Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood Update
Week of September 8, 2021
The Meaning of Service
What are you wearing!?!
We encourage everyone to wear clothing that does not reveal undergarments. Entertainers may dress a certain way to draw attention, but students do not come to Hersey to entertain, you are here to learn.
Parents sometimes may not be aware of how their children dress for school as a result of leaving early for work. This is such a sensitive topic, educators walk on tiptoes because we don't want to be seen as judgmental, but there is a line, isn't there? Students are NOT allowed to wear playboy insignias in school, t-shirts advertising drug/alcohol references and profanity.
The torn jeans, short tight shorts, and baseball caps in hallways are not the problem. The concern is crop tops that reveal bra under bands, visible garter belts holding up 3/4 length fishnet stocking, tank top undershirts with no bras, skirts so short that underwear and 1/4 of the lower glutes are hanging out, and sagging pants where underwear are spilling out, etc.
Let's focus a little more on self-respect and school decorum. Students, you can't hide who you are! No hat, hood, silly cartoon bunny or any other accoutrement is going to change that, and that's fine because you are fantastic just the way you are. Each of us was born with EXACTLY the right amount of potential to maximize the gifts that WE have; try your best with what you have…..
3rd Block/7th Block Changes
Effective this week, there will be changes to the third and seventh block open campus options. We are responsible for all 2100 Hersey students; it's important that we do everything we can to keep our learning environment safe, orderly, and productive. We are implementing specific options for what students can do during those two blocks. Clearly we cannot allow students to roam throughout the entire building. We're looking into promoting "three on three" intramural indoor soccer/basketball leagues if there is an interest. We're also facilitating some stretching, meditation, "yoga type" type spaces. Students will be notified on the specifics very soon. It's important that everyone understands the following points.
POINT ONE
Your first option is to leave the building immediately if you are a sophomore, junior, or senior. Please remember to scan out. Students may only exit and enter Doors #1 and #32. Freshman caught leaving the building during school without permission stand to lose open campus privileges in the future. If you leave the building, remember that you represent Hersey High School wherever you go in this area. You are doing a great job overall with wearing your masks, this must also be the case at local businesses. Treat all community members with respect. We have already had instances where businesses have threatened to limit our entry and access as a result of the inappropriate and disrespectful behavior of just a few students. It's not fair to the entire community if just one of our students is casually and irresponsibly using profanity. Walk in Huskie integrity.
POINT TWO
Doors to the academic hallways will be closed at the beginning of the lunch periods. Once the cafeteria and commons area is full, those students who remain in the building can only eat outside and in the front hallway. Students are not allowed to eat food outside of those areas with the exception of Band, Orchestra, and Chorus students who may eat in the music hallway. Food is not allowed in the ARC, gymnasiums, fieldhouse, classrooms, or fitness center.
The overwhelming majority of our students do a great job of cleaning up after themselves, we really appreciate that. It is your responsibility to clean up after yourself. It is not the responsibility of another student or staff member to clean up after you. Please pick up every bit of trash and food that you took from the cafeteria line and throw it away once you have finished eating. If you spill something, ask an adult for the equipment and clean it up.
You will soon be required to scan your ID for lunch, we still have students who are taking two lunches. Each student is allowed only one lunch. If you are still hungry after eating lunch and you need more food, please discreetly notify a trusted adult and we will absolutely take care of you. The kitchen staff serve us to the best of their ability, we need to follow their guidelines and protocols. There is never a reason to steal anything in this building.
POINT THREE
After eating lunch, students will be allowed to go directly to one of the aforementioned activities once we have them in place. We plan on starting sometime this week. The doors to the academic areas will be closed at the beginning of lunches. If students need to study in the ARC, they can speak to one of the hall supervisors. Students should expect that adults will kindly ask for their destination as part of our safety and wellness efforts. Again, students will not be allowed to randomly roam the halls.
Never Alone
Some students don't feel a connection to their school or their peers...yet. They may be eating alone, they may not have found a co-curricular activity, they may feel lonely. Some don't mind, they are comfortable with their space. In some cases other students make it hard to maintain a durable social battery, people can be draining. But for those who do want to meet new people, be patient. Try to step out of your comfort zone; find the right time to introduce yourself to someone in class but don't compromise your integrity. It's not worth hanging around someone if they are going to be a negative influence on you. Look on the website and pick a club or activity to join.
Keep your head up.
Transportation and Parking
Back up bus usually arrives up to an hour later. Thankfully most students are adapting by either calling for a ride or using the time to be productive. In any event, I apologize for the inconvenience. I feel horrible that our student's days become extended due to no fault of their own. This is just one side effect of the current pandemic. Please continue to be patient. Grand Prairie has expanded their hiring efforts in hopes of attracting more drivers, sadly there is still a shortage. It is possible that additional routes could be added if the national employment situation changes.
D214 Transportation officials have been very responsive to our needs, please don't hesitate to contact their office or the Hersey Main Office.
Student Parking...UGH!
I've tried to negotiate some parking spots in the Prospect Crossing parking lot but to no avail. (It seems logical that they would sell us a few spots just until November 1st since there is plenty of space but that's their prerogative.) I understand student parking is an issue. We have more seniors who purchased spots this year. It's not the first time this has happened, please be patient and encourage your child to be patient. The Basin Lot will open November 1st. Students risk being ticketed and towed by parking in illegal spots.
We've been notified of some recent vandalism in the area surrounding Tony's, including slashed tires. They are working with the police on video surveillance images. Please notify us if you have any information related to these incidents.
Fall Physical Education Waivers
Wow! I botched this up real good! The requirements for 2021-2022 physical education waivers has been updated. The application deadline has been extended to Friday, September 10th. (SEE LINK BELOW) Students must meet the following qualifications (Below) in order to be eligible. Thank you if you have already submitted the application. If you qualify under these guidelines, there is nothing more for you to do on your end. Students should receive an approval or denial email by next week. Contact Mr. Rogers or Mr. Krajacic if you have questions. Schedules should be adjusted the week of September 13th.
Students in grades 9-12 rostered on a VARSITY (I failed to mention this in my earlier correspondence) athletic team are eligible to apply for a PE waiver during the semester of their competitive athletic season. Students must be enrolled in Physical Education 853 and/or 854 in order to request a PE waiver. Varsity athletics are a tad more physically demanding than freshman and junior varsity levels. It would not be responsible to blanket issue a waiver to every child who requests one.
Before approaching the PE waiver application, please note the following:
If the waiver is granted, a study hall will be placed in the student’s schedule.
If a student currently has a study hall, parents please be aware that a waiver provides an additional 80 minutes of unsupervised time as the study hall would be open. If a freshman qualifies for the waiver as a varsity level athlete, the student will be required to stay in the building.
It is unlikely that a student would be enrolled in another academic course in lieu of the waived PE class as we may not have the capacity. See exceptions below.
Study Hall may be replaced by a course if one of these exceptions featured below is applicable:
A junior or senior student needs to enroll in an academic class that is required from their accepted/committed institution of higher learning. Proof of acceptance from the college is required (Note – a non required course would be replaced by such course before a PE waiver would be granted);
A senior student needs to enroll in an academic class that is required for graduation from high school, provided that failure to take such class will result in the student being unable to graduate. (Typically an elective course would be replaced by such a course before a PE waiver would be granted; however, there are currently no seats available in our elective courses);
A student that is enrolled in a District sponsored competitive marching band program will have the option for a PE Waiver at the time of course selection.
Please click HERE to apply.
Equity is not a "One-Off"
You'll likely find these efforts in most U.S. states and in many lands (those who embrace democracy) across both oceans. The Constitution preamble states, "the blessings of liberty..." That liberty includes being free within society from oppressive restrictions. We cannot force people to embrace this DEI concept; there is no law that says humans must show kindness to their neighbor. It's a moral responsibility, similar to the way a white male in the 1940s south who sees an elderly black woman step on a bus doesn't have to give up his seat when he observes that she is exhausted struggling with grocery bags. It's a personal choice in a very pivotal and sensitive historical moment.
I'm not asking anyone to blindly follow. Sometimes we just conform because that's what everyone else is doing, it's what we are taught, or maybe it's tradition lacking understanding and reason. No staff member will push an ideology or belief system on any student; that's not our job, but we should be teaching students how to think. Our job is not to spoon feed thought. The concept of equity requires deep and critical thinking. As a principal, educational leader, and dad, I promote curiosity based on sound sound logic and making a positive difference in our community.
PSAT NMSQT Exam Registration for juniors closes September 10. Register at https://psatreg.d214.org/ Test Date: Wednesday, October 13 Cost: $30
Homecoming-Our Homecoming Football Game is Friday, October 15th. The Homecoming Dance is Saturday, October 16th. It will be held outside. Look out for information on tickets and times.
Seal of Biliteracy Language Assessment Registration ends September 10. Click HERE to register. Visit the District 214 Seal of Biliteracy web page for more detailed information. Students must be a junior or senior and first meet the English criteria before registering for the Seal of Biliteracy language assessments.
Test Options:
- At District 214 Computer Labs: September 23 or September 29, 4pm-7pm.
- Test at home (more information on the registration site): Test window from September 27 through October 15.
Cost: $30 (Students on Free and Reduced Lunch should contact Julie Kim at julie.kim@d214.org for a fee waiver)
NO SCHOOL-September 16
PSAT 9-The PSAT 9 will be administered to all Freshman on Wednesday, September 22nd. They will attend school during regular school hours.
Parent-Teacher Conferences-Thursday, October 28th.
Harper Promise-Freshman parents, don't pass up this opportunity even if you believe your child is headed to a four year university; he/she is not requited to attend upon graduating but it's a nice fallback to have. Students can earn up to two years of in-district tuition at Harper by maintaining solid grades, good attendance, and service to the community during high school. Sign up by December 15th; the program starts second semester of your child's freshman year. Click HERE for more information.
Mr. Keir Rogers
Email: keir.rogers@d214.org
Website: https://www.d214.org/jhhs
Location: 1900 East Thomas Street, Arlington Heights, IL, USA
Phone: (847)718-4810
Twitter: @mrrogersnhood
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