Focus on Education
February 2022
The PRIDE just kept growing from there.
Over the years we have built schools, hospitals, subdivisions, and undergone much construction throughout the town. We have grown closer as a community and still continue to cherish the love and pride for the Brickies. Our schools have grown to some of the best in the State and we will continue to strive for our Brickies to have the best opportunities in front of them when they walk out the school doors for the last time. We have the goal to #BeExcellentOnPurpose.
Our staff, teachers, coaches, and community volunteers have helped us in many ways to achieve the goals we have. The memories and stories that are told of past staff members are constant and every one of them talk about the impacts made and the virtues established in their lives. It takes a village to make all of this happen and we have the best!
Our goal is for our Brickies to #BeExcellentOnPurpose! Choose to do what is right, even when it is hard. Choose to push a little harder to achieve that better grade. Choose to run that extra mile to extend your stamina. Choose to be kind even when it may not be deserved. Simply, choose to #BeExcellentOnPurpose. The biggest goal? Academics. No matter what you choose to do in life, academics is the foundation. We want each of our Brickies to have a strong foundation when they leave. We encourage our Hobart University because it does just that, gives our students the opportunity for success the moment they take a class. Whether you want to pursue a higher education, the Trades, or are undecided - taking these classes will give you college credit for life! Students can graduate with 1-2 years of college already done - FOR FREE! The trades acknowledge the Ivy Tech courses needed for an apprenticeship which gives you a step up towards completion. Finally, should you decide in a year, 5 years, 10 years after graduation that you want to pursue something more - these college credits will give you an edge and boost in your goals.
We express it as much as we can, we are here for our Brickies and their success - every one of us. Take some time to look through the old articles and videos of our past and dive into the present with our goal setting tips, Hobart University, and Brickie accomplishments. "Once A Brickie, Always a Brickie."
Goal Setting Tips For Our Brickies
Goal Setting Tips For Our Brickies!
Here are some tips that can help students set effective goals:
1. Goals are intentional commitments to action, not a wish list.
"I want to get an A" lacks power. "I will work hard (How), to earn an A," is intentional and powerful.
2. Be specific.
“Find help" is too general. "I will find 5 resources that will help me before the end of the month" is better.
3. Share your goals with someone who cares if you reach them.
Sharing your intentions with your parents, your best friend, or your teacher will help ensure success.
4. Write down your goals and put them where you will see them.
The more often you read your list, the more results you get.
5. Review and revise your list.
Experiment with different ways of stating your goals. Goal setting improves with practice!
S.M.A.R.T. Goals!
Help your child succeed by setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals!
You can work with your students by helping them set specific, measurable, achieveable, results-focused, and time-bound (S.M.A.R.T.) Goals!
Our students can login into Google and access these forms. You can do this together and have them submit to their teacher. Monitor progress together!
Check out our website for the Google Doc and more information!
Use our Google Goal Setting Form to Get Started in 2022! #BrickieUP
Join us virtually on February 10th to learn about your student's Fall PSAT and SAT Test Scores!
· Start by visiting Indiana Career Explorer
· Compare the estimated net price of attendance at Indiana colleges through Indiana College Costs
· Learn about career interest inventories, education requirements for different careers and more at Learn More Indiana.
· Check out the Indiana Career Hot Spots for the most recent companies currently hiring in the State or the Hot Jobs in Northwest Indiana where you will find in-demand careers and their wages right here in the Region!
· O*NET® Career Exploration Tools - Self-directed career exploration/assessment tools to help you consider and plan career options, preparation, and transitions more effectively. The tools are also designed for use by students who are exploring the school-to-work transition.
· Go to My skills. My future looks at the jobs you have held in the past to determine some similar positions for you in the future. It also allows you to learn more about those recommended careers.
· Skills Profiler - Use the Skills Profiler to create a list of your skills and match them to jobs that use those skills
Comfort Dogs, Crafts, and Yoga Ease The Stress Of Finals
Our high school counselors worked with the LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry to bring a calming influence to the week. Dogs were brought in to hang out with any students that needed a break and a moment to just relax and forget about the tests. They loved it! Finals were approached with a confident, relax demeanor and our students flourished. The dogs also made a stop in our high school Brickie Kidz class and it was a room full of adorableness! Golden Retrievers and a group of 4 year olds - priceless.
Other options our students had were to relax and let their artistic side blossom. Students painted canvases, worked on puzzles, and explored their inner talents. It is amazing what tension can be released when you just sit and be in the moment. Others relieved their body by practicing some Yoga. Though a calming exercise, our students stretched, laughed, and showed off some yoga skills! There were no cell phones, no assignments that needed done, it was an opportunity to focus on their inner selves and calm the mind. They loved it - we loved it - and their finals loved it!
Our Key Club Is Changing The World!
In December, our Key Club delivered 92 care packages of essentials, some including handmade sleeping mats, to people in Chicago that are experiencing homelessness.
Tugs at the heart strings, we know.
They quickly realized that life, without warning, can instantly change and becoming homeless is no one's desire or goal - but it happens and more than we realize. Student and member, Elijah, stated "It was an unforgettable experience to actually go into the streets of Chicago to hand out these care packages. Seeing these communities first-hand, and every individual's genuine appreciation for items we see as a basic essential, was quite humbling. It was a 'privilege-check' for all the students."
It is simply amazing what can be done when a handful of people come together. This group of teenagers, though small in numbers, made a tremendous impact in the Chicago community and continue to serve our community and those around us. They have touched thousands of lives already and we are so proud to call them Brickies. Take a moment to read the article below!
"You have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." - Harriet Tubman
'We The People' Is Our Future!
So what is 'We The People'?
Aside from it being an elective class that our 8th grade students can choose to take, it is hope. As PBS Michiana-WNIT stated "If you want hope for American's future, you will find it in the eighth grade class at Hobart Middle School."
Learn all about 'We The People', hear from our own Brickie students and teacher, and get excited because the future is so bright!
Asia Makes History In Hobart!
We proudly acknowledge Asia for making HISTORY in our Hobart schools by becoming the first Lady Brickie EVER to join the 1,000 Club! Through her basketball career she has been unstoppable on the court both with her sportsmanship and her skills. In early February, while competing at an away game against Chesterton, Asia scored her 1,000 point! It was an incredible celebration and a goal many pursue, but only few have accomplished. Congratulations for making history in our schools and forever being known as the First Lady Brickie in the 1,000 Club! #GoBricks
Hobart High School Student, Rylee, Gets Poem Published!
Rylee was very proud when she arrived to Writers Club and showed sponsor, Mrs. Hunt-Lounges, her published poem titled Summer's End. Rylee's poem was one of thousands of poems that were submitted for an opportunity to be published and immortalized in a collection of poetry. This book, published by the American Library of Poetry, contains a collection of poems from all ages and grade levels and can be found at most libraries. We are so very proud to have a Brickie poem forever out in the world for everyone to read. Take a moment and read her amazing words!
Summer's End
The youthful wood, the jubilant leaves.
Colors of lifeful green, the budding flowers breathe.
It may seem to last forever, but nature always deceives.
The wood will grow older, the leaves will fall.
As summer reaches its end, the season of autumn will rapidly crawl.
The youth of blossoming flowers will wilt
and the colors of green will change without guilt.
It may be gone, but the season of summer will still lie in our core.
Joan Martin Brickie Leaders Make A Huge Impact!
Our School City Of Hobart Chess Club Competes At State!
On Saturday January 29, 2022 the School City of Hobart Chess Team competed at the Scholastic Chess of Indiana State tournament. Ten players, spanning from 3rd grade through 12th grade, had previously qualified at the SCI Regionals. The Hobart Chess Team exemplified true Brickie spirit throughout the course of the 9 hour tournament with each playing 5 matches in the day, some matches lasting over an hour and a half. While they brought home some wins, losses, and some hardware, they all brought home smiles after having a good time.
Representing the middle school, 8th grader and first year competitor Daniel Lahaie did awesome and placed 4th out of 32 – winning 4 out of his 5 matches. Also, 8th grader Adrian Stojkoski competes in the Championship Division, a separate, much more difficult division for elite players. Adrian battled his way to 6th in his division. Other MS and elementary competitors that displayed true Brickie Grit were 6th graders McCoy Swanson and Cody Paterson; 7th graders Ayden Bardachowski and Gavin Diaz; and 3rd grader Zachary Reno.
For the high school, we had two veteran and one first year players compete. Junior Jeffrey Howard battled his way to 6th place in the 12U division, having to play his longtime fellow Hobart teammate, senior Dakota Vanderberg, in the last round. Dakota won all of his four matches prior, and ended with a draw against Jeffrey. Dakota took 5th place in the 12U division. This is Dakota’s last year competing, and he’s been with the club from its Day 1 startup. His character and mentorship that he brings to the club will be greatly missed. Junior Israel Gibson also displayed true Brickie Grit throughout the day’s competition.
All in all it was a long, highly-stressful, yet fun day for all involved. SCOH is proud of all the competitors and their commitment to #BeExcellentOnPurpose. Indeed, it’s always amazing to witness the collaboration and mentorship that is displayed by the players in between their rounds, with often the HS players giving advice to the younger MS and ES players.
Any questions about chess club please contact Mr. Reno @ jreno@hobart.k12.in.us
Hobart Middle School Robotics Team Competes For The First Time!
Wolffgang Members Perform At ISSMA Solo and Ensemble!
Congratulations to our choir students who performed at the District 1 Solo and Ensemble contest at Munster High School! Kayla Walker earned a Gold Medal and Superior Rating in her solo performance advancing her to STATE!
The congratulations continue as the members of Wolffgang sang beautifully and earned Gold Medals and a Superior Rating as well. They too are advancing to STATE! These students will perform at the STATE Solo and Ensemble contest on February 19th down in Indianapolis. The State-wide contest is sponsored by the Indiana Secondary School Music Association.
Amazing job to each of the members: Oliva Aichner, Maddy Baltrushaitis, McKenna Beck, Nicole Drapac, Meghan Horn, Kaylie Johnson, Kayla Walker and their incredible sponsor Mr. Wolff!
Mrs. Torres Recognized For Her Excellence In Teaching!
February SEL Classroom Lessons
During February, students will discuss and share ideas of how digital tools can help and harm. We’ll take a look at mental health, time spent on gaming and scrolling social media. Please use this as a reference from Family Education as you are monitoring your time and your child’s online time.
How Social Media Can Affect Your Child from Family Education
Students will continue to learn about listening to another person when they may have a disagreement, along with compromise and the steps to apologize.
Parent and Caregiving Wellness
Pressures of Parenting
As a parent, we have pressures we place upon ourselves as well. Let’s work to be a positive parent without undue stress. I found this resource from Big Life Journal to be a support for my own parenting goals. 7 Habits of a positive parent (page 1 only) can be found on this link:
The 7 Habits of a Positive Parent - Big Life Journal.pdf - Google Drive.
When we lose our patience, make a mistake, or just need a break; let’s be human and take what is needed for our bodies and minds so we can be the very best for others. 2 minutes to breath could be the restart that you need. Feel free to use this image to “take what you need” as a reminder of your own mental health. At any moment, take a deep breath and know you can begin again each day.
Our body and mind still need fresh air and sunlight in the winter. Even though it may be cold outdoors, we can still go for a brisk walk or play at the park. As the sunlight increases, let’s all set a goal of getting 1000 hours of outside time. Here is a tool to keep track of your time as well as ideas. 1000 Hours Outside Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Zoladz for this resource. This has become a goal of their family this year. 1000 hours – We can do it! Let’s get outdoors and begin to enjoy the fresh air.
Looking for winter themed art projects for your family? Check out these awesome snowman activities! No snow needed for these fun ideas!
COOL SCIENCE WITH SNOWMEN
Melting Snow(man) Science in a Jar
Melting Fizzing Baking Soda Snowmen
JUST FOR FUN
Free Early Learning Game
TRY THIS
Minute to Win It with marshmallow snowmen! Grab a bag of marshmallows, the smaller the marshmallow the harder the challenge. Set the timer for one minute. Make as many marshmallow snowman as possible by stacking three marshmallows on top of each other. It's harder than it sounds!
P.S. Have you gotten our newest STEM project pack yet? Click here to see it!
Join the Battle to End Vaping
To enroll in This is Quitting, teens and young adults text DITCHVAPE to 88709. The first messages they receive will ask for their age and product usage so that they are able to receive relevant messages. Users receive one age-appropriate message per day tailored to their enrollment date or quit date, which can be set and reset via text message.
Showcase of Preschools Goes LIVE!
Thursday, Feb 3, 2022, 07:00 AM
www.hobart.k12.in.us/VirtualShowcase
PSAT/SAT Information Night
Thursday, Feb 10, 2022, 06:00 PM
Virtual Zoom Meeting
FAFSA Completion Event
Thursday, Feb 10, 2022, 02:00 PM
Hobart High School, East 10th Street, Hobart, IN, USA
No School - Presidents Day!
Friday, Feb 18, 2022, 07:00 AM
School City of Hobart
Scheduled eLearning Day!
Monday, Feb 28, 2022, 07:00 AM
School City of Hobart
Spring Musical - "Back To The 80s!"
Join the class of 1985 as they experience the fun and heartbreak of growing up in a totally awesome decade.
Back to the 80's tells the story of the senior class of William Ocean High School, as remembered through the eyes of now thirty-something Corey Palmer. Seventeen-year-old Corey is madly in love with his next-door neighbor, Tiffany Houston, one of the coolest girls in the school, but she is too busy mooning over Michael Feldman, the hottest guy around. Michael and his friends are athletic and good looking — the kind of guys that Corey and his two best friends dream of being. However, while they may not be the coolest guys in school, they are still one up on Feargal McFerrin, III, whose best friend is his computer and who believes the crazy notion that one day, CDs will replace cassette tapes.
Throw in a Star Wars dream sequence, high-energy dance routines, the obligatory 80s party scene, copious amounts of blue eyeshadow, twenty cans of hairspray, as well as some of the most popular songs ever written, and the result is a musical that will delight and amuse audiences of any age!
Thursday, Mar 3, 2022, 07:00 PM
Hobart High School Theatre
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The School City of Hobart does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, or disability, including limited English proficiency.