Homer High-Lights
Volume 2, Issue 8, March 2014
Message from the Principal
Be Ready to Help Your Child Finish the Year Strong!
I love this time of year. Spring sports are starting soon, it is getting lighter outside and we have only one week till Spring Break! This time of year reminds me of why I enjoy Homer.
It is also the time of year when some students lose focus on school. As a parent, make sure you pay close attention to your student's grades on PowerSchool and that they are bringing homework home. It is easy to get behind and hard to catch up later. I don't have any research as to why students get behind this time of year. I think it is a combination of the long winter, being in school for close to 6 months and wanting to be able to spend more time outdoors. Whatever the reason, we want to make sure our students are successful and don't fall into the March Blues.
It is also that time of year when we start to gear up for Alaska State testing or the SBA and HSGQE tests. This is a big deal for Homer High School because we want everyone in the state to know how talented and hardworking our students and staff are. This year SBA testing will be held on April 1st - 3rd. Please help us by making sure your child is at school and well rested on these dates.
Remember, my office is always open and I appreciate hearing your opinions or suggestions. I am making it my goal to be more responsive to what our parents and community want and need. Please give me a call or come in and chat.
Sincerely,
Douglas Waclawski
Principal
Wednesday Evening Parent Teacher Conferences Were a Success!
Good conversation at our Informal Parent Teacher Conference
Teachers get ready for conferences
The Jazz Band entertained the crowd
Dates To Remember
March 7 - End of the Quarter
March 7 - No School
March 10 - Spring Sports Start
March 10-14 - No School - Spring Break
March 17 Grade Check
April 1-3 - SBA and HSQE Testing
April 8 - Site Council Meeting (No Meeting in March)
Award-Winning Students
Homer High students have always excelled in both academics and sports. This year, they seem to be doing even better than usual. It is early in the year, but HHS is already racking up the awards. Here is a small slice of the honors our students have earned. My apologies if I have missed someone. Please let me know if a student has earned an award so I can include them in future newsletters.
John Walsworth - Youth Senate Member; Presidential Scholarship Finalist; accepted a placement in the US Air Force Academy
Zoe Story - Earned a $3000 KTUU volunteering scholarship
John Sarmiento - Won the 2014 regional Poetry Out Loud Contest
Katherine Dolma - Earned the Prudential Spirit of Youth Scholarship for Alaska
Molly Mitchell- Won HCOA writing contest
Sierra Wylde - Pratt Museum Volunteer of the Year
Melanie Mastolier - Won the KPBSD Welding competition
Sports
Kaec Brinster - State Dive Champion
Jadzia Martin - Regional Wrestling Champion
Megan Pitzman - Regional Cross Country Champion
We want to be able to give you instant up-to-date information about what is going on at school. This could include emergencies, sports scores and dates and times of events. To stay tuned to what is going on at Homer High, "like" us on Facebook. The address is www.facebook.com/homerhs.
Basketball Senior Night Was a Fun for All!
Check Out Our Website
Are you wondering when sports teams have home games? Do you have a senior who needs paperwork for their senior service project ? Do you want to see agendas and minutes from our site council meetings? Check out our school website to find answers to these and other questions.
The address is http://homerhighschool.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/.
You can access PowerSchool from our website and weekly activities as well. There are lots of great links and valuable information about Homer High School. If you have suggestions for things you would like to see on our website, please talk to Mr. Waclawski.
Website Link of The Month
This months School Website Page of the month is Schedule Star. This link can be found on the right side of our website listed as "HHS Events Calendar or under the "Calendars and News" on the menu bar. All events at the school including sports, co-curricular and Community Recreation are posted on this site. Here is the address to our school website: http://homerhighschool.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/.
This site isn't the most user friendly, but it does provide good information. Once you get to the website you will have to scroll down the page to get to the calendar. Also, the date on our webpage is stuck to 2012! Don't worry, all you have to do is click the "Back To Today" link under the date and the current calendar will come up. (This is circled in green in the picture above) Once you have the proper date it is easy to sort by sport or event. (This is circled in red in the picture above)
Lady Mariners win the Winter Carnival Basketball Tournament.
Student of the Month
Congratulations to Mook for earning Homer High School, Homer McDonald's Student of the Month.
Waricha Thoechanthuek, better known as Mook, moved from Bangkok, Thailand to Homer, Alaska mid-way through her sophomore year. After getting over culture shock, and adjusting to the... Homer weather, Mook began to impress everyone with her hard work, sense of humor and generosity.
A non-native English speaker, Mook immediately began working hard to improve her English Language Skills. With dedication, Mook methodically worked through the Language Arts curriculum and took advantage of every opportunity at Homer High. She has some work left to do, but is now on the cusp of graduating from Homer High School. Her hard work is also evident in her employment. Mook spends her summers working at her mother’s restaurant, Vida’s Thai Food. In addition to work and school, Mook is a member of the Homer High School’s cheer squad because as she says, “I just love to perform.” Her love of performance is also evident in one way that she chooses to give back to the community: Mook regularly plays the Thai Fiddle and Dulcimer at the Homer Senior Center.
Mook’s variety of interests and passions carries through to her plans for after graduation. Mook’s dream would be to attend the University of Hawaii to study Chinese (as if fluency in English and Thai weren’t enough). In addition to her interest in Linguistics, Mook is considering Culinary School or Beauty school in order to pursue a career in the Hospitality Industry.
Homer High School
Website: http://homerhighschool.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/
Location: 600 E Fairview Ave, Homer, AK
Phone: 907-235-4600
Facebook: www.facebook.com/homerhs