The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The LaHarpe School Board held a regular meeting Monday night, December 9th, in the School District Library.
Board members in attendance were Don Latherow, Larry Caston, Barb Cox, Dan Horton, and Mark Irish.
Also present were Jo Campbell, Charlotte Davis, Todd Porter, Charles Apt, Karen Nudd, and David Grimes.
The board approved:
The board also voted to amend the motion made in November to approve the spring coop sports with Northwest District from 2 years to 1 year and accepted the Annual Report of Library Services prepared by Paula Blythe.
High School Principal Charles Apt reported that first semester tests will begin on January 14th and continue on the 15th and 16th.
Students will only have to be in attendance during the periods that they have a test as long as they have parent permission and have all their fees paid.
The boys basketball season has begun. LaHarpe has eleven JV players and ten varsity players.
The girls basketball team is undefeated.
The Spanish Club sponsored a Christmas Dance and it was well attended.
Mrs. Sparrow took the freshmen English classes to Bloomington to a theatrical performance and Mrs. Blythe took the English IV students to Carthage for a career fair.
Elementary/Junior High Principal Charlotte Davis reported that Lynne Ward coordinated a Santa Sitters for students in grades PreK-4.
Students remained at school from dismissal until 7 p.m. to make crafts, play games, eat a light supper and visit with Santa.
This community service allowed parents time to shop, wrap gifts, or enjoy an early evening home together.
The junior high honors group volunteered their time to help with the event.
Mrs. Davis reported on the IASB Conference in Chicago that she attended.
Cindy Jones, Kathy Kendall, and Cindy Pollock attended the Gift Conference in Chicago.
Arlynn Hitz, Laurie Myers, Joanna Wright, and Brenda Sparrow are attending a third grade conference during December.
The PreK at-risk class put on a play for parents and friends on December 16th, those sixth grade students who participated in the Drug Prevention Program (Project Alert) presented by Hancock County Mental Health Department will have a graduation activity at 12:50 p.m. on December 19th in the Band/Chorus room.
The Junior High Student Council collected 1668 items and $141.75 for Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week.
The 5th grade went bowling and 6-8 grades went skating for their holiday activity during the elementary Christmas concert.
Dan Horton read the Ag report prepared by Bill Mealiff.
The 8th grade team placed 2nd in the FFA Quiz Bowl.
Team members were: Genessa Cox, Carlie Wear, Claire McKee, Willo Shutwell, and Kirsten Johnson.
The 9th grade team placed 6th.
Team members were: Mitch Worley, John Dowell, Kelly Burr, and Lacey Furrow.
Kayla Reische has done an excellent job of caring for and raising the Poinsettia plants this fall.
This was our first experience in growing these specialty plants and the 98 have done well.
Most of the plants were sold on November 30th and since that date.
This year, the LaHarpe School District received over $2900 in Agricultural Incentive Funds.
These funds were used to pay for the annual DTN equipment lease, an LCD projector and remote control along with a 70" screen to be used in the classroom, and a 225 amp arc welder along with an auto-darkening helmet for the shop.
The welder is getting a workout.
Students in the agribusiness class have been using the DTN to chart different commodities and we are starting to study about marketing.
I plan to mount the LCD projector near the ceiling of the ag room to use for power point programs from the computer and to show educational videos.
It has been hard for students in the back of the room to read information on the 25" TV screen which we have been using for the last 7 years.
Matt Swanson received a 2nd place on his corn sample and a 3rd place on his soybeans at the Section XI Grain Fair held on December 4th at Carthage.
The FFA members sold nearly $5800 in fruit, calendars, and cookbook sales this year.
Special appreciation goes out to everyone who helped make this program a success.