THE HATTER UPDATE

REFRAME . REFOCUS . REBUILD.

This week we spent significant time working with students and staff in large groups, small focus groups, and intimate conversation groups about the events of last week, the current culture, and getting back to basics. We discussed some of the basic expectations, the reframing of guidelines, varying approaches to discipline, and increased communication. We communicated those expectations to students, staff, and families yesterday via email. We are excited about next week and an opportunity to continue to reframe, refocus and rebuild, as we head into the Thanksgiving break.

CONGRATULATIONS INDUCTEES

Special congratulations to the 55 students in the Class of 2022 who were inducted into the National Honor Society this past Wednesday evening. These students have met the national criteria for induction which includes their commitment to scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

PEP RALLY

Next Wednesday, November 24th, we will have our annual fall pep rally, which occurs on the half-day prior to Thanksgiving. The pep rally will now be a full pep rally for grades 9-12. We are certainly aware there are some students who may not comfortable in a pep rally-style environment. As a result, we have specific locations that students can go to instead of the pep rally until the 11:50 am dismissal, the pep rally will be streamed live to those classroom areas.

SPIRIT WEEK CONTINUES

Monday - 11/22: Pajama Day

Tuesday - 11/23: Decades Day

Wednesday - 11/24: RED & BLACK (Hatter Pride)

GUEST NETWORK ACCESS

We will be re-establishing the guest wi-fi network next week (Monday, November 22). The network reinstallment will remove access to social media sites that include Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. It is critical that parents/guardians have conversations with their high school children regarding the use of mobile devices and the negative impact they have in classes during academic periods and the social media impact in a learning environment. The concerns regarding declining student engagement in class due to cell phones have increased significantly. The guest wi-fi network that connects with student mobile devices is a privilege that many other high schools around us do not have (i.e., Wissahickon, Springfield, Jenkintown, Upper Merion, Abington, Lower Merion, Harriton, Spring-Ford, and others). It is also important to note that it is a violation of the district Acceptable Use Policy to bypass the district’s content filter (i.e. VPN, or proxy connections), which poses significant security issues. There were modifications made to district systems to curtail access to these methods of bypassing the district content filter. We appreciate your support in assisting us in communicating this message.