HSD News Round-Up
Feb. 14, 2025
Student Spotlight: LeeAnn Williams – Future Leader in Law Enforcement
As a scholar-athlete who plays Girls Soccer and Softball, Hockinson High School junior LeeAnn Williams has made an impact on the field. But Williams' ambitions extend beyond her classes and sports - she has set her sights on a future in law enforcement.
LeeAnn is a member of the Clark County Sheriff's Office Explorer Program, a volunteer group designed for students ages 15-21 who are interested in law enforcement careers. As an Explorer, she plays an active role in community events such as Fun Days, awards ceremonies, and activities hosted by the Police Activities League (PAL). The program meets twice a month, providing hands-on learning experiences and leadership opportunities for students like LeeAnn.
Her hard work and commitment have not gone unnoticed: Williams is next in line for the rank of Sergeant! With her strong sense of dedication and leadership, LeeAnn is a shining example of how Hockinson's students make a difference in our community now while also preparing for future success. Way to go, LeeAnn!
School Safety & Security Capital Levy on the April 22 Ballot
If approved by voters, the six-year School Safety & Security Capital Levy on the April 22 Special Election ballot would:
Fund priority safety improvements at Hockinson Heights Elementary School and districtwide.
Keep tax rates stable. As an existing bond rate decreases in 2026, this capital levy would take its place, keeping school tax rates stable if approved.
HSD Prepares to Surplus Property at 169th St. & NE 217th Ave.
Hockinson School District is in the process of surplusing a property that is no longer needed for school purposes. At the February 24 board meeting, the HSD School Board voted to direct Superintendent Steve Marshall to publish a notice of the district’s intent to sell the property. As a next step, HSD will prepare a board resolution declaring the property as surplus, which will include a public hearing prior to its next regular meeting at on Monday, March 24 at 6 pm at the Hockinson Community Center.
This property is a 35-acre parcel located at the intersection of 169th St & 217th Ave and is legally described as 320 of SEC 16 T3NR3EWM 35, 19A, Tax Identification Number 203795000.
HSD's Financial Report Card Contains an A+ Credit Rating
Based on its "Methodology for Rating U.S. Governments," S&P Global Ratings recently performed a thorough analysis of the Hockinson School District's financial profile and gave the HSD an A+ rating. This rating was based on numerous criteria including: Population and enrollment trends; Stability of funding sources (state and levy); Maintenance of reserves; Adherence to accounting guidelines and reporting; and Risk-reduction practices.
According to HSD Superintendent Steve Marshall, this rating is akin to academic grades. "An A+ is a very solid rating that shows the HSD is careful with its money," said Marshall. "There are ten rating tiers and given the fact that we are a small public entity, it's pretty remarkable that we've maintained our status at the top of the third tier - especially when you consider that many [Washington] school districts' ratings have dropped over the past five years."
S&P Global Ratings is one of the country's "big three" credit rating agencies. These ratings are an indication of a school district's financial health and play an important role in determining an organization's credit worthiness.
Heart for Kids Campaign Donation - Thank You, Jazzercise!
Donating to the "Heart for Kids" campaign has become an annual Hockinson Jazzercise tradition. Spearheaded by retired HSD counselor Sue Thompson, this year’s effort raised $544 to help schools cover miscellaneous expenses for students-in-need. From food and school supplies to activity fees, these funds help ensure all Hockinson students can fully participate in school and extracurricular opportunities.
Over the past seven years, the Hockinson Jazzercise community has contributed more than $5,100 to support Hockinson students. A heartfelt thank you to our Jazzercise community for their continued generosity and support of Hockinson’s students!
HHS Swimmers Win District Title
Members of the HHS Boys Swim Team and Coach Michelle Jacobs-Brown pose for a group photo after winning the 2A District IV Boys Swim Title. Photo: The Columbian.
Boys Basketball Battled Before Bowing Out in Post-Season Opener
Boys Basketball qualified for a pigtail playoff game, but fell to WF West 80-67. Pictured: Oliver Garner and Coach Dalton Rausch. Photo: The Reflector.
Ben Nelson Named HHS Head Football Coach
Ben Nelson was hired last week as Hockinson High School's Head Football Coach. Nelson is excited about the opportunity to lead the program and brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role, having spent the last eight years as an Offensive Coordinator at both Woodland and Battle Ground High Schools. In addition to his coaching background, he is also a valued member of the HSD community, serving as a Counselor at HMS.
Hockinson Community Ed Youth Basketball Teams Shine at End-of-Season Tournament
Hockinson Community Education’s youth basketball teams wrapped up their Clark-Cowlitz Youth Basketball (CCYB) League season with impressive performances in the season-end tournaments. Competing against 24 teams, many from larger districts, Hockinson’s 3rd/4th and 5th/6th grade teams showcased their teamwork and passion for the game.
Highlights include:
🏆 Each team took third overall in their bracket.
🏀Coach Miller’s 3rd/4th grade boys won the Blue Bracket.
🏀 Coach Long’s 5th/6th grade boys won the "Pacific" Consolation Bracket.
🏀 Coach Combellic’s 5th/6th grade boys won the "Atlantic" Consolation Bracket.
🏀 Coach Burnham’s 5th/6th grade girls won their consolation bracket.
Hockinson’s teams, made up entirely of local students and volunteer coaches, played with heart, ending their season with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and families who made this season a success. Your spirit and teamwork make Hockinson proud! Click here to visit our website and read more about our students' fantastic finish in the CCYB League.
Information on Changes for Google Workspace for Education
The HSD uses Google apps for a number of education-related purposes, such as research, email, and document/presentation creation and storage. We want HSD parents and guardians to understand how your children use Google-related services in the classroom. Here is a link to information that:
Explains Google Workspace for Education and how it currently accesses third-party online services, such as educational apps and extensions, which have different privacy policies and data-sharing agreements; and
Notifies families of the opportunity to opt out of these services. Starting March 2025, schools need to proactively confirm parental consent for students under the age of 18 to continue having access to Google Additional services apps (Google Bookmarks, Earth, Maps, News, Translate, and YouTube to name a few).
History Comes Alive at HHES
At Hockinson Heights Elementary School, grade students experienced hands-on history while learning about life at Fort Clatsop thanks to the Lewis & Clark National Historical Park in Astoria, Oregon, which loaned the school some of its authentic fur trade era costumes.
Meanwhile, HHES 5th grade students are learning about the history of the 13 colonies. Students in Ms. Page’s class made the informational video below to demonstrate their learning. Check it out by clicking on the link below.
With Installation of New HHS Library Lights, HSD is Nearly 100% LED
The latest project featured in our Facility Friday posts was too big of a story to leave out of the Round-Up:
The fluorescent can lights in the HHS Library were recently switched out with LED fixtures. With this retrofit and previous grant-funded LED replacements in 2021 and 2023, the HSD is excited to announce that almost all lamps and fixtures district-wide are now LED. Increased energy efficiency benefits our schools and patrons: LED retrofits help us counteract recent utility cost increases by using half (16w v. 32 w) of the electricity used by fluorescent and incandescent lamps. Plus, the HSD qualified for a 25% Clark Public Utilities discount on the fixture itself!
This project is another "shining" example of the HSD’s commitment to maintaining our community's investment in Hockinson Schools. We could not do this work without the EP & O levy dollars that help to fund our building repairs and upgrades.
HMS Knowledge Bowl Teams Put Practice to the Test
Members of the Knowledge Bowl Team at Hockinson Middle School have practiced weekly to prepare for this year's season and they finally put their practice to the test at their first competition on Monday, Feb. 20. The 17 students involved in Knowledge Bowl are coached by Janice Broten and Megan Shinn. The season continues through March.
Knowledge Bowl is an academic quiz competition that tests teams on their knowledge of science, math, current events, history, and other subjects like astronomy. Teams of four students convey answers in writing and verbally (after first tapping a sensor in speed round Q & A). This friendly, but intense, activity provides an opportunity for students to develop their team building skills, test their academic knowledge, and interact with students from other schools in the area.
Like athletics, activities like Knowledge Bowl are made possible by funding from our Educational Programs & Operations Levy.
Here are some bite-sized headlines from around the HSD:
- February Dining Newsletter: February is National Hearth Month. Let's help our students make health choices with food and exercise. Congratulations to Kari Sissung, HMS Cook, who is the recipient of February's Chartwell's Cheers! Award. Read more in this month's nutrition services' newsletter.
- March 4 Silver Social Features County Tax Deferral/Exemption and Senior Safety Programs: All Hockinson residents are invited to join us at 11 am at the Hockinson Community Center for the Tuesday, March 4 Silver Social, where representatives from the Clark County Assessors and Sheriffs Office will be on site to educate residents on tax relief programs for seniors and those with disabilities and the SALT program: Seniors and Law Enforcement Together!
- Innovation and Teamwork on Display at 3/8 Solar Car Challenge: Five teams from HHES will be participating in this year's Clark Public Utilities Solar Car Challenge. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 8:00 am to 11:00 am at Hudson Bay High School.
- Don't forget! Friday, 3/14 is a School Day: Due to the snow days on Feb. 13 and 14, the designated snow-make up day on Friday, March 14 is now a school day, along with Thursday, June 12.
- Circle Your Calendar: Earth Day Cleanup Scheduled for April 26: Here is another opportunity open to all Hockinson residents: The 6th Annual Earth Day Clean-Up. Join HSD AmeriCorps members, Superintendent Steve Marshall, and the HSD Track and Field athletes as they create a walking/running loop adjacent to Hockinson Middle School. More details to come in the next Round-Up!
Contact Us
Email: justine.hanrahan@esd112.org
Website: https://www.hocksd.org/
Location: 17912 NE 159th St, Brush Prairie, WA 98606, USA
Phone: (360) 448-6400