Adjustments made to community service requirements

Responding to the impact the coronavirus pandemic has on Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School students' ability to complete community service hours, revisions to the citizenship credit requirement were approved by the board on Dec. 21.

According to board policy, students must accumulate a minimum of 40 "citizenship points" in order to graduate. Each point is the equivalent of one clock hour a student expends in performing uncompensated "service for others."

Additionally, criteria for admission into the National Honor Society require students to be on track to graduate with 80 or more hours of community service.

During discussion, Principal Nate Hemiller reiterated that students are unable to earn citizenship credits because of the pandemic.

"Kids are finding it hard to find opportunities for community service," he noted.

Hemiller recommended the 40-hour citizenship credit requirement for graduation be waived for the Class of 2021. He also presented revised criteria developed with NHS Advisor Jim Thomas that reduces the required services hours for inclusion into the chapter from 80 to 40. That change applies to students who will be considered for future inclusion into the NHS chapter.

From Hemiller's perspective, the revisions approved by the board are temporary.

"When life returns to 'normal' we should plan on reinstating the requirement," he said.

• Music trip, other business

In other business, the board formally approved the high school vocal and instrumental students' trip to Nashville, Tenn., in March of 2022.

Cortland Ries' request to graduate at the end of the first semester was granted contingent upon meeting all academic requirements.

The application for modified supplemental amount for at-risk and dropout prevention was approved. H-M-S is eligible to apply for $216,566 in additional spending authority.

Resignations were accepted from Melissa Gallardo, middle school cook; and Julee Burns, girls' golf coach. Natasha Adrian was issued a contract as an elementary special education associate and Emily Serr is the new elementary secretary. She succeeds Deb Bleeker who is retiring after over 20 years with the district.

• Virtual conferences, fundraising

Approximately 80 percent of middle school parent-teacher conferences were conducted virtually. Students completed electronic portfolios that were included in the presentations.

"Teachers, students and the majority of parents that I talked to thought it was a worthwhile experience and that they liked the format of the e-portfolio," said Principal Mark Dorhout.

About the same percentage of elementary conferences were virtual. Principal Cathy Jochims said some parents still preferred in-person conferences, but most were pleased with the virtual process.

H-M-S will be participating in the All Kids Bike program now that the $4,000 fundraising goal has been met. According to Jochims, 24 balance bikes and helmets are expected to arrive next spring. Efforts are also being made to raise funds for a storage shed to house the equipment.

Sales for the book fair sponsored by H-M-S PIE totaled approximately $1,050.

The seventh and eighth grade holiday fundraiser that included donations, candy sales and a teacher silent auction raised $665. Of that amount, $540 was donated to Upper Des Moines Opportunity for the food pantry and $115 went to Troop 1-113, which is based in Africa, as a support package.

The FFA chapter sold approximately $39,000 worth of product during their annual fruit sales fundraiser. The profit of $10,000 will be used to support chapter activities.

FFA members and the Foods and Nutrition classes also participated in the Giving Tree project by donating fruit, cheese and meat bundles and making goodie trays that were given to the families.