Panther Update Family Edition #1

Hello Panther Families,

What a wonderful start to the school year! We are incredibly proud of how well our students have adjusted to Indiana’s new law prohibiting personal wireless devices during the school day. This type of success only happens when schools and families work together, and we are so grateful for your partnership and support.

We have truly enjoyed welcoming your students and getting to know them. We look forward to next week as we settle into our routines. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to your student's teacher or counselor with any questions that you may have. Our goal is to work together to create a positive educational experience.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Janie Ulmer

Principal

Attention Car Rider Families:

Please remember that the car rider entrance and exit are right turn only.

All vehicles must turn right when entering the school and right again when exiting.

Thank you for helping keep traffic moving safely and efficiently!

Do you want to have fun running? Join the 5/6 Intramural Cross Country Team!

Cross Country begins on Tuesday, August 26. Students will meet in the AUX gym (DOOR 3) before practice. Details to come later, but practices will be after school on some Tuesday and Wednesdays and before school on Thursdays. There will be 2 Intermediate cross country meets.

To register: Fill in all the information using this link: Cross Country Intramurals 2026 – Fill out form

All registrations must be submitted prior to Friday August 21, 2026. This gives students permission to stay after school. More information will be sent home soon.

• Coaches Krstic and McGinley

Library Welcome

We are excited to work with your students this year and support them as readers, researchers, and learners! The library has resources and books to inform and entertain all students and grade levels, including middle grade books geared towards our younger students, middle school books for all, and young adult books geared towards our older students. It is up to the adults at home if 5th and 6th graders have permission to check out young adult books that publishers have recommended for ages 13 or 14 and up. Email Mrs. Boudreau if you are interested in giving your 5th or 6th grade student permission to do so.

Library Volunteers

With the cuts of intermediate and junior high library assistants in the district last May and our building’s continued growth, we will be looking for parent volunteers to help support the library this year. Volunteers might be asked to shelve, help check in and out books, help pull books, assist in preparations for special programs or events, and more! Stay tuned for a volunteer interest form to be shared soon!

August 10th 7th and 8th grade 6:30 - 8:00

• Please have a copy of your student's schedule with you.

• Families will report directly to their student's 1st period class.

August 11th 5th and 6th Grade 6:30 - 8:00

• Please have a copy of your student's schedule

• 5th grade families will report directly to the main gym for a Related Arts Presentation

• 6th grade families will report to their student's homeroom teacher (unless advised of a different meeting location from your student's team teachers)

• Team teaches will communicate more specific schedules and plans for the evening.

NWEA Testing:

• 5th and 6th grade students will begin NWEA testing next week please ensure students have a charged iPad each day

• Math - 8/11 and 8/12

• Reading 8/18 and 8/19

  
  

Quick reminder: We will be hosting our annual Camp Tecumseh parent meeting directly after meet the teacher night in the cafeteria.

We ask that all 7th grade parents attend the meeting in the cafeteria about the 7th grade Camp Tecumseh field trip.

The HIJH Music Department is SO EXCITED to get Band, Choir, and Orchestra started for our 6th graders!

Early next week (M-W), students will be brought down during their FLEX to watch a demonstration from the directors about each of these programs so that students can begin to think about what they may want to participate in! They will be given a form to mark down their top picks for what they want to explore this school year.

On Friday of next week (8/14), students will have the opportunity to try their top picks for instruments/singing! At that time, they will make a selection and sign up for the ensemble with the directors. For the 6th grade year, students will only be allowed to participate in one ensemble and must choose between Band, Orchestra or Choir.

The following Tuesday (8/18), at 6:30 PM, all students and parents are invited to a meeting to discuss participation for the year! This is where families can sign up for instrument rentals, learn about expectations, get performance calendars, and more! This is also an opportunity for parents to meet the directors.

These ensembles will meet daily starting on 8/31 during 6th Grade students' FLEX time (11:45-12:20). If you have any questions, please reach out to the directors below:

AJ Bowman

HIJH Bands

abowman@hse.k12.in.us

Lisa Cary

HIJH Bands

lcary@hse.k12.in.us

Cindy Johnson

HIJH Choirs

cjohnson@hse.k12.in.us

Jennifer Fowler

HIJH Orchestras

jfowler@hse.k12.in.us

Spell Bowl Registration Is Open!

Students who enjoy spelling, building their vocabulary, and being part of a team are invited to join the HIJH Spell Bowl program.

The Intermediate Spell Bowl Team will practice on Monday mornings. The Junior High Spell Bowl Team will practice on Thursday mornings.

Informational Meetings/ First Practice:

• Intermediate Team— Monday , August 17 at 7:50 a.m.

• Junior High Team— Thursday, August 20 at 7:50 a.m.

Students should arrive between 7:40 and 7:45 a.m. and meet Miss Young at Door 19. Please note that students arriving after 7:50 a.m. will not be able to enter the building because no one will be available to open the door.

Registration is completed online. Students can pick up an informational flier outside the main office or Miss Young’s classroom (Room 223).

We look forward to another exciting Spell Bowl season!

Join us for another year of virtual learning over lunch! HSE Student Services is partnering with content experts throughout the school year to offer its Virtual Lunch & Learn sessions for parents and guardians. Each session will provide practical information and resources to support student safety, well-being and success. Can’t make it? Each session will be recorded and posted to the district’s Mental Health & School Counseling webpage.

NetSmartz: Internet Safety for Families

Join HSE Student Services for a virtual session focused on helping children navigate today’s digital world safely. Topics will include social media, gaming, online privacy, grooming, sextortion and ways to start meaningful conversations about online safety.

This session is open to all K–12 parents and caregivers and complements the NetSmartz lessons students in grades 6, 8 and 9 will receive at school.

Tuesday, August 11 | Noon–1 p.m.
Presenter: Megan Banet, Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse & Suicide
Join the virtual session

Speak Up Be Safe: Parent Information Session

Learn more about the age-appropriate personal safety lessons HSE students receive through the Childhelp Speak Up Be Safe program. This virtual session will give parents and guardians an overview of how students learn to prevent, respond to and report bullying, cyberbullying, abuse and neglect.

The session is open to all K–12 parents and caregivers.

Tuesday, August 18 | Noon–1 p.m.
Presenter: Megan Banet, Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse & Suicide
Join the virtual session

12278 Cyntheanne Road, Fishers, IN, USA

Main Line: 317-594-4120

Attendance: 317-594-4126

Counseling: 317-594-4124

Fax: 317-594-4129

Website: https://hij.hseschools.org

Permitted use of school newsletters as required by the Equal Access Act is not an endorsement of this group or this group’s beliefs by Hamilton Southeastern Schools or the Board of School Trustees.

Twitter:

@HIJPanthers

@hijhathletics