Higher Institute of Arts and Technology

On June 19, 1865, the last enslaved people in America learned they were free. That moment, delayed, hard-won, and long overdue, became a cornerstone of Black history and American history alike.

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom is not just a date on a calendar. It is a living promise, one that our scholars, families, and educators carry forward every single day inside our classrooms and beyond.

Celebrating freedom, resilience, culture, and the continued pursuit of equality.

Happy Juneteenth. ✊🏾

☀️ HIAT Summer Advantage Update 🎉 We are happy to share that power has been restored and Summer Advantage programming is scheduled to continue tomorrow, Thursday, June 18! Please note that severe weather is possible this evening and could impact tomorrow's programming. Our team is closely monitoring conditions and will provide updates if any changes become necessary. 📱 Families, please continue to check your phone, email, and school communications throughout the evening and early tomorrow morning for the latest information. Thank you for your patience and flexibility. We look forward to seeing our scholars tomorrow! 💙💛

📢 Important Update for HIAT Families Due to the ongoing power outage impacting our building, HIAT will remain closed on Wednesday, June 17. The safety of our scholars, families, and staff is our highest priority. We are continuing to work closely with NIPSCO and assess the building to ensure it is safe and ready for everyone to return as soon as possible. We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and understanding during this time. 💙

🎉 Congratulations to Ms. Dayzha Wheeler, HIAT’s Teacher of the Year! 🎉 Ms. Wheeler’s dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on our scholars and school community. Through her hard work, leadership, and unwavering support of student success, she exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding educator. Thank you, Ms. Wheeler, for inspiring, empowering, and helping our scholars reach their full potential. We are proud to celebrate you and this well-deserved recognition! 💙🐝

🎉 Congratulations to Ms. Jasmine Perez, HIAT’s Support Staff of the Year! 🎉 As a K-8 Building Substitute, Ms. Perez goes above and beyond to support our scholars and staff each day. Her dedication, flexibility, and commitment to Continuous Improvement make a lasting impact on our school community. Thank you, Ms. Perez, for all you do! 💙🐝

Hello HIAT Summer Advantage Families,

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and getting back to normal after last Thursday’s storm. Our thoughts have been with all of our families as the community recovers.

We are writing to let you know that Monday’s Summer Advantage programming at Hiat is cancelled due to a power outage at the school. At this time, the building does not have power, and we are unable to safely operate programming.

We know this may cause inconvenience for some families, and we appreciate your understanding as we work to ensure a safe environment for all scholars.

We will send an update as soon as power is restored. Thank you for your patience and support.

Sincerely,
Martine Bullock
Summer Advantage Program Manager

Hello,

As most of you know, Merrillville was hit by a tornado last night. Many homes have been damaged, some severely, and many residents are facing significant challenges as they begin the recovery process.
The Ross Township Trustee's Office has established temporary housing and other assistance programs for affected residents. If you are able to help in any way, they are currently accepting support in the form of food, clothing, and monetary donations.

To contribute or learn more about current needs, please contact the Ross Township Trustee's Office at 219-769-2111. They are managing a large volume of requests and may not be able to answer immediately, so you may need to leave a message.

You may also contact Merrillville Fire Marshal Robert Pillman at 219-742-0107 for information on how to assist or coordinate support efforts.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated, and all support will directly benefit the citizens of Merrillville during this difficult time.

Thank you for your consideration and generosity.

Robert Pillman

Fire Marshal - Merrillville Fire Department

Mr. Taylor earned his Continuous Improvement Coin by living out PLA’s core values every single day, putting children first, showing respect, staying determined, and always looking for ways to grow. 🚀 Thank you for modeling what it means to continuously learn, lead, and lift up your school community! 🙌

*******Due to the rain storm and severe weather school will be canceled Friday 06/12/26!*********

Please Stay Safe!

Hello Summer Advantage Families,
We are excited to welcome your scholar to Summer Advantage on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 8:00 AM!

Please find the transportation routes attached for your reference. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Summer Advantage team.

We look forward to a fun, engaging, and successful summer learning experience with your scholar.

Thank you. Have a great day!