JH/HS Principal Newsletter

We have officially entered into the spring season and have begun the last full month of school in the Hershey Public Schools district!!! We are to the point of the school year where the weeks (eight) and the days (37) will pass by in a blink of an eye for students and staff alike. I encourage us all to continue to be about the business of constant improvement and having the desire to finish strong.

This time of the school year I am reminded of the concept of “pedaling downhill”. Most often in a bicycle race, competitors will use the downhill to collect themselves and rest for the other parts of the race. However, those who gain an edge on their opponents have mastered the skill of pedaling downhill. This means that when others are costing, these competitors are continuing to push, and in doing so, make up ground or extend the lead on their competitors. May we embrace the concept of “pedaling downhill” the next eight weeks and finish strong here at HPS!

As always, I want to highlight a couple of items I included in the newsletter this month. First off, we have a heavy month with Panther Activities!! Please take a look and come out and support our Panther students as they compete in town as well as in the region. Second, SENIOR PARENTS, please read through the senior reminders as there are many items pertaining to graduation and the week leading up to it. Finally, as I said last month, please make sure you take a look at the spring testing dates in April. We want students to BE AT THEIR BEST during this time and give their best efforts on these tests. These tests provide GREAT DATA for the students and their families as well as for the school district!

Finally, please know that all stakeholders are here for ALL students to be successful. If there are any questions or concerns you have, please feel free to reach out to the staff and administration here at Hershey Jr/Sr High School and we will be more than happy to help make sure ALL students are successful and have a great experience here at Hershey!

We are excited to announce the March HPSEF Students of the Month!! These students exemplify the hard work and character we seek here at HPS!! Grade level winners include:

7th - Kole Norquest

8th - Adalyn Holes

9th - Oaklie Walton

10th - Ella Thompson

11th - Kenna Bringewatt

12th - Emma Elliott

Additionally, the following students were selected as the Junior High and High School Student of the Month!

Junior High - Ainslee Stier

Senior High - Emma Elliott

We were honored to have awarded Hershey Instrumental Music teacher, Rebecca Brittenham, with the March HPSEF Staff Member of the Month Award!!!

Mrs. Brittenham has been in education for 17 years and has been in the Hershey district for the past 4 years. During that time, Mrs. Brittenham leads the HPS Instrumental Music department, which includes the Panther Pride Marching Band as well as the jazz and concert bands.

Mrs. Brittenham is an amazing educator who has created a wonderful community within her band program. All the students who participate in her program feel valued and included and commonly refer to her as "mom" as she is able to provide the support and encouragement that many of our students need! She has maintained a tradition of excellence as her program is consistently competing for the highest ratings at the conference and state level!

Rebecca is married to Hershey Science teacher, Jeff, and they have two children who attend Hershey Public Schools, and they reside in North Platte.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Rebecca Brittenham on being awarded the March HPSEF Staff Member of the Month!

We are excited to continue to work with the staff here at HPS on the importance of PANTHER MOJO. This provides a simple framework for our staff and students to come back to when remembering what is foundational here at Hershey! MOJO stands for the following:

Meaningful Engagement

cOmmon Expectations

Joy in Learning

Opportunities for Growth

This month we return as a staff on the importance of OPPORTUNITY TO GROW! As we start the fourth quarter, we have the opportunity to revisit classroom expectations and what growing in learning looks like in the classroom. For us at Hershey, we want all stakeholders to know that when students are in the classrooms that we want 1) Learning from Mistakes 2) Student Work on Display and 3) Next Step Ready!

This year we will continue to look at and focus on strengthening our instruction through the Marzano Instructional Framework. This year we will take time to focus on the importance of Engagement Strategies in the classroom with the focus of using Friendly Controversy and Academic Games in the month of April.

Another layer to our framework on the 7-12 side will be the importance of Panther M.A.D.: 4 Ways Teachers Make a Difference each day in the classroom! We will collaborate with our staff to ensure that on a daily basis our students experience 1) On Grade Level Content 2) Strong Instruction 3) Strong Engagement 4) High Expectations.

It is our hope and expectation that, through deepening our understanding of the Marzano Framework as well as revisiting the 4 areas of Panther M.A.D, we can improve the student experience and see students Learn, Thrive, and Grow here at HPS!!

HPS will not be in session for 7-12 students on April 18th and 21st for our Easter Break. These are the last scheduled days out of school we will have as a district for the remainder of the school year.

We will have an 11:30 AM dismissal on Wednesday, April 30th, for teacher professional development. No lunch will be served on that day.

From a joint effort with the administrative team and junior high team of teachers, we have continued our Junior High Academic Intervention plan to help students get off the down list and pass classes. These interventions were implemented towards the end of the first quarter and are designed to help the student identify why they are failing a class, what supports are around him/her to improve their grade, and what assignments can be turned in to improve their grade. As we went through the month of March, we CONTINUE TO SEE the LOWEST number of students failing a class AND the lowest number of failing grades all year from our 7-12 students!!! A big THANK YOU to Mrs. Harmoni Wagner for all her hard work and dedication in working with our students in this endeavor!!

The Panther Spring Connection event is designed to connect parents with administration and 7-12 counselor to identify and discuss the next steps for students in their respective grade levels. There will be a time for getting information as well as asking questions which are pertinent to your students' success in the 2025-2026 school year!

SENIOR PARENTS...Your attendance is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED as there will be information and documents that impact your son or daughters graduation.

4.1.25 - Tennis @ McCook/Hastings Double Dual (McCook SH Courts)

4.2.25 - FFA @ Nebraska State Convention (Lincoln, NE)

4.2.25 - Tennis vs Scottsbluff Bearcats (Madison M.S.)

4.3.25 - FFA @ Nebraska State Convention (Lincoln, NE)

4.3.25 - Tennis @ Kearney Invite (Harmon Park)

4.3.25 - Golf @ Amherst Invite (The Greens @ Prairies Hills)

4.4.25 - FFA @ Nebraska State Convention (Lincoln, NE)

4.5.25 - JH Speech @ Adams Middle School Invite (Adams M.S.)

4.5.25 - HS Track @ Sutherland Booster Club Invite (Sutherland H.S.)

4.7.25 - FFA Hunger Banquet (HPS Cafeteria)

4.8.25 - Tennis vs Ogallala Indians (Madison M.S.)

4.9.25 - HPS ACT & Pre-ACT Test Day

4.10.25 - Hershey FBLA @ State Leadership Conference (Kearney, NE)

4.10.25 - Hershey SkillsUSA @ Nebraska State Competition (Grand Island, NE)

4.10.25 - JH Track & Field Picture Day (Competition Gym)

4.10.25 - Tennis vs Gothenburg Swedes (Madison M.S.)

4.11.25 - Hershey FBLA @ State Leadership Conference (Kearney, NE)

4.11.25 - Hershey SkillsUSA @ Nebraska State Competition (Grand Island, NE)

4.11.25 - Golf @ South Loup Invite (Arnold G.C.)

4.12.25 - Hershey FBLA @ State Leadership Conference (Kearney, NE)

4.12.25 - HS Track @ Cambridge Invite (Cambridge H.S.)

4.14.25 - Hershey School Board Meeting (Hershey Collaboration Space)

4.14.25 - Hershey FFA Banquet (HPS Cafeteria)

4.15.25 - Golf @ Chase County Invite (Enders G.C.)

4.15.25 - Tennis @ Holdrege/St. Paul Triangular (Holdrege H.S.)

4.16.25 - JH Track @ Hershey-NPSP Invite (Summers Field)

4.16.25 - Panther 7-12 Spring Connection (HPS Activities Center)

4.17.25 - Golf @ Hershey Invite (Rivers Edge G.C.)

4..17.25 - HS Track @ Sutherland Invite (Sutherland H.S.)

4.18.25 - No School - Easter Break

4.21.25 - No School - Easter Break

4.22.25 - Golf @ Perkins County Invite (Pheasant Run G.C.)

4.22.25 - HS Track @ Chase County Invite (Chase County H.S.)

4.22.25 -Tennis vs McCook & Holdrege Double Dual (Madison M.S.)

4.23.25 - JH Track & Field @ Sutherland Invite (Sutherland H.S.)

4.24.25 - Tennis vs Kearney Catholic Stars (Madison M.S.)

4.25.25 - Band & Choir @ NSAA District Music Contest (Perkins County H.S.)

4.26.25 - Tennis @ Scottsbluff Invite (Scottsbluff H.S.)

4.26.25 - HS Track & Field @ Mike Troxell Invite

4.28.25 - Activities Honors Night (Activities Center)

4.29.25 - Bandapalooza (Activities Center)

4.30.35 - 11:30 Dismissal (Staff Professional Development)

We will continue to run Panther Power Hour here at Hershey throughout the second semester! Panther Power Hour is designed to provide a space for students to recover failed credit (11th & 12th grade only), make up tests and quizzes, or simply to have a quiet space to work on homework after school. Panther Power Hour is held Monday - Thursday from 4:00 - 5:00 PM and is staffed by an HPS teacher. The following rooms will be used for the following days:

Monday - Mrs. Swartz’s Room

Tuesday - Ms. Aylward’s Room

Wednesday - Mrs. Stoner’s Room

Thursday - Mrs. Eshleman’s Room

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Cudney or Mrs. Pettera for more information!

The 2025 Hershey Prom was held on Saturday, March 22nd. The evening was a great success and was enjoyed by all who attended both the Grand March and the dance at Venue 304. We want to say THANK YOU to Mrs. Swartz, Mrs. Eshleman, and the Junior Class for all the time and effort they put into making this a great event!! .

With the hustle and bustle of the month of April, I wanted to take a place in the newsletter to highlight the spring concerts and awards ceremonies we will be holding during the month of April!

• High School Activities Awards Ceremony - Monday, April 28th @ 6:30 PM
• JH/HS Bandapalooza - Tuesday, April 29th @ 7:00 PM
• 7-12 Academic Honors Ceremony - Tuesday, May 6th @ 10:00 AM
• Spring JH/HS Choral Concert - Tuesday, May 6th @ 7:00 PM

Hershey Junior/Senior High will be holding the final round of testing THIS MONTH. We are excited to see how the Hershey students perform on this round of testing. Please make sure on testing dates, your students are well rested, well fed, and prepared to do their best on the tests they will be taking.

These tests are pivotal for students to either provide them opportunities for scholarships and financial assistance for college (ACT) or they help to prepare students for the important ACT test they will take in their junior and senior year. Additionally, we can take the testing data and look to strengthen our curriculum and instruction based on what the data is telling us as a district.

The testing schedule for 7-12 Hershey students will be as follows:

April 7-11 | NSCAS Growth (7-8th Grade)

April 9 | ACT (11th Grade)

April 9 | Pre-ACT (10th Grade)

• We are in the process of looking into the adoption of a curriculum for most of our 7-12 science classes. The Panther science teacher and administration have started the process of working with the Educational Service Unit 16 to identify High Quality Instructional Materials for our science classes here at Hershey.

• We are working with the math team to find a system to identify students in math coming out of the 6th grade in order to properly place them in a math pathway related to their level of proficiency. Additionally, looking at ways to support students in Algebra and Algebra 2 with the possibility of an essential skills study hall to help refine skills in those areas.

• We have been working with Awards Unlimited and Toxic Graphics to create boards to display ACT as well as NSCAS/MAPS testing achievement. This will provide a space where we can highlight and celebrate the great achievements of our students! The more we can challenge and compete against one another, the greater the collective results can be!

• There has been continued work underway for the 25-25 Master Schedule and looking at the possibility of adding Homerooms starting in the 25-26 school year. This would be a common time at the end of the day when students could have academic interventions, ACT/Pre-ACT Test Prep, Character Lessons, and have class/group meetings.

Below are some continued supports from Mrs. Pettera and the guidance office for our junior and senior students!

• Fill out the FAFSA form or complete an in-person opt out form at the HPS Main Office (Nebraska State Graduation Requirement).
• Continued appointments with Mrs. Pettera to review credits, career goals, and college plans.
• Scholarships continue to be posted in the Class of 2025 Thrillshare Room as well as outside Mrs. Pettera’s office.
• The next available ACT test is June 14th-late registration is May 28th (register at www.actstudent.org).
• Make an appointment with Mrs. Pettera to review credits, career goals, and college plans.
• Make college campus visits!
• Do you have your letters of recommendation?
• Is your biographical essay complete?
• Is your resume complete?
• Fill out college applications. If you have any questions be sure to consult Mrs. Pettera. Submit your application now, along with all necessary forms and application fee.
• Tell Mrs. Pettera where you have applied so transcripts can be sent.
• LAPTOPS with Microsoft Office are available for USE IN the LIBRARY. They cannot be taken/checked out from this area at this time.
• There is a printer for SENIOR USE in the LIBRARY. Please have a library staff member assist you when you need to print.

• Seniors last day of regular classes is tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 2nd, 2025.
• The Baccalaureate Service is scheduled for Sunday, May 4th at 7:00 PM at Baptist Church in Hershey.
• Senior Trip to Omaha, NE is scheduled for Monday, May 5th with the bus departure TBD.
• Seniors will check out is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 6th, with breakfast being served starting at 8:15 AM.
• The High School Academic Awards Assembly will be held on Tuesday, May 6th at 10:00 AM.
• Senior Graduation Practice is scheduled for Wednesday. May 7th at 2:30 PM with Send Off to follow at 3:15 PM.
• Senior Speeches (President/Val/Sal) are due to Mr. Cudney and Mrs. Davis at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, May 7th
• Class of 2025 Graduation is scheduled for Saturday, May 10th at 10:00 AM in the Hershey Activities Center.

Below is the tentative schedule for the last week of school for 7-11 Hershey students:

• Review Dates - May 15th & 16th
• Semester Finals - Monday (May 19th) & Tuesday (May 20th)
• Make-Up Day / HS Helpers for AR Field Day - Wednesday (May 21st)
• Class Checkout - Thursday (May 22nd)

This is a friendly reminder that we want all students in school when classes are in session! We understand a variety of things come up which may make a student miss class. As a district, the following would be counted as excused absences for students if communicated by the parent/guardian:

• Physical or mental illness of the student or of a child whom the student is parenting (a physician’s verification is required after four (4) consecutive days of absence for illness)
• Severe weather
• Medical appointments for the student or for a child whom the student is parenting without a
• Death or serious illness of the student’s family member
• Attending a funeral, wedding or graduation
• Appearance at court or for other legal matters
• Observance of religious holidays of the student's own faith
• College planning visits
• Personal or family vacation
• School sponsored activities which require students to be absent from school
• Other absences which have received prior approval from parents and the Principal

For all unexcused absences, the following policy is in place to help ensure students have the needed class time to earn credit:

• Each student will be allowed a maximum of 9 absences per class, per semester. Time missed in excess of this limit will be made up in summer school or before and after school. Absences resulting from participation in school activities or suspensions will not count toward the 9-day limit. Students and parents will be informed after 6 absences from any class. Failure to make up the time will result in loss of credit. Elementary and Junior high absences in excess of 9 days must be made up or retention may become a consideration.
• A student may receive a waiver of make-up time if he or she can successfully demonstrate with documented evidence, to an attendance committee, that all absences, for which a waiver is requested, have been excusable absences.
• Note- Suspended days do not count toward the nine-day maximum if work is successfully completed.
• The following scale will be followed on reduction of credit for students grade 9-12:
• 10-14 days absent 1 credit deduction or waiver
• 15-19 days absent 2 credit deduction or waiver
• 20-24 days absent 3 credit deduction or waiver
• 25-29 days absent 4 credit deduction or waiver
• 30+ days absent 5 credit ded./no credit or waiver

In order to get students to class on time and begin lessons, the HPS tardy policy has been updated to the following

• Weekly Tardy List Ran Monday AM from Previous Week
• Detentions / ISS Assigned by Assistant Principal
• All to Be Served by End of Current Week

• Discipline Progression
  • 0-4 Tardies - Grace Period
  • 5-9 Tardies - 30 Minute Detention
  • 10-14 Tardies - 60 Minute Detention
  • 15-19 Tardies - 1 Day ISS
  • 20-24 Tardies - 2 Day ISS
  • 25-29 Tardies - 3 Day ISS
  • 30+ Tardies - TBD

Below is the bell schedule for the upcoming school year. We will have ONE LUNCH for all 7-12 students with a staggered release from 5th period as detailed below:

1st Period 8:15-9:03

2nd Period 9:06 - 9:54

3rd Period 9:57 - 10:45

4th Period 10:48 - 11:36

5th Period 11:39 - 12:26

1st HS Lunch: 12:20 - 12:57

2nd HS Lunch 12:23 - 12:57

JH Lunch 12:26 - 12:57

6th Period 1:00 - 1:48

7th Period 1:51 - 2:39

8th Period 2:42 - 3:42

On Friday School is let out at the end of 7th Period at 2:39 PM.

As district and breakfast menus are updated, they can be found at the following LINK: https://www.myschoolmenus.com/organizations/300

Students and families are encouraged to communicate concerns related to the mistreatment of others. For students, a trusted adult is the recommended point of contact. This can be an administrator, teacher, coach, or other trusted person. This adult will then work with administration to respond promptly and appropriately. Parents/guardians are encouraged to communicate concerns directly with HPS Administration.

The most important part of any school is the safety and well being of the students and staff! Several items exist within schools to support school safety. These include:

• Secured access during the school day. Visitors to school must check-in at the main office after they are allowed access through the office doors. All other doors are to be closed and locked during the course of the school day.
• Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is established. This provides a consistent student and staff response to potential emergencies. More information about SRP can be found at this LINK.
• Minimizing deliveries during the school day. We understand that a parent may wish to deliver food to students for special occasions, and we appreciate this. We discourage this from being a regular occurrence.
• Minimizing student visits to vehicles during the school day. Students that forget a school-related item in their vehicles may check-in at the main office before they are allowed to visit their vehicles.

We appreciate the important part our students, staff, and families play in keeping our school safe. This year we have run seven fire drills, three SRP drills, two tornado drills, and two bus evacuation drills all in an effort to help students and staff be prepared in the event of an emergency.

We believe that we want to continue to prepare our students in the case of an emergency so that we are prepared in the case of a true emergency!