School to Community Connection
May 18, 2006

Issue 112


CONGRATULATIONS TO HHS MERIT SCHOLARS
One of the highest academic recognitions for a high school student is to qualify as a National Merit Scholar. Colleges and universities across the country compete to admit students with these credentials. Four Healdsburg High School juniors have met the requirements to enter the 2007 National Merit Scholarship Program, which is based on their scores earned on the 2005 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Congratulations are in order for Erin Carlson, Allison Rudd, Blake Simons and Luke Wilson for this outstanding accomplishment.

SCHOLARSHIP NIGHT FOR HHS SENIORS MAY 22
Healdsburg High School will announce this year’s scholarship awards in the Smith-Robinson Gym on Monday, May 22nd starting at 7 PM. Last year, the Class of 2005 received over $675,000 in scholarships, a record high for Healdsburg High School. Using the on campus McCord Scholarship & Career Center, Healdsburg High School students have access to a wide variety of college, career pathway and scholarship resources. Each year every senior receives a handbook of over 100 scholarships funded by local clubs, organizations and private family foundations, which are managed by Laurie Nimmo, the McCord Scholarship & Career Center Administrator. Seniors and their parents are offered scholarship workshops by Ms. Nimmo and the high school counseling department to learn how to apply for scholarships and financial aid. In addition to family and friends of the Class of 2006, the public is welcome to attend this special evening for this year’s scholarship recipients.

OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES A BIG THANK YOU
Healdsburg is a community that cares about its children. And, Healdsburg is a community that has committed to making sure that Healdsburg children have access to an exceptional education. Last week, the combined efforts of the Healdsburg Education Foundation (HEF) and the Healdsburg chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) hosted the Annual Historic House Tour to raise money for local schools. Last Saturday, the Healdsburg Education Foundation (HEF) teamed up with the Downtown Business District including 80 local merchants, businesses, wineries, restaurants, and hotels, as well as our city council and fire department, to put on Healdsburg’s first Town Auction – again to raise money for our local schools. And just last month, the Healdsburg Hotel provided a special rate to the Healdsburg Unified School District to house the WASC Evaluation Team while in town to accredit Healdsburg High School--this world-class hotel provided rooms for the WASC team at a price well within the District’s budget. Thank you to all the businesses, individuals, public service agencies, and the community-at-large for all you do for local schools!

A CALIFORNIA TOP-RANKED PUBLIC SCHOOL
The Healdsburg Unified School District has just been notified that Healdsburg High School has been selected as one of California’s Top-Ranked Public Schools. Selection of these schools is based on data provided by the California Department of Education, which includes schools that score above the statewide average per the 2005 API Base Report. Congratulations are due to faculty and staff. And, with the arrival of the Final WASC Report came notification that Healdsburg High School has been recommended for a six year accreditation, the maximum time period granted by the State.

HEALDSBURG NIGHT AT AT&T PARK SEPTEMBER 12
The SF Giants are hosting a fundraiser for the Healdsburg Education Foundation (HEF) at the Giants vs. The Colorado Rockies game at 7:15 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2006 at AT&T Park. Before the game, a group of Healdsburg musicians will perform in Willie Mays Plaza. Then, Healdsburg ticket holders will sing the National Anthem and later take to the field during the 7th inning stretch to sing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". Mark your calendar now and watch for news about ticket sales--the SF Giants will donate nearly half of the ticket sales back to the Healdsburg Education Foundation. The proceeds are designated to fund athletics in our schools. Go Giants!