MCCSC denies interview opportunity to learn more about North High School’s ‘Cat Litter Experiment’
Kelby Turmail, Spokesperson for MCCSC, refused any additional information upon multiple requests by local media, including South Central Indiana News (SCINN), on the incident that happened earlier in the week in a North High School classroom taught by a Mr. Adams. Social Media was furious with the word that this teacher allowed a litter box in the classroom, allegedly for students that are part of a national craze called “furries” to use as a replacement for the restrooms.
SCINN first requested Ms. Turmail to provide direction in which they could learn more about the incident. Her reply was to complete a website media request form with a 48-hours reply guaranteed. After a follow-up, the local news network requested an expediated response so the story could be investigated in a reasonable and timely manner. The response Turmail provided was, “we have received your request. At this time we do not have anyone available to speak with you.”
SCINN then asked when someone could become available, to s=which a response of, “Attached is our press release. We are not granting an interview.”
Below is the release, unedited:
On Monday, March 20, 2023 the following statement was issued by Bloomington High School North Principal, Matt Stark, regarding the staged photo of a litter box at Bloomington High School North:
“Today there was a disruptive student social experiment involving a litter box and how the spread of misinformation can go viral. The teacher-approved experiment was not authorized by the administration. Obviously, litter boxes are not something that are part of school for a variety of reasons, including public health. Additionally, based upon already-existing misinformation on this subject, having a classroom project further embellish and amplify this erroneous story creates an impression for which we are not proud and for which we apologize. We appreciate any help you can give in dispelling rumors and calming the responses that are occurring on social media and beyondAgain, I am truly sorry that this social media post was created. It does not represent who we are at North and what we strive to be.”
Additionally, on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, the MCCSC Director of Educational Technology and Communications, Alexis Harmon, provided the below statement in response to a media request.
I am providing [the statement] by Matt Stark, BHSN Principal. This statement was following the incident on Monday, March 20, As stated there, this activity and the imagery is not appropriate and was not approved by administration. All our schools strive to provide a supportive and inclusive environment. We are a bully-free campus and have very strict procedures for addressing reported bullying. If a student experiences or witnesses bullying, they should immediately report it to a school administrator. “See something. Say something.”
MCCSC supports the autonomy of our teachers, and we know they work hard to provide meaningful instruction and lessons each day in every class. In-class assignments are not pre-approved by the administration. However, professional development and conversations are ongoing so that there is exists deeper critical analysis and reflection of the lessons that are taught.
At this point, this matter remains under review and no further comments are appropriate at this time.
Indiana Senate Bill 286 closer to adoption
The House Courts and Criminal Code heard SB 286 on credit time sponsored by Rep. Steuerwald. Author Sen. Freeman presented the bill testifying for the need to keep habitual offenders incarcerated for longer periods of time. The bill also permits pretrial defendants to earn accrued time and good time credit time while on home detention, removes Class P credit provision, adds a provision that a person on pretrial home detention must have a hearing before they can be deprived of accrued time due to a violation and the procedural safeguards in Ind. Code 35-50-6-4 apply, and specifies that education credit time may only be earned if the defendant is incarcerated in a jail or prison. An amendment was adopted by consent providing that the additional sentence for habitual offenders is 8 years to 20 years for murder or Level 1-4 felonies, or 3 years to 6 years for Level 5-6 felonies.
The Indiana Department of Correction provided data on the future impact of the bill. The Indiana Public Defender Council testified in support of the bill. The amended bill passed 12-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2023/bills/senate/286
Record 75 Hoosiers named to Winter Academic All-Big Ten Team
The Big Ten Conference recognized a total of 1,000 students competing in winter sports who have been named to the Academic All-Big Ten team on Thursday (March 23). The list of honorees includes 67 men’s and 83 women’s basketball students, 141 men’s and 237 women’s swimming and diving students, 59 men’s and 132 women’s gymnastics students, 85 men’s ice hockey students and 196 men’s wrestling students.
Seventy-five Indiana University student-athletes made the Academic All-Big Ten team in this cycle, a record for IU’s winter sports. The previous record, 70, was set a year ago. Indiana’s women’s basketball and men’s swimming and diving teams combined for 28 honorees while both capturing Big Ten titles this winter. To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, students must be on a varsity team (as verified by being on the official squad list as of Nov. 1 for fall sports), have been enrolled full time at the institution for a minimum of 12 months and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
INDIANA 2023 WINTER ACADEMIC ALL-BIG TEN HONOREES
Men’s Basketball – Shaan Burke, Nathan Childress, Miller Kopp, Anthony Leal, Michael Shipp
Women’s Basketball – Grace Berger, Kiandra Browne, Mackenzie Holmes, Chloe Moore-McNeil, Arielle Wisne, Mona Zaric
Men’s Swimming and Diving – Luke Barr, Warren Briggs, Finn Brooks, Mikey Calvillo, Andrew Capobianco, Jackson Carlile, Mason Carlton, Jasper Davis, Jacob Destrampe, Tristan DeWitt, Tomer Frankel, Logan Graham, Quinn Henninger, Josh Matheny, Van Mathias, Rafael Miroslaw, Lucas Piunti, Joseph Radde, Maxwell Reich, Carson Tyler, Gavin Wight, Jassen Yep
Women’s Swimming and Diving – Katie Broderick, Elizabeth Broshears, Katie Carson, Kabria Chapman, Brearna Crawford, Mariah Denigan, Anna Freed, Ching Hwee Gan, Catherine Graham, Elyse Heiser, Dominika Kossakowska, Mackenzie Looze, Kacey McKenna, Catherine Minic, Grace Pangburn, Anna Peplowski, Noelle Peplowski, Ella Ristic, Mia Ristic, Ashley Turak, Sydney Turner, Megan Carter, Morgan Casey, Anne Fowler, Tarrin Gilliland, Alaina Heyde, Margaret Rogers, Zain Smith, Emma Wolf
Wrestling – Luke Baughman, Nico Bolivar, Santos Cantu, Derek Gilcher, Drayton Harris, Isiah Levitz, Robert Major, Jacob Moran, Cayden Rooks, Graham Rooks, Zack Rotkvich, Nick South, Nicholas Willham
Lifelong Arts Indiana Artist Cohort
According to the Creativity and Aging Study, creative arts experiences for people over 65 have been shown to have significant health and well-being benefits. In order to support the health and wellbeing of older Hoosiers, the Indiana Arts Commission and Family and Social Services Administration are partnering to present an opportunity for artists to develop their skills in providing impactful arts experiences for older adults.
Teaching artists can apply to be a part of the Lifelong Arts Indiana Artist Cohort. Selected participants complete a virtual, three-day workshop which explores best practices in creative aging and strategies to develop an effective, sequential arts learning experience for older adults. The deadline to apply for the artist cohort is April 16, 2023.
This Week in Hoosier History
1824 – On this day, a group of white settlers attacked and killed nine peaceful Native Americans in what is now Pendleton, Indiana, in an event known as the The Fall Creek Massacre. The atrocity quickly gained national attention, due to the brutality of the crime and fears of reprisal across the mid-west. Government agents travelled to the various tribes and assured them that the killers had been caught and they would face justice.
Learn more about the program and different training and funding opportunities available.
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