Focus On Education

On Saturday, both the Hobart High School jazz band and jazz orchestra participated in ISSMA Jazz at Portage HS. They sounded phenomenal and had great comments from the judges. BOTH ensembles received gold WITH DISTINCTION...something that has never happened before. Junior Charles Ganske and senior Maya Bradford also received outstanding soloist awards!

It should also be noted that a large number of these students are currently involved in the spring musical. Tech Week was last week (late nights until 9pm) with 3 shows over the weekend...they all showed up Saturday morning, with smiles on their faces, prepared to tackle the day! (including a performance that night!). These students should be commended for their incredible achievement and hard work! Way to Be Excellent On Purpose, Brickies!

Earlier this week, Hobart High School students organized the March Madness 3v3 Basketball Tournament, which is their annual 'Balash Ball' charity event. This year, they raised funds and awareness for Unified Track & Field by having 20 teams sign up to compete in the bracket until they had a final winner and runner-up. The event was attended by students, and community members, including Hobart Police Department, Hobart Fire Department, and our Mayor Josh Huddleston.

This year's Balash Ball event marks a shining example of the incredible generosity and support of our community, raising an impressive $740 for Unified Track & Field. Through the collaborative efforts of the Business Professionals of America and National Honor Society members, this event has come to fruition. Their dedication and hard work serve as an inspiration to us all.

Here are the winners of the tournament:
1st place Team "Lockdown"
2nd place Team "Rusty Shots"
3rd place Team "Hobart PD"

Thank you to everyone involved in planning and supporting this event!

The Brickie Parent Café is a collection of podcasts for Brickie parents on a wide variety of subjects. Check out this week's featured cast from our Director of Secondary Curriculum, Dr. Tim Krieg where he explores how to make the most of the Leap Year by making conscious choices daily about what we do and don't do.

Innovate WithIN is a business pitch competition that teaches students to view the world through a lens of entrepreneurship and innovation. It is free and available to all Indiana high school students - offering everything from scholarships to seed funding, all accompanied by a detailed course that will help students come up with winning ideas and create a well thought out pitch. Innovate WithIN is available for both individual and classroom use.

Meet Isis and Kayla - two Hobart High School students, whose love for animals inspired a business that would ultimately provide jobs and bring together a community.

Watch their Story Unfold

Meet HHS Senior, Ben Eberle, the creator of Innovate WithIN finalist, Tow Scout. Tow Scout has designed a portable rearview mirror to support watercraft safety. The device can be easily attached to boats, kayaks, or other watercraft, providing a clear view of the surrounding area to ensure safe navigation.

Hear More of Ben's Story Here

View the HHS Career Pathway and Course Description Guide by clicking here!

*Thank you to Graphic Design student, junior, Rhyan Strick, for designing the cover art for this year's guide!*

Click here to learn more about the new HU Writing Center!

Here at the School City of Hobart, we take pride in making sure all of our students have the means to succeed. Sometimes this requires extra study time outside of the classroom. Click the button below for a list of some great websites for assistance and tutoring info!

Check out the SEL page for great tips and advice for Social Emotional Learning for students, parents, and families! Lots of great information with what we do in school with students and what you can do at home.

SAFE is an acronym for “Supporting Addiction Free Environments for Lake County” and is Lake County, Indiana’s coalition against substance, use, abuse and misuse in adults and adolescents. Our members consist of both individuals and organizations and make up our THREE PILLARS: PREVENTION (Education), SUPPORT (Treatment & Intervention), and ACCOUNTABILITY (Law Enforcement & Legislation). Please consider joining SAFE’s efforts to combat drug and alcohol abuse and misuse. All residents of Lake County are welcome to participate. Click here to learn more.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Free confidential support is available. Call 211 (866-211-9966) to speak to a trained counselor 24/7. To be connected to a crisis counselor, call 211 and enter your zip code, then follow the prompts and select number 3 for the Be Well Crisis Helpline.

You know that sleep is important to your child's well-being. But changing the clock and adjusting the sunlight hours during Daylight Savings Time can make bedtime more of a challenge than expected. So how can you help them stay recharged during the time adjustment?

Maintaining some bedtime habits could be your answer to better sleep! We spoke with a Family Life Educator at Sanford Children's CHILD Services to give you top tips on creating bedtime habits for your household.

1. Work as a team to make consistent sleep a family priority. It's important to discuss and agree on a sleep strategy for your child(ren) with your partner. Try setting regular go-to-bed and wake-up times for the entire family.
2. Limit screen time before bed. Turning off screens one hour before bedtime gives kids' brains enough time to relax and prepare for bed.
3. Create a sleep environment. It's important that your child's sleep area promotes quality sleep. Dark, quiet, and cool rooms are best. Check out this printable activity to get kids involved with creating their own sleep zone!
4. Be patient. Don't expect perfection right away. Anticipating setbacks or requests such as one last kiss, hug, drink of water, or book and incorporating them into a bedtime routine can help keep you and your child calm while ensuring everything is done before they go to bed.

Want to learn more tips on bedtime habits? Just click here!

Tall Cop Says Stop™ is a website dedicated to education and resources for the detection and prevention of substance abuse to help keep young people, families and communities safe. Officer Galloway has been educating and fighting drug and alcohol abuse for over 20 years! He is a highly respected and internationally recognized instructor on trends in drug/alcohol culture and enforcement methods.

Officer Galloway’s motto is, You can’t stop what you don’t know™. He has worked with parents, educators, city leaders and many others to understand and reduce the harm caused by drinking and drugs in their communities.

Check out Tall Cop's podcasts here.

Indiana has several FREE resources for adults and students.

Additional information and resources:

*Contact the SRO officer at each school

*Vape Free Indiana
in.gov/vapefreeindiana

*Indiana High School Athletic Association and Indiana Department of Health partnership

https://dontpuffthisstuff.com/

Check out this month's Nurse's Corner to learn about the immunizations, sports physicals, and what to do when your student is sick.

If your child isn't feeling well, please keep him or her at home. You must report the absence to the school before 10:00 AM. Click the link below to learn how to report an absence.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UVUSq5USyAh-AwDoDXVhZl-nP83REUqB/view

Click here to check out the HHS Alumni Association website!

We aim for a great partnership with our parents! That is why we utilize CANVAS and SKYWARD! Learn how to access them both at www.hobart.k12.in.us/partnership

Click here to hear the definition of a Brickie!