Cody's Corner

Audree Edwards, a Haxtun Board of Education member, gave me the book Homesteading Haxtun and the High Plains: Northeastern Colorado History by Jean Gray. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book to my parents who live with me. Learning about the history of our community and the character and tenacity of the people has been fascinating and impressive to my family and me. The book begins with the following quote:

“The area showed great faith, perseverance and determination. They saw something special here that gave them the hope and dedication to establish the area into a place loved by those who call it home.” — Gay McDaniel, (Mayor of Haxtun 1992-2008)

I am grateful that Haxtun is my home. There is definitely something special about Haxtun. The faith, perseverance and determination of our staff, students and community is evident in all that was accomplished this school year. Although this is not a comprehensive list, it represents some of the great work accomplished this year:

• State football 8-man Champions

• State semifinals for volleyball

• Twelve students qualified for Nationals in Future Business Leaders of America

• State runner-up (second in State for 1A) in Knowledge Bowl

• FFA raised $13,100 for the Kansas Ag Fire Relief during Ag Night

• First Place Golden Plains Best Robotics

• State playoffs for basketball

• Theater production “The Trials of Robin Hood”

• Haxtun regional champion at Regional Spelling Bee

• Fifth Grade attending AmeriTowne

• Haxtun Pee Wee wrestling event

• Haxtun wrestlers qualifying for State

• Music and band performances including marching band and pep band

• Future Career and Community Leaders of America preparing meals for the District Accountability Committee, completing quilts/projects and creating stuffed animal version of Haxtun elementary students’ drawings and presented at districts and will travel to National Leadership Conference in San Diego, Calif.

• The Lion’s Club donating money for a sensory room for students with severe needs

• FFA developing and getting approved by the Branding Board — The Haxtun Brand

• Haxtun community raising $13,000 for the Wiley Community

• Haxtun Junior High teachers providing after school tutoring

• Haxtun staff provide The 100 Mile Club for students to engage in

• EF tours to offer opportunities for our students to engage in domestic and international travel

• Junior High Student Council dress up days

• Bulldog Store

• Haxtun Boosters supporting students and staff through banquets, charter bus, goodie bags and more

• New ticket booth for the football field

• Strong partnership with Haxtun Police and County agencies – completed tabletop exercise to continuously improve student safety

• Pep and march band

• Teachers attending additional Literacy Training after school throughout April, May and June

• Preschool received grants

• BOE members attended the Colorado Association of School Board conference in Colorado Springs

• District Accountability Committee

• District Leadership Team

• Received Multi-tiered System of Support Grant and MTSS team

• Developing social emotional/wellness master plan

• Developing Gifted and Talented Master Plan

• Students engaged in work-based learning and internships for high school students

• Book Fair — every students and elementary teacher received a book

• Utilizing Xello for Individualized Career and Academic Plans

• Bus drivers willing to drive longer distances since we are short drivers

• ALMA — our new student information system to improve communication and move to digital registration

• Community businesses who respond quickly to our need for help: Fetzer Electric, Wilson’s Repair, Kurtzer’s, Precision Plumbing, Haxtun Building Supply, etc.

• Points West Bank’s help to refinance our loan

• Haxtun Education Foundation: grants for teachers and a scholarship for a student

• Women’s Group from the Methodist Church providing meals for staff during parent teacher conferences

• Senior trip and eighth grade trip

• NHS service days and Easter Egg Hunt

• Junior High built a Greenhouse and growing plants for a plant sale

• Director of Maintenance working tirelessly to keep grounds looking nice and building maintained

We have such a hard-working, generous and gracious community that demonstrates their care and value for students!

In addition, I see daily the hard work and dedication of teachers who push their students, hold them accountable and support them as they grow and develop into excellent individuals who replicate the characteristics represented in this community. The work they do is invaluable!

The teaching profession is one that is unpopular with the current rising workforce. The occupation is looked at as one that is hard, service based, with little rewards. With many service based industries the rewards are in the difference made in the lives of people. Teachers are some of the hardest working, most caring and generous people I know. It is time for our country to shift to looking at all of the great things they do and the difference they make in the lives of our children.

As we move toward the end of the school year, I encourage you to take a moment to write a note or share with a teacher how they have helped your student or someone you know. It will make a difference! Thank you for being the great people of Haxtun!