The Compass

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

In this Issue:

• Bay Area Ice Bears Win State!
• News to Know
• Staff Showcase
• HSSD Full-Day 4K Program
• Board Briefs
• Alumni Connections
• Upcoming Events
• Student Stories
• And More!

The Bay Area Ice Bears have won their 3rd WIAA Girls Hockey State Championship title! This is the 2nd state title in three years and the 3rd in program history. We are so proud of the entire team, and especially our Bay Port Pirates. Way to bring home the gold!

14th Annual 2MYLES4AUTISM Run/Walk

Get ready for the 14th Annual 2MYLES4AUTISM run/walk on Saturday, April 19 at Meadowbrook Elementary! This 2 mile run/walk is a family event and continues to spread the message of autism awareness and acceptance. Current statistics show that 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism. This means that you are very likely to work with, live with, or be close to someone in your life that has autism! You can click here to register ($15 per person which includes an event t-shirt, snacks at the finish line, and a great time). If you register before March 26 at 11:59 p.m., you are guaranteed a t-shirt on the day of the event.

Bay Port Job Fair April 10

The Bay Port Job Fair provides an opportunity for students to connect with local businesses for summer jobs (both part-time and full-time), fall employment, and youth apprenticeship positions. The Job Fair will take place on April 10 from 10:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. in the Bay Port gym.

Bay Port Sources of Strength Color Fun Run

If you are not aware of Sources of Strength, it is a nationally recognized and evidence-based program designed to harness the power of peer social networks to create healthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, violence, bullying, and substance misuse. The mission of Sources of Strength is to prevent adverse outcomes by increasing wellbeing, help-seeking, resiliency, healthy coping, and belonging. Bay Port Sources of Strength is so excited to be planning our first annual Bay Port Sources of Strength - Color Fun Run on May 10 as a way to amplify the source of strength - Healthy Activities. Learn more here. Register here.

We are pleased to announce that we will offer one full-day 4K section at Bay Harbor Elementary School and one full-day 4K section at Forest Glen Elementary School again in 2025-26!

All Howard-Suamico resident students who are registered and turn four by September 1, 2025 will be considered for the 2025-26 full-day 4K program. Please complete this form by April 21, 2025. You will then be entered into a lottery for random selection. Families of students selected for this program will be notified the week of April 28. Students who are not selected in the lottery are encouraged to participate in the Howard-Suamico School District 4K program at our community partner sites.

More information can be found here.

• The Board recognized 5 Point Fabrication for providing the equipment in our Tech Ed department at no cost, giving students real-world experiences at Bay Port.
• Superintendent Mark Smith provided an update on the strategic framework process, which is called "A Framework for Our Future."
• Mike Juech, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, and Josh Swanson, Director of Finance, provided an informational update regarding the district budget, including budget timelines, current realities, advocacy efforts, and next steps. The Board approved EL-6: Budget and Financial Planning Monitoring Report.
• The Board approved GP-11: Board Member Violations.
• Student Representative to the Board: There were five applicants. Interviews will take place before spring recess. The new Student Rep will begin the two-year term in June 2025.

Heather Process, Bay Port 2007, and Dana Seymour-Faccio, Bay Port 2005, have been friends for 25 years. They work together to make a positive difference at a local nonprofit called Bridge the Gap. Heather is the Director of Operations, and Dana is the Program Director and the Teen/Young Adult Program Instructor.

Bridge the Gap provides daily living skills for individuals with varying abilities. They teach social skills, emotional regulation, skills for independent living, cognitive flexibility, and executive functioning skills. They also provide consultation services and behavioral support for HSSD schools.

“Being able to give back and provide a service to the district that I grew up in has personally been an incredible and meaningful opportunity,” said Dana. “Together we have shared some amazing success stories over the years, and watching a student work tirelessly towards their goals and achieve them truly fills my cup everyday.”

Both Dana and Heather believe their experience at Bay Port was instrumental in helping them achieve success as adults. “One of my favorite experiences was spending my study halls in special education classrooms, assisting individuals with their academics,” recalled Heather. “Bay Port provided me with a strong foundation, a supportive community, and countless opportunities to explore my passions, all of which have contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth.”

Bridge the Gap-Green Bay has served more than 250 clients since opening in 2021. They also have a center in Shawano.

• March 24 - 28 - No School (Spring Recess)
• March 31 - Classes Resume
• April 4 - Coffee with the Superintendent (LaJava)
• April 7 - Board of Education Meeting
• April 10 - Taste of the Villages & Auction
• April 12 - Bay Port Prom
• April 16 - The Giving Tree Food Pantry
• April 18 - No School

District and School Calendars | Bay Port Athletics Calendar

Meadowbrook fourth graders Nora, Ellie, and Grace are motivated and passionate students with bright futures ahead. They are leaders and learners, and they exemplify all of the HSSD Graduate Profile characteristics. In their free time, they work with Gifted & Talented Teacher Kristi Gauthier to create engaging and interactive videos for their school community about each Graduate Profile characteristic.

“Teaching about these characteristics helps me learn about them too, and I know these are skills that I’ll need for important stuff when I grow up,” said Nora.

Teaching is a profession all three girls are interested in because they would like to help other students if they are struggling. We hope to see these talented students back in HSSD as teachers one day!

Special Education Aide

• Openings at Howard, Meadowbrook and Bay Port!
• Performs a variety of non-teaching classroom support as directed by an assigned special education teacher
• $17/hour with potential increased wage based on a variety of qualifications
• Part-time during the school year
• Apply today! Howard | Meadowbrook | Bay Port

View all employment opportunities on the HSSD website.

Bay Port DECA students Nick Hawker, Ashlyn Imig and Tommy Kemen taught financial literacy to their Bay Port peers. They won first place in Financial Literacy at the DECA State Conference for their Money Mates project.

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