HAST Families Happenings

Welcome Back, HAST Families!

We are so excited to welcome everyone back for the 2026–2027 school year! It has been wonderful seeing so many of our new students and families this week, and we are looking forward to having everyone back in the building.

Just a reminder that Back-to-School Night is Monday from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Meet your child’s teachers and visit their classrooms.
• Connect with HAST staff and resources that will be available throughout the evening.
• Purchase HAST uniform T-shirts for $12. This year, HAST has purchased and will keep T-shirts in stock throughout the school year to help our families save on shipping costs. Please try to bring exact cash if possible. It makes the lines go faster:)
• Polos, hoodies, and other uniform items will continue to be available through our uniform vendor on the HAST website. https://hast.checkoutstores.com/campaigns/hast/categories/apparel

As we begin the year, please make sure to read our weekly S’more. This is where we will share important school information, upcoming events, reminders, athletics, community resources, and everything you need to know about what is happening at HAST.

We are so happy you are here and so excited about the year ahead. Thank you for being part of the HAST family. We can’t wait to see everyone Monday evening!

Warmly,
Dr. Snedden
Superintendent, HAST

We are excited to welcome our HAST families back to the building for Back to School Night on Monday, August 10, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

This is a great opportunity to meet our staff and teachers, visit your child’s learning area, ask questions, and get ready for a fantastic start to the 2026–2027 school year.

A few important updates for the evening:

• High school students will receive a printed copy of their schedule and can pick up their iPad and locker assignment.
• Middle school students do not need to worry about navigating a full schedule on the first day. They will report to their grade-level pods, and teachers will help guide them through the new block schedule.
• Student schedules will also be available in PowerSchool on August 10.
• Be sure to stop by the gym to visit our support staff and purchase HAST T-shirts.
• We know there are a lot of changes as we begin our new block schedule, and we appreciate everyone's patience as we make final adjustments.

Most importantly, come say hello! We cannot wait to see our returning families and welcome our new Hawks. The energy at HAST is already building, and we are looking forward to a wonderful year together! 🖤💛

As we begin our new block schedule, we know there may be a few questions as students and families adjust to the change. We appreciate your patience as we finalize schedules and prepare for a smooth start to the year.

• Middle School: On the first day of school, 6th-grade students should report to their grade-level pod, while 7th- and 8th-grade students should report to the cafeteria. Teachers will welcome students and provide directions for the day.
• High School: Students will receive a printed copy of their schedule at Back-to-School Night.

All student schedules will also be available in PowerSchool on August 10.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we make this transition. We are excited about the opportunities the block schedule will provide for deeper learning, student engagement, and additional support.

Hammond Academy of Science and Technology is pleased to share that the Indiana State Board of Education has approved three additional Virtual Learning Days for the 2026–2027 school year. On these days, students will participate in asynchronous learning by completing teacher-assigned work from home.

Please review the updated school calendar below. Additional information about Virtual Learning Day expectations will be shared before the first scheduled day.

• August 10, 2026 BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT 5:00-7:00
• August 12, 2026 First Day of School
• August 13, 2026 Picture Day
• Sept. 7, 2026 No School Labor Day
• Sept. 16, 2026 Virtual Learning Day -

HAST Fine Arts students Nora Lopez, Laura Gawron, and Taylor Vanderwall, along with Mrs. Hartz, Mr. and Mrs. Lopez, and Mr. Vanderwall, recently volunteered their time to help clean and organize at the Genesius Guild in Hammond as a service project.

The Genesius Guild has been in its longtime home inside a church on Hohman Avenue since 1982, but the theater has been asked to vacate the building by September 6 as the property changes ownership.

We are so proud of our students and staff for stepping up to help this longtime Hammond arts organization during an important transition. This is a wonderful example of HAST students giving back and supporting our community!

Please join us in welcoming our newest staff members to the HAST team! We are excited to have them with us and look forward to all they will bring to our students and school community. Over the next few weeks, we will be featuring our new staff members so you can get to know each of them a little better. In the meantime, be sure to say hello and help them feel at home at HAST!

Connor Watson: 6th Grade Science / Jalen Hutton: 8th Grade Instructional Aide / Isabella Lowery: 6th Grade Global Studies / Una Conely: 7th Grade Math / Brian Brown: School Security Officer / Samantha Erler: 12th Grade ELA / Isabel Galvez: Multilingual Teacher / Ana Reyes Macias: Multilingual Instructional Aide / Tabitha Pappas: 10th Grade ELA

Communication at HAST

• We share weekly s'more newsletters
• Daily posts on social media and ParentSquare, along with our website. Click here for Parent Square information.
• Access to PowerSchool on attendance and current grades. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mofdzz59VY3PqZBebrQXFDtlvInSOpl2/view?usp=sharing

Dear Students and Families,

I hope you have had a safe and enjoyable summer. As we prepare to begin a new school year, I want to take a moment to welcome everyone back to Hammond Academy of Science and Technology. I am excited to work alongside our students, families, and staff to make this a successful year.

At HAST, we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and positive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. We ask for your partnership in reviewing the Student Handbook, including expectations for attendance, behavior, dress code, and cell phone use. Starting the year with a clear understanding of these expectations will help ensure a smooth transition back to school.

As your Dean of Students, my goal is to support every student both academically and personally while fostering a culture of respect, responsibility, and accountability. If challenges arise, we will work together to find solutions that keep students focused on their success.

We look forward to welcoming students back and making this school year one filled with growth, achievement, and school pride. If you have any questions or need assistance before the first day of school, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Have a great rest of your summer, and we'll see you soon!

Respectfully ,

Dean of Students / Athletic Director

Hammond Academy of Science & Technology

NEW THIS YEAR:

For High School students, they will attend their scheduled classes for both A Days & B Days (Wednesday & Thursday). If they request to drop a course, they will need to submit a Request to Drop Course form that they can get from the Guidance Office, which will need to be signed by the student, parent, and teacher. If the course is an Advanced Placement or Dual Credit course, those forms will also need to be signed off by Dr. Snedden or Ms. Mis. Students can pick up those forms in the Guidance Office & must submit them by Monday, August 15th. No exceptions.

Please note: Just because a student submits a Drop Course Form DOES NOT mean the request will be granted.

I hope everyone had a restful summer and is ready for a wonderful 2026–2027 school year! I am excited to welcome our students back and look forward to supporting them throughout the year.

• I will continue to offer in-school, solution-focused counseling support for students. These sessions can help students manage everyday stress, strengthen communication and conflict-resolution skills, build positive coping strategies, and support academic success.
• If you would like more information about counseling or other student support services available at HAST, please feel free to contact me or stop by the Resource Table during Back to School Night. We are happy to help connect families with the supports they may need.

Section 504 Plans

• If your child had a Section 504 Plan at HAST last year, I will be reaching out to families to schedule annual review and update meetings.
• If your child is new to HAST and had a 504 Plan at their previous school, please contact me so we can review the plan and make any necessary updates for this school year.

Please Complete the Alternative Household Income Form is also known as Free and Reduced Forms

• We strongly encourage all HAST families to complete the Alternative Household Income Form, even if you do not think your family will qualify.
• There is no charge to complete the form, regardless of your income, and the information can help determine eligibility for benefits or reduced costs associated with school programs and student fees.
• Forms are also available in Spanish, and HAST staff are happy to help families complete the form or answer questions. Please do not hesitate to ask for assistance—we want to make sure every family understands the information being requested and has access to the resources available to them.

Language & Translation Support

• As our HAST community continues to grow, we are also working to strengthen translation and language support for our multilingual families. If you need information translated, assistance understanding school forms or communication, or additional language support, please let us know.

Our goal is for every family to feel informed, welcomed, and connected to HAST.

Lisa James
School Social Worker / Section 504 Coordinator
📧 ljames@hammondacademy.org
📞 219-852-0500 ext. 129

We look forward to a great year together!

We are excited to continue growing PATH — Parents and Teachers of HAST, our version of a PTO!

PATH is a wonderful way for families and staff to get involved, support our students, help with school events, share ideas, and strengthen our HAST community. Whether you have a lot of time to give or can only help occasionally, we would love to have you involved.

Our school is stronger when families and staff work together. Please consider joining PATH and helping us make this a great year for our students!

Get involved. Get connected. Be part of PATH!

Volunteers

• Any parents who wish to volunteer this school year MUST have a background check done. These are required yearly.
• Please don't hesitate to contact Mrs. Rimkus at the business office with questions. erimkus@hammondacademy.org

Parents of Seniors

• We are asking all families to complete an application as it may help your student qualify for reduced /waiver of other fees.
• An application was sent to the home address on file the week of 7/15 in a purple envelope.
• Please be sure to complete the application and return it to the business office at HAST.

School Fees

• The only fees assessed will be the same as last year: $19.75 for annual iPad insurance.
• This fee will be posted to the student’s PowerSchool account in August.

• Outstanding school fees from last year (unpaid) will be turned over for collection.
• The business office has made every attempt to collect the old balances with our families.
• Per our board-approved bad debt policy, balances will be written off and turned over to a collections agency if no attempt has been made to pay them off.
• If you are on a payment plan, you will not be turned over to collections.

Food Service:

• If your child requires modification to their school meals because of a medical issue, you must complete this form and return it to the school nurse.
• Don't forget breakfast! Start your school day with breakfast and be ready to learn!
• HAST will remain on the CEP Program—school-wide free breakfast and lunch for all students. Each student is offered one free breakfast and one free lunch.

• HAST will sell Domino Pizza slices on Fridays during school.
• Pizza slices will be $2 each. Snack items will also be available for sale.

HAST Families—Your Response Matters!

• Please complete the Alternative Household Application for Free and Reduced Eligibility. The information collected helps HAST determine eligibility and secure funding for programs and resources that support our students.
• Families only need to complete one application in their preferred language and return it to HAST. Applications can be found on the HAST website or by following the link below.

Thank you for helping us continue to provide valuable opportunities for our students!

https://hammondacademy.org/lunch-applications/

To help ensure a healthy start to the school year, please review the important health requirements below. Staying up to date on physicals, immunizations, and required medical forms will help your child begin the school year ready to learn. If you have any questions, please contact our school nurse. 🖤💛

Welcome back! We hope that all of our students and families had a wonderful summer vacation. We can’t wait to see all of you and begin working with you as we begin this new school year.

The Office of Special Programs is here to help connect families with resources and services that support student success. Our department includes:

• Special Education – Supporting students with individualized learning needs (IEPs) and ensuring they have access to the services and supports they need to thrive.

• Multilingual Department – Supporting multilingual learners (WIDA/LDP) and helping students and families feel welcomed, connected, and successful in our schools.

• Title I (Whole School) – Providing additional academic support and resources to help students reach their learning goals.

First Week Reminders

As we settle into the new school year, here are a few helpful reminders:

• Make sure your student knows their daily schedule.

• Check your school’s communication platforms (ParentSquare, Email, Facebook, and Instagram) regularly for important updates and announcements.

• Review any forms, permissions, or beginning-of-year paperwork that may need to be completed.

• Encourage your students to ask questions and reach out to their teachers or school staff when they need support.

• If your child receives special education or multilingual services, please reach out to your school team with any questions about their support.

Save the Date!

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

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

• Grade 6 Supply List Team Lead: Carl Dunlap cdunlap@hammondacademy.org
• Grade 7 Supply List Team Lead: Alyssa Medina amedina@hammondacademy.org
• Grade 8 Supply List Team Lead: Jason Meyer jmeyer@hammondacademy.org
• High School Supply List

Visit the HAST website for important back-to-school information, including:

• School Supply Lists

• School Calendar

• Order Uniforms

• Health Resources

• 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.