JH/HS Principal Newsletter

The month of January is now in our rear view mirror and from my standpoint the month absolutely flew by! I want to thank all stakeholders for their patience and understanding this month as we worked to navigate winter weather in the state of Nebraska! We work hard to balance the need to keep kids in school with the need for keeping students and families safe in the winter. We are not out of the woods yet in regards to winter weather, but thank you again for working with us through this time!

As always, I want to highlight a couple of items I included in the newsletter this month. First off, we have another busy month with Panther Activities!! Please take a look and come out and support our Panther students as they compete. Second, there are a couple of important reminders for the Class of 2024. Finally, I have included a couple of items to make note of as we transition into the spring months!

Finally, please know that all stakeholders are here for ALL students to be successful. If there are any questions or concerns you have, please feel free to reach out to the staff and administration here at Hershey Jr/Sr High School and we will be more than happy to help make sure ALL students are successful and have a great experience here at Hershey!

We are continuing to be intentional on making sure that each week we are touching base with our initiative for the 23-24 school year, PANTHER MOJO. MOJO stands for the following:

Meaningful Engagement

cOmmon Expectations

Joy in Learning

Opportunities for Growth

As a staff this past month we have talked about the importance of Meaningful Engagement as a PK-12 staff. For us, this includes the following: Classroom = 1) Learning Taking Place 2) Connection and Relationships Prioritized 3) Students Voices Heard - - Hallway = 1) Teachers @ Doorways Greeting Students 2) Students Eyes Up 3) Student's to Class on Time

In the coming month we will circle back to the beginning and talk about cOmmon Expectations and practical steps we can take as a staff to build that in our classrooms and in our district!

The first semester has provided us as a K-12 staff to look at the Marzano Educational Framework we have adopted and reflect on what this looks like in our classrooms. So far this year we have dove into a number of Marzano elements tied to Rules and Procedures and Engagement Strategies in the classroom. Through the various walk-thrus and evaluations, it has been a pleasure to see these in action in the Hershey classrooms. This coming semester we will focus on Establishing & Maintaining Relationships and Using Questions to Elaborate on Content.

CELEBRATION TIME!!! Hershey Public Schools received the Values Driven Award of Excellence from our accreditation organization Cognia this past week! The Values Driven Award of Excellence recognizes institutions who systematically and systemically model Cognia values through their day-to-day efforts to improve outcomes for their students. The entire PK-12 student body along with HPS staff members held a pep rally on Wednesday, January 24th to celebrate this tremendous award!!

The school's commitment to their mission, "Empowering all students to reach their full potential", provides multiple pathways for students to achieve success while providing a caring and supportive environment along the way.

Superintendent Jane Davis stated, “Hershey Public Schools, is committed to doing things to the best of our abilities, dedicating ourselves to constant improvement, and passionately striving to provide our students with the best education possible. We are honored to have an incredible staff, student body, board, and community. It is through the support and teamwork of our Hershey staff that we can genuinely make a significant difference in the lives of our students."

We are excited that Cognia has chosen us for this award through our 2022-2023 school improvement accreditation cycle.

Board Members Amy Wolfskill, Steve Koch, Tim Berntson and Yvette Troyer along with Cognia Regional Director Shannon Vogler are honored at the ESU 15 and 16 board members event on Wednesday, January 24th.

Congratulations to HPS Senior, Ceiden Childears, on being selected as the HPSEF January Student of the Month! Ceiden is a very active member of the Hershey student body. He participates in football, basketball, track & field, band, STUCO, NHS, FBLA, and FFA. Ceiden maintains a 3.978 GPA and is ranked 5th in the class all the while being an active member of the Hershey student body!

Hershey teachers commented that Ceiden "Is a wonderful asset at Hershey and he is extremely helpful in NHS and FBLA, along with the classroom. He is a born leader and we are truly blessed to have Ceiden at Hershey!" Another Panther staff member said that Ceiden "Is very kind to everyone around him and always has a positive attitude!" A final staff member said "Ceiden is consistent in his work habits and preparation for class, is helpful and supportive of others, and he maintains a positive attitude!"

Again, congratulations to Panther Senior, Ceiden Childears, on being selected as the HPSEF January Student of the Month!!!

2.1.24 - V WR @ SPVA Championships (Bridgeport H.S.)

2.1.24 - JV/V GBB & BBB vs Maywood-Hayes Center Wolves (Hershey H.S.)

2.3.24 - Speech @ Gothenburg Invitational (Gothenburg H.S.)

2.3.24 - JV/V GBB & BBB @ Grand Island Central Catholic (G.I.C.C. H.S.)

2.5.24 - JH BBB @ Adams Bulldogs (Adams M.S.)

2.6.24 - JV/V GBB & BBB vs Paxton Tigers (Hershey H.S.)

2.8.24 - JV/V GBB & BBB vs NPSP Irish (Hershey H.S.)

2.9.24 - JH BBB vs Perkins County Plainsmen (Hershey H.S.)

2.10.24 - V WR @ NSAA District Wrestling Tournament (Broken Bow H.S.)

2.10.24 - Speech @ Blue & Gold Speech Invitational (North Platte H.S.)

2.10.24 - Reserve BBB @ Kearney Reserve Invitational (Kearney H.S.)

2.12.24 - V GBB @ C1 Sub-District Basketball Tournament

2.13.24 - V GBB @ C1 Sub-District Basketball Tournament

2.15.24 - V GBB @ C1 Sub-District Basketball Tournament

2.15.24 - V WR @ NSAA State Tournament (Omaha, NE)

2.16.24 - V WR @ NSAA State Tournament (Omaha, NE)

2.16.24 - JV/V BBB vs Holdrege Dusters (Hershey H.S.)

2.17.24 - V WR @ NSAA State Tournament (Omaha, NE)

2.17.24 - Speech @ Ogallala Invitational (Ogallala H.S.)

2.19.24 - NO SCHOOL - Professional Development

2.19.24 - V BBB @ C2 Sub-District Basketball Tournament

2.20.24 - V BBB @ C2 Sub-District Basketball Tournament

2.21.24 - NO SCHOOL - SPVA Speech @ Hershey High School

2,21,24 - Speech @ SPVA Speech Championships (Hershey H.S.)

2.22.24 - V BBB @ C2 Sub-District Basketball Tournament

2.22.24 - MPCC Inter-High Day @ North Platte Community College

2.23.24 - V GBB @ C1 District Final Basketball

2.26.24 - NSAA Spring Sport Practice Begins (9-12)

2.26.24 - V BBB @ C2 District Final Basketball

In order to keep all fans safe and our facilities secure during home Panther events, we ask that parents/guardians have their K-6 students sit with them during the event. We thank you in advance for your help and cooperation with this!

Below are some GREAT tips and reminders shared by our 7-12 guidance counselor, Jolene Pettera!

• Make an appointment with Mrs. Pettera to review credits, career goals, and college plans.
• Continue to make college campus visits!
• Continuing working on scholarships that are posted in the senior room on Thrillshare. New scholarships are posted as they become available.
• Double check to make sure you have ordered your CAP & GOWN through Josten’s
• Fill out college applications. If you have any questions be sure to consult Mrs. Pettera. Submit your application now, along with all necessary forms and application fee.
• Tell Mrs. Pettera where you have applied so transcripts can be sent.
• LAPTOPS with Microsoft Office are available for USE IN the LIBRARY. They cannot be taken/checked out from this area at this time.
• There is a printer for SENIOR USE in the LIBRARY. Please have a library staff member assist you when you need to print.

EducationQuest Foundation, a free non-profit organization is available to help 2024 SENIORS complete and file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will be held at Hershey High School during the day on Wednesday, February 7th. Students/families can schedule appointments starting at 9:00 AM on that day.

Below is the link to the 2023-2024 Student Handbook. This outlines the rules and expectations for students here at Hershey Public Schools! We have covered the following items with the 7-12 student body in a school wide assembly as well as in grade level meetings. Your support and encouragement of our school policies at home goes a long ways in creating a great environment for learning here at HPS!

• Safe/Secure School
• Chromebook Usage
• Cell Phone/Personal Electronic Device Policy
• Academic Eligibility & Good Standing
• Lunch/Open Campus
• Grading: Make-up Work / Late Work
• Dress Code

Here is the link to the complete 2023-2024 Student Handbook: https://www.hpspanthers.org/page/handbooks

The following items need to be turned in to the high school office PRIOR to a student-athlete participating in spring sports practice on Monday, February 26th, 2024!!

The 2024 Hershey Prom will be held on Saturday, March 16th. The evening will start with the Grand March at Hershey High School scheduled to start at 4:30 PM. The event will then transition to Venue 304 in North Platte for the dance portion of the night which will start at 8:00 PM and run to 11:00 PM. Looking forward to celebrating a great tradition with Panther students and their guests. All guest forms must be turned into the main office by Friday, March 8th.

Hershey Junior/Senior High will be holding the final round of testing in the month of April. All 7-10 students will participate in the spring round of NSCAS/MAPS testing to be held the week of April 15th - 19th. Hershey Juniors will participate in taking the ACT test on Wednesday, April 17th. All testing provides critical data for all stakeholders to use in order to make a student's educational experience the best it can be at Hershey! We look forward to the final round of testing this spring at HPS!

Below is the bell schedule for the upcoming school year:

1st Period 8:15-9:03

2nd Period 9:06 - 9:54

3rd Period 9:57 - 10:45

4th Period 10:48 - 11:36

5th Period 11:39 - 12:26

JH Lunch 11:35 - 12:05

JH 5th Period 12:07 - 12:57

SH Lunch 12:26 - 12:55

6th Period 1:00 - 1:48

7th Period 1:51 - 2:39

8th Period 2:42 - 3:42

On Friday School is let out at the end of 7th Period at 2:39 PM.

As district and breakfast menus are updated, they can be found at the following LINK: https://www.myschoolmenus.com/organizations/300

Below are the dates school will not be in session during the remaining school year. Please make every effort to plan trips, vacations, and student absences during this time.

Students and families are encouraged to communicate concerns related to the mistreatment of others. For students, a trusted adult is the recommended point of contact. This can be an administrator, teacher, coach, or other trusted person. This adult will then work with administration to respond promptly and appropriately. Parents/guardians are encouraged to communicate concerns directly with HPS Administration.

The most important part of any school is the safety and well being of the students and staff! Several items exist within schools to support school safety. These include:

• Secured access during the school day. Visitors to school must check-in at the main office after they are allowed access through the office doors. All other doors are to be closed and locked during the course of the school day.

• Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is established. This provides a consistent student and staff response to potential emergencies. More information about SRP can be found at this LINK.

• Minimizing deliveries during the school day. We understand that a parent may wish to deliver food to students for special occasions, and we appreciate this. We discourage this from being a regular occurrence.

• Minimizing student visits to vehicles during the school day. Students that forget a school-related item in their vehicles may check-in at the main office before they are allowed to visit their vehicles.

We appreciate the important part our students, staff, and families play in keeping our school safe. In the quarter of the school year, we have successfully completed one of our two district wide tornado drills, four fire drills, one of our two bus evacuation drills, and one of our SRP drills for the school year! We believe that we want to continue to prepare our students in the case of an emergency so that we are prepared in the case of a true emergency!