Southridge High School Sets a “Paws”-itive Example

A scruffy new face will be seen wandering the halls of Southridge High School this year. Sunny, a certified therapy dog, will be on hand this year at Southridge to provide emotional support to students and staff. Her training, which was described as “rigorous and thorough,” culminated in Sunny achieving all of her AKC and therapy certifications. She is already being called a positive and indelible presence around campus, and all involved trust that Sunny will be a prime example of the great impact therapy animals can have in an educational setting. While it was Sunny that was highlighted at the beginning of the Southwest Dubois County School Corporation meeting, the rest of the meeting focused on strong community involvement and student achievement. 

As schools welcomed students back on campus, the board recognized some generous donations. The Dubois County Community Foundation presented a grant check for $5000 to the Southridge Middle School courtyard project, and the Holland and Huntingburg Elementary School PTO’s purchased all school supplies for every Holland and Huntingburg Elementary student. 

Huntingburg Elementary saw the return of almost 800 students to campus. Third, fourth, and fifth graders are reported to be enjoying a new schedule which lets them rotate between three core classroom teachers. The renovation of the school’s music room was completed over the summer, and the updated space is ready for students to grow their love for the arts. Southridge High School thanked its student volunteers for their help at the 4H Optimist Stand, which included students from Girls Wrestling, Freshman Mentors, and BPA. The SHS cheerleaders had multiple top finishers at the Cheer Clinic, and expect a great year ahead. Academic success was also on display as 31 SHS students placed in the top ten percent in the state on the PSAT, automatically qualifying them for large scholarships from university partners. The 4 th year Engineering class was also approved by Ivy Tech for college credit, adding to the many educational opportunities being offered for students this year. The board displayed a clear focus on broadening their community involvement and visibility and providing opportunities for students beyond high school. 

Southwest Dubois County School Corporation regular board meetings are open to the public and held on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30-6:30. The SWDCS board room is located at 105 W Sunset Dr., Huntingburg IN.