We are excited to share stories and news with you in The Compass, our monthly eNewsletter for families and community. The Compass is published the last Thursday of each month. Submit your story ideas for future editions here.

In this issue:

• Giving Gratitude for Staff Appreciation Week!
• Student Snapshots: Elsa Wright and Rushi Patel
• Alumni Making Waves: Laurie Butz, Bay Port 1985
• And More!

Staff Appreciation Week is May 8-12! From nurturing shy kids out of their shell to helping tie shoelaces, educators do so much more than teach. Here is your chance to honor your favorite HSSD teachers and staff by sending them a personalized 'Giving Gratitude' certificate, recognizing their impact on your child.

Click here to send your certificate today. Last year, more than 1,700 certificates were distributed to HSSD employees. Let’s share the love again this year! We will distribute the personalized certificate, including your message, during Staff Appreciation Week.

On behalf of HSEF, thank you for supporting our amazing HSSD teachers and staff. Contact Nicole Smith, Executive Director of HSEF, at 920-662-8107.

From the Board of Education Meeting April 24, 2023

• The Board of Education recognized Garry Sievert, former Bay Port Biology Teacher and Board of Education President, for his many years of service to HSSD.
• Following their re-election on April 4, Rachelle Paulsen and Christina Amtmann took the Wisconsin Official Oath of Office.
  
• The Press Times was approved as the official publication for HSSD Board of Education public notices.
• The Board of Education approved Ends Policy E-3 Graduate Profile: Responsible, Adaptable, Self-Starter.
  
• Jessica Gagan was approved to join Madeline Thoreson as a Student Representative to the Board for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years. Thoreson will conclude her term in 2023-24.
  

For upcoming meeting dates, agendas, and prior meeting minutes, visit the Board of Education page on our website.

Mental Health is the last pillar within the Sources of Strength wheel. It is an important part of living a healthy life and is May's focus. During the month of May, and every month, we have the opportunity to break the stigma around mental health by talking openly, compassionately, and kindly to each other. No one should ever struggle alone.

• HSSD would like to highlight opportunities during the month of May for you to learn more about Mental Health and the resources/community we have for support.
• HSSD has partnered with Care Solace to provide 24/7/365 support in connecting with a mental health care provider. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential health care coordination service. They can be reached by:
• Calling 1-888-515-0595. Multilingual support is always available.
• Visit www.caresolace.com/hssd and search for information on your own or click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email or phone.

Join Us!

• May 3: Wellness Resource Fair at Bay Port from 5-6:30 p.m. - click here to view the flyer
• May 12: Second Annual Luminary Walk at 7 p.m., hosted by Unity Grief and Education Center. Unity has partnered with HSSD to support both students and staff in handling grief. Click here to learn more. Together we can build awareness of Unity Grief and Education Center and create a community where no one grieves alone.

Dan Hoppe, Bay Port AP US History teacher, virtually taught two Bay Port courses from Washington D.C.

• He taught the Genocide and Human Rights course from the U.S. Holocaust Museum. He took students on a virtual field trip and showed them parts of the museum.

• He taught AP U.S. History from the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial as the class studied the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Students then completed a lesson about Martin Luther King Jr. and his "I Have a Dream" speech.

Join Us for 2Myles4Autism This Saturday!

Join us as we further awareness and acceptance of autism! Click here to register.

• Date: Saturday, April 29
• Time: 9 a.m.
• Location: Meadowbrook Elementary
• More Information: http://2myles4autism.weebly.com/

Ice Bears Win Sportsmanship Award

The WIAA named the Ice Bears as the Sportsmanship Award Winners for the girls hockey tournament! A great credit to the players, coaches, parents, booster club, fans, bus and crowd supervisors, and all the schools involved.

Girls Golf Wins Academic Award

Congrats to the Bay Port girls golf team for earning Honorable Mention Academic All-State recognition from the Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin! Schools with at least a 3.25 team GPA were awarded honorable mention status. Please join us in congratulating Adalyn Johnston, Ava Beranek, Chloe Strunk, Kristina Kruse, and Payton Dudra for their dedication in and out of the classroom!

Letter Carriers’ Food Drive

On Saturday, May 13, The National Association of Letter Carriers and the United States Postal Service (USPS) are hosting the annual food drive that benefits local food pantries across Northeast Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Place your non-perishable donation in a bag in your mailbox on May 13. USPS will deliver the donation to a local food bank.

• April 27-29: Bay Port Musical
• April 29: 2Myles4Autism
• May 3: Wellness Resource Fair
• May 4-6: Bay Port Musical
• May 9: Bay View Spring Orchestra Concert
• May 11: Lineville Spring Choirs Concert
• May 12: No School, Staff PD
• May 15: Bay Port Spring Band Concert
• May 16: Bay View Spring Band Concerts
• May 18: Lineville Spring Band Concerts
• May 22: Bay View Spring Choir Concert
• May 23: Bay Port Spring Orchestra Concert
• May 24: Bay Port Sacred Choral Music Concert
• May 25: Next Edition of The Compass
• May 25: Lineville Spring Orchestra Concerts
• May 29: No School
• June 5: Last Day of School for 4K
• June 6: Last Day of School K-12
• June 11: Bay Port Commencement

District and School Calendars | Bay Port Athletics Calendar

Last year Laurie (Caelwaerts) Butz, Bay Port High School Class of 1985, was honored with the ATHENA award for business leadership in the greater Fox Cities community. The award is given annually to a woman who has achieved the highest level of professional excellence and actively assists others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential.

Butz is the President and CEO of Capital Credit Union, the largest Credit Union in the Green Bay market. Her journey from a nervous incoming freshman in high school to leadership in the finance industry centers on learning, growth, and paying forward the support she was shown as a young professional.

Read the full story on the HSEF website.

SFC Joshua DuBois, Platoon Sergeant, just returned home from a nine-month deployment. His daughters Brynlee and Gracelyn didn't know he was on his way home, so SFC DuBois surprised them at their school, Howard Elementary! Thank you, SFC DuBois, for your service!

• Access prior issues of The Compass on our website.
• Nominate a teacher, staff member, student, or alumni to be featured in The Compass.