Indy Standard

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is expanding its annual Milestone Day into a week-long event, called Milestone Week, which will take place from October 6 to October 10. The initiative aims to recognize the journeys and achievements of staff members across the district.

“Milestone Week is about recognizing everyone—whether you are in your first year or your fiftieth,” said Dwayne Marshall, IPS director of talent and acquisition. “It’s an opportunity to celebrate the people who make IPS what it is, share our stories, and have fun together as one team.”

Marshall also stated that Milestone Week is part of the Proving What’s Possible staff recognition framework.

Staff will be organized into four groups based on their years of service: Trailblazers for those with 0–9 years, Vanguards for 10–19 years, Cornerstones for 20–29 years, and Pillars for those with more than 30 years at IPS. Each group will participate in activities designed to highlight their experiences and contributions. These include sharing memories from their first day at IPS, recreating old photographs, and reflecting on changes within the district over time.

A districtwide competition will also be held during the week. The school that demonstrates the most creativity, collaboration, and spirit will receive the IPS Milestone Week Championship Belt.

Social media engagement is encouraged throughout Milestone Week. Staff are invited to post stories and photos using hashtags such as #IPSMilestoneWeek, #TeamIPS, and #provingwhatspossible. IPS plans to feature selected posts and monitor participation levels across different schools.

In addition to these activities, staff will receive emails highlighting cultural and historical milestones relevant to their years of service at IPS.

“By turning one day of recognition into a full week of celebration, IPS aims to not only honor staff longevity but also highlight the daily dedication that makes our schools thrive,” Marshall said. “It’s about celebrating every step of the journey and the collective spirit that unites our IPS family.”