Principal's Message - Welcome Back
Welcome!
I hope everyone has had a safe and fun summer. It is that time of year to gear up for another school year. Starting school during a pandemic is going to be challenging and probably a little stressful. HHS is up for this challenge. We will work to our utmost ability to provide the best education possible and keep everyone safe, whether we are in school or teaching at a distance.
There is a lot that is new and things are still changing, but here is what we know right now for the new school year:
Family Choice
We will be in the building for face-to-face learning if it is safe, but you get to choose.
- Your child can attend HHS from home utilizing a live HHS teacher to work with them via Zoom (You do not need to go to Connections to receive virtual education from home with HHS teachers!).
- You can also send your children to school face to face if we are in low or medium risk level as determined by the state of Alaska.
- All students will be required to be at home and receive education via distance if we are at high risk as determined by the current number of Covid-19 cases in the past 14 days on the Lower Kenai Peninsula.
Online Registration / Schedule Pick Up
To review, you can still attend HHS but get instruction online or attend face to face if it is allowable by the state. There is an online registration form families must complete to choose if you want your child to receive their education in person or via HHS distance learning.
Please click here to choose what mode of education you want for your child: Parent PowerSchool Portal.
Once you are in to PowerSchool you can:
- Choose in-person or distance education
- Fill out all school forms for the year
- Update family contact information (very important as contacting all family members is more important than ever!)
Beginning of the Year Activities
Here is our new schedule for beginning of the year activities:
Tuesday, August 11: Seniors pick up schedules 9 am-3 pm
Wednesday, August 12: Juniors pick up schedules 9 am-3 pm
Thursday, August 13: Sophomores pick up schedules 9 am-3 pm
Friday, August 14: New student registration: 9 am- 3 pm
Thursday, August 20: Freshman Orientation: Times TBA
Friday, August 21: Connections student registration 9 am- 3 pm
Monday, August 24: School Starts
I will have a live Zoom parent meeting on August 13th at 6:00 pm. I will sent the Zoom link out to parents on August 12th. Put this on your calendar and bring your questions.
Living during a pandemic has been challenging, but I am willing to do what it takes to provide the best education possible even with Covid-19. If you have suggestions or critiques, please contact me. I want to know how we can help you, change or adapt. Give me a call at 907-235-4600 or email me at dwaclawski@kpbsd.org.
Sincerely,
Douglas Waclawski
Principal
Dates To Remember
July 29: First day of football practice
July 29: First day of cross country practice
August 5: First day of volleyball practice
August 10: First day of football cheer practice
August 11: Seniors schedule pick up 9 am-3 pm
August 12: Juniors schedule pick up 9 am-3 pm
August 13: Sophomores schedule pick up 9 am-3 pm
August 13: Parent Zoom Meeting 6:00 pm
August 14: New student registration: 9 am- 3 pm
August 20: Freshman Orientation: Times TBA
August 21: Connections student registration 9 am- 3 pm
August 24: First day of school
September 2: First day of swim & dive practice
September 7: Labor Day-No School
September 16: Early Release Day @ 2:15
Parent Zoom Meeting
Is Your Child Coming to HHS in August?
Every student needs a “Returning Student Information Update” forms packet completed. Good news: it is now a simplified online process.
Complete online forms packet by Friday, August 14, 2020
It’s online, fast, easy, and safe!
For the first time, KPBSD is able to offer you a simple electronic paperwork update for all returning students this year. The new electronic paperwork system simplifies the paperwork process for parents and guardians, allowing you to review, sign, and submit your child's required forms directly online. This process is intended to make the new school year form updates fast, easy, and safe.
Ready to Begin?
The electronic forms process works by using an already existing PowerSchool parent account, or by creating one online. If you already have a PowerSchool account, simply log in to the forms portal using your PowerSchool account credentials. If you do not have an account, you can create one by verifying your email address.
Once your account is created you will be automatically matched to students in the district. If you need to connect additional students to your account, you can verify phone numbers to search for additional matches.
Once you are connected with your students, you can complete the back-to-school paperwork in an easy interface.
Detailed Instructions for the KPBSD Form Portal
Watch the three-minute how-to video, to see the simple process from beginning to end, including creating a new PowerSchool account. https://bit.ly/30E8m7f.
2020-2021 Returning Student Forms
Fill out the paperwork to chose what option you want:
- 100% Virtually, taught by Homer High School staff
- 100% face to face in the building, when safe
The Online Forms Portal for Returning Students includes:
· Returning Student Information Update (indicate choice for educational delivery)
· Parent-Student Handbook Letter
· Student Injuries Parent Letter
· Health History Update
· Agreement to Inform and Exchange (related to COVID19)
· KPBSD Student Nutrition Services (SNS) Opt In to for student to charge meals
Here is the link to the paperwork: Parent Portal
Greetings from the Counseling Department!
New Faces in the Counseling Office!
- Mrs. Lisa Fellows – 9th grade counselor – afternoons
- Mrs. Desiree Smude – Counseling assistant – mornings
- Mr. Paul Story – 10th, 11th, 12th grade counselor
Please let us know if we can help you with anything!
Schedule pick-up
Students who want to pick up their schedule at school must follow COVID mitigation protocols, which will include:
- limited numbers of students allowed to enter school building at a time
- facial covering (mask) of mouth and nose
- hand sanitizing
- maintaining 6 feet social distance
Schedule pick-up and requests for changes begin:
- Seniors – Tue., Aug. 11th at 9am
- Juniors – Wed., Aug. 12th at 9am
- Sophomores – Thurs., Aug. 13th at 9am
- Freshmen – Thurs. Aug. 20th during Freshmen/New Student Orientation
We are excited to see you, whether you choose to be in person or engage remotely. We’re here for you! Welcome!
SITE COUNCIL PARENT REPRESENTATIVES NEEDED
We have 4 parent seats open for the 2021 school year. Meetings are the 1st Tuesday of the month at 4:00 pm except August, October, January, June & July. The Site Council works with the administration, teachers and students to make important decisions about our school. Email kmetz@kpbsd.k12.ak.us or call the school at 235-4600 to be added to the list of interested parents.
Sports for 2020-2021
We will be having sports this year if the Homer community is in yellow or green risk. Sports will stop whenever the Homer community is in red risk level. Here are the contact information for coaches and links to the paperwork.
- Cross-country Running (Coach Bob Ostrom - bobostrom@gmail.com) – Started on 7/29
- Football (Coach Justin Zank – jzank@kpbsd.k12.ak.us) – Started on 7/29
- Football Cheer (Coach Jill Zank – jzank2@kpbsd.k12.ak.us) – Starts on 8/10
- Swim/Dive (Coach Caleb Miller - millerc0408@gmail.com) – starts on 9/2
- Volleyball (Coach Stephanie Carroll - carrolls.fish@gmail.com) – Started on 8/5
Please refer to this web page for Competition Schedules and Athletic Information (HHS Athletics). Please beware that each day could be different depending on our Community COVID-19 status.
The Best Graduation Ever!
A stage was built in front of HHS and students parked 6 feet apart in a drive-in theater format. While the event had a sound system on site, the ceremony was also live streamed. Many families watched the ceremony live with a phone or computer while sitting in their vehicles. After the ceremony each senior drove up, students got out one at a time, walked across the stage and received their diploma. After the graduation students were then able to process through town in their cars to cheers of community members parked along the route.
You can witness a short video of celebration of the class of 2020 that was created by Martin Media below:
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The Valedictorian Address | The View from the Stage | Graduates Watching via Streaming and Live |
The Valedictorian Address
The View from the Stage
Graduates Watching via Streaming and Live
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Graduates Line Up to Receive Diplomas | The Procession Through Town | Our Supportive Community |
Graduates Line Up to Receive Diplomas
The Procession Through Town
Our Supportive Community
Freshmen Orientation
All students will have to wear masks, social distance and sanitize hands as they walk in the building. Call 235-4600 if you have any questions.
Want To Know What is Going on At HHS? Use Facebook!
In these uncertain times it is important to know what is going at at your child's school. Homer High School uses Facebook to communicate with parent and the community about events, emergencies, school closures, sporting events, Covid-19 details and more.. Go to https://www.facebook.com/HomerHS/ and be sure to follow us.
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