Wow! Halfway through February already. All those snow days make it feel like we just got back from Christmas break. I think we have found our footing now and are back into a good rhythm of school. I hate the idea of 6 more weeks of winter, but that is what that big rodent said in Pennsylvania. What I know for sure is that this time of the year can drag a bit for students and staff. I encourage everyone to schedule some outdoor time. Get some movement and some fresh air and sunshine (if it comes back), and we can make it to spring.
Our wrestlers had a good showing at team districts on Wednesday, losing in the final by 3 points. They now move on and will be competing for individual districts on Saturday at Olivet. Basketball has a busy finish to the season with makeups, and then our guys host districts here the last week of February with games on the 23rd, 25th, and the championship on Friday the 27th. The girls' district is the first week of March at Saranac High School. Games TBD.
The scheduling process has moved forward with our current 8th graders making course selections earlier this week. On Monday, Mr. Vanhoose worked along with Dr. Wright at the middle school, helping students navigate the process. We had an evening for our current 9th-11th graders planned, but needed to bump that to a later date. We will put out an announcement when that informational meeting gets rescheduled. I feel very good about where we are headed with our course offerings, CTE programming, and our new Panther Tracks, which will help kids align their course selections even more directly with their career plans. More Allied Health, more AG Science, and another AP option with the addition of AP Government. We are also looking at adding some coding, robotics, and computer science in the near future, as well as significant work on aligning K-12 and attacking the gaps that we see in student learning.
No school for students on Monday, the 16th, due to teacher professional development activities. Also, planning ahead be sure to save the date for Follies. Amazing talent and comedy will be on display from our kids. Tickets are $8 with shows on February 26, 27, and 28, all at 7 PM, with a noon matinee for a second show on the 28th. Friday the 27th, we will also be hosting the district basketball championship at 7 PM, so parking will be at a premium, and you will want to arrive early.
This week’s DO A JOB Hogie’s Heroes award goes to Lily & Jasmine Devries, who put together a basket full of sweets and comfort goodies for a teacher who isn’t feeling great. Thanks for living out our kindness character trait, girls!!
