The ISD 423 Board of Education will conduct a regular meeting on Monday, September 13, 2021 beginning at 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers at the Hutchinson City Center (111 Hassan St E, Hutchinson).
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By Bill Tschida, Activities Director
Participation in school activities and athletics provides additional lessons and leadership opportunities for students.
Tiger fall sports are off and running. We have eight fall sports: cross country (boys and girls), football (boys), soccer (boys and girls), swimming (girls), tennis (girls), and volleyball (girls). Although participation numbers have decreased overall compared to pre-Covid participation numbers (404 participants this year / 499 participants pre-Covid), we are seeing higher participation in cross country (both boys and girls) and in boys soccer.
Our coaches started this year off with professional development centered around the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Why We Play curriculum. This training program helps coaches direct our programs to be focused on educational athletics. This is a different model than youth, college, or professional athletics. Coaches worked on developing a personal Purpose Statement. This statement is their “Why” for why and how they coach. Discussion centered around goal setting for each team’s season. Goals are a necessary part of any team in any season. Goals have a beginning, an end and they are measurable. Your Purpose or your Why should not change. It should represent what your team/program stands for, and what you want your players to take away from being involved in your program. Coaches have great power. Developing strong purpose statements sets our coaches up to provide the best possible experience for our student athletes. We will continue to build on this training moving forward.
Superfans! We have begun to work with a group of students that will be leaders in our student section at sporting events – our Superfans! This group allows us to work with the students to discuss and plan for being appropriate with our words and actions at events, and help provide a fun atmosphere.
Our team captains will work on training for leadership in both our athletics and our school. Our student leaders play a big role in the success of our teams and the atmosphere of our school. This group will meet once a month to learn about being a leader. These lessons will go beyond their high school sports experience.
Tiger Pride!
On Friday, September 10th, the evening before 9-11, the American Legion Post 96 and VFW Post 906 in Hutchinson have scheduled a fly over during the Hutchinson High School Football game. During the National Anthem T-6 vintage planes will do a fly over and missing man formation (weather depending) and help the Hutchinson Tigers Football team honor our Police, Fireman, 1st Responders and Veterans.
A giant American Flag will be carried by the men and women honored by these young men as they go into friendly battle with Willmar. All Veterans, Firemen, Police, and First Responders are invited to meet at the Football field at 6 PM to assist in holding the flag.
By Michael Scott, Director of Teaching and Learning
In less than a week, staff at Hutchinson Public Schools will be welcoming students back to school, following a previous school year of educational stress and uncertainty due to Covid-19. Our staff have been working on final preparations for the upcoming year during new teacher workshop week August 16-20 and our all staff workshop week August 23-27. I am seeing a growing hopefulness that this upcoming school year is much different from last year but also caution in what the year may bring.
We realize as students return to a new school year, their stress may continue to be heightened. After reading many recently published articles that provide suggestions for supporting children through the stresses brought about by the changes and disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic, it doesn’t take long to notice that many of the tips and strategies offered are very familiar. Many are the same positive, effective suggestions that existed before Covid-19 entered as a factor in our children’s everyday lives.
Establishing routines for your child at home can provide structure, predictability, and consistency. Packing backpacks the night before school, determining a time each night for your child to complete school work, and consistently talking with your child about their school day are simple examples of routines parents can provide.
In addition, assist your child to focus on the positive aspects of returning to school instead of the areas of worry. Ask them what they are excited about as they return to school, what their hopes are for the upcoming year, and what goals they may want to achieve. Discuss any concerns they may have to work together to problem solve.
Another routine to restore from summer vacation is expectations of when your child should get to bed at night. Research has shown overwhelmingly that children need adequate sleep time (no fewer than 9 hours a day for elementary and middle school aged students and no fewer than 8 hours a day for high school aged students), miss no more than 10 percent of the number of school days (no more than 6 days a trimester for Hutchinson Public School students), and have time daily to connect with their parents about their school day. Focus on asking your children what they “learned” in school instead of what they “did” in school.
Our hope is this year has fewer uncertainties and disruptions to your child’s education and routines. No matter the reason for your child to potentially be approaching the start of the school year with feelings of uncertainty, our staff are here to support your child’s education and social-emotional wellbeing. Never hesitate to contact your child’s school with questions or need for support.
School starts on August 30, 2021. We are excited to welcome students for new school year!
School Open Houses – Wednesday, August 25, 2021
If you have questions, please contact the school office:
Tutors: The District does not endorse or recommend specific tutors; however, a list of people providing tutoring services is available.
By Lesli Mueller, Child Nutrition Director
Hutchinson Public Schools’ Summer Feeding program is proudly sourcing produce from nine local farms in the area. Kids can look forward to filling up on the freshest cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, melons, sweet peppers, and more this summer.
What’s special about foods from our local farmers? First, freshly harvested fruits and vegetables are not only packed with vitamins and minerals, they also contain phytochemicals. These naturally occurring compounds give extra protection against cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases. Phytochemicals are responsible for the vibrant colors and delicious flavors found in fruits and vegetables. All of these components are most concentrated when they’re fresh! Next up, flavor. Tomatoes, for example, fresh from the farms have a noticeable better flavor than what’s purchased from a grocer. This is true of all local produce–stay tuned for snappy broccoli, that old-fashioned carrot flavor, and cooling cucumbers. The Farm to School program allows us to highlight fruit and vegetables varieties not offered by distributors. The best taste is often found in the varieties that don’t handle the long-road shipping practices.
Summer school students and meal pick-up families will receive all the awesomeness Farm to School offers. It’s a win-win of supporting our neighboring farmers, keeping our resources close to home, and feeding kids in our community the freshest, most nutrient dense, and flavorful food!
I strongly recommend and encourage families in the community to take advantage of the school’s summer feeding program. Kids ages 1-18 all can eat for free. Included in bulk packed meals for pick up only, besides local fruits and vegetables, will be breakfast and lunch school menu favorites. Italian Dunkers, Chicken Sandwich, BBQ Pulled Pork and Omelets just to name a few. Most entrée items will come frozen, but easy to follow heating instructions are listed on our website. June 9 – August 13, excluding the week of July 5 – 9, is the duration of the program. Pick up days are Mondays and Wednesdays at Hutchinson High School, behind the school at Door 8 between the times of 10:45am-12:15pm. Go to the school website or look for posted flyers around town for more information on the summer feeding program.
My hope is that you find value and connection by accessing locally-grown foods through our new Farm to School program. Throughout this journey your kids will learn more about seasonal eating, participate in their own wellness, try new things, and have opportunities to build more hands-on life skills in the garden. Enjoy the gems of our seasonal abundance at school and at home!
