JH/HS Principal Newsletter
March 2024
Panther Community!
We are now on the doorstep of spring as we turn to the month of March!! With the new month comes the hope of warmer weather, longer days, and the start of our spring sports season!! Additionally, the reality of the Class of 2024 graduating and moving on to the next phase in life becomes more and more real. The school year will rapidly be coming to a close, but I look forward to the challenges and triumphs the next three months will bring!
As always, I want to highlight a couple of items I included in the newsletter this month. First off, we have a lighter month with Panther Activities!! Please take a look and come out and support our Panther students as they compete in town as well as in the region. Second, SENIOR PARENTS, please read through the senior reminders as there are many items pertaining to graduation and the week leading up to it. Finally, please make sure you take a look at the spring testing dates in April. We want students to BE AT THEIR BEST during this time and give their best efforts on these tests. These tests provide GREAT DATA for the students and their families as well as for the school district!
Finally, please know that all stakeholders are here for ALL students to be successful. If there are any questions or concerns you have, please feel free to reach out to the staff and administration here at Hershey Jr/Sr High School and we will be more than happy to help make sure ALL students are successful and have a great experience here at Hershey!
School Resources
Hershey Panthers Website
SPVA Conference Calendar
Nebraska Schools Activities Association
2023-2024 Bell Schedule
2023-2024 District Calendar
Standard Response Protocol
PANTHERMOJO
We are continuing to be intentional on making sure that each week we are touching base with our initiative for the 23-24 school year, PANTHER MOJO. MOJO stands for the following:
Meaningful Engagement
cOmmon Expectations
Joy in Learning
Opportunities for Growth
As a staff this past month we have talked about the importance of cOmmon Expectations as a PK-12 staff. For us, this includes the following: Classroom 1) Greeting at the Doorway 2) Prepared for Class 3) Active Engagement / Hallway 1) Passing on the Correct Side 2) Appropriate Voice Level & Language 3) Older Students Model for Younger Students
In the coming month we will circle back to the beginning and talk about Joy in Learning and practical steps we can take as a staff to build that in our classrooms and in our district!
Marzano Educational Framework
The second semester has provided us as a K-12 staff to continue to look at the Marzano Educational Framework we have adopted and reflect on what this looks like in our classrooms. This semester we have looked at Establishing and Maintaining Effective Relationships in the Classroom and will soon transition into the concept of Using Questioning to Help Students Elaborate on Content. The staff continues to work hard to engage and grow in the Marzano Framework we have adopted here at HPS!
February HPSEF Student of the Month
Congratulations to HPS Senior, Aliyah Vaughn, on being selected as the HPSEF February Student of the Month! Ali is a very active member of the Hershey student body. She participates in basketball, high school rodeo, Teammates, STUCO, NHS, FBLA, and FFA. Ali maintains a 4.0 GPA and is ranked 3rd in the class all the while being an active member of the Panther student body!
Hershey teachers commented that Ali "Possesses the characteristics of a true leader. She presents herself with grace and respect. She is very inclusive of others and makes sure everyone feels welcomed. Ali is a leader in the classroom and on the court. She pushes herself to be her best but is always looking for ways to grow! Ali is a role model to many and I am proud to say that my own child looks up to her." Another Panther staff member said Ali " Is helpful, considerate, demonstrates high academic performance in her classwork, and is a leader among her classmates." A final staff member said "Ali is a delight in and out of the classroom. She always checks in on me when we are working on NHS or FBLA projects, as she wants things to run smoothly. She is gearing up for her blood drive and is determined to crush her goal. I know I can always rely on Ali for anything as she is a leader who is trustworthy and one with true character! She is an ideal role model here at Hershey Public School! A true gem!"
Again, congratulations to Panther Senior, Aliyah Vaughn, on being selected as the HPSEF February Student of the Month!!!
March Panther Activities
3.2.24 - Speech @ Maxwell Invitational (Maxwell H.S.)
3.4.24 - NHS Blood Drive @ Hershey Legion Hall
3.5.24 - HAL Activity Day @ Hershey Public Schools
3.5.24 - Hershey Quiz Bowl (Hershey H.S.)
3.6.24 - End of Quarter 3
3.7.24 & 3.8.24 - No School - HPS Spring Break
3.11.24 - HPS School Board Meeting (Hershey Media Center Collaboration Space)
3.14.24 - Hershey Spring Sports Media Day (Hershey H.S.)
3.15.24 - Speech @ NSAA District Meet (Wallace H.S.)
3.16.24 - Hershey High School Prom
3.16.24 - Girls Tennis @ North Platte Doubles Invite (Cody Park)
3.18.24 - Chad Cargill ACT Prep Presentation (Hershey Main Gym)
3.18.24 - NHS New Member Induction (Hershey Main Gym)
3.19.24 - SPVA Music Contest @ North Platte St. Pats
3.20.24 - Speech @ NSAA State Championships (Kearney H.S.)
3.21.24 - Girls Tennis @ McCook Triangular (McCook SH Courts)
3.22.24 - Elementary School Carnival (Hershey H.S.)
3.23.24 - Class C All State Band @ Kearney High School
3.23.24 - Hershey/NPSP Track Invitational @ Summers Field
3.26.24 - Girls Tennis @ Hastings Dual (McCook SH Courts)
3.27.24 - Girls Tennis @ Scottsbluff Dual (Scottsbluff H.S.)
3.28.24 - Boys Golf @ Amherst Invitational (The Greens at Prairie Hills)
3.28.24 - Girls Tennis @ North Platte Invitational (Cody Park)
3.28.24 - HS Track & Field @ Sutherland Booster Club Invitational
3.29.24 - No School - Easter Break
K-12 Students at Panther Activities
In order to keep all fans safe and our facilities secure during home Panther events, we ask that parents/guardians have their K-6 students sit with them during the event. We thank you in advance for your help and cooperation with this!
Hershey Panther Senior Tips & Reminders
Below are some GREAT tips and reminders shared by our 7-12 guidance counselor, Jolene Pettera!
- Students taking DUAL CREDIT CLASSES through Mid Plains Community College need to make sure they are turning coursework in on time and checking their MPCC EMAIL on a regular basis to get information from their professors!
- Continuing working on scholarships that are posted in the senior room on Thrillshare. New scholarships are posted as they become available.
- Fill out college applications. If you have any questions be sure to consult Mrs. Pettera. Submit your application now, along with all necessary forms and application fee.
- Tell Mrs. Pettera where you have applied so transcripts can be sent.
- LAPTOPS with Microsoft Office are available for USE IN the LIBRARY. They cannot be taken/checked out from this area at this time.
- There is a printer for SENIOR USE in the LIBRARY. Please have a library staff member assist you when you need to print.
- Seniors last day of classes is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 25th, 2024
- Seniors will check out is tentatively scheduled for Friday, April 26th starting at 8:15 AM.
- The Baccalaureate Service is scheduled for Sunday, April 28th at 7:00 PM at Methodist Church in Hershey.
- Senior Trip to Omaha, NE is scheduled for Monday, April 29th with the bus departure TBD.
- The High School Academic Awards Assembly will be held on Tuesday, April 30th at 10:00 AM.
- Senior Graduation Practice is scheduled for Wednesday. May 1st at 2:30 PM with Send Off to follow at 3:15 PM.
- Senior Speeches (President/Val/Sal) are due to Mr. Cudney and Mrs. Davis on Friday, May 3rd at 1:30 PM.
- Class of 2024 Graduation is scheduled for Saturday, May 4th at 10:00 AM
Hershey Panther Fine Arts
School Policy Information & Reminders
- Safe/Secure School
- Chromebook Usage
- Cell Phone/Personal Electronic Device Policy
- Academic Eligibility & Good Standing
- Lunch/Open Campus
- Grading: Make-up Work / Late Work
- Dress Code
Here is the link to the complete 2023-2024 Student Handbook: https://www.hpspanthers.org/page/handbooks
NSAA Spring Sport Reminders
The following items need to be turned in to the high school office PRIOR to a student-athlete participating in spring sports practice on Monday, February 26th, 2024!!
Hershey 2024 Prom
The 2024 Hershey Prom will be held on Saturday, March 16th. The evening will start with the Grand March at Hershey High School scheduled to start at 4:30 PM. The event will then transition to Venue 304 in North Platte for the dance portion of the night which will start at 8:00 PM and run to 11:00 PM. Looking forward to celebrating a great tradition with Panther students and their guests. All guest forms must be turned into the main office by Friday, March 8th.
Spring NSCAS/MAPS Testing & Junior ACT
2nd Semester 7-12 Finals Schedule
Below is the tentative schedule for the last week of school for 7-12 Hershey students:
- Review Dates - May 9th & 10th
- Semester Finals - Monday (May 13th) & Tuesday (May 14th)
- Make-Up Day / HS Helpers for AR Field Day - Wednesday (May 15th)
- Class Checkout - Thursday (May 16th)
2023-2024 Hershey 7-12 Bell Schedule
Below is the bell schedule for the upcoming school year:
1st Period 8:15-9:03
2nd Period 9:06 - 9:54
3rd Period 9:57 - 10:45
4th Period 10:48 - 11:36
5th Period 11:39 - 12:26
JH Lunch 11:35 - 12:05
JH 5th Period 12:07 - 12:57
SH Lunch 12:26 - 12:55
6th Period 1:00 - 1:48
7th Period 1:51 - 2:39
8th Period 2:42 - 3:42
On Friday School is let out at the end of 7th Period at 2:39 PM.
HPS Breakfast & Lunch Menus
School Not in Session Dates
Below are the dates school will not be in session during the remaining school year. Please make every effort to plan trips, vacations, and student absences during this time.
Bullying/Harassment Concerns
Panther School Safety
The most important part of any school is the safety and well being of the students and staff! Several items exist within schools to support school safety. These include:
Secured access during the school day. Visitors to school must check-in at the main office after they are allowed access through the office doors. All other doors are to be closed and locked during the course of the school day.
Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is established. This provides a consistent student and staff response to potential emergencies. More information about SRP can be found at this LINK.
Minimizing deliveries during the school day. We understand that a parent may wish to deliver food to students for special occasions, and we appreciate this. We discourage this from being a regular occurrence.
Minimizing student visits to vehicles during the school day. Students that forget a school-related item in their vehicles may check-in at the main office before they are allowed to visit their vehicles.
We appreciate the important part our students, staff, and families play in keeping our school safe. In the quarter of the school year, we have successfully completed one of our two district wide tornado drills, four fire drills, one of our two bus evacuation drills, and one of our SRP drills for the school year! We believe that we want to continue to prepare our students in the case of an emergency so that we are prepared in the case of a true emergency!