Homer High-Lights
Volume 5, Issue 7, April 2017
Message from the Principal
It is PEAKS test time. PEAKS is the new state testing program that is taking the place of AMP and the SBA. How our school performs on this test is important because it helps determine our star rating. It is what is used when we are evaluated as a school. It can also give teachers valuable information for guiding instruction and remediation.
As a school Homer High has traditionally done very well on these tests, but there is more to school than just tests. One area our students shine in is community service and participation. Our National Honor Society usually supports one family during Share the Spirit and sponsors one Blood Drive per year. This year, the NHS students did such a good job they are sponsoring another two day Blood Drive event. This is on top of the 12 hours of community that each NHS student must complete each year.
We recently found out that one of our students at HHS has cancer. Several student organizations have stepped up to help the family out with expenses. The Junior class is planning an activity night March 31st from 8-11 p.m. for high school students and half the proceeds will be donated to this cause. The soccer team is planning on a soccer event fundraiser April 5th and Student Council is raising money with a Pennies for Patients fundraiser.
While test scores are important, what these students are doing for their fellow classmate makes me proud to be principal at HHS and may be more important than our traditional curriculum. I am glad that parents, the community and Homer High are working together to raise caring and engaged young adults.
We are always looking to improve HHS and I would love to hear your suggestions or insights. You can email me at dwaclawski@kpbsd.org or call me at 235-4600. If this doesn't work for you, feel free to come into school and we can chat in person. We work hard to develop a positive and safe school environment, but we can't do it alone. If you know of a problem, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Douglas Waclawski
Principal
AP Information Night
Want to take an AP class? Look before you leap!
One of the primary reasons Homer High graduates are so well-prepared for college is our Advanced Placement (AP) program. AP courses are college-level classes that are taught in high school and offer the opportunity for university credit. HHS has 9 AP offerings, as well as one honors class. We invite interested students and parents to come learn more about the heightened expectations, as well as the benefits, of taking AP. The teachers of each course will discuss course content, work load and any required summer work. If students decide to take an AP class next year, it is a commitment that we want all parties to understand ahead of time.
Wednesday, April 5th 6pm – HHS library – See you there!
Dates To Remember
April 4--10th Grade PEAKS Testing
April 4--Site Council Meeting 3:45 p.m.
April 5--Early Release Day (school releases at 1:45)
April 5-- Soccer Clinic Fundraiser 2:00 p.m.
April 5--AP Class Information Night 6:00 p.m.
April 6--10th Grade PEAKS Testing
April 7--Soccer vs Grace Girls; Varsity 4:00, Boys Varsity 6:00
April 11--Soccer vs Soldotna Girls Varsity 4:00 Boys Varsity 6:00
April 15--Prom
April 17--Grade Check
April 20--Track vs Kodiak 4:00
April 22--Soccer vs Kenai JV; Boys noon, Girls Varsity 2:00, Boys Varsity 4:00
April 25--Softball vs Soldotna 6:00 at Jack Gist Park
April 27--Soccer vs Nikiski; Boys JV 2:30, Girls Varsity 4:00, Boys Varsity 6:00
April 28--Soccer vs Ketchikan; Boys Varsity 4:00, Girls Varsity 6:00
April 28--Softball vs Colony; JV 4:00 and Varsity 6:00
April 29--Homer Track Invite 9:00 a.m.
April 29--Softball vs Palmer JV 12:00, Varsity 2:00
April 29--Culinary Arts Trivia and Bread/Soup Bowl 6:30
New Bell Schedule for 2017-18
Below is the proposed bell schedule for Homer High School next year (2017-2018). This schedule solves some challenges.
First, we needed to change our schedule to start a half hour later to accommodate the new area bus schedule, a change that will save the district nearly half a million dollars each year in bus expenses.
Secondly, we changed our hours on Tuesday and Thursday so we have 1st and 6th periods on these days. This makes it easier for students to take advantage of JumpStart college classes.
Lastly, we moved our Tuesday sixth period day to Friday. This also shifts our block days to Tuesday through Thursday. This allows our schedule to be aligned with other high schools in the district so we can offer more blended or distance classes in collaboration with them.
This schedule has been approved by both Homer High's Site Council as well as our staff. Barring any large problems that we haven’t foreseen, this will be our schedule for next year. Please let me know your thoughts about it at dwaclawski@kpbsd.org.
Skills USA Finishes Strong At State
Cole Socha earned second place in construction and Samantha Martin was voted Treasurer on the Skills USA board.
Nice work, Mariners!
Cole Socha (center) is presented his medal
Samantha Martin (third from right) poses with the new Skills USA board
Kalen Molodih gets to work during the construction competition
2018-18 Class Registration
On Monday, counselors are wrapping up classroom visits to get students’ course requests for next school year.
Please view their requests and make sure you’re in agreement. If not, please let the counseling department of any corrections before April 7th. Just log on to PowerSchool as a parent or with your student’s account and click on the “Class Registration” icon under the Scheduling menu on the left side.
The requests are made by semester, so a full schedule would show 12 requests and 3 alternates.
The HHS course catalog is available on the KPBSD web site under Students/Parents.
PowerSchool App
Counselor Corner
AP Testing
This May, 67 HHS students will be taking 117 AP tests. Our students have done well on the tests they have taken in the past years and I’m sure this year will be no exception. Testing will begin on May 1 and run through May 11. The price of $93 per test may sound high but the resulting credit at many colleges will be three times the price per credit. In addition, students will receive a grade “bump” for taking an AP course. Payment can be made for test fees at any time between now and test day. Students who are included in the free or reduced fee lunch program will have their fees waived. If you believe that your family might qualify to receive these services, please apply now, even if you have not done so in the past. Qualified students are not in any way required to participate in the lunch program itself, just to qualify for fee assistance. Students registered in the Migrant Ed. program can have their fees refunded (please call for the directions).
Looking at student requests for next year, it is obvious that many students have had success in AP classes and plan to take more in the future. Additionally, younger students have picked up on the idea that college level classes make for a more rewarding high school experience. The Advanced Placement program is alive and thriving at Homer High.
Schedule for AP 2017:
Monday May 1—Chemistry
Thursday May 4—US Govt. & Politics
Friday May 5—US History
Wednesday May 10-- English Language
Thursday May 11—Comparative Govt. & Politics
All test will be in the morning at the College.
College Classes
The Kachemak Bay campus will offer classes to high school students again next fall. Any student who is qualified can take a college class with juniors and seniors qualifying for the Jump Start Program, making classes very affordable. Students can choose from a wide offering of courses including many which are not available at the high school. It is –possible for students to earn twenty or more college credits while still in high school. There will be an open house at KBC Tuesday, April 25th at 5 pm for students and parents who are interested in learning more.
College Visit
Lindsay Buccafurni will be visiting HHS on Monday April 5 to talk with interested students (see the article in this week’s Homer news). Lindsay represents Central Oregon Community in beautiful Bend Oregon. This is an excellent two-year college with excellent programs (including nursing) and new dorms, perfect for our out of state students. Costs of two-year programs are approximately one-third of those at state four-year schools. Parents are welcome to meet with her call 235-4621 to set up a time.
We Want You to Follow HHS on Facebook!
We want to be able to give you instant up-to-date information about what is going on at school. This can include emergencies, sports scores, as well as dates and times of events. To stay tuned to what is going on at Homer High, "like" us on Facebook. The address is www.facebook.com/homerhs. Join close to 800 other people who have liked HHS on Facebook and the over 2000 people who view our Facebook posts.
Homer Blood Drive Part II
We Need Your Help!
Visit the Homer High School Website
Are you wondering when sports teams have home games? Do you have a senior who needs paperwork for their senior service project ? Do you want to see agendas and minutes from our site council meetings? Check out our school website to find answers to these and other questions.
The address is http://homerhighschool.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/.
You can access PowerSchool from our website and weekly activities as well. There are lots of great links and valuable information about Homer High School. If you have suggestions for things you would like to see on our website, please talk to Mr. Waclawski.
HHS Alumni Inducted Into Sports Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Homer High alumni and staff for being inducted into the the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame this year. We have had some awesome athletes of the years and I am glad to see them getting recognition. Homer High is proud of you!
Athletes
Beth Ladd – Homer High School – Basketball, XC Running, Track
Jody Reding – Homer High School – Basketball, XC Running, Track
Coach
Dave Cloud – Homer High School – Basketball
Mariner Basketball Finishes Strong
1st Team All Conference
Justin Ellison
Koby Etzwiler
2nd Team All Conference
Jordan Beachy
Joel Carroll
Uliana Reutov
Good Sport Award
Jordan Beachy
Annali Metz
Erin Farrell
All Conference Cheer Team
Falcom Greear
Amaya Varga
Jullianna Hannenburger
Erin Farrell Accepts Her Good Sport Award
Uliana Reutov and Jordan Beachy Receive Their Second Team Awards
Justin Ellison and Koby Etzwiler Earn First Team All-Conference
Homer High School
Email: dwaclawski@kpbsd.org
Website: http://homerhighschool.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/
Location: 600 E Fairview Ave, Homer, AK
Phone: 907-235-4600
Facebook: www.facebook.com/homerhs