Huron Intermediate School District: Enhancing Education For Everyone
When you think of the Huron Intermediate School District (HISD), what comes to mind? People often recognize the HISD for its Tech Center, preschool, and special education services. Although these are very important programs and services offered by the HISD, there is a myriad of other opportunities and services you should know about.
The Huron ISD has had more than 50 years of engaging in and enhancing the education of Huron County residents for the Huron Intermediate School District. That’s nothing to scoff at considering that time period the Huron ISD has served tens of thousands of students, educators, and families in and around the county. Today, the HISD employs over 125 employees and serves and provides leadership to 12 public school and 4 private school districts in Huron County.
So what exactly does the HISD do for Huron County residents, students, and educators? As you may already know, the HISD provides a number of general education, special education, and career/technical education programs and services. Here is an overall list of these common programs and services you might already be familiar with.
Early Childhood Programs & Services
Great Start Readiness Preschool Program
Early Childhood Special Education Preschool Program
Great Start Collaborative - coordinates and improves services so families have the resources they need to help children be healthy, safe, and prepared for school.
Parent-child playgroups (held twice per month)
Free developmental screenings - Early On/Build Up (previously Project Find)
Early On Services - teaching and coordination of in-home services such as physical, occupational and speech therapies
Special Student Programs & Services
Huron Learning Center - provides specialized programs for students in Huron County who can benefit from intensive instruction in a center-based learning environment for students preschool through age 26. Access to these programs is done through an Individualized Education Plan.
Additional services are provided by a team of teacher consultant, transition coordinator, school psychologists, school social workers and behavior support staff, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, and an audiologist.
MOVE International - Mobility Opportunities Via Education/Experience is an activity-based program that helps the individual with physical impairments improve their mobility skills.
Career and Technical Programs & Services
Huron Area Technical Center offers 11 state-approved wage-earning career technical education programs for students from Huron County’s eight high schools, adult learners, and college students and includes:
Also available are articulation credits and dual enrollment courses through Mid-Michigan Community College
Community Education Programs & Services
Now, there is more to HISD than what’s just mentioned above. The HISD’s Business Services Department are contracted to provide business services to local school districts, as well as several school districts from outside the county. The Business Services Department acts as a conduit between the Michigan Department of Education and our local school districts.
In addition to this, the HISD also acts as an important community partner with stakeholders, such as institutions of higher education, professional associations, foundations, agencies, businesses, and state organizations. The HISD also provides professional development services to educators, parents, and the community that impacts the quality of curriculum and instruction in the county. Click the link to learn about a variety of general education topics the HISD can provide information and instruction on.
Still, that is not all the HISD has to offer Huron County. The Huron Mathematics and Science Center (HMSTC) provides resources and curriculum support for mathematics, science and and technology to teachers and administrators through professional development opportunities. The HMSTC also serves students, families, and the community through student and community events. One such event includes the Second Annual Thumb Area STEAM Showcase taking place in May of this year at the Bad Axe Middle School. The showcase is a free community festival celebrating science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.
Some things to look for at this year’s STEAM Showcase include:
First Robotics demonstration
Underwater ROV or IVD vehicles
Science Fair winner displays
Environmental/Science Club displays
Destination Imagination display
FFA Projects/presentations/displays
Innovative Art Exhibits (Recyclables, Design/Engineering, Nature/Environment)
Industrial Arts designed and constructed projects
Media/Digital Art projects
Band and/or Performance Arts
To encourage all students to get involved with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the HMSTC has been traveling to local schools to provide many programs for students. STEM 6 & 7 are hands-on STEM activities for grades 6 and 7. Mother Nature’s Classroom is a collaborative effort with the local State Parks to offer STEM learning outdoors to grades 4 and 5. Elementary schools participate in VEX IQ and secondary schools support VEX Robotics. High school students are able to participate in Innovative Vehicle Design (IVD) thanks to the HMSTC staff.
The General Education team provides Family Exploration Packs to every kindergarten, first, and second grader in the county. These packs are sent home each year for children and their families to keep. The goal is to build on the school-home partnership, to assist children in learning while having fun, and to help parents understand what their children are learning and how to help support their learning at home.
Early literacy is also a focus of support. The Early Literacy Consultant works very closely with teachers to support their use of research-supported strategies.
If you have any question about the programs and services offered by the HISD, or would like more information, you can call the Huron Intermediate School District at (989) 269-6406.
