Focus on Education
December 2018
BIG NEWS!!! SCOH HAS A LOT TO CELEBRATE!
We are pleased to inform you of a significant event that transpired at the Indianapolis Statehouse on November 9, 2018. At 10:00 EST, a major announcement was made on behalf of the Indiana Department of Education and the Office of Workforce & STEM Alliances.
Hundreds of Hoosiers came together to celebrate the schools in the State of Indiana that became fully-STEM certified. After a rigorous application process followed by on-site evaluations at each school, those schools receiving this honor of distinction surely earned a rousing applause.
See the blue pinpoints on the map? Those are the School City of Hobart schools that are fully-STEM certified. That’s right - each and every one of our schools in the School City of Hobart received full STEM certification!
Without the sustained leadership of faculty in the SCOH - our students would not have the opportunities to partake in these STEM activities and courses. If not for our Brickies and their families, however, all of this work would be in vain. Our students are our X factor. Our students are our WHY. At each of our schools, you will notice banners that celebrate this accomplishment. May these banners serve as a reminder of what happens when Brickies WORK! WORK! WORK! WE ARE HOBART!
Our Ridge View Ridge-Bots!
Our Ridge-Bots did a great job competing this year and showed their true Brickie Grit by persevering and not letting any malfunction stop them! So what does a robotics competition consist of? Well, first the team has to decide which robot they want to build for this years competition. Once decicded, they begin the process of constructing, entirely, the robot. As with life, the encounter different problems in the building process and need to re-evaluate and come up with a solution. Sometimes a piece is miss-aligned and they may have to go back a few steps in order to correct the issue. It is sometimes grueling, but with their determination they get it all figured out!
On the day of competition the students had to compete WITH other teams to score the most points possible in 60 seconds. There are 2 drivers for the robot and each get to drive for 30 seconds. They have different goals during this one minute time frame that consist of moving boxes, stacking boxes, and parking your robot - all earning different points. The students all showed great teamwork throughout the day and made many new friends, so I would say it was a huge Victory!
Our Joan Martin Brickiebotics!
They did an outstanding job at this years competition which had 17 teams from Northwest Indiana and a total of 94 matches and 4 rounds of finals! The Brickiebotics Team C made it to the finals and lost by only 2 points! Incredible job by our young engineers and great job to Joan Martin for encouraging our Brickies!
Our Middle School Robotics Are Heading To State!
Hobart Middle School students have been honing their robotics and presentation skills since September in preparation for the FIRST Lego League IUN Qualifying Tournament. The tournament took place on Sunday, November 18, 2018. These teams were generously funded by a grant from the Hobart Educational Foundation, making it possible to have two teams this year and giving over 20 students the opportunity to participate. The teams are required to build an EV3 LEGO robot, without directions, and use block coding and sensors enabling the robot to complete missions. This year’s theme was in conjunction with NASA and titled “Into Orbit”. The teams make three presentations during the six-hour competition: technical (robot design and programming), Core Values and project. FLL Core Values include Discovery, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, Teamwork and Fun. Each team creates visual aids and must present how their team utilized the same in front of judges panel in a separate classroom. The project tackled issues one would have if they were in outer space longer than one year. Our 6th grade team, Brickies Next Generation, addressed exercise and energy storage. They met with Ms. Funkhouser who assessed their prototype generating more arm resistance to be attached to the treadmills they use in space. The heat energy generated from the mechanism could be stored in a battery to be used in the future. Brickies Next Generation finished with a 2nd place trophy for Gracious Professionalism. The Hobart Brickies: Algae Bruhs (grades 7 and 8) based their project on the potential for energy from an algae farm in space. They spoke with the solid waste district to learn about compost farms and how the chemicals work. Teams also go through three rounds of robot play. Our Algae Bruhs finished with a first place trophy in Inspiration and in the top 7. The Hobart Brickies: Algae Bruhs qualified for the State competition in Fort Wayne on December 8, 2018. They are continuing to gear up for this next competition and are over the moon about this opportunity! Thank you to our student mentors, Michael Hathaway, Ben Molchan, Emma Duggan and Jerry Fuller, who assisted with preparing these teams for competition.
Brickies Next Generation (6th grade): Abigail Allen, John Duggan, Annabelle Fraley, Nick Molchan, Nathan Matney, Marissa Roe, and Charlie Carrol
Hobart Brickies: Algae Bruhs (7th and 8th grade) : Liam Garcia, Abigail Gniadecki, Cece Vega Johnson, Sofia Martin, Matheu Popenhagen, Kyle Scroggins, Jack Bisone
MORE BIG NEWS!
The School City of Hobart is Awarded AdvancED Accreditation!
AdvancED is the largest community of education professionals in the world. AdvancED conducts rigorous, on-site reviews of a variety of educational institutions and systems to ensure that all learners realize their full potential. Yet, AdvancED is far from a typical accrediting agency. Their goal isn’t to certify that educational institutions are good enough. Instead, their commitment is to help these institutions continuously improve.
The School City of Hobart is proud to be one of the first districts in the State of Indiana to be fully-accredited through AdvancED back in 2002! Every 5-years, we go through accreditation to keep our certification renewed. The accreditation process is rigorous as each of our schools - along with the district - completes a lengthy application that ends up being ~50 pages in length. Also, an external review team comes in and conducts several days worth of observations and interviews with all involved stakeholders. Students, teachers, counselors, administrators, board members, parents, and community partners all play a crucial role in these on-site external reviews.
We are evaluated on many criteria and are additionally asked to set goals for ourselves in seven key prioritized areas including clear direction, healthy culture, high expectations, the impact of instruction, resource management, engagement, and implementation. For each prioritized area, we are required to state new priorities and continuing priorities.
The School City of Hobart is pleased to announce that we received full accreditation from AdvancED. Yet, we accomplished something much more significant than receiving full-accreditation.
Last month at one of our board meetings we had the honor of having Jennifer Horvath from AdvancED present our schools with their AdvancED Accreditation certificates! Jennifer chose to come and present the plaque to our school district because of how impressed she and her team were with the things going on at the School City of Hobart.
Last, it was stated that the School City of Hobart received the highest marks in the mid-Atlantic region!!! Also, Jennifer wanted to point out that we are leaders and models for other districts to follow! Proud of our students, staff, parents, and community partners who model what it means to be Brickies. Work! Work! Work! #BrickieUp
To learn more about our accreditation and Strategic plans for the School City of Hobart and our individual schools visit our website at www.hobart.k12.in.us/accreditation!
Creating Magic through Leadership By Elena Polizotto, HHS senior, and Liesl Martin, HHS junior
As Liesl Martin and I sat in a conference room filled with business executives and CEOs for non-profits, Lee Cockerell, retired Vice President of Operations for the Disney Corporation, seemed to encourage us in a grandfatherly way. The messages were the same, but the delivery was different. My name is Elena Polizotto and I am a senior at Hobart High School, President of Key Club, Captain of the Soccer Team and Mayor of the School. Liesl is classically trained in ballet, is the Treasurer of Key Club and will be team soccer captain next year. Our resumes list our leadership positions, but with Lee’s advice, we will become a great leaders. Lee took the time to talk us during breaks and even did a special podcast with us!
For young people, he had three pieces of advice: get educated, get experience, and get exposure to new cultures, religions, and people. He stressed that babies aren’t born racists or bigots, parents and communities are to blame for that. He told us to get help in our classes before we actually need it, to invest our time and money in camps and workshops that will help us become better, smarter, and kinder people. He told us to surround ourselves with people who will make us better and who will push us to be the best versions of ourselves. “Disney cannot afford to discriminate.” Disney hires the best people (no matter their color, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation), who are knowledgeable and will treat their guests from all over the world respectfully and with kindness. “Surround yourself with great hires and you will have a great organization.” He came back to these points again and again.
Whether you are the Superintendent of Schools, a principal, a teacher, or a club leader, the principles of being a great leader are the same. Leaders need to be present, physically. Face to face conversations are more meaningful and more impactful than an email or a v-cast. The people under (you) want to feel appreciated and encouraged, want to be trained and want to develop their skills. We also learned that when you hire (or organize), you have the chance to make your organization great. “Hire slow and fire fast.” By having a personal relationship with these people, you will have employees (or members) who are committed, who will go the extra mile, and who will stay with you. Your turnover will decrease.
Leaders also need to let go: you’ve surrounded yourself with great people, so let them do their jobs. If you don’t, you aren’t letting them develop their skills. “You hired them for a reason, right?” Even as a club officers, Liesl and I often want to take over a project when it isn’t moving fast enough. When we do, we see the group lose interest and aren’t nearly as committed to the cause. Their morale deflates. Lee reminded us we need to have check ed ins, encourage and delegate. “Great organizations have great people.” He also stressed to the group that role modeling is just as important as high expectations. BE there for people, BE enough, BE kind.
We would like to thank Kiwanis International and HHS Key Club for their financial support, School City of Hobart for allowing us to attend the event during the school week and for allowing us to share our experience with you, and especially Lee Cockerell for imparting his wisdom upon us.
Veteran's Day Will Always Be a Day To Remember and Honor
Key Leader Weekend At Camp Tecumseh!
Joan Martin's 4th Grade Classes Are At It Again! Spreading Kindness!
High School's Careers In The Trades Newsletter
Did you know …
There are a lot of workers who spend five years or less in every job they take on? In January 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the average employee tenure was 4.2 years, down from 4.6 years in January 2014.
So what?
It’s more important than ever for you to make sure you have options for what skills you develop and what credentials you earn so that you are marketable.
What will it take for you to be successful? The successful worker is one who is up-to-date on trends in their industry and who is always learning and refining skills and abilities. What can you do now to prepare for the future? By taking dual credit classes while in high school and working to earn a certificate, technical certificate, or associate's degree - you can save a lot of time and money while working towards finding and keeping your dream job. Talk to your counselor and see what HU can do for you!!!
Khan Academy - You Can Keep Learning Anything. For Free. For Everyone. Forever.
Take Control Of The Current Drug Trends!
Are Kids Addicted To Their Phones?
Nurse's Corner for December!
Flu- Get your Flu shot! Spread holiday cheer to friends and family this season, not the flu! Contact your healthcare provider or make an appointment at our Brickie Clinic 219-945-9383.
Vaccinations- All students are required to have up to date immunizations- Finally letters will be going home by December 7th for student that are not up to date on their shots! Final Deadline for vaccinations are December 17th. Starting on this date your student will be excluded from school until records are presented to school or Administration.
Health Conditions- If your student has a specific health condition or needs special care during the school day such as medication, treatments, or monitoring, please inform your school nurse and provide your nurse with a care plan. Individual health care plans help keep your student safe and healthy.
Sick students- Please keep all sick children home from school- this includes fever greater than 100 degrees, vomiting or diarrhea. If you are unsure, please call your healthcare provider or school nurse for advice.
Head Lice- It’s that time of year where our students break out their coats, scarves and hats. Please encourage your child not to share such items as hats, scarves, brushes or any personal items. Lice is not a danger to your child’s health, it is simply an annoying problem that comes around this time of year, so no need to panic. Please know that anyone and everyone can get lice. Getting lice has nothing to do with you being clean or dirty, it only has to do with the fact that you are human. It is very important to check your family for lice this time of year regularly. If you find any live lice or eggs, it is absolutely necessary to treat each “infected” person, but more importantly, you must notify the school so that we can effectively and confidentially assist you with monitoring. The school nurse can assist you with proper treatment options as well as identify and demonstrate for you what to do.
CLOTHING- Please make sure your student has an extra change of clothing in his/her backpack incase needed for unseen circumstances that may arise during the school day.
If you have any questions, please call your school nurse or visit our school web page at http://www.hobart.k12.in.us/healthservices for more information on student health, school forms, and other helpful links
Here Comes The Bus App
Joan Martin 2nd Grade Nutcracker Performance
Thursday, Dec 6, 2018, 06:00 PM
Joan Martin Elementary School, East 10th Street, Hobart, IN, USA
Middle School Choir Concert
Thursday, Dec 6, 2018, 07:00 PM
Hobart Middle School, East 8th Street, Hobart, IN, USA
Polar Express and Crafts, Games, and Santa!
The "Craft, Games, and Santa" event
starts at 9:30am
ONLY for those students in
Brickie Kidz & Kindergarten. (and their siblings)
"Polar Express" is for everyone of all ages!
Starts at 11:00am
There will be a concession stand with treats and hot cocoa for a small cost.
TO HELP US BETTER SERVE YOU, PLEASE RSVP TO THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE AT (219) 942-8885. IF VOICEMAIL: JUST LEAVE YOUR NAME, NUMBER, AND HOW MANY WILL BE ATTENDING THE EVENT.
Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, 09:30 AM
Hobart High School, East 10th Street, Hobart, IN, United States
FAFSA Completion Day!
Thursday, Dec 13, 2018, 08:00 AM
Hobart High School, East 10th Street, Hobart, IN, United States
FAFSA Completion Night!
Thursday, Dec 13, 2018, 04:00 PM
Hobart High School, East 10th Street, Hobart, IN, USA
Hobart Band and Orchestra Holiday Celebration!
Admission is FREE, but we ask that youi please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to our Hobart Food Pantry!
Thursday, Dec 13, 2018, 07:00 PM
Hobart High School, East 10th Street, Hobart, IN, USA
High School Choir Holiday Concert
Wednesday, Dec 19, 2018, 07:00 PM
Hobart High School, East 10th Street, Hobart, IN, United States
Winter Break! *Please note that HS students are different*
Friday, Dec 21, 2018, 07:30 AM
School City of Hobart, Hobart, IN, USA
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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.