Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What IPS parents should know about the district’s new grading rules.

Be sure to catch Homeschool Day on the Indianapolis Patch calendar

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Tuesday September 1st Patch AM
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Hey there, Indianapolis! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What IPS parents should know about the district's new grading rules.
  • How to tap free social work help at Indy library branches.
  • See where IU and Purdue are reshaping downtown Indianapolis campuses now.

Also on today's calendar: Homeschool Day and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the 1 way to guarantee winning a small fortune at the casino? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Very hot, with a high of 97 and low of 72 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and hot, temps: high: 95, low: 74.
  • Thursday: Near-record temperatures, with a high of 96 and low of 73 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Indianapolis Public Schools reverses no-zero grading policy (mirrorindy.org) — Indianapolis Public Schools has ended its strict no-zero grading policy, allowing students to receive a zero only when they make no effort on an assignment despite multiple chances and support. Teachers can still give at least 50% for good-faith attempts, which officials say helps students recover academically while better preparing them for college expectations. The board approved the change unanimously after years of mixed feedback.
   

2. How two social workers helped 2,063 library patrons (mirrorindy.org subscription) — If you need help with housing, food, benefits or other basic needs, Indianapolis Public Library's two social workers are quietly serving thousands of patrons across all 25 branches. They offer drop-in hours at Central Library and rotate through neighborhood branches, connecting residents with resources like SNAP, clinics, and transportation support. You can ask any staffer to set up an appointment, call, or email for assistance.
   

3. We made a map of where IU, Purdue in Indianapolis are expanding (mirrorindy.org) — Major changes are underway on the former IUPUI grounds as IU Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis expand their separate downtown campuses, adding new buildings, an arena, and a biosciences hub near 16 Tech. A newly updated map lets you see exactly where both schools are growing and how the split is reshaping this part of the city.
   

4. One man, two dogs die in Lawrence Township fire; four people displaced (indystar.com) — A deadly apartment fire near Lawrence in Marion County killed a 62-year-old man and two dogs, displaced several residents, and slightly injured a firefighter, with Indianapolis Fire Department leading the response. Crews from IFD, Lawrence Fire, and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police are still investigating the cause while victim assistance teams and the Red Cross work to find housing for those forced out.
   

5. Downtown Indianapolis' Castle Hall named one of Indiana Landmarks' most endangered (wthr.com) — A historic Black fraternal lodge called Castle Hall, just off Indiana Avenue along the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, has been named one of Indiana Landmarks' "10 Most Endangered" sites and now faces an uncertain future. Local advocates and the building's owner are seeking partners and funding to stabilize the crumbling structure and eventually return it to community-focused use.
   

📸 Around Indianapolis

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Indianapolis

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

📣 Indianapolis Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Tuesday September 1
  • Tiny Tots Storytime
    White River Library White River Branch - WRB Community Room (Whole Room)
    10:00 am
  • Preschool Storytime
    Clark Pleasant Library Clark Pleasant Branch - CPB Youth Program Room
    10:00 am
  • Read & Bleed @ Your Library
    White River Library White River Branch - WRB Community Room (Whole Room)
    1:00 pm
  • Kids Cooking
    Clark Pleasant Library Clark Pleasant Branch - CPB Youth Program Room
    4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Garage Sale
    Mens pants, shirts,, shoes ART ,tools, kitchen items (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • We just adopted a dog from MuncieARF to be a companion for our older dog who lost her sister a few weeks back.
    I took them for their first "connected" walk and they did great. I had my music playing, but did not realize it until I saw this video and it is just… (Nextdoor College Commons)
  • My daughter and I were sitting outside my apartment last night and this blue heron basically appeared out of nowhere.
    He landed pretty much in front of us and tormented the geese on my lake and circled the lake in about an hour's time and then came back and did a… (Nextdoor Nora)

Ok Indianapolis! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: By starting with a large fortune. (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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