What's Happening in Regional School District 17?

District News: Students Doing Brilliantly!

The College acceptance season is wrapping up for the senior class at HKHS and the prestigious programs where seniors received acceptance included Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, the University of Connecticut Honors Program, Tufts University, Colby College, the University of Michigan and the University of Virginia.

Math Problems Solved!

In March, five seniors from HKHS participated in the Moody’s Mega-Math Challenge. This is a national competition that asks students to create a mathematical model regarding a current issue and make a recommendation based on that model. 

This year’s problem involved determining the viability of a high speed rail system in any one of seven regions nationally. The students from HKHS finished in the top 55 teams nationwide out of more than 1,000 teams. Each of the students earned a $1,000 scholarship to the school of their choice. The five members of the team were Brianna Church, Tom Day, Rachel Roberts, Emma Soneson, and Megan Tischbein.

On May 21, HKHS will host the Shoreline Mathematics Challenge. This event will ask pre-calculus and calculus students from across the shoreline to solve a series of life-size logic puzzles. The challenge will be a scored competition.

Artistic and Athletic Award Winners

Two elementary school students were recognized in the Connecticut Secretary of State’s Annual Citizenship Poster Contest. Schuyler Dragoo won third place and Lily Bucko received an honorable mention. Schuyler and Lily will be recognized by the Secretary of State, Denise Merrill, at the State Capital on May 24, 2012.

The HKHS Boys Swim team just completed a very successful season with seven swimmers achieving All-State recognition and the team placing fourth in the Class S State Championship.

School Board Business: Don't Forget to Vote!

The Board has passed its budget for 2012-2013 and the referendum is scheduled for Tuesday, May 8, 2012. The proposed 2012-2013 budget is for $37,886,401, which is a 0.14 percent increase over the 2011-2012 budget. Voting hours in Haddam and Killingworth on May 8 are from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Coming Events

The Communications Subcommittee of the Board would like the public to know about the Community Conversation scheduled for June 2, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the middle school. The Conversation is an opportunity for members of the community to discuss the role of the parents and the community in the education process. Members of the public are welcome and child care will be provided. The District is jointly sponsoring this event.  For more information, please email hkcommunityconversation@yahoo.com or visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HKCCAE.

The Policy Subcommittee of the Board is currently reviewing the 5000 series of policies, focused on student issues. Input from the community is welcome.

The Building Subcommittee has approved the expenditure of $225,000 from the capital account for capital projects. The full Board will be considering this requested expenditure at its next Board meeting.