HSD News Round-Up

November 9, 2022 Edition

A Tradition of Giving Thanks and Giving Back: HSD Food Drive

If recent history is any indication, HSD schools are positioned to have a record-breaking year in terms of canned food items collected as part of its annual food drive this November. At Hockinson Middle School, students participate in a friendly competition for the home room with the most collected canned foods. Since 2015, the number of cans collected has steadily increased - from an average of 1,000 cans to 7,000 cans in November 2021! As the food drive ramps up this week, our students’ spirit for community service is high. This effort teaches Hockinson students about community service, generosity, and kindness. Help us make this the best food drive yet by donating at Hockinson Heights Elementary School, Hockinson Middle School, Hockinson High School, or any of our donation stations located at local businesses.

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HSD Schools Step Up Efforts to Keep Kids, Staff Healthy this Winter

Health officials expect an elevated cold-flu-COVID-RSV season this winter, so the HSD is taking steps to keep our staff and students healthy. The Revised DOH Guidance for K-12 Schools, updated Nov. 1, recommends schools continue to employ enhanced ventilation protocols (eg, top-grade air filters and nightly indoor/outdoor air "purges"); disinfecting practices, which include frequent cleaning of high-touch areas; proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette; and mitigation and notification protocols relating to individuals who are symptomatic or test positive for COVID. More information is available here.

Students Vote on Election Day...for Favorite Lunch

HHES students faced a difficult decision on Tuesday, Nov. 8: Which lunch option was their favorite? Choices included Chicken Nuggets, Salad, and Pizza. The lunch ballot was inspired by Election Day and our district's commitment to checking in with students to gather their input on their overall school experience. "We want to listen to our students and provide them with healthy choices that they enjoy. Student participation in our breakfast and lunch program has increased over the past three years and we want to ensure they are happy with our offerings," said Joshua Brown-Silva, HSD Nutrition Services Director.

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Fall Sports Wrap Up, Winter Sports Gear Up

Interscholastic athletics are offered to Hockinson students in Grades 7-12. Hockinson Middle School’s Boys and Girls Cross Country and Girls season concluded in mid-October. Girls Basketball and Boys & Girls Wrestling are now underway, with Boys Basketball starting up after winter break. Click here for sign up information.

At Hockinson High School, all fall sports have finished the regular season. Some have already advanced to post-season competition, including Girls Cross Country, which finished 11th in State this past weekend and Boys Golfers Grant Gumringer and Ethan Wall, who qualified for State Golf in May 2023. The following teams/student-athletes are headed off to post-season tournaments:

Girls Swimming

State Swim Meet - Nov. 10-12 @ King County Aquatic Center

Rosie Carter (200 M and 200 F relays), Paige Dangleis (200 IM, 100 Free and 200M/200F relay), Ludovica Guardamagna (200M/200F relay), and Milan McIntosh (200M/200F relay)

Girls Soccer

State Soccer Tournament - Nov. 9 at 6 pm at Fife HS

Congratulations Girls Soccer! View roster here.

Girls Volleyball

District Tournament - Nov. 10 at 4 pm at Mark Morris HS

Congratulations Volleyball! View roster here.

HHS Winter Sports begin Monday, Nov. 14. Click here for sign up information.

Tugaw, Sorenson to be Honored as HSD Real Heroes

Every year, Identity Clark County (ICC) puts a spotlight on school employees and volunteers who go above and beyond in their service to students and schools. ICC is a non-profit coalition of business leaders who recognize that schools are the “foundation of vibrant, healthy communities where people want to live and employers want to operate.”

On November 10, ICC’s 2022 “Learn Here Real Heroes” will include longtime HHS teacher Beth Tugaw for empowering “students to feel ownership and pride in their school community” and Fire District 3 Chief Scott Sorenson for instilling “the importance of community outreach and cohesion.” Tugaw and Sorenson will join a distinguished group of past honorees that have dedicated their time and talents to Hockinson’s schools. Thank you, Beth and Scott!

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Communication Critical to HSD Inclement Weather Plans

As we transition to autumn, it is time to prepare for colder temperatures and the possibility of late starts and school cancellations due to inclement weather.

Weather-related late starts and closure decisions are typically made with just a few hours notice. We will do our best to notify parents of any schedule changes as early as possible. Ideally, families can expect to be notified by 6:15 am via a School Messenger text, email, and phone call. Snow route/late start/closure announcements will also be posted on the alert bar on the HSD website and shared with local news media. We will send out follow-up communications if we switch from a late start to a closure. Please take this opportunity to update your contact information in Skyward Family Access if it has changed in the past year.

School closures will result in make-up days. Our district’s designated snow make-up day is Friday, March 17 (2022-23 School Calendar here.) Additional closures will likely be added to that end of the school year.

Safety Dog Brings Bus Safety Message to HHES

There was a dog on campus recently, but it was there to protect HHES students. It was Safety Dog, courtesy of First Student, the HSD's student transportation provider. According to Transportation Director Brandon Case it was a special appearance. "Hockinson Heights Elementary was the only school in the western region to have the Safety Dog Tour," said Case.

The Nov. 2 visit included student activity stations, a mini-lesson from a bus driver, and an opportunity to get a picture with Safety Dog. Students learned how to safely board a bus by waiting for red lights and a "thumbs up" cue from the driver as well as the importance of sitting down and facing forward when the bus is in motion. Students also practiced a three-point safe exit from the bus stairs: 1. One hand on the handrail, 2. One foot on the bottom step and 3. One foot on the ground...No jumping!

Whether on a daily bus ride or upcoming field trip, Safety Dog's safety lessons and motto “We are doggone safe!” will be fondly remembered by HHES students for years to come.