‘On My Way’ has record enrollment
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning has announced that the On My Way Pre-K program for eligible 4-year-olds and their families has reached record enrollment – supporting more than 7,500 Hoosier children so far this year, up about 21% from last year.
On My Way Pre-K allows 4-year-olds from low-income families to receive a free, high-quality, pre-kindergarten education through Indiana’s only state-sponsored pre-kindergarten program. Information about the program and the link to apply can be found at OnMyWayPreK.org.
More children than ever before are eligible due to Gov. Eric J. Holcomb and the Indiana General Assembly expanding eligibility this year. Starting in August, children were eligible if their families made as much as 150% of the federal poverty level, up from 127%. For example, a child from a family of four is eligible if household income is $45,000 per year or less.
Though school has started, families can still enroll. Staff and partners continue to work to recruit more On My Way Pre-K providers to support as many children as possible. An easy-to-use, online application called “Early Ed Connect” serves as the application for both On My Way Pre-K and child care assistance provided via the federal Child Care Development Fund, or CCDF.
Eligible families may choose from any of the more than 1,100 approved On My Way Pre-K programs located across Indiana. These programs are operated in homes, centers, schools and religious settings, allowing families to choose the type of setting that works best for them. Families can search approved providers at www.ChildCareFinder.IN.gov.
More than 28,000 Hoosier children have attended pre-K through the On My Way Pre-K program since it began in 2015. The program, which started as a five-county pilot and then expanded to 20 counties in 2017, became a statewide program in 2019. A long-term study released last year showed that children who attend On My Way Pre-K are better prepared for school and that the benefits continue well into elementary school.
Families may call 800-299-1627 for assistance from an early learning referral specialist or for other questions about On My Way Pre-K.
Student named to concert choir
Katherine Aird, Columbus, was named to Bob Jones University’s Concert Choir. Aird is a junior majoring in music.
The Concert Choir is one of BJU’s upper-level choirs comprised primarily of juniors and seniors. Auditions are held for new members every August and January before the start of each semester.
Colleges offer free applications
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Commission for Higher Education announces 35 Indiana colleges are participating in Indiana’s College Application Week, which continues through Friday.
During this week, students can apply to all participating colleges and universities for free. This annual effort encourages students to apply to Indiana colleges before early application deadlines, allowing students a greater chance of receiving institutionally-awarded financial aid.
College Application Week is part of Learn More Indiana’s annual College GO! initiative that takes place each August through November with information and resources designed to help Hoosier K-12 students explore and plan for education beyond high school.
“College GO! gives students of all ages the opportunity to discover their path for continuing education after high school,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. “We are pleased to partner with a number of Hoosier colleges and universities to create greater access for high school seniors to apply to Indiana’s outstanding institutions. I encourage all Hoosier students take advantage of the opportunity waiving hundreds of dollars in fees.”
about the importance of applying to college – a critical and necessary step on the journey to postsecondary education.
For more information, visit https://learnmoreindiana.org/collegego.
Tutoring service expands hours
TERRE HAUTE – A free math and science homework help tutoring service provided by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students has expanded its evening hours and added Spanish-speaking tutors on Tuesday nights to help even more Indiana students during the 2023-24 school year.
The AskRose Homework Help program is now available as early as 5 p.m. and until 10 p.m. (Eastern Time) Sunday through Thursday for tutoring sessions with students in grades six through 12. Assistance can be provided through computer screenshare, telephone call, email, or chat. Tutors can be accessed via the AskRose website, AskRose.org, or by calling 877-ASK-ROSE (877-275-7673).
Also, Spanish-speaking tutors will be available each Tuesday from 6-10 p.m.
About 100 Rose-Hulman students, attending the nation’s No. 1-ranked undergraduate engineering college, serve as tutors during each school year. They are specially selected upon faculty recommendations for their technical knowledge and ability to communicate with students of all skill and comprehension levels. Approximately 20 tutors are available each night and they have access to textbooks and many other resources to lend valuable assistance. The AskRose Homework Help program is certified by the National Tutoring Association.
Rather than give students the answers, AskRose tutors guide students through homework problems to help them better understand math and science concepts, the way they are taught in schools today.
Student privacy is always protected, and students are never asked for their last name or telephone number.
The AskRose.org website also offers more than 500 resources available through videos and downloadable reference materials.
All AskRose Homework Help services are available at no cost to students and parents through Lilly Endowment Inc. support and financial assistance from Rose-Hulman.
AskRose Homework Help has conducted more than 750,000 tutoring sessions since starting in 1991.
