Dr. Arrowood Shares Update
With less than 30 instructional days left, we are in the home stretch of the 2025-26 school year. As we wind down our school year, Whitney Gray and Mitch Street are moving full steam ahead in their new roles as our high school principal and assistant principal.
Together, Gray and Street, who began their careers at Heights just one year apart, represent an integral part of the high school administrative team that included the late Jarrod Mason, whom we lost unexpectedly in November. They bring a combined 33 years of experience, share a unified vision, a collaborative leadership approach, and an unwavering dedication to helping students and teachers reach their full potential. They are poised to guide the school toward new heights of success, honoring the legacy that Jarrod left behind. We are truly fortunate to have this caliber of leadership, dedication, and experience at the helm of the high school.
This month, I’m proud to recognize and celebrate several of our outstanding staff members who play an invaluable role for our district. I want to give a well-deserved shout-out to our team of bus drivers and aides – we consider them champions of safety and care in our community. These dedicated professionals are the first friendly faces our students see in the morning and the last ones they see in the afternoon, creating a positive start and end to each school day. With unmatched commitment, they navigate every journey with precision and heart, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students to and from school, field trips, and events. Their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication make a lasting impact on our schools and families. Thank you for being the trusted stewards of our children’s daily journeys – we appreciate you on Bus Driver Appreciation Day (April 22) and every day!
Another invaluable group working in our district are our administrative professionals. They are the backbone of our operations, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and efficiently behind the scenes. Their exceptional organization, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to excellence provide vital support to our students, families, and staff. These dedicated individuals go above and beyond to create a welcoming and positive environment, setting the tone for success throughout our district. We are deeply grateful for their hard work and the countless contributions they make on their special recognition day (April 23) and every day. Thank you for your incredible efforts—you are truly indispensable to our school community!
April is also National School Library Month, and we’re shining a spotlight on our library media specialists – Lori Hippensteel (HHHS), Lexi Donald (HHMS), and Karen Jones (HHES). These educators do so much more than manage our libraries — they help students navigate research, build essential digital literacy skills, and collaborate with teachers to enhance learning across every subject. They really help bring our schools to life. We appreciate you!
Speaking of recognitions, HHMS was among the 190 schools in 29 states to earn the prestigious Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). This national recognition highlights the school’s commitment to providing a data-driven, comprehensive school counseling program that supports student success. It reflects the dedication of the school’s counseling team, administration, and community in fostering an environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Congratulations!
Thank you for your partnership, participation, and continued commitment to our schools. #WeAreHuskies