Homer High-Lights
Volume 3, Issue 6, March 2015
Message from the Principal
AMP testing is just around the corner! What is AMP? AMP is the new Alaska state test that is replacing the SBA starting this year. This is an online test and will be administered during the month of April. Because this is an online, computer based assessment several things will change from last year. The first change is we only have enough computers to have one grade take the test at a time. For example, this means that all 9th graders will take the math test on one day and 10th graders will take the test on a different day.
Another big change is that school will be in session as normal while students are taking the test. In the past, students who didn't have to take the test were allowed to come to school after lunch. This year everyone will be required to attend school for the entire day.
For the first year 9th and 10th graders will take the Language Arts and Math tests using the new online AMP test. Tenth Graders will take the Science SBA test for one more year. Over the next couple of years, the state plans to expand the AMP test to include science and social studies tests and expand to include the 11th grade.
If you want more information on the AMP test we have AMP Parent Guides available at the office. You can also go to this web address for frequently asked questions about AMP: http://education.alaska.gov/akassessments/NewAssessment_FAQ.pdf.
Remember, my office is always open and I appreciate hearing your opinions or suggestions. My goal is to be responsive to what our parents and community want and need. Please give me a call or come in and chat.
Sincerely,
Douglas Waclawski
Principal
Dates To Remember
March 3 - Site Council Meeting - 3:45 in Library
March 3 - Music in Schools Concert - 7:00 pm in Theater
March 5 - Regional Basketball Tournament
March 6 - Regional Basketball Tournament
March 6 - End of 3rd Quarter - No School
March 7 - Regional Basketball Tournament
March 9-13 SPRING BREAK
March 9 - Spring Sports Practice Begins
March 16 - Grade Check
March 20 - School Musical - 7:30 pm in Theater
March 21 - School Musical - 7:30 pm in Theater
March 27 - Early Release - Student Leave at 1:45
April 3 - No School
April 7 - Site Council Meeting - 3:35 in Library
Pre-Registration has Begun Here at Homer High School!
This past week the Counseling Department has been visiting all math classes to assist students with registration for classes next fall. All students were given a copy of their current graduation plan along with a pre-registration form. All students had the opportunity to take the form to their core teachers (math, science, language arts, and history) and get a recommendation for the courses that they would be choosing for the fall.
These forms were used by students and the counseling department to begin the initial phase of building a schedule that works for all students in the building. This process has received positive feedback from both students and teachers.
The next step in the process will be sending the pre-registration form home to the parents for their input. Please take the time to look over the form and discuss your student’s selections. You are invited to call in to the counselors with any questions that you might have concerning potential classes that your student has requested for next fall.
- Lin Hampson, counselor for next fall’s 9th, 10, 11th grade students—235-4621
- Paul Story, counselor for next fall’s 12th grade class—235-4685
- Joyclyn Graham, counseling assistant-235-4691
DDF Excels at State Competition Again!
Individual/Pair Awards:
- 2nd Place in Public Forum Debate (they lost in Finals to a team that went undefeated) - Robert Hockema and Lindsey Schneider
- 1st Place in Duo Interpretation - Jonas Noomah and Evan Boyer (this is the second year in a row they have been State Champions)
- 5th Place in Solo Acting - Jonas Noomah
- 5th Place in Duet Acting - Evan Boyer and August Kilcher
- 6th Place in Pantomime - Evan Boyer and Zane Boyer
- 3rd Place in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking - Robert Hockema
- Semi-Finals in Humorous Interpretation - Lauren Jones
- Semi-Finals in Humorous Interpretation - Shenandoah Lush
Whole Team Awards:
- 1A-2A-3A Academic Award (highest GPA)
- 3rd Place, 1A-2A-3A Drama Sweepstakes
- 3rd Place, 1A-2A-3A Forensics Sweepstakes
- 2nd Place, 1A-2A-3A Debate Sweepstakes
- 3rd Place, 1A-2A-3A Overall Sweepstakes
Parent Wellness Survey
South Central Conference Regional Basketball Tournament
Students $5 per day
Adults $15 for the full day or $10 for the last 2 games
Mariners on the Move Award
• Valerie Rios nominated by Mr Stineff
• Lauren Jones nominated by Mr. Schneider
• Nonah Baltzer nominated by Ms. Mall
• Karina Roach nominated by Ms. Remsen
• Alex Moseley nominated by Ms. Reichenberg
• Victoria Chase nominated by Ms. Bedingfield
• Yesenia Garcia-Rivera nominated by Ms. Rugloski
• Nick Gilliam nominated by Mrs. Johnson
And a big thank you to Lauren Childer's Culinary Arts class for the wonderful food!
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 and 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 600 other people who have liked HHS on Facebook and the over 2000 people who view our Facebook posts.
Lady Mariners earned 2nd at the Kotzebue Tournament.
Lady Mariners are the Homer Winter Carnival Champions!
Homer boys are the Winter Carnival Champions!
Counselor Corner
This is THE place for students and families to find out more about local and state-wide scholarships, summer opportunities for students, links to ACT/SAT registration, financial aid information, the Alaska Career Information System (AkCIS), and MORE! To get there, just find the OneStop link under the Students/Parents menu on the KPBSD homepage. And contact the HHS counseling office if you have questions.
Junior Testing Season
As part of Alaska’s new high school graduation requirement, 11th grade students and families must select one of three College and Career Readiness Assessments to take in the spring. If you don’t remember which test you identified, contact Paul Story at 235-4685 or at pstory@kpbsd.k12.ak.us.
Aspen Daigle competes at the State XCS Meet!
Sara Wolf completes her first lap at State
The XCS Team chills out before the big race.
State Cross Country Ski Results
4 boys represented Homer and their combined times over two races are as follows, in a field of 103:
61. Jacob Davis 54:55
68. Ghen Sasakura 55:55
79. Hoxie Parks 57:05
89. Tadgh Scholtz 1:00:45
The Lady Mariners had a great meet. Over the two days, our girls were placed as follows, out of a field of 97:
41. Aspen Daigle 40:40
50. Rachel Ellert 42:07
59. Sara Wolf 43:29
61. Audrey Russell 43:44
66. Mariah Vantrease 44:47
71. Mia Alexson 45:21
Senior Aspen Daigle placed 1st in the freestyle race and 2nd in classic for small schools ladies.
In total the Lady Mariners won both the Academic Award over 16 teams, and were also the 2A-3A champions!
Congratulations to the entire team for a fantastic season!!
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