FOCUS

Students come to Hamilton Southeastern Schools with different abilities and skills, but it’s the goal of the district to meet every child where they are.
To do that better, HSE Schools opened the Foundation Of Characteristics Unique to Success or FOCUS program. We welcome students, kindergarten through 12^th grade. FOCUS is headed by Kelli Kornas.

FOCUS offers students a place to experience success academically and behaviorally by teaching the skills needed to cope with various obstacles in their lives. Students enrolled in FOCUS follow the same academic curriculum and requirements for their grade level. One of the goals of the program is to have the students transfer back to their home school and graduate with their peers. Kornas shares that it can be hard to see them leave, but it is also rewarding to know they’ve done their jobs.  
 
A typical day in FOCUS includes practicing mindfulness, where students pause to reflect on where they are and what they are doing, without becoming overly reactive or overwhelmed by what is going on around them. Students have some time throughout the week to explore their interests and hobbies. FOCUS has several different clubs, such as art, cooking, basketball, chess, and upcycling. Older students will also work alongside younger students during the day – a partnership that is beneficial to both parties.