Just days remaining as school year flies by

It’s hard to believe that we are down to just seven days remaining in the first semester of the 2021-22 school year! Our first semester ends next Friday, Dec. 17 with our Christmas break set for Dec. 20 – Jan. 4, 2022. I commend our students, staff, and families for what you have done this semester to finish this first half of the year strong.

After school today our Husky family, in collaboration with the International Disaster Emergency Service (IDES), rolled up their sleeves to literally pack thousands of meals to be shipped around the world for families in need. These packages of dried items when mixed with hot water will create a nourishing soup. On the topic of meals, our food pantry is stocked for the holidays and will be open this Monday, Dec. 13, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the High School. Enter through Door A.

If you are looking forward to a story of hope and inspiration, look no further than this story about Tanner Orton. He’s a Hamilton Heights student who has done something that most 16-year-old students would never do but he did, thanks in part to his participation in the Teach 1 to Learn 1 program. Watch Tanner’s story here. 

Speaking of inspiration, we cordially invite you to celebrate the gift of music with our upcoming Holiday Band Concert this Sunday, Dec. 12 at the high school auditorium beginning with the middle school band at 1pm and followed by the high school band at 4 p.m. – guaranteed to bring the magic of Christmas alive and leave you feeling merry and bright!

I want to give a shout out to Meg Hite, HHES PE teacher, who was recently honored with the 2021 Leadership Award by the Indiana Society for Health and Physical Educators (INSHAPE). Meg was recognized for her outstanding leadership in program development in health and physical education and for contributions that reflect prestige, honor, and dignity to the Association.

Hamilton Heights School Corporation received the Asphalt Pavement Association of Indiana (APAI) Quality Pavement Award. The paving projects at the elementary and high school parking lots, which took place over the summer, were selected as the top government contract design build with Rieth-Riley in the Governmental Construction category. Eric Fisher, PLTH/CEA Master Teacher and NCCER Instructor, will be in attendance with representatives from Rieth-Riley at next week’s award luncheon in Indianapolis. Congratulations!

Hamilton Heights’ wrestling is on fire! Under the leadership of Coach Gary Myers, the Huskies beat the odds to make the cut to compete in the 2A Division Team State Championships on Jan. 8 at Martinsville High School. A first for HHSC wrestling!! Go Huskies!!

I look forward to seeing everyone back on campus on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. My next bi-weekly message will be published on Friday, Jan. 12. May this holiday season fill your home with joy, your life with laughter, and heart with love and peaceful appreciation. #WeAreHuskies

Dr. Derek Arrowood is the Superintendent for Hamilton Heights School Corporation. His column appears bi-weekly in The Times.