School District of Howards Grove
Parent & Guardian Newsletter March 2024
SNOW UPDATE
Despite the decorative spring flowers highlighting my newsletter, snow is apparently on the way. As previously communicated, in the event we need to cancel school on Friday, March 22nd, we will need to pivot to virtual learning instead of a traditional snow day. To avoid snow make up days in May or June, all future snow days will be scheduled as virtual learning days.
To be proactive, here are the virtual learning expectations for each building:
Any snow cancellations or delays for tomorrow will communicated via our district website, Facebook, email, and text messages, for those that have opted in. Fingers crossed that we have a regular school day as we close the month of March before spring break.
Update from the Superintendent
Hello Parents & Guardians-
I hope each of you received our new paper copy of the Tiger Press in the mail last week. As mentioned, this new format will save the district money while still keeping all residents informed of what is going on in the district. Only parents and guardians receive this digital newsletter each month, but they are also posted on the website, and linked on our district Facebook page. If your neighbors and friends ask questions, please direct them to these locations or forward my emails. One of my priority goals when joining the district nearly 3 years ago was to improve our transparent communication so everyone is aware of what is going on in the district. This truly only works if people read what is sent their way. So, if you are reading this...THANK YOU!
The last couple of months have been filled with budget talk, but as you will see by reading all of our communication, there are still many amazing things happening in our district. The budget crisis is certainly a main focus right now, but please remember all the good things too!
Now, back to the budget...
I know I have mentioned many times, school funding is very complex and difficult to explain in writing. If you've been reading all of the information I have shared the last several months and would like one more explanation, here is a brief video detailing school funding. This video will verbally explain many of the things that I have shared in recent newsletters, using visuals and video instead of text.
The video talks about school districts asking voters for extra money to exceed the revenue limit. There are 61 districts asking voters to exceed the revenue limit to help meet the budget shortfalls on April 2nd and I imagine many more will ask in November of 2024. When voters say yes to exceeding the revenue limit, this raises property taxes. As previously mentioned, at this time our current school board is not willing to ask taxpayers for additional funds since we already raised taxes to build a new middle school and fix many of the facility needs in the district. This could certainly change in the future, as the cost to educate our students continues to rise and our revenue limit is capped, but for now, an operational referendum to exceed the revenue limit is not being considered.
Thank you again for the ongoing support! I wish each of you a wonderful spring break week with your children. We look forward to seeing their smiling faces on Monday, April 1st, and that is no April Fool's joke!
Sincerely,
Shannon Kilton
Superintendent
Spring Break
School Board Election
Thanks to everyone who turned out to vote in the primary election in February to narrow the field of candidates for the general election. On Tuesday, April 2nd voters will be asked to select 2 people to serve on the Howards Grove School Board.
Here are the remaining candidates in ballot order:
- Courtney Athorp
- Janina Siemers
- Brandon Suemnicht
- Dave Loomis
Building Projects Update
CD Smith Construction has officially moved into the neighborhood with construction equipment, a trailer, and portable toilet. Heavy excavation work is scheduled to begin the first week of April. Here is the brief summary we've been sharing with residents and The Sheboygan Press.
Where We’ve Been. Following the successful passage of our capital referendum in November 2022, we’ve been hard at work crafting the building solutions. The project team has just finished crafting comprehensive construction documents for district-wide facilities improvements following a visioning and design period.
The keystone project of this referendum will be a building addition to the High School to serve as the New Middle School. Other aspects of the referendum include a secure entrance addition to the existing High School with office spaces, systems and safety improvements to the existing high school and elementary school, and exterior athletic improvements on the new Middle/High School grounds.
Where We Are. With the design and planning stages complete, construction at the High School site is set to begin this spring. Northview received most of its site safety improvements last summer, and interior improvements for systems, safety, exterior envelope efficiency, accessibility, and improved classroom environments will take place over the summer of 2025. For the new Middle School addition, C.D. Smith is mobilizing in April for initial earthwork, with construction running through June 2025. The High School addition and renovations will kick off in June 2024, focusing on the new entry and high school envelope (window replacements) first. This strategic phasing ensures minimal disruption to ongoing school activities while delivering completed spaces by the start of the 2025/2026 school year.
Looking beyond individual structures, athletic field improvements are also on track. Mobilization starts in April, with track and tennis courts ready for fall 2024 competition. The remaining fields will be seeded by November 2024 and prepped for competition in fall 2025.
Where We’re Going. With favorable bidding results in hand, the project team is diligently finalizing logistics for a smooth construction kickoff. C.D. Smith, our chosen construction manager, has extensive experience managing complex projects and is committed to minimizing disruptions to the surrounding community. Clear communication and coordinated planning are at the forefront, ensuring construction activities adhere to established schedules and safety protocols.
We understand the importance of keeping everyone informed, and we're committed to regular updates throughout the construction process.
We look forward to sharing further communications highlighting key milestones and showcasing the exciting transformation within our schools!
CD Smith has arrived!
The abandoned house is GONE!
Here we go!
School News
Summer School Reminder!
Summer School information and registration forms will be available online at the district website (www.hgtigers.org). You can find it in the top right hand corner labeled Summer School 2024. If there are any questions, please contact Angie Houston, Summer School Principal: (920) 565-4452 or ahouston@hgsd.k12.wi.us
March 22 – Registration closes
April 1 – Fees for classes will be posted to the student's account
April 15 – All fees need to be paid
Session 1-June 10 – June 28 Summer School classes in session Classes held Monday – Friday 8 am - 12 pm unless otherwise indicated
Session 2-July 29 – August 9 Summer School classes in session Classes held Monday – Friday 8 am - 12 pm unless otherwise indicated
Middle School Summer Musical
Zombies! The Musical!
June 10th-June 28
12:30-3:30 PM
Northview Summer Musical
Cookies! The Musical
July 10-July 26
9 AM to Noon
Howards Grove Education Foundation- SAVE THE DATE
Howards Grove High School Art Students Represented in Youth Art Month
Youth Art Month is an annual observance each March which highlights the value of art education for all children and encourages support for quality school art programs. A number of talented Howards Grove High School students have had their art work selected for inclusion in shows associated with Youth Art Month around the state.
Art by Mikayla Beaton, Sarah Mechenich, Belah Davidson, Chase Priebe, and Evan Erdmann were showcased at the Neville Museum in January for the Wisconsin Art Education Association’s Northeast Regional Youth Art Month Exhibition. The work of Mikayla Beaton, Sarah Mechenich, and Belah Davidson was juried on to the State Youth Art Month Show at East Towne Mall in Madison and can be viewed through the month of March. A closing reception for the artists will be held on Friday, March 31, from 12:00-1:00 at East Towne Mall.
Locally the John Michael Kohler Arts Center is hosting Youth Art Expo from March 16-31. On view will be art created by Howards Grove High School students Gina Yentz, Will Johnson, Alexia Hendrickson, Maddy Bower, and Evan Erdmann. A celebration for the artists will be held on March 24 from 4:00-6:30.
Middle School Math Counts!
On Saturday February 3rd, eight Howards Grove Middle School students competed in a national middle school mathematics competition that builds problem-solving skills and fosters achievement through four levels of fun, in-person "bee" style contests.
Students that participated in the Math Competition were:
8th Grade - Aly Tarkowski and Evelyn Pilgrim
7th Grade - Louise Fetterer, Demi Talbot, Jadon Ono, Aiden Konen, and Liam Beiersdorf
6th Grade - Shawn Williams
Congratulations to all students that participated!
PTO News
Thank You!
- Family Food Night: Thank you to everyone who joined us at our two March Family Food Nights at the Log Cabin and Culvers, where over $700 was raised in support of ongoing student programming. We appreciate your support of not only the PTO, but of our local businesses as well!
- PJs, Pancakes, & Books: Thank you to all who joined us for an exciting evening of reading, face painting, and eating a yummy pancake dinner. We had a great turnout and even had a surprise visit from Pete the Cat and the Cat in the Hat!
The Book Fair had over $10,500 in sales this year, which means our amazing Howards Grove Teachers will receive approximately $5,300 in Scholastic Dollars to allocate toward books for their classroom and the library. Because of the absolutely incredible support of our local families, the teachers were able to get everything on their wish lists, and the library was able to fulfill their entire request list too!
Open Position - Book Fair Co-Chair: If you are looking to get more involved and would like to play a key role in this highly successful annual event, please consider volunteering as Co-Chair of the Book Fair! As Co-Chair, you will work alongside the event Chair to coordinate all aspects of the Book Fair, including PJs, Pancakes, & Books and Books & Breakfast. If interested, please contact Jenna Albrecht at mcrjenplath@gmail.com.
- Wisconsin Herd Family Night: On Friday, March 15, dozens of families joined us for Family Night with the Wisconsin Herd. A portion of all the ticket sales were donated back to the PTO in support of our students and teachers. It was a fun time for a great cause – a true slam dunk!
Save the Date
- Monday, April 1, 2024: Don’t be fooled and miss out on a delicious meal! Stop by our next Family Food Night at Log Cabin, where 10% of all sales will be donated back to the PTO for ongoing student programming. Join us for great food and another easy night of meal prep!
- Monday, April 8, 2024: Join us for our monthly PTO Meeting at 5:00pm in the Northview Library. Everyone is welcome! Free babysitting is provided if requested within 72 hours of the meeting. Please contact hgpto@yahoo.com for more information.
- Tuesday, April 23: Join us for Family Food Night at Jersey Mike’s Subs! (4017 State HWY 28, Sheboygan)
- Friday, May 17: Spring Carnival: On Friday, May 17, the PTO will be hosting its annual Spring Carnival with the kitchen opening at 5:00pm for an easy and affordable night of dinner for the whole family. The Carnival will be open from 5:00-8:00pm and will have activities for the entire family, including a 50/50 Raffle, Silent Auction, Dunk Tank, Face Painting, Balloon Animals, Carnival Games, Bake Sale, and a chance to win a highly coveted classroom basket! All district families are welcome to attend! Check out our Facebook page often for updates and more detailed event information.
Get Involved!
- 50/50 Raffle: Stop by Piggly Wiggly the week of May 13 to purchase a 50/50 Raffle Ticket as well as a ticket for our highly coveted classroom baskets! This is a great way to support your local PTO as we work to give back to our wonderful students and teachers.
- Silent Auction: The PTO is looking for silent auction items for the upcoming Spring Carnival. If you or a local business you are affiliated with would like to provide a silent auction item, please sign up by clicking here. Items must be received no later than May 10. Questions regarding the Silent Auction? Email Sara Dassow, PTO President, at saradassow@gmail.com.
Learn More About the PTO!
- Email: Reach out to Sara Dassow, PTO President, at hgpto@yahoo.com for any questions you may have.
- Facebook: Follow us on Facebook (Howards Grove PTO) for all of the latest information!
Update from Nurse Lydia
Healthy Smiles has visited our district for their Spring sealant and fluoride treatment clinic. We had 125 students participate in the program. These services provided $39,020.61 worth of preventative dental care for our students! They detected 18 students with dental needs (some urgent) and were referred to their dental home or a provider who has agreed to take referrals from our school-based program. If you are interested in signing your child up for this service for next Spring, please follow this pdf link to find the active consent form that is good for two years: WI Seal-A-Smile Consent Form
Thank you to parents and guardians who have utilized this wonderful school-based health service, and thank you to the School District of Howards Grove staff for supporting our students' health and wellbeing!
In good health,
Nurse Lydia
The School District of Howards Grove does not discriminate in the employment of staff on the basis of any characteristic protected under State or Federal law including, but not limited to, race, color, age, sex, creed or religion, handicap or disability, marital status, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, military service (as defined in 111.32, Wis. Stats.), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, arrest record, conviction record, use or non-use of lawful products off the District’s premises during non-working hours, or any other characteristic protected by law in its employment practices. (Board Policy 4122)