Author: Tanner Atha

What Running and Sled Hockey Can Teach Students

Heather Tucker, an intervention specialist at Hoffman Trails Elementary, is only in her second year with Hilliard City Schools but loves seeing her students blossom and overcome challenges over the course of the school year. 

Her philosophy and lifelong goal is to be the best version of herself she can be, so her students could have no better role model when it comes to striving for continuous improvement. She views physical ability as one aspect of being at her best. About seven years ago, she took action by becoming a runner. She’s since run three marathons and approximately 60 5Ks.

“I wasn’t much into sports when I was younger, but running works for me because it allows me to go at my own pace,” she said. 

Running also provides her with new experiences. She said there are always fun things to do and see and new people to meet along her race routes. 

She also plays sled hockey through Ohio Sled Hockey, which is sponsored by the Columbus Blue Jackets. She enjoys trying new activities that keep her busy year-round, so gave the sport a try at the recommendation of a friend a few years ago. 

“I talk to my students about my hobbies and encourage them to keep an open mind when they are thinking about trying a new after-school activity or trying out for a play,” said Tucker. “I also teach them that it’s ok if things don’t go the way you think they will, like when I don’t run a time I’m happy with in a race. I tell them they must remain flexible, give themselves grace, and always look to the future.”

We are very excited to share that six of our Elementary Schools were awarded STEM Grants – $5000 each: Alton Darby, Brown, Crossing, Hoffman Trails, Horizon, and Ridgewood.

The grant that six of our elementary schools revived was funded by Battelle. The grant program fosters the growth of the Ohio STEM Learning Network as a public-private partnership between Battelle and the State of Ohio. Providing more access for all students to experience quality science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is Battelle’s top philanthropic priority.

“Battelle is proud to invest in the hundreds of educators who submitted ideas to expand STEM learning for their students,” said Wes Hall, Vice President of Philanthropy & Education. “Together, we can inspire a new generation to solve the most pressing challenges of the future.”

Classrooms will receive award grants of as much as $5,000. Projects aligned to at least one of four focus areas:

• Community Problem Solving
• STEM Career Exploration
• Building STEM Mindsets
• Design Thinking and Security

The Hilliard City School District is in the process of revising its K-12 English Language Arts Course of Study. The District’s English Language Arts Curriculum Revision Committee has just completed the development of the K-12 English Language Arts Course of Study. This Course of Study was presented to the Board of Education on Monday, November 1. The Board will be reviewing the Course of Study over the next several weeks before voting on its adoption. We invite all families and the community to preview the K-12 English Language Arts Draft Course of Study and, if so desire, use the Feedback Form as an opportunity to provide feedback. Please note that the Course of Study development is a part of Phase 1, which does not include Resource Adoption. Resource Alignment and Adoption will take place during the next phase of the revision cycle.

If the community seeks to understand the curriculum revision process, please refer to the following board policies as a resource.

• IFD-R – Curriculum Adoption Process Guidelines
• IFE – Curriculum Guides and Course Outlines

K-12 Course of Study

Hilliard City Schools is leading the way in making 21st-century learning a reality for all students. We are actively engaging perspectives from our staff, students, and the broader community in developing a Portrait of a Learner. This collective vision articulates our shared aspirations for every student to be Ready for Tomorrow.

Our district recruited a dynamic Portrait Design Team of close to 300 people that is diverse and represents all aspects of our community—including students. Through this process, we’ll work with our community to ask the following:

• What are the hopes, aspirations, and dreams that our community has for our young people?
• What are the skills and mindsets that our children need for success in this rapidly changing and complex world?
• What are the implications for the learning experiences we provide in our school systems?

Please watch this video to hear from Design Team members as they explain why this is so important.  We will continue to share our progress on our Portrait of a Learner web page.

Get ready to celebrate the holiday season with Hilliard alum Kellie Drobnick! A 2012 graduate of Davidson High School, Kellie is a Rockette who performed in this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City as well as the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular from Nov. 18 – Jan. 2.

Since graduating, she’s had an illustrious dance career. She graduated from The Julliard School’s Dance Program in 2016 before performing in a Broadway tour of “Dirty Dancing.” She was also a member of the Twyla Tharp Dance Company for two years and was cast as a Jet girl in Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story.”  

If you have an alumni you would like to see spotlighted, click here to send us an email!

Students at Alton Darby Creek had a Balloons Over Broadway extravaganza today! After learning about the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, as well as Tony Sarg, the original balloon maker, the kids wanted to build their own balloons and float for a school parade.