News from Panther Headquarters
May 2018
From the desk of the Principal...
Hello Panther Families –
We are now in the stretch run and are looking to wrap up the 2017-2018 school year. The positive feedback throughout the year validates what we believe is a big advantage to having four grade levels under one roof. Our teachers have found innovative and creative ways to incorporate the intermediate students with junior high projects. We will get to see tremendous growth of our students as they progress from 5th to 8th grade.
We’ve also continued our tradition of excellence in many ways. HIJH was once again named a 4-Star School (top 25%) by the Indiana Dept. of Ed, along with at A-Rating. I would like to thank all of the families for their ongoing support of HIJH. We, as staff members, appreciate how our students are polite, hard-working and overall great citizens. This is a direct credit to you as parents and guardians. I also want to specifically thank our 8th grade students and parents and wish them all of the best as they move on to high school. While it is a big step in a child’s life, we feel as though we have prepared them well to be successful in the future.
The month of May will be filled with various assessments to ascertain how well our students have mastered the standards and learned the concepts expected for 5th through 8th graders. ISTEP has concluded, and both students and teachers feel positive the outcome. We now move on to NWEA to assess students’ growth from the beginning of the year until the end. Those will take place in LA and math classes.
There have been too many Highlights to mention this school year, but below are just a few of the great things that have happened during this school year, many that highlight our students’ positive character through service learning:
* Panther Preview had 97% attendance rate from families.
* Student Council Food Drive collected over 1900 lbs. of food for Hamilton County Harvest Food Bank and collected over $2000 for Houston Independent School District and the Humane Society of Indpls.
* HIJH ‘Pennies for Patients’ campaign raised $1500.
* Continued the PAWS (Positive, Accountable, Well-Mannered, Safe) Program and acknowledged Students of the Week, Staff of the Week and Student of the Month (winners had character education trip to NCAA Hall of Champions).
* Numerous state awards in our Performing Arts Department (Band, Choir, Orchestra)
* Dozens of Scholastic Art Award Winners & Tri Kappa photo contest winners
* Student accomplishments ‘Above and Beyond’: Continued Food Rescue Program, students selected as J.A. student Ambassadors for Business Hall of Fame Banquet and Top 100 Professionals Banquet
* Incorporated Humanities Projects through building including: Socktober, Pasta Bowl, Hurricane Relief, and Wishes for Wells based upon school-wide book study, A Long Walk to Water, highlighted by a student Board of Education presentation.
Important Dates to Remember
* 7/8 Student of the Month trip to the NCAA Hall of Champions – Fri., 5/11, 9 AM-1 PM
* 8th grade Year-End Dance – Friday, 5/11, 7-9 PM at HIJH Panther Hall
* 5/6 Academic/PAWS Honors Programs - Mon. 5/21: 5th-7:45-8:45 AM, 6th-1:30-2:30 PM. Parents of students who are receiving an award will be contacted by their specific teachers.
* 7/8 Academic/PAWS Honors Program – Friday, 5/25, 1:15-2:45 PM. Parents of students who are receiving an award will be contacted by their specific teachers.
Respectfully,
Tim A. Mankin
Upcoming Important Dates
May 2 National Junior Honor Society 7 PM
May 2 HSEvening of Innovation 6-8 PM (HSEHS)
May 4 Hope for Happiness 6-9 PM (Fishers City Hall)
May 7 Incoming 5th Grade Visitation 9:30 AM-11 AM
May 7 Incoming 5th Grade Parent Night 7 PM
May 11 Student of the Month Field Trip 9:30-1:30 PM (7th and 8th Grade)
May 11 PTO Meeting 9:30 AM
May 11 8th Grade Dance 7-9 PM
May 16 Track Awards Breakfast 6:45 AM (5th and 6th Grade)
May 17 HIJH Spring Art Show 4-6 PM
May 17 Orchestra Concert 6:30 PM
May 18 Student of the Month Pizza Lunch 10:15-10:50 AM (5th Grade)
May 18 Student of the Month Pizza Lunch 11:30 AM-12 PM (6th Grade)
May 18 HIJH Panther Talent Show 3-5 PM (7th and 8th Grade)
May 21 5th Grade Awards Day 7:45-10:15 AM
May 21 6th Grade Awards Day 1-2:25 PM
May 21 Band Concert & Jazz Band Performance 7 PM
May 22 iPad Collection (5th and 6th Grade)
May 22 Choir Concert 7:30-9 PM (7th and 8th Grade)
May 23 iPad Collection (7th and 8th Grade)
May 23 Informational Meeting for Band & Orchestra 6:30 PM (5th Grade)
May 24 Scholar Athlete Breakfast 6-7:30 AM
May 25 7th Grade Awards 7:45-8:45 AM
May 25 8th Grade Awards 1:15-2:45 PM
May 25 Last Day of School
August 1 Panther Preview 1-7 PM (5th and 6th Grade Teachers from 5-7 PM)
August 14 Meet the Teacher 6:30-8 PM (5th and 6th Grade)
August 15 Meet the Teacher 6:30-8 PM (7th and 8th Grade)
Student Absences
Parents - If your student is going to be absent, you MUST call the attendance line by 9 am, 317-594-4126 for the absence to be excused.
Early Dismissals and Returning to School
Bus Notes
Safe Visitor Badges
Counselor's Corner
Scheduling for 2018-19 School Year.
Current 5th Graders. Student schedules for next year will reflect the natural progression of their current courses. Team assignments will be available at Panther Preview Day on August 1st.
Current 6th and 7th Graders. The window to view your child’s courses is April 30th - May 11th, to allow Guidance to continue working on scheduling. Please contact the Guidance Office if you would like to verify those course selections.
Current 8th Graders. All 8th Graders should have met with their High School Counselor to go over next school year’s scheduling options. If your child has not yet met with a High School Guidance Counselor, please contact the HSEHS Guidance Department to make an appointment, 317-594-4193.
ALL SCHEDULE CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE BY THE END OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR OR JUNE 1st.
Withdrawing Your Student. If your child will be withdrawing from HIJH, any time PRIOR to the last day of school, 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 will need to 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.
8TH GRADERS ATTENDING A PRIVATE SCHOOL NEXT YEAR. If your child will be attending a private school for 9th grade year, you MUST notify the HIJH Guidance Office AND sign a withdrawal form. HSEHS requires that we forward these withdrawal slips to them at the end of this school year. If one is NOT completed, you will be phoned by the high school to come in to sign their form before they will release records to your new school. Thank you in advance for helping us with this.
ADDRESS CHANGES. Anyone requesting new bus transportation for their child, due to a move to a new home, MUST provide proof of residency to the attending school to make this change. Residency documents needed are a current signed lease, HUD statement or title with the address and closure signature. Also needed is a utility bill and/or a driver license. Only ONE document is needed to change the address, however, the others may be provided within 45 days. Once documents are provided to the school, new bus information will be provided to you and will be available on Skyward within a 24-hour timeframe.
HONOR ROLL. Honor Roll postings are on the HIJH website. Students receiving all A’s are listed on the high honor roll listing. Students receiving nothing lower than a B- are listed on the regular honor roll listing. You may access the high honor roll and regular honor roll as follows: Go to http://www.hse.k12.in.us/HIJ/academics/guidance.aspx and select “Guidance Resources.” Honor rolls are listed in the “Guidance Documents section, please select the honor roll you wish to view.
2018-19 Student Office/ Library Aides. On May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th (not before), in the Guidance Office, there will be sign-ups for any 7th grade student interested in becoming a library or office aide, for the 2018-2019 school year. Students MUST have grades of C or higher in all of their classes to be considered. We are looking for motivated, responsible, dependable and trustworthy students for these positions. Teachers will be asked to make recommendations. Please note that only about 30 positions will be available and we will not be able to place everyone who signs up.
Click here for the Northwestern University's Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS).
Click here Twenty-First Century Scholars.
Messages from the Nurse
Ways to pick up Meds & Supplies in Clinic End of Year.
* Student pick up (will be announcement reminders) – not individually called down
* Parent pick up 7:30a-11a or 2p-3p daily
Per district policy, any medications, Epi-Pens, inhalers and supplies not taken home by the last day of school (Friday, May 25th) will be discarded.
Seasonal Allergies & Medications.
* Allergy meds work best when given daily, not just when symptoms begin
* No allergy meds are stocked in the clinic
For the safety of your child and all children in the building, students cannot carry medications with them, store in locker, or pack them in lunch boxes. In some buildings, being caught with medications results in an automatic suspension. Students may drop off needed medication to the clinic with: Medication Guidelines Form
Immunizations for 2018-2019. Next year’s 6th graders need immunizations for Tdap, Meningococcal (MCV), and HEP A (if not yet received). Be sure to send in paperwork when received. You can email over summer to tterew@hse.k12.in.us. You can always view your child’s current school immunization record by logging onto Skyward, and clicking on “HEALTH INFO” in the left hand column (near the bottom). If your student has an ME or RE waiver on file, (due yearly) you may update this now through the 1st day of school.
2018-2019 Paperwork for Health Concerns (Kids with asthma, allergies or other health concerns). We sent home paper copies of forms needed for asthma & allergies. Please review, fill out, sign, and return by Panther Preview, August 1, 2018. NOTE: A Doctor or Nurse Practitioner MUST fill out FARE FORM (allergies). There is a place for parent/guardian to sign; however, the form needs COMPLETED by a physician. Please review all forms. Many need both a parent/guardian and a physician signature. Please provide doctor’s orders to update your students’ health file including accommodations for any changes in their medical status. Feel free to email any questions or Schedule a Fall Meeting about your child’s specific health care needs. Additional forms here: http://www.hse.k12.in.us/ADM/about/health.aspx
2018-2019 As Needed Clinic Medications. Although very few students have trouble swallowing pills at this age level, if yours has trouble swallowing pills, many doctors will suggest (please check with your doctor) practicing swallowing Tic-Tacs as a way to practice swallowing pills. Liquid medication is much more expensive for the clinic to supply; however, the clinic provides the pill form of Tylenol and Advil. If your child is one of the few who cannot swallow pills, please have them practice.
Middle School Hygiene Questions? Do you ever wonder if your child needs deodorant and when do you start? The answer is at the beginning of 5th grade, sometimes even 4th grade. Using deodorant daily will keep your student from encountering an embarrassing situation after recess or PE. Students may keep deodorant in their lockers.
Free Math Help
HIJH Spring Art Show
HIJH Spring Art Show will be May 17-22 in the main hallway by the office and LGI room. The show's official opening will be Thursday, May 17 from 4:00 to 6:30 PM; the building will be open to the public during this time, and the Art teachers will be present. The show will continue that evening until the orchestra concert ends around 8:30 PM. It will also be open for the public to view on Monday, May 21 from 6:30 – 8:00 PM, and Tuesday, May 22 from 7:00– 9:00 PM, or whenever the choir and band concerts are over. Everyone is asked to not handle any of the artwork, to prevent damaging the masterpieces! All students with work in the show will receive an “invitation” from their art teacher that should go home to parents. The show will close down during the school day on Wednesday, May 23. Students who are CURRENTLY in Art classes will pick up their work to take home during class. 5th and 6th Graders who are no longer in Art classes will either pick up their artwork from the exhibit on their way to or from related arts on the 23rd. 7th and 8th Graders will pick their work up on their own throughout the day. Thank you from the very talented intermediate and junior high Artists and their Art Teachers. Enjoy!
Washington, DC Trip (7th Graders)
Attention all parents of 7th graders. Did you miss the registration deadline for next year’s legendary Washington DC trip? If you have not yet registered your kiddo we have unfortunately already reached our limit. However, you can still get your kiddo on the waitlist. If a spot opens up due to a cancellation, your kiddo may get to go! Best of all, it’s no risk. If a spot on the trip does NOT open for your kiddo you get all your money back, even your deposit! If you want to be put on the waitlist go to www.worldstrides.com/signup, and type in our trip id # which is 160753. Kids are taken from the waitlist on a first-come-first-serve basis so the sooner your register the better! Contact Eric Brown (ebrown@hse.k12.in.us) if you have any questions or visit our trip website at www.dctrip.info.
Band Notes
Orchestra (Grades 6, 7, and 8)
The HIJH Orchestras will present their Spring Celebration Concert on Thursday, May 17th in Panther Hall.
6th Grade Orchestra should arrive at 6 PM in their HIJH Music Shirt and jeans. Their concert begins at 6:30 PM.
7th and 8th Grade Orchestras should arrive at 6:45 PM in spirit wear and jeans. Their concert begins at 7:30 PM.
We are looking forward to a fantastic evening of music and to celebrating what has been a fantastic year for the HIJH Orchestra Program! Join us!
Schoolkidz Supply Boxes-Deadline for Ordering is May 25th
PTO News
PTO Website. Checkout our PTO website (www.hijhpto.wordpress.com) for the 2017-18 PTO calendar, PTO meeting schedule, past meeting minutes, newsletters, and more.
May PTO Meeting and Volunteer Luncheon. The next PTO meeting will be Friday, May 11 at 9:30 AM at the school. All parents are invited to join us. The volunteer luncheon will follow the meeting at Ale Emporium on Olio Road.
PTO Board Members and Committee Chairs Needed. It is time to be thinking forward to the 2018-19 PTO year. If you are interested in becoming a member of the PTO please contact the PTO Board. Check our website for contact information - www.hijhpto.wordpress.com.
Talent Show. The HIJH Talent Show will take place on May 18. The 5th and 6th grade show will take place during the school day and the 7th and 8th grade show will take place after school. Auditions are after school on May 2 and 3. Our talented HIJH Panthers should sign up to audition with Mrs. Hochstetler or Mrs. Johnson.
Box Tops & Tyson Rewards. This month any classroom bringing in 200 box tops will get a popsicle or smarties candy at lunch time. Send in all the Tyson Rewards and Box Tops you have to your home room teacher in a baggie with your child’s name and the home room teacher’s name. Small quantities or large bags will all add up! Ask your kiddo to clean out locker and junk drawers to find all the clippings. May 16 is reward day!
Panther Pride Geist 5K Team
Planning on running the Geist 5K or half marathon this year? Then join our Panther Pride Geist 5K team and run or walk with fellow Panthers! Not only will you have fun and get fit, but a portion of your race entry fee comes back to benefit the students and staff at HIJH. Click here to register.
A Letter from Tim Latimer, Social Studies Teacher at HIJH
Thanks HSE and Fishers
It was in August of 1986 when I first heard of Hamilton Southeastern Middle School. Apparently, I made a good impression in an interview with Dr. Susan Mullendore (would eventually be employed with HSE) at Eastern Hancock High School, and she sent my name to Roger Norris, principal at HSMS. When the secretary called to set up an interview, I had to ask for directions. I really had no idea where the school was. In 1986, there were four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school in the HSE school district. Shortly after I started teaching, Mr. Norris told us one day at a staff meeting…”Over the next several years, hundreds of homes and businesses will be built, and HSE will become one of the largest school districts in the state.” Oh sure, I thought. Well, look at us now! I have had the advantage of witnessing the growth of Fishers and HSE from two perspectives. Although I work at HSE, I live on the far southeast side of Indianapolis. I have always been so proud to tell people where I teach. Of course, not everyone always knew where HSE was located. And quite frankly, I got a little short with people who said…”oh yeah, Hamilton Southeastern, up in Carmel right?” Well, that doesn’t happen anymore. Originally from the Speedway area, I’m a huge race fan. I have always equated my employment with HSE as being equivalent to being employed with the Penske Racing Team. Just like Penske has the best drivers year after year, HSE has the best teachers and students year after year. How lucky am I to have been able to work alongside so many wonderfully talented and caring teachers, administrators, and support staff? How lucky am I to have had an entire teaching career where year after year my classes are full of students who were pleasant to be around and came to school each day ready to learn? And, how lucky am I to have witnessed the evolution of HSE and Fishers into a model of efficiency paralleled by none and envied by most?
I am retiring from HSE in a few weeks and pursuing a new career (albeit part time). It’s bittersweet to say the least. I will miss it so much! To all my former students, supporting parents, fellow teachers and administrators, thanks for helping make my teaching experience wonderful.
Sincerely,
Tim Latimer
HIJH Social Studies
E-Waste Recycling Program
HIJH Connect
Middle Years
Multicultural Holidays
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
hse.k12.in.us/hij/home.aspx
Twitter: @HIJPanthers
Athletics Twitter: @HIJathletics