Geist Students Put Together ‘Baby Baskets’ for Agency

Geist Elementary third graders in Danielle Chastain’s class recently presented two “baby baskets” to parent Ivette Barbosa, who works for Children’s Bureau Inc. as a social worker.

The class was interested in a spring service project, and Barbosa had given them the idea to “adopt a mom.” She was working with two single moms who will be having babies this summer.

“We encouraged the kids to each bring in one small baby item to add to our baby baskets,” said Chastain. “Our students really took ownership in this project and were able to fill one ‘baby girl’ basket and one ‘baby boy’ basket.”

The project culminated with a visit from Barbosa. She shared her role and the responsibilities that her job carries on a daily basis. She was also able to tell them a bit about the moms who the class had helped.

“Everyone walked away feeling great about helping out someone else,” said Chastain.

Amy Beverland Third-graders Earn, Manage and Spend ‘Kid Money’

During the last week of school at Amy Beverland Elementary, third graders got to spend some hard-earned “money” at the school’s annual Circle Fest.

Throughout the year, each student earned a weekly salary of specially designed “kid money” for doing his/her job and being a responsible student of high character. The students also paid income taxes, desk rent and even fines when poor choices were made. Some classes even had community employees, savings accounts, small businesses and insurance agencies.

Third-grader Ryan Heidel enjoyed spending the rewards of being a disciplined manager of his “mini-economy” at the May 23 Circle Fest. One of the primary lessons learned was that money is very fluid. Ryan and fellow third graders spent lots of their hard-earned money on food, beverages, games and other goodies ranging from sidewalk chalk to Webkinz and DVDs. Parents donated food, prizes, time and money for the end-of-year event. Amy Beverland third grade teachers have been using Circle Fest as the culminating activity to their “mini-economy” curriculum for more than 10years to help students learn money management, math skills, leadership skills and that good things come to people who do good things!

Amy Beverland Third-graders Earn, Manage and Spend ‘Kid Money’

During the last week of school at Amy Beverland Elementary, third graders got to spend some hard-earned “money” at the school’s annual Circle Fest.

Throughout the year, each student earned a weekly salary of specially designed “kid money” for doing his/her job and being a responsible student of high character. The students also paid income taxes, desk rent and even fines when poor choices were made. Some classes even had community employees, savings accounts, small businesses and insurance agencies.

Third-grader Ryan Heidel enjoyed spending the rewards of being a disciplined manager of his “mini-economy” at the May 23 Circle Fest. One of the primary lessons learned was that money is very fluid. Ryan and fellow third graders spent lots of their hard-earned money on food, beverages, games and other goodies ranging from sidewalk chalk to Webkinz and DVDs. Parents donated food, prizes, time and money for the end-of-year event. Amy Beverland third grade teachers have been using Circle Fest as the culminating activity to their “mini-economy” curriculum for more than 10years to help students learn money management, math skills, leadership skills and that good things come to people who do good things!

HSE Class of 1982 Reunion

The Hamilton Southeastern class of 1982 will celebrate their 25th reunion Aug. 25, 2007 at the at the Gene Glick Junior Achievement facility at 7435 N. Keystone Ave.. “The reunion planning committee has been working for the past few months locating classmates and finalizing plans,” said Frank Leonard. “The JA center is beautiful and is a great place to get together and reconnect with classmates. The dress will be casual so the atmosphere will be fun.” The cost per person will be around $25, depending on the number of people attending. “We want to get as many people there as possible.”

Now the committee is focused on locating people the planning committee has been unable to find. If you know anybody who graduated in the class of 1982 please direct them to the HSE web site to update their information. For details on the reunion, please e-mail Kim Gray at kimgray@yourblueprint.com. The free HSE alumni site is http://www.hse.k12.in.us/alumni/1982.htm .

Fall Creek Road Closed after June 1st

STREET BEING CLOSED: Fall Creek Road will be CLOSED between Shadeland Avenue & Johnson Road on or after June 1st for sanitary sewer construction. Included in the CLOSURE is the intersection of Fall Creek Road North Drive & Fall Creek Road.

EXPECTED DATE OPEN TO TRAFFIC: June 11, 2007

DETOUR ROUTE: For westbound Fall Creek Road use Shadeland Avenue, south to 56th Street, west back to Fall Creek Road. From northbound Fall Creek Road, east on 56th Street, north on Shadeland Avenue back to Fall Creek Road. Detour route will be posted.

How Much Does it Cost to Be Unemployed?

How Much Does It Cost To Be Unemployed?
Can you afford to be unemployed
2 months? 3 Months? Or More?

How much does a job search cost in lost income?
Salary
Search Time
Lost Income

$35,000
3 Months
$8,750.00

$60,000
2 Months
$10,000.00

$100,000
5 Months
$41,667.00

Put an end to your job search, contact us today!
360° Career Search Services
9860 Westpoint Dr, Suite 700
Indianapolis, IN 46256

888-292-JOBS (5627)
Or contact us through our website:
http://www.360degreesearch.com/contactus.php

Fishers Firefighters Wait Tables to Help Young Burn Victims

Diners at Texas Roadhouse May 22 might have been surprised to find a Fishers firefighter serving up their steak and potatoes.

The Fishers Fire Department joined forces with Texas Roadhouse to raise money for Hoosier Burn Camp, where young burn victims get the opportunity to “be just one of the kids.” The camp offers an unforgettable summer camp experience to children ages 8 to 18 who have been hospitalized with injuries from burns.

All tips given to the firefighters that night were donated to Hoosier Burn Camp, and the firefighters are hoping more people will decide to send in donation forms they dished out alongside the dinner platters.
Children who visited Roadhouse that night were thrilled to explore a fire engine in the parking lot. Fire Inspector Don Graber said the experience brought back memories of his days as a server at Olive Garden. He was still serving and mingling with guests around 8 p.m. while the other firefighters enjoyed a hearty dinner.

Hoosier Burn Camp hosted 70 adolescent burn survivors last year for a week of outdoor activities and building friendships. Campers spend the week doing traditional camp activities such as fishing, canoeing, archery, rock-climbing and more.

“All of our activities complement fun and the opportunity to grow and foster self-esteem,” said Mark Koopman, Executive Director for Hoosier Burn Camp.

The Fishers Fire Department has supported Hoosier Burn Camp since its beginning in 1998, both financially and with personnel, said Fishers Fire Chief Brian D. Lott. It takes about $1,000 to cover the costs for one kid to go to camp. A donation of $100 will cover the cost of meals for one camper; $500 will cover meals and lodging, along with some programming.

Fire Inspector Don Graber answers questions about the fire truck’s hoses during Tip a Firefighter night. Timmy and Kristina Mathioudakis were among children who climbed aboard the fire engine in the parking lot of Texas Roadhouse.

To make a donation or to learn more about Hoosier Burn Camp, visit www.hoosierburncamp.org or call 800-254-2878.

Teenage Cheerleader Coaches, Mentors and Nurtures Local Kids (video)

Heather Harmon is a bit young to be a coach.

And that’s exactly what the Hamilton Southeastern sophomore told i9 Sports Owner Eric Rhiver when he asked her to coach cheerleading this spring.

“I’m only 16; Are you sure you want me?’” she recalls telling Rhiver. “He said, ‘I know you can do it,’ and I said, ‘OK.’”

Now Harmon is among the most popular coaches at i9. She leads five girls – ages 7 to 12 – in cheering for flag football teams every Saturday at Horizon Christian School. The girls just love Coach Heather, Rhiver said. He had so much confidence in the young teen because she’s not the typical “cheerleader type.” Rhiver wanted someone who would be a good role model for the aspiring cheerleaders and who worked well with children.

Heather, who was a cheerleader for the Royals’ JV girls basketball team this year, fit that ideal.

“People instantly like her,” Rhiver said. “She’s just a very sweet young lady.”

Heather has a passion for working with kids. During the school year, she wakes up well before sunrise to lead Campus Life groups for students at Hamilton Southeastern and Fishers Junior High schools. The meetings start at 6:30 a.m. – an hour before school – and include donuts, games and small group discussions about issues such as peer pressure and living a Christian life. Heather meets with other Campus Life volunteers and staff members weekly to plan activities for the 40-50 kids who show up at each school every week.

“I’m a very kid-oriented person. I come from a big family,” said Heather, who is one of seven children, ages 7 to 19.

As school winds down for the summer, Heather will still be working with children. She’s trying to raise $1,300 to go on a mission trip with Northeast Community Church to Jamaica, where she plans to do light construction work at an orphanage. She went to the same location last summer, and she can’t wait to visit the children who captured her heart.

“For two days, I worked with kids who don’t have a family,” Heather recalls. “They would ask me, ‘When you go home, do you have a mom?’”

In fact, Heather does have a mom who is very proud of her daughter’s desire to help others.
“To be almost 17 years old, I’m pretty proud of her,” said Gina Fornefeld of Brookston Place. “I know she makes the right choices.”

Gina says she knew Heather was special when she fell 30 feet from a third-floor apartment balcony at age 4 and immediately got up to find her mother.

“She said, ‘Don’t worry, Mom, I’m OK; an angel caught me,” Gina recalls. The family wasn’t going to church at the time and didn’t talk about angels. Although Heather broke both arms, there were no life-threatening injuries from the terrible fall.

Rhiver is a friend of Heather’s father, Jon Harmon, and has had many opportunities over the years to witness how much Heather cares for kids – whether it be her own siblings or children she’s never met before. He’s never regretted hiring a 16-year-old coach. In fact, Heather will be heading up an i9 Sports cheerleading camp this summer at Sahm Park the week of July 16-20.

“The girls make it so much fun,” Heather said. “They’re willing to do anything. They’re all enthusiastic and excited to be there.”

Clearly, Heather Harmon is, too!

Photos and video by Brenda Staples, Brenda@atGeist.com.

i9 Sports Emphasizes Good Sportsmanship in Youth Athletics (video)

Have you ever witnessed some un-sportsmanlike behavior from overzealous parents at the soccer field or baseball diamond and wondered why kids can’t just have fun playing sports anymore?

For some parents, grooming their child into a “star” athlete seems to be the college investment plan. All good coaches want to develop players to reach their full potentials, but fostering an ultra-competitive atmosphere is counterproductive. At least that’s the philosophy of i9 Sports, the newest addition to the many organizations offering youth sports programs in the Fishers/Geist area.

“It’s really striving to create a positive, inclusive environment for all the kids,” said Eric Rhiver, who purchased an i9 franchise last year to serve the northern suburbs of Indianapolis.

Rhiver has been involved in youth sports locally and in Michigan for more than a decade, as a member of the Fishers Youth Soccer Board and heading up the volleyball program at Holy Spirit at Geist. He was drawn to the i9 program because of its emphasis on good sportsmanship.

The name i9 comes from the nine “I”s of the organization’s mission statement: imaginative, innovative, interactive, integrity-driven, impassioned, inspirational, instructional, insightful and inclusive. Making sure everyone gets equal playing time keeps all of the kids interested in the game, Rhiver said.

I9 offers traditional sports like soccer and basketball but also features more unusual sports like flag football and mini-volleyball, a smaller form of volleyball which makes the game more user-friendly for children. The popular i9 flag football league is the only one in the area for kids up to age 14. The good thing about the sport is that there are no scholarships for flag football, Rhiver jokes, so everyone involved can just have fun without the pressure.

“It’s very exciting for everyone,” he says. “They’re competing, but it’s a controlled environment.”
Rhiver says he likes to partner with other organizations who are “like-minded” when it comes to promoting integrity on and off the field. That’s why he runs many of his programs at Horizon Christian School, off of 79th Street near Fall Creek Road.

The Spring flag football league ends June 16, but a Summer flag football camp will be offered July 16-20 at Sahm Park in Castleton for ages 5-14. It’s being run by ex-NFL player Curtis Chambers, who formerly played for the San Diego Chargers.

Rhiver will be running a soccer camp at Sahm the same week for boys and girls ages 5-11, and HSE Cheerleader Heather Harmon will lead a cheerleading camp for girls ages 7-11. All of the summer camps are $90.

Tom Slyder, the head men’s basketball coach at Anderson University, will be running a basketball camp July 9-12 at Horizon for boys and girls entering 3rd through 8th grades. Rhiver is also hoping to set up a camp with former WNBA player Joy Harris.

When asked how he gathered so much talent for his coaching staff, Rhiver simply says, “Somebody’s looking out for me… Somebody’s guiding this thing for me.”

I9 is also offering an outdoor summer volleyball league, which will meet on Thursday evenings from June 21 to Aug. 2 at Horizon. The cost to participate is $70 for kids ages 7-16. For more information on these and other programs offered by i9 Sports, visit www.i9sports.com.

Photos and video by Brenda Staples, Brenda@atGeist.com.

Strip Mall on the Water at Geist

Folks - got another great bit of information on what Fishers has in store for us who live on and around Geist.

They are planning a strip mall where the current boat launch is located. Just what we need another strip mall with a “high end” restaurant on the water. So as you sit outside overlooking the lake, your food and drinks can have that special IMI gritty flavor. I can see it now on the Menu “NY Strip steaks seasoned with special IMI cement spice,” sure to please everyone.

Think about it- do we need another strip mall, two have already popped up a little further down on Olio, we have major stores and more coming at 116th and Olio and just up Olio, a jog on 238 over I-69, a major shopping center. I am sure with lots of new restaurants.

Another reason to say NO to Fishers. Lets not forget Fishers is the City of Strip malls. Fishers is the city of developers first and citizens last.

By the way if you don’t believe me, next time you go to launch your boat, just ask the people who work at the launch.

Next Page »