USD 312 District Newsletter
August/September
The Work You Don't Always See
When we think about our schools, we often picture students learning in classrooms, competing in activities, or performing on a stage. Those are important parts of the school experience, and we enjoy celebrating them. But there is also a tremendous amount of work that happens each day that most people never see.
Before students arrive, staff members are already preparing for the day. Buses are getting ready to run their routes. Breakfast is being prepared. Buildings are being checked, classrooms are being organized, and plans are being adjusted. Each of those responsibilities helps make it possible for students to walk through our doors ready to learn.
For our teachers, the lesson students experience is only part of the work. Behind it are planning, reviewing student work, collaborating with colleagues, and deciding what needs to happen next. A teacher may spend time finding a different way to explain a concept, preparing an additional challenge, or checking in with a student who seemed a little quieter than usual.
That same commitment exists throughout our district. Our office teams help families find answers while managing the many needs that come through their doors. Paraprofessionals provide support that helps students participate and grow. Counselors help students work through challenges and plan for their futures. Food service, transportation, custodial, maintenance, technology, and district office staff solve problems and keep essential services running.
October is also Principal Appreciation Month, and I want to recognize our building leaders. Their days require them to move quickly between supporting teachers, helping students, responding to families, and managing the unexpected. Much of their work happens in individual conversations and decisions that never become an announcement or a newsletter story. I appreciate their commitment to our students, staff, and district.
One of my priorities is that we remain intentional in everything we do. That includes recognizing how our individual responsibilities connect to a student’s experience. A safe ride to school, a welcoming greeting, a prepared classroom, and a clean building all contribute to an environment where students can feel comfortable, supported, and ready to learn.
As superintendent, I have the opportunity to see many of these efforts across our district. I also know there are thoughtful actions and extra efforts that happen without ever reaching my attention. I am grateful for the people who take pride in doing those things well.
To our USD 312 staff: thank you for the work our community sees and for the work it may never see. Your daily efforts make a difference for our students.
#One312
Proud to be a Wildcat,
Craig
Our one-year-old Little Learners had fun learning about pumpkins and painting them, too!
The doctor is in… and the patients are extra cuddly!
Our Pre-K 4 students are learning about pets this week! Their stuffed animals are staying at school, and our little veterinarians are busy giving them checkups and loving care.
Our preschoolers learned about responsibility during our SEL lesson! Our counselors talked about how listening and following directions, from a trusted grown-up, helps us make responsible choices.
Congratulations to our Haven Grade School students who were recognized for demonstrating Responsibility this month! These Wildcats lead by example through their positive choices, accountability, and commitment to doing the right thing. We are proud of you!
From Farm to Fork! Our Haven Grade School students enjoyed a hands-on learning experience led by older students in our district. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about agriculture, where our food comes from, and the importance of farming in our community!
Leading by Example! Our students and staff loved having Superintendent Mr. I step into the classroom to lead reading intervention groups! His hands-on support reflects our districtwide commitment to prioritizing literacy and working together to achieve our building’s Wildly Important Goal (WIG) of improving student reading achievement.
The middle school student council attended their first regional conference of the year earlier this month. Students networked with other stuco groups across the state at the conference and gathered ideas of how to better improve our school. Mrs. Peterson (our sponsor) has done a fantastic job of finding roles for each of our students by dividing them up into committees to make HMS a better place!
Our middle school volleyball team wrapped up their season this past weekend with a third place finish! One of the highlights of their season was beating Hesston (at Hesston!) earlier this month in an extremely competitive three set match. I’m excited to see this group of 8th grade athletes contribute to our high school volleyball team next year!
With the conclusion of middle school fall activities already behind us, we are looking forward to getting basketball underway! At our first boys meeting earlier this week, you can see that we had twenty-nine of them interested in being a part of the middle school basketball team this year! I love seeing so many of our students excited to get involved in the opportunities we offer our students at HMS.
We appreciate Chris and his team for taking care of our facilities and making them look presentable to the public.
Golf has concluded. Aubree Nikkel was our top performer at each invite. She missed the state cut by 1 stroke. She is a joy to be around, and always willing to help out her teammates.
Annually during Fall Festival, Haven High School hosts an Alumni Dinner put on by the Haven Alumni Association. It is a great evening of friends, fellowship and food. This year our oldest alumni was Betty Albright, class of 1955 and our youngest alumni present, was Hadley Idacavage, class of 2026