News from Panther Headquarters
March 2021
From the desk of the Principal...
Greetings Panther Families–
March has always been a busy time of the year as we begin to plan and schedule classes for the next school year. We have worked harder and smarter to ensure that 8th grade students/families were safely prepared virtually for high school scheduling. The 6th and 7th grade families will be informed of course selection options in the first few weeks of March. We will be using a new online scheduling process through Skyward starting first with our current 7th graders and then our current 6th graders. Throughout it all, we must not forget the ‘here and now’ regarding the remainder of this school year. It is imperative that all staff and students maintain their focus and purpose on doing their personal best every day. At HIJH, we have promoted the 212 Degree concept every Monday to start off our week. The idea being that at 211 degrees water is hot, but at 212 it begins to boil. With boiling water comes steam, and steam can power a locomotive. Raising the temperature of water by one extra degree means the difference between something that is simply very hot and something that generates enough force to power a machine- a beautiful, uncomplicated metaphor that ideally should feed our every endeavor- consistently pushing us to make the extra effort in every task we undertake.
We appreciate the opportunity to serve our students and families and thank everyone for your continued support throughout the year.
Respectfully,
Tim A. Mankin
Upcoming Important Dates
March 1 - 16 Dine to Donate-Pre-order Mathoo's Egg Rolls
March 1 Musical Auditions (last names A-L) 3-5:30 PM-Choir Room
March 3 Musical Auditions (last names M-Z) 3-5:30 PM-Choir Room
March 5 Musical Callbacks 3-4:30 PM-Choir Room
March 8 PTO Meeting (RSVP to HIJH PTO FB Page) 11 AM
March 11 HIJH Virtual Choral Festival Concert 7 PM
March 24 Dine to Donate-Pick up Mathoo's Egg Rolls
March 30 5th Grade Virtual Choir Concert 7 PM
April 2 to April 9 SPRING BREAK - NO SCHOOL
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
Honor Roll Postings for 7th and 8th Grade Students. HIJH is located on the Home page of the HIJH website: https://hij.hseschools.org/. Students receiving high honor roll have received no grade lower than an A-. Students receiving regular honor high honor roll have received no grade lower than a B1.
Testing Dates to Note. Please mark your calendars to ensure your child is in attendance these testing periods.
ILEARN testing window - April 19 - May 14, 2021
It is extremely important that your child be in attendance and on time during these testing days. Also, it would be advantageous to reschedule any appointments you have scheduled during these days.
Current 5th Grade Students. Course selection for the 2021-2022 school year will be a natural progression of the courses they are currently scheduled.
Current 6th and 7th grade students. Students will be scheduling their elective choices starting March 1st. All choices are due by March 10th. New this year, students will be entering into Skyward, their elective courses they wish to take for the upcoming 2021/2022 school year. A Skylert with this information and a flyer was sent to all parents as a reminder. The flyer is also included in this newsletter. Please know that you will be able to verify those course selections later in the spring. Click here for Academic Planning for Upcoming 7th Graders for the 21-21 school year. Click here for Academic Planning for Upcoming 8th Graders for the 21-22 school year.
Withdrawing your Student. If your child will be withdrawing from HIJH, you must notify the Guidance Office (317-594-4124) 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 information regarding HSE's Royal Rumble.
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.
Reminder: Parents of 5th grade students. When your student enters 6th grade they will need Tdap and Meningitis vaccinations. Please check with your doctor. Once you get the shots, please email to eallen@hse.k12.in.us, or fax to 317-594-4129. If you get shots anytime in the current school year- please send.
Please stay safe and be healthy!
Changes in HSE Contact Tracing Protocol
Schools will immediately contact Fishers Health Department and/or Hamilton County Health Department upon learning of a positive COVID case among student body or staff. The Indiana State Department of Health will lead contact tracing and case investigation in consultation with FHD. As of Feb. 17, general notification of COVID-related cases in schools via Skylert will cease. Families will only be notified if their student(s) are a close contact. This change in practice is to reduce confusion. All COVID-related cases among students and staff can be found on the COVID19 Data Dashboard and is updated on Monday mornings. The dashboard was created to provide transparency about what is happening in the school corporation.
Spring Break Travel
If you plan to travel outside the United States, the CDC offers recommendations for a safe return to the U.S. and school:
· Get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after travel.
o Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.
O If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected (10 days isolation from start of symptoms or test date, whichever occurs first).
· If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.
· Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
Click here for the link to travel restrictions and recommendations.
Hearing Screenings-7th Graders
Library News
We had a virtual author visit on Thursday, February 25 with author Crystal Allen! Ask your students about it. We were granted an author visit through the Indiana Humanities and their Indiana Author Awards program. We were thrilled to be able to continue that tradition during this challenging year.
HSE librarians have been working on a fun literacy resource for Read Across America that occurs next week. That will be shared with teachers and students in early March and available through Canvas! Keep an eye out on social media to learn more about that when it launches.
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 and 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
Athletic Donation Fundraiser. We are very thankful that we have been able to have sports during this very difficult time. It has provided our student-athletes and coaches with a much needed healthy outlet.
HIJH Athletics is almost completely self-funded and relies on ticket and concession sales to fund our programs. Due to capacity restrictions at our sporting events this year, and the many covid-related expenses we’ve had to incur, our athletic department has taken a tremendous hit financially.
We are asking for your help by supporting our one-time DIRECT DONATION CAMPAIGN to raise funds for HIJH Athletics. 100% of your donation will go to our Athletic Department. Donations can be made online at HERE or check/cash donations can be dropped off at the HIJH Main Office or mailed to: HSE Intermediate/Junior High, ATTN: Athletic Director, 12278 N. Cyntheanne Rd., Fishers, IN 46037. *Please make checks payable to HIJH. The deadline to make a donation is May 1st.
Please read through the attached Donation Letter for more details about our situation.
Thank you for supporting HIJH Athletics!
Weight Training Sessions at HSE. HSE Royals Football would like to invite all 6th, 7th, or 8th grade athletes that are interested in playing football next fall to attend weekly weight training sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:15-4:15 at HSE High School. You must provide your own transportation. No busing available. The High School Strength Staff will teach athletes basic lifting techniques and help athletes to progress in an appropriate progression. Athletes should meet outside the weight room. Make sure you have athletic clothing, a water bottle, and a mask. The difference between good and great are those that are willing to invest to achieve their desired goals. Invest now!! Contact Coach Michael Kelly (mkelly@hse.k12.in.us) if you have any questions.
Athletic Information for Spring. Click here to learn about all of the HIJH Athletic Info. Click here to find out about updated 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. 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! You can still sign up your 7th grader for the trip. If you sign up before June 4th, you get the $100 early enrollment discount! To sign up go to: https://worldstrides.com/custom/hamilton-intermediate-jr-high-school-dc/. If you have any questions, please contact Eric Brown (ebrown@hse.k12.in.us).
Parents of 8th graders. We are still good to go for our trip in June! Remember our official trip dates are 6/4/21-6/7/21. As explained in my email, if something was to change our next back-up trip dates would be 9/3/21-9/6/21. If you have any other questions, please contact Eric Brown (ebrown@hse.k12.in.us).
HIJH Music Fundraiser
The HIJH Music Department is launching a virtual fundraiser this year to help continue to provide the positive experiences that our young musicians have come to know and love. Donations that we receive from this fundraiser will provide funding for:
- Choreographers
- Sheet music
- Musical instrument repair and maintenance
- Sectional and adjunct music instructors
- Equipment
- Travel scholarships…and more!
100% of the proceeds of this fundraiser will go to students in the band, choir, and orchestra programs at HIJH. Please click here to donate, and thank you for your support!
Spring Musical- Grades 6, 7, and 8
Attention 6th-8th Graders. It’s time to get audition for the Spring Musical, “A Panther Cabaret!”
-Auditions for students with last names A-L will take place on Monday, March 1st from 3:00-5:30 pm in the Choir Room.
-Auditions for students with last names M-Z will take place on Wednesday, March 3rd from 3:00-5:30 pm in the Choir Room.
-Callbacks will take place on Friday, March 5th from 3:00-4:30 pm in the Choir Room.
Check out the Spring Musical Audition page on Canvas for more detailed information and to prepare for your audition. (It has automatically appeared in 6th-8th grade student courses). If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Mr. Yoder (byoder@hse.k12.in.us) or Mrs. Johnson (cjohnson@hse.k12.in.us).
Choral Festival
5th Grade Choir
The 5th grade choir concert will be live-streamed on March 30th at 7 PM. Singers must arrive to school in their choir shirts by 6:30 PM. The dress rehearsal for the concert is also on March 30th, immediately after school until 4 PM. We can’t wait to share our music with you!
Intramural Volleyball for 5th and 6th Graders
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, March 8th at 11 AM. All HIJH parents are invited to attend; however, if you plan to attend please RSVP to the HIJH PTO Facebook page.
Dine to Donate.
Mathoo’s Egg Rolls. The delicious ones from the farmers’ market. Purchase March 1 – 16th. Order at https://hijh-eggroll-fundraiser-27421.cheddarup.com. Pick up egg rolls March 24 from 5-6:30 PM in HIJH parking lot. They can be frozen and easily reheated. Perfect for a game day snack or holiday appetizer.
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