Dr. Arrowood’s Spring Update

Welcome back! I hope everyone was able to take advantage of spring break to rest, re-energize, and are ready to finish the semester strong. The next six weeks will be a flurry of activity including spring sports, testing, awards, recognitions, prom, art shows, concerts, and graduation among a few. A couple of calendar items to note: The last day for returning students to enroll for the 2022-23 year is Sunday, May 1. The last day of school for students is Thursday, June 2 and last day for staff is Friday, June 3. Graduation will take place on Saturday, June 4. 

April is National School Library Month. School libraries (media centers) are integral to our schools and school librarians play an invaluable role in the education of our students. Our media centers are the hub of school activities fostering a sense of belonging. These engaging places help students to think, connect, create, discover, and explore. They also offer unlimited opportunities for growth through access to technology, multimedia, and incredible resources of every variety. Thank you, Karen Jones (HHES), Emily Beechler (HHMS), and Lori Hippensteel (HHHS) for transforming lives and impacting student achievement at Hamilton Heights as our Media Center Specialists. 

On the topic of student achievement, I want to give a shout out to Kim Kaiser and students in our Business Professionals of America (BPA) and DECA programs. We had 5 DECA students qualify in their categories to compete at nationals in Atlanta, Georgia April 23-27. They include Corbin Landrey (Accounting), Amber Lane (Retail Merchandising), and Devyn Taylor, Grant Forrer, and Grant Cavanaugh (Husky Fan Shop Enterprise). 

In addition, Heights had 92 students compete in the BPA State Leadership Conference in Indianapolis last month. Many placed in the Top 10 of their categories with 32 qualifying for national competition in Dallas, Texas, May 4-8. Three teams and three individuals brought home a first-place finish. They include Carson Lenze, Ben Houser, Jon Houser, and Ethan Swart (Network Design), Devyn Taylor, Elianna Watson, Melissa Lovell, and Lizzy Smith (Global Marketing), Ben Wolfgang, Kylie Porter, Lydia Lytle, and Jenn Houser (Adobe XD Design), Cassidy Felger (Health Leadership), Amber Lane (Database Apps), and Carson Lentz (Python Programming). Congratulations! Best of luck at DECA and BPA nationals! 

Hamilton Heights Educational Foundation’s (HHEF) latest newsletter is available online. Check out the organization’s latest and greatest happenings here. 

Speaking of the HHEF, its 33rd Annual Golf Outing is set for Thursday, June 9 at Bear Slide Golf Course. The community is invited to join friends, neighbors, and colleagues for a day of fun and networking on the green to support this worthwhile organization. The Foundation supports student achievement at Heights. To register, become a sponsor, and/or for more information about this year’s event click here. 

If you want to see incredible artwork for show and sale from some of our youngest students, plan to attend this year’s Art Show at the Husky Hangout at HHES on Wednesday, May 4, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Virtual Art Show takes place from April 27 through May 11. 

As a reminder, students will be testing over the next few weeks. It’s important that your Husky is well rested, has a fully charged device, and arrives at school on time. 

We continue to be incredibly proud of all our students and all they have accomplished so far. Thank you for support and being our partner in education. #WeAreHuskies

 – Dr. Derek Arrowood is the Superintendent of the Hamilton Heights School Corporation.