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Hammond school board meeting spotlights student performances, arts preview and foundation program
Summary
At its March 4 meeting the School City of Hammond board heard student performances, received a preview of HAPA's Little Shop of Horrors, and heard the Hammond Education Foundation describe its Natural Helpers social-emotional program and funding support.
The School City of Hammond Board of Trustees opened its March 4, 2025 meeting with student presentations, an arts preview and a report from the Hammond Education Foundation on a peer-support program.
April Grisham, a teacher at Harding Elementary, introduced students whose artwork was featured on a local "Weather Sketchers" segment and thanked the board for the opportunity to showcase their work. "Two of my kids were picked last year," Grisham said, noting the project helped students practice visual techniques she teaches.
Students from multiple buildings read essays and performed in honor of Black History Month. At Jefferson Elementary, student S Barker read a biography of Simone Biles to the board and audience during the school update.
Melissa Brard, director of the Hammond Arts and Performance Academy (HAPA), presented a preview of a musical number from Little Shop of Horrors and invited the community to attend the full production March 14–16 at Bon High School. "Our students have worked tirelessly on this performance and we are thrilled to share their hard work," Brard said, adding ticket and scheduling details were posted on the HAPA website.
Roxan Oror, executive director of the Hammond Education Foundation, described the Foundation's long-running support for district programs, including an initiative called Natural Helpers that provides weekend training to develop students' social-emotional skills. Oror said the Foundation has supported approximately 2,500 students through the program and "invested over $54,000" in student success and well-being since it began backing the initiative in 2002.
Oror also outlined Foundation programs that fund teacher microgrants, vocational scholarships and a transportation fund used by college-and-career coordinators. She introduced board members and district sponsors in the audience and asked school-based sponsors to discuss successes and student involvement in the Natural Helpers program.
The meeting continued with routine business and community comment, and the board closed the recognitions portion after acknowledging principals, teachers and students for recent Black History Month activities and other accomplishments.
The Little Shop of Horrors full performances run March 14'16; HAPA posted ticket and event details on its website.
