I had the honor of being invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony late this afternoon in celebration of outstanding news for the Hartford community in preparing our future labor force.

In the midst of heated political debates throughout the State, it is refreshing to hear positive news from our local secondary level educational institution.

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For Immediate Release:

HUHS 1^st Certified PLTW Public School

March 9, 2011

HARTFORD, WI - The Hartford Union High School District (HUHS) announced today that it is now a Project Lead The Way Certified School.  HUHS is the first certified public school in the state of Wisconsin that offers both Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Engineering and Biomedical Sciences programs.  This national certification will allow PLTW students at HUHS to apply for transcripted college credit for their high school PLTW courses.

In January, officials from MSOE and Wisconsin Project Lead The Way conducted a certification site visit of both PLTW programs offered at HUHS.  When the district was notified of its certification, the Site Visit Team noted they were "impressed with all aspects of your program - especially the engagement and energy of the students, staff and community."

At a Certification Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, held on March 9 at HUHS, District Superintendent Lisa Olson opened by welcoming all in attendance.  Other speakers included Michelle Ring, Director of Teaching Learning & Technology; Ms. Jayne Francis, PLTW teacher; and Mr. Jason Kraus, PLTW teacher. Recognition was given to the many community members, local businesses, HUHS teachers, as well as financial supporters, Karl Parkins, the Kern Family Foundation, and The Department of Public Instruction.

Olson, Francis and Kraus were joined by PLTW students, Kiley Olson and Matt Klemeneic  in cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Olson and Klemeneic represented both the PLTW Engineering and Biomedical sciences programs.  Klemeneic, a senior at HUHS was recently accepted at MSOE and plans to major in Biomolecular Engineering this fall. "I liked the (PLTW Engineering) program a lot. It was a great experience and I'm happy I did it," said Klemeneic. "I really liked that the class was more about problem solving and figuring out things on my own. It helped me understand what engineering is all about and how to prepare for it in college."

ABOUT PLTW - Project Lead The Way is a national, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative STEM education curricular programs used in K-12 schools.  PLTW's comprehensive curriculum, which is collaboratively developed by PLTW teachers, university educators, engineering and biomedical professionals, and school administrators, emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and real-world problem solving - all important skills for students to develop in today's 21st century global economy. The hands-on, project-based program engages students by showing them how what they are learning in math and science class applies to real-world challenges.  The program exposes students to areas of study that they typically do not pursue and provides them with a foundation and proven path to college and career success in STEM related fields.  Teachers are a critical component of the success of the PLTW program. All teachers are required to complete an intensive two-week professional development course during the summer before they can teach a PLTW course.

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