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MHS student starts local chapter of Curvy Girls Scoliosis Support Group

Posted: Nov 03, 2016 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

A Marion High School student has been named the state leader for an international network of support groups for teens with scoliosis, Curvy Girls.

Emily Phillippe, a freshman at MHS, has been dealing with the challenges of having scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, since she was 7 years old. When she was 12, she found Curvy Girls Scoliosis Support Group to help her deal with the challenges of wearing a back brace 20 hours per day. At age 13, Emily’s curve progressed, even though she was braced. Emily needed spinal fusion surgery. Now, at the age of 14, Emily is fully recovered and is starting a chapter of Curvy Girls in her own town. She wants to help other girls dealing with this condition.

Curvy Girls brings girls together to raise awareness and support one another at monthly meetings, hospital visits, and brace-wear shopping trips. Because teens with Scoliosis typically feel self-conscious about their appearance, and because they often have to wear a hard plastic torso brace up to 23 hours a day, they tend to isolate and may experience depression. Support groups provide an important opportunity to share concerns and information.

Curvy Girls of Indiana is a chapter of international groups started in 2006 by then-14-year-old Leah Stoltz of Long Island, N.Y. Since being featured on national television’s TeenNick HALO (Helping and Leading Others) Awards Show in 2009, Curvy Girls has grown to 42 chapters throughout the world.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a medical condition of unknown cause in which a preteen or teen has an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. On an X-ray, the spine of an individual with a scoliosis may look more like an "S" or a "C" than a straight line. Conventional treatment is through bracing and/or surgery. Scoliosis progresses 10 times more frequently in girls than boys, and some girls have to wear a hard plastic torso brace for up to 23 hours a day. In an attempt to halt curve progression and avoid spine surgery, bracing is continued throughout the growing years.

“Scoliosis affects us both physically and mentally,” Leah said. “While the back brace supports our bodies, Curvy Girls is our emotional brace. We need to help our girls feel better about themselves from the inside out.”

Emily welcomes girls with scoliosis to contact her so that together they can continue to make a difference. Visit www.curvygirlsscoliosis.com/indiana and learn more about Emily and Curvy Girls of Indiana, or email IN@curvygirlsscoliosis.com.

Special Ed Co-Op invites families to learn about financial planning (11/8)

Posted: Nov 01, 2016 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

The Grant County Special Education Cooperative is offering a special opportunity to Grant County families with children or dependents with special needs: a financial planning informational meeting aimed at their specific needs and concerns.

This workshop will provide information on topics such as the ABLE Act, waiver updates, special needs trusts, and guardianship. This event will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Refreshments and respite care will be provided.

Gordon Homes, a certified financial planner, will be the speaker. He focuses on financial and estate planning for families who have children or dependents with special needs. He is a frequent speaker at parent support group meetings and state conferences, and he is nationally recognized in the area of special needs planning. He also serves on the MetLife Center for Special Needs Planning national Advisory Council.

>> Please RSVP if you plan to attend by emailing bwillman@eastbrook.k12.in.us.

Marion Community Schools is proud to be a part of the Grant County Special Education Co-op, and we are happy to host this event for area families.

If you have questions about this event, the Special Ed Co-Op, or other general questions regarding special needs education here at Marion Community Schools, please contact our Special Services Department at 662-2546, x. 139.

MCS will keep building configuration for 2017-18 school year

Posted: Oct 26, 2016 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

Marion Community Schools on Wednesday announced at its School Board meeting that due to rising enrollment and careful budget planning, no further building reconfiguration will be needed for the 2017-18 school year.

The announcement came after discussion of the plan and a consensus from the board that current information supported the plan to keep all buildings in use by students for the next academic year.

Last year, after a series of community meetings and board discussions, Marion Community Schools closed the Tucker building and moved its career center programming onto the Marion High School campus, and preschool classes were also added to the elementary buildings. At that time, MCS officials had spoken about the possibility of further reconfiguration for the 2017-18 school year, if enrollment and revenues continued to decline. A clear provision was given at the time, though, that MCS staff would continue to examine the situation and present new information to the board before that decision was officially made.

Wednesday, armed with positive news on enrollment and confidence that MCS continues to be on track to match its expenditures with its revenues by 2017, the board agreed by consensus with the decision to keep all buildings open for the 2017-18 school year.

“This is Giant news! This is a significant victory for the entire community of Marion,” Superintendent Brad Lindsay said. “It’s a reflection of our student excellence in academics, arts, athletics, and community service, and of all the exciting partnerships and curricular and co-curricular programs we offer our students. There is something for each student in Marion Community Schools! I am so thankful for the community of Marion and that parents believe in what we are doing and choose to stay and come back home to Marion Community Schools. Together, as a community, we are Giants by choice!”

YOU can help us "Fuel Our School" TODAY!

Posted: Oct 21, 2016 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

Originally posted Sept. 13, 2016

We are excited to announce a new partnership with Circle K that will be an easy way for everyone in the city to help us raise funds for our school!

>> Click to view/download full-size flier

Starting Oct. 21, 2016, purchases made at the specially marked "Fueling Our Schools" gasoline pump at two of Marion's Circle K locations will generate donations from Circle K to our school, to help fund various school improvements and programming. Purchases on any day at one of these marked pumps will generate a donation of 1 cent per gallon purchased. On special "Fuel Up Nights", the donation will increase to 10 cents a gallon.

This is such an easy way to help us boost opportunities for students at our school. We hope you'll help support Justice Intermediate School in this way. Just make sure you visit the Circle K station at 1707 W. Kem Road, and use the specially marked "Fueling our Schools" pump when you need gas!

The first "Fuel Up Night" will be Oct. 21. From 4 to 8 p.m., donations generated at these marked pumps will be 10 cents a gallon. (RSVP on our Facebook event page for reminders about Fuel Up Night! Click here to go to the event page.) Watch for more information about this and other related special events.

And make sure you tell your friends about this easy way to support Justice Intermediate School!

FYI: Angel Tree registration begins 10/20

Posted: Oct 19, 2016 by Patricia Gibson, Communications Director

Marion Community Schools is committed to helping our families find community resources to meet their needs whenever possible.

One special seasonal opportunity is coming up later this week that we here at Justice Intermediate School wanted to make our families aware of: The Salvation Army's Angel Tree.

This program provides Christmas toys and clothing for children ages 12 and younger for families in need.

Please click on the image to view a larger version of the flier, or call The Salvation Army at 664-6536 for more information.