End of Year Newsletter 2022-23
April 24th, 2023
From the Executive Principal
Hello Lions!
"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end" is one of my favorite song lyrics and comes from a song played by the musical group Semisonic...I often think of this lyric at the end of a school year. On August 11, 2022 students walked onto our Elkhart High School campuses and began the 22-23 school year. During this school year, so many things have taken place...Theatrical events, athletic events, musical performances, club activities, new friendships made, homework assignments completed, tests taken, obstacles overcome, college applications, job interviews, and so many, many more...And now we find ourselves in the last week of school...So we really are at the ending of what was once the beginning of the 22-23 school year...I want to thank each and every one of you (students-parents-staff-community members alike) for a great school year. I am very proud of all of the hard work all of you put in this school year to make it a success. I wish everyone the best as we close out the school year and hope everyone has a great summer break and special congratulations to the graduates of the Class of 2023!
As always...Go Lions!
School of Arts and Communication
Music Department Has Many Successes
Choirs
Mane Street Jazz- earned a Gold rating at the ISSMA jazz festival.
Gold Rush State Jazz Finalists- earned a Gold rating with Distinction at the ISSMA District Jazz festival and earned one of the 8 spots in the State Jazz Competition. Congratulations Gold Rush!
ISSMA
The EHS choir students participated in the ISSMA festival April 20 at Concord H.S. The results are as follows:
Cadet Chorale- Gold
Tenor/Bass Choir- Silver
Congratulations choir students!
Orchestra
The EHS orchestras performed in the ISSMA Jazz festival on March 10th and the Concert festival April 21 at Elkhart H.S. The results are as follows:
Jazz Strings- Gold
Concert Orchestra- Gold with Distinction
Philharmonic Orchestra- Gold
Congratulations Orchestra students.
The Symphony Orchestra will perform at the ISSMA State Qualifying event at Penn H.S. on April 28th. Good Luck to the Symphony Orchestra!
Band
Congratulations to the EHS Jazz Band for their Gold Rating at the ISSMA Jazz festival held March 10.
Percussion Ensemble Medals at State Finals
On 4.1.23, the EHS Winter Percussion Ensemble competed at the Indiana Percussion Association State Finals. They placed third in Scholastic Concert "A" Class and received the bronze medal! Congratulations to these students and staff on their accomplishment!
ISSMA Band
The EHS Concert Band performed in the ISSMA Concert festival April 21 at Elkhart H.S. The Concert Band received a Gold rating. Congratulations!
The Wind Ensemble will perform at the ISSMA State Qualifying event at Penn H.S. on April 29th. Good Luck to the Wind Ensemble!
Project Based Learning Projects
The PENNANT and Mrs. Smith knocked one out of the park again! In a joint PBL with Mrs. Stine's DC Creative Writing class and Mr. Hartman's AP Studio Art class, The PENNANT staff created a flipbook showcasing our students' poetry and art. Be sure to check this one out.
https://www.flipsnack.com/ehsnewsmagazine/march-2023-creative-arts.html
PENNANT Newsmagazine
The PENNANT Newsmagazine staff is taking on an new and informative community project. Members are teaming with the Indiana Youth Environmental Press Team and Earth Charter Indiana to generate a hardcopy newsmagazine featuring articles on local environmental issues, including several that showcase the steps EHS is taking to become environmentally friendly The newsmagazine will be distributed at the Elkhart Environmental Center during the Earth Day Fair, which is April 22. The newsmagazine will also be made available at places such as Wellfield Botanic Gardens, Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, and even right here at Elkhart High School.
Geometry students completed a Selfieometry project to demonstrate their understanding of various geometry terms that exist in the real world. This project allowed them to show off their selfie skills while helping them see that Geometry truly is everywhere!
School of Business and International Relations
On May 9th, the School of Business and International Relations hosted the first Entrepreneurial Summit for all of the students in our school of study. We had several local entrepreneurs and business leaders, as well as one that traveled from as far away as Las Vegas, Nevada, share their experiences with our students. It was a tremendous opportunity for them to hear how these business owners started with an idea and transformed it into a successful enterprise. These are the experiences that our students can use to help create their own ideas and dreams and know that they can take that dream and make it a reality.
Below are some examples of these positive interactions:
Freshman Division
As we near the end of the school year, it is important to look back and reflect on the progress and achievements that have been made so far. For the freshman, this marks the end of their first year in high school and as they move to the main campus, they can take a step back and look at all the experiences they have had from this year. Whether it was making new friends, adapting to high school, or challenging themselves with projects and academic tasks, they can now take some time to relax and prepare for 10th grade. We hope all students return refreshed and energized for the upcoming year. Have a safe summer!
School of Health & Public Safety
This month, we are highlighting the Air Force JROTC program. They had a very impressive month!
- First the AFJROTC Drill and Color Guard teams went to Ohio for Regionals. While there, they also visited the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
- They also had a high-level inspection and received the Outstanding Organizational Award recognizing units performing above and beyond expectations.
- Finally, they had their annual military ball showcasing their seniors and overall outstanding camaraderie and excellence. Game on!
School of Human Services
The 2022-2023 school year has been a whirlwind, it is hard to believe we are counting down to summer break. It has been our pleasure to work with and support our students throughout the year. Students have grown academically as well as personally. As a staff, we have successfully supported one another and our students on their journey to becoming independent members of our school community. We are excited to see our students graduate and move on to the next phase of their lives. We also look forward to welcoming the class of 2026 into the Human Services School of Study. Next year we look forward to continuing our goal of providing a rigorous and relevant education for our students. Until next year, Go Lions!
School of Natural Resources
As we put the finishing touches on the 2022-2023 school year, the Natural Resources School of Study has been very active this year. Our students engaged in many hands-on activities, both here in school and at the farm. At the main campus, Mr. Jantzen's pollinator garden was abundant with flowers and blooms. The garden was great for Environmental Science students to learn how bees and other pollinators are an important part of the Earth's ecosystem. Other classes harvested sunflower seeds and the Save the Earth club prepped the gardens for the coming growing season. The shared nature of so many activities for the NR SoS is fantastic for our students AND adults!
Down on the farm, the new greenhouses meant that activities did not have to cease during the winter months. Students learned about plant starters and year-round growing. Also, a number of new livestock came to the farm with the addition of rabbits, chickens, turkeys, and pigs to go with the alpacas. The farm not only provides opportunities for the classroom students, but also the FFA and community groups who maintain community gardens. Elkhart is very lucky to have this resource available.
We at the Natural Resources School of Study look forward to some well deserved time off this summer, but are very much looking forward to welcoming our new and returning students back to school on August 17. Have a great summer!
Elkhart High School Counseling
As the school year begins to wrap up, the school counselors are continuing to ensure students have been able to plan for next year whether that is entering college, the world of work, or returning to EHS for another school year.
Some students will be sitting for the Advanced Placement exams to demonstrate their mastery of the college-level materials they have been immersed in this school year. Exams will be held between May 1 and May 12. Students should consult with their AP teachers if they are unsure of the date and time of their scheduled exams.
May is Mental Health Awareness month. Change the Frequency provides information and resources to Indiana educators, students, and families for prioritizing mental wellness. You can access this information on their website changethefrequency.today.
As before, you can also access Action for Happiness’ calendar Meaningful May and sign up for weekly texts by texting MENTALHEALTH to 317-676-6730.
We are at the finish line and the counselors have successfully counseled students to graduation and on to the next phase of their lives. Graduation is bittersweet with having to say goodbye to so many students yet also being excited for the potential they hold. Even with this momentous task being almost finished, we are continuing to set the stage for non-graduating students to have a successful start to their new year at EHS in the fall.
If you or anyone else is struggling with your mental health, connect with a trained crisis counselor at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 (800-628-9454 español). You can also access the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741-741.
Athletics
We will be honoring our Spring Sports teams on Monday, June 5th starting at 6:30 pm in the Auditorium.
Registration for 2023-2024 Elkhart Athletics is now live and open on familyID. If you are a returning athlete, log in and update your information. New student-athletes must create a new profile. Reminder that the 2022-2023 IHSAA physical expires on June 30. New IHSAA physicals are REQUIRED for all Elkhart Athletic practices and contests starting after the July 4th moratorium week.