Principal's Message - Covid-19 Fatigue
I am so excited and happy that HHS has been face-to-face for over a quarter and I expect we will be able to be in the building for the rest of the year. Our students need to be in the building with their peers if they want. We know it is best for adolescents to be with friends and not being with peers and their friends contributes to a rise in depression and self-harm.
Spring sports have started and we just finished winter sports successfully. Hockey won a state championship and girls basketball competed at the state tournament. Our students are starting to perform at a high level again and I am excited to see how we do with PEAKS testing. Homer High is planning to have in person graduation on the turf. We still must follow mitigation practices, but our school is running smoothly once more.
Our COVID-19 numbers have stabilized and Homer's percent of positive tests are low, but the pandemic is not over. KPBSD will continue to wear masks and distance. We do this because that is what we have to do so students can stay in school. Please help us with keeping our students safe and in school. I know it has been tough on many people, but I know Homer is tougher. Thanks for your help and support.
Let us know what we can do to help support you or your children if they are staying at home or if they are in school. 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 at 907-235-4600 or email me at dwaclawski@kpbsd.org.
Sincerely,
Douglas Waclawski
Principal
Ella Blanton Yourkowsk Wins Art Awards
PEAKS Testing
Hopefully, you won't even notice that our students are testing. We have a great plan and I know our students are going to perform well. Give us a call if you have any questions. The schedule is provided below.
PEAKS Testing Dates:
English (9th) - March 30
Math (9th) - April 6
Science (10th) - April 8/9
Basketball Awards
Congratulations to the following Mariners who earned 1st Team All South Central Conference for Basketball and Cheer.
First Team
Girls - Laura Inama
Girls - Hannah Hatfield
Boys - Clayton Beachy
Cheer - Ally High, Sameah McGhee and Leah Evans
Second Team
Girls - Delilah Harris
River Mann
Parker Lowney
Eyoab Knapp
Honorable Mention
Tonda Smude
Congratulations to Hannah Hatfield and Clayton Beachy for Earning 2nd Team All-State in Basketball.
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Spring Sports Have Started
Now spring sports have started and we are excited to see our athletes perform while staying healthy. Baseball, track, softball, soccer and wrestling have all started. Of course, it would help if the snow melted, but this is Alaska weather and we will make it work.
To be safe, all of our mitigation practices are still in effecting including wearing masks in practice. Because wrestling is such a contact sports they need to test two times per week and must have a negative test result within 72 hours of a contest.
Thanks for supporting our athletes through COVID and remember, you can stream all our games online.
1-to-1 Chromebook Program
- Do you want your child to be able to take these home?
- If you want them child to take them home are you willing to reimburse of if they are lost or broken?
- Do you think all grades should take them home?
- Do you want sleeves or bags if you take them home?
- Is there anything else we should be thinking about with this program?
Please take the survey below and let us know what you think.
Mariner Minute - Episode 15
Listen to the newest edition of the Mariner Minute. This week we interview a member of our State Championship Hockey team, Haylee Owen!
https://anchor.fm/.../epi.../Episode-15---Haylee-Owen-er32kr
Stream HHS Sports
We know fans want to watch HHS sports. Unfortunately, we are in the middle of a pandemic, but that doesn't mean you can't root for your team. We are streaming all home sporting events and will provide links for all away events.
Hockey and Cross-Country Skiing have just wrapped up but Basketball is in full swing. Come cheer for your favorite Mariner team!
Click the link below to view the livestream of HHS sports. After the recording you can see all past streamed sporting events.
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DATES TO REMEMBER
4/19 School Picture Day
4/20 Girls Soccer vs Nikiski 4:00pm
4/20 Boys Soccer vs Nikiski 6:00pm
4/21 Early Release Day 2:45pm
4/22 Girls Soccer vs Kenai 1:00/5:00
4/22 Boys Soccer vs Kenai 3:00/7:00
4/22 Band and Choir Concert 7:00pm
4/23 Mariner on the Move 3:00pm
4/24 Track vs Soldotna 10:00am
4/27 Softball vs Soldotna 4:00/6:00
4/30 Girls Soccer vs Grace 1:00/5:00
4/30 Boys Soccer vs Grace 3:00/7:00
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.
Don't be left out about news and information you need. Like us on Facebook today.
Easy for 16 and Older to Get a Covid-19 Vaccine but Why Get One?
Pfizer is the only vaccine brand with FDA emergency use authorization for individuals 16 years of age and older. Visit www.sphosp.org to make an appointment. Watch the hospital’s website for appointments as additional Pfizer vaccines are expected to arrive in the April allocation. 18 and older students can receive the one dose Johnson and Johnson or the two dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
WHERE: Ulmers, Safeway, SPH, Ninilchik Clinic, SVTC, Kachemak Medical Clinic
Call HHS nurses Sharon Gorman and Ella May Cooper-Waldron for questions, 235-4626.
Counselor's Corner
Summer JumpStart
Current 10th and 11th graders are eligible to take discounted, dual credit summer classes online via KPC. See here for a course list.
Service Project
The service project has changed, but it is still a graduation requirement and is due April 30th. Please see the email sent by coordinator Chad Felice on March 22nd and contact him with further questions at cfelice@kpbsd.k12.ak.us .
Summer JumpStart
Current 10th and 11th graders are eligible to take discounted, dual credit summer classes online via KPC. See here for a course list.
Service Project
The service project has changed, but it is still a graduation requirement and is due April 30th. Please see the email sent by coordinator Chad Felice on March 22nd and contact him with further questions at cfelice@kpbsd.k12.ak.us.
Graduation Garb
Caps and gowns are in and can be paid for by sending cash or check in an envelope labeled with the student name and Cap and Gown fees. These can go to the bookkeeper or front office. You can also choose to pay online using this link: https://kpbsd.revtrak.net/hs/homer-hs/Homer-HS-Additional-Items-and-Events/#/list
Items will be sent home beginning April 19 after fees are paid.
Cap, gown, stole and tassel are $57
Cap & tassel are $27
Stole is $24
Tassel is $17
If you have any questions, please contact Desiree Smude at dsmude@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
Testing
ACT/SAT – primarily for current juniors planning to apply to 4-year universities. Fee waivers available from Mr. Story for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch
April 17 ACT
- Regular registration deadline – Mar. 12th
- Registration link
May 8 SAT
- Regular registration deadline – Apr. 8th
- Registration link
Free ACT/SAT practice and dual credit scholarships for Alaskan high school students here
