| | Friday, November 6, 2026 | Issue 85 | | |
On Thursday, November 5, students at STEM City got a close-up look at science and technology in action at the Gary Area Career Center. They stepped inside a dome for a space presentation, watched live demonstrations from Career Center Students, and met Gary firefighters who showed the protective gear and equipment they use on the job.
Each stop gave students a different way to connect what they learn in school with what people do at work, from using tools in the skilled trades to keeping our community safe. Thank you to the staff and community partners who made the day possible.
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November 11 — Parent Cafe
“Gratitude Edition"
November 11 — Early Dismissal/PD Day
November 12 — School Board Meeting
November 23-27 — Thanksgiving Break
| | | Family Events and Programs | | November is National Family Engagement Month. Thank you for the ways you show up for our students, from cheering them on to sharing ideas that help shape what happens at school. | | | | |
Parent Café | Gratitude Edition
Join our Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team for dinner and a conversation about gratitude. Come share what’s been helping your family, hear from other parents and caregivers, and make a few new connections. All families are welcome, including those whose children attend other schools.
Wednesday, November 11 | 4:30–7:00 p.m.
Daniel Hale Williams | 1320 E. 19th, Gary
Dinner is served at 4:30 p.m. and the Café begins promptly at 5:00 p.m.
Please register in advance using the QR code on the flyer. For help registering, contact your school’s FACE Liaison.
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Skills to Pay the Bills | What Will U Learn?
Help us plan a hands-on workshop for GCSC Parent University. Whether you want to save money, build confidence doing something yourself, or learn a skill you could turn into extra income, we want to hear what interests you.
Which hands-on skill would you most like to learn?
- Hair braiding and styling — Learn basic braiding techniques.
- Car maintenance — Learn to check fluids, check tire pressure, or change a tire.
- Sewing and clothing repair — Learn to hem pants, sew on a button, or mend a tear.
- DIY home repairs — Get comfortable using basic tools and making small fixes.
- Custom shirts and crafts — Learn to use a Cricut or heat press to personalize items.
- Something else — Tell us what you’d like to learn!
| | Family Voice | Parent University and School PAC | | |
Bring Your Ideas to Your School’s Parent Advisory Council
This week’s Tech Tuesday focused on the power of family voice. One way to put that into practice is to join your school’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC), where families can share ideas, help plan activities, and work with school staff to support students.
Here are some upcoming PAC meetings you can join!
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McCullough Academy | Wednesday, November 11 10:15 a.m.
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West Side Leadership Academy | Friday, November 13, at 9:00 a.m.
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Beveridge Elementary | Wednesday, December 2, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
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West Side Celebrates Its Spell Bowl Team
Congratulations to the West Side Leadership Academy Spell Bowl team! We’re proud of the preparation and teamwork our students brought to the competition. Thank you to the coaches and supporters who cheered them on.
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Gary Middle School Visits the Obama Presidential Center
Students from Gary Middle School Visual & Performing Arts’ Young Men in Ties & Girls in Pearls visited the Obama Presidential Center as special guests of Mr. Mamon Powers of Powers & Sons Construction. Take a look at the photo collage for a glimpse of their visit.
| | From creative costumes to time spent together, here are a few moments from our fall celebrations. Thank you to the families and staff who helped make them special. | | Holiday Help Fair | Attend, Donate, or Volunteer | |
All Aboard for the 2nd Annual Holiday Help Fair!
GCSC and Gary Public Library invite GCSC families to a Polar Express–themed Holiday Help Fair with literacy activities, community resources, and free books, gifts, food, and clothing.
Friday, December 18
Gary Public Library & Cultural Center | 220 W. 5th Avenue, Gary
- 10:00–11:00 a.m. | Sensory-friendly hour
- 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Open to all families
Admission is free. Bring a photo ID and proof of residency for obtaining your library card. Scan the QR code on the fair flyer to register. For questions, call 219-881-5407.
Two Ways to Give by November 20
- Uniform Exchange. Have school uniforms your child has outgrown? Bring clean uniforms in wearable condition to a designated school drop-off site through November 20. Families can earn points based on item condition and redeem them at the Holiday Help Fair. Ask your school’s FACE Liaison where to drop off items.
- Holiday Donation Drive. We’re collecting toys, gift cards, and new school uniforms to give away at the fair. Contact a FACE Liaison to arrange your donation drop-off by November 20.
Want to help on the day of the fair? Sign up to volunteer or register as a community resource vendor.
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November 17 | Family FAFSA Day at West Side
West Side students and parents can get step-by-step help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on-site. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend. Join GCSC and Gary Alumni Pathway to Students (GAPS) from 1:00–4:00 p.m. at 900 Gerry Street, Gary. See the event flyer for the organizer’s preparation checklist.
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November 18 | Fall Into STEM Night at Beveridge
Beveridge families, try the Turkey Escape, Harvest Market Math, and Pumpkin Catapult challenges together from 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Beveridge Elementary. Light refreshments will be served.
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November 19 | National Parent Involvement Day at McCullough
Join McCullough Academy from 9:00–10:15 a.m. for a Turkey Walk and a visit from Project Rebuild, which will share resources and support for families. Register using the QR code on the event flyer.
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November 19 | Career Day at West Side
Help students see what a day in your profession looks like. West Side Leadership Academy, GAPS, and Junior Achievement of the Region are inviting professionals and volunteers to share their career journeys, lead hands-on activities, or assist during Career Day from 9:00–11:00 a.m. at 900 Gerry Street, Gary. Sign up for Career Day
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November 20 | Beveridge Cougar Movie Night
Eligible Beveridge students will enjoy a movie afternoon from 12:30–3:30 p.m. in the Beveridge gymnasium. Check the school flyer for attendance, PBIS points, and uniform requirements.
| | | Community Calendar and Resources | | Coming Up Around Gary and Northwest Indiana | |
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November 10, 12, 13, and 14 | Calumet Cares Recovery Blitz. Drive-through distribution for residents of Gary and unincorporated Calumet Township. Bring a valid ID. One distribution per household. Stops include Gary Fire Station #5 (Nov. 10), Brunswick Community Center (Nov. 12), St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church (Nov. 13), and First Pentecostal Church of Gary (Nov. 14). Call 219-880-4913 for distribution hours and details.
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November 12 | BROS & Brushes. Pizza, painting, and prizes at 5:00 p.m., free for BROS members ages 7–11. Call or text 219-344-3577 to reserve a spot. The location is shared with registered participants.
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November 17 | Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Franciscan Health Trauma Services invites people who have lost a loved one to suicide to gather for remembrance and support from 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. in the main lobby of Franciscan Health Crown Point, 12750 Saint Francis Drive.
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November 19 and 29 | Urban League of Northwest Indiana events. The Leadership Awards Luncheon is November 19 at 11:30 a.m. at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. Gospel Fest is November 29 at 4:00 p.m. at Tree of Life Baptist Church in Gary. Call 219-887-9621 for details.
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November 20 | City of Gary Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway volunteer call. Help distribute meals at the RailCats stadium parking lot, 1 SteelYard Plaza. Volunteer shifts are 9:00–11:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Sign up to volunteer with the City of Gary
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November 20 | Free Community Literacy Night
Bring the family for an evening of reading, learning, and fun with the Gary Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated on Friday, November 20, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Flourish Church, 3935 Cleveland Street, Gary. Light refreshments will be served.
Please register using the QR code on the flyer. A parent, legal guardian, or designated adult group leader must stay with and supervise children throughout the event.
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November 21 | She Is the Blueprint Mentor Program. The Northwest Indiana Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women invites girls in grades 7–12 to a day of mentoring and interactive sessions from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at 3801 Ridge Road, Highland. Use the QR code on the flyer to RSVP.
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November 23 | HEAL US Roller Skating and Coat Drive. Skate and bring a coat to donate from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at SK8 World, 3600 Scottsdale Street, Portage. Call 612-423-1963 for details.
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November 30 | Volunteer Income Tax Assistance orientation CoAction and the Urban League of Northwest Indiana are recruiting tax-season volunteers and provide free training. Orientation is 1:00–3:00 p.m. on-site or 5:00–6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Training starts December 9. Call 219-887-9621 for details.
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December 4–5 | 18th Annual Lakeshore Classic
Save the date for the Gary Chamber of Commerce’s Lakeshore Classic at West Side Leadership Academy, 900 Gerry Street, Gary. Teams and game times will be announced. For sponsorship information, call 219-885-7407.
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December 12 | Community Resource Fair Young Ladies With a Purpose will host a free coat giveaway and connect families with health, employment, and family support resources from noon–3:00 p.m. at Bulldog Park Pavilion, 183 S. West Street, Crown Point. Call 219-608-4660 for details.
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Gary Public Library. The November and December calendar includes story hours, chess, teen programs, and Makerspace sessions such as sewing and 3D printing. For Makerspace registration, call 219-886-2484, ext. 332. Browse library events
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Storm recovery for homeowners. Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana’s Critical Repair Program helps eligible homeowners with storm-related needs such as mold remediation, sump pump replacement, and debris removal. Call 219-923-7265 for eligibility and application help.
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Storm recovery for older adults. Storm-affected adults 60 and older in Gary, Merrillville, and Hobart can request free delivery of household essentials while supplies last. Family members and caregivers may also call 219-356-5040 to request delivery.
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Adult Education and Career Training - Adult education classes are now available right here at our Gary Area Career Center. Contact WorkOne for class schedules and information about adult basic education, English language learning, HiSET and GED testing, and career training. The WorkOne Gary office is at 504 Broadway, 4th floor. Call 219-981-1520 or text 219-312-4015.
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Legacy Foundation Universal Scholarship. Eligible students can use one online application to be considered for awards from multiple scholarship funds. Applications are open through January 15, 2027. Explore Legacy Foundation scholarships
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Tech Tuesdays | November & December 2026
Take a lunch break with the GCSC Family and Community Engagement (FACE) team! Our next five Tech Tuesdays cover ways to support your child’s emotional wellness, stay connected during the holidays, and make reading and learning part of everyday family life.
Join us at 11:00 a.m. CT on Google Meet. Bring your questions and leave with ideas you can try at home.
- November 10 | Mental Health Matters: Supporting Emotional Wellness at Home
- November 17 | Gratitude, Conflict Resolution & Family Connection During the Holidays
- December 1 | Family Literacy at Home: Simple Everyday Reading Strategies
- December 8 | Digital Literacy & Online Safety for Families
- December 15 | Winter Break Learning Without Burnout
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