Jennifer Nelson-Williams on CCS Board

12/16/2025

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Carmel Clay Schools is pleased to announce two new assistant principals: Dr. Jenny Hamilton at Mohawk Trails Elementary and Kristen Cannady at Clay Center Elementary. We are excited to welcome them to our leadership team. Read more: https://ow.ly/CqwR50XK3N3

11/07/2025

Moms for Liberty suffered a massive defeat in the November 4, 2025 election, losing every single one of the 31 school board races they contested nationwide. The results make clear that voters overwhelmingly rejected their brand of divisive education politics and organizing, signaling a major setback for the movement this year. Many communities seem to have grown tired of the confrontational tactics and far right agenda that have defined Moms for Liberty’s campaigns in recent years.

Founded in 2021 and backed by significant funding from conservative donors like the Koch Family Foundation, Moms for Liberty quickly rose to notoriety for its focus on culture war issues in schools. In 2023, an Indiana Moms for Liberty chapter caused outrage by placing the Hi**er quote “He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future” on the front page of their newsletter, prompting widespread condemnation and an apology.

The group’s activists have often shown up en masse at school board meetings, pushing to fire teachers and administrators over curriculum choices and successfully gotten tens of thousands of books banned targeting literature that discusses race, LGBTQ+ topics, and American history. Their methods, which often included organized disruptions and public pressure campaigns, drew intense criticism from parents, educators, and free speech advocates.

The group’s continued influence now comes in part from a close alliance with Linda McMahon, the former professional wrestling executive currently serving as Secretary of Education in the Trump administration. Under McMahon, the Department of Education has openly collaborated with Moms for Liberty on national campaigns to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and to promote a so-called “patriotic education” that sidelines discussion of systemic racism and LGBTQ+ rights in schools. Moms for Liberty leaders have been regularly featured at Department events and praised for their activism, showing just how closely their agenda now aligns with federal education policy; and making this year’s sweeping election losses a striking public rebuke of both the group’s tactics and its growing political reach.

10/29/2025

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10/07/2025

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🚨 E-Bike Safety Alert for Parents! 🚨

We’re now seeing crashes about weekly involving kids on E-bikes. If your Evel Knievel rides one of these mini speed demons, please take a minute to read this.

Many of these crashes happen because kids are flying through intersections and riding faster than drivers expect. Everyday drivers are trained to look for vehicles, pedestrians, and traditional cyclists…. but a kid on an E-bike moving at 20–30 MPH is showing up in places typical drivers are not expecting, much faster than anyone can anticipate especially on a sidewalk or pedestrian crossing.

Just recently, while a fire engine left the station on an emergency call, the driver looked both ways for cars and pedestrians, and out of nowhere a child zipped by on the sidewalk at nearly 30 MPH. It could have been disastrous.

⚠️ Parents: Please talk to your kids about safe riding, stopping at intersections, and wearing proper protective gear. Speed may be fun, but it comes with serious risk.

10/04/2025

The power of teachers. They are our super heros. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BqpgBpa7q/?mibextid=wwXIfr

✏️ The impact of a great teacher.

Josh Johnson has made quite a mark in the field of stand-up comedy, being one of the most entertaining artists out there. But back in high school, the young gentleman was a student of Holy Saviour Menard in Alexandria, and he never thought that he would be performing live on television one day. But his teacher, Mr Ward, did. After his first live performance on The Tonight Show on February 22, 2017, the young comic was asked to introduce the special guest he had brought to the show.

Josh revealed that back in high school, when he performed his first stand-up comedy at the high school for a talent show, his teacher, Mr Ward, conveyed his appreciation for his talent by assuring that, "I’m gonna see you on ‘The Tonight Show’ one day." Years later, Mr Ward's faith in him, Josh flew him all the way to the Tonight Show to show his teacher just how far he had come.

09/23/2025

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Our School Resource Officers don’t just keep our schools safe—they build relationships that let students and families focus on what matters most: learning.

In 2025, the School Safety Referendum costs the average Carmel homeowner just $13.33 a month. That investment supports our 21-officer SRO team, providing trained, caring officers in every school. These are officers who know your kids, make them smile, and provide true security every day.

Because when our schools are safe, our students are strong.

08/19/2025

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🚨Parents and caregivers—this is your last chance to sign up! Join AJC’s Lindsey Mintz for an empowering program on how to advocate for your K–12 student in today’s school environment. Walk away with concrete strategies to strengthen your voice, support your child, and foster inclusive classrooms. 👉 bit.ly/EmpoweredParents_Indy

08/14/2025

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08/04/2025

Please don’t use the library parking lot for pick-up from school. Follow the rules. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GPHytMonY/?mibextid=wwXIfr

It’s back-to-school time, so here are some important things to keep in mind when you visit the Main Library. 🚙

Please slow down and use caution when driving through our parking areas.

Parking in the library parking lots and garage is reserved for people while they are using or visiting the library and may not be used for school parking.

ADA-accessible parking spaces are reserved for vehicles with clearly visible indicators (ADA license plates, placards, etc.) per Indiana law. Please help us keep these spaces available for people who need them.

Avoid stopping or waiting in the library drives if you’re dropping someone off or picking them up. Library security may ask you to move your vehicle if you are blocking a throughway, so pull into a parking spot instead.

(By the way, check out the comments below for links to info about student drop-off and pick-up for Carmel Elementary and Carmel High School — hint hint.)

07/30/2025

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Dr. Oestreich joined WISH-TV this morning — and brought two of CCS’s finest with him! 🍎 Huge thanks to teacher Mrs. Powell and incoming 6th grader Abby for shining a light on the heart of our district.

Abby is ready to kick off middle school — and especially excited about finally getting a locker! 🗝️

Mrs. Powell emphasized the importance of strong communication and building meaningful connections with her students and their families — a hallmark of the CCS experience.

We’re proud to celebrate our academic excellence, strong community, and the relationships that make CCS special.
https://www.wishtv.com/news/carmel-clay-schools-year/