HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-2024 Special Resolution Recognizing the Accomplishments of Rise Up AcademySPECIAL RESOLUTION NO. 04-2024
A SPECIAL RESOLUTION OF THE SOUTH BEND COMMON COUNCIL RECOGNIZING THE
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF RISE UP ACADEMY AND ITS STUDENTS
illRise Up Academy is an alternative high school in South Bend, Indiana; and
O, Rise Up Academy's curriculum, which is open to under -credited students, engages students through
project -based instruction; and
/, students of Rise Up Academy are recommended by administrators from other South Bend Community
School High Schools as students who could benefit from the small environment and intense support that Rise Up
Academy provides; and
Offspazei, students, upon first arriving at Rise Up Academy, are often discouraged and frightened, knowing that
their future is bleak if they fail to earn a high school diploma; and
Of> e, Rise Up Academy allows students to explore alternative pathways toward a high school diploma; and
44 Rise Up Academy's students learn within a flexible academic and vocationally oriented curriculum
through increased access to desirable roles, community and parental participation, and mentorship; and
OXfaeovai, students recommended to Rise Up Academy are given a much better opportunity to graduate than they
would have had with their cohort if they remained in the traditional high school program; and;
Offigraga, Rise Up Academy's principal, Mr. Francois Bayingana, and the staff gives the students hope for their
future; and
G)1aad, Rise Up Academy has created a restorative atmosphere in which students' confidence is restored, their
faith in adults around them is restored and the students are taught to have a restorative mindset in their interactions with
their peers and with the staff; and
OICISPeati, the South Bend Community School Corporation, under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Todd
Cummings, has achieved its highest graduation rate in twenty years; and
O%ai, Rise Up Academy's continuing success is shown by its results with the graduation rate doubling in
2021-2022, doubling again and reaching 84% in 2022-2023, and exceeding its goal by graduating at least 91% in 2023-
2024, the highest graduation rate in the history of Rise Up Academy; and
these graduation rates rank Rise Up Academy as achieving the highest graduation rates among all
alternative schools in the State of Indiana; and
G, even more success is on the horizon through the award of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) from the
Next Generation School Improvement Grant to implement an Extended Learning Program to be used over the next three
years.
646,44 oe 'edo/seri* 4azi amid ?vm nan Matt aid loan
Section I. On behalf of the citizens of the City of South Bend, Indiana, we proudly acknowledge and applaud the
success of Rise Up Academy and its students under the direction of Superintendent Dr. Todd Cummings, South Bend
School Corporation. Director of Student Learning Howard Edwards, Rise Up Academy Principal Francois Bayingana, and
District Administrator Joseph Somers.
Section II. We look forward to the future achievements of the students and their contributions to our, or other,
communities.
Section III. We resolve to support Rise Up Academy in its future work.
Section IV. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage by the South Bend Common Council
and approval by the Mayor.
41~a 284 1Oda,ifew,91-
S/kwmr1c301:1�
Sharon McBride, Council President & 3rd District
Representative
South Bend Common Council
c;z.,
Canncth Lee, 1" District Representative
South Bend Common Council
Ophelia Gooden-Rodgers; 2"" District Representative
South Bend Common Council
Troy Warner, 4th District Representative
South Bend Common Council
Sherry Bolden -Simpson, .5'" District Representative
South Bend Common Council
Sheila Niezgodski, Council Vice -President & 6th District.
Representative
South Bend Common Council
pc.1.4k_ a-d(,)",
Karen L. White, At -Large Council Representative
South Bend Common Council
Dr. Oliver J. Davis, At -Large Council Representative
South Bend Common Council
)...aiAtest4"
Rachel Tomas Morgan, At- Large Council Representative
South Bend Common Council