A Fall Surprise: Pumpkin Patch Appears at HMS
Did you know that HMS has its own pumpkin patch? Neither did HMS! Unbeknownst to HMS Principal Bess Colpron, a pumpkin seed was in the soil used for last spring's Earth Day landscaping projects. It took root all on its own, surprising everyone when it grew into a mini-patch that was 100% self sufficient. HMS recently harvested 8 gigantic pumpkins for their Homebase holiday activity. Additional pumpkins were donated by La Center Gardens and Family Farm (pictured) for a school-wide pumpkin decorating contest. Read more below.
When Life Gives you Pumpkins, You Have a Pumpkin Decorating Contest!
Last Friday, HMS held a pumpkin decorating contest with each Homebase class. Students worked on the design, prepared their materials, and elected two creative classmates to head to the Commons and bring their vision to life. Click here to view HMS’s Facebook page and see the students’ pumpkins, such as this pig family (pictured).
The volunteer pumpkin plant spawned a lot of fall fun at HMS and has inspired plans to make the pumpkin patch and contest an annual tradition.
Pumpkin-themed Learning & Fun at HHES
Up on the hill, 2nd grade students also had a week of PSL (that's Pumpkin-Spiced Learning), designing pumpkin characters, painting the gourds, and completing a pumpkin-themed math project. They recently read Sophie’s Squash and are writing a sequel to the story. In music class, third graders are creating, responding to, and performing “Pass the Pumpkin” on xylophone and voice. Students also created a chart to share what they know, wonder, and would like to learn more about pumpkins.
HHS Fall Play “The Giver” Opens Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 pm
The HHS Theatre Company has been preparing for its fall play, “The Giver,” since June and the MPR doors finally open next Friday! “The Giver” is set in a future world where differences are outlawed and a committee of elders makes choices for community members down to what they wear. The play follows one boy’s journey to seeing beyond his community and understanding there was choice, diversity, and freedom in the past.
About fifty HHS students are involved in the production. Ten Stagecraft students helped build and paint the set and forty students make up the play's cast and crew. Theater teacher Stephanie Evans shared that this show is unique because, due its small cast size, she double-casted the show to involve more students.
You are invited to support our theater students by watching “The Giver” at the Hockinson High School's MPR at 7 pm on Nov. 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9. Matinee shows are on Nov. 2 at 2 pm and Nov. 8 at 1 pm. Purchase tickets here, and continue reading here to learn more about this production and how the theater program prepares students for lifelong success.
HHS Musicians Perform in Honor Band and Prepare for Fall Concert, Oct. 29 7:30 pm
Congratulations to the HHS Band students at the Lower Columbia River Music Educator’s Association! This year, Hockinson student musicians in grades 9-12 performed at the association's Honor Band Concert held earlier this month. You can view their amazing performance here!
We couldn’t be more proud of our dedicated student-musicians. You can listen to our award-winning band at its Oct. 29 HHS Band Fall Concert at 7:30 pm.
Students pictured from left to right: Brenden Weber (upright bass), Jameson Fyfe (percussion), Thilo Kluth (bass clarinet), Emma Boehi (trumpet), Sarah Boehi (alto saxophone), Cadyn Lanier (flute), Nyah Gomez (flute), Makoa Lewis (percussion)
In Hockinson, it’s possible… HMS plays with HHS band at football game
In Hockinson, it’s possible for students to connect across schools and form bonds that extend beyond the classroom. A recent case-in-point: You may have seen (and heard) HMS Band at the football game last Friday! HMS 8th grade band members joined the HHS Band on the field to perform the halftime show and in the stands at the game's conclusion. In addition to preparing for their Fall Concert, the 8th Grade Band has been learning music for this performance since early September. “The performance and overall experience is a band memory they will have for the rest of their lives,” said Jennifer Ritenburgh, who is the HMS band director.
Music is a district-wide experience in Hockinson. According to Ritenburgh, "collaborating with all HSD music staff has been a key factor for the continued success of our district band and music program." In addition to this performance, there are a multitude of other combined ensembles to facilitate inter-school performances such as the end-of-the-year District Band Festival.
Raising Food and Community Spirit: Journey Tribute Band Stone in Love Concert at HHS 12/5!
Admission is two canned food items
Does all this talk of music get you in the mood for a concert? Families and community members of all ages are invited to join us for a fun and nostalgic community concert featuring Stone in Love! This Journey tribute band delivers faithful renditions of classic hits from one of the most beloved rock groups of all time. Expect a high-energy performance that captures the essence of Journey with soaring lead vocals, lush four-part harmonies, signature guitar licks, powerful keyboards, and driving rhythms—bringing legendary hits to life once again.
This community concert is sponsored by iQ Credit Union, Hockinson Main Street Team, AAA Boosters, PWT, Hockinson Community Education, and Hockinson Chevron. Concessions will be available thanks to AAA Boosters. Big thanks to HHS Leadership students for their help with organizing this event.
Levy Spotlight: Kat Young, HHES Nurse
Did you know that our state only provides the HSD with funding for 1/3 of a nurse for all three of its schools? This is where levy funding comes in, making it possible for the HSD to have the equivalent of three full-time nurses at its three schools. But even at that staffing level, it's still a big job. For instance, Nurse Kat Young serves over 900 elementary students every day! With almost two years at HHES, Young (pictured left) utilizes her prior nursing experiences in school and hospital settings.
Kat is described as a dynamic presence in the HHES Health Room and HHES campus. “She jumped right in, created fun opportunities for the students, arranged programs that are above and beyond, worked to improve the safety procedures and so much more, all while managing a large and extremely busy health room”, said Molly Scott, who is the ESD 112 nurse coordinator and oversees our Nurse Corps team. “She is reliable, kind, intelligent, creative, funny, and such an asset to the HSD.” HHES families are indeed fortunate to have Nurse Kat in this important role. Learn more about Young here.
Summary of FPC Survey #4
Thank you to the 307 families who responded to the Facilities Planning Committee (FPC) Survey #4. You can read the full survey summary here. Here’s a summary of top takeaways:
Building a second elementary school and enhancing district-wide safety are the top priorities for respondents, followed by adding a Career & Technical Education building at the high school.
The track and field project at Hockinson High School is not among the top three facility priorities. To address this, the Facilities Planning Committee is considering reducing costs by removing lighting replacement and reallocating savings to the second elementary school, safety upgrades, and the CTE building.
Families expressed interest in securing outside funding, such as grants and state support. The Facilities Planning Committee is pursuing various funding options, including a Department of Commerce energy grant, OSPI Small Schools Modernization Grants, and leveraging about $2 million in impact fees and property sale proceeds, along with $8.7 million in state matching dollars and in-kind donations.
HHES
Meredith Gannon and Michael Olson shared points of progress in the school's Library that was improved and repainted by volunteers in 2020.
HMS
Bess Colpron and Sid Slom demonstrated the school's lockdown system, which automatically secures both exterior and interior doors.
You're invited to the Nov. 5 Silver Social
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Holland Christie, Branch Manager of the Battle Ground Community Library, will deliver a presentation on Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries Lending and Programs.
Did you know that you don’t need to drive to be able to borrow a library book? Have you heard that our local libraries not only lend books physically and digitally, but also videos and music? While at your local library you can use common spaces to meet friends, look at art from local artists, or attend a variety of social, informational, or maker gatherings and classes. Join us at 11 am to learn more about programs, locations, and lending options through our local Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries.
Parent Teacher Conferences
We are looking forward to connecting with you during the upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences for all Hockinson schools!
Hockinson Heights Elementary School will have conferences on 10/28-11/1, with evening conferences on 10/29.
Hockinson Middle School and Hockinson High School will have conferences on 10/30-11/1, with evening conferences on 10/30.
The Great ShakeOut Day Drills for Earthquake Preparedness
On October 17, our school participated in The Great ShakeOut Day, a statewide earthquake drill aimed at helping students and staff practice essential safety procedures. During the drill, students and staff practiced how to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in the event of an earthquake. Thank you to everyone for making this drill a success and for your continued support in keeping our schools safe!
PWT Halloween Carnival at HHES 10/26 - Call for Volunteers!
We are getting excited for tomorrow’s Halloween Carnival and Trick or Treating event, organized by PWT (Parents Working Together)! We are still in need of volunteers to help set up and close the event. Click here to view the unfilled volunteer slots and sign up. Thank you for donating your time to make activities like this possible for our students.
Join us for an evening of carnival games, crafts, and other spooktacular activities. Visit the carnival grounds early, from 4-4:30 pm, to enjoy a quieter, sensory-friendly environment. We hope to see you there!
Student Spotlight, Unity Day Edition: Catelyn Russell
We are bringing back Student Spotlights! This month, we have the honor of introducing you to Catelyn Russell, a senior at HHS who participates in Leadership and played an active role in coordinating Unity Day activities. Here is more from Catelyn on her involvement with Unity Day:
How did you help coordinate Unity Day this year?
I helped coordinate Unity Day by planning and executing the read-aloud stories that were played during class for the elementary school. I also helped to coordinate the morning greetings at the HHES and HMS.
Why is it important to share Unity Day messages with our younger students?
It is important to share Unity Day with younger students because learning how we can all work together and be kind to each other from a young age is so important so that it becomes such a simple and easy lifestyle when we're older.
What does Unity Day mean to you?
Unity Day to me is a reminder that we really are all so similar and all deserve to be loved and accepted.
Can you share a memorable moment from Unity Day-related activities that made you feel proud to be part of HHS?
A memorable moment from our Unity Day activities would have to be the greeting at the elementary school, it was a rainy and cold morning, but seeing all the tired kiddos walk off the bus and just get so excited to see Buzz and get a sticker affirmed in me that we can really make anyone's day. That experience really just made me proud to be a part of it.
What is one message you hope Hockinson students take away from Unity Day?
I hope Hockinson students are able to take away how easy it is to make a change and take the extra step to say something kind or make sure everyone is included.
Way to go, Catelyn and HHS Leadership! Special thanks to Leadership teacher Leslie Pershall for her work in planning and organizing Unity Day festivities with our younger students.
Smarter Balanced Assessment Scores Now Available in Skyward
Individual student SBA (Smarter Balanced Assessment) scores from this spring are now available. To view your student's scores, please log into your Skyward account and click on the "Test Scores" tab. This news comes with a post-script: Only the scale score appears in Skyward. For an explanation of the scores, click here. We will share print copies of individualized score reports with students as soon as we receive them from the state, which we believe will be in the next few weeks.
Get your (virtual) Paddle Ready: Hawk-o-ween is Here!
The AAA Boosters' Hawk-o-ween Online Auction begins at 9 am tomorrow. This year's auction features over 200 items! Don’t miss the chance to register, bid, and win Reserved 2025 Graduation or Football home game seating and parking, Hawk gear, gift cards, Seahawk and other game tickets, lavish vacations, and your choice of amazing gift baskets!
There are also opportunities to donate to your favorite teams and groups or our Make a Difference item, “Launch Experiences.” This project will benefit all of the school's students and enter you into a drawing to win additional fun prizes!
We welcome all HSD families, Hockinson community members, and friends of Hockinson, both near and far, to participate in this year's auction to help elevate HHS Athletics, Academics, and Activities! Here's the Auction LINK! The auction ends Nov. 2.
News Bites: Athletics Edition
- State Three-peat for HHS Golfer Wall: Congratulations to HHS Senior Ethan Wall who qualified for his third State Golf Championships by finishing 8th at the 2A District Golf Tournament on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Fellow senior Treyton Fraki also represented HHS at the tournament.
- HHS Girls XC Win League Championship: Led by Lyla Taylor and Scarlett Sanders, the HHS Girls XC team claimed the league title by finishing atop the leaderboard of the GSHL 2A League Meet at Lewisville Park last Tuesday. Graysen Aldridge finished in the Top 10 and great performances were posted by Claire Tapio and Kaydie Boettcher. Congratulations to Tanner Hood who battled for a 5th place finish on the boys league meet. Both girls and boys teams will compete at the District XC Meet next Thurs. Oct. 31 at Lewis River Golf Course.
- Boys Tennis Concludes Historic Season: The doubles team of Jahlen Miller and Aidan Willis advanced to the District Tennis Tournament, but lost their consolation match and will not be moving on to Regionals. Congratulations to both athletes on a successful and trailblazing season. Now established, the HHS Boys Tennis Team looks forward to its 2nd season next fall.
- Nov 2 Dia de los Muertos Booster 5K Fun Run/Walk: Everyone is invited to participate in the Saturday, Nov. 2 Dia de los Muertos Fun Run organized by the AAA Boosters. This is a fun (and healthy) event that brings our community together and raises funds for HHS sports and activities. Sign up here.
Contact Us
Email: justine.hanrahan@esd112.org
Website: https://www.hocksd.org/
Location: 17912 NE 159th St, Brush Prairie, WA 98606, USA
Phone: (360) 448-6400