SCH Weekly

Hi SCH Family,

This week is National School Breakfast Week and many of the district team and several School Board Trustees will be out in our schools serving breakfast to our kids. Courtesy of Director Clarahan, here are some of the identified benefits of kids eating breakfast.

• Children who eat breakfast at school — closer to class and test-taking time — perform better on standardized tests than those who skip breakfast or eat breakfast at home
• Students who eat breakfast the morning of a standardized test have significantly higher scores in spelling, reading, and math, compared to those who do not eat breakfast
• Student academic achievement increases, especially for math, when schools offer the School Breakfast Program
• Students who participate in school breakfast show improved attendance, behavior, and academic performance as well as decreased tardiness
• Providing breakfast to students at school improves their concentration, alertness, comprehension, memory, and learning
• Children who eat breakfast show improved cognitive function, attention, and memory
• Consuming breakfast improves children’s performance on mathematical tasks, vocabulary tests, demanding mental tasks, and reaction to frustration

Have a great week,

Scott

It’s finally here – National School Breakfast Week 2020!!! Schools across the nation are celebrating breakfast this week with the theme: School Breakfast is Out of This World!

If you would like to help us celebrate in your classrooms or offices – consider posting a short video on social media and answer the question “How does school breakfast #FuelGreatness?” Make sure to tag @INDairy, @NoKidHungry, and @EducateIN.

Three major events are forthcoming. Our annual Spring Dance Concert STEPPIN INTO SPRING, Our SENIOR VISUAL ARTS SHOWCASE and our STUDENT DRIVEN PRODUCTION of THE WOMEN. Please support all our HAPA programs.

Richard Annunziata, Bertha Cantu, Sunshine Chaffee, Shana Chelich, Ryan Cogdill, Charles Cook, Gabriela Correa Bobadilla, Cynthia Cruz, Brenda Danner, Nancy Galambos, Vickie Hart, Paola Hernandez, Christopher Howard, Nancy Johnston, Delores Jones, April Kinker, Kelly Koval-Patterson, Patricia Kramer, Latasha Maclin, Barbara Marshall, Brittany Martinez, Jamie Nelson, Mary Beth Nickolaou, Josette Perkins, Ian Rausei, Efthimia Repasi, Melinda Repasi, Melinda Sestan, Kari Tolliver, Patricia Turpin, Jack Velazquez, Jr., and Daniel Wolff

"IT’S TIME TO SEE PEOPLE, NOT PUNCHLINES."

Government Council for People with Disabilities (Indiana, 2020)

Each March, we celebrate Disability Awareness Month throughout Indiana. On this, the 30th year for this important event, we chose the theme “People, Not Punchlines” to acknowledge an ugly truth: Persons with disabilities are sometimes turned into objects of ridicule. But rather than being the butt of a joke, each individual in our campaign uses humor to open a conversation and highlight ways in which we can all understand each other better.

Led by the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, the goal of Disability Awareness Month is to promote the independence, integration, and inclusion of all people with disabilities. The Council develops a unique theme for this annual event and produces campaign materials that are available free of charge to Hoosiers who want to help make a difference.

There are 54 million Americans with disabilities. Adults and children with disabilities represent nearly a fifth of Indiana’s population. There’s nothing funny about the ignorance and naivety that often keep us from connecting with our fellow Hoosiers.

Join thousands of advocates and people with disabilities across the state by raising awareness and conducting an activity in your own community. It could be an art contest, or an awareness campaign, or a mayoral proclamation, or just about anything else! We welcome your conviction and creativity.

The concept of the “human firewall” is extremely centric to a company’s security. No amount of technology can stop a person from mistakenly clicking a malicious link in a phishing email that “slipped through the cracks.” Conversely, no firewall or antivirus software will ever be as powerful as the person using the computer. When it comes to cybersecurity, people are *always* the most important factor.

Save the date! Wednesday, April 1st will be Census Outreach Day in the School City of Hammond. A quick classroom activity and take home materials will be provided for your students in order to raise awareness of how important it is for every child to be counted. More information will be coming soon!

Look at this wonderful graphic! It beautifully represents what inclusionary language looks like in practice. As you plan all of your family involvement activities, please keep this in mind. If you have examples of this from your school, please send it to me. I would love to see it!

Congratulations are due for Transportation Department drivers and former director, Terry Butler! School City of Hammond Transportation Department was recognized as runner-up for Outstanding Partner with the South Shore Clean Cities at their annual conference. The event held on February 25, 2020 at Blue Chip Casino highlighted the latest technology and trends in reducing greenhouse gases. SCH received it’s recognition through enacting a policy to reduce bus idling which decreased greenhouse gases output significantly. Future plans include the exploration of using alternative fuels to move away from the dependency of diesel in school buses.

Monday, March 2nd

• National School Breakfast Week Begins
• Gavit MS/HS - Sophomore ISTEP Testing - 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Hess ES - Facebook Live Read Aloud - 7 p.m. (Read Across America Week)
• Irving ES - Facebook Read Aloud - 6 p.m.
• Irving ES - Wrestling Practice - 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• O'Bannon ES - Survive Alive Tour - 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• O'Bannon ES - Girls on the Run - 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Wallace ES - Battle of the Books March Madness Begins

Tuesday, March 3rd

• Administration Center - School Board Meeting - 6 p.m.
• Clark MS/HS Boys Basketball Sectionals vs. Gary Lighthouse @ Civic Center - 7:30 p.m.
• Hess ES - Facebook Live Read Aloud - 7 p.m. (Read Across America Week)
• Irving ES - Girls on the Run Practice - 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Irving ES - Art Club - 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Lincoln ES - Wellness Screenings
• Morton HS Boys Basketball vs. Merrillville @ EC Central - 7 p.m.
• O'Bannon ES - Survive Alive Tour - 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• O'Bannon ES - Art Club - 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, March 4th

• Franklin ES - Career Expo - 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Hess ES - Facebook Live Read Aloud - 7 p.m. (Read Across America Week)
• Irving ES - Wrestling Practice - 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Morton HS - Side-by-Side - 7:30 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.
• O'Bannon ES - Survive Alive Tour - 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• O'Bannon ES - Girls on the Run - 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Wallace ES - Fit Kids Program for 3rd & 4th Grades

Thursday, March 5th

• Hess ES - Facebook Live Read Aloud - 7 p.m. (Read Across America Week)
• Irving ES - Girls on the Run Practice - 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Irving ES - Art Club - 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Lincoln ES - Professional Development - 8 a.m.
• Lincoln ES - Spring Pictures
• O'Bannon ES - Chess - 3:20 p.m. to 4:25 p.m.
• O'Bannon ES - Girls Basketball - 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Friday, March 6th

• Gavit MS/HS Boys Basketball Sectional Game - 6 p.m.
• Hess ES - Facebook Live Read Aloud - 7 p.m. (Read Across America Week)
• Hess ES - PBIS/SEL Assemblies
• Irving ES - Wrestling Practice - 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Lincoln ES - Cool Moms Count
• Lincoln ES - MTSS/RTI Meetings
• Morton HS - HAPA "Steppin into Spring" - 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. & 7 p.m.
• O'Bannon ES - PTA Popcorn
• Wallace ES - Athletes for Charity Book Sharing with 3rd Graders

Saturday, March 7th

• Morton HS - PTA Prom Fair - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Morton HS - HAPA "Steppin into Spring" - 7 p.m.

Congratulations to Mrs. Michelle Haas and Ms. Ting Chen “ The Hero in Education Award” winners. These two are very deserving of this award. GO PIONEERS!

GRC wishes Mrs. Dado good luck at the ACC!! “Once a Pioneer always a Pioneer”

Gavit 8th graders participated in the “Day on Campus” event on February 24th at Purdue Northwest. In collaboration with TRIO, over 220 of our students enjoyed the informative exposure of touring the college campus while learning about programs that proved academic, career, and financial counseling and support. Students engaged in CIVS (Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation). Civis is a global recognized University Research Center that uses advanced simulation and visualization technologies such as 3D videos and software to develop and implement innovative solutions for issues in industry, education, community and economy. Way to go 8th graders!!!

Gavit students in grades 6-9 put on a Black History Month program on Friday, February 28th. Students shared monologues from historical African American figures. Student created artwork from was also displayed. The band and choir also performed. Former Assistant Principal, Michael Carey, shared some inspirational closing remarks.

Congratulations to Hammond High School Senior Bernard Weathersby who performed at the State ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest on Saturday, February 29 at North Central High School in Indianapolis. He performed the snare drum solo Courante from Anthony Cirone’s Portraits in Rhythm along with a set of three required rudiments and earned a silver medal.

Seven members of the Hammond High School Band performed in a concert at VanderCook College of Music in Chicago on Sunday, February 16. On this field trip, they participated in the high school open house, two rehearsals with the VCM Symphonic Band, and the 2020 Alumni Concert. Our HHS performers were Joshua Coggins, flute, Kiera Sparkman, clarinet, Ceasar Garcia, bass clarinet, Damian Daily, alto saxophone, Courtney McCollum, trumpet, Andrew Coggins, trombone, O’Phelia Boyd, euphonium, and Mrs. Cheryl Suwardi, HHS Band Director (clarinet).

Members of the Hammond High School Concert Band performed at Victory Centre of River Oaks for the senior citizen residents’ Mardi Gras Party on Tuesday, February 25. After the concert, the scholars visited with the seniors and celebrated Mardi Gras along with them. Our performers were Joshua Coggins, flute, Ariana Smith and Keyshawna Conner, trumpet, O’Phelia Boyd, euphonium, Bernard Weathersby, Alijah Williams, and Dejuane Jackson, percussion, and Mrs. Cheryl Suwardi, director, clarinet, and trumpet.

On Friday, the NWILC (Northwest Indiana Literacy Coalition) awarded our school a mini-grant to purchase more books for our multi-lingual students to check-out. The organization approved our grant because of the impact it will have on students and their families by increasing literacy at home. We are proud to receive the award so that we can get more books in the hands of our students!

At Lincoln, we focus on the whole child. Of course, academics are important, but we like to expose our students to fun-filled activities that make their educational experiences even more memorable. Last week, our 4th and 5th grade students attended a Chicago Wolves hockey game. This was a first as many of them had never been to a professional hockey game. Some of our students were able to go on the ice with the team. Check out the 1st picture. How cool! Thanks for our 4th and 5th grade teachers for making this happen!

Today, we hosted Cool Dads Read. Cool Dads read is a program that we created 4 years ago in a dual effort to encourage fathers/father-figures to participate in school and to encourage children to improve their reading skills. The pictures are priceless!

Morton High School’s Black Student Union was created this year to create a space where students can learn more about Black History, make positive changes in the school and community, have more representation and awareness for black culture and issues, and more. The Black Student Union, along with the Morton HS Advanced Choir, Jazz Band, and tech crew, put on an AMAZING Black History Month program Wednesday, February 12. The program was written and directed by Morton/HAPA student, Trisheena Harris. There were student actors, dancers, singers, rappers, and musicians. We are SO proud of them!! The BSU also went on a field trip to the Museum of Science & Industry Thursday, February 20 to visit the Black Creativity Art Exhibit.

O’Bannon Family Fun Night was a success!

Thanks to the Hammond Firefighters at Station 7 and Power Paws for Kids for joining us!

After our ArcelorMittal 3D tour last month, 14 of our students were invited to visit the ArcelorMittal Burns Harbor plant.

The employees at ArcelorMittal had an amazing day prepared for our students. We spent the morning touring the plant and visited the Hot Mill. We had lunch with a member of their Human Resources Department, who spoke to our students about ArcelorMittal and what they look for in potential employees.

Finally, our students spent the afternoon in their training facility visiting several stations and speaking to trainers about the skills required for different jobs.

Our Preparing for College and Careers instructors were able to attend and gain valuable information to take back to all of our students.

February was full of learning and fun for the Wallace Bobcat students and their families! For Dental Health Month, the ACC dental health students, along with their instructor Ms. McCollum, visited Wallace and taught our students how to take care of their teeth and gums. They even brought the Tooth Fairy with them! Wallace’s Recess Team participated in Playworks training, the team is guiding our school in creating a culture where every child on the playground feels included, is active and can build valuable social and emotional skills. All of the children have already been learning how to play new, fun indoor and outdoor recess games. The PTA Valentine’s Day Dance was a huge success! The students, families and staff danced the night away, there was even a dance battle with some of our Bobcats showing us their special moves. Wallace Elementary students and staff celebrated Black History Month on February 26th. The students had the opportunity to pay homage to influential African Americans from the past and present. Our incredible emcee, Mrs. Maxine Simmons, made the event even more memorable with her energy and enthusiasm! Thank you to everyone that was able to attend. We’re looking forward to what the month of March will bring!

An update from the Superintendent is distributed at the beginning of the week.

View previous weekly updates from Mr. Miller here.

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Email: schadmin@hammond.k12.in.us
Website: www.hammond.k12.in.us
Location: 41 Williams Street, Hammond, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 933-2400
Facebook: facebook.com/SchoolCityofHammond/
Twitter: @SCHK12