December 2020 News
Rising Stars of Indiana Class of 2022
Thursday, December 3, 2020
The Indiana Association of School Principals (IASP) recently announced the Rising Stars of Indiana Class of 2022. Each Indiana high school was invited to recognize up to four students currently in the 11th grade, based on their academic achievement.
Students recognized from the Indiana Academy are:
Matthew Deibel
Emily DeWitt
Gunvanth Kandula
Sal Hamm
The Indiana Academy, along with IASP, congratulates these students on all they have already achieved, as well as offering support and encouragement as they continue their accomplishments and expand their knowledge, growth and leadership skills well into the future.
Indiana Academy Spring 2021 COVID-19 Update
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Dear Indiana Academy Community:
Ball State University has implemented a new COVID-19 protocol requiring all students to submit a COVID-19 test before returning to campus for the start of the Spring 2021 semester. This applies to Indiana Academy students, including students who do not live in the residence hall but are attending in-person classes.
Requirements
Every student is required to:
- Submit a COVID-19 test result administered within seven (7) days before arriving on campus; and
- Self-quarantine between the date the test is administered and the return to campus.
Specific information about testing locations and the availability of free testing may be found here.
After obtaining test results, students must upload an image of the test result to the Indiana Academy. Upload instructions will be provided the week of January 4th–8th.
Negative Test Results
Students with a negative test result may return to campus on January 17, 2021 as scheduled.
Positive Test Results
Students with a positive test result cannot return to campus. Students must isolate for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms, and must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications before returning to campus. If asymptomatic, students must isolate for at least 10 days from the date of the COVID-19 test.
Exceptions to Pre-Arrival Protocol
A student is not required to submit a pre-arrival test result if one of the following applies:
- The student tested positive for COVID-19 in the 90-day period prior to returning to campus for Spring 2021, and the positive test result has been provided to the Indiana Academy.
- The student is enrolled entirely online for the Spring 2021 semester, is not residing in the residence hall, and will not be physically present on campus in the spring semester.
Compliance
Students are required to comply with this protocol unless the student meets the criteria for an exception. Students who fail to submit the test results will not be permitted to move-in to the residence hall, and will not be able to attend in-person classes until a test result is submitted.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we implement this new COVID-19 protocol. We will communicate with our community any further pandemic issues or decisions that have implications for our students, teachers, and families as they become available. For more information about COVID-19, please visit our website.
Sincerely,
Dain Kavars
He/Him/His (What is This?)
Interim Executive Director
Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306
765-285-8126
2020 Beta State Convention Results
Monday, November 23, 2020
This year, Indiana Academy Beta members participated in a virtual State Convention that was held from October 23rd to November 9th. If a student or team places 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in their respective category, they secure a spot in the National Convention that will be held in Orlando, Florida, in June of 2021.
1st Place 12th Grade Agriscience Testing – Kato Burgess
1st Place Marketing and Communications – Julie Pichonnat, Shivali Singireddy, and Kamarie Fuller-Davis
1st Place 11th Grade Math Testing – Wendy Pan
1st Place 12th Grade Math Testing – Shivali Singireddy
2nd Place Onsite Drawing Division II – Andrea Vandecar
2nd Place 11th Grade Science Testing – Kayley Gertz
1st Place 12th Grade Science Testing – Andrew Pilat
1st Place 12th Grade Spanish Testing – Aliza Baker
2nd Place Painting Division II – Shivali Singireddy
2nd Place Quiz Bowl – Duncan Hollandbeck, Aliza Baker, Andrew Pilat, and Matthieu Deibel
National Beta Club is the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America. Its mission is to promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students by recognizing and honoring high academic achievement, preparing young people for life and empowering them to be successful, developing the leaders of tomorrow, and demonstrating the motto “Let us lead by serving others.”
Beta holds annual state conventions in 18 states, both for Senior and Junior Beta divisions, and winners of these state events go on to compete on a national level. Activities range from academic contests to quiz bowls to talent competitions. Conventions give members the opportunity to interact, share project ideas and showcase their academic and leadership abilities.
Congratulations to these Academy students for their outstanding work!
Ms. Susie Cunningham, Students Receive Awards from NCWIT
Friday, November 13, 2020
2020 graduate Izzy Hildebrand and senior Shivali Singireddyhave received the 2020 Award for Aspirations in Computing for Indiana from the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT). In addition, Ms. Susie Cunningham received the 2020 Aspirations in Computing Educator Award for Indiana.
The Award for AiC honors 9th-12th grade students who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and plans for post-secondary education.
The AiC Educator Award identifies exemplary formal and informal educators who play a pivotal role in encouraging 9th-12th grade students who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary to explore their interests in computing and technology. The award recognizes these educators for their efforts to promote gender equity in computing.
NCWIT is the only national non-profit focused on women’s participation in computing across the entire ecosystem, helping 1,400 organizations recruit, retain, and advance women from K-12 and higher education through industry and entrepreneurial careers by providing support, evidence, and action.
Congratulations to Izzy, Shivali, and Ms. Cunningham!
More information about NCWIT and the Aspirations in Computing Awards can be found at www.aspirations.org.
Indiana Academy Spring 2021 Calendar Update
Friday, November 6, 2020
November 6, 2020
Dear Indiana Academy Community,
Indiana Academy students, faculty, and staff have taken great care in following physical distancing guidelines, wearing masks, and taking appropriate steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19. These efforts and efficient contact tracing have allowed us to keep the residence hall open and many classes in-person throughout the fall semester. As we approach the end of the fall semester, we are officially making a change to the Spring 2021 calendar to help ensure the safety of all.
The spring semester start date of Monday, January 4th remains unchanged, but all Indiana Academy classes will be virtual for the first two weeks. Residential students will move into the residence hall on Sunday, January 17th. The holidays are a time of increased travel and family gatherings. With rising COVID-19 cases in Indiana, and across the nation, returning students to the residence hall immediately following the winter break increases the risk of COVID-19 spread. Before returning to the residence hall on January 17th, all students will be asked to quarantine for 14 days and complete a self-certification form, similar to the form completed in early August.
The extended breaks, including Spring Break, will remain in place as previously scheduled on the website calendar. Students will be asked to follow appropriate safety guidelines to return to the residence hall following each extended break. This is intended to decrease the risk of COVID-19 spread and keep the residence hall a safe place for all students.
I understand you may have several questions. In the coming days, additional information will come from Dr. Jeff Smith, Director of Academic Affairs, and Mr. Paul Douglas, Director of Residential Affairs.
I thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate and adapt to changing COVID-19 conditions.
Sincerely,
Dain Kavars
He/Him/His (What is This?)
Interim Executive Director
Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Ball State University
Muncie, IN 47306
765-285-8126
Academy Alum Receives Distinguished Fellowship
Monday, October 12, 2020
Indiana Academy alum Stephen Taller (2009) has received the prestigious Weinberg Fellowship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The highly competitive Weinberg Fellowship honors Dr. Alvin M. Weinberg, who was the longest serving director at ORNL from 1955 to 1973. The fellowship to cultivate future scientific leaders is awarded to new and leading young scientists and engineers at ORNL with interests in energy and energy-related science and technology challenges.
2021 National Merit Semifinalists
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Congratulations to the following seniors who have been named Semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship competition:
Keeran Abraham
Bryce Berger
Etoile Boots
Duncan Hollandbeck
Zahra Nasir
Robert Sammelson
Shivali Singireddy
Procedures: Office of Mental Health and Support Services 2020
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
From the Office of Mental Health and Support Services
The Office of Mental Health and Support Services (OMHSS) strives to provide students with the support and resources in order to help them achieve their personal and academic goals while at the Indiana Academy. Counseling services are provided by Dr. Mindy Wallpe and graduate students form the School and Counseling Doctoral programs at BSU. They include Steven Scally, M.A., Tauralee Tenn, M.A., Emily Boswell Strain, M.A., LMHCA, Kalyn Gebhardt, M.A., and Lizi Zhong, M.Ed., M.A. and are under the direct supervision of Dr. Wallpe.
We encourage you to reach out to our office for support regarding any mental health difficulty, stressor, and/or life challenge. We want to be both a support and resource to you during your time at the Indiana Academy. We are available Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Given the guidelines in place from Ball State University and the Indiana Academy regarding COVID-19, counseling sessions will be done via teletherapy (online through WebEx) and not face to face. If you want to schedule an appointment with a counselor, please email Dr. Mindy at mcwallpe or call 765-285-5483.
What to expect once scheduled:
Once you are assigned a counselor you will be sent an email that has your counselors contact information, the date, time, and location for the appointment. You will be given an office room number in Elliott Hall basement and let into that office for privacy for your session. A link for your private teletherapy counseling appointment will be included.
Guidelines for session:
You will need to bring your laptop/tablet/phone and headphones/earbuds for your session. You will log on to the session in the privacy of the office and the counselor will return to their office and log on to begin the session.
Your video must remain on and showing your face during your session. Make sure you have the power cord for your phone/computer/tablet. At the end of the session the therapist will schedule you for your next session and send an email with the link that will be needed. The therapist will return to the office and sanitize the space.
For unscheduled appointments:
We are limiting in person contact, so if you need to talk to a counselor but do not have an appointment and you are not having thoughts of suicide, harming self, or others, please call Dr. Mindy at 765-285-5483 to address your current need over the phone.
If you are having thoughts of suicide, harming self, or others and unable to talk on the phone because of current distress, please walk down to Dr. Mindy’s office immediately and knock on the office door (WA160C located in guidance suite).
To utilize services in the OMHSS the consent to treatment must be on file. This includes the OMHSS Informed Consent 2020 and the Telehealth Indiana Academy Informed Consent 2020 forms. The forms were included in your registration materials. The form is attached if it has not been completed.
If you have been in counseling and are interested in utilizing services at the Academy please work with your current provider and sign a release of information so we can coordinate care.
If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask.
Interim Residential and Student Affairs COVID-19 Policies and Procedures
Monday, August 10, 2020
Academy Students and Families:
In our preparations for a safe return to campus, we have been required to make a number of interim changes to policies and procedures for students living in or entering Wagoner Hall. Please review the document linked below for some updates on what life in Wagoner Hall will look like to begin the 2020 Fall Semester. As we continue to navigate the challenges of 2020, we will keep you posted and regularly update this document. The latest version will always be available at https://academy.bsu.edu/covid19/.
Thanks,
Paul Douglas
Director of Residential and Student Affairs
Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Office: 765-285-8127
Front Desk: 765-285-8125
Fax: 765-285-2778
Download Interim Residential and Student Affairs COVID-19 Policies and Procedures Document Revised 8-10-20
COVID-19 Information for Students
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Dear Indiana Academy Students and Families,
Please see the attached flier from our nursing staff regarding information and procedures related to COVID-19.
Thanks,
Paul Douglas
Director of Residential and Student Affairs
Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
Office: 765-285-8127
Front Desk: 765-285-8125
Fax: 765-285-2778