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HSD News Round-Up

Feb. 14, 2025

HSD News Round-Up Feb. 14, 2025

HHES Student Leadership Team representatives thank Mr. Huset and the amazing HHS students for the beautiful garden cart, pictured above. They are excited to share this year’s HHES garden harvest with the community.


We enjoy keeping Hockinson families in the loop with HSD news! The March 21 edition of the HSD News Round-Up features the newly released 2025-26 school calendar, a reminder about next week's parent-teacher conference schedule, stories on student achievements in academics and leadership, and more!

HSD News Round-Up

March 21, 2025

Reminder: HSD Parent-Teacher Conferences are next week!

HHES: 3-hr early release M - F and HMS & HHS: 3-hr early release Th & F only.

2025-26 School Year Calendar

Based on staff and family feedback, Hockinson School District is adopting a new calendar for the 2025-26 school year. This calendar is similar to the 2025-26 calendar adopted by Camas School District and other districts around the state. View the 2025-26 calendar here. Here are some highlights:

  • First Day of School: Aug 25 - a 5-day first week of school.

  • First day of TK & K: Aug 28

  • Full week no-school (Nov 24-28) at Thanksgiving

  • Full week no-school (Feb 16-20) at Presidents Day holiday

  • Last day of school: June 17

  • Two built-in snow days on March 16 and May 22

Hockinson Community Education will be coordinating low-cost student camps for the six non-school days during the Thanksgiving and February breaks.

Former HHS Student-Athlete Now a Best-Selling Author

HHS graduate Sarah Crouch is renowned for her accomplishments in the world of athletics as a high school, collegiate, and professional distance runner. Recently, Crouch has made a name for herself as a writer. She has had freelance work featured in Active Magazine, Competitor Magazine and other fitness publications. This fall, though, Crouch published her first fiction novel, Middletide. The story is set in the Pacific Northwest and follows a struggling writer who becomes entangled in a murder investigation.


You can read a preview of Middletide here.

Dr. Seuss Week at HHES Brings Book Brackets, Reading, and Fun

Earlier this month, HHES students celebrated National Read Across America Day, a nationwide initiative to promote literacy that coincides with the birthday of beloved children’s book author, Dr. Seuss. Dr. Seuss Week encourages schools and communities to host reading events and other activities to inspire a love of reading in children.


To join in on the fun, 2nd Grade students took part in a March Madness-inspired reading challenge! Throughout the past few weeks, classrooms created their own book brackets, featuring 16 different titles. Students read the books, welcomed guest readers, and voted on their favorites to determine their classroom's ultimate champion book. The bracket-style competition gave students an engaging way to flex their literacy skills.


Classrooms across grade levels found ways to sprinkle in a little Seussian fun! From dress-up days to art projects, students embraced the whimsy and joy associated with reading.

Dr. Seuss Fun!

Mrs. Paulsen's kindergarten class created masks inspired by The Cat in the Hat.

Bracket Contender

This book was one of the many titles competing in HHES's Book Bracket challenge.

The Bracket in Action

Students tracked their favorite stories in this March Madness-style book bracket.

EP&O Levy Spotlight: HSD Students Engage in Array of School Enrichment Programs

Athletics, arts, technology, clubs and extracurricular activities, and more are funded by the Hockinson School District EP&O Levy. The levy supports opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop talents, and share their passion with the community. Thank you, Hockinson voters!

HMS Mathletes Earn 3rd Place at Regional Competition

Four Hockinson Middle School students put their math skills to the test at the Feb. 22 Southwest WA Chapter MATHCOUNTS Competition at Clark College, earning 3rd place. Coached by Anna-Melissa Lyons, a 7th-grade teacher at HMS, the team competed in multiple rounds designed to challenge speed, accuracy, and problem-solving. The Sprint Round required students to quickly solve 30 problems without a calculator, while the Target Round focused on deeper problem-solving with timed problem pairs. In the Team Round, collaboration was key as students worked together on 10 complex problems. Some competitors also participated in the optional Countdown Round, which tested rapid-fire problem-solving under a strict time limit.


MATHCOUNTS is a national program that fosters extracurricular academic development, critical thinking, and an excitement for mathematics. Congratulations to our HMS mathletes on this impressive achievement!


Pictured L to R: Zach Paulsen, Isaac Lang, Weston Ohmer, Griffin Aldridge.

HMS Student Leaders Soak Up Ideas at Local Leadership Conference

On March 4, Hockinson Middle School Leadership students attended a conference where they joined peers from other middle schools to exchange ideas and learn new approaches to both increasing student engagement and working as a team. The event provided an opportunity for students to collaborate with fellow school leaders, gain fresh perspectives, and bring innovative ideas back to HMS.


Leadership conferences create a win-win opportunity for HMS students. These events reinforce the impact that positive, engaged student representatives have on the student body they serve while introducing new initiatives and ideas sparked by collaboration with other schools. We look forward to seeing how HMS students use what they’ve learned to have a positive impact on the HMS community.

HMS Girls Basketball Finishes Successful Season

The HMS Girls Basketball season officially came to a close on March 18 with an awards ceremony celebrating the team’s hard work and achievements. With 31 athletes on the roster, the teams showed dedication, growth, and teamwork under the leadership of coaches Janell Morley, Bailey Metz, and Rylee Thompson.


All three teams finished with winning records, a testament to their perseverance and commitment throughout the season. “We are so proud of all of our athletes this season,” said HMS Dean of Students and Athletic Director Sid Slom. “Our kids and our coaches worked hard and our teams were fun to watch. I am excited to watch them continue to grow next year here at HMS and the high school.”


HMS concluded its Winter Sports season on March 14, when Girls Basketball traveled to Woodland Middle School to play the Trojans. Up next, HMS will kick off its Spring Sports season with Boys and Girls Track. Their first practice is on April 14.

HHS Mock Trial Competes at District Competition

The Hockinson High School Mock Trial Team competed in the YMCA Mock Trial district tournament at the Clark County Courthouse last month, facing off against 7 other teams. The competition challenged students to apply real-life case law and deepen their understanding of the court system.


This year, five of six student attorneys and five of eight student witnesses were new to the team, making the competition a valuable opportunity to build confidence and refine their courtroom skills. “It was a huge learning year for our team and they came out of the competition motivated and hopeful for next year,” said HHS Mock Trial advisor, Heidi Morris. “I’m so proud of them. They did incredible work at the competition and really supported each other throughout.”


Read more about the HHS Mock Trial Team here.

Hockinson Students Power Up for Solar Car Challenge

Hockinson students put their engineering and teamwork skills to the test at the Clark Public Utilities Solar Car Challenge on March 9. A total of 22 Hockinson Heights Elementary School students formed eight teams, while three Hockinson Middle School students competed as one team. Among them, a team of 5th graders won first place in the Engineering and Design Process & Interview category. Great job, Eloise, Mason, and Nash! The HMS team also performed well, making it to the third round of the competition.


Over five weeks, teams from across Clark County designed and built the solar-powered cars using kits provided by Clark Public Utilities. The challenge featured both a race and an interview component, where teams presented their cars and shared their engineering process and knowledge of renewable energy with judges. Students also created a poster board or digital record to showcase their process, as well as documented their work in engineering notebooks.


With guidance from their amazing coaches–Michelle Perry, Natalia Christofferson, Hollie Rose, and Rachel Kolafa–HHES and HMS students demonstrated creativity, teamwork, and resilience throughout the competition.

Building Confidence

The interview portion of the challenge helps students hone their public speaking skills and ability to express their thought processes.

Engineering Champs

Eloise, Mason, and Nash earned first place for their outstanding design and interview skills.

STEM Explorers

This annual challenge allows students to engage in hands-on STEM learning and showcase their creativity.

Spotlight on Career & Technical Education

New Pre-Electrical Program Attracts Three HHS Students

Instead of starting their school day at Hockinson High School, three students begin their day in Woodland, nearly 40 minutes away. HHS students Jeffrey Tracy, Noah Tadema, and Brian Webster are among the first class to sign up for Cascadia Technical Academy's (CTA) Pre-Electrical program, housed at Woodland Middle School. All three students like learning in a hands-on environment and acquiring skills that will prepare them for an apprenticeship in an in-demand career field.


Hockinson School District belongs to CTA, which is a county-wide cooperative career skills center, that offers 18 career-prep programs. For the past two years, HSD Superintendent Steve Marshall has served as the Chair of the CTA's Superintendents' Advisory Council. Marshall is excited about the programs the academy has recently added. "Last year, Cascadia [Technical Academy] made some very innovative additions to respond to student interest and industry need," said Marshall. "We've added satellite programs in early education, maritime, pre-electrical and forest management around the county. Cascadia also added barbering on site this year," said Marshall.


Over 50 HHS juniors and seniors are expected to participate in CTA career-preparatory programs in the 2025-26 school year.

Hands-On Learning

CTA’s Pre-Electrical program gives students the opportunity to learn through hands-on projects, preparing them for real-world careers in the electrical trade.

A Growing Trade

"Employment of electricians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations." - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Powering Up Futures

Most electricians advance through an apprenticeship process. These 3 HHS students are getting an introduction to the trade earlier than other prospective electricians.

Get to Know HHES Student Sylvie Mathiason

Meet Sylvie Mathiason, a 4th grader at HHES! Whether she’s crafting a compelling story in writing class or stepping into character on stage, she brings creativity and enthusiasm to everything she does. Right now, she’s gearing up for a role in Hockinson High School’s spring musical The Sound of Music! More from Sylvie:


What is your favorite subject in school right now?

Writing! Right now we are doing opinion writing and next we will be working on fictional writing. My favorite genre is informational writing.

What do you look forward to most at school?

Seeing my friends and the fun activities we do in class.

What's your favorite after-school activity?

Theatre. Right now I have a small part in the upcoming Hockinson High School play, "The Sound of Music."

What has been your favorite school activity this far? Any field trip, club, or event that was extra special?

Our field trip to plant trees in Salmon Creek.

Have you thought about any plans for the future?

In the future, I would like to either be a teacher or possibly an actor.


Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself and your school experience, Sylvie. We are proud to have you at HHES and wish you the best of luck at your upcoming performance. Break a leg!

HSD Students Ready to Show Their Skills on SBAC Tests

Hockinson students are preparing for the upcoming Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) standardized tests in April and May. This is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their hard work and growth throughout the year. To help reduce testing fatigue and set students up for success, we’ve scheduled shorter testing windows spread over more days. We encourage families to mark these dates on your calendar to ensure students are present and prepared:


Please mark your family's calendar! SBAC Testing Dates:

  • HHS: April 21-25, 2025 & May 19-22, 2025

-WCAS: April 25, 2025 & May 20-21, 2025 (11th grade only)

  • HMS: May 12-23, 2025

-WCAS: May 27-28 (8th grade only)

  • HHES: May 12-19, 2025 & May 27-30, 2025

-WCAS: May 6-8, 2025 (5th grade only)


State Testing is Important - for many reasons!

The SBAC assessment provides important data that helps track student progress and guide instruction. Additionally, maintaining a 95% participation rate is essential for school funding, awards, and recognitions. When participation drops below this threshold, our district risks losing eligibility for certain state and federal funding opportunities. When a student opts out of the SBAC, it counts as a zero for HSD, impacting both participation rates and overall scores.


These assessments provide valuable insight into student progress—both individually and across the district—helping families, teachers, and administrators understand areas of strength and where additional support may be needed. HSD is committed to preparing students for future success, and SBAC performance data plays a key role in setting academic goals, planning professional development, and enhancing instructional support. Thank you for your help in ensuring our students are ready to show what they know!

Here are some bite-sized headlines from around the HSD:

- March Dining Newsletter: February is National Hearth Month. Let's help our students make health choices with food and exercise. Congratulations to Kari Sissung, HMS Cook, who is the recipient of February's Chartwell's Cheers! Award. Read more in this month's nutrition services' newsletter.


- April 8 Silver Social: Join us at the HCC from 11 am - 1 pm to meet Steven Hawley, an author and documentary filmmaker. Some of his works include the book Recovering a Lost River: Removing Dams, Rewilding Salmon, Revitalizing Communities, and the documentary Dammed to Extinction. Steven brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into the ecological impact of dams and dam removal. We're looking forward to an informative and thought-provoking discussion on the past, present, and future of our waterways.


- Circle Your Calendar: Earth Day Cleanup Scheduled for April 26: Here is another opportunity open to all Hockinson residents: The 6th Annual Earth Day Clean-Up. Join HSD AmeriCorps members, Superintendent Steve Marshall, and the HSD Track and Field athletes as they create a walking/running loop adjacent to Hockinson Middle School. More details to come in the next Round-Up!


- Hockinson Father-Daughter Ball Slated for May 3: Fathers and daughters are invited to spend a magical evening at the 10th annual Hockinson Father-Daughter Ball. This year’s masquerade-themed event will take place on May 3 from 6-8 p.m. at the Cloverlane Event Center. Tickets are $65 per family and can be purchased here. This event is sponsored by Elim Church and proceeds from the event help send Hockinson kids to Young Life camp.

Upcoming Events

- Mon. Mar. 24 - Fri. Mar. 28: HHES Parent-Teacher Conferences - 3 hr. Early Release M-F at HHES. 3 hr. Early Release Th & F at HMS and HHS.

-Mon. Mar. 24 - School Board Regular Meeting 6 - 8 pm @ HCC and Zoom

- Thu. Mar. 27 & Fri. Mar. 28: HMS & HHS Parent Teacher Conferences - 3 hr. Early Release

- Wed. Mar. 26: HSD Safety & Security Capital Levy Q & A @ 6 pm at HHES Library

- Mon. Mar. 31 - Fri. Apr. 4: Spring Break (No School)

-Tues. Apr. 8 - Silver Social 11 am - 1 pm @ HCC

- Wed. Apr. 9: Final HSD Safety & Security Capital Levy Q & A @ 6 pm at HHES

-Fri. Apr. 11 - First Day of Marching Band Practice

- Mon. Apr. 14 - First Day of HMS Track & Field Practice

- Mon. Apr. 14 - School Board Work Session 6 - 8 pm @ Zoom

-Tues. Apr. 15 - Silver Social 12:30 - 2 pm @ HCC

- Sat. Apr. 26 - Hockinson Earth Day Clean-up 9 am - 1 pm

-Mon. Apr. 28 - School Board Regular Meeting 6 - 8 pm @ HCC and Zoom

- May 2, 3, 8, 9, & 10 HHS Spring Musical: The Sound of Music @ 7 pm at HHS MPR

-Sat. May 3 - Father-Daughter Ball 6 - 8 pm @ Cloverlane Event Center (info above)


Spring Sports Schedules can be found at hockinsonhawks.com.

ICYMI: In case you missed a previous newsletter, our Round-Ups are archived here!

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