News from Panther Headquarters
February 2018
From the desk of the Principal...
Hello Panther Families –
It is once again my pleasure to address the families of HIJH and say "Thank You for all you do to help us make your child’s educational experience a positive and productive one." Our Mission at HIJH states that we strive for educational excellence by providing experiences that challenge ALL students to become effective decision-makers, problem-solvers, and communicators. Our past history of data shows that we have been very successful in helping students to achieve high levels of success both on school assessments and standardized assessments such as ISTEP. We will once again be administering the IN Core ISTEP+ assessment to all grade levels (5th-8th), but both parts will be online. In the past, we facilitated a paper/pencil test for Part I-Applied Skills, but that is not an option from the IDOE for the 17-18 school year. While ISTEP does not necessarily provide data to ensure students have become effective communicators or decision-makers, it does provide us with both student achievement data and student growth data. It is our duty to ensure that our students have the knowledge and skills to attain high achievement and high growth in comparison to all students in Indiana, and both components are what the state uses to determine public school letter grades. With that said, Part I of the ISTEP +, Applied Skills (online Open Ended) test takes place at HIJH on Tuesday, February 26th – Friday, March 9th but may need to be extended into the next week. It will be very important to arrange any appointments that will take students out of school before or after these testing dates. The second part of ISTEP+, Part II (online Multiple Choice) will take place April 16th – May 4th, but we anticipate finishing earlier (TBD). The combination of the Applied Skills-Part I + Multiple Choice-Part II will equal the overall student scores.
Our students have set the bar high over the years by posting high scores and making HIJH an A-Rated school. It is our goal to be a school of continuous improvement, and we know our students will be up for the challenge. With your continued support, the sky is the limit for the students of HIJH!
Respectfully,
Tim A. Mankin
Upcoming Important Dates
February 2 Panther Palooza - 6-8 pm (7th & 8th Graders)
February 6 HSE Parent Night 7-9 at HSE (8th Graders)
February 6 FHS Parent Night 7 at FHS (8th Graders)
February 13 DC Trip Meeting at HIJH - 7-8 pm (8th Graders)
February 14 DC Trip Meeting at FCJH - 7-8 pm (8th Graders)
February 16 PTO Meeting 9:30 am
February 19 NO SCHOOL - Presidents Day
February 26 Dine to Donate-Culvers
February 26-March 9 ISTEP Testing
Early Dismissals and Returning to School
Bus Notes
Safe Visitor Badges
Counselor's Corner
Mark your calendars for the following 2018 dates. IMPORTANT!
FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING HAMILTON SE HIGH SCHOOL: February 6, 2018 - 7-9 pm. There will be a Parent Night in the Leonard Auditorium at Hamilton Southeastern HS. The purpose of this evening is to provide 8th grade parents with pertinent HS information, and make you aware as to what is to be expected over the next four years. This meeting is intended for parents only.
(FHS Parent Night is January 31st from 7-8:30 at Fishers High School).
FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING FISHERS HIGH SCHOOL: (Rescheduled from school closing). New date February 6, 2018 - 7 pm. There will be an AP/Dual Credit and Academic Specialty Showcase Night at Fishers HS in the large auditorium. Eighth grade students and parents will receive pertinent information about Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These courses are college level courses that students have the opportunity, through the AP test results, to earn college credit for coursework completed in high school.
February 12, 13 and 14, 2018 - You and your 8th grade child are scheduled to meet with a high school counselor, at our HIJH building, to create your child’s course requests for the 9th Grade. Letters were mailed January 22nd with those appointment dates and time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the HIJH guidance office at (317) 594-4124.
CURRENT 6TH AND 7TH GRADE STUDENTS. Current 6th and 7th grade students should watch for information explaining scheduling choices for their 7th and 8th grade year. Sometime second semester, those students will meet in classrooms with their junior high counselor to discuss course selection options for the 2018-2019 school year. Please know that you will be able to verify those course selections later in the spring.
CURRENT 5TH GRADE STUDENTS. Current 5th grade student course selection for the 2018-19 school year will be a natural progression of the courses they are currently scheduled.
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.
Click here for the Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS).
Click here Twenty-First Century Scholars.
Messages from the Nurse
Please place a CHAPSTICK in your child's pencil pouch for school use.
Colds, Flu, and Illnesses: Recent reports on the news are showing a terrible flu season nationwide. In order to help keep all our children and staff healthy, please keep sick children at home until they have been fever, vomit, and diarrhea free, without being medicated for a FULL 24 HOURS. Please REMIND YOUR CHILDREN to WASH WASH WASH THEIR HANDS with soap and water to help prevent the spread of germs, and to COUGH INTO ELBOW.
Please help us decrease the spread of colds and flu by also monitoring your child's temperature (100F is considered a fever), especially if they have a cough, sore throat, or runny nose. Let's all do what we can to keep each other healthy. As nurses, we are unable to diagnose. If you have concerns, please take your child to the doctor and they will let you know if they are too contagious to attend school. Students are given time to make up missed material, tests, and standardized testing. Students who aren't feeling well will not perform well. Thank you for helping to keep our students healthy by following HSE Illness Policy and your best judgement when your child is sick.
Cold Medications: A student in possession of any medication that is not sent through the nurse's office, is against school policy and subject to disciplinary action. Please do not send medications for student to "take later" or "just in case."
2018-2019 (Current 5th graders). It is never too soon to start planning for the next school year. All students who will be in 6th grade for the 2018-2019 school year are required to receive immunizations for Tdap and meningococcal. NEW for next year 6th graders should also have received TWO doses of HEP A. As your student gets these shots throughout this school year be sure to send us a copy too (Tterew@hse.k12.in.us).
Free Math Tutoring
HIJH Sports Information
Click here to learn about all of the HIJH Athletic Info.
The Athletic Department needs parent volunteers to work the ticket tables at our home sporting events! Sign up here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080548adaa23a02-20172018. Thanks for your support of Southeastern Athletics!
Global Play Day/Student Choice Day-February 7
Research is clear that today’s children typically do not experience the benefits of “play” that many years ago was a part of American culture. Boston College psychologist and professor Peter Gray writes, “Children, by nature, learn through self-directed play and exploration. In play they practice the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual skills essential to healthy development.” Global School Play Day began in 2015 as an international effort to promote the critical importance of play in children’s development. At HIJH, February 7th will be a day for students to experience a block of unstructured, collaborative play time as well as three activities of their choosing. A few examples of activities offered are chess, euchre, crochet, puzzles, roller skating, making empanadas and pastelitos, and much more! We are excited about this opportunity to play, be creative, and explore something new! Thank you for your continued support.
Spring Musical-Annie
The Spring Musical this year is Annie Jr. The play will be Friday, March 2nd at 3 pm and 7 pm and again Saturday, March 3rd at 2 pm and 7 pm. Tickets will go on sale the week of Jan. 26th during all lunch periods. The cost per ticket: $5.00 for students and $8.00 per adult, under 5 are free. If you send in a check with your child to purchase tickets please make the check out to HIJH. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Yoder, Mrs. Johnson or Mrs. Gaertner. Hope to see everyone there, it’s going to be a great play!!
Attention all parents of 8th Graders
Attention all parents of 8th graders going on the Washington D.C. trip: There will be two pre-trip meetings:
Meeting ONE is from 7-8pm in Panther Hall at HIJH on Tuesday, Feb 13th. (Please park in North Lot and enter at door 14).
Meeting TWO is from 7-8pm in the FCJH auditeria on Wednesday, Feb 14th. (Please park in Bus Parking Lot and use the main entrance).
It is MANDATORY that all students going on the trip attend ONE of these two meetings (whichever is more convenient for you). Parents are encouraged to attend with their 8th grader. The purpose of these meetings will be to handout packing lists, supplies, flight info, and go over trip plans and guidelines. Important information about the trip will be coming home from these meetings and is also posted on the google drive linked to our trip website. www.dctrip.info. Also, please make note of the special arrangements you will need to make for Friday’s (2/16) departure. If you have any additional questions, please contact Eric Brown (ebrown@hse.k12.in.us )
CPR (Creating Positive Relationships) - Grades 6, 7, and 8
Creating Positive Relationships (CPR) lessons are taught in your child's 6th, 7th, and 8th grade PE/Wellness classes. In these lessons, students are taught about reproduction and what to expect as they progress through puberty. They will learn about physical, mental, emotional, and social maturity. Students will receive booklets with helpful information to be shared with their families. A parent meeting for 5th and 6th grade parents was offered in October 2017 at HIJH. If you were unable to attend the meeting, detailed information about each lesson can be found on this parent webinar: https://www.cpr4teens.org/parents/webinar-info/.
The 6th grade CPR curriculum will be taught during PE classes between January 26 and February 15. The 7th and 8th grade CPR curriculum will be taught in Wellness classes in February. If you have questions about this curriculum, please contact Jill Berry, jberry@hse.k12.in.us or Shannyn Miller, smmiller@hse.k12.in.us.
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.
February PTO Meeting. The next PTO meeting will be Friday, February 16 at 9:30 AM at the school. All parents are invited to join us.
PTO Board Members and Committee Chairs Needed. It is time to be thinking forward to the 2018-19 PTO year. If you are interested in becoming a member of the PTO please contact the PTO Board. Check our website for contact information - www.hijhpto.wordpress.com.
Panther Rewards. Thank you Panther families for linking your Kroger cards and Amazon accounts to our school. In doing so, you help to raise a lot of money for the PTO to allocate throughout the school.
Kroger - We currently have 153 families who have linked their Kroger account to our school. Let’s make it 200! Linking your card does not cost you anything or take away fuel points. We earn $1300-$1400 every three months, which is fantastic! Imagine if all Panther families linked their cards to HIJH?! If you would consider doing so, you simply 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.
AmazonSmile - To link your Amazon account, go to www.amazonsmile.com and choose our school (under Hsjh Pto Inc). You will need to go to www.amazonsmile.com on your web browser every time to shop. Thank you!
Box Tops & Tyson Rewards - Keep clipping Box Tops and Tyson Rewards. Our next collection will be on February 21. 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.
8th Grade Dance. The 8th grade dance will be on Friday, May 11. If you are interested in helping with the dance, please contact Tabitha Jennings at tabi2203@gmail.com.
Panther Fest. Save the date of Friday, March 23 for our third annual Panther Fest: A night of games, sports, challenging activities, music, food, and fun for HIJH 5th and 6th grade students. From 5:30-8:30 pm our school will be transformed into a carnival, street fair, sports arena, and fun house all rolled into one. Mark your calendars now and save the date. Registration information and volunteer requests will be coming out soon. Contact Tim Baldwin (baldwin.timothy@gmail.com) with any questions.
Culver’s Dine to Donate. Our next dine to donate is Monday, February 26 from 5-8 PM at Culver’s on Olio Road.
Pacer’s Night. Check this out: Our school has partnered with the Indiana Pacers to participate in an exciting FUNdraiser opportunity! Packets went home with your student the week of January 8th to sell tickets to select Pacers games, win some really neat Pacers prizes, and help raise money for our school! It doesn’t matter if you’re a student or teacher, everyone can participate and have FUN at a Pacers game!
We will have our very own school night at a Pacers game with a check presentation at center court at halftime! Everyone will be together cheering on our hometown Pacers on Monday, March 5th when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks. On this night, you’ll be able to pick up all of your prizes at the game. You could earn prizes such as:
· 2 FREE Tickets to our School Night
· Personalized Pacers T-Shirt with your Name on the back
· Autographed Basketball signed by the entire Pacers team
· All-Star Treatment at a Pacers game including pre-game dinner, lower level tickets, and post-game VIP tour of the Pacers locker room!
And if you can’t make it to our school night game, we have 3 alternate game options. They are March 9th, March 25th and April 10!
You have the option to purchase your tickets online. You can even share the offer with family and friends via social media! It will be easier than ever to sell lots of tickets and earn those prizes! Simply go to www.pacersgroups.com/bucks to purchase your tickets!
TEACHERS: If you get 5 or more students to turn in an order form with at least 1 ticket sold, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win $500 from the Pacers to put towards classroom supplies!
A portion of every ticket sold will help raise money for our school. The DEADLINE TO RETURN ORDER FORMS IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31st. You can order online until Wednesday, February 7th. Go Pacers! Click here to learn more.
Panther Pride Geist 5K Team
Planning on running the Geist 5K or half marathon this year? Then join our Panther Pride Geist 5K team and run or walk with fellow Panthers! Not only will you have fun and get fit, but a portion of your race entry fee comes back to benefit the students and staff at HIJH. Click on the link below to register early. More information and details to come!
E-Waste Recycling Program
Middle Years
HIJH Connect
Multicultural Holidays
Click here to find out about the Multicultural Holidays for the month.
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