JH/HS Principal Newsletter
January 2024
Panther Community!
Happy New Year!! It is amazing to think that we are already in the second semester here at Hershey Public School. It will not be long before we are counting down the days to the end of the school year and celebrating the Class of 2024. The new semester brings a fresh start for us all and it is my hope and expectation that all students, staff, and stakeholders bring their best as we transition into 2024!
Please be aware of a couple of items I included in the newsletter this month. First, I have included some reminders I will be sharing with the student body when classes resume. Please take a look at these so you are in the loop as to the expectations of students here at Hershey. Second, I have included some reminders for the Class of 2024. With the second semester upon us, the clock is ticking for application, scholarships, and graduation requirements. Lastly, I have included the list of activities for the month of January. We have a number of HOME events that you can come to support Panther students this winter!
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!
School Resources
Hershey Panthers Website
SPVA Conference Calendar
Nebraska Schools Activities Association
2023-2024 Bell Schedule
2023-2024 District Calendar
Standard Response Protocol
PANTHERMOJO
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 Opportunities for Growth as a PK-12 staff. For us, this includes the following: Classroom = 1) Learn from Mistakes 2) Student Work Displayed 3) Next Step Ready / Hallway = 1) Safe, Secure Hallways 2) Student Work Displayed 3) Pride in New Facilities.
In the coming month we will circle back to the beginning and talk about Meaningful Engagement and practical steps we can take as a staff to build that in our classrooms and in our district!
Marzano Educational Framework
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.
Junior High Academic Interventions
From a joint effort with the administrative team and junior high team of teachers, we adopted a Junior High Academic Intervention plan to help students get off the down list and pass classes. These interventions were implemented at the start of the second quarter and were designed to help the student identify why they are failing a class, what supports are around him/her to improve their grade, and what assignments can be turned in to improve their grade. These interventions took place during the lunch hour and over the course of the second quarter we saw a reduction in both the number of failing student grades and the number of students on the Down List!! We will look to continue this intervention during the second semester for our junior high students.
November HPSEF Student of the Month
Congratulations to HPS Senior, Adrienna Quiroga, on being selected as the HPSEF November Student of the Month!
Adrienna is a very active member of the Panther student body. She participates in cheer, softball, NHS, FBLA, Dazzlers, Teammates, and was nominated the 2023 Hershey Homecoming Queen. She maintains a 3.738 GPA while being an active member of the Hershey student body!
Hershey teachers commented that Adrienna "Works hard in all her extracurricular activities, she is pleasant to speak with and has a kind heart." Another Panther staff member said that "Adrienna is very friendly. She is involved in lots of activities and gives it her all in everything she is involved with!"
Again, congratulations to Panther Senior, Adrienna Quiroga, on being selected as the HPSEF November Student of the Month!!!
January Panther Activities
1.4.24 - JH Girls & Boys Basketball vs Sutherland Junior High (Hershey H.S.)
1.4.24 - JV Wrestling @ Gothenburg Invite (Gothenburg H.S.)
1.5.24 - JV/V Girls & Boys Basketball vs Maxwell High School (Hershey H.S.)
1.6.24 - Speech @ Chase County Invite (Chase County H.S.)
1.6.24 - V Wrestling @ Central City Invite (Central City H.S.)
1.8.24 to 1.12.24 - Junior High Winter MAPS Testing
1.8.24 - JH Girls & Boys Basketball vs NPSP Middle School (Hershey H.S.)
1.9.24 - Reserve Boys Basketball @ Sutherland High School (Sutherland H.S.)
1.11.24 - V Wrestling vs NPSP & Sutherland Triangular (Hershey H.S.)
1.12.24 - JV/V Girls & Boys Basketball @ Valentine High School (Valentine H.S.)
1.13.24 - FFA @ District CDE (D & N Events Center)
1.13.24 - Speech @ Wallace Invite (Wallace H.S.)
1.13.24 - V Wrestling @ Chase County Invite (Chase County H.S.)
1.13.24 - JV/V Girls Basketball vs Holdrege High School (Hershey H.S.)
1.15.24 - NO SCHOOL - STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
1.15.24 - Speech @ Words Have Power Invitational (North Platte H.S.)
1.15.24 - V Girls Basketball @ SPVA Quarterfinals (TBD)
1.16.24 - V Boys Basketball @ SPVA Quarterfinals (TBD)
1.18.24 - V Girls Basketball @ SPVA Semifinals (NPCC)
1.18.24 - V Wrestling @ Blue Hill High School (Blue Hill H.S.)
1.19.24 - V Boys Basketball @ SPVA Semifinals (NPCC)
1.19.24 - V Wrestling @ David City Invite (David City H.S.)
1.20.24 - V Girls & Boys Basketball @ SPVA Finals (NPCC)
1.20.24 - Speech @ Broken Bow Invite (Broken Bow H.S.)
1.20.24 - JH Boys Basketball @ Ogallala Middle School (Prairie View M.S.)
1.22.24 - JH Girls & Boys Basketball @ NPSP Tournament (NPSP H.S.)
1.23.24 - JH Girls Basketball @ Garden County Junior High (Garden County H.S.)
1.24.24 - JH Boys Basketball @ Broken Bow Junior HIgh (Broken Bow H.S.)
1.26.24 - V Wrestling @ Ord Invitational (Ord High School)
1.26.24 - JV/V Girls & Boys Basketball @ Bridgeport High School (Bridgeport H.S.)
1.27.24 - Speech @ Perkins County Invite (Perkins County H.S.)
1.27.24 - R/JV/V Girls & Boys Basketball @ Chase County H.S. (Chase County H.S.)
1.29.24 - JH Girls & Boys Basketball @ Chase County J.H. (Chase County H.S.)
1.29.24 - Reserve Boys Basketball vs McCook High School (Hershey H.S.)
1.30.24 - JH Honor Band & Choir @ SPVA Competition (Bridgeport H.S.)
1.30.24 - JV/V Girls & Boys Basketball @ Kearney Catholic (Kearney Catholic H.S.)
1.31.24 - JV/V Girls & Boys Basketball vs Maywood-Hays Center (Hershey H.S.)
K-12 Students at Panther Activities
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!
Hershey Panther Senior Tips & Reminders
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.
There is a printer for SENIOR USE in the LIBRARY. Please have a library staff member assist you when you need to print.
LAPTOPS with Microsoft Office are available for USE IN the LIBRARY. They cannot be taken/checked out from this area at this time.
Tell Mrs. Pettera where you have applied so transcripts can be sent.
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.
Hershey Public Schools will host a FAFSA night in partnership with EducationQuest out of Kearney. We will post a date/time/location once the FAFSA window opens in late December. It will be a JANUARY/FEBRUARY DATE.
If you have not purchased your cap, and gown online through Josten's please do that ASAP.
Continuing working on scholarships that are posted in the senior room. New scholarships are posted as they become available.
Make college campus visits!
School Policy Information & Reminders
- 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
STUCO Canned Food Drive
Panther Nation doubled the goal that was set for the 2023 annual food drive! A total of 10,015 points of canned and/or packaged food was collected today, which crushed the original 4,000 point goal that was set at the beginning of the drive. The Hershey Student Council organized the event. Elementary classes were paired with 7-12 classes to donate food items to go to the Hershey/Sutherland Food Pantry. The partnership between the senior class and the 5/6 classrooms won the competition collecting 2606 points! Special thanks to the STUCO representatives for organizing, collecting and distributing this food to the local food pantry!
Semester Two Reminders
The following are reminder that will be shared with the 7-12 student body when classes resume session on January 4th:
- JH/HS Bathrooms - North Hallway & Commons Only
- All Schedule Changes Made on January 4th
- No Trays to Leave Cafeteria - No Lunch in the Library
- Updated Tardy Policy
- 5 Tardies - 30 Minute Detention
- 10 Tardies - 60 Minute Detention
- 15 Tardies - 1 Day ISS
- 20 Tardies - 2 Days ISS
2023 Fall NCPA Award Winners
Panther Off-Season S & C Opportunities
All 7-12 Students NOT out for a winter sport are encouraged to take part in Panther Off-Season S&C sessions here at Hershey High School!!! Daily sessions will focus on strength, range of motion, core stability, and plyometric explosiveness. Sessions will run from 3:50 - 4:30 PM Monday-Thursday in the Panther Weight Room. Remember, students and parents....Success is EARNED - Success is not GIVEN!!! For more information, contact Mr. Keith Lloyd (HS Math / Head Boys Track & Field).
2023-2024 Hershey 7-12 Bell Schedule
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.
HPS Breakfast & Lunch Menus
School Not in Session Dates
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.
Bullying/Harassment Concerns
Panther School Safety
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!