Smore logo
remove_red_eye 3.5K
page background
Logo

HSD News Round-Up

Sept. 10, 2025 HSD Round Up

HSD News Round-Up Sept. 10, 2025 HSD Round Up
HSD NewsRound-UpSept. 10, 2025 HSD Round Up

Pictured: Students engage in a collaborative activity in Heidi Morris's Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography class. AP enrollment and test participation have grown at HHS, contributing to the school's rise in the rankings of US News & World Report's Best High Schools. AP classes are made possible by levy support.


Hockinson's schools are bustling with activity this time of year! The September 29 edition of the HSD Round-Up spotlights the upcoming HHS Fall Play, 8th Grade academic successes, the recent HSD property sale, some big-time honors for students and staff, and much more!

HSD News Round-Up HSD News Round-Up

September 29, 2025 September 29, 2025

Preparing all students for lifelong success: 8th Grade SBA Scores Significantly Surpass State

Results on the Spring 2025 Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) were released on Sept. 10 and one class of students in the HSD distinguished itself from the rest of the State. Last year's HMS 8th Graders passed the SBA at the following levels:


80% English/Language Arts

70% Mathematics

66% Science


Is that good? Yes. It is very good! These scores mean that this year's freshmen entered high school at levels that exceeded the statewide averages by the following margins: 31.5%, 34.5%, and 44%.


To what do 8th Grade teachers attribute their success? According to ELA Teacher Christine Parker, it comes down to teacher information, preparation, and collaboration. Teachers use student performance data throughout the year to inform instruction. We embed the skills and similar performance tasks into lessons and projects so students feel comfortable when they encounter them on the actual test. And, as teachers, we meet regularly to align our expectations and teaching practices."


What do students think? Current 8th Grader Daniel Meyer appreciates his teachers. According to Meyer, "My teachers do a lot of check ins to make sure we are learning along the way. They give full, detailed answers when I ask questions and they do a mix of individual, small group, and whole class activities."

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

Engaging Learning Activities

Anna-Melissa Lyons, who teaches Math, alternates whole group instruction with breakout opportunities for students to practice concepts alone or in small groups.

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

Modeling Learning Strategies

In this lesson, an 8th Grade ELA teacher demonstrates how she takes the time to define unfamiliar words before moving on in the text.

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

Frequent Checks for Understanding

Christine Parker pauses instruction after every passage of a common text to ask questions to assess how well students are comprehending what they read.

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

Levy Spotlight: HHS Students Rehearse for Fall Play, The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon!

When the HHS Threatre Company takes the stage for its upcoming fall play they'll be enacting over 200 of The Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Or more accurately, parts of these fairy tales...with plenty of artistic license throughout. The play is described as "a wild, free-form comedy with lots of audience participation and madcap fun" as two narrators combine classic stories such as Snow White and Hansel and Gretel more obscure stories like The Devil's Grandmother and The Girl Without Hands. The and crew is excited to bring this comedy to life. The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon! runs for only four performances: 7 pm shows on October 16, 17, and 18, with a 2 pm matinee on the 18th. Ticket prices are for Adults and $9 for students and seniors. Theatergoers can purchase tickets on site or online via Go Fan.
Aerial view of 35-acre parcel
zoom_out_map

Budget Bite: HSD sells 35-acre property, Proceeds go to Capital Projects Fund

Hockinson School District recently sold a parcel of land located at 169th St. and 217th Ave. By state law, the proceeds from property sales must go into our Capital Projects Fund (CPF) and can only be used for site acquisitions, building construction, energy efficiency projects, building additions, and/or purchasing of major equipment and furniture items. This land sale, which replenishes the $720,000 in capital funds used to purchase the 40-acre site adjacent to Hockinson Meadows Park in 2024, also creates an exciting opportunity for future stability in our CPF. At the same time, we want to make sure our community is aware that the district's post-land sale CPF balance of approximately $3.5 million cannot accomplish a big-ticket community priority like constructing a new elementary school ($60+million) nor replace an existing facility, such as a track ($1.5 million). As a restricted fund, CFP dollars cannot be shifted over to other funds for salaries, student programs, or other uses.

HMS Leadership students on parade float
zoom_out_map

Paving the Way to Enroll, Enlist, or Enter the Workforce: HMS Leadership Class Teaches Invaluable Skills

Participating in school leadership opportunities helps to prepare students to be more confident, supportive, and proactive members of their communities and workplace. This month, Hockinson Middle School Leadership students worked collaboratively to design and create a school float that was featured in last Friday's Homecoming Parade, which can be viewed here. This experience provided students with the opportunity to communicate, manage time, and delegate responsibilities - all in a team setting. Last week, HMS Leadership students also recognized HR Professionals Day by presenting a heartfelt thank-you to HSD Personnel Director Julie Dobbins and Karry Jeschke. Through this, they practiced how to acknowledge others for their hard work and engage respectfully with adults. Great job, HMS Leadership. Keep growing and leading together!

More HSD News More HSD News

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map
HHS Swimmer Georgina Romero Named The Columbian's Athlete of the Week
User uploaded image
zoom_out_map
Hockinson Spirit Overflows at First-Ever HHS Homecoming Parade
User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

HMS Leadership Students Help to Celebrate HR Appreciation Day

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map
Hockinson HS Climbs Best U.S. High School Rankings for 2025-26
User uploaded image
zoom_out_map
Families, Community Invited to the Oct. 22 "Hockinson Tour of Schools" Sign up here
User uploaded image
zoom_out_map
Heads Up! HMS Football hosts its only two home games at HHS Stadium on Oct. 1 & 8

Upcoming Events

  • Mon. Sept. 29: School Board Regular Meeting 6 - 8 pm @ HCC and Zoom

  • Wed. Oct. 1: Big HMS Sports Day! Boys & Girls XC 3 pm @ Hockinson Meadows Park; Volleyball at 4 pm @ HMS*; and HMS Football - Home game 1 of 2 5:30 pm @ HHS Stadium*

  • Mon. Oct. 6: Citizens Advisory Committee 6 - 8 pm @ Zoom

  • Tues. Oct. 7: Silver Social 11 am - 1 pm @ HCC

  • Wed. Oct. 8: HMS Football - Home game 2 of 2 5:30 pm @ HHS Stadium*

  • Fri. Oct. 10: Learning Improvement Day/Teacher Inservice - No School

  • Mon. Oct. 13: School Board Work Session 6 pm @ Zoom

  • Oct. 16-18: Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon! 7 pm @ HHS MPR*

  • Fri. Oct. 17: LCRMEA Honor Band TBD @ Union HS*

  • Oct. 21: PSAT 9 am @ HHS

  • Wed. Oct 22: 8-11 Hockinson Tour of Schools 8 am @ HCC+all schools...plus, it's Unity Day!

  • Mon. Oct. 27: School Board Regular Meeting 6 - 8 pm @ HCC and Zoom

  • Tues. Oct. 28: Wind Ensemble/Jazz Band Concert @ Washougal HS*

  • Sat. Nov. 1: AAA Boosters Auction 6pm @ The Heathman Lodge*

  • Tues. Nov. 11: Veterans Day (No School)

  • Thu. Nov. 20-Sat. Nov. 22: HSD School Board at WSSDA Conference in Seattle

  • Mon. Nov. 24 - Fri. Nov. 28: Thanksgiving Break (No School)

* Tickets required for admission

HHS Fall Sports Schedule available here.

ICYMI: In case you missed a previous newsletter, our Round-Ups are archived here!

User uploaded image
zoom_out_map

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

Hockinson Schools
Hockinson is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters
Loading indicator

close

Created with

Communicate quickly and effectively with interactive newsletters.

Smore empowers educators to connect with their community, streamline school communications,
and increase engagement.

Create a newsletter