There are times when we need to remind ourselves of what is important. We sometimes call this, "going back to basics." When I do this, I go to one of my favorite books, "Everything I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten," by Robert Fulghum. This is a fun book that gives a different perspective on how to be a good person and get along in society. It explains how life would be much better if we followed the same rules that children are taught when they enter school. This is a good reminder for everyone, especially with COIVID-19 when we are challenged and might be out of sorts.

Here are a few of the things Mr. Fulghum says we need to remember:

1. Share everything.
2. Play fair.
3. Don’t hit people.
4. Put things back where you found them.
5. Clean up your own mess.
6. Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
7. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.
8. Wash your hands before you eat.
9. Flush.
10. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
11. Live a balanced life — learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
12. Take a nap every afternoon.

My favorite quote from this book is, "When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together." We need each other and we need to support each other. We all are different and have different hopes and needs, but it is wonderful when we are there for each other.

Please, let's be kind and support each other in these stressful times. Let's make Homer High, our families and our community a place that comes together in tough times.

Despite all these challenges, I am optimistic about this school year. I want provide the best education possible even with COVID-19. Let me know if you would like to discuss what we are doing about COVID-19 or any other program at HHS. If you have suggestions or critiques, please contact me at 907-235-4600 or email me at dwaclawski@kpbsd.org.

Sincerely,

Douglas Waclawski

Principal

Homer High School Student Council members have been attending the Alaska Association of Student Government (AASG) meeting on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 26 & 27, part of approximately 370 students from around Alaska who are meeting to discuss issues at the local, state, and national levels.

Neviya Reed (in her position as the Region 3 representative) has run all of the Region 3 meetings and HHS students have presented two resolutions (supporting School Dances at HHS and supporting recycling in the KPBSD) that were both approved by the AASG General Assembly.

They have done a outstanding job of representing Homer in this statewide conference!

11/1 - Booster Club meeting 6:00pm

11/2 - Site Council meeting 4:10pm @Library

11/3 - School picture retakes

11/4 - Cheer awards ceremony 6:00 @Commons

11/6 - SAT testing 8:00am

11/11 - Veteran's Day-No school

11/12 - Wrestling Round Robin Rumble 5:00pm

11/13 - Wrestling Round Robin Rumble 10:00am

11/15 - Grade Check

11/18 - Hockey End of the Road Shoot Out 5:00pm

11/19 - Hockey End of the Road Shoot Out 5:00pm

11/20 - Hockey End of the Road Shoot Out 10:00am

11/23 - Wrestling vs Soldotna 6:00pm

11/25 - Thanksgiving- No School

11/26 - Thanksgiving Break - No School

We have great news! Students who attend school in person will get free breakfasts and lunches for the entire school year. We are able to do this with grants KPBSD received. We are excited that every student who wants breakfast or lunch can get their munchies satisfied.

The pictures you see here are from the Modern Indigenous Cultures scavenger hunt in Alaska History. This was developed as an alternative to a traditional lecture as a way for students to get away from their desks and out of the classroom to learn. At each stop on the scavenger hunt, students learn about a different topic ranging from subsistence, land claims, civil rights, language, and education. Each stop requires students to take notes on the topic, investigate a document or online visual related to the topic, then study a clue at the bottom of the poster to find their next stop.

Congratulations to our Mariner Boot recipients, Michelle Borland and Sharon Gorman. Ms. Borland has worked tirelessly to to provide safe student activities and to put on our Homecoming Bonfire and Festival. Sharon Gorman is our school nurse who has amazing dedication in making sure we follow all COVID-19 protocols, testing, and working with parents. Thank you both for your dedication to Homer High and congratulations!

The legend of the Mariner Boot…..

It began in September of the year 2021,

To be given to a special someone.

Who in the eyes of another has gone above and beyond,

For our school, our students, our teachers or of who we are fond.

We finally got a new kiln for the school!!

Our old one was about 40 years old and in desperate need of replacement. Unfortunately, the dream kiln was going to cost us $45,000. Over the years, Ms. Tetor has wracked her brain trying to figure out how to fund a new kiln: grants, fundraisers, private donations or some other means. It just wasn't coming together.

Until we scored THE DREAM KILN, just slightly used within the community, for only $5,000! Thank you Homer Council on the Arts for the collaboration to help us get it!

Thank your borough maintenance for moving our old BEAST (kiln) out of here, and moving the new one in. It was pretty epic!

College and Career Plannnig

We’re going into 11th and 12th grade classrooms this week to work on post-secondary planning. We’ll show students some tools to search colleges, the military, and trade schools. Students need family support to realize any of those options. So at home, please keep up that dialogue about life after high school and contact the counseling office for help.

Financial Aid

Figuring out how to pay for college or trade school is a big challenge that requires both students and their families to be “all in”. Here is how I’d recommend you prioritize:

1. FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid becomes available October 1st for the 2022-2023 school year. It is the key for seniors to access need-based grants, work study, loans, and the Alaska Performance Scholarship.

2. Institutional Aid

The vast majority of scholarship money comes directly from the school to which a student ultimately attends.

Some schools integrate their scholarship application within their admission application. Others have a separate scholarship application. If you’re not sure or if you just want to verify you’re being considered for all eligible institutional scholarships, visit the school’s web site or contact their financial aid office.

3. KPBSD OneStop scholarship database

This site lists scholarships that have been vetted by KPBSD counselors in an attempt to highlight those regularly won by our district’s students, including state and local awards.

4. Scholarship Search Portals

Web sites like Going Merry, Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and the Sallie Mae Scholarship Search lists thousands of awards. The challenge is sifting through the many promotional scholarships, which are essentially marketing tools, to find the awards that are legitimate and worthwhile. Use your judgment and contact the counseling office if you have questions.

Alaska Performance Scholarship – The APS is worth up to $4,755 per year at virtually any college or trade school in the state. To qualify, students must take additional academic coursework and meet minimum GPA and test score thresholds. Click the APS Scholarship icon in PowerSchool to see whether or not you’re on track.

Western Undergraduate Exchange – Through WUE, students from the Western U.S. pay 150% of in-state tuition at participating public institutions. This can represent significant savings compared to paying out-of-state tuition. Different schools/majors have different eligibility criteria and application processes. Cross reference the WUE web site and the individual school’s.