Local law firm donates $4,664 to fund 'Summer Soar' intervention at Arbor Hills

At the July 2025 Southern Waters Education meeting, the board accepted a $4,664 donation from Shoemaker Loop & Kendrick LLP to fund the district's Summer Soar intervention at Arbor Hills Junior High School. Administrators said the program targeted the district's most vulnerable eighth-grade students using the district's MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) guidelines. Pete, an Arbor Hills administrator, told the board the program identified about 5% of the eighth-grade class with predictive risk indicators, paired each student with a one-on-one mentor, and used goal-setting to improve academic behaviors. Students who met goals could earn a reward up to $250 tied to their interests. “Using our district's MTSS guidelines, we've identified 5 percent of our eighth grade class that have most at risk predictive indicators,” Pete said. “We paired them up with a 1 on 1 mentor ... the goal really was just to sort of have them finish junior high strong, so they could start high school on kind of the right foot.” Public commenter Rebecca Shope, an Arbor Hills parent, praised Pete's work and urged the board to recognize his contributions. The superintendent and other trustees thanked Shoemaker Loop & Kendrick and acknowledged staff and families involved in the program. The board moved to accept the gift on the consent agenda; trustees approved the donation during the meeting. Administrators said Northview High School would also provide mentors for students transitioning from Arbor Hills. Board members said the program’s design—mentoring, goal-setting and small-group focus—was intended to promote student connection and give “an opportunity that they otherwise would not get.”