By DR. DEREK ARROWOOD
Hamilton Heights Superintendent
Update #53 from Dr. Derek Arrowood, Superintendent, Hamilton Heights School Corporation.
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Wednesday announcement last week that our teachers and support staff, including classroom aides, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and substitute teachers, would be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning on Monday was welcome news. This is another layer of making sure that our educators and staff have additional protection, feel safer, and can continue what they do best – teach! It also is a part of an essential step in helping us on our return to pre-pandemic classroom settings.
As we move through a year of deep challenges and opportunities for transformation brought about by the health crisis, public education is facing additional challenges at the state level. There are currently a couple of bills making their way through the Indiana General Assembly that if passed, would be detrimental to public school students and our public schools. Hamilton Heights is among the public schools across the state who are advocating on behalf of their students, passing resolutions, and taking other actions related to school choice bills, specifically HB 1005 and SB 413, that if passed, will divert public tax dollars to private schools.
This coming week, Hamilton Heights will be among the school districts in Hamilton County participating in a “Week of Walk-ins” to raise awareness and encourage community support regarding the potential impact of these bills on public education. We support our educators who are passionate about their work, our students, and legislation that advances public education. Our School Board has a longstanding record of attempting to compensate HHSC teachers at the highest level possible and supports a state budget that does the same for public schools and public-school teachers.
Speaking of teachers, Hamilton Heights High School business teacher Kim Kaiser was the featured guest on the latest edition of the Hamilton County Health Department’s “From the Frontlines” series. Host Tammy Sander talks with Kim about Heights’ work-based, hands-on learning program and what, if any, impact the pandemic has had on student internships and co-op experiences. Click here to view. #FromTheFrontlines #ShowSomeCLASSHamCo
The Hamilton Heights Middle School wrestling team proved that even a pandemic couldn’t stop them from finishing the season as champions of the MIC Conference Tournament and winners of the Hamilton County Tournament. This tournament win is the first in 16 years and the sixth time in school history the Huskies have brought home the trophy. This is an incredible achievement and a testament to the coaching staff of Rodney Case, Chris Morrison, and Aaron Sheller and a team of 19 dedicated wrestlers who, against the odds, literally wrestled their way to earn this year’s tournament title. Congratulations!
While there has never been a more difficult time in my lifetime to work in public schools, this health crisis has provided an unprecedented opportunity to rethink education, see the possibilities, make lasting improvements, and create a more resilient system.
#WeAreHuskies