Inside Scoop

Hello, Hawks:

Congratulations to all of the Juniors and Sophomores that took the PSAT this week! We had 122 students take the exam, and it took about three hours to complete. Nicely done, Hawks! Results should be available at the beginning of November.

Speaking of PSAT results. We had four Seniors who were recognized by the College Board for their performance on the PSATs last year as Juniors. These four Hawks earned National Merit Commended status, which means they scored in the top 3-4% of ALL students that took the exam last year. Congratulations to...

• Graysen Aldridge - Graysen was the 2A GSHL Female Track Athlete of the Year this past Spring. She is a Cross Country runner, a member of FBLA and HOSA, is in 5 college in the high school classes (4 AP and 1 CWU), and plans to go to med school with a future goal of being an orthopedic surgeon.
• Ronan Frohs - Ronan is in the Jazz and Wind ensembles. He is also taking 2 AP classes. Ronan is a member of the Board Game Club, Math Club, and Knowledge Bowl.
• Gavin Matheson - Gavin is the HHS Band Council President, Knowledge Bowl President, and Boy Tennis Team Captain. Gavin has taken 8 AP classes, 4 honors classes, and 5 CWU classes at HHS.
• Lars Sarkinen - Lars is a Running Start student at Clark College, and he intends to transfer to WSU Vancouver after graduation to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Lars leads our SkillsUSA team, and has won a state championship in Plumbing. He has also been to SkillsUSA Nationals twice.

AAA Auction is now LIVE! If you cannot attend the event, go online and place your bids. All of the proceeds go to support our incredible students and programs at HHS. Go Hawks!

Qmlativ Parent Guide - We just wrapped up the eighth week of school, and we've transitioned to a variety of new tech tools. After using Skyward for my entire career, I am still getting used to Qmlativ, the newest version of Skyward. I am not only a principal, I am the dad of two students in our district, so this guide has come in handy for me. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about Q. Thank you for your patience as we work hard to transition to this new program.

Here's what you'll find in the Scoop this week:

• Safety Topics
• Pre-Arranged Absence Reminder
• AP Testing Payment Info and Spring Schedule
• College, Counselor, and Career Info
• Class of 2027 Grad Committee Information
• Senior Yearbook Information
• Senior Off-Campus Information
• Athletics Information
• Athlete of the Week
• Livestream of Games
• Boys Basketball at Moda Center
• Weightroom Schedule
• Athletics Calendar
• CTE Update
• AAA Boosters Information
• AAA Boosters Hawk-tion Information
• Band Update

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at tim.fox@hocksd.org. Thank you for your support!

Go Hawks! #Elevate

It takes all of us - students, staff, community - to create a safe school. We must work together to create a culture of safety at HHS. Here are some important topics to be aware of:

- Outside Doors: Once the school day has started at 9am, all exterior doors are locked. After 9am, ALL students should enter and exit through the Main Entrance doors. This requires us to see people through the camera and vetting them before allowing them to enter. Please do not prop doors open. If you see a door propped open, close it immediately. Also, please do not open doors for people who are outside.

- Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB): If you're experiencing this type of behavior, don't stand by. If you're witnessing this type of behavior, don't stand by. See you a trusted adult. For more information on how to deal with a HIB situation, please go here.

Pre-Arranged Absences: All vacations and planned absences require a Pre-Arranged Absence Form to be completed and approved by administration at least one week prior to the absence.

Additionally, we have received a high number of calls at the end of the school day requesting that students be excused from class. Please limit these requests whenever possible, as each call can disrupt classroom instruction and learning.

Please go see Ms. Darci Robinson for copies of the form. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us maintain a focused learning environment for all students.

Gaming on Chromebooks: Gaming on Chromebooks is not permitted. We know that students are using HTML codes to by our filters. School Board Policy 2022 is very clear about this. Please do not use your Chromebook for gaming.

If your student is currently taking an Advanced Placement (AP) class, it is now time to start ordering exams. I strongly encourage any student enrolled in an AP class to take the exam for that course.

Each exam is $99 between now and November 1. After November 1, the fee goes to $150 per exam.

To make payments:

• With credit card or debit card - go to our high school payment portal online.
• With cash or check - go to our ASB Office.

Senior Families,

This Google Doc link will be frequently updated with all the latest Class of 2027 Grad Committee news, please save this Doc for easy reference throughout the year. The Grad Class Committee not only plans and fundraises for the Grad Party, we also are responsible for many other senior events that make the year special. In this newsletter you will find important resources to help you navigate the year, as well as opportunities to volunteer, donate and fundraise for these special events. We hope our seniors and their families have a memorable year!

2027 Grad Committee Newsletter

Warmly,

Class of 2027

Grad Class Committee

Hockinson High School is launching our program allowing seniors to leave campus for lunch once a month. This initiative rewards students, supports local businesses, and builds time management and responsibility.

Key Details & Requirements:

• Eligibility: Seniors on track to graduate with good attendance (0 unexcused absences, no more than 3 tardies in the issuance month).

• Mandatory Permission Slip: Parents/guardians must opt-in. No signed form = no pass. Forms require signatures from both the parent/guardian and the student.

• Accountability: Returning late results in losing the pass for the following month. Off-campus privileges will be revoked for the entire year for drug/alcohol/vape violations or for transporting non-qualifying students off campus.

Note: This is a trial project. Future frequency or full continuation of the program depends on student compliance and community feedback.

Academic Eligibility

Our first grade check for fall athletes was on Monday, September 28. Student athletes must have a 2.0 GPA and no more than one F to continue to be eligible to compete in fall sports. Grades will be pulled from the Qmlativ gradebook that day so there is no need for students to do anything except their homework! The second grade check will be around October 8 and the final grade check for Fall Sports will be November 5. Students are encouraged to check their grades on a weekly basis in Qmlativ so there are no surprises.

🏆 Extracurricular Reminders & Academic Eligibility

Participation in athletics, theatre, band, and clubs is a privilege, and we encourage all students to get involved! To remain eligible:

• Attendance: Students must attend all classes on a given day to participate in after-school events or practices. If a student has a doctor's appointment during the day, they must return to school with an official doctor’s note to be cleared for practice or activities.

• Academic Standards: Students must be enrolled full-time, maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, and have no more than one failing grade. Grade checks will take place every 3–4 weeks throughout each season.

🤝 Extracurricular Code of Conduct

We expect our student participants to hold themselves to the highest standards across three key areas:

• Classroom: Arrive on time, stay in class, maintain passing grades, respect teachers and peers, and take responsibility for missed work during early dismissals for travel.

• Practice: Arrive on time, follow directions, respect teammates, and care for equipment and facilities.

• Games & Travel: Follow school rules during transport, represent our high school positively, and show respect to officials, opponents, and host facilities.

Congratulations to Graysen Aldridge (Grade 12) and Tanner Hood (Grade 12) members of the HHS Cross Country program, for being named Athletes of the Week for the sixth week of the fall season! Congratulations, Graysen and Tanner. Keep up the great effort!

Hawks Boys Basketball will be hosting Seton Catholic at...the Moda Center, home of the Portland Trail Blazers, on December 3. More details to come as we finalize details.

Something new I want to do this year is share something neat happening in our growing CTE program.

We just had our annual Fall CTE Advisory Meeting this week. We gather the expertise of industry professionals to guide what we do here in our district. If you are interested in being part of the CTE Advisory Committee, please reach out to Angelina Sarkinen at angelina.sarkinen@hocksd.org.

There’s a lot happening with the HHS AAA Booster Club this fall! Here are a few ways to get involved and support our students. Fundraising Opportunities for HHS Sports, Clubs & Classes

Fall School Concessions
Hockinson teams and clubs can earn funds by volunteering to work concessions at HHS fall events. Sign Up for Fall Concessions

HAWK-TION: Rock the Night!
October 17, 2026 | Heathman Lodge. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Online Auction Information here.

Día de los Muertos 5K Run & Costume Mile
October 31, 2026 | Hockinson Meadows
Register now!

Congratulations to these talented HHS musicians for being selected to perform in the 2026 Lower Columbia River Music Educators Association (LCRMEA) HS Honor Band! They had the honor of working with Guest Conductor Danielle Davey, Director of Bands at Mt. Hood Community College the past few weeks on a wonderful performance for this evening’s concert at Evergreen High School.

Nyah Gomez, flute

Kim Asplund, bass clarinet

Cruz Garrett, trumpet

Caleb Staley, trumpet

Gavin Matheson, trombone

Grace Mullen, bass trombone

Gage Boyd, tuba

Brenden Weber, string bass

Connor Foster, percussion

Jameson Fyfe, percussion

In need of a mattress? Come check out the sale 10/24 10am-4pm in the HHS Commons. Mattresses (pillows too!) of all sizes are available with financing and delivery options! Every purchase helps the HHS Music Boosters support our award-winning HHS Band!

Email: tim.fox@hocksd.org
Website: https://hhs.hocksd.org/
Location: 16819 Northeast 159th Street, Brush Prairie, WA, USA
Phone: 360-448-6450
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HockinsonHS/