HAST Families Happenings

Dear HAST Families,

Please continue to keep Mr. Tim Oliver’s family, colleagues, and students in our thoughts during this difficult time.

Mr. Oliver’s Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 4 at 2:00 PM at The Village Church, 14849 W. 93rd Ave., Dyer, IN 46311.

Our new block schedule continues to go well, and we appreciate the way our students and staff are adjusting. Because students attend each class every other day, attendance is especially important. Missing one day can mean missing a significant amount of instructional time in a course. In this S'more we are including the schedules for September and October so families will know which are A days and which are B.

If your student does need to be absent, please remind them to check their Google Classroom and communicate with their teachers so they can stay current with assignments and classwork.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our students and staff. We hope everyone has a safe and restful weekend.

Dr. Snedden

Progress reports will be available this Friday, September 11.

Because of our delayed start to the school year, students have completed only 12 instructional days this quarter. These progress reports are an early snapshot of student performance, and there is still plenty of time for grades to change before the end of the first quarter on October 14.

Parents and students are encouraged to check PowerSchool weekly to monitor grades, missing assignments, and academic progress. Staying informed throughout the quarter is one of the best ways to address concerns early and celebrate progress along the way.

The IXL LevelUp Diagnostic helps us identify student strengths and areas for growth, enabling us to better support learning throughout the year.

Students in grades 6–9 will complete diagnostics in Reading, Writing, and Math on Wednesday and Friday this week.

Important: Please remind your student to bring their iPad fully charged each day of testing.

This is a reminder that all vehicles parked on HAST property are required to display a valid parking tag.

• Students: Parking tags are available for purchase through the Business Office for $15.00 and are valid for the entire school year.

• Staff: Parking tags are available through the Business Office free of charge.

Vehicles parked on the HAST parking lot without a valid parking tag are subject to being towed at the owner's expense.

Additionally, vehicles parked on private property that is not owned or operated by HAST are also subject to towing at the vehicle owner's expense. Please make sure you are parking only in designated HAST parking areas.

• Please reach out should your family need support with community resources. Additionally, we are able to assist with household cleaning supplies and hygiene products in the wake of the storm recovery. Please reach out if you are in need of these items.

• If your student previously had a 504 plan and is new to HAST, please make sure to provide me with a copy if you have not already done so. I will be holding conferences for new students first and then will move into annual updates for students who had a 504 last year. If there are immediate concerns, please reach out anytime and we will ensure that your student’s needs are met. As all of our students settle into the new block schedule and teachers, we want to ensure we are attentive to your student’s adjustment and plan accordingly.

• Please reach out for any concerns related to your student’s academics, behavior, mood, or home related concerns that are disrupting your child’s ability to function from day to day. I want to be in tune with our students and attentive to supportive measures while they are at school. Your child’s mental health has a direct effect on how they function academically throughout the year.

• If your child is in need of community based therapy services and you are looking for a convenient option, we have partnered with Pillars of Wellness. Sessions will be via telehealth in a private area at school and occur consistently with the assigned therapist. This is a great way to ensure your child has ongoing support therapeutically as well as the short term solution-focused sessions that are offered as needed with me.

Lisa James, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Social Worker | 504 Coordinator | Certified School Safety Specialist

Hammond Academy of Science and Technology
33 Muenich Ct.
Hammond, IN 46320

Phone: (219) 852-0500 ext. 129
Email: ljames@hammondacademy.org

We are inviting all parents to sign their child up for the Buddy Bag Program which is free through No Child Hungry NWI. There is a permission slip attached for interested families or parents can request the form be sent home with their student.

Buddy Bags are kid-friendly sacks of food. In each bag, students get a shelf-stable breakfast, lunch, dinner, fruit cup, applesauce, sweet snack, and salty snack. Each student who participates in the Buddy Bag program receives food for Saturday & Sunday. This ensures each child has access to food to offset hunger throughout the weekend until the school week starts again. The Buddy Bag system is: discrete, built around positivity, and free to families and their schools. Here is a link to find out about No Child Hungry NWI: https://nwinochildhungry.org/about/

High School

The Lilly Endowment Scholarship has extended its deadline. See the flyer for more details.

Senior Interviews have begun! I will be meeting with your Senior one on one to prepare them for their next steps. Please be sure to fill out the free/ reduced lunch application form. If your family qualifies, this will save you a lot of money on SAT retakes and it waives college application fees. Please turn this into the Business Office as soon as possible.

Due to the storms and delayed start to the school year, HAST has extended the deadline for families to submit required physicals and immunization records.

• All 6th and 9th grade students, as well as any student new to HAST, must have a current physical on file by September 25, 2026. Students in 6th and 12th grades should also make sure all required immunizations are up to date.
• Students who participate in athletics, bowling, or theater must also have a current physical on file.

• We appreciate families taking care of these requirements as soon as possible.
• Beginning September 28, students who are missing a required physical, immunizations, or an approved exemption will not be able to attend school until the required documentation is received.

If you have any questions regarding physicals, immunizations, or required health documentation, please contact Nurse Powell at apowell@hammondacademy.org.

Special Education Notice:

• Families of students who receive special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) should have been contacted by the school to set up a move-in meeting.
• If you have not yet been contacted, please reach out to the Special Education Department so we can ensure that you have the information and support you and your child need.

Multilingual Education Notice (LDP):

• Parent Notification Letters and Student’s Individual Language Plans (ILPs) were sent out starting this week through parentsquare and email. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns with the support and services your child is receiving.

Helpful Guide for Advocating:

• Families play an important role in helping students feel confident and supported, understanding their student’s IEP, ILP, or 504 plan, staying connected with school staff, asking questions, and speaking up when support is needed, families can help make sure their student’s needs are being met. Students can also build confidence by learning about their accommodations, communicating what they need, asking for help, and speaking up for themselves. We will strive this year to have all students present in the meetings discussing their services. When families, students, and school staff work together, everyone shares in the responsibility of helping students feel supported, successful, and empowered.

Save the Date! Multilingual Family Night October 9, 2026 6:00–8:00 PM

• We invite our whole school to join us for an evening of connection, information, and fun! More details will be shared soon, so be sure to mark your calendar.
• Most importantly, remember that you are an important part of your child’s educational team. We are here to help and look forward to partnering with you throughout the school year.

Wishing all of our students and families a happy and successful start to the school year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Danielle Lopez

Director of Special Programs

Kindness Comes in Many Languages

Phone: (219)852-0500 ext.105

My Email: dlopez2@hammondacademy.org

• Please be sure to pay your child’s yearly ipad insurance fee of $19.75 if you have not done so yet. You may pay in person with Ms Landa or online.

The ParentSquare mobile app is the best way to stay connected with HAST and receive important school information.

The app allows parents and guardians to:

• Receive school and classroom notifications
• Read posts and announcements in one place
• Send and receive direct messages with staff
• View photos, forms, and other shared information
• Manage notification preferences
• Receive push notifications directly on your phone

While ParentSquare can also send messages by text and email, the mobile app provides the most complete ParentSquare experience and makes it easier to keep all school communication together in one place.

Check Your Notification Settings

To make sure you are receiving the messages you want:

1. From Home, tap the menu (≡) in the top left.
2. Tap Account.
3. Tap Notifications.
4. Make sure School Alerts is turned on if you want to receive all alerts and notices.
5. Under Direct Messages, choose how you would like to be notified:
   • App – receive a push notification
   • Text – receive a text message
   • Email – receive an email
6. Under Posts, choose Mobile, Email, or both. Then select:
   • Instant – receive a notification as soon as a post is sent
   • Digest – receive one daily summary of posts

Please note: If you have both app and text notifications enabled, ParentSquare may deliver regular post notifications through the app first and use text as a backup when needed. Direct Messages and Alerts can still be sent by text.

We strongly encourage all parents and guardians to download the ParentSquare app and make sure their notification settings are turned on.

Hey HAST! Get ready to throw it back to the 90s and show your school spirit!

Our 90s Homecoming Dance for our High School Students is happening on Saturday, September 19th, from 6:00–9:00 PM! 🎶🕺💃

Tickets are ON SALE NOW for just $15! Tickets will also be available at the door for $20, so grab yours early and save!

The dance is proudly sponsored by the Class of 2029!

And don’t forget to participate in 90s Homecoming Spirit Week for ALL Students:

📼 Monday, September 14 – 90s Day
Break out your best 90s fashion!

👯 Tuesday, September 15 – Twin Day
Find your twin and match your look!

🌎 Wednesday, September 16 – Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the start of Hispanic Heritage Month!
Celebrate Hispanic and Latino cultures through colors, flags, cultural clothing, music, or your heritage!

🏀 Thursday, September 17 – Sports Day: 90s Jock Look
Rock that classic 90s athletic style!

🖤💛 Friday, September 18 – Extreme Black & Gold
Go ALL OUT in your HAST colors!

So HAST, show your school spirit, dress up, bring the energy, and get ready to party like it’s the 90s!

We’ll see you High Schoolers at the Homecoming Dance on September 19th from 6–9 PM! 🎉🖤💛

Girls in grades 6–8 are invited to join Girls on the Run: Heart & Sole, a fun and supportive program that helps girls build confidence, friendships, and inner strength through interactive lessons, team discussions, and physical activity. All participants must have a current physical on file with HAST in order to participate.

• Sept. 7 Labor Day NO School
• Sept. 8 PATH (PTO) Meeting in person 6 p.m.
• Sept. 16. NO in person school- Virtual Learning Day
• Sept. 14-18 Homecoming Spirit Week
• Sept. 17 HAST School Board Meeting 4:00 blue conference room
• Sept. 18 HAST Pep Ralley
• Sept. 19 Homecoming Dance 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.
• Sept.21-25 College Go Week

A few updates and reminders from our Food Services team:

• Salad bar coming soon!
• Encourage your student to check out our snack bar during lunch. A variety of snacks are available for $1 or $2 cash.
• Pizza Friday continues! Students can purchase a delicious slice of pizza for $2 cash.
• HAST participates in Offer Versus Serve (OVS) at breakfast. OVS allows students to choose from the breakfast items offered while helping reduce food waste. Students must select at least three items, including a fruit or vegetable, and they may take all items offered if they choose.
• Please see the attached Offer Versus Serve at Breakfast Notification for more information.

We are excited to continue growing PATH — Parents and Teachers of HAST, our version of a PTO!

PATH is a wonderful way for families and staff to get involved, support our students, help with school events, share ideas, and strengthen our HAST community. Whether you have a lot of time to give or can only help occasionally, we would love to have you involved.

Our school is stronger when families and staff work together. Please consider joining PATH and helping us make this a great year for our students!

Get involved. Get connected. Be part of PATH!

Our Fall Play, BUILD, written by HAST Students, has begun rehearsals! It tells the story of how creativity and friendship can overcome any obstacle! Follow HAST Theatre on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about this Lego Parody come to life!

Hammond Academy Chorus is making beautiful music in the basement! The high school choir is beginning work on their Spanish piece in preparation of ML Night on October 9th. The Middle School Choir is beginning work on their Winter pieces. The middle school choir is still open to new singers for another week or two, so please contact Mrs. Hartz if your Middle School Singer is still interested.

All signed Code of Conducts, Physicals, and Fees for HAST Fine Arts are due Monday, September 28

Want to support HAST Fine Arts? Participate in their Fundraiser! See below for more information!

Parents/Guardians: Fall sports fees are due September 11, 2026. Please submit payment to the Business Office by the deadline to ensure your student remains eligible to participate.

• Middle School: $150
• High School: $250

Athletic fees help support referee costs, event workers, student-athlete apparel, transportation and gas, equipment, and other expenses that keep our athletic programs running.

Thank you for supporting HAST Athletics and our student-athletes!.

• Grade 6 Team Lead : Carl Dunlap cdunlap@hammondacademy.org
• Grade 7 Team Lead: Alyssa Medina amedina@hammondacademy.org
• Grade 8 Team Lead: Jason Meyer jmeyer@hammondacademy.org
• Grade 9-10Team Lead: Mira Projovic mprojovic@hammondacademy.org
• Grade 11-12Team Lead Matt Sokol msokol@hammondacademy.org

• It's crucial to keep your information updated to ensure you're always in the loop with HAST. This will not only foster a strong partnership but also contribute to the success of all our students.
• We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Parent Square.
• You may update your email address on our mailing list by going to the Parents tab: https://hammondacademy.org/home/
• In the menu, select “Update Your Email Address.” The form also gives you the option to have us delete your old email address. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SPELL YOUR EMAILS CORRECTLY.