FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2026

Indianapolis, IN – Decatur Township Schools proudly announces that Mrs. Emily LeMay, Director of Student and Family Engagement, has been named the 2026 Indiana School Communicator of the Year. This prestigious recognition honors Mrs. LeMay’s exceptional leadership, outstanding communication skills, unwavering professionalism, and deep commitment to community engagement.

Mrs. LeMay has had a transformative impact on Decatur Township Schools, elevating the educational experience for students, staff, and families through strategic, transparent, and relationship-driven communication.

A Leader in Strategic Communication

Mrs. LeMay demonstrates exceptional leadership in successfully meeting and exceeding the communication needs of the district. She has developed and executed a comprehensive communication strategy that ensures transparency, reliability, and meaningful engagement with all stakeholders.

Her leadership is especially evident in her coordination of emergency management notifications to families and media outlets. During critical moments, she ensures accurate and timely information is shared, reinforcing trust and confidence within the community.

Mrs. LeMay also leads major district initiatives, including organizing the annual Backpack Drive, which provides approximately 2,000 backpacks to students prior to the start of each school year. Through strong partnerships and community collaboration, she mobilizes resources to meet essential student needs and remove barriers to learning.

Excellence in Communication and Engagement

Known as the voice and storyteller of Decatur Township, Mrs. LeMay captures and shares the daily stories of teachers, students, and community members through engaging social media posts and thoughtfully crafted district newsletters. Her work strengthens pride, connection, and trust throughout the township while consistently reinforcing the district’s mission and values.

Her communication expertise extends beyond storytelling. Mrs. LeMay collaborates closely with administrators and families to support attendance improvement efforts, providing monthly data reports to stakeholders that guide strategic decision-making. Additionally, she warmly welcomes all new hires to Decatur Township with personalized announcements that introduce them to the community and reinforce a unified district culture.

Her persuasive and engaging communication style fosters meaningful relationships with students, staff, families, business partners, and community members alike.

Deep Community Involvement

Mrs. LeMay’s work extends far beyond traditional school communications. She actively cultivates partnerships with local businesses, securing resources and support that directly benefit students and families. Her involvement in community events and outreach efforts reflects a strong understanding of the broader issues impacting public education at the local, regional, and national levels.

Through her leadership and advocacy, she continues to build bridges between schools and the community—ensuring every stakeholder feels informed, valued, and connected.

A Well-Deserved Recognition

Mrs. Emily LeMay is not only the voice of Decatur Township Schools—she is a driving force behind its success and community connection. Her leadership, communication excellence, professionalism, and community engagement make her an exemplary recipient of the 2026 Indiana School Communicator of the Year Award.

Decatur Township Schools congratulates Mrs. LeMay on this well-deserved honor and celebrates the positive impact she continues to make every day.

Media Contact:
Chris Gearlds
Assistant Superintendent, Decatur Township Schools
317-856-5265
cgearlds@decaturproud.org

(March 9, 2026) INDIANAPOLIS – The MSD of Decatur Township announced that the Decatur Township School Police will host the 2nd Annual S.A.F.E. training program on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, for female juniors and seniors at Decatur Central High School and Decatur Township School for Excellence.

The S.A.F.E. Program (Situational Awareness for Everyday) was created by Julie Q. Smith, Director of the Indiana Office of School Safety, and is designed to equip young women with practical skills to help them safely navigate real-world situations. The training focuses on situational awareness, personal safety strategies, and trusting one’s instincts.

“Student safety is always our top priority,” said Superintendent Dr. Scott Collins. “As the father of two girls, I’m especially grateful for programs like S.A.F.E. that help equip our students with the awareness, confidence, and skills to protect themselves. While we hope they never need to rely on this training, it’s important they feel prepared.”

The day-long program includes interactive seminars on self-defense, assertiveness, and recognizing warning signals, along with hands-on defensive tactics and scenario-based exercises. Instruction is led by Decatur Township School Police Chief Terance Smith and officers Tabetha Emenaker, Dennis Scott, and Tea’wanda Wrespress. We are also proud to host Director of the Indiana Office of School Safety, Julie Q. Smith, to lead instruction as well.

Decatur Township is also proud to host representatives from several school, local, and state law enforcement agencies from across Indiana, who are observing the training to learn more about the program and its impact. “After seeing the positive impact of the program last year, continuing S.A.F.E. training for our students and sharing with our colleagues in other school districts remain priorities,” said Chief Smith. “Our goal is for young women to leave feeling empowered, confident, and equipped with tools to help maintain their personal safety.”

Please reach out to Emily LeMay (contact below) to visit the program.

Photos available after the training upon request.

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About MSD Decatur Township

The MSD of Decatur Township is student invested, community connected. Decatur Township prioritizes student learning, safety and customer service, fostering a support system for our families. Located on the southwest side of Indianapolis, Decatur Township is proud to serve thousands of elementary, middle, and high school students and families. The district vision is Preparing Students to be Tomorrow Ready. Together, we are DECATUR PROUD! Learn more at www.decaturproud.org. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Emily LeMay, Director of Student & Family Engagement 

MSD of Decatur Township

elemay@decaturproud.org 317-856-5265 

Registration opens on March 2nd for the 2026-2027 school year! Registering your child right away helps our schools to plan for student and hiring needs. Please go to www.decaturproud.org on or after March 2nd and click on "New Student Enrollment" or "Returning Student Registration." Returning families will need your Skyward Family Access login information. If you need assistance with this information, please contact your child's school office.

Registering a new Kindergarten student? We are excited to welcome your child to Decatur Township Schools!

• Kindergarten Round-Up events at each elementary school are scheduled for April 23rd, 5:00-7:00 PM.
• Online registration for Kindergarten students will be available at www.decaturproud.org on March 2nd.

Interested in Liberty Community Preschool enrollment for 2026-2027?

• A Community Preschool Interest Form will be available on the Liberty Preschool/Lynwood Elementary webpage on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 7:00 a.m. and will close when spaces are filled.
• Full Day Community Preschool and Half Day Community Preschool options will be offered.
• Liberty Preschool is located at Lynwood Elementary, and is open to any Decatur Township families with children who meet the criteria (until positions are filled).
• Students must be 3 years old by August 1st, 2026, and fully toilet trained.
• Enrollment decisions will be made based on met criteria and time of submission.
• Enrollment confirmation or waitlist emails will be sent out starting 4/1/2026. This email will include program times, cost, registration information, and additional needed paperwork.
• Please direct any questions to Liberty Preschool: 317-243-7559.