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Homer High-Lights
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 9, April 2024
Principal's Corner
The school year is quickly coming to end and it seems like there is something going on every day. Some big events are coming up:
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8th Grade Step-up Day - April 12th
Senior Awards Night – May 1st
Graduation – May 14th
Last Day of School – May 16th
End of Year Barbeque - May 16th
This is a very busy time of year for everyone, but it is even more crazy for student athletes. Since we live in Alaska we have to cram a full sports season into a few weeks. This means students will be missing lots of school and it can be tough keeping up their grades. Part of being an athlete at HHS is having the responsibility to keep on top of their classes and make sure they don't get behind. It is important for athletes to stay organized. Students should work with teachers and plan ahead. This means getting work done before they leave school for sports or plan to attend FOL's as soon as they get back from trips to make up work. HHS provides FOL, before school tutoring, and many teachers work with students during lunch for make-up work, but ultimately it is the student's responsibility to get work done on time.
There are two dates students athletes need to watch. The first is the mid-quarter eligibility on April 15th. Students need to be passing all their classes on this date in order to continue to participate. The other date to remember is May 20th. This is the end of the semester eligibility check. This is especially important for sports that are still going after school ends. Some athletes may not be able to participate at state tournaments if they are not passing all classes at the end of the semester.
We want every student to enjoy sports and be able participate, but we do call them student-athletes for a reason. It is hard work, but it is worth the effort.
If you have concerns or suggestions please schedule a time to meet with me by calling 235-4600 or send me an e-mail at dwaclawski@kpbsd.k12.ak.us.
Douglas Waclawski
Principal
907-235-4600
The Mariner Way Award
Mariner Way Award
Each Homer High teacher selects one outstanding student per year based on exhibition of one or more of the Mariner Way traits (Toughness, Compassion, Drive, Integrity, Character, Sportsmanship, Citizenship) Honorees, their families and the nominating teachers attended a March 28th celebration. Second semester winners were (L to R):
- Alex Van Meter – nominated by Lucas Parsley
- Ella Gustafson – nominated by Matt Stineff
- Rocco Flora – nominated by Winter Marshall-Allen
- Natalie Farren – nominated by Olivia Philpot
- Lars Peterson – nominated by Gia Baker
- Madilyn Gibbins – nominated by Justin Zank
- Tyler Burnett – nominated by Andrea Stineff
- Ryan Alcorta – nominated by Sarah Boss
- Aiden Crane – nominated by Kyle Schneider
- Shaylea McGee – nominated by Lisa McCutcheon
Homer High School Is Using Remind
Homer High School is now using Remind for all classroom and sports communication. Please make sure you opt in to Remind when get a message from HHS. We are using remind for sports communication and with some school-wide communication.
If you have opted out and are not receiving Remind Messages, go to notification preferences and opt back in. If you are having problems or questions with changing your preferences, call our office at 907-235-4600 for help.
We encourage you to check out this parent guide to get tips on how to use Remind. We're excited to use Remind to make connecting with your family more engaging.
Please sign up for Remind and allow HHS to send you text messages.
Senior Events - Parent Help
Dear Senior Parents,
Happy Spring! Hard to believe but Graduation is right around the corner! We have been working hard to make your senior’s last week of school and graduation special and we need your help!
Here are two ways you can support Senior Week:
Donate $50-$100+ or more to help fund Senior Week activities. All senior week activities are funded through parent donations. We need every parent to contribute what they can afford. All donations are appreciated!
- Pay online: https://hhs-graduation-2024.square.site/.
- Or drop a check off at the High School with Paul Story or at the Concessions Stand. Write a check to “HHS Mariners Booster Club - Class of 2024 Senior Contribution” and add your senior’s name in the memo.
- https://form.jotform.com/240864696222058 We still need a lot more help with Casino Night!
Senior Scholarship & Awards Night,
- Wednesday, May 1 at 6:30pm
Senior Hall Decorating:
- Sunday, May 5
Baccalaureate:
- Sunday, May 12 at 4pm
Graduation Decorating:
- Monday, May 13
Graduation:
- Tuesday, May 14 at 7pm
Casino Night at Elk’s Club:
- Tuesday, May 14, 10pm-2am
Thank you all so much,
Kammi Matson
Senior Week Chair
907-399-5264
Shop the Online Mariner Store
The Homer Boosters have created the HHS online Apparel Store. Get all your Homer Mariner clothing and swag you need while supporting HHS sports. The web address is: https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/alaska/homer/homer-senior-high-school
To contact the Booster Club, email them at: Email HHS Mariner Booster Club
Senior Service Hours
Service Hours are a Graduation Requirement!
Remember, every Homer High School student is required to complete service hours. Don’t wait until you’re a senior!
Class of 2024 – 30 hours required (adjusted for COVID); documentation and essay due April 30, 2024.
Classes of 2025 and following – 40 hours required.
- 9th Grade can complete 10 hours
- 10th grade can complete 20 hour
- 11th grade can complete all survive hours
If you’d like ideas on where to serve or have questions, please contact service project coordinator, David Hardyman, at dhardyman@kpbsd.k12.ak.us . All service hours must be preapproved.
Dates To Remember
- 4/2: HHS Site Council meeting 4:10pm in library
- 4/5: Soccer Jamboree at HHS
- 4/6: Soccer Jamboree at HHS
- 4/6: HHS Junior & Senior Prom at Ageya 8:00pm-12:00am
- 4/12: Early release day 2:20pm
- 4/12: HHS & SoHi Jazz Band Concert 6:00pm in Mariner Theatre
- 4/13: Act 8:00am
- 4/13: Track meet vs Colony TBA
- 4/15: Grade Check
- 4/16: Softball vs Soldotna at Jack Gist Park
- 4/18: Soccer vs Grace Christian
- 4/22: Soccer vs Kenai
- 4/23: Softball vs Kenai @ Jack Gist Park
- 4/23: Soccer vs Nikiski
- 4/24: Baseball vs Kenai
Homer Boys and Girls Teams Excel at Regions
Both the Homer Boys and Girls basketball teams had great Regional Tournaments. Both teams made it to the final game for the chance to go to State. The boys ended up losing to Seward and Girls Team beat Kenai and earned a berth to the State Basketball Tournament.
Picture courtesy of Dan Miotke (Girls Basketball Coach)
Counselor Corner
HHS School Counselors
Sue Rennolds – Class of 2026 srennolds@kpbsd.k12.ak.us ~ (907) 235-4691
Paul Story – Classes of ’24, ’25, ’27 pstory@kpbsd.k12.ak.us ~ (907) 235-4685
Dual credit college classes
Current sophomores and juniors may elect to take a Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) class next school year for dual high school/college credit.
Classes are available for free to those who apply and qualify for the Kenai Peninsula Middle College program (Applications open April 1st via this LINK.), and at the JumpStart deep discount rate for others.
Our local KPC campus, Kachemak Bay Campus, is hosting an open house for interested high school students and their families Monday, April 15 between 4:30 and 6pm. Informational Flyer
Service Hours are a graduation requirement!
Leadership opportunities for 10th/11th graders!!!
RYLA is a run leadership development and training program for sophomores and juniors sponsored by Rotary International. Our local Rotary club will pay for interested students of good character with positive attitudes to attend the retreat with other Alaskan teens at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge in Fairbanks April 18-21. For more info, check out the FLYER and SLIDES. If interested, contact Beth Trowbridge ASAP and let her know you’ll be completing THIS EASY APPLICATION by Th., Apr. 4.
GIRLS STATE and BOYS STATE are long-standing, reputable leadership and citizenship programs put on for free by the American Legion and Auxiliary. Juniors (rising Seniors) from across Alaska spend a week at a Mat-Su Valley camp learning about government and developing their own self-governed mock cities and townships. The goal is to promote individual responsibility to community, state, and nation. They’ll sponsor multiple students from the Homer area, and it’s also a good résumé builder!
- Girls State – June 1-7: Still accepting THIS EASY APPLICATION. The due date is imminent but also not critical. Just contact Paula Gallagher at 907-299-0172 to let her know you’re interested.
- Boys State – June 9-15: THIS EASY APPLICATION is due April 15.
SAT - PSAT - ACT
SAT – register at www.sat.org/register
ACT – register at www.act.org
The Mariner Way.
Last year our teachers, students and parents from our Site Council got together and helped write the Mariner Way. This is what we think it means to be a Mariner and what we want to aspire to. We hope that when people think of Homer High School they will say we are living the Mariner Way.
We are the Mariners, a special blend of toughness, compassion, grit and integrity. We understand we are part of something bigger than ourselves and endeavor to be better every day. We show sportsmanship, help out community and strive for academic excellence. This is the Mariner Way.
99" Summit - Joe O'Malley
Ocean View - Charlie Roy
Untitled - Marina Co
Untitled - Carlie Johnson
Spill - Landon Tinsley
Untitled - Tanner Gallios
Homer High School
Email: dwaclawski@kpbsd.org
Website: http://homerhighschool.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/
Location: 600 E Fairview Ave, Homer, AK, USA
Phone: 907-235-4600
Facebook: www.facebook.com/homerhs