LGHS Parents & Students,

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Happy holidays! As the first semester draws to a close and we enter a well-deserved break, I wanted to take a moment to update you all on our Home & School Club activities throughout the first semester, and some events that we have planned for the second half of the school year.

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I want to start by thanking our H&SC leadership team: Nidhi Malhotra (VP), Lindo St. Angel (Career Pathways), Stephanie Lundstrom (College Readiness), Kelly Campbell (Special Events), Smita Thakkar (Health & Wellness), Nancy Paduano (Health & Wellness), Peter Shepherd (Volunteerism), Mercedes Ferrer (Volunteerism) and Lee Ann Wade (Social Media). These folks are so committed to our efforts to bring meaningful content to the students and staff at LGHS, and I could not be prouder of the work that they have done.

 

For some context, at this time last year the H&SC was in the early stages of trying to rebuild after two years of Covid decimated the organization. We were still unable to host in-person activities (until spring) and were primarily focusing on supporting our teachers/staff and identifying long-standing LGHS traditions that we could reintroduce in the spring. It was a bit chaotic, but a tremendous learning experience.

 

Fast forward to the fall of ’22, and my primary goal was to build a team and a structure that allowed us to focus time, energy and resources on the most meaningful areas affecting our students, staff and parents. I am happy to report that we succeeded in finding a passionate & talented group of parents who took on leadership roles overseeing the committees below:

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• Career Pathways: educating students on a wide range of prospective careers and how to chart a path toward entering those fields.

• College Readiness: educating students and parents on finding the best fit for our graduates, whether that involves 4-year college/university, 2-year community college or other options (trade school, study abroad, etc.).

• Special Events: recognizing and rewarding our teachers and staff for the tireless work they do to provide the strongest, safest and most supportive learning environment possible.

• Health & Wellness: educating students and parents on the stresses associated with being a HS student, how to deal with those challenges and what resources are available to support the students who need them.

• Volunteerism: encouraging students to be active & supportive members of their community and educating on the volunteer options available to them.

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While each of these committees has contributed to our efforts throughout the first semester, I will say that the greatest impact will be seen/felt throughout the remainder of the school year.

 

Some of the initiatives we have planned will include:

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Career Pathways

• Monthly speaker series offered January thru May, featuring high-level management from several career fields

• Available to all students at no cost – hosted during tutorial – full schedule to be posted shortly

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College Readiness

• Re-launch of the popular “Job Shadow Program” in spring of ‘23

• LGHS students will have an opportunity to shadow professionals across a wide spectrum of jobs/careers to experience a day-in-the-life 

 

Special Events

• Supporting school dances and activities

• Providing food & staffing for “Freshmen Fun Run”

• Organizing and hosting the end of year “Educator of the Year BBQ”

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Health & Wellness

• Multi-part “health & wellness” series, focused on a range of important topics

• Series will feature multiple formats (panel discussion, individual speaker & presentation company)

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Volunteerism

• Organizing and creating 1-2 LGHS “day of service” events for students and parents to support the LG community and surrounding area

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Social Media

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lghshsc

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It will be a busy spring, but there is so much to look forward to, and more information will be forthcoming on the events listed above. Know that you have a team of dedicated parents working hard to support our students and staff. And the H&SC would like to say a BIG thank-you to the Wildcat Foundation for providing the funding needed to do this important work! 

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Wishing you all a very happy and healthy holiday season! Be sure to lift a glass to the students and staff at LGHS for a job well done in the first semester. We look forward to seeing you in the new year!

 

Sincerely,

Shawn Mortensen

Home & School Club President

LGHSCPresident@gmail.com