HSD News Round-Up

Based on parent input, this edition of the HSD Round Up will feature shorter, more concise news stories. Read on to learn more about some of the HSD's latest news stories! Note: A full summary of the communications survey results will be published here and on the district website next month. The same goes for a summary of responses to the questionnaire created by the HSD Facilities Planning Committee that was posted prior to spring break.

These are times of financial complexity for many school districts across the state of Washington. Based on our current financial projections, we do not plan to reduce the Hockinson School District workforce or reduce student programs in our district for next school year. In order to balance our budget and meet our commitment to students and families in the 2024-25 school year:

• We may need to shift a few staff assignments in order to retain staff members.
• We will not be renewing a few temporary position contracts and will be re-adjusting responsibilities to minimize impacts to students.
• As staffing plans are finalized for next school year, we are taking measures to trim our budgets while creatively using grant and levy funding to maintain student-centered programs.

Read more on our website here.

The HHES Multicultural Night is a springtime Hockinson tradition. On Thursday, hundreds of students and families immersed themselves in an international educational experience. Throughout the school year, each grade level studied a continent’s geography, art, and culture. Performances and interactive activities like dances, musical showcases, visual art galleries and a multicultural foods buffet brought this classroom learning to life.

Hockinson School District is one of 14 districts in SW Washington to be awarded a combined $3.3 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to promote and improve post-secondary readiness in southwest Washington. Our schools will receive funds over the next 3 years to support HHS students’ career preparedness and readiness for post-secondary educational opportunities. Click here to read a recent Columbian article on this exciting award. We expect an announcement detailing what percentage of the combined grant is being awarded to Hockinson School District later this summer.

Last month, the Hockinson High School Theatre Company won a superior trophy at the Washington State Thespian Festival! The team earned this prestigious honor for scenes from their fall and winter productions Almost, Maine and Bad Auditions by Bad Actors. Congratulations, HHS Theatre students.

Save the date for the drama department's upcoming production, Mean Girls - The Musical! Performances are on May 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 at 7 pm and May 4 at 2 pm. Tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for students/seniors. You can purchase tickets here.

Students in HHS Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble performed in Pasco, Washington at the Columbia Basin College Band Festival this past weekend and earned the festival's top honors! In addition to both bands taking 1st in their division, the HHS Band Program was awarded the 2024 Don Paul Excellence Award for Outstanding Instrumental Department, which is given to the school with the highest combined Concert and Jazz Band scores.

During the two-day festival, Band Director Corey McEntry and students also received a number of other prestigious awards, including: Don Paul Outstanding Instrumental Department Award; 1st place Jazz Band; Gold Medal (highest rating) Wind Ensemble; Outstanding Jazz Trumpet Section; Outstanding Jazz Trombone Section and 9 Outstanding Soloist awards between Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band, including Andrew Armstrong (trumpet), Logan Armstrong (percussion), Sarah Boehi (alto sax), Levi Brown (trumpet), Blake Bruning (drums), Adam Haunreiter (guitar), Thilo Kluth (piano), Cadyn Lanier (flute), and Jack Smith (tenor sax).

Way to go, Hawks! You can enjoy Friday's Wind Ensemble performance and Saturday's Jazz Band performance using these links.

Upon returning from Spring Break, 88 HMS student-athletes turned out for their first day of track practice. The mild weather allowed coaches Janice Broten, Megan Shinn, James Vettrus, and Kristin Elgin to complete a circuit of stations that focused on technique (javelin) and conditioning (jump rope and running) and repetitions (long jump).

When asked what they liked most about Track and Field, students gave the following responses:

• "I like the coaches and practicing with friends." - Linnea C
• "I like running long distance events. I also like how supportive everyone is of each other" - Baker A
• "Track is a cool team sport. You get to learn what you're good at and every meet is an opportunity to perform better than the last time." - Gus J

Kristin Elgin, who has coached HMS Track for 19 years, also echoed many of these themes."I love introducing students to different events and giving them an opportunity to find their interests. It is fun for the coaches and kids to see their teammates hit their PRs (personal records)," said Elgin.

We could not provide healthy experiences like middle and high school sports without the support of the Hockinson community. By passing the 2022 Educational Programs & Operations Levy we are also able to provide curriculum, technology, band/choir/art, and support services to our students through 2026.

248 Hockinson Middle School students had a blast at the Spring Fling Dance on Friday, April 12 - the school's first student dance in five years. A big "Thank You" to our staff volunteers who helped to make this event a success. Thanks, too, to Brandon Redeau, HMS paraprofessional and HHS Head Wrestling Coach, for volunteering as DJ!

The HSD is committed to providing our students with safe, attractive, and functional schools. In pursuit of that commitment, our district also intends to fulfill its second goal of protecting our community’s investment in our facilities. In making both happen, we invite community volunteers to join us in completing a variety of campus improvement projects at/around HMS and the Hockinson Community Center next Saturday, April 27 from 9 am - 1 pm. We are partnering with Burgerville and Heritage Safeway to provide lunch for volunteers. Sign up to volunteer for any amount of time here. Bring a pair of gloves and a positive attitude. Let’s make a difference together!

On Friday, April 12 a group of volunteers, including Jon Girod, owner of Quail Homes, and representatives from Southwest Washington Contractors Association and Wolf Homes, joined HHS CTE instructor Eirik Huset and his students in helping 4th Grade students assemble tool boxes. Students filled these tool boxes with tools donated by Builders FirstSource, including gloves, construction pencil, a 6-in-1 screwdriver, and pliers. This unique older-younger event helped to raise awareness about careers in the skilled trades and supported the HSD's career exploration (elementary)-career preparation (middle school)-career launch (high school) initiative. A big thank you to everyone who organized, sponsored, and volunteered for this event.

As of this spring all three schools in Hockinson School District are using a new digital volunteer and visitor management system. The system features a user-friendly check-in monitor, printer, and scanner setup in each school’s main office. This system differentiates between visitors—typically those on campus for short durations such as attending performances—and registered volunteers who directly assist with classroom or school programs. The system also generates identification stickers with barcodes for easy check-out. This cost-effective setup enhances school security and streamlines the school check-in process.

Exciting news - student profiles are back in our HSD Round-Ups! We're thrilled to introduce you to Cannon Major. Cannon is a junior at HHS and has earned recognition for his work as a peer mentor with HHS students who have special needs. More from Cannon:

What are your favorite classes right now?
My favorite class right now is hands-down being a peer tutor in Mrs. Ruby's classroom.
What do you look forward to most at school?

The thing I look forward to the most is seeing my friends.
What extracurriculars are you involved with at HHS?

I'm involved in golf and wrestling.
What's your favorite after-school activity?

My favorite thing to do after school is go golfing with my friends.
Do you have any advice for incoming 9th graders new to HHS?

Do not fall behind. It is incredibly hard to try and catch up on grades at the end of the year.
Have you thought about any plans for the future?

After Mrs. Ruby's class, I have started looking into a career in special education.

Principal Tim Fox, Associate Principal Kathy Pacheco, and the HHS staff have worked hard to create a positive and inclusive school culture at HHS. Fox credits students like Cannon for making big contributions to the school community as well. "Cannon is kind, empathetic, and understanding. He has helped to create belonging and connection for other students, and I am so incredibly proud of him," said Fox.

Winter is behind us and the mood is brighter in our schools. Here are three of the many photos snapped by HSD Superintendent Steve Marshall this past week - indicative of the many more could have also been featured - that illustrate how "life is good in the HSD."

• Kindergarten enrollment is now open! Families can access online registration here.

• HHES Kindergarten Round-Up is on Wednesday, May 1 at 6 pm. This event will start in the HHES Commons before breaking out into Kindergarten classrooms.

• HHES 4th grade concert April 25 at 6:30 pm

• Celebrating our Amazing Staff: Administrative Professionals Day is 4/24​, School Bus Drivers Appreciation Day is 4/25 & Teacher Appreciation Week is May 6-10!

• HHS & HMS band students will represent Hockinson in the May 5 Loyalty Day Parade in Long Beach, WA.

• Good luck HMS Track! The team will have its first meet of the season on Monday in Kelso.

April:

• Fri. 4/19: PWT Bingo Family Night @ 5 - 8 pm at HHES
• Sat. 4/20: HHS Prom

• Mon. 4/22 - Fri. 4/26: SBA Testing at HHS

• Tue. 4/23: Vancouver Pops Assembly at HMS

• Wed. 4/24: Administrative Professionals Day

• Thu. 4/25: HHES 4th Grade Concert @ 6:30 pm

• Thu. 4/25: School Bus Drivers Appreciation Day

• Sat. 4/27: Hockinson Earth Day Clean Up @ 9 am - 1 pm

• Mon. 4/29: HSD School Board Regular Meeting @ 6:00 pm at HCC & Zoom
• Tues. 4/30: Vancouver Pops Music Assembly TBD

May:

• Thu. 5/2: HMS & HHES Color Run ASB Fundraiser, School Lunch Hero Day, & Opening Night of HHS Spring Musical Mean Girls (PG-13) @ 7 pm. Mean Girls performances on 5/3-4 & 5/9-11.
• Fri. 5/3 & Sat. 5/4: PWT's Books and Blooms Event Fri 6:30 - 8:30 pm & Sat 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
• Sun. 5/5: Long Beach Loyalty Day Parade for HMS Marching Band
• Mon. 5/6 - Fri. 5/10: Teacher Appreciation Week
• Fri. 5/10: District Visual Arts Show @ 5:30 - 7:30 pm
• Mon. 5/13: HSD School Board Work Session @ 6 pm via Zoom
• Tues. 5/14 & Wed. 5/15 Salmon Release Field Trips
• Wed. 5/15: PWT Talent Show Grades 3-8 @ 6 - 8pm at HHS
• Thu. 5/16: HSD Launch Fair @ 2:30 - 5 pm at HHS
• Sat. 5/18: Hazel Dell Parade for HMS/HHS Marching Bands
• Mon. 5/27: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
• Tue. 5/28: HSD School Board Regular Meeting at HCC @ 6:00 pm & Zoom
• Thu. 5/30: HHS Color Wars
• Thu. 5/30: HHS and HMS Band Concert @ 6pm at HHS MPR
• Fri. 5/31 - Sat. 6/1: Hockinson Fun Days

- Note: SBA Testing: May 6-31 (HMS and HHS) May 20-24 (HHES)

- Save the date: Fri. 6/7 HHS Graduation @ 6:30 pm

- HHS Spring Sports Schedule available HERE

Email: justine.hanrahan@hocksd.org
Website: https://www.hocksd.org/
Location: 17912 NE 159th St, Brush Prairie, WA 98606, USA
Phone: (360) 448-6400