School District of Howards Grove

Hello Howards Grove Parents & Guardians-

February can be one of the most challenging months in a school year. The excitement of the holidays is behind us, despite our recent warm weather, spring still feels far away, and students and staff are often balancing winter fatigue and academic exhaustion all at once. In addition, the term "March Madness" is more than just a basketball tournament when it comes to schools, which is right around the corner.

During this time, routines matter. Consistent attendance, good sleep, and encouragement at home make a huge difference in helping students stay engaged and motivated. Please know that our staff is working hard each day to support students academically, socially, and emotionally as we move through this stretch of the year together.

Thank you for the many ways you support our schools. Warmer days are ahead, and we look forward to finishing the year strong!

Hang in there!

Shannon Kilton

Superintendent

skilton@hgtigers.com

The School Board approved wraparound care for students in our 4K program for the 2026-2027 school year. See the information below. We are thrilled to offer this opportunity for our families. Wraparound care is only available for our 4K students, but the before school and after school care is open to all Northview students.

As I mentioned last month, Laura Arnhoelter and Amy Horness have submitted paperwork to be on the April 7th ballot to serve on the school board. The ballot order has been selected and will be as follows:

1. Laura Arnhoelter
2. Amy Horness

Each candidate has prepared answers to a few Q&A statements to give our community a better understanding of why they are running for school board.

Check it out!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am Laura Arnhoelter. I’ve lived in the village of Howards Grove since 2013 with my husband Jason, who grew up in Howards Grove. We have 2 children. Chase is 10 and Mia is 6, both attend Northview Elementary. I have been a registered nurse since 2006 and have worked in many specialties, currently working as a Utilization Management Nurse. Outside of work, I spend my time attending Chase’s sporting events and assisting with Girl Scouts for Mia. I enjoy having a vegetable garden in the summer and preserving my harvest by canning etc. I also like to read and go on walks.

What inspired you to run for the school board? What experience or perspective do you bring that will help you govern thoughtfully as a board member?

I have been a member of the advisory board for the school board for almost 2 years and have attended nearly all the school board meetings since joining. I genuinely care about the quality of the education in our community and the long term success of our students. I would like to have a more direct role in shaping the decisions that affect our district to ensure all students and staff feel supported and prepared for challenges they might face.

I feel that I bring a practical approach to decision making and believe in the importance of collaboration with students, parents and community members. I strive to listen to understand and not listen to react. My career experience has had me working with people of all walks of life and perspectives different than my own.

What do you see as the school district’s greatest strength, and where do we most need to improve? What do you enjoy most about our community and schools?

I see the district’s greatest strengths being its dedicated teachers and staff, support from community organizations, and improvement in measurable outcomes of student success. The staff truly cares about their students inside and outside the classroom. Student engagement in community service is very inspiring. Between events like the cereal drive and the addition of the service club at the high school, it’s clear the school district promotes our students to be good citizens as well.

As far as improvements, I would like to see more engagement from members in our community about what is happening in the district. There may be clearer ways to communicate information to the public about school happenings. There seems to be posts on community facebook pages asking questions about things that are already communicated but might not be out in a way that’s easy for them to access. I would love to see more community members attend school board meetings and participate in public comments.

I enjoy living and having my children attend school in a small community where they can have access to a variety of different opportunities all while getting to know all the people in their classes. I grew up in a small community and attended small schools, even in college. I have seen the community come together in support of its residents in ways that don’t always happen in larger communities.

How will you balance listening to community concerns with making decisions that are best for students? When faced with a difficult or unpopular decision, what guides your approach?

Community input into decision making is essential. I believe it is the role of the school board to listen to concerns and ask questions while weighing the data, professional expertise of staff, and

focusing on long term achievement versus short term reactions. Student safety and learning success should be at the center of decision making. Unfortunately, when there are difficult decisions to be made, there is no way to make everyone happy. But I would hope to make those bringing forth concerns to be heard and seen so they can accept what’s best for the students.

My approach is guided by stewardship of resources, transparent decision making, and keeping student achievement at the forefront. I believe if difficult decisions are approached with integrity and fairness, most difficult decisions can come to a successful compromise. As a board member, I would work to build trust with our educators, students, and community members.

How would you describe your approach to listening and working with others?

My experience has taught me how to weigh multiple viewpoints and ask thoughtful questions to come up with the best solution for everyone. I like asking questions and getting to know people’s “why”. I might not agree with every aspect, but I feel as though there is always a common ground.

What is one priority you’d like to focus on as a board member?

One priority I'd like to focus on as a board member is to make sure every student has access to high quality education, advanced curriculum options, and supportive staff to prepare them for college or career settings. I appreciate all the data the district collects during the year to make sure our students meet their educational needs. The school board has become proficient at maintaining a lean budget with high standards and I would like to continue to make it a priority to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am thankful for this opportunity to run for the school board of our community. I would be happy to answer any further questions.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am married to my husband Taylor and we have 2 kids. Our son, Charlie, is a freshman this year and our daughter, Gracie, is in 6th grade. I graduated from Howards Grove High School and have lived here all my life. I am currently the Controller for the Van Horn Automotive Group and have been employed there for 18 years. I love camping, being involved in the community and watching/playing/coaching sports.

What inspired you to run for the school board? What experience or perspective do you bring that will help you govern thoughtfully as a board member?

I decided to run for school board because I have a good connection with the community here and I think I can represent them well. I have a proven track record of being involved and caring about our youth and this community.

What do you see as the school district’s greatest strength, and where do we most need to improve? What do you enjoy most about our community and schools?

I think our school district’s greatest strength is the people–we have teachers, staff, families and community members that care so much about our students. That shared commitment shows up every day and it’s something we should continue to support and build on. What I enjoy most about our community and schools is how everyone works together for the kids. There’s a lot of collaboration and that teamwork is special.

How will you balance listening to community concerns with making decisions that are best for students? When faced with a difficult or unpopular decision, what guides your approach?
In difficult situations, I fall back on my integrity and the values I was raised with. That helps me stay focused on what truly matters — doing what’s right for the kids. I think balance always starts with listening, hearing different perspectives and then finding common ground.

How would you describe your approach to listening and working with others?

As a leader in my everyday life, I really value teamwork. I believe working together towards a shared goal is the most effective way to get things accomplished.

What is one priority you’d like to focus on as a board member?

My top priority is improving alignment between the district and the families it serves. When families feel heard and decisions are transparent, we build trust – and that trust benefits our students and supports long-term stability.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Tiger Pride is something I truly believe in.

Did you know that legislators are talking about cell phone use in public schools requiring districts to have policies limiting cell phone use during instructional times? Check out the article below. Here are the cell phone policies and procedures already in place in the School District of Howards Grove.

• Howards Grove High School
• Howards Grove Middle School

By Jay Jerde

Starting July 1, 2026, every Wisconsin public school district must limit student use of personal cell phones and other wireless devices during instructional time.

If you are a parent, this does not mean phones are banned statewide. It does mean your child’s school must have a policy that restricts use in class, with certain required exceptions.

Here is what to know:

Devices Covered

The law applies to personal wireless communication devices, including cellphones, tablets, laptops and gaming devices. School-issued devices are not affected.

Districts must prohibit students from using personal devices during instructional time unless an exception applies.

Required Exceptions

School policies must allow device use:

• During an emergency or perceived threat
• To manage a student’s health care needs
• To comply with an individualized education program (IEP) or Section 504 plan
• When a teacher authorizes use for educational purposes

Districts may impose penalties for violations, including temporarily confiscating a device.

Why Schools Are Limiting Phones

Supporters of the law say smartphones can distract students from learning and contribute to social media pressures that affect mental health.

According to a recent survey by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, about 90% of districts already had some type of cell phone restriction in place. Policies vary widely. Some schools have full-day bans. Others limit use to common areas or non instructional time.

The new law creates a statewide baseline while allowing districts to adopt stricter rules if they choose.

What This Means for Families

Policies may look different depending on where you live. Local school boards still have broad authority to adopt rules that reflect community priorities, as long as they comply with state law.

If your child relies on a device for medical reasons or under an IEP or Section 504 plan, the law protects those accommodations.

If you have concerns about how a policy is applied, start with school administrators. You may also attend a school board meeting or review district policies online.

The Bottom Line

Wisconsin’s new requirement focuses on limiting cell phone use during instructional time, not eliminating devices entirely. Parents should review their district’s updated policy before the next school year and talk with their children about expectations.

Attorney Jay Jerde is a legal writer for the State Bar of Wisconsin, the professional association for Wisconsin attorneys. Know Your Legal Rights Is sponsored by the State Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service, which helps connect the public with appropriate legal counsel. Learn more at wislaw.org.

Summer School information is available online at the district website (www.hgtigers.org). You can find it in the top right hand corner labeled Summer School 2026. If there are any questions, please contact Angie Houston, Summer School Principal: (920) 565-4452 or ahouston@hgtigers.com

Important Dates:

• February 20 – All summer school course descriptions will be online. Families may begin browsing and planning your child(ren)’s schedule

• April 1– Summer school registration opens online through Skyward

• April 15– Registration closes

• May 18– Fees for Session 1 classes will be posted to the student's account

• June 8– Session 1 fees need to be paid

• Session 1- June 8 - July 2
  

• Session 2- July 13 - July 31

Middle School Summer Musical

Shrek Kids

June 8 - July 2

12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Summer Swim

(Monday-Thursday) - June 8 - July 2

(Monday-Thursday) - July 13 - July 30

Beginning Band

(Monday-Thursday) - July 13 - July 30

Northview Summer Musical

Winnie the Pooh Kids

July 6 - July 10

8 AM - 3PM

Tennis Camp

August 3 - August 7

9 AM - 11 AM

Marching Band Camp

August 10 - 14

10 AM - 12 PM

We’re excited to continue partnering with Healthy Smiles LLC to offer free preventive dental services right here at school at no cost to families or the district.

A licensed dental professional will provide:

• Dental screenings

• Sealants on appropriate teeth

• Fluoride varnish treatments

• Oral health education

• A toothbrush and toothpaste

• A summary letter with any follow-up recommendations

Clinics are held twice per year (fall and spring), and sealants can be checked or replaced the following year if needed. All services follow American Dental Association and CDC guidelines and are meant to support, not replace, regular visits with your child’s dentist.

Please complete the online consent form (even if you choose not to have your child(ren) participate): Consent Form Link. Consent remains active for two years.

Lydia Pomeroy RN BSN

(the BSN stands for "best school nurse" )

District School Nurse

Howards Grove School District

Check out the amazing things happening in our schools!

Enjoy!

High School

Middle School

Northview

The Howards Grove Education Foundation has scheduled their next fundraiser to support our school district. They are continuing with the tradition that started last year with a Kentucky Derby themed event on Saturday, May 2nd from 2:00PM-7:00PM at Butch & Anne's Pine Grove.

Here a some details...

• Everyone is invited with no cover charge or ticket needed
• Hat and jockey costume contest pays out for best dressed
• Large bucket raffles
• Derby themed games/raffles
• Cash Bar

What does the foundation do for the district?

Here are some examples of what our fundraising money has gone towards in the past:

• Greenhouse renovations
• Physical education mats
• Dishwasher for Chemistry/Biology
• Risers for music
• Projector in auditorium
• CNC engraver and welder for shop class
• OAE Hearing Machine for testing

The Open Enrollment process for the 2026-2027 school year is now open.

Here is the link with further information.

The School District of Howards Grove does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected under State or Federal law including, but not limited to, race, color, age, sex, creed or religion, handicap or disability, marital status, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, military service (as defined in 111.32, Wis. Stats.), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry.