Dear Proud Hawk Community Members,

As we wrap up our 2024-2025 school year, I want to take a moment to thank you: our families, staff, and community for your continued partnership and support of Heritage CUSD 8. Together, we have accomplished so much this year: many opportunities to collaborate together, invest in new instructional resources for math, health and social and emotional learning (SEL), new buses are on the way, extracurricular and activity success, and facility improvements.

This summer, our work continues behind the scenes. We will be offering Open Gym academic planning sessions for our teachers, continuing professional development for our staff. We are also excited to explore the insights gained from our Anxious Generation book study, which will help guide thoughtful policies around screen time and student well-being.

Our facilities team will be hard at work with important upgrades to ensure safe, welcoming learning environments. Thanks to your input, we will continue moving forward with the goals outlined in our upcoming Strategic Plan.

We hope this summer brings your family time to relax, recharge, and reconnect. Thank you for entrusting us with the opportunity to serve your children. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in August for another great year in the Proud Hawk Community.

Wishing you a safe and joyful summer,

Dr. Norton

At the May 20 Board of Education meeting, several important updates and initiatives were discussed in preparation for the 2025–2026 school year:

• Wellness Policy: The Board reviewed proposed updates to the district’s Wellness Policy. While a draft was presented, further discussion will continue to provide greater clarity. A revised recommendation is expected at the June meeting, focusing on nutrition guidelines, beverage restrictions, and responsible technology use during the school day.

• Strategic Plan Presentation: Leaders from the Strategic Planning Committee presented the draft plan, which reflects months of input from families, students, staff, and community members. The plan outlines key priorities for academic success, student well-being, and community engagement.
  👉 View the Strategic Plan Presentation Here

• School Improvement Plans: Principals shared updated School Improvement Plans for both the elementary/junior high and high school buildings. These plans support student growth, instructional focus, and climate/culture goals aligned with the district’s broader strategic direction.

• AI Plan Approved: The Board approved the district’s Artificial Intelligence Plan, which promotes the effective use of AI tools in education while ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place for student data and academic integrity.

• Student Ambassadors Program: A new Student Ambassadors Policy and administrative procedures were approved to provide students with leadership and service opportunities representing their peers and school community.

• Creative Writing & Literature Club: A proposal for a new club was presented to promote student voice and creative expression at the high school. The Board was supportive, with next steps to be determined for implementation.

• Bus Routing Software: A potential solution to improve transportation efficiency and communication with families was introduced for discussion.

• Personnel and Recognition: The Board approved several staffing changes, including the hiring of Lily Ploense as High School Girls Volleyball Coach and Andrew Stone as Assistant Coach. We are excited to continue building this program and grateful for their leadership.

Thank you to all who continue to contribute to our Proud Hawk Community. We appreciate your partnership as we prepare for the upcoming school year.

Beginning on July 1st, 2025, Heritage Boosters will be merged into Heritage PTC. Both organizations are hopeful that by joining forces we can better support our district. This means that next school year PTC will extend our reach beyond the classroom to include Heritage sports, district wide. Exciting times are ahead and we'd love for you to be part of it! We are especially seeking K-3rd and high schooler parents to strengthen our organization and our schools. Meetings will start in July/August :)

Email us at heritageptc@gmail.com to join our mailing list and find us on Facebook @heritageptc to keep up to date.

Have an amazing summer!

Jess Sands-President

Jenny Kirschner-Vice President

Rachel Denmark-Treasurer

Ariel Wells-Secretary

Please note the additional information needed for the following grades:

*All required information can be uploaded for on-line registration

Kindergarten: All students entering kindergarten must have a certified birth certificate;
proof of a current physical (all immunizations including proof of two
varicella (chicken pox) vaccines must be up to date), dental exam, and eye
exam.

2nd Grade: All students entering 2nd grade must have proof of a dental exam.

6th Grade: All students entering 6th grade must have proof of a current physical (T-
dap vaccination, varicella (chicken pox) vaccinations, meningitis vaccine; all
immunizations up to date); dental exam.

9th Grade: All students entering the 9th grade must have proof of a current physical
(T-dap vaccinations). Freshman must also provide a dental exam that has
been completed within 18 months of May of 2024.

12th Grade: All seniors are to show proof of having the MCV4 (Meningitis vaccine). If you
had one on or after your 16th birthday, then only one is required. If you had
one before your 16th birthday, then a second vaccine is required.

Athletic Participation: Students participating in athletics must have a completed
updated sports physical exam prior to the start of the sport’s practice times. In
addition, all athletes must either purchase school insurance or parents may sign a waiver
stating that the athlete is covered by a family insurance plan. All fees must be paid for a
student to be allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities.

Mrs. Hermosillo showcased student talent from all grade levels with an incredible display of exhibits. This is just a glimpse of the many outstanding works our students created!

We can't believe it is almost the end of the school year! We are actively registering kids for our summer reading program.

This year's program is "Level Up at Your Library".

Join us for 7 weeks of games, crafts, and other activities!

We will have a weekly craft/activity program on Tuesdays from 1-2pm, starting on June 3rd, for anyone entering grades K-5. Kids will take home a reading log and earn prizes as they read.

Even if your child can not attend the weekly activity program they can still pick up a reading log to earn prizes.

Kids do not need to live in Homer or have a library card to participate in this program. They only need a library card to check out books to take home to read.

We will also have a very informal teen program - teens can pick up a reading log and track their reading to earn prizes.

This month, we proudly celebrated our Scholastic Bowl Team for their impressive conference win, two years in a row! Our students enjoyed exciting field trips to the zoo, children's museums, Homer Lake, and the planetarium. Both kindergarten and junior high orientations were a huge success, creating a fantastic start for the new school year. We capped off this incredible year with a fun-filled PTC day and recognized our students' achievements during our Awards Assembly. What a whirlwind of a year, it flew by! We can't wait to see what next year brings!

What a busy finish to the year, but we were able to honor a lot of students past and present. First, the Hall of Fame ceremony was held as Elizabeth Jenkins Morgan, Heidi Hubert Craddock and Brad Wilson were inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame. We are very thankful for them coming in the next day to help us honor our 4th Quarter Breakfast Club members as well as speaking to our student body at an assembly and in Mr Boyer's classroom.

We continued our celebration of students with our Scholarship and Honors Night. 75 students were honored for their achievements throughout the year. The next night we were able to induct 4 new members into the National Honor Society. Finally, we were able to celebrate our Senior class with Graduation. Good luck to our Seniors as they leave to begin college, work and the military.

Besides honoring and celebrating our students, students were able to have a good time at Prom. Kashton White and Gracie Tate were crowned King and Queen before students danced the night away. Our students were able to show off their various talents this month as well. If you were not able to make the Art Show, you missed out because there were some great pieces of work.

Kamble Pearman showed off his welding ability at a Welding CDE to win 1st place and qualify for state. The musical The Awesome 80s was performed at 3 different shows with students providing their acting and singing skills. Some of those same students put on a fabulous Spring Concert for Band and Chorus. We had students take some trips this month as well.

The Sophomore class attended the CANDLES museum in Terre Haute to get a more in depth look at the Holocaust. Student Council members attended the State Convention before returning to school to induct the new officers for next year's council.

Finally, congratulations to our Spring athletes on their seasons. Brennan Struck and Robert Holloman moved out of regional competition into sectional competition in Bass Fishing. Loran Tate, Madi Wilson, Bre Ploense and Clark Roland qualified for state in Track.

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Attached are pictures of the Senior and 8th grade final projects. Haiden Davis created a Cubs themed bags board with engraved legs and 3D printed Cubs logos for his Woodworking final. Zaien Smith along with his class created tool boxes that they would be able to take with them throughout life. The 8th graders constructed bird houses with an engraved side panel and attached a chain to the top in order for it to be hung.

Another student, Robert Holloman, asked if he could create two plaques for his graduation party. So, he and Mr. Frost, carved the design he wanted into them and gave them a burned finish to make it all pop. He gave them away to the winners of his car show at his graduation party.

Thank you, Mr. Frost for these wonderful experiences for our students!