JH/HS Principal Newsletter

We are working closer and closer to the end of the winter season and approaching the spring season. This past month has been a whirlwind with students back in class and Panther Activities in full swing! It will not be long until we work our way through the month of February and we will be standing on the doorstep of spring. I encourage us all to bear down and finish off the last part of the winter months with our best effort and enthusiasm of the season!

Please be aware of a couple of items I included in the newsletter this month. First, I have included some reminders for upcoming activities in the months of February, March, and April that will be here before we know it. Second, I have included some reminders for the Class of 2025. With the second semester underway, the clock is ticking for application, scholarships, and graduation requirements. Lastly, I have included the list of activities for the month of February. We have a number of HOME events at the beginning of the month that you can come to support Panther students!

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 January HPSEF Students of the Month!! These students exemplify the hard work and character we seek here at HPS!! Grade level winners include:

7th - Jaxon Parker

8th - Hadley Etherton

9th - Sophie Winter

10th - Sam Fowler

11th - Alexis Read

12th - Max Berntson

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

Junior High - Kolton Palm

Senior High - Max Berntson

We were honored to have awarded Hershey Spanish teacher, Mariah Bottom, with the HPSEF Staff Member of the Month Award!!!

Mrs. Bottom has been in education for 7 years and has been in the Hershey district for 4 years. During that time, Mrs. Bottom has served students in person and also digitally through distance learning classes! Additionally, she has coached varsity girls basketball the past four years and this year she spearheaded the Justo Lamas Group Spanish Concert held at Hershey High School this fall!

Mrs. Bottom is an outstanding educator who has a heart for the students in her classroom! Her lessons are fast-paced and keep the students engaged from bell to bell. Mrs. Bottom's welcoming smile and greeting at the door sets the stage for great things to happen in her classroom. The Hershey school district is honored to have Mrs. Bottom as a part of our staff!

Mariah is married to Hershey ELA teacher & coach, Kyle, and they reside in the countryside south of Hershey.

Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Mariah Bottom on being awarded the January 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 COMMON EXPECTATIONS! As we start a new semester, we have the opportunity to revisit classroom expectations and what engagement looks like in the classroom. For us at Hershey, we want all stakeholders to know that when students are in the classrooms that 1) Greeting at the Doorway 2) Prepared for Class 3) Active Engagement.

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 Increasing Student Response Rates in the month of January.

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 students on Tuesday, February 4th and Monday, February 17th. On February 4th, Hershey Public Schools is excited to host the SPVA Junior High Honor Band & Choir, bringing together talented student musicians from across the conference for a day of incredible music and collaboration!

On February 17th, Hershey Public Schools is hosting the ESU16 PLC Day which brings together the schools from Educational Service Unit 16 for a day of staff development and learning. It is a great day of collaboration and encouragement for the staffs in our ESU16 district!

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. These interventions take place during the lunch hour and over the course of the first and second quarter we saw a reduction in both the number of failing student grades and the number of students on the Down List!! A big THANK YOU to Mrs. Harmoni Wagner for all her hard work and dedication in working with our students in this endeavor

The following items need to be turned in to the high school office PRIOR to a student-athlete participating in spring sports practice on Monday, March 3rd, 2025

1. 2023-2024 Physical (After 5.1.24)

2. NSAA Consent Form

3. HPS Drug Testing Consent Form

Looking forward to an EXCITING spring sports season in Panther Nation!!!

2.1.25 - Speech @ Perkins County Invitational

2.1.25 - R/JV/V GBB & BBB vs Chase County Longhorns

2.3.25 - JH GBB & BBB vs Chase County Longhorns

2.3.25 - Reserve GBB & BBB @ McCook Bison

2.4.25 - No School - Staff PD

2.4.25 - SPVA JH Honor Band & Choir @ Hershey High School

2.4.25 - JV/V GBB & BBB vs Kearney Catholic Stars

2.5.25 - JH GBB & BBB @ Maywood-Hayes Center Wolves

2.6.25 - V WR @ SPVA Championships (Bridgeport H.S.)

2.6.25 - JV/V GBB & BBB vs Maywood-Hayes Center Wolves

2.7.25 - Lincoln County Spelling Bee (North Platte C.C.)

2.7.25 - JH BBB @ Perkins County Plainsmen

2,8,25 - Speech @ Gothenburg Invitational

2.8.25 - JV/V GBB & BBB vs Grand Island Central Catholic Crusaders

2.10.25 - JH BBB vs Adams Bulldogs

2.10.25 - HPS School Board Meeting (Collaboration Space)

2.11.25 - JV/V GBB & BBB @ Paxton Tigers

2.12.25 - FFA @ CDE # 2

2.13.25 - R/JV/V GBB & BBB @ NPSP Irish

2.15.25 - V WR @ NSAA District Tournament

2.15.25 - Speech @ Blue & Gold Speech Invitational (North Platte H.S.)

2.15.25 - Receive BBB @ Kearney Bearcat Invitational

2.17.25 - No School - ESU 16 PLC @ Hershey Public Schools

2.17.25 - FFA “Thank a Farmer/Rancher Breakfast”

2.17.25 - V GBB @ NSAA C-1 Subdistricts (TBD)

2.18.25 - V GBB @ NSAA C-1 Subdistricts (TBD)

2.20.25 - V GBB @ NSAA C-1 Subdistricts (TBD)

2.20.25 - V WR @ NSAA Class C State Championships (Omaha NE)

2.21.25 - V WR @ NSAA Class C State Championships (Omaha NE)

2.21.25 - JV/V BBB @ Holdrege Dusters

2.22.25 - V WR @ NSAA Class C State Championships (Omaha NE)

2.22.25 - Speech @ Ogallala Invitational

2.24.25 - V BBB @ NSAA C-2 Subdistricts (TBD)

2.25.25 - V BBB @ NSAA C-2 Subdistricts (TBD)

2.26.25 - Speech @ SPVA Championships (Chase County H.S.)

2.27.25 - V BBB @ NSAA C-2 Subdistricts (TBD)

2.28.25 - V GBB @ NSAA C-1 District Final (TBD)

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 will be held on Saturday, March 22nd. The evening will start with the Grand March at Hershey High School scheduled to start at 4:30 PM. The event will then transition to Venue 304 in North Platte for the dance portion of the night which will start at 8:00 PM and run to 11:00 PM. Looking forward to celebrating a great tradition with Panther students and their guests. All guest forms must be turned into the main office by Wednesday, March 12th.

Hershey Junior/Senior High will be holding the final round of testing in the month of April. All 7-10 students will participate in the spring round of NSCAS/MAPS testing to be held the last two weeks of April. Hershey Juniors will participate in taking the ACT test on Wednesday, April 9th. All testing provides critical data for all stakeholders to use in order to make a student's educational experience the best it can be at Hershey! We look forward to the final round of testing this spring at HPS!

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 posted in the Class of 2025 Thrillshare Room as well as outside Mrs. Pettera’s office.
• The next available ACT test is April 5th-late registration is March 16th (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.

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

All 7-12 Students NOT out for a winter sport are encouraged to take part in Panther Off-Season S&C sessions here at Hershey High School!!! Daily sessions will focus on strength, range of motion, core stability, and plyometric explosiveness. Sessions will run from 3:50 - 4:30 PM Tuesday - Wednesday -Thursday in the Panther Weight Room. Parents and Students, please remember that Success is EARNED - Success is not GIVEN!!! For more information, contact Mr. Keith Lloyd (HS Math / Head Boys Track & Field).

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 plan on running eight fire drills, four 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!