Thank you for staying connected with the Howard-Suamico School District.The Compass is an email Newsletter designed to engage, connect, and inspire HSSD families. It will be published the last week of each month.

In this issue:

• Student Snapshot: Kirk McMeen, Bay View
• Teacher Features
  
• Humanity Heroes
  
• Alumni Making Waves: Eric Johnson, Class of 1990
  
• And much more!
  
  

We are excited to share stories and news with you and we welcome your ideas for future issues.

As HSSD and other local districts navigate challenges related to filling open substitute teaching and support staff positions, we need your help spreading the word! Please considering sharing these opportunities to join our team with your personal network.

The following support staff and substitute positions are among those posted on the HSSD website:

• Long term substitute positions (HS Spanish, 2nd grade, School Counselor)
• School Nurse
• Substitute Teachers
• Clerical Substitutes
  
• Data Support (IT) Specialist
• Instructional Aides

Kirk McMeen won the gold medal of the Fan.School Olympic Challenge. This summer, McMeen researched and evaluated which countries he predicted would win the most medals at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Out of tens of thousands of students, McMeen’s predictions earned him first place in the world. Through this contest, he won an iPad and earned his teacher mentor, Jerome Allen, $1,000. Click here to read the full story.

Board of Education K-6 Face Coverings Survey

• The Board of Education is inviting HSSD families and staff to participate in a survey regarding K-6 Face Coverings. The survey is open until December 2 at 4 p.m. Click here to learn more and participate in the survey.

Updates from the Board of Education Meeting November 15, 2021

• The Board shared a proclamation recognizing American Education Week.
  
• The Board received community input regarding mask and quarantine protocols.
  
• Bay View Middle School students shared an impact story in support of their social, emotional, and academic progress.
  
• The Board approved Ends Policy E-6 Social & Emotional Wellness monitoring report.
  
• The administrative team presented a COVID-19 response update and a facilities update.
  
• The Board approved Executive Limitation EL-5 Employee Compensation monitoring report.
  
• The Board discussed a first reading of proposed Governance Process 15: Board Meetings, made modifications, and returned GP-15 to a first reading at a future meeting.
  

For upcoming meeting dates, agendas, and prior meeting minutes, visit the Board of Education page on our website.

Nominate aTeacher Feature: website@hssdschools.org | View All Teacher Features

At HSSD, our students are learning from the book The 7 Habits of Happy Kids by Sean Covey. In each edition of The Compass, the Student Services team will share a topic for families to reflect upon. Learn more about Social Emotional Wellness on our website.

Habit 3 teaches us to put our most important things, big rocks, first to avoid spending all of our time on less important things, little rocks. Focusing on and scheduling our big rocks helps us manage our time and priorities to become highly effective leaders.

As we approach the holidays, time can often get away from us and our kids. Help them, and yourself, manage successfully during these upcoming breaks by scheduling your big rocks. By making what is important a priority, you will reduce stress and confrontation.

Try using this daily priority scheduling tool to help you and your family organize and prioritize all the “to-dos” on your list. And be sure to schedule in time for fun and connection!

• November 24-26: No School - Thanksgiving Break
• December 2: Bay View Show Choir Concert
• December 6: Bay Port Band Concert
• December 7: Bay View Band Concerts
• December 9: Bay View Orchestra Concerts
• December 14: Lineville Band Concerts
• December 21: Bay Port Orchestra Concert
• December 23-31: No School - Winter Break
• January 3: School Resumes

District and School Calendars | Bay Port Athletics Calendar

What is an HSSD Humanity Hero?

At Convocation, our welcome back event for staff in August, Superintendent Damian LaCroix shared our theme for the school year: #BringHumanityBack. The theme is inspired by our beloved colleague Heidi Hussli, who passed away last school year. Heidi had a passion for kindness and mutual respect and we are celebrating the kindness our support staff show each day in school.

Nominate a Humanity Hero: website@hssdschools.org | View All Humanity Heroes

The Giving Tree Holiday Store

The Giving Tree Holiday store has multiple volunteer opportunities. See the links below for sign up and details:

• Getting Ready/Setting Up - multiple days/times
• Holiday Store & Pantry Distribution Days - 12/7 and 12/8
• Feeding the Volunteers

Nominate a Student Snapshot: website@hssdschools.org | View All Student Snapshots

Eric Johnson, Bay Port Class of 1990, is CEO and CFO of Rev.1 Engineering, a research and development company that develops medical devices as a service for other companies. During his career, he has earned more than 30 patents and has designed everything from a sagittal bone saw for knee replacement to an electric balance bike for young kids.

Click here to read more.

Nominate an Alumni feature: website@hssdschools.org | View all Alumni Making Wave Features

As we celebrate Bay Port One Act going to state in 2021 for its performance of I Hate Valentine’s Day, we recognize the first-ever One Act Play to receive an “A” rating at state 45 years ago in 1976.

One Act 2021 earned the Group Ensemble award, Directing award, and Individual Acting award for sophomore Sylvia VanDenPlas (her second).

The Compass is produced and distributed by the HSSD School and Community Relations Department. Tell us what you would like to see in this newsletter and share story ideas with us by emailing website@hssdschools.org.