From Aug. 21, 2008 issue Back to school carnival celebration to mark 10th anniversary By Jerry Cosby, Spotlight Correspondent For the 10th consecutive year, Perry Township schools will sponsor their highly popular Family Fun-Fill back to school celebration. Initiated by Perry school's social worker Sheryl Wise, the event features a multitude of school and family oriented events, all taking place at the Julian Coleman Academy, IPS School #110 at 1740 E. 30th Street. This year's event will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21. According to Wise, the event is intended to encourage parents from both school districts to participate in their children's educational activities, and also to promote social interchange between families from both districts. Wise states, "We also want to direct children and their families toward community resources, bring together community partners and celebrate the adage that 'it does take a whole village to raise a child.'" Over 15,000 attendees celebrated last year's event. The school yard and interior of the academy are filled with kid-oriented attractions such as face-painting, age-appropriate games, health screenings and immunizations, law enforcement demonstrations, horseback rides, a library bookmobile, arts and crafts, free food and beverages and free haircuts. Neighborhood groups such as the Southport High School marching band, SHS string group and cheerleaders, Perry Meridian High School jazz ensemble will be performing on the Indy Parks portable stage. A wide variety of political figures will be in attendance ranging from Sheriff Frank Anderson to Mayor Greg Ballard to U.S. Congressman Andre Carson (D-IN). The sports scene will be represented by Colts coach Tony Dungy and Colts-in-Motion, along with members of the Indiana Fever women's professional basketball team. The event also serves as a major marketing venue for other grassroots projects planned for the coming school year. Last Saturday, Radio One conducted a "pack the bus" live remote from Southport H.S. parking lot, soliciting school supply donations. The response was excellent and multiple back packs were filled with school supplies will be given out at the event. Partnering with Perry Schools are IPS, IMPD, three local neighborhood associations, Indiana Minority Business Magazine along with the Indianapolis Recorder, and radio station Radio One. Outside sponsors of the event total over 200. Free bus transportation to and from the event will depart from Southport High School and Perry Meridian High School. Both depart at 5:30 p.m. and a parent or guardian is required to accompany the student passengers, with a maximum five students per family. Return buses will depart PS 110 at 7:45 and 9 p.m.     The Spotlight 4217 S. Meridian, Indianapolis, IN 46217 Office: 317-444-4554 • Fax: 317-788-4570 E-mail: spotlightads@indyweb.net

Who is Sheryl Wise? Sheryl Wise is an African American social worker in the Perry Township school system and a native of Chicago's south side. She earned a bachelor of science degree and masters in social work from Indiana State University. She's been employed in the Perry District since 1996 and currently works with students in the Alternative Education School. Students who fail to conform to a normal classroom culture are assigned there as an alternative to expulsion. One of her prime responsibilities at the school is the recruitment of persons from outside the school system to act as volunteer mentors for students. Mentors meet weekly with students, lending a caring ear to their needs and providing unbiased counsel and guidance on every day challenges. Wise holds a number of professional certifications and is also a certified physical fitness instructor where she incorporates dance with other more mundane exercises. Her citations are numerous, emanating from local, state and national organizations. Her crowning award, possibly, was from the Indianapolis Center for Leadership Development, an award given annually to ten outstanding local women. She originated the back-to-school celebration in 1999 and has seen it grow in numbers and popularity during the ensuing years. Numerous other districts have approached her on organizing similar events in their districts, but she had demurred, confining her talents, and loyalty, to the local district. Anyone interested in mentoring students may contact Wise at 789-3968.   From August 21, 2008 issue • Church's history recorded in quilt Former church locations, pastors, church's ministries, parishioners acknowledged By Fred D. Cavinder , Spotlight correspondent • Back to school carnival celebration to mark 10th anniversary Who is Sheryl Wise? By Jerry Cosby, Spotlight Correspondent • Beech Grove News • SPOTLIGHT BRIEFS     • • Arts & Entertainment Page   • Looking Back By Robin Graves, Spotlight staff • Reality As I See It By Denise Summers, Spotlight staff • Sports Page