HSSD Community Newsletter: Spring 2023

VISION:

An authentic, innovative, connected, and inspired experience for an ever-changing future.

MISSION:

The mission of the Howard-Suamico School District is to work together with families and community to ensure that our students have the knowledge and skills to succeed in a changing world.

CORE VALUES:

• We believe in and advocate for every student, every family, every day.

• We commit to build and provide each student with an equitable opportunity for academic, social, and emotional success.

• We engage collaborativelycommunity, families, staff and students - to create a safe, welcoming, and high-quality learning environment for all.

• We pursue and deliver the highest standards and qualities of excellence.

Howard-Suamico School District NEWSLETTER

Spring 2023

Spring: A Time for Renewal Brave Work with Whole Hearts

As we’ve journeyed through the 2022-23 school year, HSSD staff have been participating in a book study based on the title Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. We have adopted this same title as our annual school district theme. It has guided our thoughts and actions as we’ve regained our rhythm following two years of disruption.

The essential point from Brown’s book is that leaders develop their capacity to “rumble with vulnerability as they do brave work, navigate tough conversations, and engage with whole hearts.” I am pleased to report that steady growth in these areas is exactly what I have seen on display from many within our learning community.

Within this publication, you will see evidence of the above, including how our students are living our Graduate Profile characteristics, how our staff are stretching themselves in support of our students, and how strategic partnerships foster important leadership opportunities. Specifically, you will read about:

• National Merit Finalists and a prestigious Coca Cola Scholar

• Golden Apple Award Winners and Teachers of Distinction

• A Prevea donation that strengthens safety and security

• A Bay Port graduate, author, and NFL star returns home to encourage and inspire

• DECA’s major success at state

Our shared commitment as a school system revolves around our mission of “working together with families and community to ensure that our students have the knowledge and skills to succeed in a changing world.”

This is daring work and it demands our very best leadership. However, schools cannot do it alone. We need you! It is my hope that you will see the vital role you play in helping strengthen and sustain our public schools, one of America’s most endearing and enduring institutions.

With spring upon us, let us conclude the 2022-23 school year with renewed energy and commitment to supporting our community’s most precious asset, our children.

Together, Damian LaCroix, Superintendent

Damian LaCroix, Superintendent

HSSD staff have been participating in a monthly book study of Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, sponsored by the Howard-Suamico Education Foundation.

Register for 4K here: www.hssdschools.org/district/ registration. Children who will be 4 on or before September 1, 2023 are eligible to register for 4K for the 2022-23 school year.

Register, view locations, and learn more about 4K on our website: www.hssdschools.org/schools/4k

HSSD Promotions

Heath Garland has been promoted to Bay View Principal. Most recently, he served as Bay View’s Interim Principal and a districtwide training and development specialist.

Kimberly Uelmen has been promoted to Director of School and Community Relations at HSSD. Most recently, she served HSSD as the Communications Specialist.

HSSD Summer School

HSSD Summer School has something for every student, such as cooking, art, athletics, brain games, and more.

OFF TO

15th Annual Taste of the Villages & Auction

REGISTER & DONATE ONLINE: www.hssdschools.org/community/ the-giving-tree/taste-of-the-villages

April 20, 2023

5:30-9 p.m.

Individual tickets (no reserved seating) are available for purchase.

All tables with reserved seating are sold out for this year.

2023

KINDERGARTEN

at Howard Elementary School

• Session 1 June 19 to June 30, 2023

• Session 2 July 10 to July 21, 2023

Learn more: www.hssdschools.org/community/ summer-school

Are you or do you know a qualified and talented candidate who would be a great fit at HSSD? We’d love for you to join our Caring Learning Community!

Current Openings: www.hssdschools.org/employment

Delta Kappa Gamma

Bennett Peters, Meadowbrook third grader in Mrs. Demerath’s class, placed first in the Delta Kappa Gamma writing competition.

His story, “Going Fishing on the Bay” used Peters’ voice, enthusiasm, and heart. In addition, he carefully decided which parts of his story to eliminate in order to stay under the 500-word content limit.

“Participating in a writing competition takes a lot of dedication. Bennett stayed on track with his deadlines and was a Critical Thinker and Solutionist. His first-place honor is well-deserved,” said Kristi Gauthier, Gifted & Talented Specialist.

Wreen Named ‘Coca Cola Scholar

Cara Wreen, Bay Port senior, is one of only 150 students nationwide selected as of the Coca Cola Scholar Program, America’s most competitive high school scholarship.

As a winner, Wreen will receive a $20,000 college scholarship and an all-expenses paid trip to Atlanta to meet this year’s Coca Cola Scholars and alumni. More than 91,000 students applied for this scholarship.

Bay Port, Howard and Suamico Fire Departments Receive Grant to Train Firefighters

Bay Port students will soon be trained by the Howard and Suamico Fire Department, following receiving a $25,000 grant to build up future firefighters. Scan the QR code to watch the WFRV story.

Bay Port DECA Achieves Success at State

Bay Port DECA competed at the state competition in February. The team came home with three first-place finishes and 18 within the top 10. We are proud of these future leaders!

Board of Education Student Linkage

The Board of Education met with Bay Port students at its annual student linkage. Bay Port students shared how they feel the 2022-23 school year is going.

Students had the opportunity to try on firefighter equipment at the HSBPA Career Fair hosted at Bay Port earlier this year.

New to the Community?

HSSD is a special place. With focus on leading, bringing people-centered, setting standards with technology, and being community-minded, HSSD works to develop the whole person. From 4K-Grade 12, your child will be loved and encouraged to grow.

Learn more about HSSD: www.hssdschools.org/district/why-choose-us

Olzan Kalafat, Senior

Ready to register for the 2023-24 school year? Do so here: www.hssdschools.org/district/registration

HSSD Care Awards: Grants in Action

The first-ever HSSD CARE Awards took place in spring 2022. One employee at each building was selected through an anonymous peer voting process for demonstrating positive characteristics within the HSSD caring learning community. Each winner received a $1,250 stipend and $500 grant to the HSEF Endowment Fund. In addition, each winner was granted $750 to use toward positively impacting staff and students at the building level.

APRIL 29, 2023 9 a.m.

Meadowbrook Elementary School

2MYLES4AUTISM strives to build awareness about autism and to generate dollars that will directly benefit HSSD students with autism. The students in our schools want to help others understand what autism is like and to encourage others to be accepting of the differences that make us special and unique.

REGISTER HERE: 2myles4autism.weebly.com

Jenny Woldt, Lineville special education teacher, used the grant to purchase a tower garden. This tower garden promotes responsibility, critical thinking, and collaboration. “The tower garden provides a space within our school for scholars to be vulnerable and authentic with each other,” Woldt said. “While tending to the plants, scholars carry out casual conversations with each other, often discovering commonalities with each other beyond their responsibilities relating to the tower garden. This provides the foundation for trusting relationships to be established.”

Sue Zimmerman, Howard school counselor, used her grant to purchase items for the Zen Den, a space for students and staff to calm their bodies and minds in preparation for learning. Pictured above, Isaiah Beechner, Howard third grader, said, “The Zen Den helps me calm down and think about what I do at school and reflect. It helps my body feel calm, helps my brain have the best day, and helps me be ready to learn at school.

Leadership HSSD

Each month, 35 community leaders meet for Leadership HSSD. During each meeting, they obtain foundational understanding in district operations, leadership principles, and governance. Through this program, they become more active participants in our schools. During the nine-month program, the group learns about:

● District/State Budget and Funding

● School Communications

● Policy Governance

● Digital Learning and Technology

● Student Services and Special Education

● School/Classroom Leadership and Assessment Tools

● District Operations, Facilities, and Safety

● Organizational Development

The Giving Tree Benefits from Give BIG Green Bay

For the first time, The Giving Tree was selected as one of 45 local nonprofits that benefitted from Give BIG Green Bay 2023! The Giving Tree raised more than $20,000 from more than 100 donors.

These gifts will support the nearly 600 HSSD families who utilize The Giving Tree’s services, specifically through pantry dates, the Back-to-School event, and the Holiday Store. These donations truly improve the lives of our students, in turn benefitting the future of our community.

From left to right: Mike Juech, Assistant Superintendent of Operations (left), and Joe Malcore, Leadership HSSD Class of 2022-23, took

Kourtney Feldhausen, Student and Family Engagement Coordinator; Mark Murphy, Green Bay Packers; and Angela Klumb, The Giving Tree Food Pantry Supervisor, at the Give BIG Green Bay kick-off event.

FACILITIES UPDATE

Walking through Forest Glen and Bay View, the progress is evident! Areas in each school continue to open and students have been enjoying the new spaces.

The Board of Education is grateful for community support of the first phase of a plan to address district-wide facilities needs for the next generation of students, all while reducing the tax levy rate to its lowest point in more than a decade.

Scan the QR code to see the construction timeline and to learn about all facilities updates!

Bay View Middle School

Rendering Real

Forest Glen Elementary School

Library BEFORE

Commons

The HSSD Board of Education tours school buildings every few weeks. Pictured here are Nathan Carlson, Director of Facilities; Steve Meyers, Principal on Special Assignment; and Greg Klimek, Board of Education President, touring Forest Glen in January.

The newly-renovated Forest Glen library promotes passion for reading, includes natural light, and is a place students and staff enjoy.

Pictured left is a rendering provided by EUA in fall 2021 showing what Bay View’s Commons would look like.

Pictured right is the actual Bay View Commons as of March 2023.

4K

4K students had a blast performing concerts for their families during the holiday season! Pictured are students from Step Ahead.

Suamico

Alec Ingold, Miami Dolphins fullback and Bay Port alumnus, visited his elementary school, Suamico Elementary, along with other HSSD schools, in February. He spoke about the importance of leading with kindness and a smile.

Forest Glen

Forest Glen Kindergarteners went on their annual field trip to Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve where they learned about animals in winter. The highlights of their trip were making animal print molds to take home, taking a winter hike through the woods, and learning about animal tracks (and scat). They also enjoyed seeing their leader, Jason, eat a grub!

Bay Harbor

Bay Harbor third graders combined their science and music lessons. They took poems about the solar system, added rhythms and melodies, then performed the songs at their spring concert.

Bay View

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is dedicated for service. Bay View United House students and staff took this to heart as they engaged in a service learning project. They wrote letters to Ukraine and thank you cards for Bay View staff, created care packages for cancer patients and hygiene kits for The Giving Tree, and led an environmental project. Thanks for giving back, United House!

Meadowbrook

From Yo-Yo Ma to Charlie Brown, Meadowbrook fourth graders researched historical figures and presented their new knowledge to families and staff during the annual Living Wax Museum!

Lineville

Did you know? Lineville students have the opportunity to choose from three music options: band, choir, and orchestra.

Howard

HELPING OUT OUR AMERICAN HEROES

HOOAH (Helping Out Our American Heroes) presented a Howard Elementary family with a holiday gift basket while their father is deployed in the United States Armed Forces. In addition to books for the girls, the basket contained $750 worth of gift cards to go toward holiday presents for the whole family. The gift basket was made possible through private donations. The family was one of 12 to be honored this year.

Bay Port High School

Boys Swimming

Senior Turner Long broke the school record in the 200 individual medley, placing seventh in the event at the WIAA Swimming and Diving state meet in February. Long also placed sixth in the 500 freestyle and joined classmates Lawson Meier, Will Nicol, and Asa Sadowsky to break the team record in the 200 medley relay.

Wrestling

Congratulations to the Bay Port wrestling team on competing at team state!

Dance Bowling

Congratulations to the Bay Port dance team on its second place finish in the Division I Kick category and third place finish in the Division 1 pom event at the Wisconsin Association of Cheer/Pom Coaches state dance competition.

Girls Hockey

STATE Champions!

The Bay Port Varsity bowling team competed at state! Following an undefeated season, the team was the 2023 District 8 Green Bay Conference Champion

Our co-op girls hockey team, the Bay Area Ice Bears, are state champions! The Ice Bears shut out Superior/Northwestern 3-0 to earn the program’s second-ever state title! The Ice Bears is a united team with several Green Bay high schools.

In addition, Jacob Ward (above) finished 2nd at 145 lbs and Alois Schlumpf (at right) placed 4th at 113 lbs at individual state.

Photo Credit: Jenn Koss Photos

Prevea Partnership Provides Safety Bags for HSSD Classrooms

We are grateful to announce a partnership with Prevea Health to provide HSSD classrooms and learning areas with 400 safety bags in its ongoing effort to promote safety and security. In addition to purchasing the drawstring bags and their contents to the school district, Prevea Health staff volunteered time to assemble and deliver the bags to all eight HSSD schools in January.

“Student and staff safety is our top priority,” said HSSD Superintendent Damian LaCroix. “The momentum for this project came from staff feedback and district parents who attended our annual Safety Summit in 2022. To have an engaged community partner like Prevea Health step in and ask, ‘How can we help?’ is incredibly gratifying. Public-private partnerships like this are how schools, students, and communities thrive. We are grateful for the leadership of Dr. Ashok Rai and Josh Gustafson from Prevea to help us move from idea to action.”

District staff were trained on the use and contents of the bags throughout January. Among the items in the bags are a first aid kit, emergency blanket, flashlight, safety whistle, and hand sanitizer.

“Our mission is taking healthcare out of the exam room and into the community,” said Prevea president and CEO Dr. Ashok Rai. “Providing these safety toolkits helps maintain a healthy environment in our schools and we are proud to support that effort. There has always been a strong tie between healthcare and education. We believe there’s no better place to partner than with our public schools.”

Bay Port High School Earns AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award

Bay Port is proud to have earned the College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles.

“We have been placing focus on closing the gender gap in our STEM offerings. This award brings us great pride as our efforts are allowing us to achieve our district’s mission of ensuring that our students have the knowledge and skills to succeed in a changing world,” said Chad Behnke, HSSD Instructional Technology Coordinator.

Bay Port was one of 832 schools recognized for this award.

From left to right: John Wierer, VFW; Heath Garland, Bay View Principal; and Mike Sheedy, veteran and former custodian, pause for a photo following the approval of the flag donation at the January 18 VFW meeting.

Bay View Receives Flag Donation from Duck Creek VFW

Bay View’s newly-renovated classrooms will soon feature new American Flags, thanks to a donation from the Duck Creek VFW Post 7534 and its Auxiliary. What will Bay View receive?

● Seventy-eight 3x5 foot flags for classrooms

● One 10x15 foot foot flag for the new gymnasium

This gift was approved at the VFW’s January 18 meeting following a request from Bay View Principal Heath Garland and Principal on Special Assignment Steve Meyers. In addition, the Auxiliary committed to sharing 50% of the cost.

Former Bay Port custodian Mike Sheedy is a member of the Duck Creek VFW and was instrumental in solidifying this donation.

Meyers said, “This partnership is important as we demonstrate to students the importance of and pride in our nation’s flag and all it stands for.”

The VFW is impressed by Bay View’s respect for veterans. Moving forward, Bay View looks forward to continuing reciting the Pledge of Allegiance each morning, hosting Veterans Day and 9/11 Commemoration ceremonies in partnership with the VFW, and placing flags on graves and beautifying the Suamico Cemetery prior to patriotic holidays.

Representatives from HSSD and Prevea during the bag delivery at Bay Harbor.

Watch a video about the safety bags!

Green Bay, WI 54313

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS

Greg Klimek President

Scott Jandrin ............................ Vice President

Christina Amtmann Clerk

Allen McGuire .................................. Treasurer

Vanessa Moran Director

Rachelle Paulsen ................................. Director

Amy M. Rubright Director

Cara Wreen Student Representative

Madeline Thoreson ..Student Representative

The Howard-Suamico School District Newsletter is published three times a year. The purpose of the publication is to share success stories and essential information with its district residents. Unless otherwise stated, editorial opinions by HSSD or its employees are unintended. The information included is meant to provide factual information with a non-biased pointof-view. Please direct questions and feedback regarding this publication to website@hssdschools.org or 920-662-7878.

The District does not discriminate on the basis of the Protected Classes of race, color, national origin, age, sex, (including transgender status, change of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity), pregnancy, creed or religion, genetic information, handicap or disability, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, military service (as defined in 111.32, Wis. Stats.), ancestry, arrest record, conviction record, use or non-use of lawful products off the District’s premises during non-working hours, declining to attend an employersponsored meeting or to participate in any communication with the employer about religious matters or political matters, or any other characteristic protected by law in its employment practices.

Howard-Suamico School District