Homer High-Lights
Volume 4, Issue 7, March 2016
Message from the Principal
Tough Times are Coming!
We all know that budget cuts are looming throughout the state, but what is it going to look like for Homer? If everything stays status quo, which means the state doesn't cut education more than they already have, Homer High School will lose 4 teachers. This means just about every program will be cut some.
Here is how the cuts will directly affect our students:
- We will not replace a math teacher who is retiring
- 1 special education resource teacher will be cut
- 1/2 a teacher in English will be cut
- 1/2 a teacher in Science will be cut
- 2 sections of art and music will be cut (Not Swing Choir!)
- 1/2 teacher in Social Studies will be cut
- 2 sections of PE will be cut
Right now we are able to keep most of our class offerings, but class sizes will be larger and there will be fewer sections of everything. We will also be offering some AP classes every other year instead of every year. This means that not every student will get what they want and there will be fewer openings for Connections students.
These reductions are going to hurt, but we can make it work. We have a hard-working and dedicated staff. We have great students and supportive parents and community members. Together, we can make sure our students still get a first rate education.
Please understand that these reductions in staffing are based on the premise that the State Legislature doesn't decide to cut even more from education. There have been proposals discussed in Juneau that cut education by 5% to 10%. If Homer High has to make further reductions, then programs will be affected. Everything would be considered for cuts. This means art, library services, music, AP classes and more.
KPBSD and Homer High are responding to our financial reality as best we can, but the final decisions comes from Juneau. Please make sure you are letting your legislators know what you think about these cuts. The state has money, they just need the will to use it. Make sure you are contacting your legislators multiple times. They need to hear your voice.
If something comes up or you have suggestions for improvement, please let me know. My office is open and I appreciate hearing your opinions or thoughts. My goal is to be responsive to what our parents and community want and need. Please give me a call or come in and chat.
Sincerely,
Douglas Waclawski
Principal
Dates To Remember
March 1 - Site Council Meeting - 3:45 in Library
March 2 - First Day of Practice for Soccer, Track, Softball & Baseball
March 2-5 - Region 1A Basketball Tournament at Homer
March 5 - SAT Test - 7:30 am in A-204
March 11 - NO SCHOOL - End of the Quarter
March 12 - Popeye Wrestling Tournament
March 14-18 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
April 1 - Early Release - Students leave at 1:45 pm
April 5 - Site Council Meeting - 3:45 in Library
The End of the Quarter is Coming!
DDF Rocks at State
After a great State Tournament, the Drama, Debate and Forensics season has finally come to an end. The tournament was at East Anchorage High School, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday February 18-20. The students represented Homer High School very well, and also brought home some pretty awesome awards:
- Sportsmanship Award (1A/2A/3A)
- Academic Award (1A/2A/3A – our GPA was 3.82)
- 3rd Place, Pantomime – Landon Bunting
- 6th Place, Pantomime – Rowyn Cunningham, Patrick Hannan, Theodore Castellani
- 5th Place, Expository Speaking – Nolan Bunting
- Student of the Year (from the entire State) – Nolan Bunting
Amy Johnson and the DDF team would like to extend their gratitude to all who supported them throughout the season!
The HHS Ocean Bowl Team Earns 4th at State!
Counselor's Corner
End of Quarter
March 11 is the end of the quarter. While those grades will not appear on a student’s transcript, it is half of the grade that will be posted in May so many students need to get work turned in and take grades very seriously in the next couple of weeks.
ACT for Juniors
About 60 juniors will be taking the ACT on March 1st. They will be missing their morning classes. All HHS students must have a test (ACT, SAT or Work Keys) in order to graduate. Students were given some options for test prep which can help testers get ready. Registration is completed at this point so any student wishing to fit in a test this year will need to register independently. Remember, students who receive free or reduced lunch are eligible for fee waivers.
AP
In March we will be ordering AP tests for all those students taking AP classes. At HHS the expectation has always been that students taking AP classes would take the corresponding test. In the past few years the grade “bump” has also been contingent on taking the test. Our students have done well on AP tests and gotten some substantial credits at their colleges. With the price of education these days, it is more important than ever to save money wherever possible. An AP test costs $92, but can save hundreds in college class costs.
Practical Arts Credit for International Languages
In the past, Spanish and French language classes have counted for elective credit only but the district has approved them as Practical Arts. This is good news for students who have tight schedules and need a practical art credit.
Girls Earn the Small Schools State Championship!
School Safety Closures or Delay Start Information
If school remains open despite adverse weather and you as a parent or guardian assess the conditions in your local area and decide to keep children home, please call the school to let the office know. An absence due to road and weather conditions will be excused.
Congratulations to the HHS Girls Basketball Team on Winning the Homer Winter Carnival!
We Want You to Follow HHS on Facebook!
We want to be able to give you instant up-to-date information about what is going on at school. This can include emergencies, sports scores as well as 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. Join close to 600 other people who have liked HHS on Facebook and the over 2000 people who view our Facebook posts.
Thank to all the HHS Fans Who Supported our Local Tournament!
Visit the Homer High School 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.
Basketball Senior Night vs Seward
Senior Johann Kallelid drives to the hoop
Senior Sam Draves drives during the game against Seward
Senior Aurora Waclawski passes the ball in the press break
The Newest Coaches Poll Has the Homer Girls Basketball Team Ranked #1
Our Basketball Cheer Squad is Preparing for Their State Competition
Homer High School
Email: dwaclawski@kpbsd.org
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