JH/HS Principal Newsletter

Welcome to the month of October at Hershey Public Schools! September was a whirlwind of activity with a variety of Panther fall activities, state testing, and classes in full swing. The students and staff have done a great job hitting the ground running, meeting building expectations, and excelling in and out of the classroom!

As I have stated before, please make note of a couple of items in this month's newsletter. First, please check out the IMPORTANT DATES for the month of October. These dates are critical to make sure of all stakeholders as we get into the start of a new school year. Second, I included some information about Homecoming 2024 and the Parent Teacher Conferences towards the end of the month. These two activities are a great way for all stakeholders to engage in the great things we have going on at Hershey!. Finally, there are other items of importance for families to use as a reference as we continue throughout the school year here at HPS!

As always, if there is anything we can do to support you and your family, do not hesitate to reach out to me here at the school. We have the privilege of working with great students every day and if there is a way we can partner to make it a better experience, let’s have that conversation!

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

7th - Josie Wilson

8th - Hendrix Hornelas

9th - Braislee Wilson

10th - Demi DaMoude

11th - Jaydon Parker

12th - Katie Abbott

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

Junior High - Hendrix Hornelas

Senior High - Katie Abbott

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 are focusing as a staff on the importance of MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT! We want all stakeholders to know that when students are in the classrooms that 1) Learning is Taking Place 2) Connection and Relationships are Prioritized and 3) Student’s Voices are Heard!!!

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.

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!!

10.1.24 - NHS Blood Drive (Competition Gym)

10.1.24 - JH Volleyball @ Our Redeemer Lutheran

10.1.24 - Softball @ Gothenburg High School

10.2.24 - Elementary Ag Day (Hosted by Hershey FFA)

10.3.24 - JH/HS Cross Country @ Gothenburg Invite (Wild Horse G.C.)

10.3.24 - JH Volleyball vs McCook Junior High

10.3.24 - JH Football vs Ogallala Junior High

10.3.24 - R/JV/V Volleyball @ Valentine High School

10.4.24 - V Football @ Amherst High School

10.7.24 - Girls Golf @ NSAA Class C District Meet (Lakeside G.C.)

10.7.24 - Softball @ NSAA Class C Sub-District Tournament (TBD)

10.7.24 - Reserve Volleyball @ Perkins County Invite

10.9.24 - FFA @ District CDE # 1 (Valentine, NE)

10.10.24 - JH Volleyball @ Gothenburg Junior High

10.10.24 - JH/HS Cross Country @ SPVA Meet (Pheasant Run G.C.)

10.10.24 - JH Football vs Chase County Junior High

10.10.24 - R/JV/V Volleyball vs Sutherland High School

10.11.24 - Softball @ NSAA Class C District Final

10.11.24 - V Football vs Gordon Rushville High School

10.12.24 - V Volleyball @ NPSP Triangular

10.12.24 - Homecoming Dance

10.14.24 - No School (Teacher In-Service)

10.14.24 - Girls Golf @ NSAA Class C State Meet (Columbus Elks C.C.)

10.14.24 - HPS School Board Meeting

10.15.24 - Girls Golf @ NSAA Class C State Meet (Columbus Elks C.C.)

10.15.24 - JH Volleyball vs Our Redeemer Lutheran

10.15.24 - V Volleyball @ D-C-S Triangular

10.16.24 - Softball @ NSAA Class C State Tournament

10.17.24 - Softball @ NSAA Class C State Tournament

10.17.24 - HS Cross Country @ NSAA Class C District Meet

10.17.24 - JH Volleyball @ NPSP Junior High

10.18.24 - Softball @ NSAA Class C State Tournament

10.18.24 - V Football @ Kearney Catholic High School

10.19.24 - Marching Band @ Minden Bandfest

10.19.24 - V Volleyball @ SPVA Tournament (Perkins County H.S.)

10.21.24 - JH Volleyball vs Broken Bow Junior High

10.21.24 - Reserve Volleyball @ NPSP High School

10.22.24 - ASVAB Testing (10th Grade)

10.22.24 - R/JV/V Volleyball vs Chase County High School

10.23.24 - FFA Labor Auction (Cafeteria)

10.24.24 - Marching Band @ HPS Exposition

10.24.24 - HPS Parent Teacher Conferences

10.24.24 - HPS Parent Teacher Conferences

10.25.24 - HS Cross Country @ NSAA Class C State Meet (Kearney C.C.)

10.25.24 - R/JV/V Volleyball vs Wauneta-Palisade High School

10.25.24 - V Football vs Mitchell High School

10.26.24 - ACT Test

10.26.24 - Marching Band @ NSBA State Competition (Kearney H.S.)

10.28.24 - V Volleyball @ NSAA Class C Sub-District Tournament

10.29.24 - V Volleyball @ NSAA Class C Sub-District Tournament

All students are welcome to attend Panther Power Hour here at Hershey throughout the school year! 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!

We will be celebrating Homecoming 2024 at the beginning of October and we are excited to celebrate with the Panther community! Homecoming 2024 will run the week of October 7th - 12th and this year’s theme is “Adventure Awaits”! The dress up themes for the week will be as follows:

Monday - PJ Day

Tuesday - Country vs Country Club Day

Wednesday - Dynamic Duo Day

Thursday - Famous People Day

Friday - Spirit Day

Students are to be reminded that all costumes should be school appropriate and adhere to HPS dress code. Hats are allowed throughout the week and pajama pants will be permitted on Monday. Hershey STUCO will have small sprint items to purchase throughout the week as well.

One change we are looking at this year is having a Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 11th starting at 1:45 PM. The parade would run down Lincoln Avenue and conclude with a quick pep rally in the Activities Center. The parade would feature the Panther Pride Marching Band, floats from each grade level (9-12), and the Hershey homecoming royalty. Families and community members are welcome and encouraged to attend the parade and pep rally.

The football game will be Friday at 7:00 PM versus the Gordon Rushville Mustangs. Homecoming week will conclude with the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 12th, at 8:00 PM here at Hershey High School. All students and guests attending must be in good standing with the school and will submit to a breathalyzer test in order to attend.

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held this year on Thursday, October 24th and Friday, October 25th here at Hershey High School in the Competition Gym. All parents & guardians are encouraged to attend this event as it serves as a great opportunity for parents and teachers to communicate about the students and how to partner to aid in the success of the student. There will also be time to communicate with administration and other support staff if there are any questions or concerns you may have.

Additionally, for SENIOR & JUNIOR PARENTS, there will be a College Night hosted by Education Quest at 7:00 PM in the HPS Collaboration Space for Hershey Seniors and a Next Step Ready hosted by Mrs. Pettera & Mr. Cudney at 7:00 PM in Mrs. Bottom Room. So please mark your calendars to attend Parent Teacher Conferences on either October 24th or 25th!

Below are some GREAT tips and reminders shared by our 7-12 guidance counselor, Jolene Pettera!

• Make an appointment with Mrs. Pettera to review credits, career goals, and college plans.
• Make college campus visits!
• Continuing working on scholarships that are posted in the Class of 2025 Thrillshare Room. New scholarships are posted as they become available.
• Do you have your letters of recommendation?
• Is your biographical essay complete?
• Is your resume complete?
• ACT test is October 26th-late registration in Oct. 7th (register at www.actstudent.org)
• 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.
• College Night hosted by Education Quest on Thursday, September 24th at 7:00 PM in the HPS Collaboration Space. They will cover the following topics:
• Financial Aid Process
• Types of Aid Available
• FAFSA
• Scholarship Resources
• Admission to 2 & 4 Year Colleges

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

These meetings to be held at Hershey High School are a way for administration to connect and communicate with the stakeholders at HPS. They will be held in a townhall format and will highlight important items parents need to be made aware of heading into a new quarter! The first one will be held on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th 2024 at 6:30 PM.

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!