HBHS Back to School Newsletter
August 2021
Message from Dr. Griep
Wildcats and Families,
I hope that you and your family have enjoyed a wonderful summer. I am looking forward to beginning the 2021 school year. I am thankful for the opportunity for our students to return to school full time.
Over the summer, our staff has been working diligently to plan for a smooth beginning to the school year. We have worked with our custodial staff to plan for thorough cleaning when staff and students return. Our staff is committed to the well being of all students and the delivery of instruction that will inspire and prepare our students for a successful future.
In July, our district released updated mission/vision statements. They reflect our district’s commitment to each student and their education. The statements are listed below.
Although Har-Ber High is a large, comprehensive school, I want each student to feel connected to the Wildcat family. As a parent, please encourage your student to find a way to be connected to our school. Encourage your student to search for opportunities to explore personal interests. Whether it be through a new club, the arts, a challenging class, or through student leadership opportunities, there is a place for all students at Har-Ber.
Thank you for trusting our team to educate and to care for your students. It is a responsibility that we all take seriously. Please let me know if I can do anything to help you or your family as we begin the 2021-22 school year.
Thanks,
Paul Griep
Principal
Springdale Schools Mission / Vision Statements (Released July 2021)
Mission Statement
Pursuing educational excellence, Springdale Public Schools ensures a safe and inclusive environment empowering a community of learners.
Vision Statement
Springdale Public Schools provides personalized, innovative, and culturally diverse learning opportunities to launch each student to a successful life pursuit.
Important Dates to Remember
August 4-5 New Student Registration (by Appointment)
August 11 10th Graders @ HBHS - Suggested times:
3:30- 4:30: Last Names A-G
4:30- 5:30: Last Names H-M
5:30- 6:30: Last Names N-R
6:30- 7:30: Last Names S-Z
Schedule Pickup (in the Rotunda)
ID Pickup (in the Rotunda)
Chromebook Pickup (in the Cafeteria)
Meet your Advisor
Club Fair
Food Trucks
Self Guided Tour
August 12 11th Graders @ HBHS - Suggested Pickup Times:
A-G (Last Name) - 8:30-10:30
H-O - 10:30-12:30
P-Z - 1:30-3:30
Schedule Pickup (in the Rotunda)
ID Pickup (in the Rotunda)
Chromebook Pickup (in the Cafeteria)
Self Guided Tour
August 13 12th Graders @ HBHS - Suggested Pickup Times:
A-G (Last Name) - 8:30-10:30
H-O - 10:30-12:30
P-Z - 1:30-3:30
Schedule Pickup (in the Rotunda)
ID Pickup (in the Rotunda)
Chromebook Pickup (in the Cafeteria)
Self Guided Tour
August 16 1st Day of School - Report to Advisory
Sept. 1 Fall Pictures - Sophomores and Juniors
Sept. 17 Homecoming
Oct. 20 Make-up Pictures - Sophomores and Juniors
Important Notes about Schedule Pickup
We realize that families have summer plans that may conflict with the August 11-13 schedule pickup. If so, you may do the following:
Beginning August 11, schedules will be available in HAC. You may go online and view the schedule.
On August 16, all students will report to Advisory. The class is listed in HAC and it will be posted in the Rotunda. In Advisory, printed schedules and IDs will be distributed.
Beginning on the first day of school, Chromebooks will be distributed. We will call students to the Tech Office alphabetically to hand out the devices.
If your student has an error on his/her schedule, it will be corrected through Advisory on the first day of school. Our Counselors will visit with your student about the request and make changes if an error occurs. Please note that we cannot adjust schedules to make accommodations for lunch with friends, to have a specific teacher, etc.
Attendance Policy
Over the past school year, Har-Ber High School operated under waivers provided by the Arkansas Department of Education. One of the waivers provided flexibility to the traditional attendance policy. In the 2021-22 school year, Har-Ber High School will observe the policy outlined by the Springdale School District. It is important to understand and follow the policy so credit is not lost. A summary of this policy is below.
Excessive Absences:
Nine (9) or more absences in a semester will be considered excessive.
Students who accumulate more than eight (8) absences in a class for the semester will not be eligible for credit in that class.
Denial of credit may affect promotion and/or graduation of the individual student.
The following classification of absences will not count toward the eight (8) day limit in which credit for the course or promotion will be denied.
Campus Activity: School sponsored field trips, assemblies, contests, or any other school activity as determined by the building principal.
Medical: Student absences due to the directive of the student’s medical doctor/dental appointments. Doctor/Dental appointments must indicate the day and time the student was seen in the doctor/dental office. Appropriate documentation from doctor/dental office
must be submitted to the attendance office.
Military: Student absences due to military deployment on leave from active duty of a parent or legal guardian.
Legal: Student absences due to court or legal appointments. Court/legal appointments must indicate the day and time the student was seen at court or at the attorney’s office. Appropriate documentation from the court/legal office must be submitted to the attendance office.
Remote Learning
Last year, students were able to learn remotely and avoid being counted absent from school. This was an option provided by a waiver through the Arkansas Department of Education. The Remote Learning option is not available to Har-Ber students this year.
With that said, it is important to remember that students must be present each day. Attendance is required (unless it is excused, as described above).
We are using this opportunity to help educate students and parents. We’d hate for students to lose credit because they missed school. Please contact your student’s House Principal if you have any questions.
Masks or No Masks?
The “mask mandate” ended in May 2021. WIth that said, if a student elects to wear a mask, we will respect and welcome that decision. Our goal is for all students to feel comfortable and safe at HBHS.
We will continue to work with our district, the Arkansas Department of Education, and the Arkansas Department of Health to monitor policies and changes.
HBHS Student Handbook
Student Pick-Up
Bus and School Zone Information
Parking Passes
Students that plan to drive to school will need to purchase a parking pass. The cost is $15. Students will need to provide a copy of the vehicle registration and driver’s license. The parking passes may be purchased when schedules are picked up. They may also be purchased through our online store. The link is below.
Building Administration, House Responsibility, and Counselor Contact
Dr. Paul Griep - Building Principal / ACDC
Jennifer Hatch, Counselor
Aterra Lowe - Asst. Principal / PHEdS
Tami Cline, Counselor
Dr. Curtis Gladden - Asst. Principal / MEdS
Jennifer Sugg, Counselor
Margaret Robinson - Asst. Principal / HABIT
Colleen Foster, Counselor
T.J. Weiss - Asst. Principal / ACME
David Clouse, Counselor
Bell Schedule and Lunch Information
A reminder that HBHS is a closed campus. Students are not able to check in and out for the sole purpose of going to lunch (unless checked out by a parent). At Har-Ber, we have three lunches to help provide all students with adequate space in the cafeteria. We encourage students to either bring their own food or eat in the cafeteria. If a parent wishes to “drop off” lunch, it should be delivered to the front lobby. We are unable to “deliver” food to students. Rather, a student may come to the lobby and pick it up at the front table. This should be done in the event of an emergency since we cannot safeguard food that is delivered. Similarly, in the age of UberEats and other delivery methods, we cannot safeguard or deliver food that is left in the lobby. We encourage students to bring their own food and store it in their locker or eat from our school cafeteria.