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HDHS Hillcat Newsletter

June 16, 2025

HDHS Hillcat Newsletter June 16, 2025
HDHS HillcatNewsletterJune 16, 2025

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 2025 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 Upcoming Events

Summer School Credit Recovery- July 15 - August 7, 2025

  • 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.

Class of 2025 Class of 2025

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Senior Walk

Seniors did their annual walk around campus and through the buildings on Wednesday, June 4th. Students around campus honored the graduates with cheers, smiles, signs, special shirts and chants.

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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.

Athletic Department News and Special Events Athletic Department News and Special Events

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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

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Torch Run

On June 5th, members of the Boys Soccer Program 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 players ensured that there was always a team member on the road, braving the heat and low air quality, to represent their school and program while supporting such a meaningful cause. Alex Crowe, Ryan Shortt, Gavin Miller, Sean Healey, Jacob Ellis, Braden Savoy, Rylan Michael, Kirian Robbins, Trevor Mays, Aaron Olawuyi, Brody Hoegen, Jackson Prentiss, Jayden Brimmer, Jaime Cooper, and Chris Perrin represented the Hillcats for this endeavor!

Attention Hillcats and Families! Attention Hillcats and Families!

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Grecian Odyssey

Dear families,

We’re thrilled to be seeing you Tuesday for our Grecian Odyssey tour informational session! This is an incredible opportunity for students to explore new places, experience different cultures, and gain lifelong skills like independence and confidence. We’ll be sharing all the details, including what we’ll see and do, hands-on learning activities, academic opportunities, trip costs, and how to secure a spot at our informational meeting.

Meeting details:

Date: June 17

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: Hillsboro-Deering High School

Know anyone else who might be interested? Forward this link:

RSVP here to join us: https://bit.ly/4jgFqHh

We’ll be re-opening enrollment during the meeting—spots are limited, and we would love to help you secure this experience for your child.

In the meantime, please visit EF’s website to get answers to common parent questions. EF Tours is our trusted travel partner, and they have 60 years of experience helping students explore the world safely and affordably.
We will see you there and look forward to sharing how this trip can be a powerful and unforgettable chapter in your child’s life!

Best,

Jeramy Thompson

Michelle Prentiss

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HDHS Surpasses State Average in NH SAS Science Scores!

For the second year in a row, HDHS has achieved over 50% passing student scores on the NH SAS Science assessment—well above the statewide average of 36% for Grade 11. Last year, our school reached a 50% passing rate, a 15% increase from the previous year. This year, we’ve raised the bar even higher, with 53% of our students achieving passing marks.

Even more impressive, this year the entire grade averaged a score of 1153—meeting the passing benchmark of Level 3!

This outstanding accomplishment highlights the dedication of our staff and the hard work of our students. Congratulations to everyone involved—HDHS continues to set the standard for science achievement in New Hampshire!

From the Counseling Center

Student schedules for the 25-26 school year will be available through the student and parent/guardian PowerSchool portals over the summer. Future communication will be provided regarding how to access schedules and when they will be officially released. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your school counselor.

Teachers Staying Active!

Jumpstart your mornings with staff basketball! Every school day from 6:10 to 7:00 a.m., colleagues from all content areas gather in the gym for friendly games, lots of laughs, and a solid workout. It’s the perfect way to energize, connect with coworkers, and head into the school day in a great mood. No experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm! Join us and set a positive tone for the day ahead. See you on the court!

What's Happening in the Classrooms of HDHS? What's Happening in the Classrooms of HDHS?

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2D Art

Mrs. Gehrig's Graphic Design class created animation sequences using the Ipad app. Procreate. Students enjoyed this process and created some impressive work!

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Board Games for Health and Wellness

Students researched various drugs and drug categories in health class. They had to put their research into a game and be sure their game allowed scenarios to execute life skills such as refusal skills and decision-making processes. The students had the opportunity to play the games their peers created, and learn about the research done by others!

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Gardening!!

Our students have decided to try their hand at growing pumpkins! We collaborated with the Farm to Food program here at the High School using the new greenhouse. Our students decided on pumpkins because they are hoping to watch them grow over the summer and then use them as fall decorations when they come back in the fall. If they are able to grow enough, they hope to sell some as a fundraiser for their program. This project is a new experience as a class. We had to create mounds of dirt for the plants to be placed in, centering the plants in the middle of the mounds, re-covering the plants with dirt and then placing some bark mulch on the mounds. These tasks help us learn hand eye coordination, negotiating a wheelbarrow, learning the different textures that come with gardening and patience. Over the summer we will be learning about graphing as we chart the growth of our pumpkins. We can’t wait to show you what we have grown in the next newsletter once we come back to school!

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Staff Fun!

Jumpstart your mornings with staff basketball! Every school day from 6:10 to 7:00 a.m., colleagues from all content areas gather in the gym for friendly games, lots of laughs, and a solid workout. It’s the perfect way to energize, connect with coworkers, and head into the school day in a great mood. No experience needed—just bring your enthusiasm! Join us and set a positive tone for the day ahead. See you on the court!

Jim O'Rourke
Jim is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters
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