SCH Weekly
Scott E. Miller, Superintendent
Issue 15 - December 2, 2019
Greetings SCH Family,
I hope everyone was able to recharge and spend some time with loved ones this past week. It's only 3 short weeks until our winter holiday break. Let's finish the first semester strong and encourage one another to maintain focus even with all the holiday distractions.
Have a great week.
Scott
Food & Nutrition
The Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP) is a federally assisted program that provides fresh fruits and vegetables to students in participating elementary schools during the school day. The goal of the FFVP is to expand the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables students are exposed to and encourage them to try things they may not have tried before. The program is only available to elementary schools with high free and reduced student populations. We submitted applications for all SCH elementary schools that were eligible and have 8 of our elementary schools participating this year in the program. Those schools are:
- Edison
- Harding
- Hess
- Irving
- Lincoln
- Maywood
- O’Bannon (O’Bannon was the 2017-2018 FFVP School of the Year for Indiana!!!!)
- Wallace
There is quite a bit of paperwork on our end that comes with being part of this USDA program – but we believe it is worth it; and of course there are quite a few rules/regulations that classroom staff must follow including:
- The fresh fruit or vegetable snack needs to be served during the school day and cannot be taken home
- Any leftover snacks should be thrown in the trash bin or returned to the kitchen
Hammond Academy for the Performing Arts
Secondary Curriculum
The holidays are quickly approaching. This is a sensitive time for some. As we celebrate, let’s remember to think of others and embrace those who need us. The need to rejuvenate and take care of self is crucial during this holiday season. We are reminded to reach out those less fortunate and those who may be going through challenging times. All of us are caregivers and caretakers for students, staff and family members,; however, our personal emotional and self- care is vital to our health and those around us. Please remember the IDOE is implementing a “Happiness Course” to help staff improve overall social emotional health. Here is a link to the IDOE’s SEL page: https://www.doe.in.gov/sebw
Special Education
Chromebook Accessibility Feature-Dictation!
You can make Chromebook easier to use by turning on the accessibility tools that work best for your needs. The Talk to Text is a great feature for students (and staff) who have difficulty using the keyboard. Students whose disability relates to writing skills will really benefit from utilizing this program.
How to turn on this Chromebook accessibility feature
You can speak to enter text in most places where you usually type. You can even add common punctuation marks by saying "comma," "period," "question mark," "exclamation mark," or "exclamation point."
- At the bottom right, select the time. Or press Alt + Shift + s
- Select Settings which is on the top row of icons
- At the bottom, select Advanced on the bottom on the page
- In the "Accessibility" section, select Manage Accessibility Features.
- Under "Keyboard and text input," turn on Enable dictation (speak to type).
- Open the document where you want to type
- Select Speak, or hit the microphone on the bottom right
- Say what you want to type
- When you pause while speaking, you may have to hit the microphone button again
This accessibility tip courtesy of Lucy Somers, Assistive Technology Specialist for the
Special Education Department
Transportation
“10-48 Train Delay, I am Rerouting”
If you work in transportation you are use to the phrase, “10-48 train delay, I am rerouting”. Train tracks are embedded into the landscape of Hammond and this impacts how students get to and from school. In 2018, shifts in legislation allowed train companies to stop which leads to major thoroughfares being blocked. Unfortunately, students that walk are making the decision to cross between train cars which creates a potentially dangerous situation.
In an effort to keep our students safe, there has been a train stoppage route added for students that attend Hess, Scott, and Morton. Recent communication from concerned school administrators and citizens have highlighted students from these schools crossing between train cars to get home. Attached is a schedule that will be utilized in the event of train stoppage on the tracks on Grand Ave. and the tracks on Parrish Ave. Hopefully, it will prevent a tragedy from occurring!
Hess: http://bit.ly/37VhiXe
Morton/Scott: http://bit.ly/2PaO2Dw
SCH Events
Monday, December 2nd
- Hess ES - “Make it a Good Night Monday” live read aloud on Facebook - 7 p.m.
- O'Bannon ES - Book Fair begins (all week)
- Wallace ES - Family Math Side-by-Sides (all week)
Tuesday, December 3rd
- Bishop Noll Basketball @ Clark HS - 7 p.m.
- Clark HS Basketball @ Wheeler HS - 7 p.m.
- Lincoln ES - Santa's Secret Shop Opens
- Lincoln ES - Student Council Meeting - 3:30 p.m.
- Lincoln ES - STAR Award winner will be revealed at the Performing Arts Center
Wednesday, December 4th
- Clark MS Wrestling @ Eggers MS - 5 p.m.
- Hammond HS Wrestling @ Clark HS - 6 p.m.
- Hess ES - PTA Cake Pop Event - 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Wallace ES - Kindness Assembly
Thursday, December 5th
- Clark MS Basketball vs. Gavit MS @ Franklin ES - 5 p.m.
- Clark HS Basketball @ Griffith HS - 5:30 p.m.
- Lincoln ES - CPR Class - 3:45 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, December 6th
- Hess ES - PTA Penguin Patch Preview
- Lincoln ES - Winter Musical - 2 p.m.
- Maywood ES - Chat and Chew with the Principal
Saturday, December 7th
- Hammond Holiday Parade - 10 a.m.
- Team Hammond 71 Robotics Chili Dinner - 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
SCH Highlights of the Week
O'Bannon ES
The O’Bannon Student Council collected 546 (our goal was 500) food items for our food drive. Thanks to everyone who helped to go past our goal!! Your kindness will help feed people in Hammond.
AND
O’Bannon’s donation total for Socktober last year (18-19) was 472, this year's (19-20) total was 532!
Way to go O’Bannon!
Stay Informed
An update from the Superintendent is distributed at the beginning of the week.
View previous weekly updates from Mr. Miller here.
Follow us on Social Media
If you are on these platforms, please LIKE, FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to see the great things happening in our district!
Email: schadmin@hammond.k12.in.us
Website: www.hammond.k12.in.us
Location: 41 Williams Street, Hammond, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 933-2400
Facebook: facebook.com/SchoolCityofHammond/
Twitter: @SCHK12