IN THIS ISSUE:
Superintendent Transition Plan Update
HSSD CARE Award Winners Points of Pride
Superintendent LaCroix's Note of Gratitude
Nate Knight, Bay View math teacher, is the recipient of a Golden Apple Award from the Greater Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. The Golden Apple Awards program annually recognizes high-quality educators in Greater Green Bay in areas of professionalism, leadership, and innovation. Knight was recognized at the annual Golden Apple Awards ceremony in April.
Heath Garland, Bay View principal, said, “Nate is a teacher who inspires students to be their best selves. He naturally connects with students and keeps them curious about learning. We are proud to have Nate as a teacher leader in our school community.”
Recognized as 2024 Golden Apple Teachers of Distinction from HSSD are Brenda Noel, Jacob Pagel, and Joanna Campbell.
Dr. Mark Smith, incoming Superintendent, has been working through his Superintendent Entry Plan. He has begun with the Listening portion of his plan by having one-on-one meetings with each Board of Education member, principal, and department leader. Looking to gain valuable insights, Dr. Smith has met with several key community stakeholder groups.
Next he will move into the the Learning and Leading phases of his Superintendent Entry Plan, which will include proposing a new Strategic Plan and sharing themes he learned from the listening sessions. Scan the QR code to view the Superintendent Entry Plan and to see the real-time Promise Made, Promise Kept update.
Scan the code to view Dr. Smith’s Superintendent Entry Plan
HSSD Summer School has something for every student, such as cooking, art, athletics, brain games, and more. HSSD Summer School is free.
SESSION TIMES:
Period A: 8:00–9:05 a.m.
Period B: 9:05–10:10 a.m.
Period C: 10:10–11:15 a.m.
Period D: 11:15 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
at Forest Glen Elementary School
Period I: June 17-28, 2024
Period II: July 15-26, 2024
Learn more and register for Summer School by scanning the code
SESSION 1: June 10–28, 2024 SESSION 2: July 8–26, 2024
Greg Klimek, President
Scott Jandrin, Vice-President
Christina Amtmann, Clerk
Allen McGuire, Treasurer
Vanessa Moran, Director
Rachelle Paulsen, Director
Amy M. Rubright, Director
Jessica Gagan, Student Rep
Madeline Thoreson, Student Rep
Damian LaCroix, Superintendent
Mark Smith, Deputy Superintendent
Mike Juech, Asst. Superintendent of Operations
Jennie Garceau, Exec. Director of Student Services
Elisia Lewis, Director of Human Resources
Kimberly Uelmen, Director of School & Community Relations
Nicole Smith, Exec. Director of HSEF
Scan the QR code to view the HSSD Staff Directory!
Scan the code to register for 4K
Calling all 4-year-olds! HSSD is enrolling 4K students for the 2024-25 school year. Students must be 4-years-old by September 1, 2024.
Construction at Forest Glen is officially complete. Pictured is one of the renovated collaboration spaces. Forest Glen students are thriving in their new, improved space. Bay View is set to be complete this fall. Thank you to our community for supporting these updates! We can only do it because of you.
Scan the code for facilities updates
Nolan Ferguson, Bay Harbor 1st grader, did his share of helping at school last winter. Principal Tony Ebeling and Custodian Don Balck set Nolan up with a plow on the front of his wheelchair. Nolan then plowed snow during recess and had a blast doing it!
Suamico 4th graders had the awesome opportunity to work with Wade Fernandez, a Menominee musician/songwriter! This was made possible by a grant from the Oneida Nation Arts Program (ONAP) and a private donation from a Suamico family.
Lineville fifth graders enjoyed time at Bubolz Nature Preserve where they learned how to build a fire with flint and steel and took part in geocaching.
Howard Elementary second grade students got a special treat when Mr. William W. Hamilton, Jr., Army Veteran, visited their classes! The students wrote letters to soldiers at Fort McCoy. Hamilton was so moved that he decided to visit them. A graduate of West Point, he spoke about how all people can be successful while serving their country and that, with hard work and dedication, anyone can be whatever they want to be.
Meadowbrook students participated in Global School Play Day! They took a break from technology and devices, and chose between many play-based activities focused on STEM and problem-solving. Kids had the opportunity to go between classrooms and interact with students and teachers outside their usual class.
Eight new tennis courts officially opened at Bay View! These beautiful courts were made possible thanks to a grant from the United States Tennis Association, a partnership with the Village of Howard, and the passage of the 2021 referendum. The courts will be used for physical education classes, as a secondary site for high school matches, and for public use. Let the matches begin!
Scan to learn more about the tennis court grant
Bay Port students in the GRIT program, along with their peer mentors, learned how to curl at the Green Bay Curling Club.
80,703 Pounds of food distributed to families in 2023 DID YOU KNOW?
Thanks to a partnership between HSSD and Prevea Health, a ribbon cutting was held to open the new Bay View Strength & Wellness Center! Located within Bay View Middle School, this beautiful new space will provide wellness opportunities for all HSSD staff. It will also serve as a space for Bay View physical education classes and sports team practices.
Pictured from left to right are Scott Jandrin, HSSD Board Vice-President; Amy M. Rubright, HSSD Board Director; Josh Gustafson, Prevea Vice-President; Chrissy Amtmann, HSSD Board Director; Damian LaCroix, HSSD Superintendent; Dr. Ashok Rai, Prevea CEO and President; Greg Klimek, HSSD Board President; Brittany Ingledew, Prevea Manager of Population Health and Wellbeing; Elisia Lewis, HSSD Director of Human Resources; Mark Smith, HSSD Deputy Superintendent; Mike Juech, HSSD Assistant Superintendent of Operations; and Heath Garland, Bay View Principal.
HSSD is excited to announce a new partnership with UW-Green Bay on a guaranteed college admissions initiative. Through the program, all high school seniors graduating from Bay Port High School in 2024 will be guaranteed admission into UW-Green Bay once they apply.
Students will work with a UW-Green Bay admissions counselor to determine a path to support each student’s goals for education beyond high school. Together, they will work to complete the application, discuss affordability and cost, complete the FAFSA support and explore career options. Each student will be provided with resources to ensure a successful transition to college after high school, whether it be a degree program, certificate, noncredit option, or advice to begin at a technical college.
As I reflect on my journey as the Superintendent of the Howard-Suamico School District (HSSD), I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and hope. It has been an honor and privilege to serve alongside such dedicated educators, supportive families, and engaged citizens who collectively embody the spirit of our remarkable community.
With the start of something new comes the hope of something great! These words resonate deeply with me as I bid farewell to this chapter of my career. Over the years, we have witnessed the transformative power of hope in action, guiding us through challenges and triumphs alike.
One of the greatest sources of pride for me is the cultivation of a unified and supportive team culture within HSSD. This is evident in the resounding affirmation from over 95% of our employees who have annually declared HSSD as a great place to work. It is this collective commitment to excellence that has propelled us forward, ensuring that every child receives the education and support they deserve.
Our achievements in academics, arts, and athletics stand as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our students, educators, and community partners. From our top-tier performance in the International OECD PISA Exam to the recognition of our fine arts programming by the NAMM Foundation, we have consistently raised the bar of excellence for all. Numerous athletic teams and individual champions on the courts, fields and mats have set a high standard for success outside the classroom walls.
Moreover, the overwhelming community support for Phase I facility upgrades in 2021 - and the cohesive leadership of our Board of Education - have laid a very solid foundation for future growth and innovation. Together, we have embraced change with optimism and resilience, knowing that every obstacle presents an opportunity for growth.
As I embark on the next chapter of my journey, I leave with a heart full of gratitude and hope for the bright future that lies ahead for HSSD. While my time here may be coming to a close, the spirit of collaboration, perseverance, and excellence that defines our community will continue to guide us towards new horizons.
I am confident that my successor, Dr. Mark Smith, will lead HSSD with distinction and continue our journey of continuous improvement. With his leadership, along with the faithful support of our business partners, the Howard-Suamico Education Foundation, and donors who have put us on a "good to great" trajectory, I am certain that HSSD will reach even greater heights of success.
Thank you, Howard-Suamico, for entrusting me with the privilege of serving as your Superintendent. It has been a remarkable journey filled with memories that I will cherish forever. As we bid farewell to the past and embrace the promise of tomorrow, let us do so with hope in our hearts and a steadfast belief in the power of education to transform lives.
With warm regards,
Damian LaCroix Superintendent, Howard-Suamico School District
June 6
June 9
June 10 First Day of Summer School Session 1
June 28
July 8
July 26
August 28
September 3
September 4
September 5
Day of Summer School Session 1
First Day of School (K-6, 7, 9)
First Day of School (8, 10-12)
First Day of School (4K)