JH/HS Principal Newsletter

We are in the swing of things here at Hershey Jr/Sr High School! It is so exciting to have the staff and students back into the building and seeing the educational process back in our building. It is a very exciting time with students settling back into the routine of school, staff working hard to build relationships and deliver content to students, and the start of fall activities off and running. There are many GREAT things taking place on a daily basis in Hershey and I look forward to what the month ahead brings!

As I have stated before, please make note of a couple of items in this month's newsletter. First, please check out the IMPORTANT DATES for the month of September. These dates are critical to make sure of all stakeholders as we get into the start of a new school year. Second, I included some information about the work we are doing with our staff here at HPS to ensure the best educational experience possible. Finally, there are other items of importance for families to use as a reference as we start a new school year here at HPS!

As always, if there is anything we can do to support you and your family, do not hesitate to reach out to me here at the school. We have the privilege of working with great students every day and if there is a way we can partner to make it a better experience, let’s have that conversation!

We are excited to continue to work with the staff here at HPS on the importance of PANTHER MOJO. This provides a simple framework for our staff and students to come back to when remembering what is foundational here at Hershey! MOJO stands for the following:

Meaningful Engagement

cOmmon Expectations

Joy in Learning

Opportunities for Growth

This month we are focusing as a staff on the importance of MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT! We want all stakeholders to know that when students are in the classrooms that 1) Learning is Taking Place 2) Connection and Relationships are Prioritized and 3) Student’s Voices are Heard!!!

This year we will continue to look at and focus on strengthening our instruction through the Marzano Instructional Framework. This year we will take time to focus on the importance of Engagement Strategies in the classroom.

Another layer to our framework on the 7-12 side will be the importance of Panther M.A.D.: 4 Ways Teachers Make a Difference each day in the classroom! We will collaborate with our staff to ensure that on a daily basis our students experience 1) On Grade Level Content 2) Strong Instruction 3) Strong Engagement 4) High Expectations.

It is our hope and expectation that through deepening our understanding of the Marzano Framework as well as revisiting the 4 areas of Panther M.A.D, we can improve the student experience and see students Learn, Thrive, and Grow here at HPS!!

9.2.24 - No School - Labor Day

9.3.24 - No School - ESU 16 PLC Day @ Hershey High School

9.3.24 - R/JV/V VB @ Ogallala High School

9.5.24 - Girls Golf @ Creek Valley Invite (Chappell G.C.)

9.5.24 - JH/HS Cross Country @ NPSP Invite (Rivers Edge G,C.)

9.5.25 - JH FB @ Adams Middle School

9.5.24 - SB @ Alliance High School

9.5.24 - R/JV/V VB vs Kearney Catholic High School

9.6.24 - V FB vs Wood River High School

9.7.24 - V VB @ Lexington Invitational

9.9.24 - HPS School Board Meeting

9.10.24 - Girls Golf @ Broken Bow Invitational (Broken Bow G.C.)

9.10.24 - SB @ GICC/D-T Triangular (Smith SB Complex)

9.10.24 - R/JV/V VB vs Cozad High School

9.11.24 - FFA @ Husker Harvest Days (Grand Island, NE)

9.12.24 - Class 2025 @ NPHS Career Fair (NP High School)

9.12.24 - JH/HS Cross Country @ Chase County Invite (Imperial C.C.)

9.12.24 - JH FB vs Adams Middle School

9.12.24 - JH VB vs Adams Middle School

9.12.24 - SB @ Chase County High School

9.12.24 - R/JV/V VB @ Lexington High School

9.13.24 - V FB vs Grand Island Central Catholic High School

9.14.24 - SB @ Cozad Invitational

9.16.24 - Girls Golf @ NPSP Invitational (Rivers Edge G.C.)

9.16.24 - SB vs Holyoke High School

9.17.24 - JH VB vs Ogallala Middle School

9.17.24 - R/JV/V VB @ Maywood Hayes Center

9.19.24 - Girls Golf @ D-C-S/Perkins Co/Southwest/Hershey Quad (Pheasant Run G.C.)

9.19.24 - SB vs Southern Valley / Alma High School

9.19.24 - JV/V VB @ North Platte High School

9.19.24 - JH/HS Cross Country @ McCook Invitational (Heritage Hills G.C.)

9.19.24 - JH FB @ Chase County Junior High School

9.19.24 - V FB @ Alliance High School

9.21.24 - Marching Band @ Bearcat Festival (Kearney H.S.)

9.21.24 - V VB @ Ord Invitational

9.23.24 - SB vs Chase County High School

9.23.24 - Reserve VB vs Sutherland/Perkins County Triangular

9.23.24 - JH VB @ Chase County Middle School

9.24.24 - TK-12 School Picture Retake Day

9.24.24 - Girls Golf @ Ogallala Invitational (Crandall Creek G.C.)

9.24.24 - SB @ Bayard High School

9.24.24 - R/JV/V VB vs Kimball High School

9.26.24 - Girls Golf @ Bridgeport Invitational (Court House & Jail Rock G.C.)

9.26.24 - JH/HS Cross Country @ Ogallala Invitational (Crandall Creek G.C.)

9.26.24 - JH VB vs NPSP Junior High

9.26.24 - R/JV/V VB vs McCook High School

9.26.24 - JH FB vs Valentine Junior High

9.27.24 - V FB vs Valentine High School

9.28.24 - V VB @ Hershey Invitational

9.30.24 - Girls Golf @ Cozad Invitational (Cozad G.C.)

9.30.24 - Reserve VB @ North Platte High School

9.30.24 - HPS Parent Stakeholders Meeting

Families of students are reminded that the school picture retake day will be on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th and will take place throughout the day here at HPS. Ordering information will be shared electronically via email to all parents/guardians in the days following picture retake day.

This day is for any student/family that missed the original picture day or is wanting a second chance in taking their school pictures for the year. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the school office for more information.

This is a friendly reminder that we want all students in school when classes are in session! We understand a variety of things come up which may make a student miss class. As a district, the following would be counted as excused absences for students if communicated by the parent/guardian:

• Physical or mental illness of the student or of a child whom the student is parenting (a physician’s verification is required after four (4) consecutive days of absence for illness)
• Severe weather
• Medical appointments for the student or for a child whom the student is parenting without a
• Death or serious illness of the student’s family member
• Attending a funeral, wedding or graduation
• Appearance at court or for other legal matters
• Observance of religious holidays of the student's own faith
• College planning visits
• Personal or family vacation
• School sponsored activities which require students to be absent from school
• Other absences which have received prior approval from parents and the Principal

For all unexcused absences, the following policy is in place to help ensure students have the needed class time to earn credit:

• Each student will be allowed a maximum of 9 absences per class, per semester. Time missed in excess of this limit will be made up in summer school or before and after school. Absences resulting from participation in school activities or suspensions will not count toward the 9-day limit. Students and parents will be informed after 6 absences from any class. Failure to make up the time will result in loss of credit. Elementary and Junior high absences in excess of 9 days must be made up or retention may become a consideration.
• A student may receive a waiver of make-up time if he or she can successfully demonstrate with documented evidence, to an attendance committee, that all absences, for which a waiver is requested, have been excusable absences.
• Note- Suspended days do not count toward the nine-day maximum if work is successfully completed.
• The following scale will be followed on reduction of credit for students grade 9-12:
• 10-14 days absent 1 credit deduction or waiver
• 15-19 days absent 2 credit deduction or waiver
• 20-24 days absent 3 credit deduction or waiver
• 25-29 days absent 4 credit deduction or waiver
• 30+ days absent 5 credit ded./no credit or waiver

In order to get students to class on time and begin lessons, the HPS tardy policy has been updated to the following

• Weekly Tardy List Ran Monday AM from Previous Week
• Detentions / ISS Assigned by Assistant Principal
• All to Be Served by End of Current Week

• Discipline Progression
  • 0-4 Tardies - Grace Period
  • 5-9 Tardies - 30 Minute Detention
  • 10-14 Tardies - 60 Minute Detention
  • 15-19 Tardies - 1 Day ISS
  • 20-24 Tardies - 2 Day ISS
  • 25-29 Tardies - 3 Day ISS
  • 30+ Tardies - TBD

These meetings to be held at Hershey High School are a way for administration to connect and communicate with the stakeholders at HPS. They will be held in a townhall format and will highlight important items parents need to be made aware of heading into a new quarter! The first one will be held on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th 2024 at 6:30 PM.

For the 24-25 school year, we will be expanding our current credit recovery format to a "Panther Power Hour" for all students who need extra work time. This will be a designated time where students can work under the supervision of a HPS staff member on credit recovery, missing assignments, and/or test makeups. This will provide students a great environment, supervised by a teacher, for them to make improvements in their educational journey! Below are the days and times Panther Power Hour will be held!

Below is the bell schedule for the upcoming school year. We will have ONE LUNCH for all 7-12 students with a staggered release from 5th period as detailed below:

1st Period 8:15-9:03

2nd Period 9:06 - 9:54

3rd Period 9:57 - 10:45

4th Period 10:48 - 11:36

5th Period 11:39 - 12:26

1st HS Lunch: 12:20 - 12:57

2nd HS Lunch 12:23 - 12:57

JH Lunch 12:26 - 12:57

6th Period 1:00 - 1:48

7th Period 1:51 - 2:39

8th Period 2:42 - 3:42

On Friday School is let out at the end of 7th Period at 2:39 PM.

As district and breakfast menus are updated, they can be found at the following LINK: https://www.myschoolmenus.com/organizations/300

Students and families are encouraged to communicate concerns related to the mistreatment of others. For students, a trusted adult is the recommended point of contact. This can be an administrator, teacher, coach, or other trusted person. This adult will then work with administration to respond promptly and appropriately. Parents/guardians are encouraged to communicate concerns directly with HPS Administration.

The most important part of any school is the safety and well being of the students and staff! Several items exist within schools to support school safety. These include:

• Secured access during the school day. Visitors to school must check-in at the main office after they are allowed access through the office doors. All other doors are to be closed and locked during the course of the school day.
• Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is established. This provides a consistent student and staff response to potential emergencies. More information about SRP can be found at this LINK.
• Minimizing deliveries during the school day. We understand that a parent may wish to deliver food to students for special occasions, and we appreciate this. We discourage this from being a regular occurrence.
• Minimizing student visits to vehicles during the school day. Students that forget a school-related item in their vehicles may check-in at the main office before they are allowed to visit their vehicles.

We appreciate the important part our students, staff, and families play in keeping our school safe. This year we plan on running eight fire drills, four SRP drills, two tornado drills, and two bus evacuation drills all in an effort to help students and staff be prepared in the event of an emergency.

We believe that we want to continue to prepare our students in the case of an emergency so that we are prepared in the case of a true emergency!