News from Panther Headquarters
September 2022
From the desk of the Principal
We are rocking and rolling at HIJH. It’s been an incredible start to the year and we are excited for that to continue the rest of the year. I want to draw your attention to the end of the month, where we will have our 1st e-Learning day of the year. More information to come as we get closer, but please put that on your radars for September 30th. It was so good seeing so many of you at various Meet the Teacher nights; hopefully, you were able to get a sense of what the year will hold for your students. I want to send a big thank you to our PTO for an amazing kick off to our Fall Sports season; our first ever schoolwide pep rally was a success and we are looking forward to building on that momentum. On that note, I announced during that pep rally that every Friday from here on out will be blue Friday to promote unity and pride for the Panthers. So, please encourage your student to participate in that effort, it’s simple—on Fridays, we wear BLUE. Lastly, I have somewhat of a plea for you. Like the challenges, many of our departments are facing, our food services department is struggling to find employees. Would you help us out and consider applying or spread the word to your network that we are hiring employees to make sure our students are fed each day? As always, thank you for the trust you put in us to take care of your students. If there is anything we can do to better serve you, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Jagga Rent
Principal
Upcoming Important Dates
Click here to find HIJH upcoming important dates.
Food For Thought: Turnover Hunger Food Drive September 6-9
For many years, Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation (HSEF) helped facilitate the PastaBowl, a food drive where local students donated pasta that was distributed to local food pantries the same week as the Mudsock football game.
For the second year in a row, we are partnering with Fishers Youth Assistance Program (FYAP), on the Meijer Turnover Hunger food donation program the first week of September. Last year, through generous donations from every school, nearly 27,000 snack items were gathered for the Snack Attack program.
Through Turnover Hunger, we are asking all 22 HSE schools to help fill the shelves of FYAP and local food pantries with targeted food donations by students and staff.
Between September 6-9, we are asking the following breakfast, snack, and dinner items to be brought in by building type:
- Grades PreK-4: boxed oatmeal or fruit snacks
- Grades 5-8: granola bars, peanut butter crackers or cheese crackers
- Grades 9-12: ramen noodles or mac and cheese cups
Donations can be dropped off in the main office at HIJH.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Fishers Youth Assistance Program
Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation
Back To School Forms
If you have not completed your back to school forms in skyward- please complete them today! If you need a hard copy- please let us know.
The clinic does not stock allergy medication.
If your student has fever of 100.4 please keep them home until they are fever free without medication.
If your student tests positive for Covid - please call the clinic at 317-594-4120 extension 3.
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Drop Off Area Reminder
Drop off area is located at the entrance of the building.
Please continue to drop off your students items on the drop off table in the main lobby. If you circle that you have texted your student, a note will not be delivered to them. Our student aids bring the items into the office for students to come and pick up.
Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to work on protecting our class time and safety.
Attendance/Early Dismissals
Please call the attendance line, 317-594-4126, by 9:00am to report all attendance including early dismissals, all day absences and late arrivals. This allows the staff adequate time to facilitate the requests. We will send your student a pass and have them waiting for you in the office at the time requested.
Additionally, and for planning purposes, our car rider line does seem to form quite early so dismissals after 3:30 may be difficult to maneuver.
If you do not call ahead……the parent/guardian will need to show identification to have the student dismissed. This is for the security of our students.
NOTE: Please be aware that it may take time to locate students who are at lunch, outside for P.E., Recess, etc. The more notice you can give the school, the smoother this process becomes. We appreciate your assistance!
Walking To and From School
For safety purposes HIJH does not allow students to walk to or from school.
If your child would like to go to School House 7 after school, parents will have to provide a ride for their students.
Book Rental And IPAD Fees
Skyward is now updated with 22-23 book rental fees. The fees are due by Oct. 3, 2022 Fees can be paid on line through efunds,(be sure to click book rental fees), check or money order, please NO CASH. If paying by check please put your child’s ID number in the memo line. This will ensure the amount is applied to the correct student. Please allow up to 2 weeks for skyward to show paid. Receipts will not be sent home. Please remember there are no automatic free lunch or books. If you believe you should be free you will need to complete the free/reduced application through food service on the home web page.
If you have any questions please contact Doty Gaertner, Treasurer at 594-4120 ext. 5011 or dgaertner@hse.k12.in.us
Picture Make Up Day & Pictures
Our picture make up day will be Friday, September 9th. This is for students that did not get their picture taken at Panther Preview. We will have one more makeup day on October 27th.
Pictures (for those that opted for school delivery) and proof sheets are being sent home with students that had their picture taken during Panther Preview on Friday, September 2nd.
If your student is a car rider and did not have their picture taken at Panther Preview, they can report to the LGI room between 8:45 & 9:05 to have their picture taken.
Teachers will have a schedule as to when their class will come down for photos.
You are not required to purchase photos.
Washington D.C. Trip
Parents of 7th graders: Attention all parents of 7th graders interested the annual Washington D.C. trip:
Mark your calendars:
-Monday September 19th 7-8pm in HIJH LGI room for the registration/informational meeting
It is time to start signing your kiddo up for next school year’s (2023-2024) Washington DC trip! We are trying something new this year and starting enrollment early to take advantage of a rare $200 trip discount! At the meeting Mr. Brown will be handing out registration info, taking questions, and opening fundraiser opportunities at the meeting. YOU MUST ATTEND THE MEETING TO QUALIFY FOR THE DISCOUNT! Contact Eric Brown ebrown@hse.k12.in.us if you have questions.
5th Grade Choir
5th Grade Choir Permission Forms
Permission Forms for 5th Grade choir are now available, and we would love to have your child sing with us. Rehearsals begin after Labor day on Wednesday mornings at 8:15, drop off at Door 5. No audition is required.
September Choir News
Safety Day Performance at the Fishers Farmer’s Market!
All 7/8 Choirs are invited to perform with us at an optional event on
Saturday, September 10th at 8am
• Meet at the Fishers Fire Department Building in downtown Fishers (next to the Fishers AMP, 2 Municipal Dr, Fishers, IN 46038)
• Choirs wear Blue/White/Panthers/Royals Spirit Wear
• All 7/8 Choir students are invited!
• Arrival time: 7:15am, Performance time: 8am
• Stay for Fishers Safety Day & the Farmer’s Market!
7/8 Choir Uniforms ordered
If you have not yet paid for your child’s Choir uniform please send a check made out to HIJH. Forms & costs can be found either in the bottom of your child’s backpack or on their Choir’s Canvas page.
Welcome 6th grade Choir students!
6th grade Choir began meeting on Monday, August 15th and we are off to an amazing start! Forms were sent home with performance dates as well as our t-shirt order form. Parents of 6th grade singers, please read, sign and send back with a cash or check by Wednesday, 8/31.
5th grade Choir begins Wednesday, September 7!
If your 5th grader is interested in singing with us please have them pick up a registration form outside of Mrs. Hochstetler’s Music room or email her at rhochstetler@hse.k12.in.us. Rehearsals will be held on Wednesday mornings this semester from 8:15-9:00 in the Choir room (#412), Drop Off at Door 5. We cannot wait to get started!
Minecraft Club
Do you like building and creating in Minecraft? Do you hate creepers? Do you enjoy “griefing” other players? If any of these describe you, then you should join the school’s Minecraft Club. This year’s club has something for everyone – creative builds, peaceful survival, team wars, and weekly events.
Minecraft Club is virtual and only meets online in Minecraft while at home. The club’s server is open to club members every day, and there will be weekly events on Fridays at 5:00 starting September 16th.
To join Minecraft Club, pick up an information sheet outside Mr. Harreld’s room (147) and fill out the online form. Every student who wants to join needs to fill out the online form – even students who were in the club last year need to fill it out for this year’s club.
If you have questions or want more information, contact Mr. Harreld – jharreld@hse.k12.in.us
News From The Library
Library News
We are excited to work with your students and their classes this year! The library has resources for all students and grade levels, including some young adult (YA) books recommended for grades 7 and up. It is up to the adults at home if 5th and 6th graders can check out YA books; email Mrs. Boudreau if interested in giving your student permission.
Book Fair
We are looking forward to our upcoming Fall Book Fair during September 19-23! You’re invited to our Panther Family & Community Night, see details here! All book fairs, including Scholastic, are now required to charge taxes for personal purchases, so extra change may be needed for tax. Scholastic has eWallets available to setup a digital payment account for students to purchase from the fair.
HEPL Author Event
Hamilton East Public Library is hosting some upcoming authors, including middle grade author Kelly Yang. Find more info here.
Snack Attack
Fishers Youth Assistance Program (FYAP) is offering a free weekend snack program for any student attending Hamilton Southeastern Schools who qualifies for the reduced lunch program or has an increased need currently. Snacks will be delivered to schools each week and sent home with students.
To be part of this free program, you must sign up your family online. https://forms.gle/xrKNaxRaLypSqKvV8
If you have any questions about the registration, please email fyapfood@gmail.com
Message From Your School Social Worker
Does your 5th or 6th grader often feel overwhelmed or have difficulty working through big thoughts and emotions? If so, they have an opportunity to participate in a stress management group starting September 5th and 6th. The purpose of the group is to learn coping skills, identify feelings, share those feelings, and not feel alone. This group will be held during RISE time (SLT). If you are interested or would like further details, please email Ms. Sayers at ssayers@hse.k12.in.us.
We will be placing the fliers below in the main areas of the school.
Yearbooks
Order your Yearbook! yearbookordercenter.com School Code: 17035 Yearbooks are $25 through the end of 1st semester. Contact mhuston@hse.k12.in.us with any questions
PTO News
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
https://hijhpto.wordpress.com/pto-calendar-2017-18/
September Dates to Know
- PTO Meeting - Monday Sept 12 @11am
- Dine to Donate: Panera (@HTC) Wed Sept 7th 4-8pm
- Book Fair Sept 19-23
~PANTHER TAILGATE: Panther Tailgate was a ton of fun and we had a fabulous turn out. Thanks to all who let their kids- stay & participate. Also, a huge THANK YOU to all of our amazing volunteers for helping to make this event a huge success; we could not do these events without parent volunteers.
~ SECRET PALS: If you already signed up: Keep your eyes out for an email from Star Untersee in early Sept for your staff assignment. (if you signed up but do not see your email by Sept 15th please email Star @ StarHope78@yahoo.com) If you have yet to sign up but would still like to use the link below. Help us show appreciation to the all amazing HIJH staff for being awesome and taking care of our kids daily by signing up to become a secret pal this 22-23 school year. **What it means to be a Secret Pal: you choose how frequent and what type of treat. For example; every month or every other month you could send them in a little treat just to brighten their day. It could be their favorite snack & soda, some fun flare pens or a surprise gift card to one of their fave places. (We ask that you send in something at least twice per semester but feel free to do more). There will be a reveal day during Staff Appreciation Week the first week in May. Sign up Link:
~ Book Fair: Book fair will run Sept 19-23rd- this year's theme is ‘Beyond your Imagination’. Sign up to VOLUNTEER to work at the book fair and your child will qualify for a discount on their purchases. Watch for a link to sign up to volunteer on Facebook.
Here is the link to send in snacks for the teachers: https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10c044ba8ae2fa02-food10
~ SPIRIT WEAR: If you ordered spirit wear from the PTO online - those items are now in production and should be delivered later this month, September.
Next PTO Meeting
The next PTO meeting will be Monday Sept 12th at 11 AM in the HIJH conference room. All HIJH parents are invited to join us.
Dine to Donate
(online only)!! Panera will donate 20% back to HIJH. Must show flyer if you order in the restaurant from 4-7pm. **see flyer**
ARE YOU IN THE LOOP?
Follow @HIJHPTO on Facebook for the latest and up to date HIJH information.
** Sign up to receive all the latest PTO info & newsletter at
HIJH Parent Email Distribution List (google.com)
-Checkout our PTO website @ https://hijhpto.wordpress.com/ for the 2022-23 calendar, past meeting minutes, newsletters, and more.
PANTHER REWARDS
Send money back to the PTO so we can do awesome stuff for HIJH and your kids at no additional costs to you. It’s FREE money – it just take a few moments of your time to sign up for these programs. The more families who are linked, the more money the PTO earns - and it all goes back to the school! Thank you for your support of the PTO and those families who have already linked their accounts to our school!
**See Flyer**
YMCA Before School Care - No PM Care offered for HIJH Students
Boys Volleyball Youth Night - Future Royals
- Open gym for grades 5-8
- All experience levels encouraged to attend
- Parents and players can meet the coaches - ask questions about training / playing volleyball with HSE
9.7.2022
7:00p - 8:30p
Main Gym, Enter Door 10
College Fair
This year, HSE is partnering with Carmel and Noblesville to host an HBCU Fair. It will include HBCUs and local organizations that are relevant to students. This HBCU Fair is on September 8th from 6pm-8pm. Please share this information/flyer with your families... either in your newsletter, email, or Parent Square. It is for 8th-12th grade. While it is sponsored by Hamilton County, it is also open to the public.
HSE Intermediate & Junior High School
Fishers, IN 46037
Main Line: 317-594-4120
Attendance: 317-594-4126
Counseling: 317-594-4124
Fax: 317-594-4129
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.
Email: swahlstrom@hse.k12.in.us
Website: https://hij.hseschools.org
Location: 12278 Cyntheanne Road, Fishers, IN, USA
Phone: 317-594-4120
Twitter: @HIJPanthers