HDHS Hillcat Newsletter
June 16, 2026
Message From Mr. O'Rourke
Dear Hillcat Families,
As the warm rays of the sun embrace us and the sweet scent of blooming flowers fills the air, we find ourselves at the threshold of another beautiful summer. It is a time of joy, relaxation, and a well-deserved break from the routines of school life.
To all the students who have dedicated themselves to learning throughout the year, we commend your hard work, resilience, and determination. You have overcome challenges, grown in knowledge, and expanded your horizons. Now is the moment to set your chromebooks aside, let your minds wander, and indulge in the wonders of summer.
To the families who have supported their children's educational journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. Your unwavering encouragement, guidance, and love have played an instrumental role in their success. Now is the perfect occasion to celebrate the achievements of your children and create lasting memories together.
Let us seize the essence of summer, relish the beauty of each moment, and cherish the bonds that unite us. Embrace the laughter, the warmth, and the sense of freedom that this season brings. Explore the world around you, both near and far, and take pleasure in the simple pleasures that often go unnoticed.
CONGRATULATIONS 2026 Hillcat Graduates!
Congratulations on reaching this remarkable milestone in your lives! As you stand on the precipice of new beginnings, we want to take a moment to celebrate your achievements and offer our heartfelt congratulations.
These past years of high school have been filled with endless learning, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences. You have navigated the halls of knowledge, embraced challenges, and triumphed over obstacles. Each assignment completed, each assessment taken, and each project accomplished has contributed to the incredible individuals you have become.
As you step out into the world, remember that success is not measured solely by achievements, but by the impact you have on others and the happiness you find in the pursuit of your dreams. Embrace new challenges, take risks, and never lose sight of the unique talents and abilities that make you who you are.
High school graduation is a stepping stone, a moment of transition. Embrace it with open arms, a curious mind, and a heart filled with hope. Celebrate your achievements, honor your journey, and embrace the infinite possibilities that await you.
Congratulations, graduates! We are immensely proud of each and every one of you. As you embark on this new chapter, may your future be filled with success, happiness, and the fulfillment of your wildest dreams.
With utmost admiration,
H-DHS Staff
Upcoming Events
- Summer School Credit Recovery- July 14 - August 6 Students and Families will be notified by the end of June if they qualify for credit recovery.
- Fall Sports will be having pre-season workouts so be on the lookout for those schedules.
- The flyer below shares information about the Summer Food Service Program
News from the HDHS Counseling Center
Student schedules for the 26-27 school year will be handed out during Advisory on June 16th. Schedules will also be available through the student and parent/guardian PowerSchool portals after June 18th. Student schedules are subject to change based upon credits earned, class sizes, or administrative decisions. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your school counselor.
Students with Last Names A-K: Mr. Boucher mboucher@hdsd.org
Students with Last Names L-Z: Ms. Langille alangille@hdsd.org
Students at the Alt: Ms. Cashorali kcashorali@hdsd.org
Class of 2026
Senior Walk
Seniors did their annual walk around campus and through the buildings on Wednesday, June 3rd. Students around campus honored the graduates with cheers, smiles, signs, and other special celebrations.
Senior Car Parade
Thank you to all of our first responders, Shaws, and our community for coming out to support our seniors during their annual car parade through town. It means so much to them that so many come out and support them on their transition to their next chapters.
Senior Class Trip
A small group of high school Seniors participated in the annual Senior Trip tradition. This year's group went to Lake George, NY for three days. Trip adventures included: activities at Six Flags Great Escape, ropes climbing at Adirondack Extreme Adventure, a dinner cruise on Lake George and an underground tour of Howe Cavern.
Academic Award Recipients
On Friday, May 29th, the Academic Award Ceremony took place in the HDHS gymnasium. Students were recognized for academic excellence in each of our content areas. Congratulation for all of the students recognized during that ceremony!
Athletic Department News and Special Events
2025 Fall Sports sign ups are now available. All students who plan on playing a fall sport need to go on to hdsd.org / athletics and fill out the forms on the link.
2025 Fall Sports Signups - Hillsboro-Deering High School
Congratulations to all our Spring Sports Athlete Awards Recipients
Students from HDHS successfully complete the Torch Run 2026 and arrive in Concord.
On June 10th, Several HD Student Athletes took part in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics. The event featured a 24-mile run from the Hillsboro Police Department, through Henniker and Hopkinton, culminating at the State Capitol Building in Concord. The athletes ensured that there was always a student on the road, braving the heat and low air quality, to represent their school and programs while supporting such a meaningful cause. Ryan Shortt and Mrs. Gehrig ran the entire 24 mile leg!
Students in the Life Skills and Autism program at HDHS want to thank the HD Police Department and students at HDHS for their support of Special Olympics. Without special olympics we would not have a robust Unified Sports program in our state and school and we are all so grateful for the many runners and supporters in our community .
Attention Hillcats and Families!
Grand Tour of Italy April 2027: Now accepting enrollments!
Want to experience la dolce vita? During April vacation week of 2027, we’ll be taking a Grand Tour of Italy, embarking on a 10 day tour of this beautiful country. We’ll take a gondola ride in Venice, view the Duomo in Florence, wander through the medieval streets of Assisi, explore the ruins of Pompeii, relax in the seaside town of Sorrento, and take in the eternal city of Rome. Learn some Italian, appreciate the wonders of the Renaissance, enjoy some gelato, and immerse yourself in Italy.
If you are interested in enrolling, click on the link. On it, you will find information about our itinerary, what's included in the trip, and the pricing for student and adult travelers.
Please be aware that the current pricing includes a $200 enrollment discount if you enroll by June 21st. After the 21st we expect that rates will go up. Any questions? Please contact Mr. Thompson or Mrs. Prentiss at jthompson@hdsd.org or mprentiss@hdsd.org
The Class of 2028 Fundraiser
The HDHS Class of 2028 will be hosting a car wash at Tire Warehouse on Saturday, July 11th from 10am - 2pm. Donations accepted!! Can't wait to see you there!
Climate Survey
Please take 5-7 minutes to complete our Climate survey. Your input is important to us. We review the feedback each year in construction of our goals and direction for the upcoming year. The survey is open and will close on Friday, 6/19.
Thank you for your time and have a great summer!
What's Happening in the Classrooms of HDHS?
Hampton Beach Cleanup
At the end of May a group of students got to go to Hampton Beach for a beach clean up day. For most of our students, this was a whole new experience! It ended up being a beautiful day, pretty much empty beach and they ended up picking up a lot of trash! They picked up baby bottles, tops of water bottles, lots of empty packaging, aluminum cans and a shoe! We called it a success and they wanted to make this an annual event.
Physical Science
Our 9th Grade Physical Science students recently completed a Roller Coaster Energy Challenge, an engineering design project focused on energy transformations and the conservation of energy. Working in teams, students designed, built, tested, and improved marble roller coasters while collecting real-world data using photogates to measure speed at different points along their tracks. Students analyzed how potential energy and kinetic energy changed throughout the ride, created graphs and energy bar models, and used evidence from their investigations to explain how energy is conserved. The project combined science, engineering, mathematics, collaboration, and problem-solving, giving students an opportunity to experience how engineers use data to improve designs and answer scientific questions. We are proud of their creativity, perseverance, and critical thinking our students demonstrated throughout this exciting challenge!
Blackout Poetry in Sports Lit
The Sports Lit classes have been reading books in a book club format, choosing from one of three options: Winger, After the Shot Drops, or High Heat. As one of their projects, they chose a significant scene from their book and created blackout poems. They came out pretty well!
Intro to Foods
The Intro to Foods classes had their final projects this week. For the project, each group chose a recipe to execute, created the grocery list based on supplies already in the kitchen, execute the meal, and then write a course reflection explaining what they learned during the semester that will stick with them after the course is over. The meals they created were incredible and their reflections have been extremely thoughtful.
Honors Geometry
Band and Chorus Festival
On Friday, May 15th, the HDHS Chorus and Band Ensembles traveled to Chicopee High School in Massachusetts to perform select repertoire for the Trills and Thrills Festival. The Chorus earned a rating of "Excellent" and the Band received a rating of "Good" before heading off to Six Flags New England to celebrate their accomplishments.
Student and Staff of the Month
Student of the Month
June's Student Spotlight Honoree is Kamdyn Michael. We nominate Kamdyn Micheal for student of the month. We nominate him because he's really helpful and works with others. He listens and works well with people. He always used appropriate language. In first semester health, he was really helpful to Logan and explained the notes to him and got him to understand the concept better.
Staff of the Month
June's Staff Spotlight Honoree is Nicole LaRoche. Nicole LaRoche because she is a kind teacher and treats everyone equally. She provides a comfortable class environment. She is always willing to help out.