VIKING NEWS - December 12, 2025

• December 12, 2025- Band/Orchestra Winter Concert
• December 15, 2025 - Rescheduled Dance Concert
• December 16, 2025 - Scheduling Night
• December 24 - January 4, 2026 - Schools Closed/Winter Break
• January 5, 2026 - School Resumes
• January 19, 2026 - Schools and Offices Closed
• January 21 - January 23, 2026 - HS Mid-Term Exams
• Janaury 22, 2026 - Schools Close 3 Hours Early
• January 23, 2026 - MS & HS Close 3 Hours Early
• January 26, 2026 - Schools Closed

Congratulations to the following students for auditioning and getting accepted into the MD All State Music Ensembles. Students auditioned and competed for spots against students across the state of MD and were accepted into the 2026 MD All State Ensembles.

MD All State Junior High Band (Grades 7-9)

• Zoe Kim - Flute
• Ian Woo - B flat Clarinet
• Matthew O'Shea - Trombone
• Zoie Lee - Percussio

MD All State Junior Mixed Chorus (Grades 7-9)

• Rebecca Kadavil - Alto
• Laxitha Vonteru - Soprano

MD All State Senior Mixed Choir (Grades 10-12)

• Fimidara Amure - Alto 1
• Eden Brewer - Soprano 1
• Varshini Padmanaban - Alto 1

MD All State Senior Treble Choir (Grades 10-12)

• Sravika Bolla - Alto 1
• Abby Saitta - Soprano 1
• Tess Walsh - Soprano 1

MD All State Senior Orchestra (Grades 10-12)

• Caleb Choi - Viola

Please save the date and join us for MHHS Scheduling Night on December 16th at 6:00 PM. All rising ninth through twelfth grade families are invited to attend. The evening will begin with a presentation in the auditorium, followed by breakout sessions where families can learn more about the courses offered at Mt. Hebron. These sessions are designed to support students as they begin considering their course selections for the 2026–2027 school year. More information about the available sessions will be shared soon in a newsletter. Please read the Scheduling Newsletter to find out everything you need to know about scheduling courses for the 2026-2027 school year.

Mt. Hebron offers four research courses for students – Independent Research G/T, Intern/Mentor G/T, AP Seminar, and AP Research. These courses empower students to learn, evaluate, apply, and create knowledge in a specialized area of study. In some cases, students select their own research focus; in others, they engage in the research process as a group. All four courses prepare students for the rigor of college-level research, including critical thinking; reading and analyzing scholarly sources; identifying an argument or gap in the research; data collection to address their focused research question; writing scholarly papers; and, presenting material confidently!

If you would like to learn more about these courses, please attend any of the following:

• Student Sessions - Viking Time on 12/17 and 1/7 -- get a pass and come to room 109!
• Community Sessions (students, parents, guardians, etc.) - MtH Scheduling Night - 12/16 (begins at 6pm) - there will be sessions at 6:30pm and 7pm in the media center to learn about the Advanced Research Courses.
• Countywide Advanced Research Night - Ms. Debbie Blum, Coordinator for Gifted Education in HCPSS, will lead a session that all families in HCPSS can attend virtually on 12/9 at 7pm. Register for the Session at High School Advanced Research Information Night.

You can read more about the courses on this flyer, or visit the Mt. Hebron Advanced Research website. Reach out to Dr. Melissa Kiehl with questions – mkiehl@hcpss.org.

Mt. Hebron Theatre is looking for talented performers in grades 3–8 to join the cast of our spring musical, Frozen!

🎤 How to Audition (Video Round):
Submit an application, résumé, and a 1-minute video of you singing a song from a Disney or Broadway show (but not Frozen).

➡️ Submit your video and form by January 3rd by visiting MtHebronTheatre.org.

📧 Performers will be notified by January 10th about next steps!

🎭 Callback Auditions (In-Person):
If selected, join us at Mt. Hebron High School on January 17th from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM for a fun morning of singing, dancing, and acting!

🗓️ Rehearsals:
Saturdays from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM — Jan. 24, Feb. 21 & 28, plus dress rehearsals March 7–11.
(All rehearsals are required; Young Anna & Elsa will have extra after-school times.)

🎟️ Show Dates:

• March 12 @ 10:00 AM

• March 13 @ 7:00 PM

• March 14 @ 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM

• March 15 @ 2:00 PM

Have questions? Email Director Kathryn Carlsen at 📧 kcarlsen@hcpss.org.

✨ Come be part of the magic — Let It Go and audition for Frozen! ✨

Volunteering at the concession stand is a fun, easy way to meet other Mt. Hebron parents and get involved in our school community. Viking Backers support ALL students — whether your child is in sports, music, dance, theatre, or any club, your family benefits from the work we do!

We also welcome student volunteers for non-cashier roles, and they can earn official volunteer hours for their time! We cannot run the stand without community support. Even one shift makes a huge difference! Thank you for giving your time and supporting our Vikings!

Please sign up today: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C44AFAE2FA2FA7-60795320-20252026

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094EA8A728A20-60316155-help

DRIVERS ED - WE PARTNER WITH BOTH GREG’S AND STREETSMARTS

Did you know once your child turns 15, they can begin driver’s ed classroom instruction? When the time is right for your child, please consider signing them up with one of our sponsors, Street Smarts or Greg’s Driving School; both donate a significant contribution back to Viking Backers for every student’s tuition. For all the details, visit: https://vikingbackers.org/drivers-ed.

The Parents of African American Students (PAAS) will host its next meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mt. Hebron High School Media Center.

We are looking forward to kicking off the new year with some exciting plans! In the meantime don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions/concerns, need assistance or have a topic you would like to discuss in the future. Kim Watkins at krwatkins_2000@yahoo.com or 240-305-5118.

We hope to see you soon! Parents and Students are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Join the PTSA - Stay informed and have a voice. Find out more about us and how to become a member at www.mthebronptsa.com and follow us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mthebronptsa.

Join the Viking Backers - Learn more at www.vikingbackers.org and follow us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VikingBackers

Please follow your students' class Facebook page to stay informed with all things Hebron!

Freshman - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110584163979002

Sophomore - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538298930108508

Junior - https://www.facebook.com/groups/132631256538950

Senior - https://www.facebook.com/groups/474264264531291

We still have over 100 seniors who need to be photographed for the yearbook! To help everyone get their portrait taken, we’ve added two additional in-school senior portrait dates: February 9th and February 10th. Please click the link below to schedule your appointment as soon as possible:

https://seniors.legacystudios.com/mount-hebron-hs-ellicottcity-md/

Caps, Gowns, and Tassels

• EVERYONE must have a cap, gown (black and gold), and tassel. This is available in a package online. Cost is $42 (before tax).

• You may use an older sibling’s gown from previous years, but it MUST be the custom black and gold.

• Purchasing a Tassel alone is $14.

• For cap/gown/tassel unit, order through www.jostens.com by February 1st.

• Cap and Gowns are shipped to the school in the spring.

Please use the link below to access the CTE honor cords. Please make sure when checking out you use the students name.

https://34756b-2.myshopify.com/products/mt-hebron-h-s-honor-cord-cte-teal-white-double-cord?utm_source=copyToPasteBoard&utm_medium=product-links&utm_content=web

Save the Dates!

Prom – April 25, 2026

Class Night – May 11, 2026

Senior Picnic – May 2026

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https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2025/12/emergency-notification-procedures/

As we move into winter, families are reminded of the HCPSS emergency notification procedures, including during inclement weather.

HCPSS school operating status options are:

• Schools open as scheduled
• Schools open on a two-hour delay
• Schools dismiss early
• Schools closed

In emergency situations, information will be shared with the community through the HCPSS website, email and text, and the HCPSS hotline. These are the ONLY approved sources for emergency notifications. HCPSS does not utilize local media outlets or platforms other than those listed below.

• HCPSS status website
• HCPSS homepage
• HCPSS News email and text message alerts
• HCPSS Information Hotline – 410-313-6666

• Mount Hebron High School Website
• HCPSS Calendar 25-26SY
• HCPSS Student and Parent Handbook
• Mount Hebron PTSA
• Mount Hebron Viking Backers
• ​​​​Follow us on Instagram: @hcpss_mhhs