FALL 2023
The Howard-Suamico School District Newsletter is published twice a year
NEWSLETTER SERVING • LEARNING • ACHIEVING – TOGETHER
IN THIS ISSUE: A New Chapter: Superintendent LaCroix Announces Retirement; Successor Selected Showcasing Facilities Updates Points of Pride Career Opportunities Give Back to HSSD
HSSD UPDATES HSSD UPDATES A New Chapter: Superintendent Damian LaCroix Announces Retirement; Mark Smith Selected as Successor At the September 11 Board of Education meeting, the Board accepted the retirement of Superintendent Damian LaCroix. After 22 years of dedicated service at HSSD and 19 as Superintendent, he will conclude his final year on June 30, 2024. Damian LaCroix Superintendent 2005–2024
Mark Smith
Incoming Superintendent July 1, 2024
In addition, the Board unanimously selected Dr. Mark Smith as Superintendent LaCroix’s successor. He will begin in this role on July 1, 2024.
Scan the QR code to read the full announcement.
Bay Port Alumnus Leads Lambeau Flyover Spencer Peot, Bay Port 2009, led the Lambeau Field flyover, a once-in-alifetime opportunity, before the Packers/Vikings game on October 29! Peot is an F-35 Instructor Pilot for the U.S. Air Force and credits his well-rounded educational experience at Bay Port for providing a strong foundation for college.
Making Sense of Your Property Tax Statement You will be receiving your property tax statement in the mail in December. We teamed up with the Village of Howard and the Village of Suamico to create a video that helps make sense of this document.
Scan the QR code for a video called Making Sense of Your Property Tax Statement Cover Image: A Suamico student reads her favorite book on the first day of the 2023-24 school year. Photo: Jenn Koss Photos 2 | HOWARD–SUAMICO SCHOOL DISTRICT
ThankppYou orting our schools! for su
HSSD Board of Education Greg Klimek, President Scott Jandrin, Vice-President Christina Amtmann, Clerk Allen McGuire, Treasurer Vanessa Moran, Director We welcomed hundreds of community members who saw first-hand the progress being made at Forest Glen and Bay View.
Showcasing Facilities Updates We were thrilled to welcome hundreds of community members, students, staff, retirees, and graduates who joined us on September 27 for our Community Open House! During this event, attendees toured Forest Glen and Bay View. Forest Glen is nearly complete, so attendees were able to see the learning spaces and how students are using them. In addition, they witnessed the progress at Bay View, which is set to be complete in time for the 2024-25 school year. These updates are the result of the successful referendum in April 2021. Thank you to our community for supporting our schools! To learn more about Facilities Updates at all of our schools, please scan the QR code.
Rachelle Paulsen, Director Amy M. Rubright, Director Jessica Gagan, Student Rep Madeline Thoreson, Student Rep
HSSD Strategic Leadership Team Damian LaCroix, Superintendent M ark Smith, Deputy Superintendent ike Juech, M Asst. Superintendent of Operations J ennie Garceau, Exec. Director of Student Services lisia Lewis, E Director of Human Resources imberly Uelmen, Director of K School & Community Relations
average age of DID YOU The our school buildings KNOW? is 40 years old.
N icole Smith, Exec. Director of HSEF
Scan the QR code to view the HSSD Staff Directory!
www.hssdschools.org | 3
POINTS OF PRIDE POINTS OF PRIDE 4K
4K students enjoyed their first day of school! We can’t wait to see them learn and grow during the next 13 years!
FOREST GLEN
Forest Glen students got a first-look at their new school during Open House in August. This student clearly loves what she sees!
BAY HARBOR
LINEVILLE
Students in Lineville’s High Five House led the effort in writing letters to place in Care Packages being sent to soldiers stationed in the Middle East. Forest Glen students also wrote letters to add to the Care Packages. This occurred in collaboration with a local family who led the effort to Adopt-A-Troop.
BAY PORT
Bay Harbor 4th graders celebrated the creation of their personal narratives with a special publishing day. Students were served a fancy breakfast, brought in a stuffed animal from home, wore pajamas, and "published" their stories in the classroom.
Karlie Schock, Bay Port freshman, is the WIAA Division 1 girls state tennis champion! She is the first local D1 girls tennis player to win a state title since the tournament started in 1971. 4 | HOWARD–SUAMICO SCHOOL DISTRICT
BAY VIEW
Maputo Bay 7th graders volunteered their time to tidy up the Suamico Cemetery in preparation for Veterans Day.
104
Number of employees who have worked at HSSD for 20+ years
SUAMICO
Suamico is celebrating its 70th year! In October, students planned an assembly to celebrate the school's history, which included many guests former teachers, principals, students, and families who make up the rich story of Suamico Elementary. As the cherry on top, Mrs. Michele Nigbur (pictured above), 3rd grade teacher, was celebrated for her 35 years Suamico, and a former student surprised her with a $5,000 donation to be used by the school for learning initiatives!
HOWARD
Howard students partnered with the Village of Howard to paint the blades on the snow plows that will be used this winter!
MEADOWBROOK
Meadowbrook students volunteered at Feed My Starving Children as they packaged meals for children experiencing hunger across the globe.
www.hssdschools.org | 5
COMMUNITY FOCUS COMMUNITY FOCUS WHY HSSD? What I love most about my job is the children. HSSD is a special place to work because of our excellent staff. In School Nutrition we have a flexible schedule with holidays and summers off, which means more time with my family. - Christina Geiger, HSSD School Nutrition
JOIN OUR CARING LEARNING COMMUNITY!
Are you looking for an opportunity to positively influence the lives of our students? If you or someone you know would be a good fit at HSSD, scan the QR code to see the full list of open positions and to apply! CURRENTLY SEEKING: ● Campus Support Specialists ● School Nutrition Teammates ● Special Education Aides ● Substitute Teachers 6 | HOWARD–SUAMICO SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCAN HERE FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
April 2, 2024 DEADLINE
Board of Education Election Candidates may file Declaration of Candidacy paperwork no earlier than December 1, 2023 and no later than January 2, 2024 at 5 p.m. for the Spring Election on April 2, 2024. To obtain candidacy paperwork, contact the District Office, 2706 Lineville Rd., Green Bay, WI 54313 or call 920-662-8103. Information about the Board of Education can be found at www.hssdschools.org/board-of-education.
Give Back to HSSD: Will You Help Us Raise the Sail in 2023-24? Have you been looking for a way to give back to HSSD? We have the opportunity for you!
VOLUNTEER AT HSSD!
Have a special skill you feel would be a great fit at HSSD? Visit our website to learn more about the HSSD Volunteer Involvement Program: www.hssdschools.org/community/vip.
The Howard-Suamico Education Foundation (HSEF) is excited to introduce a new pathway to strengthen the relationship between our schools and community. The Raise the Sail sponsorship program creates a unique opportunity for businesses or families to make a meaningful impact on education and students in HSSD. By joining, you'll help students thrive through funding education grants, supporting staff appreciation efforts, and providing opportunities for all students. Contact Nicole Smith, Executive Director of HSEF, at nicosmit@hssdschools.org.
Third Class of Leadership HSSD Underway We are excited to welcome the third class of Leadership HSSD, which is sponsored by HSEF! Leadership HSSD is co-chaired by HSEF Board President Brian Stuelpner and HSSD Superintendent Damian LaCroix. Throughout the nine-month program, Leadership HSSD class members will deepen their knowledge of the district's operations and strategic priorities. Meet the class of 2023-24 on our website at www.hssdschools.org/community/leadership-hssd.
Scan the QR code to Raise the Sail!
108
Number of graduates and current members of Leadership HSSD
www.hssdschools.org | 7
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID
2706 Lineville Road Green Bay, WI 54313-7151
PERMIT #216 GREEN BAY, WI
STAY INFORMED
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Scan the QR code to view all HSSD calendars! No School Days • Performances • Athletic Events • And More!
December 22-January 1 . . . . .
Winter Recess
WEBSITE:
www.hssdschools.org EMAIL:
January 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . School Resumes
website@hssdschools.org
January 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
PHONE:
January 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . End of Second Quarter February 27 & 29 . . . . . . . .
Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . End of Third Quarter March 25-29 . . . . . . . . . .
INSTAGRAM:
instagram.com/ howardsuamicoschools
Spring Recess
April 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . No School April 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . T he Giving Tree Taste of the Villages and Auction May 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . No School
FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/ howardsuamicoschools TWITTER:
May 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . No School June 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Last Day of School (4K)
June 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Last Day of School (K-12)
June 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Commencement
The Howard-Suamico School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, natural origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, sex, including transgender status, change of sex or gender identity, disability, age (except as authorized by law), military status, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability as required by Sec. 118.13 Wis. Stats.
920-662-7878
twitter.com/HSSD YOUTUBE:
youtube.com/@ HSSDCommunications
Please Note: This publication is produced for residents of the Howard-Suamico School District. Due to the overlap of several carrier routes into neighboring school districts, some residents of other districts may receive this publication. It is impossible to eliminate this overlap without significant cost to HSSD. Advances in technology have made full color printing more cost-effective, therefore this publication will be printed in full color moving forward.