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SERVING ITS DISTRICT DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS 2020-03-23 4:36 PM
FEATURED FEATUREDCARMEL CARMELLISTINGS LISTINGS
Kempler-Pollard Kempler-PollardGroup Group
13085 Broad Street - Village of WestClay 13085 Broad Street - Village of WestClay 6 bedroom, 5.5 bath, 8,459 sq ft, Superb Craftsmanship 6 bedroom, 5.5 bath, 8,459 sq ft, Superb Craftsmanship Offered at $998,900 Offered at $998,900
1955 Trowbridge High Street - Village of WestClay 1955 Trowbridge High Street - Village of WestClay 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath, 5,236 sq ft, Park Like Backyard 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath, 5,236 sq ft, Park Like Backyard Offered at $849,800 Offered at $849,800
Joe Kempler Joe Kempler Group Kempler-Pollard Kempler-Pollard Broker Associate Group Broker Associate 317.523.6405 317.523.6405 joe.kempler@encoresir.com joe.kempler@encoresir.com Scot Pollard Scot Pollard Group Kempler-Pollard Kempler-Pollard Broker Associate Group Broker Associate 317.900,3500 317.900,3500 scot.pollard@encoresir.com scot.pollard@encoresir.com
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Carmel Office Carmel 12411 N. Pennsylvania Street, Suite Office 300 12411 N. Pennsylvania Street, 300 Carmel, INSuite 46032 Carmel, IN 46032 Village of WestClay Office Village of WestClay Office 12710 Meeting House Road 12710 Meeting House Road Carmel, IN 46032 Carmel, IN 46032
2020-03-17 1:15 PM
13978 Inglenook Lane - Westwood Estates 13978 Inglenook Lane - Westwood Estates 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 4,162 sq ft, Low Maintenance 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 4,162 sq ft, Low Maintenance Offered at $515,800 Offered at $515,800
U NDE R CONT R ACT UNDE R CONT R ACT
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12886 Horseferry Road - Village of WestClay 12886 Horseferry Road - Village of WestClay 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 4,673 sq ft, Water Views 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 4,673 sq ft, Water Views Offered at $749,800 Offered at $749,800
12648 Troup Street - Village of WestClay 12648 Troup Street - Village of WestClay 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 4,145 sq ft, Former Model Home 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 4,145 sq ft, Former Model Home Offered at $499,800 Offered at $499,800
Contact ContactJoe JoeKempler Kemplerand andScot ScotPollard Pollardtotoschedule schedule a apersonalized tour of any of their available personalized tour of any of their availablelistings. listings.
FEATURED CARMEL LISTINGS
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LEXINGTON 859.955.TONY(8669)
INDIANAPOLIS 317.638.TONY(8669)
CINCINNATI 513.677.TONY(8669)
Best New Downtown Steakhouse - Indianapolis Monthly
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MONTHLY
19 COVER STORY
Carmel Clay Schools: Serving Its District During the COVID-19 Crisis As the current coronavirus crisis began to drastically change all of our lives, it also had a major affect on our cover story and much of the stories you see in this issue. No where in our community has been more affected by the virus than the school system. Therefore, we dropped the stories we had prepared for this month and quickly moved to provide our readers with relevant information as to how our schools are working to cope with the crisis, from providing food to advising on mental health matters. Stay healthy and we will get through this crisis together. Cover Story Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photo // Submitted
CARMEL MONTHLY
8
The Truth About Chronic Back Pain
PUBLISHER / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803
9
Selling Real Estate Is More Than Just a Transaction
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF / Neil Lucas neil@collectivepub.com / 317-460-0803
10 Indy Soft Water: Delivering Great Tasting Water in an Environmentally Friendly Way
PUBLISHER / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418
13
Don’t Get Caught With Your Power Down: RG Electrical
DIRECTOR OF SALES / Lena Lucas lena@collectivepub.com / 317-501-0418
17
Carmel Youth Assistance Program Needs Our Help
HEAD WRITER / Janelle Morrison janelle@collectivepub.com / 317-250-7298
22 Reprint: Seema Verma: A Carmel Resident Working to Reform American Healthcare
MARCH WRITERS / Janelle Morrison, John Cinnamon Business Spotlight is sponsored content.
Stay informed on news and events in Carmel by following us on Twitter and Facebook CARMELMONTHLYMAGAZINE
CarmelMag
carmelmonthlymagazine.com
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For advertisement sales call Lena Lucas 317-501-0418 or email lena@collectivepub.com COLLECTIVE PUBLISHING, LLC - PO BOX 6326 - FISHERS, IN 46037 CARMEL MONTHLY
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2020-03-24 10:52 AM
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
If that is you, don’t worry it’s not your fault...”
THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRONIC BACK PAIN THESE ARE THE SECRETS THAT YOUR CHIROPRACTOR DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW Writer // Preston Peachee II, D.C.
If you’re reading this, you have probably been dealing with chronic back pain for quite some time... Maybe you have gone as far as checking out a handful of Chiropractors, undergone some Physical Therapy, even visited a few Pain Management Specialists only to find that most rely on powerful
I
bet if you have tried any of those treatment options that you are quickly learning that some of them do work, but for whatever reason seem
to be less and less effective and you’re finding yourself needing to go back week after week to get another injection or another prescription because the pain is getting to the point that it’s keeping you up at night and now you are possibly considering surgery! Up until now there hasn’t been a clear path on how you can get out of pain without
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the use of harmful medications or undergoing risky & expensive surgery. Hi, my name is Dr. Preston Peachee D.C., I am the Clinic Director for Indiana Regenerative Medicine Institute. We specialize in helping people with chronic back, neck and joint issues, and those who are looking for a non-surgical solution to reduce or better yet
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eliminate chronic pain forever. We utilize what we call the R-9 Formula. This is a series of treatments that are done in conjunction together and include: Chiropractic, Spinal Decompression, Regenerative Medicine & Physical Therapy. The reason why the R-9 formula is so effective is because of the Timing, Frequency & Specificity of each individual treatment which provides precise attention only to the specific area that is affected which allows to get maximum results. Most of our patients start seeing results within the first few visits so before you go and see another Chiropractor or Pain Management Specialist, you should spend 30 minutes at our office which during our FREE Consultation I can show you how we can help 90% of the people out there to reduce 90% of their pain or more using the R-9 formula. bulges, disc herniations, sciatica, neuropathy, arm or leg pain, headaches, along with the Numbness, Tingling & Burning sensation that so many people suffer from, that you owe it to yourself to see if you’re a candidate for our Comprehensive treatment Program. Call (317) 458-5537or Go to CarmelMonthly.Regenmedicine.co
MARCH 2020
2020-03-23 10:50 AM
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Selling Real Estate Is More Than Just a Transaction NATASHA RADOVICH IS THE ONLY REAL ESTATE AGENT YOU WILL EVER NEED Writer // John Cinnamon Photography // Laura Arick
When you choose Natasha Radovich of RE/MAX Ability Plus in Carmel to sell your home, you get more than just her 16 years of real estate experience. You get more than her expertise in the Carmel, Fishers and Indianapolis north side real estate market. You get more than her unwavering loyalty to her clients. And you get more than the excitement and enthusiasm she brings to each home sale. What else do you get from Natasha? Genuine honesty.
EARLY LIFE IN MINSK, BELARUS Where does she get her forthright honesty and tenacious work ethic? Perhaps it was her brave and unlikely journey to America. Originally from Minsk, Belarus, Radovich came to the United States when she was only 18 years old, settling in Indianapolis. It was two tragic events while she was still a child that would change her life forever and put her on the path to America.
Her father was killed in a car accident when Radovich was 4 years old. Then, 12 years later, her mother succumbed to breast cancer.
at RE/MAX Ability Plus. Her office staff handles many of the day-to-day aspects so she can focus her attention on her clients.
SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN REAL ESTATE
PREPARING YOUR HOUSE FOR SALE Natasha stresses the importance of having your house prepared to list so that it makes the best impression possible for potential buyers. An important aspect of Radovich’s commitment to professionalism when it comes to preparing a house for sale is the use of a professional photographer to artfully capture the beauty of a home, inside and out. Radovich spends a good amount of time ensuring that her clients are ready for the home’s photo session. Natasha has developed great relationships with many contractors and home builders that are ready to help buyers and sellers when the needs arises.
Natasha started her career in real estate in 2004. Since then she’s built a successful real estate business helping her clients to buy and sell everything from small starter homes to multimillion-dollar estates. Just recently, Radovich received a RE/MAX Ability Plus award by increasing her sales from 2018 to 2019 by 94%. What does Radovich do that makes her such a successful real estate agent and engenders such devotion from her clients on Indy’s north side? Natasha asserts that staying in touch with clients throughout the process, being easy to reach and being very responsive are among her highest priorities. Radovich has the benefit of an outstanding support team
family. In many cases, my clients and I have become great friends through the real estate transaction,” Natasha said. “As a result, I have found myself representing multiple members of the same families over the years.” As an immigrant herself, Radovich has also gained a loyal following with customers in the local Russian-speaking community, as well as with clients from Vietnam, Turkey, Ukraine and many of the other former Soviet republics. Natasha’s passion and integrity aren’t limited to just her real estate business, however. She also supports the community. With each home sale, Radovich contributes to Children’s Miracle Network. So, that’s what you get when you choose Natasha Radovich of RE/MAX Ability Plus: More than a decade and a half of real estate experience, unmatched loyalty to her clients, which in turn becomes loyalty from her clients, a commitment to open communication and maybe even a new friend. Oh, and that genuine honesty too. When you’re ready to buy or sell your home, call Natasha at RE/MAX Ability Plus, (317) 507-6878
or drop her an email at RadovichNatasha@gmail.com
A REAL ESTATE AGENT AND A FRIEND “I approach each client as if they are a member of my
FOR THE FULL VERSION OF THE ARTICLE SCAN OR GO TO CARMELMONTHLYMAGAZINE.COM/REAL-ESTATE-AGENT-NATASHA-RADOVICH CARMEL MONTHLY
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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
INDY SOFT WATER:
For more than two decades, Indy Soft Water has been delivering award-winning service and affordable prices throughout the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area. A family-owned, woman-operated company, Indy Soft Water offers eco-friendly, high-efficiency water systems. They offer both rental and repair, for commercial and residential customers. Because it utilizes the latest efficient and environmentally friendly technologies, Indy Soft Water is a leader in the industry. As a result, Indy Soft Water has been selected to sell its water systems at Costco Wholesale stores.
Delivering Great Tasting Water in an Environmentally Friendly Way
ECOWater Reigns Supreme “We chose to become ECOWater dealers, and that [decision] has differentiated us tremendously,” said Jessica Larson, owner of Indy Soft Water. “Nobody else [locally]
offers that specific line of American-made softeners.” ECOWater technology pushes environmentalism and efficiency, two things that align with Larson’s core values. Larson shared that
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ECOWater systems reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are carbon neutral. “They [ECOWater] use a third of the salt that a normal system uses—1.6 pounds versus 7 pounds,” Larson explained. “ECOWater systems also uses 38 gallons of water versus 75 [gallons], so they are definitely pushing the envelope from a technology and environmental standpoint.”
No Hassle Sales and Service Experience “My core value is to be helpful,” Larson emphasized. “Honesty, helpfulness, and a well-educated staff; those three things put together really makes the difference.” Larson explained that she and her team strive to give people all the information they need to make an informed decision and a wise investment for their home and/or business. “Our mantra is ‘Things that can be serviced and stay in service—should be,’” Larson said. “‘And things that could pose a problem in the near future should be removed and/ or replaced.’ We will provide options for them to think about, and they ultimately come back when it’s time to replace their system.”
Technology Driven Operations Indy Soft Water has kept apprised of the latest and greatest technology in water quality systems’ and has also improved its internal operations and communications by going “green” and paperless.
“We’ve moved from paperwork orders to digital devices,” Larson shared. “Every one of our technicians has an iPad. Our customers will be able to watch the technician travel to their home in ‘real time,’ much like an Uber app. All of the payments will be handled via the device, there in the customer’s home or place of business. Keeping up with what our customers want and how they would like to communicate with us is important to us as well.” When asked about their systems’ warranties, Larson replied, “The warranties are one of our strong points. Each system comes with a five-year parts and labor warranty that is backed by us here—in-house.”
Water filtration systems Indy Soft water offers quite a few filtration systems such as fountains and bottle fillers, reverse osmosis systems, and high efficiency drinking water systems for residential and commercial use. “The importance of having filtered water systems is twofold,” Larson said. “Anyone who lives in central Indiana is very familiar with the common problems we deal with caused by hard water. From scaling on glasses and appliances to having to use more
soap and shortened life spans on water heaters, homeowners need to be protecting their home by investing in a filtered water system.” Larson continued, “On the other side of water quality— that for drinking—we have refiners that remove chlorine from the water. Our drinking water is normally very heavily treated with chlorine, and we [as people] drink more water when it tastes better. We [in central Indiana] have some of the safest municipalities in the country. But all the same, the removing of the chlorine and making the water taste better is a really good idea.”
the arrival of our technician(s) in real time. When the technicians arrive at their home or place of business, they will wear booties or will remove their shoes,” Larson explained. “Our technicians know how to treat peoples’ homes and places of business. We have everything down to the science of sanitation. When people ask me what one of the greatest differentiators is that separates us from other companies and/or big-box stores, I think it’s the way we treat the sanitation process. Everything that we touch and that is exposed to air gets sanitized.”
What Indy Soft Water Customers Can Expect With Each Visit
Before investing in a water filter system, visit Indy Soft Water’s website at indysoftwater.com for more information about its services and systems.
The Indy Soft Water team works internally much like a family. Respect, accountability and reliability are key principles within the team and are practiced both internally and externally. “Once a technician hits the dispatch button on the app, they’ll be able to watch
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service panel installs, electrical troubleshooting, upgrades of lighting systems and working directly with general contractors for business and home renovation/remodels of all types. R & G also provides electrical installations on new construction homes and commercial buildings, and the company coordinates all work with the utility companies, home owners and business owners. R & G has did electrical lighting upgrades in places like Keystone at the Crossing and multiple storefronts in Carmel.
HOME & SMALL BUSINESS GENERATOR FUNCTIONALITY
R & G Electrical provides emergency standby generators and electrical services for residential and commercial properties.
FACTORY-AUTHORIZED GENERATOR DEALER
Writer // John Cinnamon • Photography // Laura Arick
In 2012, R & G expanded its services by becoming an authorized generator dealer for Cummins, Briggs & Stratton Fortress and Generac generators—the leaders in emergency standby generators and automatic transfer switches. The standby emergency generators installed by R & G Electrical are all high-quality, top-of-the-line brands. The generators they sell are direct from the manufacturer and tested prior to arriving to your home or business. “As a factory-authorized generator dealer, R & G has access to manufacturer direct technical support and provides five-year service contracts to all our customers, so you receive the manufacturers’ required annual service. We are also trained to support warranty repairs on both the mechanical and electrical systems for your generator and automatic transfer switch. Parts are usually received from the manufacturers within 24 to 72 hours of request, so you are not down with a fault within your generator system,” said Ellis.
R & G Electrical follows a comprehensive checklist for the installation, start-up and programming of your emergency standby generator. And if there is ever a problem, R & G provides warranty repairs by technicians trained to quickly troubleshoot and resolve the issue. So, the next time your area is hit by a power outage, don’t get caught with your power down. Call today to get a quote for an emergency standby generator from R & G Electrical LLC. Remember that R & G also provides quality residential and commercial electrical services, so feel free to contact them for a quote on your next project requiring electrical work.
SPOTLIGHT
Don’t Get Caught with Your Power Down”
I
magine you are at home one evening and the power goes out. Perhaps a storm caused the power outage, or maybe the reason is not immediately obvious. Either way, what is immediately obvious is that you have no electricity. And without electricity, the comforts and security your family have come to rely on are interrupted. Suddenly you find yourself without lights, TV or internet. No operational home security system, heat or air conditioning, and the power to your refrigerator and that extra freezer in the garage has abruptly turned off. These are only a few of the many problems that may result from power outages. For many people in Hamilton County, this is not a hypothetical situation. In 2019, nearly 50,000 homes and businesses were without electricity for some length of time due to storms or power outages. And if your home or business was among those im-
pacted, you know the feeling of frustration and helplessness. Those feelings could have been avoided with an emergency standby generator from R & G Electrical. R & G Electrical LLC is an authorized dealer/ technician of generators manufacturers by Cummins, Briggs & Stratton Fortress and Generac. Romney Ellis, company owner and certified generator dealer/technician, recently discussed the various types of generator installations the company specializes in and the benefits to homeowners and businesses of investing in quality generators. He also shared the various electrical services the company provides.
ALL-PURPOSE ELECTRICAL SERVICES R & G Electrical has proudly provided expert electrical services for homes and businesses in the Carmel, Indiana, and surrounding areas since 2011. R & G specializes in a wide variety of electrical services, including running new electrical circuits,
“What a whole home or business generator does is provide a back-up power source. Once a power outage occurs, lights and everything are dead. Your automatic transfer switch senses the loss of utility power and communicates this loss to the generator. The generator starts within three seconds of your power shutting off, and immediately your lights are restored,” said Ellis.
FACTORY WARRANTY REPAIRS & SERVICE CONTRACTS
You can reach R & G Electrical by calling (317) 824-9335 or by visiting rgelectricalllc.com.
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Carmel Youth Assistance Program N e e d s
O u r
H e l p
Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Submitted
As many supporters of the Carmel Youth Assistance Program (CYAP) are aware, the fourth annual Carmel Gala: Design Bright Futures was set to take place Saturday, April 25, at the Ritz Charles. Due to the COVID-19 safety protocols put into place, the gala was canceled by its organizers.
A
lthough the fundraiser has been canceled, the fundraising efforts to support CYAP’s programs continues. And as the needs of Carmel’s at-risk youth and their families continues to rise during these trying times, so do the efforts made by CYAP staff and its volunteers to meet those needs. But CYAP can’t do it alone and without the community’s help. CYAP needs donations and volunteers in order to meet the immediate needs of at-risk Carmel Clay students throughout this period of crisis. Additionally, without the funding from the gala, CYAP will need to rely on the generosity of companies and individuals to donate money and time to ensure that its programs, such as
the Carmel Summer Meals Program, are fully funded this summer.
WHAT IS THE CARMEL YOUTH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM? CYAP was formed in the fall of 2015 to help strengthen youth and families through community involvement. CYAP works in collaboration with the Carmel Clay School District, City of Carmel and the Hamilton County Superior Court and
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provides crucial support to Carmel kids and families in need with programs such as Carmel Summer Meals. Educating the community about the need for CYAP is just as great in Carmel as it is anywhere else in Indiana and remains a top priority for CYAP board President Dr. Bob Youkilis, his board members and staff. As the city’s population grows, the need for CYAP services grows with it. Currently, there are more children who need CYAP mentors than there are mentors, so the need for available and willing people is real and pressing. Youkilis has been an integral part of CYAP’s mentor program’s development and emphasized the importance of reaching kids who are in need long
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before they reach a point that they are endangering themselves and/or others and end up in the juvenile court system. “We probably have 12 or 13 active mentors now,” Youkilis shared. “We really need to double the number of mentors that we have now and would love to build that up to 30 [mentors]. We have so many success stories with the pairings that we have, and many of them go longer than the one-year commitment that is initially requested.”
A CALL TO ACTION ON BEHALF OF CARMEL’S AT-RISK YOUTH CYAP continues to partner with Carmel Clay Schools while the student body is learning from their homes to meet the students’ emotional, educational and financial needs as much as possible. Maggie Figge, CYAP early intervention advocate, explained that CYAP is working to fast-track their processes that under “normal” circumstances would take a couple of weeks. “Since this [crisis] began, we have been really heavily focused on just helping the schools by being a good partner to them,” Figge stated. “We are frontloading the schools and helping the schools’ counselors and social workers by providing them with resources that we have. We are still taking referrals and doing intakes—obviously over the phone. We are doing all this because I don’t think families can wait a few weeks now for resources.”
CYAP MENTORS ARE GETTING CREATIVE WITH THEIR MENTEES “We have recommended and encouraged the mentors
to not have their face-to-face meetings during this time, but we’ve encouraged them to use FaceTime or to make calls or Skype, use Google Hangouts or whatever they can possibly do—electronically—and make sure that they’re still touching base every week,” Figge shared. “We are putting together a list on ways to virtually connect with their mentees. I saw that Netflix is promoting a party channel where you watch a show or movie with someone and then chat about it afterwards. Mentors and mentees are setting up virtual games to play one another.” A new spin on book clubs, Figge mentioned that one of their mentors and mentees is reading a book and then discussing it over the phone once a week. “People who are interested in becoming a mentor can still do so,” Figge emphasized. “We can still do our whole process: background checks and the orientation. We’re just doing it [all] virtually and sending them the PowerPoints, talking over the phone or joining on a Skype call and things like that when going through the process.”
sign up for Summer Meals will skyrocket this summer,” Figge said. “In anticipation of layoffs and people getting work hours cut, the needs of our families are going to hit them probably more long term than most. If our numbers double from previous years, our budget will obviously double, and in the absence of what would’ve been raised at the gala, if we don’t get donations—food or monetary—we may have to
cut the [Summer Meals] off at a certain number and not be able to assist everyone who signs up. Our intention has always been to never have to cut it off, and I’m hopeful we don’t have to this summer.” For a complete list of resources available to CCS students and family, visit ccs.k12.in.us. For more information about CYAP and to donate or volunteer, please visit youthassistance.org/carmel.
PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING TO CYAP Carmel Clay Schools held a “Food Pickup” on March 18 for approximately 600 of its students who are food insecure. This number is of particular concern for Figge as they have never had 600 students sign up for the Carmel Summer Meals Program in past years, but she is anticipating that they will see their numbers double as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. “We’re anticipating the numbers of students who
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“We can still do our whole process: background checks and the orientation. We’re just doing it [all] virtually and sending them the PowerPoints, talking over the phone or joining on a Skype call and things like that when going through the process.”
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MARCH 2020
2020-03-24 12:23 PM
Carmel Clay Schools: Serving Its District During the COVID-19 Crisis Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photography // Staff and submitted
During this most unprecedented time of our history—throughout our community, our nation and the world over—Carmel Clay Schools’ (CCS) administrators, educators and staff have risen to the call and are continuing their efforts to make resources available to their students and families by implementing technology and ingenuity to create a temporary “new normal” while the community navigates through the COVID-19 crisis.
W
e spoke with a few CCS administrators and educators to learn more about the measures the district has taken to ensure that services to its students—educational and otherwise— are disrupted as minimally as possible. As the saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention,” and we learned about how educators are using both modern technology and “old-school” methods to remotely communicate with and instruct their students.
A Look at the CCS Virtual Learning Experience CCS’s assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment, Dr. Amy Dudley, shared her enthusiasm and appreciation for the level of collaboration, dedication and care that the administra-
tors, educators, parents and students are putting into the district’s newly implemented virtual learning protocols. “Our administrators are just amazing at how hard they have worked to get this [virtual learning] launched in very limited time,” Dr. Dudley said. “Our kindergarten through 12th grade teachers have developed engaging lessons for our students using our platform—Canvas—which is our learning management system that we’ve used for the past four years. The platform is not new to us; however, using it at this level and for these purposes is very much new to [our district].” On a daily basis, CCS teachers post an announcement for their students that lists all their lessons and assignments along with other things the students are required to do each day. “The teachers post their office hours [on Canvas], and every teacher is required to have two hours of ‘office’ hours throughout the day,” Dr. Dudley explained. “That gives the students a chance to email their
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teachers and ask any questions, and the teacher will be available to get right back with them. The teachers can also do video conferences with the students. Parents can also touch base with the teachers and ask any questions that they have. Our teachers are there to help make this a positive experience for students.” There is a dedicated page to the CCS virtual learning on its website, and on that page, parents and students will find a variety of tools and resources listed.
What About Additional Education Resources for Students Who Require Them? “For our students that have Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or individualized learning plans where teachers are supporting their specific needs, our second language learners and our special education students, they continue to have accessibility to their general [education] teachers, special education teachers and resource teachers,” Dr. Dudley emphasized. “Our resource teachers are collaborating with our general education teachers to make sure that lessons are accessible.” If the students required any special assistive technology devices, Dr. Dudley stated that these devices were provided to those students prior to their first day of virtual learning.
What Is Being Done to Assist Students Who Receive Free or Reduced Lunches? CCS’s Food Services Department hosted a “Food Pickup” on March 18 at Carmel High School. Approximately 600 students received a week’s worth of supplemental breakfast foods, lunch meals and five servings each of fruits, vegetables and milk. When asked about the food insecurity needs of these children going forward, Dr. Dudley replied, “The need to continue to host these [food pickups] will depend on how long we are not [physically] in our schools. But as the needs arise, food needs included, we will continue to look at how we are meeting those needs. We want to make sure that we are meeting not only the students’ academic needs but their
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social and emotional needs as well. We are making sure that we are reaching out and connecting with them—virtually—and helping to make sure they have access to any services they need.”
Mental Health Resources Are Key During These Trying Times The majority of us are navigating a course that has never been charted in our lifetimes. The COVID-19 pandemic weighs heavily on our minds, so can you imagine what the crisis is doing to our children’s sense of security and overall well-being. Stephanie Whiteside, mental health coordinator for CCS, offered her advice on how to keep our kids happy and mentally healthy over the next several weeks. “The longer physical distancing occurs, the more strenuous it can be on children and families as a whole,” Whiteside acknowledged. “To increase feelings of security and normalcy, try to maintain routine as much as possible and implement a schedule that balances e-learning with fun breaks and physical and mindful activities. We don’t want children to feel overwhelmed with online work, but we also do not want them to feel anxious if they feel they are behind. As the weather becomes nicer, we want to encourage children to go out and explore, go on walks, play outside and ride bikes. If they are stuck inside due to weather, there are many websites that are offering free online interactive courses and activities, such as crafting, cooking and organizing.” Whiteside continued, “Because humans are geared towards social connection, it is important that we attempt to meet our need for peer interaction. Families can encourage ‘distant’ social interactions, such as video playdates, chats or taking up social workers and counselors on their online
open hours. It is important that parents continue to monitor social networking activities as screen times may increase. It may be fun for some children to try good ol’-fashioned talking on the phone with friends as well.” Whiteside emphasized that it is important to be aware of the information children are receiving about the coronavirus. “We would also recommend that parents take time to address their child’s concerns and provide clear, age-appropriate answers. [The website] letstalkaboutkidshealth.org has some great visual supports to assist parents in addressing their child’s questions and fears. Furthermore, it is important that families try to remain positive and focus on the things that are in our control, such as washing our hands, using tissue and coughing into our elbows to prevent the spread of germs.” Whiteside added, “Finally, we encourage parents to be aware of any mood and/or behavioral changes in their children, such as increased irritability, crying, defiance, sleep problems, complaints of stomach and/or headaches and reports of increased fear. These are signs that your child may be experiencing increased stress. Remember to respond with empathy and patience. Should you have concerns about your child’s mental health, we encourage families to contact their school’s counselor or social worker. Furthermore, many local therapist and mental health supports have moved to an online platform and would be able to provide support during this period of distancing.”
Will There Be a CHS Spring Sports Season and What About Our Boys Basketball Season? As all of the CCS teachers, directors and coaches are working to enhance their students’ virtual learning experiences and are dedicated to making the most of the current situation, we asked Carmel High School Athletics Director Jim Inskeep, Ryan Osborn, boys basketball coach, and Ken Browner, boys track and field, how are the student athletes keeping up with their respective training and conditioning? “For our department, it’s a very interesting time,” Inskeep admitted. “At this point, we would normally be gearing up for
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spring athletic contests. In fact, the weekend before all this [COVID-19 pandemic] hit, our boys lacrosse team was up and running, and the girls and boys track teams were already into the indoor season. Now, there’s been a stoppage after the teams had already been selected and progressing through their seasons. We have other sports that have not even started yet: boys golf, baseball and girls tennis. So, everyone’s in a little bit of a pickle right now in terms of if we were to restart, where these sports will pick up at.” Inskeep agreed that there’s going to be some tough decisions made and a lot of emotions across the board.
When asked what he would like for the student-athletes to focus on while they’re training at home, Inskeep said, “I think sometimes you have to take care of yourself mentally and stay focused on your goals from an athletic point of view. Another day will come again. I think there are definitely some thoughts about not getting a chance to compete and do what they love to do—it’s an empty feeling.”
CCS Boys Basketball Was Left Hanging in Midair Prior to the start of the COVID-19 crisis in the U.S. and specifically Indiana, the Greyhounds defeated Westfield 54-41 for their sixth straight sectional championship. It was the eighth sectional title in the last nine years. The team and its fans were amped up and had their sights on winning another state tournament. The IHSAA issued a news release on March 13 and postponed the IHSAA Boys Basketball State Tournament and
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ultimately cancelled the tournament after Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb directed the closure of all Indiana schools until May 1, 2020. “This group [of guys] did phenomenal this season as far as sticking with the program and with sticking together,” Osborn said. “From a basketball standpoint, you wanted them to have the opportunity to finish [the season]. So, you do feel for the guys as far as what they’ve put in, the amount of work they’ve put in, their commitment to the program and to each other. And then to not be able to see the whole thing through now is obviously disappointing. Looking at the bigger picture, I think this [crisis] is an opportunity for the individual to grow while facing these challenges. How these guys handle this time is going to be important. They have to face what we’re all facing right now, and you couldn’t have predicted this kind of situation and this type of challenge, but they’re going to be able to look back at this and say, ‘Man, that was a trying time, but what an opportunity we had to grow.”
Keeping on Track With Hopes of a Spring Season “For us, from a training standpoint, we’re using the remote learning platform—Canvas—which we’re using for our students and for our track kids,” Ken Browner, boys track and field coach, said. “I’m posting workouts to them, and they’re giving me feedback. They’re keeping track of their own development and sending that info back to us so we can catalog that and try to keep up with their progress as best as we can. It’s not a perfect system, not being right there with the athletes, but it is the best that we can do at this point, until we’re allowed contact with them again physically.” Browner described how he is working through obstacles with his athletes amidst the hurdles—pun intended. “My kids will send me videos, and then I will link those up to the Huddle app where I can write comments and send those back to them so they can see where they’re at mechanically,” Browner
explained. “We’re trying to do everything—as humanly possible— to coach these kids as best as we can without being there in person, and it’s difficult and it’s frustrating, but we’re all in the same boat.” The most recent correspondence sent out by the IHSAA at the time of publishing indicated that the association was still planning on having a spring sports season and spring tournaments. “We’re all in, and we’re staying as positive as we can,” Browner emphasized. “But we’re also trying to get these guys to understand that nothing is guaranteed in this world, and just because we expect to have ‘season’ every year, we may not. This [crisis] is unprecedented. But we have to prepare for our season as if it’s going to happen. And if it doesn’t come to fruition, you have to then move forward with whatever your next plan is. I have seniors that still have to plan on going to college even though their track season might be forfeited here.”
ALTMAN, CONGRATULATIONS ROGER POINDEXTER JANICE on being selected & WYATT in March by MAKING A DIFFERENCE Christine Crull Altman
Anne Hensley Poindexter
Scott P. Wyatt
John D. Proffitt Retired
Altman, Poindexter & Wyatt for Making A Differrence in our community!
We are proud to recognize a special volunteer with the Great American Songbook Foundation’s Perfect Harmony group music program Janice Roger volunteers every Wednesday afternoon with the Great American Songbook Foundation’s Perfect Harmony group music program for older adults living with dementia. Whether she is leading the group in a rousing, Ethel Merman-esque round of “There’s No Business Like Show Business” or sharing a sentimental moment with a visitor as they discuss the first time they met their sweetheart of 50+ years, Janice is a vital member of the small team of volunteers that make a difference in Carmel by providing meaningful musical experiences possible for seniors in our community. Visit TheSongbook.org/PerfectHarmony to learn more.
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2020-03-24 1:06 PM
Seema Verma
A Carmel Resident Working to Reform A m e r i c a n H e a lt h c a r e Writer // Janelle Morrison • Photos Submitted
Editors Note: Given Seema Verma’s prominent position in the current coronavirus crisis, we felt it appropriate to reprint this story we ran in September 2017.
Perhaps some of you recognize her as someone you have passed in a grocery store aisle or out with her family enjoying one of the area restaurants. You may have engaged her and her family in conversation at the Carmel Farmers’ Market on a Saturday morning. What you may not know about Seema Verma is the work that she does during the week and how it affects every single American throughout the nation.
V
erma is an American health policy consultant and the current administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), serving under the Trump administration. On November 29, 2016, then President-elect Donald Trump nominated Verma to serve as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the health department agency that oversees the Obamacare insurance markets, Medicare and Medicaid. On March 13, 2017, the U.S. Senate confirmed her nomination in a 55-43 vote, and she was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence on March 14, 2017. Verma reports directly to Dr. Tom
Price, the Secretary of Health and Human Services. He is a member of the Cabinet and reports directly to President Trump. Emerging from the private sector into her current role was a natural transition as Verma was an established conservative healthcare policy reformer under Governor Mitch Daniels and continued to serve under former Governor Mike Pence during his administration. Her experience and practical knowledge of healthcare policy were what led to her appointment to the role that would put her at the helm of the nation’s healthcare reformation and redevelopment. Prior to her appointment in Washington, D.C., Verma has been pioneering
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new ways to approach Medicaid since authoring the Healthy Indiana Plan in 2007. Verma was the architect of this health insurance pilot program and would also work along with the aforementioned governors on creating “Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0.” In addition to her daunting responsibilities in D.C., she is a wife, mother of two and a proud resident of Carmel. Verma and her family moved to Carmel from the Indianapolis area in 2005. Her husband, Dr. Sanjay Mishra, is a child psychiatrist and runs a medical practice through the Indiana Health Group in Carmel, and they have a son and daughter. Verma is the founder and former CEO of SVC Inc., a health policy consulting firm that is based in Indianapolis. In an exclusive interview with Verma, she spoke about her appreciation for her home city of Carmel, her journey to her current role in D.C. and about the support and sacrifices that her entire family has made so that she could realize her goals and dreams and serve her country. “I was born in Virginia, but growing up, we lived in a lot of different places,” Verma shared. “We lived in Joplin, Missouri, which is a small town, and we lived right outside of Washington, D.C., when I was in high school, so I’ve lived in both large and small communities. We also lived overseas in Taiwan for about five years, so we’ve been in a lot of different places throughout my life. Living in the greater Indianapolis area is the longest that I’ve lived in any one place. We absolutely love the community, and I certainly love the roundabouts. It makes traffic easier to navigate.” In general, Verma said it was the amenities that the city of Carmel offers and the blend of a “small town and an upand-coming modern city” that she finds attractive about living here. “It’s like a small town when you go to the farmers’ market on a Saturday morning, or if you are at the library or grocery store, you always run into people that you know. We have a lot of great restaurants and shopping and great schools. It’s also great that we are close to Indianapolis and can easily travel downtown to get to a Pacers or Colts game.”
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When asked why she chose this career path, she replied, “I’ve always been attracted to government and politics. With my undergraduate work in public health, I just liked the idea of focusing on helping people. At first, I thought that I would focus on medicine, but with public health and policy, there’s a lot that goes on outside the actual delivery of healthcare that influences our health. And I thought that I could make a larger difference in the lives of people being more policy focused.” Verma explained that she started her company, SVC, Inc., because she was a working mom and felt like it would provide her the flexibility that she needed with a young family. She didn’t really go into it thinking about developing a small business. Her focus was on creating flexibility for her family and to make sure that she could pick them up from school and attend their school events. Over time, her business grew to where she was consulting not only in Indiana but for several other states. “It gave me the opportunity to gain a national perspective on healthcare issues that went beyond Indiana,” Verma stated. “I think that our company did a lot of cutting edge work, and we became the company that folks would look to when they were thinking about doing something innovative in their healthcare programs. In terms of accepting my current job, I couldn’t do both, so it was a new phase of my life, and I was happy to move on to the CMS position. We had a great team at SVC, and I am sure that they’re working to support the states and their customers and are trying to continue to be creative and innovative.” Verma emphasized she counts on the experiences she had in Indiana and with working with other states to guide her day-to-day work. “The president was very clear that he didn’t want to just rely on the traditional D.C. folks and wanted to bring people from outside of the beltway that have more practical experience, more private-sector experience. My work in Indiana has given me a better sense of how policy is actually implemented on a dayto-day basis and how it’s going to impact someone’s life or how it’s going to impact
a medical practice or hospital. I think that experience is unique.” With both of her children in high school, Verma and her family decided that this was the right decision and the right time for Verma to accept the position and work from D.C. during the week. She explained that it was a family decision and that they look at this as their public service to their country.
At first, I thought that I would focus on medicine, but with public health and policy, there’s a lot that goes on outside the actual delivery of healthcare that influences our health. And I thought that I could make a larger difference in the lives of people being more policy focused.”
“My son has just started high school, and my daughter is a senior who preparing for college, so there is a level of independence that they have at this phase that makes me being away a little easier,” Verma said. “No matter how busy I am, it’s a priority that we touch base every single day. The good thing about being in D.C. is that I am ultra laser-focused on my work when I am there. I am incredibly lucky to have a supportive spouse. My husband has been terrific and supportive of my dreams and goals. He is the real hero in all of this. He changed his working hours to make sure that he is home with the kids after school, coordinates their schedules and drives them to where they need to go and is happy to do it. “We look at our situation as public service. It’s our contribution as a family to the country. There are a lot of sacrifices that we make and a lot of vacations that I haven’t been able to attend, and I do miss out on some of the activities at school, but we really do look at it as public service. As a family, we are inspired by military families that go through something like this all
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the time and to an even greater degree. “I am fortunate to make it home every weekend, but that gives me inspiration, looking at the sacrifices made by our military families. I look at this as a pleasure and honor to serve. I want to make sure that I am making a valuable contribution to the American healthcare system. There is always this great sense of responsibility and wanting to make sure that I’m doing not just a good job but truly an excellent job that addresses the core issues in our healthcare system and moves us forward.” In addition to her family’s support, Verma praised her neighbors and friends for their support and assistance while she is away. “We get a lot of support, and I really appreciate coming home because I look at it like a reality check. Sometimes when you’re in D.C., you’re in a bubble. Every single time I drive home, I get a sense of what real life is and what real people are going through. I’ve got an incredibly supportive neighborhood that is always willing to help out, whether it’s my neighbor Michelle who drops off a plate of cookies or our other neighbors who offer our kids rides when necessary. I am very appreciative of our Carmel community.” Verma concluded by sharing her thoughts on her work and the legacy that she hopes to leave after her time in D.C. “We take our healthcare delivery system for granted,” she emphasized. “If you’re not using it, you don’t really think about it. But when there’s an emergency or something goes wrong with your family and you need the healthcare system, you want to know that it’s there, that it’s providing high-quality care to all Americans and that people have access to that care. “At CMS, we’re doing so many things. We’re not only running the Medicaid program and Medicare program; we also run Obamacare and implement large pieces of the Obamacare program. We are also responsible for the safety and quality of nursing health facilities and for hospitals and laboratories. We have so many different pieces that we are looking at, and so when I look back at this, I want to make sure that we have continued to ensure that Americans have access to the best healthcare system in the world.”
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