HJH Parent Newsletter
January 2024
HJH continues the smooth start to the spring semester...
We are very proud of the work our students have done thus far in the school year as we approach the conclusion of our 3rd 9 weeks. We are truly honored and blessed to work on a campus with such amazing and talented students. As we continue to move into our spring semester, we will maintain our focus on continual growth, not only as a campus, but for each individual student that walks through our doors. HJH will continue to be a campus that empowers students to take advantage of the academic opportunity that prepares them for success. Our teachers continue to challenge students in our classrooms to ensure our students are prepared for the rigors they will face during their educational journey. Additionally, we are very proud of the work our students do outside the classroom in their extracurricular activities. Listed below are some of the highlights and events we have on campus in the month of March. Thank you for all your continued support. HJH is a great campus because of the people we serve. Go Cats!
Clayton Farrell
Principal Hallsville Junior High
March Campus Events
4th-6th Cheer Tryout Camp
5th Science Mock Test
6th 8th Grade Dance Parent Meeting
7th UIL Math/Science Parent Meeting (State Qualifiers)
8th 3rd 9 Week Incentive (Staff vs Student BBall Game)
8th Lockdown Drill
8th Cheer Tryouts
11th-15th Spring Break
18th Hallsville Track Meet (B Team)
18th HJH New Squad (Cheer) Parent Meeting
19th Hallsville Track Meet (A Team)
20th Kona Ice
21st Social Studies Mock Test
21st College Day
25th District Track Meet (Hallsville)
25th HISD Board Meeting
27th Math/Algebra I Mock Test
28th Fire Drill
29th Good Friday (No School)
*Only events on HJH campus are listed. Please check with SportYou for complete schedules.
*Students are NOT allowed to stay after school on campus to wait for an event. Students must be accompanied by an adult to attend all home events. More information on these events provided below.
REMINDER
The campus will be closed on Mock Testing days. Thank you for understanding.
Staff vs Student Basketball Game
Our 3rd 9 week incentive is coming up on Friday, March 8th. Our 8th grade students will take on the staff in an epic showdown to see who rules the court and bragging rights on campus. This is our 3rd annual game in which the staff holds a 2-0 record over the students. Both games have come down to the wire with a 35-33 win last year. All participants attending the game must be passing all classes, above 90% attendance, and meet behavioral requirements. Parents, due to limited seating, this event will be available to students and staff ONLY.
HJH Track
HJH Tennis
HJH Choir
The Tenor/Bass Choir will be competing on Wednesday, March 6th and the Treble Choir will compete on Thursday, March 7th. The choir students have been working diligently in class and sound amazing. Best of luck to our HJH Choir Students!!
HJH Band
HJH Cheer
HJH Cheer Tryouts: Reminder, you must have attended the mandatory parent meeting and submitted all paperwork by February 28th to be eligible to try out. Tryouts Camp is in the small gym on Monday, March 4th through Wednesday, March 6th from 3:45pm - 6:00pm. Tryouts will be on Friday,m March 8th during the school day. Please reach out to Coach Toothman if you have any questions. There is a mandatory "New Squad' parent meeting on Monday, March 18th at 6:00pm in the HJH Cafeteria.
HJH Yearbooks
Hallsville Jr. High 23-24 Yearbooks are on sale for $40 until March 29th. Yearbooks are purchased online through Jostens Yearbook only. Prices will change March 30th to $45 and may be purchased until May 10th. Based on the results from the survey that was sent out to students/parents in September the yearbook will be submitted to our company after the last day of school to allow more students/events to be pictured. Yearbooks will tentatively arrive by August, and will be handed out at the 2024 Meet the Teacher. Current 8th Grade Students will be able to pick up August 6th from 5:00-6:00pm at the front entrance.
HJH Yearbook
The time has come for 6th and 7th grade students to sign up to be a part of the 2024-2025 HJH Yearbook Staff! Please scan the QR code or click the picture to fill out the Google Form with your child's school email address. Mrs. Bradburry will send out information and the application to the student's email on March 18th for those who fill out the Google Form expressing interest in joining. If you have any questions, please reach out to Amanda Bradburry at abradburry@hisd.com.
Link to Google Form: https://forms.gle/AGeAutpFuXTjeX3F7
HJH Library
UIL Math/Science
The Bobcat Math & Science Team (MST) is continuing to show just how much they want to be successful. The month of February ended with them earning the most team points in a one month period for the past three years! There is only one more “regular season” meet for the year and it is the Regional Championship in Queen City on Saturday, March 2nd. That will leave the remainder of the month of March to study and prepare for the state competition in mid-April. When you see a member of the Bobcat MST, give them a high five or a fist bump and wish them well. This group of Mathletes are roaring and ready to go!
The MST Coaches greatly appreciate all of the students' hard work and dedication as well as the endless support and backing of their parents.
*There will be a UIL Math/Science parent meeting for all state qualifiers on Thursday, March 7th in the HJH cafeteria at 6:30pm.
HISD ATHLETIC EVENT GUIDELINES
In an effort to make Hallsville ISD Athletic Events enjoyable and safer for all spectators, the following guidelines for spectators in attendance at all home events are as follows;
Gates will open approximately 45-60 Minutes prior to the start of the event.
No outside food or drinks are allowed into the stadium/coliseum.
State laws and school district policies will be in effect concerning alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, and tobacco products (including e-cigs).
Spectators will not be allowed to leave the stadium and return without purchasing another ticket.
Students in Pre-kindergarten through 8th grade WILL NOT BE ADMITTED to athletic events without adult supervision.
Elementary Students (Pre-K through 5th grade) are to remain within the presence of parents/guardians at all times including trips to the restroom and concession stand.
Jr. High & High School Students may be asked to present their district ID’s to district personnel.
Spectators will be required to sit in the bleachers except when they are purchasing items from the concession stand or using the restrooms.
Athletic items such as Frisbees, balls, bats, skateboards, bicycles, noise makers, etc. are not allowed.
Running, tackling, and other horseplay is not allowed as it causes a safety hazard to others in attendance.
Large bags, coolers/ice chests are prohibited. All bags and purses may be inspected for security purposes.
Students/spectators, who throw food, drink, or other items will be escorted from the stadium, will not be allowed re-admittance, and may be banned from the stadium for the remainder of the school year.
Students are expected to be picked up no later than 15 minutes after the end of the event. Failure to pick up students within this timeframe may result in being restricted from attending future events.
SPECTATOR RULES OF CONDUCT
By entering this facility, spectators agree to abide by the following Rules of Conduct set forth in the University Interscholastic, League, Constitution and Contest Rules:
No insults or personal comments of any kind are to be directed towards game officials, referees, coaching staff or game workers;
Inappropriate language or profanity will not be tolerated and will result in immediate ejection from the game;
Taunting or ridiculing of either team or team members is not allowed;
Spectators may not enter the court/field during a game.
Spectators further understand that failure to comply with the above rules will result in the offending spectator being ejected from the game. Game officials and school district personnel are authorized to eject spectators from the stadium/coliseum. Spectators who are ejected from the game will not receive a refund nor be allowed to return for the semester.
Needs Assessment
The purpose of a needs assessment is to support educators in recognizing, comprehending, and prioritizing the needs of schools to enhance performance. Your feedback will help guide our Site Based Decision Making Committee discussions towards improving our campus. Please take a few moments and fill out this form.
KONA Ice
We look forward to having Kona Day on campus Wednesday, March, 20th! If you would like to prepay for your child, please visit here.
Google Classroom
Attendance
Parent Notes
Parent notes must be turned in within 3 days of the absence. Per our handbook, early pick-ups are unexcused unless our nurse sends your student home or we receive documentation from a doctor's office for that date. Any documentation needing to be turned in can be done so through the reception desk or attendance office, or emailed directly to Mrs. Magallanes at emagallanes@hisd.com
School Safety Drills
In an effort to practice our safety protocols, HJH will regularly perform safety drills to ensure our students and staff know how to respond in a crisis situation. Safety is our number one priority and we will continue to practice all state mandated drills throughout the school year so that our students and staff are prepared. In the event of an actual emergency, HJH will communicate to our families in a timely manner to keep you informed.
Tutorials
If your child is struggling in a classroom we have opportunities for them to receive extra support outside the school day. Teachers are available before and after school for tutorials. Even if the day you can bring your child early or pick them up late doesn't match with their teacher, someone in that department can help. Please contact your teacher if you feel your child needs the extra support to be successful this school year.
SATURDAY SCHOOL/CREDIT RECOVERY
Texas Education Agency states that a student must attend a class 90% of the time it is offered to earn credit for that class. Students with less than 90% attendance will not earn credit and cannot be promoted to the next grade level. Both excused and unexcused absences count toward time missed in a class. The state will allow us to place a student in the next grade level if that student has completed a principal approved plan to recover attendance. You will be notified if your student falls below 90% attendance and requires credit recovery. Credit recovery classes will continue to be scheduled into the month of March.
Good Friday
HJH College Day
Every 2nd Thursday of the month, students and staff are encouraged to wear college shirts to endorse education beyond high school. This month will be Thursday, March 21st. On this day, we can come together regardless of our college mascot and cheer on our students as they begin to prepare for their future.
HISD Community News
8th Grade Dance Info
The 8th Grade Dance is about two months away! Please help us raise funds by purchasing a shirt, buying a raffle ticket, or making a donation. We need about $2,800 to meet our goal. There have not been as many shirt orders as we hoped for. We need to sell 40 shirts of each style to place an order and we aren't quite there yet. Please note that none of the shirts have glitter on them. If for some reason we don't get enough orders, a refund will be sent to those that purchased a shirt. Our goal is to make this even free for our kids. A formal invitation and waiver will be sent out closer to the event. Join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, March 6th at 5:30pm. Thank you so much for your help and we look forward to making wonderful memories.
HJH Course Selections
Course Selection Guides and Course Selection forms for the 24-25 school year will be sent to the Guardian 1 email in Skyward on Friday, March 8th. Please review with your child, complete, and submit the attached grade level appropriate Google form by Wednesday, March 20th.
Spring Break Activities with Teens
Are you looking for some fun, engaging activities to do with your teens this Spring? Click on this link for 55 fun activities that you can do with your teens or set-up for them to do. Some can be done with little to no expense. Most of all, enjoy this precious time with your teenage children!
Spring is a welcomed season after a cold Texas winter. The changing weather can bring on seasonal allergies and asthma, along with stinging insects. Please be sure to check your student’s backpack for their (non-expired) Epi-pen and/or rescue inhaler. These important medications should be signed in with the nurse, whether with the student or in the nurse office.
If your student has over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol or Motrin, in the nurse's office, they may be running low. Please email me if you are interested in bringing a refill.
WATER WATER WATER. This is so important to our kids' overall health and productivity. We are all about to be spending more time outdoors (finally!), so please encourage adequate water intake-everyday. CDC water recommendations
Always reach out with any questions or concerns.
–Nurse Holt
Email: aholt@hisd.com
Phone: 903-668-5990, ext 2042
Medicine
Any medication to be administered to a student must be brought to the school by the parent/guardian in the new, original container. Please do not put medicine in a sandwich bag with a note and send it to school with your child or expect that your child can keep medication in their backpack. You may come to school and administer medication directly to your student if you do not wish to leave any in the nurse's office. The “Medication Consent” form must be completed and signed by the parent and physician for any prescription medicine to be administered during school hours.
Student Pick-Up
With the onset of allergy/cold/flu season, please make prompt arrangements to pick up your child when the school notifies you that your child is ill. Pick-up should be in less than one hour. We completely understand when there are times when a parent is out of town, is not allowed to leave work, etc., but please make sure there is someone who can pick up your student when you are not available. Any person who is allowed to pick up your student should be added to their nurse contacts in Skyward. If your contact information changes, or anyone else's on file, remember to change it in Skyward.
Contact Info
We look forward to the many opportunities this new year will bring to further interact with you and care for your children as needed. We understand this time of year can get hectic and children begin to see symptoms of various illnesses. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me here at Junior High by phone or email.
–Nurse Holt
Email: aholt@hisd.com
Phone: 903-668-5990, ext 2042
Important Information
Parent Drop Off
In order to cut down on heavy traffic, please drop your student off and exit the campus through the stadium home parking lot to Rob Street. This will ensure that our vehicle overflow can efficiently move into the gym parking lot and all buses can move quicker in and out of Bobcat Lane to get students to their campus. Most of our bus drivers are campus teachers or support staff. This also ensures they can arrive at their campus quicker to prepare for their school day. Thanks for your support.
Restroom Policy
Tardy Policy
Tardies will be tracked cumulatively each 9 week grading period, with the following consequences in place for repeated tardies:
3rd tardy - 1 day of Lunch Detention
6th tardy - 2 days of Lunch Detention
9th tardy - 1 day of After School Detention
12th tardy - 2 days of After School Detention
15th tardy - 1 day of ISS
18th tardy - 2 days of ISS
19+ - Discretion of Campus Administration
Please discuss with your child the importance of punctuality as we are preparing students to be responsible with their time.
Click on the School Bus for HISD Transportation Services Information
House Bill 114 (HB 114)
Parents and Guardians,
We are reaching out to bring your attention to an important new policy change that has been passed by the 88th Texas Legislature and will be taking effect immediately in our district.
House Bill 114 (HB 114) has been enacted to respond to the increasing concerns around e-cigarettes, vaping, marijuana, and THC related products amongst our youth. The Bill mandates that any student found in possession of, under the influence of, selling, gifting, or delivering these substances within a 300-feet radius of any school premises, will be immediately removed and placed in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP).
You can access the full version of the Bill here: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB00114F.pdf
Please take a moment to discuss the implications of this new law with your children, emphasizing the importance of adhering to school policies and laws for their own welfare and for the betterment of the school community as a whole.
Thank you,
HISD Administration