News from Panther Headquarters
December 2020
From the desk of the Principal...
Greetings Panther Families–
Now more than ever it is important to maintain our connections with students to ensure they engage in their virtual learning. While we would absolutely prefer to have our students with us in the building every day, we must prioritize the safety of everyone during this challenging time. We will move forward with our regular daily schedules so it is very important that students follow their schedules and join their ZOOM classes on time every day. Attendance is taken daily, and while we will certainly be flexible due to internet situations beyond the students’ control, we still have attendance protocols to follow. Feedback is a critical component of learning, and teachers will be providing that to students in whole group, small group, and individual formats. This means that it is essential for students to stay engaged and submit assignments and assessments regularly. Without completed student work, teachers are not able to provide meaningful feedback as an essential part of learning. Please continue to reach out to teachers during regular hours. While many teachers respond to emails well into the night, we would ask that they be afforded time to step away from their jobs and focus on family to be the best teacher they can be each day. We appreciate all the support we receive during these challenging times, and we will do our best to support the students of HIJH. Please stay SAFE, and we hope to see you soon.
Respectfully,
Tim A. Mankin
Upcoming Important Dates
December 3 - Orchestra (Gr. 7 & 8)-Student drop off at 6 PM, pick up at 8 PM
December 7 - PTO Mtg via Zoom (link on PTO FB site) 11 AM
December 10 and 15 - Choir Dress Rehearsal for Gr. 7 & 8 2:45-4:30 PM
December 10 - Choir (Gr. 6)-Student drop off at 6:15, pick up at 8 PM
December 16 - Choir Concert (Gr. 7 & 8)-Student drop off at 6:15, pick up at 8 PM
December 17 - Show Choir (Gr. 8) Panther Hall 7 PM
December 18 - Last Day for Students Winter Break
December 21 through January 4 - Winter Break NO SCHOOL
Giving Tuesday-HSE Foundation
You know first-hand how the incredible staff and faculty here at HIJH are, and how they work hard to champion every student every day. Help us recognize the outstanding members of our team who are making a difference for your student. Your investment will have a lasting impact on our school’s students and teachers through innovative projects and classroom experiences.
When you donate, we hope you use the “unselfie” sign on the back to honor a teacher, coach, counselor, bus driver, volunteer, or special person in the HSE Family. Your simple, heartfelt message will help HSE gratitude go viral this holiday season. And, every donation made on #GivingTuesday will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Rise to the Challenge donors! After you celebrate Thanksgiving and find deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we hope you will join us in giving back this #GivingTuesday 2019!
Click here to find the HSE Foundation Giving Tuesday donation form. Click here to find an "unselfie" sign for your picture!
Virtual Attendance
Panther Families-To ensure accurate record keeping and accountability, we do require attendance to be taken daily during virtual instruction. Students are expected to be present in all of their classes daily. If your child is unable to attend virtually, we ask that you report the absence to the Attendance Line: 317-594-4126 just as you would if we were in person. If the absence remains unreported, it will be considered unexcused. Thank you for your cooperation!
Counselor's Corner
Attention 8th Grade Parents and Guardians. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Hamilton Southeastern High School and Fishers High School, will be offering virtual meetings this year regarding high school planning. The dates for these programs will be sent out to you as soon as they are finalized. These scheduling meetings will include the following:
Virtual Parent Nights for 9th grade scheduling-Dates are to be determined.
Parent/Student Scheduling Zoom Meetings with High School Counselors–Feb. 2021.
When dates and times have been finalized, a message will be sent to all parents and guardians.
Withdrawing your Student. If your child will be withdrawing from Hamilton Southeastern Int/Jr High, you must notify the Guidance Office at least two days in advance of your child’s last day. Withdrawal forms prepared by the Guidance Office must be signed by the parent/guardian. Once all administrative items are completed, a copy of the withdrawal form, current grades and schedule will be given to the student to provide to their future school for enrollment.
Click here for Twenty-First Century Scholars information.
Click here for information on Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search.
Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum
Messages from the Nurse
Covid. If you think your child has Covid symptoms, or has tested for Covid, please inform the nurse. Additionally, if someone in your family has tested positive for Covid, please contact the nurse for quarantine instructions. This would even include virtual students.
We have created an online form that we ask you fill out if your child has received a positive COVID-19 test result or has been notified as being a ‘close contact’ of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Once you submit the questionnaire, a staff member will contact you to gather additional details.
Another COVID-19 testing site dedicated to prioritizing testing for school-related exposures for Hamilton Southeastern Schools and private schools in Fishers will open at 8933 Technology Drive. Appointments can be scheduled by going to the Fishers Health Department website and selecting “School Testing” on the assessment.
Please stay safe and be healthy!
Library News
Have you tried one of our eBooks yet through Mackin (found in Clever)? There are a lot of new reading options this year! Find out more in Canvas. Keep reading, Panthers! Mrs. Boudreau is starting Virtual Daily Features in December on Canvas (including times for tech help and book chat lunches) and will be posting resources to dive into Hour of Code week, which is Dec. 7-13.
A year for the books. Order your HIJH 20-21 Yearbook
Yearbooks are on sale now at yearbookordercenter.com. Use school code 17035 to order. The yearbook highlights grades 5-8 (even though the school code indicates Junior High only)! Yearbooks are $25 through the end of December. Late orders made second semester will be $35. No additional late orders will be taken after March. Reserve your copy NOW while the price is low!
Please send any virtual learning, sports and activity pictures to Ms. Huston at mhuston@hse.k12.in.us.
Attention all 7th and 8th Grade Parents
Attention all parents of 7th graders. We are trying something new this year and starting enrollment extra early. It is time to start signing your kiddo up for next school year’s (2021-2022) legendary Washington DC trip! Mr. Brown will be holding a Zoom parent meeting on Wednesday, December 9th at 7 PM (Zoom meeting ID: 913 0834 6927 Passcode: “dctrip”). Mr. Brown will be talking about trip dates, details, highlights, and how to sign up. In addition, Mr. Brown will reveal the new “zero risk” policy as well as a special code at the meeting for an extra $100 discount! Contact Eric Brown, ebrown@hse.k12.in.us, if you have questions but can’t make the meeting.
Parents of 8th graders. We are all set to go for our 8th grader’s trip in June! Remember our official trip dates are 6/4/21-6/7/21. Nearly 100 kids are registered but we still have a few spots open. If you are interested or have any other questions, please contact Eric Brown (ebrown@hse.k12.in.us).
Ukelele Club
Open to all HIJH students grades 5-8. Any level player will be given use of an instrument and resources to help improve their playing while in the building. Purchase of a Uke for home is recommended. Practices will take place virtually via Canvas/Zoom, outdoors (when possible), and/or in the LGI room on Wednesdays after school and are flexible. Cost is free; optional T-shirt for $15. For more information, please contact Mrs. Hochstetler at rhochstetler@hse.k12.in.us. Click here for a permission slip.
Math Bowl
Any 5th or 6th grade student interested in trying out for the 2020-2021 Math Bowl team needs to reach out to Mrs. Mann at jmmann@hse.k12.in.us by Friday, December 11th. Practices will begin in January and run through mid-April. Our practices will NOT interfere with Science Bowl practices.
PTO News
PTO Website. *Follow @HIJHPTO on Facebook for the latest and up to date HIJH information. Checkout our PTO website (www.hijhpto.wordpress.com) for the 2020 - 2021 calendar, meeting schedule, past meeting minutes, newsletters, and more. You can also find us on Facebook at HIJH PTO (Official Site).
Next PTO Meeting. The next PTO meeting will be Monday, December 7th at 11 AM via Zoom. All HIJH parents are invited to join us-link will be posted on the PTO FB page closer to meeting time.
Dine to Donate. Thanks to all who helped make our Mathoo’s Egg Roll Dine to Donate such a success!
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!
Kroger. You STILL earn all your Kroger reward/fuel points – this is just BONUS money for the PTO to use towards awesome things for HIJH and your kids. https://www.kroger.com/
1. Sign in to your account by clicking the person on the top right hand corner of the screen
2. Once you are signed, click “My Account” under your profile tab.
3. Click “Community Rewards” on the left hand side of the page.
4. Type in “HIJH-PTO” or use the school code WT583
5. Click “Enroll”Amazon. NOW 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.
Coke Rewards. Send 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. Five 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!
E-Waste Recycling Program
Middle Years
NEWS AROUND THE DISTRICT
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.
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