Hamburg Area High School Newsletter
January 2026
Dear Hamburg High School Families,
Happy New Year! As we welcome 2026, we are excited to continue supporting our students' growth and achievements. January doesn’t just mean frigid temperatures below freezing; it marks a fresh start, and we encourage all students to set goals, stay focused, and make the most of the opportunities ahead.
Important Dates to Remember:
January 21: Start of the second semester
January 22: Parent-Teacher Conferences sign-ups open on PTCfast
February 5: Parent-Teacher Conferences (3pm-6pm)
- February 5: Junior Parent College Information Workshop (6pm-7pm)
- February 5: College Admission Panel, HS LGI (7pm-8pm)
Virtual Day Expectations:
In the event of a virtual learning day, students are expected to:
Log in on time for all scheduled classes.
Check their email and learning platforms (e.g., Schoology) for instructions and assignments.
Actively participate in live sessions and complete all assigned work.
Communicate with teachers if they experience technical issues or have questions.
Parents, please ensure your student has access to a reliable device and internet connection. Contact our tech support team if assistance is needed.
Parent-Teacher Conferences:
Conference blocks are now open for scheduling. Teachers are prioritizing students with significant academic or behavioral concerns. If you need assistance scheduling, please contact Mrs. Bowen in the main office. This is also a good time to ensure your contact information is updated in our system so you receive all school communications.
Program of Studies:
Course scheduling for the 2026-2027 school year will begin next month. The updated Program of Studies will soon be available on the High School website. Parents are encouraged to review the course offerings and descriptions to assist their student in making informed decisions for the upcoming school year.
Contact Us:
For questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to the high school office at 610-562-2241. Let’s make the second semester a great success!
Warm regards,
Ryan McGinley
Hamburg High School Principal
Students from the Berks Career & Technology Center recently demonstrated their technical expertise, professionalism, and career readiness while competing in the SkillsUSA District 4 competitions, hosted at Reading Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center.
The annual district competitions bring together career and technical education students from across the region to showcase their skills in hands-on, industry-aligned events. BCTC students competed in a variety of occupational areas, applying classroom learning to real-world challenges while being evaluated by industry professionals.
SkillsUSA is a national organization serving middle school, high school, and college/postsecondary students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations. Through competitive events, leadership development, and workplace readiness training, SkillsUSA helps students build the technical skills, confidence, and professionalism employers value.
Participation in the District 4 competitions provided BCTC students with an opportunity to gain experience, receive feedback from industry professionals, and further develop skills relevant to their chosen career paths.
Kutztown University Early College Academy
Two tracks:
Education or General Studies
Current Juniors interested in careers in Education
Current Juniors interested in attending KU or another college and are interested in other types of degrees and careers
Unique combination of Dual Enrollment and a Professional Field Experience (PFE)
How is KU Early College Academy Different from other kinds of Dual Enrollment?
High school seniors will come to KU for almost ½ a day.
They will take two courses each semester, equivalent to a minimum of 12 credits, or one semester of college, prior to graduation.
Students will be in a cohort to meet other potential college students, developing a sense of connection and community to support their transition to college.
How much does it cost to attend?
Because of our partnership, KU offers each 3-credit course on-campus or online for $ 333.75.
Interested? Learn More Here!
Want to Apply? (deadline January 30, 2026): Let Mrs. Del Conte know and Apply Here!
Summer Nature Camp Counselor Internship
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is seeking an intern that wants to gain experiences working with youth outdoors! Our Education Intern program provides teens with leadership training and experience. Interns will assist the staff by being role models for campers, helping campers with activities, leading games, and assisting with supervising, setting up and cleaning up. This training and experience provide interns with opportunities to learn and practice age-appropriate teaching methods, activity planning, emergency training, and leadership skills.
Students should plan to attend the training session and two weeks of summer camp.
Apply here: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Summer Camp Counselor in Training Application 2026 – Fill out form
Brentwood Industries Internship Program (Unpaid)
Brentwood Industries offers a rotational internship program for high school students at Brentwood Industries corporate offices: 500 Spring Ridge Drive, Wyomissing, PA 19610.
One intern slot is available for the Fall 2026 high school level internship.
Students will rotate through eight areas of the corporation including (Two to three weeks per department):
Communications/Marketing
Customer Service/Technical Specialist
Engineering
Finance/Payroll
Human Resources
Information Technology
Warehouse/Logistics
Legal
Four to six hours per week – this will either be two three-hour days or one six-hour day (this can be adjusted accordingly). The hours are flexible and can be completed in either am or pm.
Students must supply their own transportation to and from the office. Students must be current juniors to apply.
*See Mrs. Del Conte for more information!
Rotary International, 4-Way Speech Contest (Open to HS students grades 9-12)
Are you passionate about a subject and would like to share the topic through the Rotary's 4-Way Test?
This contest is a regional competition that starts locally in Hamburg and advances through Regional and District rounds.
Local Club contest speeches will be presented to the Hamburg Rotary Club the first week in March and the selected winner would move to the Regional competition at Penn State Berks on March 7th.
Follow the link to read more about the 4-Way Test and speech rules.
Contact Mrs. Machamer today to register by February 13th.
FINANCIAL AID- FAFSA application for college-bound seniors
Students attending college must complete the FAFSA. This process is started online and must be completed with a parent/guardian.
Visit HS Counseling Webpage for Fin Aid & Scholarship resources from the Counseling Office!
FAFSA https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
PHEAA https://www.pheaa.org/
PHEAA is the state's financial aid organization that assists eligible Pennsylvanians with affording higher education. All students/parents should also apply for state grant funds and review loan products to help cover the gap in cost!
The BCCF Scholarship application is open! Deadline: February 1, 2026
The BCCF manages hundreds of scholarships for Berks County residents. Take time to filter through the scholarships that you are eligible for. The BCCF Board consists of caring individuals that provide services and opportunities for the residents of Berks County. Check out all the great things they do for Berks county!
Student Scholarships.org
Great one-stop webpage that gathers local, state, and national scholarships for grades 9-12. Create an account to filter scholarships you are eligible to apply to. There are thousands of scholarships across the US, but you might only be eligible for a handful based on college major or program (trade or other), GPA, community service, etc.
HAHS Counselor Webpage: Financial Aid and Scholarships
Visit the HAHS Counselor Webpage for additional financial aid and scholarship resources!
SAT Exam Dates 2025-2026
Register online. Review Bluebook, the SAT online exam platform. All students with Chromebooks have the Bluebook app already downloaded to their computer and are permitted to use their school laptop on test morning.
- March 14, 2026 (Registration Deadline 2/27)
- May 2, 2026 (Registration Deadline 4/17)
- June 6, 2026 (Registration Deadline 5/22)
SAT Preparation
Do not take an exam without studying. Use Collegeboard resources or sign up for a SAT prep course. Khan Academy, is a free service linked to Collegeboard. Check it out!
- PSU Berks SAT Prep Click 💲
Mondays in person, 6:30-8pm, and two Saturday mornings
January 26- March 9 [Class is FULL, join Waitlist]
April 13- June 1
- Your Study Connection, Dr. Shaunna Crossen 💲
REQUEST YOUR HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT
2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Season is Now Open!
The 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season is now open. Pennsylvanians who need help paying their home heating bills to stay warm and safe this winter can apply online.
LIHEAP assistance does not need to be paid back and is available in the form of cash and crisis grants. The minimum 2025-26 LIHEAP cash grant is $200, and the maximum cash grant is $1,000. Individuals and households may receive one cash grant per LIHEAP season.
Pennsylvanians who qualify for a LIHEAP crisis grant will be eligible for a minimum grant of $25 and a maximum grant of $1,000. Individuals and households are eligible for a crisis grant if they meet the income guidelines and are in danger of having their heating utility service terminated, have already had their heating utility service terminated, or are out of or have less than two weeks’ worth of deliverable fuel, such as fuel oil, propane, coal, or wood. Households may apply and be eligible for more than one crisis grant – up to the $1,000 maximum – if they experience more than one emergency per LIHEAP season.
Pennsylvanians can apply for LIHEAP benefits each year during the LIHEAP season. Whether an individual was previously approved or denied, DHS encourages them to reapply for the 2025-26 season.
More information about LIHEAP and how to apply is available on the DHS website at dhs.pa.gov/liheap.
Information provided by the BCIU
Senior Class Trip
The class trip is to Wildwood, New Jersey on Friday, May 30, 2025. The bus will leave HAHS at 6 am and students will have free time at the beach and surrounding area until 5 pm. We will return to school around 9 pm. The $40 deposit were due by January 21 and will be returned to the student when they get on the bus on May 30th. Students need to plan and pay for their activities for the day. If you wrote a check, please remember we are not cashing these checks unless the student does not show up.
Yard Signs
Yearbook and Senior Pictures
Yearbooks are for sale through March 13. Cost is $25. List of students who already purchased and order forms are here.
It’s not too late to order senior pictures. Go to Shop.PrestigePortraits.com to place your order.
Mrs. McCarthy's website is always a great resource for up to date graduation and senior class information.
Class of 2025 graduation
Friday, June 6th, 2025, at 6:00 pm
High School Gymnasium
News and Tips from the Nurse's Office
- Annual health screenings have all been completed. If your student did not pass their vision or hearing screening, you should have received a referral form in the mail. If you received a referral, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment with an eye care specialist or health care provider (hearing referrals). Completed referrals should be returned to the school nurse.
- All 11th grade students are required by PA State law to have a physical examination. If you have not yet submitted this form, it is past due, please submit it now! If you need the physical form, please check out the Health Services page on the HASD website. It would be located under forms. You can also have your student stop by the nurse’s office to pick up a paper copy.
- School Physicals with our school physician are scheduled to take place on 2/7/25. If you gave permission for your 11th grade student to receive a physical, it will be completed on this day.
- REMINDER: It is cold and flu season. If your student is ill, they should not return to school until they are fever free x 24 hours WITHOUT fever reducing medicine and symptoms significantly improved!
STAY WARM!!!
Melissa Dunn M.Ed., BSN, RN, CSN
Certified School Nurse
Hamburg Area High School
610-562-2241 ext. 2560
Senior County Band
Mackenzie Hoover, string bass
Senior County Orchestra
Lucy Lytle, piano
Ellie Grim, violin
Donavan Merrick, violin
Aidan Litschi, violin
Mackenzie Hoover, string bass
District Chorus
Lucy Lytle
District Band
Donavan Merrick, clarinet
