414 4th Avenue West,
Hendersonville, NC 28739
828.697.5551 | [email protected]
414 4th Avenue West,
Hendersonville, NC 28739
828.697.5551 | [email protected]
November 2023 Quarterly Newsletter
Thank you for being a part of our thriving community that continues to serve Henderson County Public Schools by investing in and responding to the whole child and the whole school.
Please click the above title or the image below to view 2023 Investors, Tribute Donors, and our Annual Report.
Henderson County high school orchestra students showcased their talents at the annual Berrian All-County Orchestra concert on Tuesday, October 10th. The concert was free to the public and featured students from all four HCPS high schools.
Each year, the festivals give Henderson County Public Schools orchestra students the chance to learn from and be inspired by professional musicians, improve their skills by playing challenging music, and give back to the community by performing a free concert.
In Henderson County, where 10% of students aged 16-19 (610 students) are categorized as disconnected youth, meaning they are neither in school nor employed, there is a pressing need for a one-on-one success coaching program. Many middle and high school students currently face academic, attendance, and behavioral challenges that increase their risk of becoming disconnected from education and employment. However, due to limited administrators and counselors, our capacity to address this issue is constrained. To meet this challenge, a community coalition has come together to establish a success coaching program that will ultimately benefit every middle and high school student from 7th grade to graduation.
On November 6, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners committed to an initial investment of $50,000 to get the program started. As a program director is hired, more information will be shared about how to get involved as a volunteer success coach or to become a financial partner
Community volunteers (Success Coaches) have one-on-one check-ins every other month with middle and high school students.
During the check-ins, Success Coaches focus on:
Investment Impact:
We are entering the 12th year of implementation of The Leader in Me in HCPS, serving 13 out of 23 schools, and impacting about 15,000 children. The total 12 year investment has been around 1.3 million thanks to grants, state funds, community sponsorships, corporate support, and individual donors. An approximate investment of $90 per student has reaped the following benefits and outcomes:
● Improved Leadership Skills: Students develop essential leadership qualities such as responsibility, initiative, goal-setting, and problem-solving.
● Enhanced Academic Performance: By promoting self-discipline, organization, and time management skills, students show improved academic performance.
● Increased Social-Emotional Well-being: By fostering social skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence, students’ mental health and relationships with others are positively improved.
● Reduced Behavioral Issues: By teaching conflict resolution and communication skills, a more positive school climate with fewer disciplinary problems is achieved.
● Parent and Community Involvement: The Leader in Me encourages parental involvement and community support, leading to a more cohesive and supportive school environment.
● Cultivation of a Growth Mindset: Students develop a growth mindset, embracing challenges and viewing failures as opportunities to learn and grow.
● Long-Term Impact: The skills learned through The Leader in Me have long-lasting effects on students as they move into higher education and the workforce.
Vision for 2023 Forward:For cost-effective sustainability of the current The Leader in Me schools and for future growth into the remaining 10 schools in Henderson County, HCEF has established the following priorities. This will empower our own educators in Henderson County to lead while keeping more of the dollars at home.
We have accomplished Goal 1 and are now working on Goal 2!
● Goal 1: Train district 7 Habits trainers (1-2 per school).
● Goal 2: Identify and equip 4 district The Leader in Me coaches to onboard new schools with The Leader in Me content, lead summer professional development opportunities related to The Leader in Me, and train beginning teachers or teachers new to HCPS with The Leader in Me core paradigms and principles.
● Goal 3: Empower all district office leaders, school administrators, and instructional coaches to lead the 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX) goal setting process at all HCPS schools, not just The Leader in Me schools.
● Goal 4: Hire a full-time The Leader in Me district coach to not only serve the The Leader in Me schools but all schools in Henderson County. The coach will give each school one coaching day a month versus two coaching days per year.
The Fall Golf Classic stands as the primary fundraising event for the Henderson County Education Foundation (HCEF). By offering your support, you contribute to fulfilling the day to day emergent needs of the most at-risk students in Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS). Additionally, your contribution aids in providing post-secondary scholarships, bolstering arts and music education through instructional support, addressing literacy and STEM curriculum needs, and expanding the reach of the Leader in Me program.
We want to thank everyone that donated, volunteered, played, and participated!
HCEF would also like to announce the dates for the annual Food for Thought Campaign. Dine at any participating Henderson County restaurant between January 12th and 28th, 2024, and donate $5 to enter a drawing for a $50 restaurant gift card. Visiting three or more restaurants during the campaign could win you extra prizes. All proceeds will support the annual Spring Fund and directly benefit students in Henderson County Public Schools. For the last six years, our restaurant community has faithfully and generously supported the annual Food for Thought Campaign to support local public education. If you’re a restaurant interested in partnering, please contact HCEF at [email protected].
Application Begins: September 11, 2023.
Application Deadline: January 5, 2024 at 5:00 pm.
The Hall of Fame honors individuals who have demonstrated measurable influence and made significant contributions to the growth and development of education in Henderson County.
Nominations can be made in one of the following categories:
If you have someone you want to nominate, CLICK HERE to submit your entry!
Our Spring Sponsors help support day-to-day emergencies and other needs faced by some of the district’s most vulnerable children.
With its origin tracing back to an anonymous donor in 1989, today we call this our SPRING Fund because it is a vital springboard between principals and the students under their care. It is only through individual donations and business sponsorships that we can continue providing this necessary support.
Super Spring Sponsors: ($3000)
Advent Health | Only Hope WNC | Champion Comfort Experts
Spring Sponsors: ($1000)
Blue Ridge Orthodontics | Curt & Sue Marker | Kiki & Vaughan Matthews | Rosemary & Rick Johnston | Champion Credit Union | Eagle Self Storage | Alessi Insurance Services
The Henderson County Education Foundation is Oklawaha Brewing Company’s “Nonprofit of the Month” all through September!
The Brewery donated 20% of sales during the Sept. 7th Rock On For Education Event + a percentage of each pint sold throughout the month to support programs that benefit students and teachers of Henderson County Public Schools.
The first 100 guests received a beer glass from Southern Alarm & Security.
Thank you to our Sponsors:
Southern Alarm & Security & WTZQ 95.3
