
SCH Weekly
Scott E. Miller, Superintendent
Issue 10 - March 9, 2020
Hi SCH Family,
As school safety and security issues continue to arise in our society, I do want all to know that your administration takes these issues very seriously. We are consistently reflecting and discussing ways to improve the safety and security of our schools and our response protocols. We will be rolling out in the next few weeks a new background check system that will quickly do an internet criminal and sexual predator history check on all visitors who come to our schools. It will also allow us to background check guests at the building level instead of waiting for downtown to clear them for parent volunteers. In addition, we are working with HPD and the County to make sure that in the event of an emergency we are all working together. We have provided them with floor plans where they can remotely guide officers through the building in an emergency utilizing an officers live camera feed. We have also provided HPD with keycard and physical key access to our schools for quick entry. These are a few of the steps we are taking to make SCH as safe as possible.
Thank you for your continued trust as we work together with our partners in law enforcement to keep everyone safe.
Sincerely,
Scott
Food & Nutrition
Wow, wow, wow is pretty much all we can say for how wonderful last week was for our department. National School Breakfast Week was a smash across the district – and the thanks goes to each and every one of our employees. Staff have been preparing for weeks to make sure it was a special week – and they delivered! We were chosen by IDOE to be the district that USDA Regional Director Dr. Vista Suarez Fletcher visited for the state of Indiana – and she was absolutely blown away by our schools. Thank you also to all our amazing Special Guest Servers! And to all the parents, teachers, PTA groups, and all who helped with making decorations – thank you for helping us have the most wonderful breakfast week.
Check out the links below for some of the highlights from each day. Friday’s highlights should be posted to facebook.com/SCHLunch by the end of the day today.
Monday: https://animoto.com/play/A7pQRwXWrjWWftWbsI0nvQ
Tuesday: https://animoto.com/play/LTFbPZYHE2AZI1Z4vUR30w
Wednesday: https://animoto.com/play/XI4STsK4MgjWbwcTP4pUmQ
Thursday: https://animoto.com/play/1eKhczpnrF3n1e0mcKoJWg
Hammond Academy for the Performing Arts
TWO MAJOR EVENTS THIS WEEK: From March 8-19th our Senior Visual Arts Students will showcase their work at Paul Henry Gallery at 416 Sibley St. In Hammond. Our opening night reception is March 13th from 6-8PM. PLEASE drop by and see the creative expression of these wonderful students.
From March 12-15th we will be presenting THE WOMEN, our first ever STUDENT DRIVEN PRODUCTION (100 percent coordinated/directed/designed/performed by our students). We hope you will come support them on this new venture for student advocacy.
Head Start
This program is for 3 and 4 year olds (must be 3 by August 1). Please call the Head Start office for more information at (219) 989-7345, ext. 3551.
Health Services
Spring into Health
There is still time to sign up for the Wellness Screenings.
Go to the www.labcorp.com to find a facility nearest you and to set an appointment. CHC wellness.com - Program Code: 4274Sch487 to register.
Your Health Is Your Wealth.
Coronavirus Update
The virus that causes the COVID-19 is a (new) novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation in China in December 2019. The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. There is currently no vaccine to prevent the coronavirus and no specific antiviral treatment. Most people that have the virus, with no other risk factors or no underlying medical conditions, are expected to make a full recovery.
As of March 9, 2020, 564 cases, 22 deaths and 26 states have reported cases of the disease in the United States. There are 3 known cases reported in the State of Indiana. Currently, one elementary student has been diagnosed with the coronavirus in Avon Indiana. Details about the student’s exposure have not been disclosed. There is no documented evidence that children are more susceptible to the disease. It is recommended that children should engage in the usual preventive actions to avoid infections, including cleaning hands often with soap and water or an alcohol–based hand sanitizer, avoiding people who are sick and staying up to date on immunizations, including the influenza vaccine.
If you are directly exposed to someone that has tested positive for the coronavirus, the recommended quarantine period is at least 14 days. If you develop symptoms of the virus, it is recommended that you call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms and exposure.
Traveling and the Coronavirus: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US State Department are issuing regular travel advisories for destinations that are significantly impacted by the virus outbreak. At this time, travel to China and South Korea, as well as, international travel is highly discouraged. Traveling by cruise ships is also not being recommended especially if you have underlying medical conditions.
Researching your destination and being knowledgeable about public guidelines will help you make the best decision. All travelers should be aware of the virus, pay close attention to travel advisories, steer clear of heavily impacted areas and exercise preventive measures.
Human Resources
Wishing a very Happy Birthday to all the staff members who have birthdays this week!
Allison Allen-Lenzo, Clifford Borchert, Anthony Boyd, Barbara Cagle, Michael Calvillo, April Casmir-Grishman, Debra Cates, Claudia Estrada Beltran, Linda Fogarty, Carlyn Grow-Gonzales, Nancy Hasten, Carol Haynes, Tricia Hill, Deanne Hilvert, Joy Holloway, Marrinita Howard, Jennifer Kraly, Sue Lewis, Katherine Martinez, Marcus, May, April McClendon, Michael McCoy, Meggan McLaughlin, Stephanie Miles- Flowers, Abigail Moss, Marica Nickolaou, James Onohan, Rebecca Parkes, LaDaja Ray, Angelique Rodriguez, Dorothy Rogers, Amy Schaeffer, Kristina Steele, Wilma Vazquez, Tiffany West, Nancy White, Iris Williams, Evelyn Wilson, Sarah Woynaroski, Jerry Wynn, and Judy Zahn.
Special Education
Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities (Hammond)
Hammond City Hall, Room 315
5925 Calumet Avenue
Hammond, IN 46320
Phone: 219-853-6508, Ext 8
The Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities exists for two purposes. It provides guidance to the City of Hammond in matters concerning disabilities, and it works with other Hammond organizations to link services to individuals with disabilities. The majority of Commission members are disabled themselves and other members serve as advocates for the disabled.
The Commission, formed in 1985, holds monthly meetings, sponsors a ramp assistance program that provides assistance to residents with the installation of wheelchair ramps and hosts an annual awards breakfast that honors individuals, local businesses, and organizations that have improved the lives of the disabled. The Mayor appoints people who live and/or work in Hammond to the Commission. Each member serves a three-year term and may be reappointed. Call the Hammond office for more information or assistance.
Technology
Teacher Support
As we are nearly completed in our 1:1 project through the SCH, where are you in your Digital Learning & Innovation journey? Don’t worry if you are just getting started in transitioning your classroom to a digital friendly atmosphere, but don’t forget that you have plenty of resources to guide you. Reach out to our Instructional Tech Coach, Alisha Foor, so she can help you customize your lessons while integrating technology. We have invested in devices for our students to make sure they have the skills necessary to be successful in a digital world, let’s make sure that our teachers feel comfortable as well. Reach out to Alisha at extension 2266 or visit her website at http://bit.ly/FoorsTechDeck to set a date & time to chat!
Phishing Emails
In the midst of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, the bad guys are crafting and circulating some devious phishing emails. Some of these emails look like informational blurbs on how to avoid infection, and ask you to open the attachment for more information. Naturally the attachment contains malware. Others look like a page from the World Health Organization and try to fool you into entering an email address and password.
https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2020/03/05/coronavirus-warning-spreads-computer-virus/
Remember to stay wary of unsolicited e-mail, and follow the CDC’s guidelines to keep your health risks low! https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
Horizon View
The Horizon View application platform will allow you to use Windows applications on your Chromebook. Applications like ActiveInspire only work on the Windows platform thus are not available natively on a Chromebook platform. These instructions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_3p5_affiB9Zh3a1VfsgsaEoyEq-pJLIZqic5P5rzc0/edit?usp=sharing will help you to access the Horizon View platform. There are a couple of ways to access the platform; using the VMWare Horizon Client or via the Web.Transportation
Perfect Timing: New Bus Porter and Coronavirus
The Transportation Department would like to welcome Mr. Adrian Mercado, new Bus Porter. Adrian's day to day responsibility is to ensure bus exteriors are cleaned regularly while monitoring the cleanliness of the interior. No stranger to School City of Hammond, Adrian most recently was a classroom substitute teacher; he is a resident of Hammond and a committed husband and father. Adrian is a welcome addition to our staff.
His hire comes at an opportune time, as the buses need to be sanitized after the recent scares toward public health. Mr. Mercado is in the process of sanitizing the interior of all buses that transport students by using a mister to spray the interior surfaces. Current plans are for each bus to be treated prior to spring break with discussion on frequency to be decided for the future.
SCH Events
Monday, March 9th
- Irving ES - Facebook Read Aloud (Ms. Verduzco & Sra. Zepeda) - 6 p.m.
- Irving ES - Wrestling Practice - 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Lincoln ES - Test Security Training - 8 a.m.
- Maywood ES - Science Olympiad - 3:20 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Maywood ES - Basketball - 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Morton HS/HAPA - Visual Arts Senior Showcase (See flyer below)
- O'Bannon ES - Peace Ambassadors - 3:20 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.
- O'Bannon ES - Girls on the Run - 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Tuesday, March 10th
- Irving ES - Art Club - 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Maywood ES - Chess Club - 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Maywood ES - Science Olympiad - 3:20 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11th
- Clark MS/HS - ISTEP Testing (10th grade)
- Harding ES - Family Game Night - 4 p.m.
- Irving ES - Wrestling Practice - 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Lincoln ES - PBIS Celebration
- Lincoln ES - PTSA Science Night - 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Maywood ES - Basketball - 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- O'Bannon ES - Girls on the Run - 3:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, March 12th
- Clark MS/HS - ISTEP Testing (10th grade)
- Gavit MS/HS - Winter Sports Banquet - 6 p.m.
- Gavit MS/HS - Graduation Requirements Meeting
- Irving ES - Art Club - 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Lincoln ES - IREAD-3 Practice Tests
- Lincoln ES - Popcorn Day
- Maywood ES - Science Olympiad - 3:20 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Maywood ES - Art Club - 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Morton HS/HAPA - The Women - 7 p.m.
- O'Bannon ES - Math Side-by-Side Day
- O'Bannon ES - Chess - 3:20 p.m. to 4:25 p.m.
- O'Bannon ES - Girls Basketball - 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Friday, March 13th
- Irving ES - $1 PTA Dress Down Day
- Irving ES - Pennies for Patients Collection Ends
- Kenwood ES - Choir Concert - 9:30 a.m.
- Kenwood ES - Wax Museum - 1:40 p.m. to 2:10 p.m.
- Lincoln ES - IREAD-3 Practice Tests
- Lincoln ES - No Preschool Classes
- Maywood ES - Chess Club - 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
- Maywood ES - Basketball - 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Morton HS/HAPA - The Women - 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 14th
- Morton HS/HAPA - The Women - 7 p.m.
Sunday, March 15th
- Morton HS/HAPA - The Women - 2 p.m.
SCH Highlights of the Week
ACC
In honor of International Women’s Day yesterday, the Area Career Center would like to recognize three of its instructors in non-traditional roles.
The day is aimed to help nations worldwide eliminate discrimination against women. It also focused on helping women gain full and equal participation in global development.
Sam McCauley
Corporal Audrey Randle
Stephanie Resier
Clark MS/HS
On behalf of GRC, a big congratulations to Hammond High’s boys basketball team on winning sectionals. Good luck next weekend in regionals!
Eggers MS
Go Knights Go! They brought home the bronze! On Saturday, February 29th, Eggers Middle School Science Olympiad Team competed at a Regional Meet which was sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College in Lafayette, Indiana. Braelynn Norwood and Ireland Kingn (pictured) won 3rd place in "Reach for the Stars." They competed against several schools which included Wilbur Wright Middle School from Munster and LaPorte Middle School just to name a few. Congratulations Eggers Knights!
Franklin ES
Franklin Elementary held their first ever career expo on Wed. March 4th. The goal was for Franklin students to be able to see/interview various career professionals to start figuring out what they want to be when they grow up. All students participated in this event! Students in grades 3-4-5, prior to coming, took a career interest survey, researched their career, and developed questions to ask professionals at the career expo. Once students came to the career expo, they visited someone within their job strand and at least one other group. Most students were able to see the majority of our professionals! K-1-2 students toured each table to learn about different jobs, right here in their community!
We were fortunate enough to have the following professionals attend our career expo to teach our students about their jobs: BP, WJOB, Ms. Kraly featuring teaching and Cosmetology, Ritzi Law Group, Councilman Woerpel , Hammond Police Department (Including SWAT and K-9 Units), Fire Chief Jeff Smith, St. Catherines’ Hospital (Celina Garcia and Dr. Patel), Northshore, Hammond Public Library, Calumet College, Railcats Baseball, and the Marines. A huge THANK YOU to Ms. Jackie, Franklin School Counselor and the Franklin staff for putting on such an amazing event for the kids. We look forward to continuing this event for years to come!
Gavit MS/HS
Harding ES
Harding participated in National Breakfast week to promote starting off each day with a good breakfast. We had many volunteers including the Sheriff Oscar Martinez, SCH Assistant Superintendent of Operations, Dr. Dawn Greene, Hammond Councilman Scott Rakos, and many other great guests.
R Dub Club
In a partnership with Purdue Northwest, our fifth-grade teachers and staff participated in a second round of R Dub Club this spring. We were lucky enough to have the PNC women’s soccer team reading, engaging in discussion, and working with our gr. 5 students! They will do this two more times this semester!
Lincoln ES
On Thursday, Lincoln’s recess team facilitated a PD session to introduce our staff to Playworks. Our staff had a blast learning the games and different ways to teach children how to get along. Thanks to the following members of our recess team:
- Samantha Ferry
- Dana Howe
- Alicia Miller
- Rebecca Foster
- Ewelina Ramos
- Becky Janic
- Dave Sutkowski
- Makaena Toodle
- Barbara Marshall
- Wilma Vazquez
Thanks to SCH for making recess a better experience for our students! Please see the attached pictures.
Maywood ES
Here are some highlights from the Black History Program at Maywood 2020. You must come to see the Black History Museum soon. It is also interactive!
Our Family Involvement Team, teachers, and staff worked very hard to make a successful event!
Morton HS
Congratulation Jamarion!
O'Bannon ES
The O’Bannon students having fun at indoor recess!
Thanks SCH for providing Playworks training for our recess coaches and gym teachers!
Scott MS
This past Monday, 70 of our 8th graders visited the Museum of Science and Industry. This was thanks to a scholarship from ArcelorMittal that paid for their admission and transportation. Our students spent the day exploring and discovering the museum. We are very grateful to ArcelorMittal and the Museum of Science and Industry for providing our students with such an amazing experience.
Wallace ES
Stay Informed
An update from the Superintendent is distributed at the beginning of the week.
View previous weekly updates from Mr. Miller here.
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Email: schadmin@hammond.k12.in.us
Website: www.hammond.k12.in.us
Location: 41 Williams Street, Hammond, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 933-2400
Facebook: facebook.com/SchoolCityofHammond/
Twitter: @SCHK12