avon Bullying & Safety Concerns Reporting Form
National Bullying Prevention Month - A month long event to prevent childhood bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Superintendent Dr. Scott Wyndham and Maple Elementary Principal Nikki Harrison provide an update to their mid-construction podcast episode from last school year. Now that the major construction and renovation project at the school is complete, they invite first grade teachers Andrea McCord and Julie Stevens and fourth grade students Tiffany and Camden to talk about their experience and what they enjoy the most about Maple Elementary. Learn about the Maple VIBE, the incredible new playground, a student's insightful suggestion for future projects, and what educators and staff are doing to make sure that they retain Maple's welcoming culture.
Join Dr. Wyndham and two Avon educators, Steph Duda and Sarah Tuttle, as they sit down for a conversation about the work they’re doing to provide rich, hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) experiences for all 3,500 elementary students in our school district. One of the major reasons for the construction projects at several of our elementary schools over the past two years was to provide a more equitable experience for all elementary students, and the work Mrs. Duda and Mrs. Tuttle are leading has been made possible by the effort. Learn about how they’re rolling up their sleeves to provide experiences that are not only helping students develop critical problem-solving skills, but for the in-demand STEM-reliant careers of the coming decades.
Dr. Wyndham sits down for a conversation about professional development initiatives and the impact of these initiatives on student achievement with ACSC's Directors of Teaching and Learning, Dr. Dustin LeMay and Carrie Alday. Carrie focuses on prek-grade 6, and grades 7-12 are Dustin's domain. Learn about Avon's Professional Learning Communities, the work that is being done across the 12 schools in our corporation to keep educators sharp, unified, and focused.
For the first time in our corporation's history, Avon Schools has recognized an outstanding individual as Support Staff of the Year. In this episode of Orioles In-The-Know, Dr. Wyndham talks with Sharol Todd, Maple Elementary Custodian. Find out what motivates Sharol to not only do her job with excellence but to make incredible investments into the lives of the students and staff at Maple. You'll hear what it's like to manage a facility in transition, discover a few of the surprises that await an elementary school custodian each day, and learn what motivates Sharol to keep showing up and making such a tremendous impact on the Maple Elementary family.
Dr. Wyndham has a conversation with Avon's 2021 Teacher of the Year Michael Brooks. Michael teaches Math at Avon Middle School South. In addition to being an excellent teacher, he is deeply involved in helping his students navigate through life's challenges. Never has this been more necessary - or fruitful - than during the social and emotional upheaval of the 2020-21 school year. Michael is a model teacher and an outstanding representation of several hundred Avon educators who are also making a huge difference in the lives of our students.
Dr. Wyndham has a conversation with three members of the AHS class of 2021: Mebele Onwuaduegbo, Taylor Rueff, and Mitch O'Mara. During the episode, they talk about what it was like to experience their senior year during a global pandemic, how their careers in Avon Schools has prepared them for life after high school, and what Avon can do to continue growing and improving as a district.
View WTHR-13's coverage of the Heart of the Arts Award winning Patio Recital concerts performed at Life's Journey Hospice.
Read about the Heart of the Arts Award.
Learn about the 2021 Best Communities for Music Education Award.
Watch a recent performance of the full AHS Orchestra.
The ELL Program's mission is to ensure that children who are limited English proficient attain English proficiency, develop high levels of academic attainment in English, and meet the same challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards as all children are expected to meet.
ACSC ELL Webpage
Episode Glossary
EL/ELL: English Language Learners
PD: Professional Development - Training opportunities during which educators refine current skills and develop new ones.
Dr. Wyndham is joined by Principal Nikki Harrison and four students as they discuss the construction project Maple Elementary. Maple - built 50 years ago - is undergoing a major expansion and renovation that will enable students to have a more equitable experience. Share in the excitement of the students and the adults as the project nears its July 2021 completion. One of the participants even breaks out in song! Who? You'll have to listen to the end to find out.
In July, ACSC will open the White Oak Early Learning Center. For the first time in many years, all of our preschool classes and services will be under one roof. By combining and expanding our community and developmental preschool options in Avon, we're growing our continuum of services and providing access for students with special needs to typically developing peers. These additional placement options will improve outcomes for all students. Through play, age- and stage-appropriate academics, and social-emotional learning opportunities, we will help young learners to be confident and prepared when they enter kindergarten.
Dr. Wyndham and ACSC Resource Officer and Diversity Trainer Terance Smith have a discussion about cultural competence. Learn more about the work ACSC is doing to engage educators and students in these important conversations. Don't miss Officer Smith's story about a Law Enforcement Officer who influenced him when he was young.
Oriole Advocates exists to engage the Avon-Washington Township community and local and state-level leaders to help ACSC remain one of the premier school corporations in Indiana and to be appreciated as a key asset to the citizens of the state.
Connect with Oriole Advocates on Facebook or Twitter and visit their website to learn more.
Mental wellness resources available in and through Avon Schools:
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Counselors work in each school.
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Social workers are working in schools across the corporation to support student and staff mental wellness.
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Cummins Behavioral Health Systems, Inc. - (888) 714-1927 ext. 1501
Local resources
- Hendricks County Health Partnership Resource Guide
National resource
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - (800) 273-8255 (24/7/365)
Dr. David Stopperich, Hendricks County Health Officer joins Dr. Wyndham to talk about COVID-19. In addition to discussing recent updates to the statewide county color-coding system, they talk about how safe students are in their classrooms and the latest news about vaccinations. Big thanks to Avon High School Broadcasting Teacher Ms. Tauer and her broadcasting students for providing access to the studio and equipment.
Mrs. Kayla Kuepper, ACSC and Maple Teacher of the Year, sits down with Dr. Wyndham to discuss several topics including how Avon students are excelling despite the challenges of this school year, the hard work of ACSC staff making sure students are successful, Maple construction, and why Kayla chooses Avon.
Chief Chase Lyday from the ACSC Police Department joins Dr. Wyndham to discuss the formation of the district's police department.
Dr. David Stopperich, Hendricks County Health Officer, joins Dr. Wyndham to discuss the return to school.
Dr. David Stopperich, Hendricks County Health Officer, and Jennifer Wright, Director of School Nursing for Hendricks Regional Health, join Dr. Wyndham to discuss the return to school.