HSD News Round-Up

Pictured: Last fall, middle school students stepped onto the red carpet and into a new school year as the HMS Band filled the morning with music. HSD students can look forward to a warm welcome to the 2025-26 school year, too!

With the new school year just around the corner, we know there’s a lot to catch up on before our first day back. No worries! The August 11 edition of the HSD News Round-Up includes back-to-school information as well as updates on this year's budget, summer headlines, and more!

The first day of school is August 25! We can't wait to reconnect with your family - or, in some cases, connect and welcome you to HSD schools. We want you and your student(s) to have an awesome school year! Find all the back to school info you need here, including supply lists, orientations, required forms, and more.

In case you missed it: The 2025-26 school year calendar looks a little different than recent calendars. School will begin on a Monday rather than the typical Wednesday start, and both the Thanksgiving and President’s Day holidays have expanded to full-week breaks. We hope these changes offer our families greater flexibility for planning and travel plans. Check out the full calendar here.

Over 720 HSD families have downloaded the new HSD family communications app to keep up-to-date with school and district news. This app updates in real time from our website and notifications system, so you’ll be the first to know about inclement weather updates, school announcements, and events.

Download for Android https://aptg.co/vFg-qk

Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/1Tp5yp

Research has shown that after-school programs have a positive impact on academic performance, social connectedness and college/career readiness. Explore middle school clubs here and high school clubs here. Don't see one that interests your student? Secondary students can work with their building leaders to establish their own club.

• New Athletics Page: Hockinson High School Athletics has a new website!

• Apply Now! Americorps Positions: Hockinson School District is seeking 5 new team members to join us this fall as Student Learning Advocates.

• Our schools are updating their websites with key information as we prepare for the 2025-26 school year. Check out the latest on the HHES, HMS, and HHS pages.

Even with school out, HSD stayed active and in the news. Catch up on the latest headlines below.

Families helped harvest 600 pounds of blueberries at Majestic Farms’ annual Community Gleaning Event on August 1. The berries will support student meals across four local districts, including the HSD. This annual event reflects Chartwells' strong ties to local farms and the value of fresh, locally-sourced food in our schools. School nutrition teams across the region are planning a special day with blueberry-themed meals on the menu in the 2025-26 school year. Read more here. You can also check out a recap of this year's Blueberry Festival here.

The 2025-26 budget was approved in late July following extensive analysis and planning. A letter to families from Superintendent Steve Marshall and a July 29 Columbian article provide additional information and context about this year’s funding decisions. To learn more and stay informed, visit our Budget Overview webpage.

This summer, Columbian Sports Reporter Meg Wochnick is following three area high school football programs - Evergreen, Hockinson, and La Center - as they prepare for the 2025 fall season. Her reports, though, are in video rather than text format. This documentary-style video series, called "Dog Days," is available online here. The new-look Hawks' first home football game will be on Friday, Sept. 12 v. Mt. Baker HS.

• All HSD campuses open Mon-Fri until through Aug. 24 * Gates lock at 8 pm

• Mon. Aug 11: School Board Work Session on Zoom @ 6-8 pm

• Wed. Aug 20: First day of HHS Football Practice (All other Fall Sports begin Mon. Aug. 25)

• Thurs. Aug 21: HHES Back to School Community Fair at HHES @ 5-7 pm​

• Fri. Aug 22:
• 7 & 8th Grade Orientation at HMS @ 8 am-Noon
• 9th Grade Orientation at HHS @ 9 am-Noon; 12th Grade 12:30-1:30 pm; 11th Grade 1:30-2:30 pm; 10th Grade 2:30-3:30 pm

• Mon. Aug 25: First Day of School and first day of HMS/HHS Fall Sports Practices! * Note: Week 1 is a 5-day school week *

• Mon. Aug 25: School Board Regular Meeting at HCC and Zoom @ 6-8 pm

• Mon. Sept 1: Labor Day - No School

• Tues. Sept 2: HMS Open House/Parent Meetings @ 5:30-7:15 pm

HHS Fall Sports Schedule available here.

ICYMI: In case you missed a previous newsletter, our Round-Ups are archived here!

Email: justine.hanrahan@esd112.org
Website: https://www.hocksd.org/
Location: 17912 NE 159th St, Brush Prairie, WA 98606, USA
Phone: (360) 448-6400