Each student:
š Chose and colored a heart that reflected them
⨠Selected four positive adjectives that best describe who they are
āš½ Wrote a LOVE letter to themselves
Their letters included:
⢠At least two of their chosen adjectives
⢠Words of encouragement for hard days
⢠One future goal theyāre working toward
⢠And were signed beautifully⦠āLove, Me.ā
Ms. Cavanaugh will be laminating each letter so students can place it somewhere theyāll see every day ā a daily reminder of their strength, brilliance, and becoming. š«
We believe this work is critical for all students ā and especially for our middle schoolers, who are actively shaping their confidence and proud identities. Experiences like this build the foundation for resilience, purpose, and joy. šš„
Huge shout out to Ms. Cavanaugh for creating space for reflection, affirmation, and self-belief! šš„
#SteelCityStories #PurposeJoyGrit #BabyFlames







Our January Teacher & Staff Members of the Month exemplify purpose, excellence, and heart in action. They show up every single day for our students and for one another ā strengthening our instruction, our culture, and our operations in powerful ways. šŖš½š„
Please help us celebrate them by showing some love in the comments and giving them their flowers in person! šøš
š Teacher of the Month: Ms. Larkins (1st Grade Educator & 3rd Grade Math)
š Instruction, CCR & Culture Staff Member of the Month: Ms. Riddle (Counselor)
š Leader, Finance & Operations Staff Member of the Month: Mama Moore (Front Office Assistant)
Thank you for embodying the grit, joy, accountability, and gratitude that define Steel City. We are so proud to have you on this team. šš„
#SteelCityAcademy #TeamSteelCity #SteelCityStrong #StaffOfTheMonth #TeacherOfTheMonth



A HUGE shout out to Officer McClain ā a remarkably reliable, consistent, and kind presence in our building each and every day. š„
You can find Officer McClain greeting every person who comes through our doors, dropping off little surprise gifts for team members, bringing laughs to every space he's in, and most importantly, ensuring that every single member of our school community feels safe and cared for. His steady presence brings both security and joy ā and that combination is something special. Officer McClain, thank you for the heart you bring to Steel City Academy. We are better because of you. š
Take a moment today to give him some love and his well-deserved flowers! ššš¾ #SteelCityStories






At Steel City, we are deeply committed to providing powerful, high-quality external professional development aligned to our organizational vision and instructional priorities.
Today and tomorrow, our Director of Instruction Mrs. Combs and our High School Science Teacher Mrs. Ward are representing Steel City at the Foundations of NGSS Workshop at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry diving deep into what high-quality, student-centered science instruction truly looks like.
Over this two-day experience, they are:
⨠Strengthening their ability to integrate Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) across grade levels
⨠Building a deep understanding of three-dimensional, phenomenon-driven instruction rooted in A Framework for Kā12 Science Education
⨠Experiencing and reflecting on learning that centers sense-making through science and engineering practices
⨠Analyzing curriculum coherence to ensure grade-level appropriate, NGSS-aligned instruction
⨠Growing confidence alongside a powerful community of science educators
This is what investing in our people looks likeābecause when our educators grow, our students thrive. šš„ So proud of this work and the commitment to excellence it represents!




From kindness and connection during the school day to dancing the night away, hereās everything happening as we celebrate Valentineās Day together:
š Valentineās Spirit Day (Kā12): Wear pink, red, or hearts to spread love, kindness, and friendship across our entire school community! šāØ
š Valentineās Telegrams (Kā12): Want to make someoneās day extra sweet? Send a Valentineās Telegram to a friend, teacher, or staff member! š„°
š² $2 | Includes a Valentine card & sucker
š Purchase during lunch: Mon., Feb. 9 ā Wed., Feb. 11
š¬ Delivered to classrooms Thursday, Feb. 12
ššš½šŗš¾ Young Hearts Run Free Dance Party (6thā8th Grade)
Our middle schoolers are invited to dress to impress and hit the dance floor from 5:00ā7:30 PM for a night full of music, movement, and memories! āØ
š¶ Live DJ | šø Photobooth | šŖ Refreshments
šļø $10 per student
š Register & pay via RevTrak: https://steelcityacademy.revtrak.net/MS/
...
Spots are limited ā donāt wait!
š Important Reminder:
š« No school Friday, February 13th or Monday, February 16th
š Classes resume Tuesday, February 17th
February reminds us that love, joy, and connection are at the heart of who we are at Steel City. š Drop some ā¤ļø below, send a sweet note, wear the love on Thursday ā and let those young hearts run free! šš„




Huge shoutout to our Paintbrush Playground artists for showcasing their incredible work at the remarkable Colors of Culture event! Their pieces beautifully illustrated the creativity, talent, and deep pride and knowledge of Black History and yes, our students even sold a few of their pieces! šš¾āØ
We are so grateful to the event organizers for curating such a powerful and joyful celebration of Garyās young talent ā from youth-created documentaries and drum lines to majorette dancing and stunning visual art. It was truly a night that reminded us whatās possible when young people are given space to shine.
A huge thank you to Mr. Gill, our incredible Kā12 Art Teacher and Paintbrush Playground sponsor, for his vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to elevating student voice and creativity. Weāre so proud of you and our artists! ā¤ļø
š¼ļø The show is open through March 13th ā be sure to check it out at the and support these phenomenal young creators!
#SteelCityStories #PaintbrushPlayground #ColorsOfCulture #BlackHistoryMonth #GaryPride #ArtsEducation šØš„
At Steel City, we believe in educating the whole child šāsupporting not only academic growth, but the physical, mental, and social-emotional wellness of our students, too.
Doing this well requires strong community partnerships, and we are so grateful for ours. š Through our collaboration with the Gary Health Department, our students received vision and hearing screenings, and most recently, we were thrilled to welcome Dr. Boone for on-site dental exams for our kids š¦·āØ
These moments are powerful reminders that it truly takes a villageāand that when schools and community partners come together, incredible things are possible for our students š„
A huge THANK YOU to Mrs. Williams, our remarkable Operations & Medical Assistant, for her tireless work planning these visits, coordinating partnerships, and ensuring our students are cared for every step of the way. We are so grateful for you! š
This is what partnership, collaboration, and love for kids looks like. š






While Black history is something we honor, celebrate, and learn all year long, February is a time when we go a little harder, dig a little deeper, and shine even brighter. š
This month is an opportunity not only to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of Black leaders and figures, but to learn the untold stories, uplift organizations that have shaped history, and recognize the people and movements that deserve to be elevated.
š Black History Month Spirit Week | February 23ā27
Get ready to show your pride and participate all week long:
Monday ā HBCU Day š Rep your favorite HBCU!
Tuesday ā Pan-African Pride Day š Wear red, green, and black.
Wednesday ā Social Justice + Activism Day āš½ Wear a shirt with a social justice slogan.
Thursday ā Social Justice + Activism Day š£ Highlight a cause or issue you support.
Friday ā Black Excellence Day š Wear all black, feature an influential figure, or rep an African-American organization.
šØ Black History Month Door Decorating Contest: Each grade level and department has been assigned a decade or organization to research and bring to life. Our halls will transform into a living museum honoring Black excellence, resilience, progress, and power.
We are so excited to immerse our students and staff in this powerful month of learning, reflection, celebration, and pride. Letās honor the past, uplift the present, and inspire the futureātogether. š¤š„


This is your sign to come out, show up, and support the brilliance of our young creators ā from Steel City Academy and across our city. š
Our Paintbrush Playground artists have been pouring their hearts, talent and lived experiences into powerful, one-of-a-kind pieces that deserve to be seen, celebrated, and uplifted. āØš¤
Colors of Culture: A Celebration of Black Creativity shines a light on emerging youth artists (ages 13ā21) who are exploring identity, legacy, community, resilience, and joy through painting, photography, design, film, and more. This is what it looks like when a city shows up for its young people. š„šš¶
š Opening Night: Friday, February 6th | 6:00ā8:00 PM
š Marshall J. Gardner Art Center
šļø Exhibit runs February 6 ā March 13, 2026
Bring your people. Bring your love. Bring your pride.
Letās fill the room and remind our young artists that Gary sees them. Gary supports them. Gary believes in them. šš„
#SteelCityProud #ColorsOfCulture #PaintbrushPlayground #SupportYoungArtists #BlackHistoryMonth #GaryIndiana #YouthVoices #ArtWithPurpose

š Mark your calendars: Thursday, February 12th
š Valentineās Spirit Day š Wear pink, red, or hearts to celebrate Valentineās Day and spread love, kindness, and friendship across Kā12! šāØ
š Reminder: There is NO school on Friday, February 13th or Monday, February 16th.
š Want to make someoneās day extra sweet?
Send a Valentineās Telegram to a friend, teacher, or staff member! š„°
ā¤ļø Valentineās Telegram Details:
š² Price: $2
š Includes: A Valentine card & a sucker
š Purchase during lunch periods
š Monday, Feb. 9 ā Wednesday, Feb. 11
š¬ Delivered to classrooms on Thursday, Feb. 12
š§š½š¦š½ Open to grades Kā12
February reminds us that love, joy, and connection are at the heart of who we are at Steel City. š Drop some ā¤ļø below, send a sweet note, and donāt forget to wear the love on Thursday! šš„


This week, weāre celebrating two remarkable team members in our building ā Ms. Riddle (School Counselor) and Ms. Moss (College & Career Counselor) šš«
From nurturing hearts and supporting growing minds to helping our students dream boldly about their futures, these two pour so much love, care, and wisdom into our students every single day. Their impact reaches far beyond the school day and will be felt for years to come.
National School Counseling Week is a reminder of just how vital counselors are to student access, student success, well-being, and belonging š„š
š Drop some love in the comments or be sure to give them some extra appreciation when you see them in person this week. We love you, Ms. Riddle & Ms. Moss! šš

What better way to spread a little joy than by surprising someone with a Crush soda Valentine ā and supporting our incredible National Honor Society at the same time?! š„
For just $2, you can send a sweet (or pun-filled š) Valentine to a friend during Middle School & High School lunch š
⨠Choose your Crush message:
š Strawberry ā āI love you berry much!ā
š Orange ā āOrange you glad weāre friends?ā
š Grape ā āYouāre a grape friend!ā
šø Payment: RevTrak or cash
š Hosted by: National Honor Society
ā° Who: Middle & High School Squad only
Letās fill February with kindness, laughter, and a whole lot of love š
š Pay here: https://steelcityacademy.revtrak.net/clubs-extracurricular/#/v/crush-valentine-fundraiser
#SteelCityAcademy #SeasonOfLove #SpreadTheLove #NHS

Yesterday, our entire Kā12 Steel City community came together to celebrate a big momentā100 days of learning, growing, and showing up for one another. šš„ Thatās 100 days together. 100 days smarter. 100 days stronger.
From creative math challenges and hands-on activities to iconic outfits, our halls were filled with joy, laughter, and learning all day long. These moments remind us that school is more than lessons - itās about community, joy, and celebrating milestones side by side. Weāre so grateful of our students and staff for bringing the energy and making Day 100 one to remember! šÆāØ










Yesterday we celebrated the 100th Day of School at Steel City - a big milestone that shows our kids are officially 100 days smarter! šš§
Our first grade class brought the number 100 to life with so much joy and creativityā - rom hand-colored ā100 Days Smarterā headbands, to building models that showed off their math thinking, to wrapping it all up with sāmores and FUN! š„š«
Huge shout-out to Ms. Larkins and the amazing team members who helped make this day so special. š This is what itās all aboutācreating core memories, centering joy + learning, and celebrating our kids every step of the way. Check out all the smiles, creativity, and 100-day magic! šøāØ










Weāre so excited to invite our 6thā8th grade students to the Young Hearts Run Free Dance Party ā a special night designed to celebrate friendship, fun, and the joy of just being a kid. š„š
On Wednesday, February 12th, Steel City Academy will transform into the ultimate dance floor from 5:00ā7:30 PM as our middle schoolers come together for an evening filled with music, movement, and memories that will last long after the last song plays.
Students are encouraged to dress to impress in their best formal looks and let their personal style shine āØ. With a live DJ bringing the energy, a photobooth to capture the fun, and refreshments to keep everyone going, this is a night you wonāt want to miss.
šļø Cost: $10 per student ā and worth every smile, laugh, and dance move šš½šŗš¾
This evening is all about creating core memories ā laughing with friends, dancing your heart out, and celebrating what it means to be young, joyful, and connected. š
š Register & pay via RevTrak here:
https://steelcityacademy.revtrak.net/MS/#/v/Young-Hearts-Run-Free-Dance
Spots are limited, so be sure to sign up soon! We canāt wait to see our middle schoolers dressed up, dancing, and letting their young hearts run free! šš


Happy Sunday! We hope everyone is warm, cozy, and safely inside on this snowy, cold day.
Due to anticipated temperatures and continued snowfall, Steel City Academy will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26th, to prioritize the safety of our students, families, and staff. We will plan to make up this instructional day on Friday, March 20th. Please stay warm, stay safe, and take care of one another. šš„

After an incredible year, Girls on the Run (3rdā5th grade) and Heart & Sole (6thā8th grade) are officially BACK at Steel City!
These powerful programs do so much more than get our girls moving ā they build confidence, ignite girl power, and create a strong, joyful community of bold, resilient young women who learn to believe in themselves and each other. šāØ
šš½āāļø REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND
āļø Open to all Steel City girls in grades 3ā8
āļø FREE
āļø First come, first serve
āļø Limited to 15 girls per roster
š Practices will be held Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:00ā4:15 PM.
š Please note: families must provide their own transportation.
š£ Stay tuned for informational sessions next week, and be sure to check out our registration flyers and all the magic from last yearās season āØ
Have questions or want to learn more? Reach out anytime to Ms. Kirley, Ms. Peterson, Ms. Hunter, Mrs. Gonzalez, or Mrs. Moss ā weād love to help your girl take this bold step! Letās do this, Steel City girls. šŖš½šš„







At Steel City, we believe deeply in creating immersive learning spaces where kids do the heavy mental liftingārolling up their sleeves, asking big questions, and leading their learning through inquiry. And when students take ownership like this? Engagement soars. š„š§
Since the start of Quarter 3, our scientists in Advanced Science: Special Topics Lab have been hard at work! Theyāve tracked water movement in plants using celery š±, explored the effects of transpiration, and most recently⦠extracted DNA from a strawberry šš§¬ Shout out to Ms. Brown, our HS Science Teacher, for bringing these labs to life!
These are the moments where curiosity turns into confidence and learning comes alive. Check out our young scientists in action š„š©š½āš¬šØš¾āš¬










