From the desk of Hamilton Heights Superintendent Dr. Derek Arrowood

Update No. 133

Our campus is buzzing with excitement as everyone settles into the business of teaching and learning and settling back into the rhythm of school life. The first couple of weeks always brings with it a sense of renewal and possibility, new opportunities, and challenges ahead. It’s good to be back.

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Hamilton Heights Elementary, Middle, and High Schools went for the gold and got it!

All three buildings successfully completed Indiana’s Carrying the Torch to Student Success GOLD STAR program. Receiving this status demonstrates that we have a comprehensive and accountable school counseling and guidance program, aligned to Indiana School Counselor and Student Standards and American School Counselor Association (ASCA) standards.

Because Indiana is one of six states in the nation to earn reciprocity with ASCA’s Recognized ASCA Program (RAMP) for the state’s Carrying the Torch to Student Success Comprehensive School Counseling Initiative, our Gold Level status also qualifies each building for RAMP recognition!

Kudos to our district’s counseling team (Nikki Wert, Tricia Rudy, Chelsea Pacheco, Sabrina Duncan, April Baugher, Jessi Cantlon, and Lori Watson) and HHMS teacher Connor James for a job well done!

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At the high school, there’s a cool opportunity for juniors and seniors interested in a career in education. Heights, in conjunction with Indiana University Kokomo’s Tomorrow’s Teachers: Growing Our Own program, helps expose students to the profession, and challenges their prior conceptions about teaching and learning. This program, under the leadership of Lori Hippensteel, is designed to cultivate future educators by offering high school students a blend of on-campus and school-based learning experiences.

Participants can earn up to 12 college credits in education, engage in hands-on field experiences in PK-8 classrooms, and build professional networks through on-campus activities. This program not only provides early exposure to college-level coursework but also supports students with a robust network of instructors and peers, ensuring a smooth transition to college life while helping to create a pipeline of well-prepared future educators. I call that a win-win!

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I would like to give a shout out to the Hamilton County Health Department for hosting an Immunization Clinic as part of the MS Husky Connect Day in July. We appreciate the families who took advantage of this opportunity to see that their child was current with their state-mandated vaccinations ahead of the new school year.

As a reminder, as per Indiana State Law,  students are required to be up to date with their immunizations (for all grades, but specifically in grades Kindergarten, 6th, and 12th grades) by the 20th day of school (Sept. 3) to avoid exclusion on day 21 (Sept. 4).

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If you are looking for something fun to do this Saturday, look no further than the Cicero Street Festival from 4 to 9 p.m. in downtown Cicero. There will be food, games, Kids Zone, artisans, contests, live music, and much more. More details on the festival can be found here.

Thank you to the sponsors who have generously given some of our school sports teams complimentary booths to help raise funds for their teams and to Our Town Cicero for hosting this annual fun-filled, family event for our community.

#WeAreHuskies