News from Panther Headquarters
November 2017
From the desk of the Principal...
Hello Panther Families –
I’d like to take this opportunity to share what special students we have at HIJH. It has been publicized on many occasions how well they do academically as evidenced by our top ISTEP scores and IN 4-Star rating; however, they don’t often get the notoriety or credit for the many Humanitarian efforts they make throughout the school year. Currently, the students of HIJH are engaged in 4 different school-wide humanitarian efforts: Hurricane Relief for Houston School District, Goodwill Coat Donation, "Socktober" collection of socks for those in need, and hurricane relief for Puerto Rico. These humanitarian projects were driven by students and not something assigned to them or organized by the school. It warms my heart when students send me an email or set up an appointment to see me with a great idea. My most recent request was to conduct a book drive to collect new and used books for literacy programs throughout the world to begin later in November. Teaching and learning the content areas are important, but learning about how to help others while collaborating and problem solving with classmates takes learning to whole new level. Thank you for allowing us to work with your children, and have a terrific Thanksgiving season!
Respectfully,
Tim A. Mankin
Upcoming Important Dates
November 1 Social Media and Internet Safety for Parents Presentation-LGI Room 7pm
November 6-10 Book Fair (Wednesday, 11/8 is Family Night 4-7pm)
November 8 Fundraiser Prize Drawing
November 10 PTO Meeting 9:30 am
November 14-16 Student Led Conferences 3-7pm
November 22-24 Thanksgiving Break-NO SCHOOL
November 29 Vision Screening (5th grade)
November 30 Vision Screening (8th grade)
Early Dismissals and Returning to School
Book Fees and IPad Rental
All book rental fee must be paid by November 8th to avoid being turned over to collections. Fees can be paid on line through efunds, (be sure to click book rental fees), check or money order, NO CASH please. If paying by check, please put your child’s ID number in the memo line. This will ensure the amount is applied to the correct student.
Please allow up to two weeks for Skyward to show paid. Receipts will not be sent home. If you have any questions, please contact Doty Gaertner, Treasurer at 594-4120.
Counselor's Corner
HIJH Student Services does everything in our power to help students and families in need, including academic, career exploration, and social/emotional needs. The latter is sometimes more difficult for HIJH to resolve with the means available.
School counselors often receive information from outside resources which may benefit the needs of our families. We, the counselors, compile a list of available resources in the event that families ask for such information. When we exhaust the means available through the HIJH Student Services Department, we continue to try to help in any way we can.
Although we do not recommend any one service in particular, we can offer this compilation of community resources at your request. If you choose to seek outside services and would like to view information made available to HIJH, please contact us at your convenience. Please remember, all requests are kept confidential.
Resources may include: food pantries, clothing distributers, prevention programs, and grief and loss counseling/therapy. We are here to serve you!
TESTING DATES TO NOTE. Mark your calendars to ensure your child is in attendance these testing periods.
ISTEP+ Part 1 - February 26 - March 9, 2018
ISTEP+ Part 2 - April 16 - May 4, 2018
It is extremely important that your child be in attendance and on time during these testing days. Please assist us by ensuring that your child is well rested and eats a healthy breakfast. Also, it would be advantageous to reschedule any appointments you have scheduled during these days. Thank you in advance for your assistance with this testing process.
Address & Bus Changes. Anyone requesting new bus transportation for their child, due to a move to a new home, MUST provide proof of residency to the attending school to make this change. Residency documents needed are posted on the corporation website under “For Parents” and “Enrolling Your Child,” Step 3, Residency Documents. Once documents are provided to the school, new bus information will be provided to you and will be available on Skyward within a 24-hour timeframe.
Click here for the Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS).
Click here Twenty-First Century Scholars.
Messages from the Nurse
Vision screening is required by the Indiana State Board of Health for all 5th and 8th graders. Fifth grade will be screened on November 29th and 8th grade will be screened on November 30th. You will receive a SKYLERT message to remind you closer to the dates. If your child wears glasses or contacts, please make sure they have them at school during these days for accurate testing results. We provide notice of any failed vision screening by email.
Many times, parents will ask us when should my child begin using deodorant? Now is the time for most middle school kids, even if you haven't noticed they "NEED" it. Please have your child use deodorant daily. This will help prevent an embarrassing situation. They can keep an extra in their locker.
Injuries, crutches and illnesses. If your child becomes injured, has surgery, or a serious medical condition arises, please reach out to nursing staff to advise us of the situation and a head’s up to when your child will return or what they may need. Please provide a doctor’s note to the clinic stating accommodations needed or restrictions your child may have. For less serious injuries, we can use a parent’s note for 2 days to excuse a student from PE, or other needs; however, for longer lengths of time a doctor’s note is required. It is important that we know your child is on crutches in case of a fire drill, or emergency situation in the building.
CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. Please consider vaccinating you and your child.
Remind your child to wash hands frequently throughout the day at school. According to the CDC regular handwashing your hands is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. Please follow HSE Illness Policy found in the Handbook when determining if your child should attend school. Please note we do not keep cold or allergy meds in the clinic. Administer these medications prior to school if you feel your child is well enough to come to school, but needs some extra help to get through the day. Students may not carry their own medications at school (including cough drops). If there is something you need administered to your child, you must send a note with instructions, and the medication to the clinic for administration.
Clothing Donations Needed. The clinic is in need of new girl's size 14 underwear and also new or gently used girl's black leggings sized for 5th-8th graders. We appreciate your help.
Asthma, allergies, inhalers and Epi Pens…OH MY! If your child carries an inhaler or an Epi-Pen, we need a DOCTOR’S NOTE stating they can carry it. We have the form available online here Certification to Self-Medicate. Please contact us if you need a paper copy sent home. If your child has asthma or an allergy (other than seasonal allergies), there is paperwork we require. You can find copies online under HEALTH FORMS.
Free Math Tutoring
HIJH Sports Information
Click here to learn about all of the HIJH Athletic Info. Please read page 2 carefully as some dates/times have changed recently!
The Athletic Department needs parent volunteers to work the ticket tables at our home winter sporting events! Sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080548adaa23a02-20172018. Thanks for your support of Southeastern Athletics!
Attention all parents of 8th Graders
Attention all 8th grade parents: The deadline to register for the 8th grade Washington DC trip has passed and the planning for the trip has begun! Our next step will be a roommate selection meeting which is scheduled for HIJH students on Friday December 1st at 7am in the main gym. For other general trip information please go to www.dctrip.info or contact Eric Brown (ebrown@hse.k12.in.us)
HIJH Goodwill Clothing Drive
Social Media and Internet Safety for Parents
PTO News
PTO Website. Checkout our PTO website (www.hijhpto.wordpress.com) for the 2017-18 PTO calendar, PTO meeting schedule, past meeting minutes, newsletters, and more.
November PTO Meeting. The next PTO meeting will be Friday, November 10 at 9:30 am at the school. All parents are invited to join us.
Spirit Wear. A second window to order Spirit Wear is open! If you missed the last one, make sure to get your orders in so you can show your school spirit! Click here for the order form. The form needs to be turned in to your child’s teacher with a check or cash by Friday, November 3. Contact Michelle Allen with any questions at mballen60@gmail.com.
Panther Rewards. A big THANK YOU to our Panther families who have linked their Kroger cards to our school! From July 1 to September 30, your Kroger shopping earned HIJH $1,461.33. If you still need to link your card, go to www.kroger.com/communityrewards and create an account or sign in. Find Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate Junior H.S. PTO and link your card to our account.
The October Box Tops collection was 1,426. In December we will receive our ½ year check for $334.40. Way to go! We only need 25 more Tyson Reward labels to receive a Tyson check for $480. Keep clipping Box Tops and Tyson Rewards. We will continue to collect on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Each student that brings in 15+ rewards gets a treat at lunch. Put all rewards in a baggie labeled with your student’s name, grade and teacher. Contact Lisa Gruber with questions at gruber5@comcast.net.
The AmazonSmile Foundaton donates .5% of the purchase price from your eligible purchases to our PTO. Go to www.smile.amazon.com to choose our school (under Hsjh Pto Inc) and to make purchases. Once linked, you need to go to www.smile.amazon.com to make purchases that will benefit our school.
Book Fair. Fall Book Fair is here! HIJH will be hosting the scholastic book fair November 6-10. Students will have an opportunity to shop with their language arts teacher. Join us for family night at the book fair on Wednesday, November 8 from 4-7 pm. Please volunteer to help with the book fair by going to http://signup.com/go/nvnqVop. Please note that you must have a background check on file to volunteer. If you would like to volunteer to bring snacks for teacher preview night go to http://signup.com/go/MLoYgdE.
Shop to Donate. We will have a Shop to Donate at Evereve (Hamilton Town Center) on December 7. More info to come.
Pacers Night Fundraiser. Check this out! HIJH has partnered with the Indiana Pacers to participate in an exciting FUNdraiser opportunity. Sell tickets to select Pacers games, win really neat Pacers prizes and help raise money for HIJH! Students and teachers can participate. Deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, November 15. Click here for more information.
Middle Years
HIJH Connect
November Multicultural Holidays
Click here to find out about November Multicultural Holidays.
NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT
Permitted use of school newsletters as required by the Equal Access Act is not an endorsement of this group or this group’s beliefs by Hamilton Southeastern Schools or the Board of School Trustees.
Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate/Junior High
Ph: 317-594-4120
Attendance: 317-594-4126
Guidance: 317-594-4124
Fax: 317-594-4129
hse.k12.in.us/hij/home.aspx
Twitter: @HIJPanthers
Athletics Twitter: @HIJathletics