February 2021 News
Indiana Academy Spring Break Update
Friday, February 26, 2021
Dear Indiana Academy Students and Families:
Ball State University is not having a spring break this year, but both the Indiana Academy and Burris will have a spring break. Academy students living on campus will move out of the residence hall on Friday, March 5, and return to the residence hall on Sunday, March 14. Additional information on moving out is forthcoming from Paul Douglas, Director of Residential and Student Affairs.
The following requirements must be met before students can return to the residence hall on March 14.
- All students returning to campus, including non-residential students, must complete a COVID-19 self-certification form. This form will be similar to the one students completed before moving into the residence hall in August. Instructions for this will be sent next week.
- Students who travel outside of Indiana during spring break must submit a COVID-19 test before returning to the residence hall. Instructions on submitting a COVID-19 test will be sent next week.
Additional quarantine restrictions are in place for students who travel out of the country during spring break. If you are traveling outside of the U.S., please contact me (see contact information in signature) ASAP to discuss these restrictions.
Students who remain in Indiana may get a COVID-19 test before returning to the Academy, but this is not a requirement.
We thank you for your patience and understanding. We will continue to communicate with our community any further pandemic issues or decisions that have implications for our students, faculty/staff, and families as they become available. For more information about COVID-19, please visit our website.
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 Swimmer Headed to State Finals
Monday, February 22, 2021
See more pictures and a complete story at the Star Press.
Academy junior Justin Xia has qualified for his second straight state final in swimming, after breaking the Burris school record in the 100-yard butterfly, set by former Olympian Larry Schulhof in 1961. Justin spoke with Mr. Schulhof before Saturday’s Jay County sectional, and Mr. Schulhof told Justin that he wanted him to break his record of 54.7 seconds.
Justin swam the 100 in a new Burris-record time of 54.55 seconds, finishing third in the event. He then won the sectional championship in the 100 breaststroke, with a new sectional, school and pool record time of 58.60 seconds.
The State Final preliminary rounds will be Friday, February 26, at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis, and the championships will be Saturday, February 27.
2021 Presidential Scholars
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Congratulations to Zahra Nasir and Shivali Singireddy, who have been named candidates in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to 161 students are named as Presidential Scholars.
2021 National Merit Finalists
Thursday, February 11, 2021
All seven of the seniors who were named Semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship competition in September have advanced to Finalist standing.
Congratulations to Keeran Abraham, Bryce Berger, Etoile Boots, Duncan Hollandbeck, Zahra Nasir, Robert Sammelson, and Shivali Singireddy!
Congratulations to Indiana Academy Swim and Dive Athletes!
Monday, January 11, 2021
A big congratulations to the Burris Owls boys and girls swim and dive teams for sweeping the Pioneer Conference Championships this past weekend. The Indiana Academy played a big role in this success with 15 Academy athletes participating on the teams.
Academy junior Justin Xia set the boys conference record in the 50-yd freestyle and the 100-yd butterfly. The girls 200-yd freestyle relay team set a conference record, assisted by Academy junior Karena Wang and Academy senior Edie Ferguson. The girls 400-yd freestyle relay team was beat out by just 0.14 seconds but topped the previous conference record. This team was assisted by Academy juniors Karena Wang, Sophia Lotzow, and Jasmine Cai.
Overall, the Burris Owls won 10 of 24 events. The following Academy students won their events:
Karena Wang – 100-yd freestyle
Jocelyn Mercier – 1 meter diving
Girls Team – 200 Medley Relay
Girls Team – 200 Freestyle Relay
Justin Xia – 50-yd freestyle
Justin Xia – 100-yd butterfly
Boys Team – 200 Medley Relay
Boys Team – 200 Freestyle Relay
A fantastic job by all Burris and Academy swim and dive athletes this weekend!
Indiana Academy Return to School Date Change
Thursday, January 7, 2021
Dear Indiana Academy Community:
We are excited to see students return to classes virtually this week after the winter break. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to accelerate its pace in Indiana and across the nation, requiring us to continue to make decisions that keep the safety and welfare of our community at the forefront. Much of Indiana currently has a Weekly 2-Metric Score of “Red”, the highest COVID-19 advisory level. This means the number of positive COVID-19 cases and the test positivity rate are both very high.
The first extended weekend of the semester is two weeks after students are set to return to the residence hall. Given the high COVID-19 numbers and the necessity for all students to move out of the residence hall on an extended weekend, we have decided to extend virtual learning for two additional weeks. The extended weekend will remain on the calendar with no virtual classes scheduled on Monday, February 1, and Tuesday, February 2. Students will return to the residence hall on Tuesday, February 2.
The requirement to submit a COVID-19 test dated no more than 7 days before returning to campus remains in place. Reminders and instructions on submitting a COVID-19 test will be sent out the week of January 18-22. Move-in procedures will be sent out a week before February 2.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to evaluate the data and make decisions. We all want Academy students back and learning in-person, but the safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our first priority. We will continue to communicate with our community any further pandemic issues or decisions that have implications for our students, faculty/staff, and families as they become available. For more information about COVID-19, please visit our website.
If you have any questions about academics, please contact Dr. Jeff Smith, Director of Academic Affairs at 765-285-4136 (jsmith4).
If you have any questions about the residence hall, please contact Mr. Paul Douglas, Director of Residential and Student Affairs at 765-285-8127 (pcdouglas).
For all other questions, please contact Dr. Dain Kavars, Interim Executive Director at 765-285-8126 (dwkavars).
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
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.