News from Panther Headquarters
September 2021
From the desk of the Principal...
Hello Panther Families –
Thank you for the privilege of teaching your children as they came to school with a positive attitude willing to learn. Our purpose per our new Mission Statement, Facilitate Learning, Foster Agency to Empower ALL Students, goes way beyond excelling on state and national test scores. Moreover, while we do emphasize academics and excel in that area, it is our job to ensure that our students become well-rounded citizens who can think critically and solve problems that they will be faced with throughout childhood and adulthood. Learning goes beyond academics as our data showed through the various Panorama Surveys taken last year, and as such, Social Emotional Learning will be a key component in HSE. All 5/6 classrooms are engaged in AM Community Circles daily to build relationships and provide safe zone for students to share. I believe that the HSE21 Vision and instructional model drives how we will approach our teaching and learning every day.
A key part of our success at HIJH is the continuation of a concept called Professional Learning Communities (PLC) where collaboration and data-driven decisions are the norm. As a Staff, we have reached consensus on the Big 3 Ideas of PLC’s to ensure the success of your child; they are as follows: 1. We accept Learning as the fundamental purpose of our school and therefore are willing to examine all practices in light of their impact on learning. 2. We are committed to working together to achieve our collective purpose. We cultivate a Collaborative Culture through development of high-performing departments. 3. We assess our effectiveness based on Results rather than the intentions. Individuals, teams and the school seek relevant data and information and use that information to provide continuous improvement. Canvas is our Learning Management System and key communication tool. The Calendar is where to find what and when, and Modules contain needed content and where students can upload assignments. Students can check daily needs through the Announcements tab or through the emails they receive from Announcements. Parents can set up a separate Canvas parental account with username/password different from their student. Log into www.hseschools.org scroll to bottom of the site for the Parent Resources for Canvas link.
Respectfully,
Tim A. Mankin
Upcoming Important Dates
Click here to find HIJH upcoming important dates.
September/October Calendar
HIJH Student Handbook
All HSE Schools student handbooks (K-12) are now online for easier access. Click here to find the handbook for Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate and Junior High (HIJH).
Course Fee Information
Picture Retake Days
We will communicate with students when to come down. We are still working out the details.
You are not required to purchase photos. If you would like to purchase photos visit mylifetouch.com, our ID is EVT4DS7GT
Messages from the Nurse
Illness. Just a reminder not to send in your student "sick" to school. If your student has Congestion/runny nose, loss of taste or smell, cough, headache, vomiting, sore throat, diarrhea, abdominal pains, fever of 100.4, or difficulty breathing.
Donations. The clinic is asking for donations of gently used leggings.
Please stay safe and be healthy!
Covid Reminder Information
Please remember to send your student to school healthy. If a student is ill and has any of the symptoms of Covid listed below, we encourage you to get your student tested using a PCR test, which is available via Fishers Health Department (COVID Vaccine | Fishers, IN - Official Website) or the Indiana Department of Health (ISDH - Novel Coronavirus: COVID-19 Testing Information). PCR tests are the most accurate and provide less risk of a false positive or negative result. A visit to your physician is also suggested if you feel this is not Covid-related, then a doctor's note would be needed for your student to return to school. Please do not send your child to school ill or while waiting for Covid test results.
Symptoms to monitor for: Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of Breath or difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle or body aches, Headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore Throat, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Counselor's Corner
Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year!
Back to School Forms. New and returning families must complete all “Back to School” forms, every year as they assist our staff with your student’s needs. Both the student health information card and the Community Health form must be completed.
Also, if you have not completed the rental agreement form for your child’s iPad, one must be completed each year. Every child is required to have an iPad as part of their book supply needs. Even if you choose to have your child bring their own device, this agreement must be completed, stating your intentions.
Panther Families in Need – Snack Attack. HIJH is pleased to announce the return of the Snack Attack program for those students in need. This program, supported by the Fishers Youth Assistance Program, is designed to provide students a little extra nourishment for the weekend.
Here's how the program works. Your student will pick up a small sack of food in the front office. The sack is filled with individually wrapped snacks such as granola bars, fruit cups, pop tarts, peanut butter/crackers, Goldfish crackers, etc. The type of snacks will vary each week. Please let us know if your child has a peanut allergy as he/she will receive a special bag of peanut-free snacks. This program is set to begin the week of September 7th. There is no cost to you or the school. If you are interested in having your student participate in FYAP's Snack Attack program or have questions, please contact Kristen Weitzel at kweitzel@hse.k12.in.us or the Guidance Office at 317-594-4124.
Newly Enrolled Families/Address Changes. If you are new to the district or have changed your address over the summer, please be sure that you have provided all of the required residency documents to the Guidance Office. HSE district requires a lease, a closing statement or a warranty deed with the address and closer/leaser signature, and a recent copy of a utility bill and a drivers license with the accurate address. We will only need one document to change the address, but all are required documents within 45 days of the address change. Thanks for your assistance with this.
Click here for Twenty-First Century Scholars information.
Building Equity Team
Every HSE building has an Equity Team; HIJH’s Equity Team works with teachers on ways to create an inclusive classroom and school that welcomes and sees all students. If you or your student ever have an equity concern or topic you’d like to discuss, please feel free to reach out to our Equity Coaches, JoyAnn Boudreau and Sarah El-Rahaiby. We want to support all teachers, students, and families in working to have all students feel seen, represented, and valued.
Library News
We are excited to work with your students and their classes in the library this year! The library has a range of resources for our 5th - 8th graders including books for middle grade, middle school, and young adult readers. Young Adult books have been recommended by publishers for grades 7 and up. We leave the decision of whether or not your 5th or 6th grader can check out YA books to the adults at home. If you would like your 5th or 6th grader to have permission to check out, email Mrs. Boudreau.
Book Fair. We are excited to have an in person Fall Book Fair! It will be September 13-17 in the library during the school day. Check out the Scholastic Middle School Fair Flyer ahead of time and the online fair. (Online shopping will be open September 8-21.)
HIJH Sports Information
2021-2022 6th/7th/8th Boys & Girls Basketball Information
https://hij.hseschools.org/student-life/athletics/basketball
2021-2022 6th/7th/8th Wrestling Information
https://hij.hseschools.org/student-life/athletics/wrestling
2021-2022 7th/8th Winter Cheerleading
Tryout info coming soon and will be posted here: https://hij.hseschools.org/student-life/athletics/cheerleading
Attention all 8th Grade Parents
Attention all 8th grade parents. The legendary trip continues! Over 150 students are signed up but we still have a few open spots left. The registration deadline for this school year’s annual 8th grade Washington DC trip is September 15th ! You can register online at www.worldstrides.com using our trip ID# 193268. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity! The trip will be on 2/18/22 to 2/21/22. Go to our trip website at www.dctrip.info or contact Eric Brown (ebrown@hse.k12.in.us ) if you have any additional questions.
Band Notes
HSE Marching Band Junior High Night. All 7th and 8th grade band students will attend an HSE High School Marching Band Night at the HSE football stadium on Thursday, September 23rd. An itinerary, details, and a permission slip for this event will be sent home on Monday, August 30th.
5th Grade Choir
Choir
PTO News
ARE YOU IN THE LOOP? Follow @HIJHPTO on Facebook for the latest and up to date HIJH information. **Click here for the link to Sign up to receive all the latest PTO info & newsletter.
PTO website. Checkout our PTO website (www.hijhpto.wordpress.com) for the 2021-22 calendar, past meeting minutes, newsletters, and more.
Next PTO Meeting. The next PTO meeting will be Monday, Sept 13th at 11 AM in the HIJH conference room. All HIJH parents are invited to join us.
Thank You. SPIRIT WEAR - Thank you to all the amazing families who purchased spirit wear & planners. The spirit wear should be delivered to your child at school by mid Sept. PANTHER PEP RALLY & TAILGATE - was a huge success; what a wonderful turnout to cheer on our fall Panther athletes. Another big THANK YOU to all the parents who volunteered to help at the Pep Rally & Tailgate, we cannot put on these fun events for our kiddos without you! SECRET PALS - Thank you to all who signed up to be a Secret Pal for our amazing HIJH staff this year. If you signed up but did not receive an email with your assigned staff member - please reach out to Star Untersee on FB or at StarHope78@yahoo.com.
Dine to Donate. Tuesday, Sept 28@ Ohana’s from 5-7 PM
Panther Rewards.
Kroger. (Set up on a desktop). You still earn all of your Kroger reward/fuel points-this is just BONUS money for the PTO to use towards awesome things for HIJH and your kids. https://kroger.com/. Sign into your account by clicking the person on the top right hand corner of the screen. Once you are signed in, click "My Account" under your profile tab. Click "Community Rewards" on the left hand side of the page. Type in "HIJH-PTO" or "WT583" and link your card to our account. Click "Enroll."
Amazon. HIJH can earn money when you shop AMAZON on BOTH the app and desktop at no cost to you. (“set up” has to be on your DESKTOP or in Safari NOT app). Login to Amazon on your desktop or safari, then go https://smile.amazon.com/. Type HSJH PTO under “supporting. (note: there is a S not an I – in HSJH). AFTER set up on desktop or safari–now go to the Amazon App, go to settings (=), click on Amazon Smile and follow the on screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.
Market Day. Remember a few years ago, getting Market Day flyers, looking at all the tasty food, excited to go to school and pick it up...then it all disappeared . But never fear, Market Day is here... again! The program is slightly different though. No longer will flyers come home, you can shop any time online! No more getting in your car and driving all the way to school to get your food, it's shipped to you! Select our school when you buy and we get 10% back! You get tasty food while supporting the school, such a win win! Sign up to receive emails from them and get a coupon sent to your email. It's all pretty exciting and tasty! (https://www.marketdaylocal.com/)
Coke Rewards. Enter Coke Bottle Caps in or enter codes online for HIJH.
Box Tops. Keep clipping & scanning Box Tops & send the clipped ones in with your child's name, grade, teacher on envelope or baggie. Bonus: Raffle prizes will be drawn each semester for those who enter 25 or more. Click here for more Box Tops information.
Thank you for your support of the PTO and those families who have already linked their accounts to our school! The more families who are linked, the more money the PTO earns - and it all goes back to the school!
Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate/Junior High
Ph: 317-594-4120
Attendance: 317-594-4126
Guidance: 317-594-4124
Fax: 317-594-4129
Twitter: @HIJPanthers
Athletics Twitter: @HIJathletics
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.