News from Panther Headquarters
February 2021
From the desk of the Principal...
Greetings Panther Families–
The following statement was read to all students on 2/1 prior to our Pledge of Allegiance so I want to share it with all our stakeholders as part of this month’s Panther Newsletter…
'We’d like to take this moment to say thanks. Thank you for making everyday a good day to be a Panther. This year has been wrought with changes, challenges, and more zooming than any of us were ready for, but our Panther population has approached every curve ball with grit and grace. We know it is not always easy, but we want you to know we’re proud of you. For surviving. For trying. For showing up and sharing. As we welcome in the month of February, we’re excited to add a spotlight focus on achievements and celebrations of Black History in America. We are proud to proclaim that Black Lives Matter here. From Ms. Ruby Bridges’ first day of integrated school in 1954 to our first female Vice President, Kamala Harris, our communities are growing and learning from the strength of these diverse stories. There is, as always, more learning to be done, and I fully trust our teachers and students to share their knowledge and experiences with one another, not just the month of February, but throughout this school year and beyond.’
Until next time, please make sure to stay safe, stay positive, and support one another!
Respectfully,
Tim A. Mankin
Upcoming Important Dates
February 3 HSE Parent Night Information via Zoom (8th Graders)
February 8 PTO Meeting via Zoom 11:00 AM
February 8 - 12 NWEA Testing
February 15 NO SCHOOL - Presidents Day
February 16 NO SCHOOL - Flex Day
February 17 - 19 HSE Counselor Appointments (8th Graders)
Attendance
Panther Families - Teachers are required to take Attendance daily during hybrid/virtual instruction. Students are expected to be present for all classes, zoom or physically in person. If your child is going to be Late, Absent or needs an Early Dismissal, virtually or hybrid, we ask that you report the absence to the Attendance Line, 317-594-4126. If the absence remains unreported, it will be Unexcused in Skyward.
Thank you for your help in this important matter!
Counselor's Corner
Important Dates for 8th Grade Parents/Guardians.
Students attending HAMILTON SOUTHEASTERN HIGH SCHOOL
February 3rd - 8th Grade Parent Night Information. HSE 8th Grade Parent Night skylert will be sent out on February 3rd. The zoom link will be a pre-recorded video and not a live zoom. The program is for 8th grade parents to receive information regarding scheduling and other general information about high school. Families will also get a chance to hear from their student’s guidance counselor to get information regarding course options.
February 17th – 19th, 2021 is when you and your 8th Grade child will have selected a time to meet with an HSEHS Counselor, via Zoom, to create your child’s Course Requests for the 9th Grade. A Sign-up Genius was sent via Skylert. If you not have received a Skylert, please feel free to call the Guidance Office at 317-594-4124.
Students attending FISHERS HIGH SCHOOL
Monday, March 1, 2021 is when you and your 8th Grade child will have selected a time to meet with a FHS Counselor, via Zoom, to create your child’s Course Requests for the 9th Grade. A Sign-up Genius was sent via Skylert. If you have not received a Skylert, please feel free to call the Guidance Office at 317-594-4124.
Fishers High School Tiger Fever. Each July, FHS High School hosts an incoming freshmen orientation event. It will help acclimate incoming freshmen to campus. The session will be held either Tuesday, July 20 or Wednesday, July 21 from 8 AM to 12:30 PM. Please complete the registration form and send back to FHS attention: Shelley Lidy. If you have any questions regarding Tiger Fever, please contact Shelley Lidy (slidy@hse.k12.in.us). Click here for more information.
HSE and FHS Optional Summer Physical Education. HSE and FHS will each offer Summer PE from June 7 through June 25, 2021. The class is live and in person for 3 weeks from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM Monday through Friday. If you are planning to attend Fishers High School, you must attend the FHS Summer PE class. If you are planning to attend HSE, you must attend the HSE Summer PE. To register for HSE summer PE, click here for the registration form. To register for Fishers High School summer PE, click here for the registration form.
Current 6th and 7th grade students. As second semester approaches, please watch for information explaining scheduling choices for their 7th and 8th grade year. Sometime second semester, those students will meet with their junior high counselor to discuss course selection options for the 2021-2022 school year. Please know that you will be able to verify those course selections later in the spring.
Current 5th Grade Students. Course selection for the 2021-2022 school year will be a natural progression of the courses they are currently scheduled.
Testing Dates to Note. Please mark your calendars to ensure your child is in attendance these testing periods.
NWEA testing window - February 8 – 26th
CogAT testing window - March 1 – 12th (only 5th grade high ability testing)
ILEARN testing window - April 19 - May 14, 2021
Withdrawing your Student. If your child will be withdrawing from HIJH, 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.
2021-2022 School Year. If your child will be attending another school outside the HSE school district next year, please call the Guidance Office before May 1st, so records can be prepared for the new school prior to leaving for the summer.
Click here for Twenty-First Century Scholars information.
Click here for information on Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search.
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
World Read Aloud Day is February 3! Read aloud to someone or have someone read to you. HIJH Library will be having some authors pop into some classrooms that day virtually.
The library will be offering enrichment sessions on Fridays. Our two consistent Friday offerings will be Book Club Lunch at 12 and an afternoon program at 2 that will alternate between virtual field trips and makerspace topics.
Keep reading, Panthers! We are still doing curbside pickup for virtual students. There are lots of physical and digital book options and resources; find out more about them in our Canvas or on our website.
HIJH Sports Information
Click here to learn about all of the HIJH Athletic Info. Click here to find out about updated winter event protocol.
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 $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
Parents of 7th graders. Our early enrollment for the 2021-2022 Washington DC trip was HUGE! We already have over 150 7th graders enrolled! If you missed out on the informational Zoom meeting in December, you can still sign up your 7th grader for the trip AND get the $100 early enrollment discount (go to to https://worldstrides.com/custom/hamilton-intermediate-jr-high-school-dc/). If you have any questions please contact Eric Brown at ebrown@hse.k12.in.us.
Parents of 8th graders. We are all set to go for our trip in June! Remember our official rescheduled 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 at ebrown@hse.k12.in.us.
Spring Musical- Grades 6, 7, and 8
5th Grade Choir
Are you a 5th grader who enjoys singing? Join our 5th grade choir! No audition needed. We will meet after school on Tuesdays starting February 2nd and concluding with a March Concert. Pick up a permission slip outside the front office or from Mrs. Hochstetler (rhochstetler@hse.k12.in.us) in the general music room. Can’t wait to sing together! Click here for a permission slip.
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.
Next PTO Meeting. The next PTO meeting will be Monday, February 8th 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.
Wednesday, Feb 24 from 4-8 PM at Chipotle @ HTC (must show flyer) Click here for flyer.
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 takes 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 to all the amazing parents and local businesses who donated items for our HSE Foundation basket and to all who participated in our HIJH Staff letter campaign before the winter break. Lastly, another 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!
Continuous Learning Challenges Helpful Hints from IDOE
The Continuous Learning Challenges, provided by educators at the Indiana Department of Education, are specifically designed without technology in mind. The skills are connected to Michael Fullan's Deep Learning Competencies, and children can participate either on their own or with some parental support. For families interested in extending or enriching their students' learning, this resource offers some great ideas!
https://www.doe.in.gov/covid-19/resources/continuous-learning-weekly-challenges
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