Stephanie Gaither

Kate,

I'm not a realtor or a mortgage lender. I'm a real person just like you! Just a single mom wanting the best for my now 5yr old. Sometimes I feel like I'm too picky and what I'm looking for just doesn't exist, but it does. If you're looking for a nice place to raise a child with 4 star schools, check outhttp:// www.ftonews.com. I researched quit a few schools on all sides of indianapolis. Franklin Township community cannot be complimented with just one word. If you're like me, then you will be excited to know that these elementary schools offer so much more than just education. Some of the teachers hatch chicks right there in the classroom using an incubator and after the chicks hatch they donate the chicks to local farmers. Some teachers even have the butterfly cages, where they watch/learn about how the caterpillar turns into the cocoon and then turns into the butterfly. There is a jumprope club, math club, program where kids do a radio commercial, once a week bowling after shool - kids are transported by school bus, once a week gymnastics after school - kids are transported by school bus ( just to name a few activities) and all this is offered to the Elementary students?? ** WOW ** Franklin Township has really nice 'neighborhoods' and is still growing. Not to mention that these are new or recently remodeled schools. Last but not least all the teachers in the franklin township school that I met or spoke with via email or phone were very very friendly. It's really great to see a community involved in so much and to make it available at an early age is just great in my opinion. Oh, I forgot to mention that they do a few fundraisers and charity programs throughout the year also. My daughter will be starting kindergarten 2008-2009 school year and with the world these days, I'm terrified. That is why I went to such extremes to research all these schools. My child will be attending "school/kindergarten" is new to me and not knowing what questions to ask I felt these teachers made me aware of EVERYTHING that is offered at their schools. I feel like there is a piece of heaven left on this world. www.ftonews.com has links to everything that is within the franklin township community including apartments, daycare, classifieds, weather, schools, and just all kinds of great stuff, yes even pizza!!!!!

Face it everywhere you go there is crime. I checked out some of the 'neighborhoods' in this area also. mostly cozy and family friendly. new housing community called Thompson Parke, reasonably priced newer houses (top notch on my list) is about 2-3 miles from Emerson and 465 (on the southeast side near Beech Grove) speaking of Beech Grove, Hornet Park Elementary was on the BOTTOM of my list schools. It took the principal 2 months to email me back just to say, here's a link of our handbook. guess what - the answers I was looking for isn't in the handbook. Needless to say we played 'email' tag for a good 4 months, still not getting my questions answered I gave up. Beech Grove may be a 4 star school system but the friendliness and helpfulness of the teachers, principal, even the superintendent himself Dr. Rex Sager was nothing but a joke. I got the impression that they weren't allowed to smile or speak. There, I had to put my 2 cents in!

I want to make you aware nearby is an apple orchard and southeastway park , really big park, which has hayrides during fall season and many walking trails and lots of playgrounds and a fishing pond that you can actually fish out of. All in all I HIGHLY recommend Franklin Township. God Bless and good luck in your move. - Tue May 13 2008, 22:53