From the desk of Hamilton Heights Superintendent Dr. Derek Arrowood

Update No. 180

Earlier this month, we lost Janet (Scherer) Weber, a cherished sixth- and seventh-grade teacher who served our schools for 36 years and touched the lives of generations of Huskies … including mine.

To honor her extraordinary impact, Janet’s family invites those who knew her to consider making a donation to the Hamilton Heights Education Foundation in her memory. These gifts will continue to support the mission of HHEF and reflect the values Janet championed throughout her life. We are grateful for the Weber family’s desire to carry forward her legacy in a way that continues to strengthen opportunities for Hamilton Heights students.

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One of the most meaningful ways we stay connected with our families is through the HHSC Superintendent Advisory Group, a quarterly gathering designed to strengthen communication, deepen understanding, and ensure our community has a direct voice in the work happening across Hamilton Heights.

I began this group in 2014 as a way to bring families together with district leadership to discuss the issues shaping our schools locally, county‑wide, and at the state level and to provide a consistent space for engagement, information, and involvement.

Over the years, this group has become something I personally look forward to. It gives me the chance to hear directly from our families, learn what matters most to you, and share the work happening behind the scenes to support students and staff. These conversations help guide our decision‑making, strengthen trust, and remind me of the deep partnership that exists between our schools and our community. Your perspectives genuinely shape our work, and I am grateful for the time you invest in being part of this ongoing dialogue.

The Advisory Group meets four times a year to learn about current initiatives, hear from staff and special presenters, ask questions, and offer input on how we can continue making HHSC an even better place for students to learn and grow.

Each year, our principals recommend families who are actively engaged in their schools, and those individuals are invited to join the group. Once invited, members continue receiving meeting notices unless they choose to opt out. Today, more than 460 families are active members of this ongoing conversation.

We held our first meeting of the 2026–2027 school year Tuesday evening. We were pleased to welcome Dr. Bret Bailey, HHMS Principal and President of the Indiana Association of School Principals, as our first presenter. Dr. Bailey shared information about Indiana’s new accountability system being rolled out by the Department of Education and what it means for Heights and public education across the state.

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It’s Homecoming Week at Heights, and the excitement is everywhere you turn! From spirited theme days to packed athletic events, the pep rally, parade, and Friday night lights, this week brings out the very best of our Husky pride. There’s nothing quite like Homecoming to unite our students, staff, families, and community in one big celebration.

Join us at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, as our award-winning Hamilton Heights High School Band and Amber Guard lead the parade through Arcadia, then head to Husky Field to cheer on the Huskies as we take on the Benton Central Bison at 7:30 p.m.

Our halftime celebration will spotlight alumni from the classes of 1977, 1987, 1997, 2007, and 2017, followed by the presentation of the 2026 Homecoming Court and the crowning of this year’s King and Queen.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, Hamilton Heights will honor and induct the Class of 2026 to the Athletic Hall of Fame with lunch (ticketholders only) at noon followed by the induction ceremony in the high school gymnasium.

It’s a week full of tradition, pride, and community – everything that makes Heights special. Thank you for your continued support and for celebrating what it means to be a Husky.

#WeAreHuskies