HAST Families Happenings

• PATH is currently in need of parent volunteers for our upcoming Field Day on May 15th. Please take a moment to review the flyer below for more information. If you are unable to volunteer in person, donations are also being accepted. We truly appreciate your support in making this a special day for our students—thank you for supporting PATH and Field Day!
• I also want to take a moment to give a huge shout-out to our Fine Arts Department for an incredible musical performance. The time, talent, and dedication that went into the production were evident, and we are so proud of our students and staff for such a wonderful show.
• Additionally, I want to share how impressed I have been with our students. I have seen them working incredibly hard, staying focused, and giving their best effort. Thank you for your continued support at home—it truly makes a difference.
• Lastly, a reminder that this Friday is a planned NO SCHOOL day due to High School Prom. Please note that ACC students should still report to their regular ACC classes, as ACC is not canceled.

Thank you again for your continued partnership and support of HAST.

Have a wonderful weekend,
Dr. Snedden

The National Honor Society recently hosted a blood drive, organized and run by Xander Lopez and Ryan Campbell. Students and staff had the opportunity to donate blood through Versiti and support an important cause.

In total, 20 units of blood were collected in three hours, and each donation has the potential to help save multiple lives. It was great to see students, staff, the greater HAST community take part in something that makes a real difference for others.

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported the effort—NHS looks forward to hosting more events like this at Hammond Academy

Our PBIS committee is proud to announce our Student of the Month for March for each grade level. Students were nominated by their teachers for exhibiting the Employability Skills of Integrity and Decision Making.

6th - Aiden Hernandez

7th - Julian Almanza

8th - Brian Munoz

9th - Brisa Calzada-Munoz & Elijah Smith

10th - Ailani Marrero

11th - Alexia Gonzalez

12th - Elizabeth Hermosillo

One of the key messages we emphasized during the pep rally was that our mood should never dictate our discipline. While mood is a temporary emotional state, discipline is what helps us manage impulses and stay committed to our goals especially when challenges arise.

We want our students to understand that discipline should remain steady, regardless of how they feel at the moment.

Discipline over mood.

Let’s continue encouraging our students to stay focused, push through obstacles, and finish the school year strong!

Walter Woghiren

Dean of Students / Athletic Director

Hammond Academy of Science & Technology

Student Policies:

• Students are expected to adhere to rules and regulations as defined in the HAST Student Handbook.

• Students who fail a course will receive a failing grade on their official transcript.

• Students do not need to wear uniforms, but are expected to wear clothing that is appropriate for a school setting.

• Disciplinary action may extend into the 2026-27 school year per Indiana’s State Due Process Code.

• Only students enrolled in Summer School at HAST will be allowed on school property.

• Attendance Policy- Students will fail the course and fail to earn credit for excessive absences.

Credit Recovery- All Grade Levels

Monday-Friday 8AM- 12PM, Open Lab

Students taking credit recovery courses will be using online content in place of a traditional class. Teachers will be present in an open lab setting to help students as they work independently. Students must attend a minimum of 2 hours each day until their coursework is complete.

Application: https://form.jotform.com/260955085375163

Testing Schedule (All tests begin at 8:00 AM):

• Tuesday, April 28
  ➤ ELA ILEARN Summative Part 1

• Wednesday, April 29
  ➤ ELA ILEARN Summative Part 2

• Ensure students arrive on time with a fully charged iPad (testing begins promptly at 8:00 AM)

• Avoid absences, appointments, and tardies on testing days

• Support a good night’s sleep and a calm, positive start to the day

Thank you for partnering with us to support student success during testing!

On Thursday, April 30, students enrolled in Biology will take the Biology ILEARN assessment during the morning (Periods 1–3).

• Testing will begin promptly at 8:00 AM

• Students should arrive on time with a fully charged iPad

• After finishing the exam, students should have a quiet activity (book, etc.), as iPads will not be available for use until testing is complete.

• Freshmen students not testing will follow an adjusted schedule for periods 1-3 and continue working on class assignments.

We appreciate your support in helping your student be prepared and ready for a successful testing experience!

Attention Juniors and Seniors! Get ready to step into the spotlight for a glamorous night of lights, music, and unforgettable memories at this year’s Hollywood Red Carpet Prom. Walk the red carpet, dress like a star, and celebrate one of the biggest nights of the year with your friends.

Date: May 1, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Wicker Park Social

Dinner will be served at 7:30 PM

Tickets: $80 each
Tickets will be on sale soon in the Main Office THIS MONDAY. Be sure to get yours before they sell out!

Formal attire required — come dressed like the Hollywood star you are!

Walk the red carpet, enjoy great food and music, and dance the night away at Prom 2026. This will be a night you won’t want to miss!

Join us as we celebrate the Hammond Academy Class of 2026 at a special evening honoring our graduating seniors. Guests will enjoy a delicious pasta buffet, followed by a ceremony recognizing the hard work, achievements, and accomplishments of our students throughout their high school journey.

The evening will include awards celebrating academic success, leadership, and dedication, as we recognize the outstanding achievements of the Class of 2026. Families and guests are invited to come together to celebrate this important milestone with our seniors.

Ticket Information:
• Seniors attend FREE, but must still reserve a ticket when guest purchase is done.
• Guest tickets are $20 each.
• All attendees must have a ticket to attend.

We look forward to celebrating this special night with our seniors and their families!

As we enter the final stretch of the school year, we are excited to celebrate our 8th grade students and this important milestone as they transition to high school. This is a special time for our students, families, and staff, and we look forward to honoring all they have accomplished.

🎳 8th Grade Field Trip
Tuesday, May 26
Location: Up Your Alley

This trip is a fun and meaningful opportunity for our students to celebrate the completion of middle school together. Final details will be shared soon, including:

• Final payment amount
• Permission slip confirmation
• Departure and return times
• Behavior expectations

Please continue to watch ParentSquare for updates.

🎓 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Wednesday, May 27
6:00–7:00 PM
HAST Gymnasium

Our Promotion Ceremony is a proud moment for our school community as we recognize the growth, hard work, and achievements of our 8th grade students. Students should dress appropriately for this special occasion. Additional details regarding arrival time and seating will be shared as we get closer to the event.

⭐ Eligibility & Expectations

Both the field trip and promotion ceremony are privileges, and participation is based on:

• Meeting academic expectations
• Demonstrating positive behavior
• Remaining in good standing with school policies

A quick reminder to our students—finish strong! Stay focused, be mindful of your choices, and continue putting your best effort into your schoolwork as we head into the final weeks.

These expectations were shared with families at the beginning of the school year, and we will continue to monitor student progress as we approach these important dates.

• Our goal is for every 8th grader to participate in these celebrations. We appreciate your continued partnership in reinforcing expectations at home so students can finish strong—academically, behaviorally, and socially.
• If you have any questions regarding eligibility, please reach out to your child’s teachers so we can work together to support your student.
• Thank you for your continued support and for trusting us with your child’s education. We are incredibly proud of our 8th graders and look forward to celebrating them together! 💛🖤

April 28 ILEARN ELA

April 30 ILEARN Biology

May 1 Prom. NO SCHOOL

May 8 Senior Dinner

May 15 Field Day

May 25 NO SCHOOL Memorial Day

May 27 8th Grade Graduation

May 29 HS Graduation

The Vaccine Clinic Scheduled for HAST is Cancelled due to lack of sign ups. Lake County Vaccine Clinics are attached for your convience.

Mrs. Adriane Powell, BSN, RN

School Nurse

Email: ljames@hammondacademy.org

Phone: 219-852-0500 ext. 129

• Families needing assistance may contact The Welcome Network (824 Hoffman St., Hammond | 219-276-3764 | www.thewelcomenet.org), a local organization that provides legal support, food assistance, ESL classes, and connections to community resources through a brief Needs Assessment.
• Additional help is available through Indiana 211 (dial 2-1-1 or visit www.in211.org ). Families can also access free food through the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana Mobile Market
• Energy Assistance applications for Lake County open October 1, 2025 (NIPSCO assistance programs).
• More support is available through Community Services of Northwest Indiana and Catholic Charities.

Spring Fine Arts Festival - May 12, 2026

We will end our fine arts season with our Fine Arts Festival. This event will honor not only featuring performances from HAST Ukulele Ensemble, Hammond Academy Chorus, and HAST Theatre Class, but recognize student achievement in the arts this past school year! See below for more details!

Student Fee statements with any unpaid fees from last school year were emailed to parents; hard copies will be sent in the mail as well. These fees are any fees from last year that have not yet been paid. Please be sure to pay within the next 30 days or set up a payment plan with me.

The only fees charged for this school year will be $19.75 per student. Those fee statements will be sent out in early April. Please be sure to pay by the end of the school year.

Any fees from prior years not paid, may be turned over to collections.

Please reach out to the business office if you have any questions or concerns.

Attention all 6th and 7th grade families! Interested in exploring science this summer? Mrs. Jones (HAST 8th Grade Science) will be directing Science Explorers camp for 2 weeks next summer with the help of Mrs. Kleszynski (HAST High School Bio/Anatomy)! Registration is now open for Science Explorers Camp, as well as a variety of other summer camps at Calumet College of St. Joseph. Follow the link for more information: Summer Camps at CCSJ

• Grade 6 Team Lead : Carl Dunlap cdunlap@hammondacademy.org
• Grade 7 Team Lead: Alyssa Medina amedina@hammondacademy.org
• Grade 8 Team Lead: Jason Meyer jmeyer@hammondacademy.org
• Grade 9 Team Lead: Mira Projovic mprojovic@hammondacademy.org
• Grade 10 Team Lead: April Flores aflores2@hammondacademy.org
• Grade 11-12Team Lead Branden Chambers bchambers@hammondacademy.org

• It's crucial to keep your information updated to ensure you're always in the loop with HAST. This will not only foster a strong partnership but also contribute to the success of all our students.
• We are on Facebook, X, Instagram, and Parent Square.
• You may update your email address on our mailing list by going to the Parents tab: https://hammondacademy.org/home/
• In the menu, select “Update Your Email Address.” The form also gives you the option to have us delete your old email address. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SPELL YOUR EMAILS CORRECTLY.