Focus On Education

In March of 2023, Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, asked the School City of Hobart to pilot Khanmigo – the new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool his organization was working on for education. Some HHS teachers along with their students began using Khanmigo and offering feedback to the researchers and developers to make the program what it is today. The AI in Khanmigo offers tutoring to students especially during non-school hours when they need help to complete an assignment – without giving them the answer – yet leading them to solutions. In addition, teachers in School City of Hobart discovered the teaching assistant side of Khanmigo with engaging tools for their students.

This week, Microsoft made a huge announcement to partner with Sal Khan to offer Khanmigo free to U.S. teachers. They unveiled the partnership at Microsoft Build 2024 with our very own Brickies leading the way with how powerful Khanmigo has been for teachers and students. Way to Be Excellent on Purpose, Brickies!

Click here for the article explaining the partnership and impact.

Click here for the video of the Brickies which was used to unveil the partnership of Microsoft and Khanmigo.

Click here for the video link featuring the introduction and power of Phi-3 at Microsoft Build with SCOH’s video.

* If you missed the Town Hall with Sal Khan and the Brickies, you will want to go watch it at the following link: http://www.hobart.k12.in.us/khantownhall

Hobart Key Clubbers, Abigail Allen and Gracie Krejci, along with their sponsor, Mrs. Heidi Polizotto took flight for Tokyo last weekend, kicking off their trip to Japan to collaborate with International Key Club Members! Aside from presenting to each other about their respective clubs, the students were able to share some adventures in Tokyo. The group did some sightseeing and took in the local culture and cuisine, cooked traditional Japanese gyoza (dumplings), and made friendship bracelets for each other, among other things! Our Brickies are so grateful to Kiwanis and its members who helped make this amazing and immersive trip possible!

The Engineering Essentials class was tasked at the beginning of the semester to plan, design, and create an amusement ride for their fictional company. The ride idea would then be presented in a mock tradeshow environment where they would present to "potential investors". Throughout the semester students learned various engineering principles, marketing basics, and project management. They even experimented with ways they could incorporate AI into their marketing presentations. On Thursday, May 23rd the students set up their projects for the mock tradeshow and presented to close to 40 to 50 students and staff members. All of the teams did an excellent job presenting their projects and received a lot of positive feedback from their peers and staff. One of the questions the teams were asked was what were the challenges they faced while working on the project. All of the teams talked about how working with different personalities, learning how to communicate effectively with each other, and learning how to compromise were the biggest challenges they faced.

Hobart Middle School PLTW teacher, Sarah Pratt said, "As a teacher, I could not be any prouder of my students and their accomplishments. These students overcame a lot of big hurdles, challenges, and probably tears to see the projects through to the end. They demonstrated what it means to be a Brickie and for that, I am super proud of them."

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!

The Mayor's Youth Council seeks students ages 13-19 with exceptional character to advocate for youth perspectives in city government. Council members will gain insight into municipal government, learn about civic engagement, and inform their peers about council initiatives. Members will engage in community outreach with local organizations and spearhead youth-focused service projects.

Applications can be found at: https://www.cityofhobart.org/560/Mayors-Youth-Council

For questions or more information regarding the Mayor's Youth Council, contact mayorsoffice@cityofhobart.org or call 219-942-6112.

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 Hobart Middle School Dean of Students, Mr. Josh Reno, where he encourages us to finish the school year strong by reminding us about the power of mindset and perseverance.

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.

We’re on a mission to help dads navigate their most challenging parenting problems. Join us as we discuss what has worked for us, tackle scary topics, and learn to love our kids well. We do it all with a combination of humor and humility. If you have more questions than answers, this is the place to be. Today’s the perfect day to become an All Pro Dad. Check out the podcast here!

If you need a mom friend right now, you’ve come to the right place. On iMOM we share ideas, insight, and inspiration. All that happens here, too, by sharing the best kind of stories—mom stories. Check out the podcast 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 the Nurse's Corner for May here!

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

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Sports Physical Night with Dr. Carter is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28th, from 2:45 - 6:00 PM in the HHS Main Gym.

The cost is $25 – Cash or Check (payable to Dr. Mark Carter). All Hobart Middle School and Hobart High School student-athletes are welcome to attend.

Before attending, please register or rollover your FinalForms for the 2024-2025 school year, select sports and sign all forms—THIS IS REQUIRED. FinalForms is now linked at www.hobartbrickies.com.

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!