HSD Purchases New Chromebooks, Classroom Technology
At its March 25 meeting, HSD School Board members voted unanimously to approve the purchase of over 700 new Chromebooks and protective cases. This purchase will help to put our district on a sustainable cycle for replacing Chromebooks as they reach the end of their usable life. When asked if these new devices are similar to the existing ones, HSD Technology Supervisor Craig Barnhill replied, “[The Chromebooks] are the same size - 11.5 inch screens. They are made by the same manufacturer, Hewlett Packard. The main difference is that they have more memory and are A LOT faster.”
What is a Chromebook? Chromebooks are versatile digital learning and assessment tools, as they meet all of the specifications put forth by the Smarter Balanced Testing Consortium. You can learn more about this cost-effective device here.
The Board also approved the purchase of new voice amplification systems for HHES classrooms. Voice amplification enables all students to better hear instructions and directions without teachers having to raise their voice. Beginning in 2021, the HSD instituted a 6-year replacement cycle for most classroom technology, which includes desktop computers, projectors, document cameras, and voice amplification hardware.
Girls 4x800 Relay Team
Photo from the Wildcat Relays
Pictured (l to r): Julia Ritton, Lyla Taylor, Scarlett Sanders, Graysen Aldridge.
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HSD Buildings to Undergo Spring Cleaning, Upgrades over Break
While Spring Break is synonymous with vacations and rest, our custodial and maintenance staff will continue to work - but the work will look different because they will shift into deep-cleaning mode and focus on projects that are difficult to complete when school is in session.
Next week, custodians will be detailing entries and hallways and deep-cleaning restrooms at all school sites. They will also clean food carts (HHES), buff hallways and clean windows (HMS), and scrub the Commons and clean upstairs carpets (HHS). Additionally, Operations Director Dave Wilson will be coordinating a number of improvements across the district. They will include:
- HHES: Repair of parking lot asphalt and replacement of concrete sidewalks near the 300 Bldg.
- HHS: Repair of track surface, pressure washing of MPR courtyard, installation of replacement speakers in the Main Gym, and conversion of 40 hallway canned lights to LED fixtures, which qualifies for a rebate from Clark Public Utilities!
We are committed to protecting our community's investment in our facilities. We carefully use levy funds to keep our buildings safe, compliant, and in good operating condition for school and community use - both now and in the future.
Community Tour Again Puts the “Focus on Learning”
The March 20 HSD “Focus on Learning” Tour started at the site where public education was first established in Hockinson over 150 years ago. Gathering at the Hockinson Community Center, nearly 20 participants were welcomed and given a brief tour by Community Education Coordinator Katie O’Malley-Soot, who showed how the facility is currently being used for after-school and community programs. Superintendent Steve Marshall provided an overview of the district’s “Upward Together” campaign and programs that illustrate the district’s commitment to academics, positive school cultures, well-maintained facilities, and community connectedness.
The tourists then hit the road in a school bus, which stopped for hour-long visits at HHES, HMS, and HHS (pictured). At each stop, principals provided an overview of their school improvement plans before giving parents the opportunity to visit classrooms to meet students and see teaching and learning in action.
While this was the final school tour of the year, there will be other tour opportunities in the fall.
Reminder for the Class of 2024: Apply for HPSF Scholarships by April 15!
Attention HHS Seniors! Applications are open now for the following local scholarships:
Hockinson Excellence Award
The Foundation Scholarship
The Finnish Lodge Scholarship
The Emma Koenig Award
Perseverance Award
The Hockinson Public Schools Foundation has received a low number of applicants for these scholarship awards. This means that those who submit an application this year have a high chance of being selected! This is free money for college, university, or trade school.
Apply by April 15 at: https://www.hpsf.org/
Surpassing Enrollment Goals, Expanding Course Offerings
Exciting developments are underway in HHS's Career Technical Education (CTE) program! The enrollment of full-time equivalent (FTE) students taking part in CTE courses at HHS continues to climb. In the 2021-22 school year, total FTE was at 42. Principal Tim Fox, who is also the school's CTE Director, set out to increase CTE enrollment by 50% over the next two years. The school is ahead of schedule. As of this January, the program's FTE has reached 79 - the equivalent of nearly 400 students!
The number of CTE courses offered at HHS has increased along with the rate of participating students. Beginning next year, students can choose to take two new CTE classes: Financial Algebra and Principles of Engineering. Both classes count as a 3rd year math option, and the latter provides a CTE graduation pathway in engineering. The school is also looking to offer a Careers in Education course in 2025-26.
Student participation in the school's Worksite Learning Program opportunities has increased throughout the school year. This semester, 40 students are enrolled in the program and networked with 32 different employers during 78 scheduled periods. This is up from last semester's numbers 28 students who interfaced with 24 employers over 49 periods. This innovative program boosts students in two ways: It enables them to work during the school day while earning required CTE and elective credits toward graduation.
Fox is encouraged by the growth of his school's CTE program. "We are always looking for opportunities that connect students interests with our community and prepare them for future success. Both groups - our students and community - have stepped up to create real world and relevant learning experiences. It's been really exciting and rewarding," said Fox.
Launching Bright Futures in the HSD: May 16 Event Connects Students to Future Options
The tagline for the upcoming HSD future "launch" event really says it all: "Launching Futures: Where careers, college, and education take flight!" This year, HMS and HHS are combining forces to host approximately 100 representatives from higher education, recruiters, career support organizations, and companies currently hiring. The fair will be held on Tuesday, May 16 from 2:30-5 pm in the HHS Commons and surrounding spaces. The first hour is reserved for HHS students. Students will receive a passport that will be stamped at each booth they visit. Completed passports will be entered for various prized. The remainder of the event (3:30 - 5 pm) will be open to the Hockinson community.
There are additional "Year 13" supports in store for the Class of 2024. The Week of June 3 has been affectionately dubbed "Senior Launch Week" as it is filled with activities that are aimed to better prepare HHS graduating seniors for future success. In addition to participating in Senior Exit interviews and various workshops on life skills taught by community members, seniors will also take part in iQ Credit Union's Bite of Reality This interactive activity gives teens a better understanding of the challenges of living on a budget.
Thank you to our staff, community members, business partners, and benefactors (Career Connect SW and Price Foundation) who are working together to "prepare all students for lifelong success."
Staying Local: Free, Family-Friendly Things to Do over Spring Break
Looking for things to do with the family over spring break? There are plenty of kid-friendly activities within a 20-minute drive of Hockinson. Here are just a few ideas:
Take a drive through history with the Hockinson Historical Driving Tour
Check out local farms with the Hockinson Homegrown Highway map
Take a stroll around NatureScaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens in Brush Prairie
Check out the FREE boredom busters at our local libraries
Visit Battle Ground Lake State Park for a day of outdoor activities
Spring “Beak” Nature Walk at the Water Resource Center in Vancouver
April 3 at 9:30 - 11:30 am
Bird watching tour suitable for families with youth ages 6+
Hockinson Silver Social Set for Tuesday, April 9
Join us on Tuesday, April 9 at the next Hockinson Silver Social, “Putting Hockinson on the Map!" Speakers Superintendent Steve Marshall, Hockinson Market co-owner Justin VanNatta, and Pastor Shaun Hart will share the stories behind the Hockinson Homegrown Highway and Hockinson Historic Driving maps. These maps illustrate how Hockinson businesses, farms, and points of interest have changed throughout history.
Hockinson Silver Socials is a program series launched this year for adults of all ages. Hosted by the Hockinson Community Education program, they a FREE opportunity for adults to gather, enjoy light refreshments, and socialize around common interests like music, exercise, reading, history, and more! Earlier this month, community members joined us for a talk by local historian Louise Tucker, author of “Battle Ground…In and Around” and “Battle Ground Lake Before it Became a State Park.”
Interested in joining us on April 9 from 11 am - 1 pm? Please RSVP at (360) 448-6480 or katie.omalley-soot@hocksd.org
2024-25 TK, Kindergarten Enrollment Info
Attention, HSD Families: TK applications and Kindergarten registration open Monday, April 8.
If you are interested in Transitional Kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year…
and you have a child who will be 4 years old before August 31, you will need to fill out an interest form that will posted to the HHES website and Facebook account on Monday, April 8. After you submit the form, you will get a call from the school to schedule a screening with your child that will take about 30 minutes. HHES will host an information night in late May for families who qualify for TK that will include a program overview as well as an opportunity to talk with the TK teachers, and answer any questions. We look forward to having another amazing group next year.
If your family is interested in Kindergarten...
and you have a child who will be 5 years old before August 31, you can complete an online registration HERE beginning Monday, April 8. Please note: Families are encouraged to register by Friday, April 19. Please note: To register successfully, families will need to provide proof of residency as well as the student's immunization records and birth certificate. HHES will host its Kindergarten Round-Up, an on-site Kindergarten preview, on Wednesday, May 1 at 6 pm.
News Bites
Congratulations to ESD 112 Art Show Winners! Four Hockinson High School students received special recognition as the March 20 ESD 112 Regional Art Show. Sarah DeRoos’ ceramic piece Living on Water earned an ESD 112 Award. Receiving Honorable Mention were Nora Tormanen (On the Mountainside); Izak Nairis (Late Prehistoric Primitive Fired Pinch Pot); and Anna Nadal (To the Sea of Wonder). You can view their artwork here.
HHS Band Places 1st in Clackamas Jazz Festival: The HHS Jazz Band competed in the Clackamas Community College Instrumental Jazz Festival on March 15 and 16 and once again finished atop the 5A division! Levi Brown (trumpet) and Thilo Kluth (piano) were also recognized as outstanding musicians. You can watch the band perform here. The band also finished first in its division at the 60th Annual Clark College Jazz Festival in January.
2024-25 Calendar Now Available: At its March 25 Regular Meeting, the School Board approved the HSD 2024-25 School Year Calendar. You can find it on the HSD website under “Calendars.”
Visitor Management System Expands to All HSD Schools: Following last year’s successful pilot at HHES, HMS and HHS are adopting a new electronic Volunteer & Visitor Management System to enhance campus security. Each school will be outfitted with an all-in-one monitor that will display a check in screen for both visitors and volunteers. It works like this: Upon entering the school, a visitor will use the monitor and keyboard to enter their name, contact information, and destination whereas a volunteer clicks a few buttons to activate their personal profile. Next, the printer produces an identification sticker that also comes with a bar code that the person scans to check out as they exit the building.
HSD Facilities Planning Committee Wants to Hear from You! The FCP was established in June of 2022 with four main goals: 1. Informing committee members of facilities updates, projects, and needs; 2. Collaborating on solutions to short- and long-term facilities needs; 3. Guiding a district-wide maintenance plan and short- and long-term facilities plan; 4. Communicating with the larger community on the above topics. Consistent with all four goals, the committee is sending this short survey out to HSD families.
Student Leaders Tackle "Period Poverty" to Support Classmates: Six students from HHS's Future Business Leaders of America initiated a fundraiser to provide high-quality feminine products in HMS and HHS restrooms. You can read about their service project here.
HHS Sports News: JV Softball Taking Hold, Info on Summer Camps Coming Soon: Exciting news! HHS has a JV Softball Team. In recent years, due to low participation and the pandemic, the school has not been able to sustain a JV Softball program. Also, a heads up for parents: HHS Football, Cheer, Tennis and Soccer will all be offering sports camps this summer. More info to come after spring break.
Spring Break April 1-5: Just a reminder that there will be no school during the week of April 1. Classes resume Monday, April 8.
Busy Times at Hockinson Schools: When we return from break, be prepared...April, May, and June are active months in the HSD! We have attempted to give our families a preview of many of the upcoming events below.
Contact Us
Email: justine.hanrahan@hocksd.org
Website: https://www.hocksd.org/
Location: 17912 NE 159th St, Brush Prairie, WA 98606, USA
Phone: (360) 448-6400