The Compass

HSSD Family Newsletter | April 28, 2022 | Vol 1, Issue 8

Welcome back to The Compass!

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:


  • Teacher Feature: Cheryl DeBaker and Bay Harbor Brew Crew
  • New Bay Port Athletics Director Dillon Maney
  • Student Snapshots: Lilly VanVleet & Kendall Gaecki and Lincoln Dommer & Christine McMeen
  • And More!

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

Big picture
Big picture

Bay Harbor Brew Crew Delivers Java and Joy

Sailor students of all abilities learn and grow


Picture it: it’s Friday morning, the sun is rising, you are feeling a sense of joy, and the comforting aroma of coffee fills the air.


Where has your imagination led you? A beach? Starbucks? A favorite room in your home?

For the Bay Harbor Brew Crew, it is Cheryl DeBaker’s classroom.


Brew Crew is an opportunity for students who receive special education services to practice independence and to grow confidence in their skills as they deliver coffee to Bay Harbor staff members.


Read more about the Bay Harbor Brew Crew and the joy it delivers each month.

Big picture

From the Board of Education Meeting - April 25, 2022

  • Newly-elected Board members Allen McGuire, Amy Rubright, and Scott Jandrin took the oath of office.
  • The Board elected its officers for the next year:
    President Garry Sievert
    Vice President Greg Klimek
    Clerk Chrissy Amtmann
    Treasurer/Deputy Clerk Scott Jandrin
  • The Board approved Ends Policy E-3 Graduate Profile: Responsible, Adaptable, Self-Starter monitoring data report.
  • The Board received an informational update from the Teaching and Learning Department regarding the strategic framework.
  • The Board approved Governance Process GP-4 Board Job Description monitoring report.
  • The Board began its book study of Craymer and Radwan's "Governing by Principles"


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

Big picture

Maney promoted to Bay Port High School Athletics Director

The Howard-Suamico School District Board of Education approved the promotion of Dillon Maney to the position of Bay Port High School Athletics Director at its Monday, April 25 meeting. In the move to this administrative role, Maney will oversee the Pirates athletics programs beginning July 1, 2022.


Maney brings 16 years of physical education and coaching experience to the Athletics Director position. He most recently served as physical education teacher and assistant football coach at Bay Port since 2020.


“We are excited to have Dillon lead our Athletics Department,” said Bay Port High School Principal Mike Frieder. “Dillon understands the importance of building strong relationships with students, families, coaches, and staff. I look forward to working closely with him to continue to offer excellent opportunities for all students in our district.”


Click here to read the full story.
Big picture
Big picture
Big picture

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.

Live the 7 Habits: Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

Habit 7 means taking time to take care of your greatest resource - you. It means having a plan to balance your life in the four areas of self: physical, social, mental, and spiritual.


Remember to sharpen your saw first! When on an airplane, passengers are directed to put on their own oxygen masks first before trying to help someone else. Discuss as a family how you can help each other by taking time to sharpen individual saws first. How can you each take time for yourselves to create balance and build your energy?


Family Activity: Sharpen the Saw

  1. Label four pieces of blank paper with one of the following words: Body, Mind, Heart, Spirit.

  2. As a family, brainstorm ways your family can Sharpen the Saw in each of the four areas.

  3. After all your ideas have been shared, circle one thing from each list that your family will focus on.

  4. Commit to complete all four activities and set a date for completion.

  5. Celebrate together when you complete your goals!

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


  • April 28: Bay Port Musical
  • April 29: Bay Port Musical
  • April 30: Bay Port Musical
  • May 5: Bay Port Musical
  • May 6: No School
  • May 6: Summer Swim Registration Begins
  • May 6: Bay Port Musical
  • May 7: Bay Port Musical
  • May 10: Bay View Spring Orchestra Concert
  • May 12: Lineville Spring Choir Concert
  • May 16: Bay Port Bands Spring Concert
  • May 17: Bay View Bands Concerts
  • May 19: Lineville Bands Concerts
  • May 21: Bay Port Senior Ball
  • May 23: Bay View Spring Choir Concert
  • May 24: Bay Port Orchestra Concert
  • May 25: Bay Port Sacred Choral Concert
  • May 26: Lineville Spring Orchestra Concerts
  • May 30: No School (Memorial Day)
  • June 2: Forest Glen Groundbreaking and Bay View Wallbreaking Events
  • June 6: Last Day of School (4K)
  • June 7: Last Day of School (K-12)



District and School Calendars | Bay Port Athletics Calendar

Big picture
Big picture
Nominate a Teacher Feature: website@hssdschools.org | View All Teacher Features
Big picture

Bay Port Musical - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

Join us in wishing the cast and crew of the Bay Port spring musical to "break a leg" as they open Disney’s Beauty and the Beast tonight. There are still a few tickets available for the shows April 28-30 and May 5-7. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the talents of this amazing cast and crew. Purchase tickets online.


Giving Gratitude

Staff Appreciation Week is next week and we need your help! Through Howard-Suamico Education Foundation's award-winning Giving Gratitude Campaign, we will be sharing certificates of appreciation with employees, including notes from YOU!


Through last year’s inaugural campaign, we gathered and shared more than 1,100 notes of appreciation with staff. Let’s continue to share the love this year! Click here to submit your gratitude with staff by Wednesday, May 4 at noon.


Summer School

Summer School registration is now open! Learn more and register on our website.


We’re Hiring!


District Office COVID-19 Testing Site Now Closed

The District Office COVID-19 testing site closed as of April 8. Testing remains available at local health partners, Prevea and Bellin.

Big picture
Big picture
Big picture
blast from the past header
Prom 1967 throwback graphic
Big picture

Contact Us

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.
Big picture