HAST Families Happenings

HAST Families,

IMPORTANT: Because of the instructional days lost following the August storms, Tuesday, November 3, 2026, will now be a regular in-person school day for all students. This date was originally scheduled as an asynchronous e-learning and staff professional development day.

• After meeting with the Indiana Department of Education and our authorizer, HAST was approved to use the additional instructional minutes already built into our longer block-schedule school days to recover most of the time lost during the storm closures. After those additional minutes were applied, November 3 is the only in-person make-up day HAST is required to add to the calendar.
• The August storms created an unusual and unprecedented situation for our community. Using November 3 as an instructional day allows us to recover important learning time during the first semester while avoiding additional changes to the remainder of the school calendar.

It is important that we make full use of every instructional day and every minute available to our students. With our block schedule, missing one day can mean missing several extended classes that may not meet again until the next block rotation. Regular attendance is especially important.

Please help your student:

• Attend every scheduled school day unless illness or another excused circumstance prevents attendance.

• Arrive in time to be in class before the 8:00 a.m. bell.

• Remain at school for the full instructional day.

• Avoid scheduling appointments, vacations, and early dismissals during school hours whenever possible.

Going forward, if HAST must close because of inclement weather or another emergency, the missed instruction will need to be completed through an approved virtual learning day or made up on another instructional day.

Thank you for helping us protect our students’ instructional time and keep their learning on track.

Dr. Deborah Snedden
Superintendent

September 21–25

Next week, Hammond Academy will celebrate College GO! Week! Throughout the week, students will explore the many opportunities available after high school, including college, trade and technical programs, and military pathways.

Our theme is Dream • Plan • Achieve. We want every student to begin thinking about their future, setting goals, and learning about the different paths that can help them reach those goals.

Monday, September 21 – Future Goal Day

Students are encouraged to wear a color that represents their future plans:

• 💚 Green – Interested in joining the military
• 💙 Blue – Interested in attending a trade or technical school
• ❤️ Red – Planning to attend college

We will also welcome Ivy Tech Community College for Early Decision Day.

Tuesday, September 22 – Military & Career Exploration

Representatives from the U.S. Marines will visit HAST to meet with students interested in learning more about military service, career opportunities, training, and educational benefits.

Wednesday, September 23 – College Bingo

During SRT, students will participate in a fun College Bingo activity featuring celebrities and the colleges they attended. Students who complete their bingo card can turn it in to their SRT teacher for a chance to win a prize!

Thursday, September 24 – Door Decorating Day

Students will continue working with their SRT classes on our College GO! Week Door Decorating Contest. Doors may be inspired by a college, trade or technical program, or military branch.

Friday, September 25 – Alumni Swag Day

HAST staff are encouraged to wear gear representing their college or university.

We are also excited to welcome Purdue University–West Lafayette to HAST!

Pictures of the decorated doors will be taken Friday morning, and voting will take place Friday afternoon. The winning SRT will be announced on Monday.

🖤💛 Dream Big, Hawks!

Every student’s path after high school may look different. College GO! Week is about helping our students discover their options, set goals, and begin planning for what comes next.

Dream. Plan. Achieve.

We are excited to congratulate our Homecoming King, Benjamin Camacho, and Homecoming Queen, Makayla R. King!

Congratulations as well to our Homecoming Prince, Orlando Regalado, and Homecoming Princess, Makayla Rucoba!

We are proud to celebrate each of you and hope you enjoyed this special part of HAST’s Homecoming! 🖤💛

Go Hawks!

Our first ILEARN Checkpoint testing window is coming up for students in grades 6–8.

Tuesday, October 13 – Math
Wednesday, October 14 – English/Language Arts

All Indiana students in grades 3–8 complete three required ILEARN Checkpoints during the school year in addition to the spring ILEARN assessment. These shorter online assessments help teachers and families see how students are progressing toward Indiana Academic Standards and identify areas where additional support may be needed.

Please help us by making sure students are present, on time, and ready to do their best.

Students in Grades 8, 9, 10, and 11 will report to HAST for in-person PSAT testing.

Students in Grades 6, 7, and 12 will have an asynchronous virtual learning day with no Google Meets.

The PSAT helps students practice for future college-readiness assessments and provides valuable information about their academic strengths and areas for growth.

More details will be shared in the next Smore.

Parents we will be doing an audit of our parking lots this week, vehicles that do not have valid license, stickers, and HAST parking tags are subject to tickets, and tow. HAST Student parking tags can be purchased in the business office for $15.00

Hammond Academy parents and guardians are invited to apply to become substitute teachers! This is a flexible opportunity to earn extra income while supporting our students and school community.

Guest teachers can accept assignments based on their availability. Whether you are available occasionally or several days each week, your support can make a meaningful difference by helping students continue learning when their regular teacher is absent.

As a parent or guardian, you are already an important part of the Hammond Academy community—we would love to have you join our guest teacher team!

Apply to Become a Substitute Teacher

For questions or additional information, please contact Stephanie Kite, Guest Teacher Coordinator

• Please reach out should your family need support with community resources. Additionally, we are able to assist with household cleaning supplies and hygiene products in the wake of the storm recovery. Please reach out if you are in need of these items.

• If your student previously had a 504 plan and is new to HAST, please make sure to provide me with a copy if you have not already done so. I will be holding conferences for new students first and then will move into annual updates for students who had a 504 last year. If there are immediate concerns, please reach out anytime and we will ensure that your student’s needs are met. As all of our students settle into the new block schedule and teachers, we want to ensure we are attentive to your student’s adjustment and plan accordingly.

• Please reach out for any concerns related to your student’s academics, behavior, mood, or home related concerns that are disrupting your child’s ability to function from day to day. I want to be in tune with our students and attentive to supportive measures while they are at school. Your child’s mental health has a direct effect on how they function academically throughout the year.

• If your child is in need of community based therapy services and you are looking for a convenient option, we have partnered with Pillars of Wellness. Sessions will be via telehealth in a private area at school and occur consistently with the assigned therapist. This is a great way to ensure your child has ongoing support therapeutically as well as the short term solution-focused sessions that are offered as needed with me.

Lisa James, MSW, LCSW

Clinical Social Worker | 504 Coordinator | Certified School Safety Specialist

Hammond Academy of Science and Technology
33 Muenich Ct.
Hammond, IN 46320

Phone: (219) 852-0500 ext. 129
Email: ljames@hammondacademy.org

HAST is pleased to share the NWI No Child Hungry Buddy Bags program, which provides free weekend food support for students. Buddy Bags include food for Saturday and Sunday, with items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

Families who would like their child to participate can simply complete the electronic sign-up form below. This is a wonderful resource available to support our HAST families and help ensure students have access to nutritious food throughout the weekend.

https://forms.gle/LR9Tc1qu8riSwF7o6

🎓 College Application Week — Save on Application Fees!

• September is an excellent time for seniors to begin submitting college applications!
• During 2026 College Application Week, many Indiana colleges and universities are waiving their application fees, giving students the opportunity to apply to schools they are considering without the usual cost.
• The colleges listed in the flyers below are participating. Please review the information carefully, as some colleges may require a special application code or specific instructions in order to receive the fee waiver.
• We strongly encourage seniors to take advantage of this opportunity. Applying to multiple schools can help students keep their options open while comparing academic programs, scholarships, financial aid, campus opportunities, and future career pathways.

Seniors, now is a great time to get those applications started! 🎓🖤💛

🎓 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

• Great news for our seniors! The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship deadline has been extended, giving eligible students additional time to complete and submit their applications.
• Seniors who are interested in applying should carefully review the updated information on the flyer below and take advantage of the additional time.

🖤💛 Senior Interviews Are Underway!

Senior interviews have begun! Our counselor will be meeting individually with each senior to review graduation plans and help students prepare for life after HAST.

These conversations will focus on each student's next steps, whether that includes college, career or technical training, military service, or entering the workforce. Our goal is to make sure every senior has a clear plan and understands the resources available to support them after graduation.

Free/Reduced Lunch Application Reminder

• Families of seniors are encouraged to complete the Free/Reduced Lunch Application and return it to the Business Office as soon as possible.
• Qualifying families may be eligible for important benefits, including reduced or waived fees for SAT retakes and college applications. Even if your family has not completed the application in previous years, we encourage you to consider submitting one this year.

Due to the storms and delayed start to the school year, HAST has extended the deadline for families to submit required physicals and immunization records.

• All 6th and 9th grade students, as well as any student new to HAST, must have a current physical on file by September 25, 2026. Students in 6th and 12th grades should also make sure all required immunizations are up to date.
• Students who participate in athletics, bowling, or theater must also have a current physical on file.

• We appreciate families taking care of these requirements as soon as possible.
• Beginning September 28, students who are missing a required physical, immunizations, or an approved exemption will not be able to attend school until the required documentation is received.

If you have any questions regarding physicals, immunizations, or required health documentation, please contact Nurse Powell at apowell@hammondacademy.org.

Special Education Notice:

Families of students who receive special education services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) should have been contacted by the school to set up a move-in meeting.

If you have not yet been contacted, please reach out to the Special Education Department so we can ensure that you have the information and support you and your child need.

If you have any questions about your child’s services, please contact us!

Multilingual Education Notice (LDP):

Our middle school students have been receiving pull-out services this week to support their language, and our high school students receive support within their classrooms. Ask them about their experience. Please let us know if you feel your child could benefit from more support after reviewing their Individual Language Plan (ILP), which were sent through parentsquare.

What is Self-Advocacy and How to Build Independence Skills:

As children move through middle and high school, it is important to gradually encourage greater independence and self-advocacy. Students should have opportunities to take an active role in their education by learning to communicate their needs, understand their strengths and challenges, make choices, solve problems, and ask for help when needed. Parents can support this growth by allowing their child to take responsibility for age-appropriate tasks, encouraging them to speak directly with teachers and other adults, and helping them practice explaining what supports or accommodations help them learn best. Rather than always speaking for their child, parents can guide and encourage their child to speak for themselves. Building these skills during the school years helps students develop confidence, responsibility, and the ability to advocate for themselves as they prepare for life after high school.

Save the Date!

Multilingual Family Night October 9, 2026 6:00–8:00 PM

!!!See Flyer BELOW!!!

We invite our whole school to join us for an evening of connection, information, and fun! More details will be shared soon, so be sure to mark your calendar.

Most importantly, remember that you are an important part of your child’s educational team. We are here to help and look forward to partnering with you throughout the school year.

Wishing all of our students and families a happy and successful start to the school year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Danielle Lopez

Director of Special Programs

Kindness Comes in Many Languages

Phone: (219)852-0500 ext.105

My Email: dlopez2@hammondacademy.org

• Please be sure to pay your child’s yearly ipad insurance fee of $19.75 if you have not done so yet. You may pay in person with Ms Landa or online.

The ParentSquare mobile app is the best way to stay connected with HAST and receive important school information.

The app allows parents and guardians to:

• Receive school and classroom notifications
• Read posts and announcements in one place
• Send and receive direct messages with staff
• View photos, forms, and other shared information
• Manage notification preferences
• Receive push notifications directly on your phone

While ParentSquare can also send messages by text and email, the mobile app provides the most complete ParentSquare experience and makes it easier to keep all school communication together in one place.

Check Your Notification Settings

To make sure you are receiving the messages you want:

1. From Home, tap the menu (≡) in the top left.
2. Tap Account.
3. Tap Notifications.
4. Make sure School Alerts is turned on if you want to receive all alerts and notices.
5. Under Direct Messages, choose how you would like to be notified:
   • App – receive a push notification
   • Text – receive a text message
   • Email – receive an email
6. Under Posts, choose Mobile, Email, or both. Then select:
   • Instant – receive a notification as soon as a post is sent
   • Digest – receive one daily summary of posts

Please note: If you have both app and text notifications enabled, ParentSquare may deliver regular post notifications through the app first and use text as a backup when needed. Direct Messages and Alerts can still be sent by text.

We strongly encourage all parents and guardians to download the ParentSquare app and make sure their notification settings are turned on.

• September 21-25 College Go Week!
• September 23 12:00 Special Board Meeting Budget Hearing
• October 7 PSAT Day (Grades 8-11) Asynchronous Learning (B-day) for 6,7, and 12th grade
• October 13-14 ILEARN Checkpoint 1 (Grades 6-8)
• October 14 End of Quarter One Grade Period
• October 15-16 Fall Break
• October 22-23 Mandatory Student-Led Conferences Grades 6-12
• October 22 Student Led Conferences 4-6 pm
• October 23 Student Led Conferences 12-2:30 / Morning E/Learning
• October 27 (B-day) Picture Make-up day
• November 3 MAKE UP DAY ALL STUDENTS to be in person

A few updates and reminders from our Food Services team:

• Salad bar coming soon!
• Encourage your student to check out our snack bar during lunch. A variety of snacks are available for $1 or $2 cash.
• Pizza Friday continues! Students can purchase a delicious slice of pizza for $2 cash.
• HAST participates in Offer Versus Serve (OVS) at breakfast. OVS allows students to choose from the breakfast items offered while helping reduce food waste. Students must select at least three items, including a fruit or vegetable, and they may take all items offered if they choose.
• Please see the attached Offer Versus Serve at Breakfast Notification for more information.

• There will be high school cheerleading tryouts Monday, September 21st, Tuesday, September 22nd, and Wednesday, September 23rd. All students interested in trying out will need a physical on file in the nurse's office.
• Attention all middle school boys interested in playing basketball, there will be a callout meeting, Tuesday, September 22nd, in the gym from 3:05;3:45pm. This meeting is for students only.

• 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 9-10Team Lead: Mira Projovic mprojovic@hammondacademy.org
• Grade 11-12Team Lead Matt Sokol msokol@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.