Focusing on Fine Arts

Some weeks there are events that remind you of how important parts of our school life are not only to our students, but also to us and our families.  This last week was one of those for me.

First, we had the performances of State Fair by our music and drama department that knocked it out of the park! I am constantly amazed by the variety of students Ms. Konecne and Mrs. Cantu enlist and the work that happens so quickly. You may not know this, but there was a significant delay in the start of rehearsals due to copyright, access, and ordering of scripts.  So not only were they on a crunch with time, but they had too many schedules to count that they had to navigate.  Despite these many hurdles, it was an amazing show for fans of all ages.

The best part about the performance I attended on Saturday was the reaction of my 7 year old. Sometimes as parents we forget that our kids find their passions early and see everything our older kids do.  When I was preparing to go to the musical, this one begged to go and was enthralled with State Fair until the last 10 minutes when his body gave up and he fell asleep.  There's a lesson to be learned in this. We have encouraged him to do many athletic things the last two years when he clearly is musically oriented. It brought me joy to finally see him be excited about an event, so thank you to all in the show and involved in the background. Bravo!







To top the week off, I had promised Mr. Adam to come and play with the band weekly once marching band was over.  This was my first week in and he had a french horn and the fingering charts all prepared for me last week when I got there.  After 25 plus years away from it, playing again was quite humbling and I apologized multiple times to the kids sitting around me and Mr. Adam as I was VERY rusty.  However, the outcome was amazing.... my entire day was improved after being able to express myself in a different way and work with a group of musicians toward a unified goal. I will continue this and hope to blow the dust off a little and get my embouchure back.  Any way I look at it, this is a win/win to be around kids doing what they do and filling a little of my inner musician needs.  Thanks NH Bands and Mr. Adam!

Pathfinder Day for Juniors and Seniors

This week, all NHHS juniors and seniors participated in a Pathfinder Day sponsored by NICC and Iowa BIG North. Students prepared for this day by completing a survey about their future plans and interests.  The goal of the was not only to bring in post-secondary colleges and universities, but also have industry options such as internships, apprenticeships, certification and straight to work representative available.  In addition, each junior met with NICC about college and certificate programs available in high school and each senior met with a representative regarding financial aid and the FAFSA process.

One of the options available was military service and many students discussed the availability of earning and education through enlistment. 

 Several NICC representatives were in attendance to talk about the variety of options both in high school and beyond with credit and certificates.

Many students were seen filling out applications and interest cards to receive more information from the institutions in attendance.

To end the morning, each representative was part of a panel discussion about what to expect after high school, how to prepare and the decision -making process of choosing a pathway.

Critical Thinking in Action

Our 3rd C at NHHS is Critical Thinking. We believe critical thinking is the cornerstone of grit, perseverance and resiliency and is aided by our philosophy of failing forward.

Critical Thinking includes:

• analysis and inquiry;
• gathering and evaluating information;
• using evidence and criteria; and
• justifying choices, considering alternatives and implications.

 In Mr. McDonald's contemporary affairs class, critical thinking was evident this week as students worked through topics of their own choosing that are "hot button" issue and presented to the class, including fielding questions regarding choices in the presentations.

Critical thinking is also evident in our extra curricular activities.  The SADD executive council presented to the school board regarding their upcoming events for Red Ribbon Week and planning for the year.

While Mrs. Ohrt is still on maternity leave, Mr. Mohling works with biology students on the authentic learning in labs where students have to make choices and devise hypotheses on why reactions occur.

Communication Is Key

One of the 4 Cs that drives New Hampton High School and the learning in our classrooms is communication. Good communication used in our classroom means:

• students clearly explain ideas and information;
• students are organized in the way they communicate;
• students use good eye contact and appropriate body language;
• student choose a tone and voice volume for the setting;
• students use materials as needed for presentations; 
• students respond to questions; and
• students participate in teams and/or groups.

You will see communication at different levels throughout the building and it is the goal of the district that all students graduate with proficiency in all these items.

Students in Mrs. Manson pre calculus class are communicating about results of an assessment and how to grow from correcting their mis-steps. They work together to complete problems correctly after discussing what steps should come next.

In contemporary affairs students are preparing for presentations on topics of their own choosing. This group worked on an outline using each of their ideas as they work toward a final product.

 Communication goes beyond the classroom as our students interact with business partners and community members.  The IBN marketing group is show here meeting with UNI and NICC staff.

Working in partners in class is the first step to improved communication. 9th graders are working on collages to explain who they are, what they have for goals and expectations for high school. These girls are sharing with each other to help keep each other accountable for these goals.

Elementary is falling in Fall!

 Students and staff have been hard on work on many different things in and out of the building.  It is hard to believe October is here already.  Grade levels taking field trips to get exposure to many things our world has to offer, other grade levels deep into their Project Based learning (PBL) Projects, as a building consistently holding the TRIBE (Trustworthy, Respectful, Involved, Be Prepared, Effort) to all aspects of our lives and reminding each other daily.  As a principal, I could not be prouder of our students and staff and how they are staying so busy, energetic, and positive!  Each day they walk into the building with smiles, yes some days tired and we need extra hugs to keep going, but overall they are staying with the beat we need to each day and putting our best foot forward every second!  Always check out the New Hampton Elementary Facebook page for updates what classrooms are doing throughout the building.  

From the Middle: Student Involvement

Our Students Reach Others Outside Our Walls: 

For the past couple of years, Mr. Rude has been having student write letters to past soldiers who travel to Washington D.C. on honor flights.  We have gotten many letters back to our students from soldiers.  This past week, Jake Frahm received a letter from a soldier from Oelwein who just returned from on of these Honor Flights.  The soldier wrote back using an envelope and paper from his deployment to Vietnam.  We never know how our actions will impact others.

Many Spaces of Opportunity: 

As we close our first month of school, teachers and students are figuring out many different uses of our new space.  We have been able to use our large collaboration rooms for PE and other grade level activities while our gym is being finished.  Students spread out into the areas to work in small groups and even present projects.  Below are a few pictures of students utilizing the different spaces.

Students Spreading Messages of Kindness:

Mrs. Miller and her 6th grade intervention students came up with an idea to spread kindness in the Middle School.  Students are writing positive messages and posting them on the conference room windows on each floor.  Some messages are also being put on to lockers for students to see.  Both teachers and students are getting involved creating a positive caring culture in the Middle School.

FAST Testing Screeners Have Begun:

This past year our school was identified as a Targeted school based on the previous Iowa Assessments scores regarding our achievement gap in reading between general education students and special education students.  Our staff has taken a close look at how we identify, monitor, and provide interventions for all of our students.  In the past we have we screened all of our 5th and 6th grade students in math.  Through our work as a staff last year, we have decided that we need to monitor and evaluate all students in the areas of math, reading, and social emotional wellbeing.  We are taking these screenings three times a year on our iPads to help teachers identify areas of student strength and areas of improvement. We will then use this information to help focus our class time and intervention supports.  Students will be completing these three screeners by the end of next week.

Homecoming Week Thoughts

Homecoming Week

Another Homecoming has come and gone in New Hampton and I could not be more proud of our students, staff and community.  Homecoming is a time when I am always reminded of what a great place New Hampton is.  When we think about Homecoming, what does it really mean? Upon using google, an educators best friend, I found, "the return of a group of people usually on a special occasion to a place formerly frequented or regarded as home especially : an annual celebration for alumni at a high school, college, or university." This dual definition brings us all together. So not only do we celebrate with candidates, crowning of a king and queen, a football game and dance, and pep assemblies, but we honor the tradition of the alumni and welcome back any and all to our great town. I enjoy seeing the graduates from my tenure come back, but also enjoy the crowds who hold our traditions of excellence so dear that they return here every year to celebrate. One of our goals is to create graduate who have the opportunity to stay in the greater New Hampton area and/or return to raise their families here.  So, one of the great benefits of Homecoming is that is becomes so much more than a week of activities as we see more Chickasaws invested in growing our community and becoming a part of our every day celebrations. Because after all, New Hampton is a wonderful place to work, live and play, no matter what week or day.

 Congratulations to our King and Queen, Ethan Rosonke and Abby Robinson.  We are so proud of how you represent the student body and the community!

 Candidates Ashlyn Tank and Evan Rosonke

Candidates Paige Laures and Bryce Maloy

Candidates Michaela Fitzgerald and Austin Bast

Candidates Maddie Hoeck and Conner Gorman

Elementary moving right along!

Elementary has been busy in the first few weeks of school! Refreshing our memory on how to be a TRIBE (Trustworthy, Respectful, Involved, Be Prepared, Effort) Student and taking on new projects!

Some grades starting off with Project Based Learning- you ask what is PBL?

In Project Based Learning, teachers make learning come alive for students.

Students work on a project over an extended period of time-from a week up to a semester- that engages them in solving a real-word problem or answering a complex question.  They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by developing a public product or presentation for a real audience.

As a result, students develop deep content knowledge, critical thinking, and communication skills in the context of doing an authentic, meaningful project.  PBL unleashes a contagious, creative energy among students and teachers.

1st grade is taking on the Driving PBL question of: How can we take care of the homeless animals at SNAP and inspire our community to help? These are questions that we can ask the people at SNAP when we visit next week!  We also learned how there are many things that make us happy, but there are certain things we really need to live.  We found out our pets have a lot of the same needs/wants as us!

2nd grade is taking on the Driving PBL question of: How can we as school officials design and propose fire safety routes for school? Mrs. Lansing and Mr.. Rude recruit 2nd graders to be Junior Fire Inspectors. 

Collaboration Everywhere!

One of the 21st Century Goals of New Hampton High School is collaboration.  You do not have to look too far to see collaboration in every setting all day long. At NHHS, collaboration means:

• taking responsibility for oneself
• helping the team
• respecting others
• making and following agreements
• organizing work
• working as a whole team

Mrs. Schmitt's Foods 3 class is working with Phil at the Pinicon on prep work each week.  They will be practicing authentic kitchen skills while helping his staff prepare for meals.  They will be focusing on noon time work including a full meal for the Rotary Club in upcoming weeks.

In Spanish 3, students are working collaboratively in groups while analyzing Spanish language music.  They are choosing which phrases are used and how they fit in the context of the music. Later in that lesson, the students worked together to create a scenario comparable to the music video and act it out using their new Spanish vocabulary.

Our custodial staff also demonstrated collaboration and modeled our values while staying late to complete the new stencil on the football field Thursday night.  They worked more quickly and efficiently together that evening when they were able to focus on the task at hand while other items were handled during the day. Great job!

Students from across the district participated in the Giant Chicken Dance last Friday. The collaboration in addition to constant communication helped make this activity a success once again this year.

From the Middle: Back to School

Welcome Back: 

School is back in session for New Hampton Middle School students with some major changes!  We have now begun classes in our new building and students and staff are finding new ways to use the space!  Students are enjoying the extra room to do activities and collaborate.  School began with an assembly in the Foyer and all students fit into the area!

Students Entering the First Day:

Staff all greeted and welcomed students as they entered the building on the first day.  Mr. Jurrens also helped to greet students and help the first day of drop off and pickup at the new school.  All parents are encouraged to continue to pull up as far as possible to allow parents behind to pull into the parking lot.  Parents are asked to drive in the west entrance and leave out the east by the high school. 

New Security to Protect Students:

When parents enter the new school, there are different procedures designed to help protect students.  All doors will be locked when school begins and the only way to enter the building will be to pass through the office and check in.  This year we have a new system called LOBBYGUARD that parents will need to sign in to come into school.  It asks for who you are and uses your drivers license to verify your identity. If you forget your license, it will ask a series of questions to confirm your identity.   When done, it will print off a badge for you to wear.  If someone tries to enter the school that shouldn't be there, it will notify the police and start the lock down process to protect our students and staff.  It may take more time to check in, but it will allow us to be safer with our kids. 

Building in Action:

Here are some pictures of the students in the building and classrooms from week one:

Back at NHHS

Student Board Member

Congratulations to Evan Rosonke for being sworn in as our student board member for the 2019-20 school year.  At his first meeting Evan told us that his first goal has already been established through the work in the student parking lot.  We look forward to hearing more of Evan's feedback at NHCSD.

PBIS Team Hosts Kick Off

On day 2 of the school year, the PBIS team hosted relationship building and expectation review through a rotation of games based on The Price Is Right. In addition there were games that NHHS students have noted as their favorites.  For two hours students worked through expectations building wide and took time to play with their homerooms to increase community.

Classes in Full Swing

The first week of classes brought lots of new work, new faces, and new technology.  Our 9th graders are transitioning from iPads to Chromebooks and using both schoology and Google classroom.  Mrs. Bercik took on the challenge in getting all students connected in English 9.

Students also quickly began working cooperatively and sharing their thoughts and learning.  Mr. McDonald used new music by Taylor Swift to drive conversations about political change, using your voice, and honoring others' opinions in government class.

Activities are in full swing with all three athletic groups in action this week.  The volleyball team swept two games on Tuesday, cross country was at Newman Catholic on Thursday and the football team opens on Friday at Aplington-Parkersburg.