Vol. 7, September 2010 - South Bend Public Schools
FOCUS ON
15 great things about South Bend public schools
South Bend Community School Corp. serves an exceptionally diverse population of 21,000 K-12 students. Some 3,500 employees contribute to the educational experience as teachers, administrators and support staff. With a budget of $237 million to operate 35 school buildings and five support facilities in a geographical area covering 160 square miles, SBCSC is the fourth-largest school corporation in Indiana.
But the numbers, compelling as they are, tell only part of the story. In fact, there are a number of characteristics of the SBCSC that make a significant contribution to the quality of public education. Here’s our list of the 15 most distinctive features you may not know about our community school system. Read more…
FEATURE
Universities promote the scholarship of engagement
When universities actively engage in initiatives to support K-12 education, everybody wins. The community is enhanced by the wealth of opportunities and resources available in a university setting. In turn, a thriving community provides a rich environment to support the university’s reputation. Read more…
COMPANY PROFILE
Strong schools + business involvement = success
Business leaders agree: The success of a community is directly related to the success of the public school system. South Bend ON speaks with two executives whose organizations are at the forefront of initiatives working to bolster the success of the South Bend Community School Corp. Read more…
IN CONVERSATION
Jim Kapsa, South Bend school Superintendent
By Phil D’Amico, director of business growth, the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County
South Bend school Superintendent Jim Kapsa has been involved with the South Bend Community School Corp. for 42 years. He has held various positions within the system, including teacher, guidance counselor, vice principal, principal and superintendent. Mr. Kapsa starts each day at 5:30 a.m., so I was fortunate enough to catch him for a 6:30 a.m. breakfast and conversation. Read more...
MULTIMEDIA
Stinson-Remick Hall dedication
A new era in engineering research at the University of Notre Dame was officially marked on Friday, Sept. 3, with the dedication of Stinson-Remick Hall. Click here for details.
INNOVATION IN GOVERNMENT
Magazine honors South Bend leader
In a national story just released, American City & County magazine has selected Gary A. Gilot, director of public works for the City of South Bend, as the nation’s 2010 “Public Works Leader of the Year.”
“Gary Gilot’s innovation and creativity keep South Bend, Ind., one step ahead,” according to a story, “Public Works pacesetter,” in the August 2010 issue. “For his outstanding performance with groundbreaking major projects that are reshaping the public works landscape in South Bend and being held as national models, American City & County magazine has picked Gary Gilot as the Public Works Leader of the Year.” More info here...
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS
Popular Lunch & Learn series begins Sept. 16 at WNIT
Beginning Thursday, Sept. 16, the new WNIT Television Center for Public Media will provide the venue for a weekly Lunch & Learn series sponsored by the City of South Bend’s “SELL South Bend” initiative.
The series, offered from noon to 1 p.m. each week at WNIT, 300 W. Jefferson Blvd., features presentations about South Bend’s history, quality of life, amenities and economic development activities.
Although the series is free, lunch may be purchased each week for $8.50 from different downtown vendors. Seating is limited for the series. Register by contacting Sue Solmos, residential marketing specialist for the City of South Bend, at (574) 235-5879 or SSolmos@SouthBendIN.gov. More info here…
Business Expo coming - Sept. 23
The 8th annual Business Expo After Hours, presented by The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County, will take place from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23, at Century Center.
The business networking event of the year features exhibits from local organizations, food, live music and giveaways.
Tell your colleagues to stop by the City of South Bend booth and subscribe to South Bend ON for a chance to win a pair of tickets to Notre Dame – Pitt football game on Saturday, Oct. 9. More info here…
Football Fridays resume in downtown South Bend
Football fans of all ages will gather at the big tent outside the College Football Hall of Fame for the annual Football Fridays Block Party before Notre Dame home football games.
Each block party features live music, tailgate food and beverages, evening admission to the College Football Hall of Fame and games from the Corporate Gridiron Flag Football League. More info here…
Open Book Festival returns to downtown library
The ninth annual Open Book Festival, a celebration of words in music and stories, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the St. Joseph County Public Library’s Main Branch in downtown South Bend.
The free event features activities for all ages, including storytimes for kids, craft activities and meet-and-greets of favorite storybook characters.
Appearing at this year's festival will be author/illustrator Rosemary Wells, author Johnathan Rand, musician/author Jim Gill (for two performances), and Stevens Puppets (also two performances). More info here…
TECH PARK UPDATES
The Road to Fondwa LLC: Innovation Park’s first ‘graduate’
The challenge: dramatically boost exposure to “The Road to Fondwa,” a compelling documentary about Haiti, while raising awareness and relief funding for Haitian earthquake survivors.
The result: more than 20,000 film viewings, more than 100,000 YouTube views (and counting!), and best of all, more than $20,000 in contributions that have helped Haitians in need. Read more…
Progress continues on Ignition Park expansion
The City of South Bend is about halfway to acquiring targeted properties for an expansion of Ignition Park, one portion of its two-site state-certified technology park, by creating a clear boundary along a neighborhood thoroughfare at its southern edge.
The property acquisitions are part of an effort to expand the technology park, located near downtown in the former Studebaker Corridor, from its original designation of 83 acres to as many as 140 acres. More info here…
NEWS & HEADLINES
South Bend is a Bicycle Friendly Community
In an elite quality-of-life measure, South Bend became the first community in northern Indiana to be designated a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists for its “remarkable commitment” to promoting bicycling.
The designation, announced on Tuesday, Sept. 14, places South Bend among 158 communities in 43 states (four in Indiana) for their demonstrated ability in providing safe accommodation for cycling and encouraging residents to bike for transportation and recreation. Together, they represent the top one-half of 1 percent of the nearly 30,000 incorporated U.S. cities. More info here…
City anticipates flat budget despite revenue decreases
The proposed City of South Bend budget for the 2011 General Fund, which funds public safety and general government functions, outlines a 0.5 percent (one-half of 1 percent) increase from $63 million in 2010 to $63.3 million in 2011.
The overall City budget – which includes pensions, road projects and user-funded accounts like utilities – is proposed to be $226.1 million in 2011, down 12.7 percent from $259.1 million in 2010.
In contrast to the previous two years, no staff reductions are anticipated, although several new initiatives will improve operating efficiencies and save taxpayer revenue. More info here...
South Bend named as finalist for national municipal award
The City of South Bend has been selected as a finalist in the National League of Cities’ 2010 Awards for Municipal Excellence, which recognizes outstanding programs that improve the quality of life in America’s communities.
South Bend is among 16 finalist cities in the 50,001-150,000 population category for a partnership on behalf of revitalizing the Northeast Neighborhood. Two finalists in each population category will be selected as winners of the 2010 Awards for Municipal Excellence, which will be announced during the NLC’s Congress of Cities and Exposition Nov. 30-Dec. 4 in Denver. Read more …
Stinson-Remick receives LEED gold certification
The University of Notre Dame’s Stinson-Remick Hall has received LEED Gold Certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
Stinson-Remick, which was dedicated on Friday, Sept. 3, is a 160,000-square-foot College of Engineering facility that houses a nano technology research center, a 9,000-square-foot semiconductor processing and device fabrication clean room, and an undergraduate interdisciplinary learning center. More info here…
Forbes recognizes Notre Dame MBA course
The University of Notre Dame's MBA course, “Business on the Frontlines,” recently was selected by Forbes.com as one of the Ten Most Innovative Business School Classes.
Through this course, Notre Dame MBA students have the opportunity to study a different kind of subject matter that cannot be written in a book: real life in countries trying to rebuild their economies after a war or violent conflict. The aim is to examine the role of business as these countries attempt to restart their economic growth in order to create the wealth needed to pull their populations out of poverty and stabilize society. More info here…