We are very proud of the work our students have done thus far in the school year as we approach the conclusion of our 3rd 9 weeks. We are truly honored and blessed to work on a campus with such amazing and talented students. As we continue to move into our spring semester, we will maintain our focus on continual growth, not only as a campus, but for each individual student that walks through our doors. HJH will continue to be a campus that empowers students to take advantage of the academic opportunity that prepares them for success. Our teachers continue to challenge students in our classrooms to ensure our students are prepared for the rigors they will face during their educational journey. Additionally, we are very proud of the work our students do outside the classroom in their extracurricular activities. Listed below are some of the highlights and events we have on campus in the month of March. Thank you for all your continued support. HJH is a great campus because of the people we serve. Go Cats!

Clayton Farrell

Principal Hallsville Junior High

Course Selection Guides and Course Selection forms for the 25-26 school year will be sent to the Guardian 1 email in Skyward on Monday, March 3rd. Please review with your child, complete, and submit the attached grade level appropriate Google form by Monday, March 10th. For a sneak peak of the 25-26 HJH Course Guide, please click here.

1st UIL Math/Science @ Spring Hill

3rd Course Guide Emailed to Parent/Guardian #1 (7th ONLY)

3rd Tennis vs Jacksonville

3rd Girls Track Meet @ Longview

4th Boys Track Meet @ Longview

5th UIL Choir Contest

6th UIL Choir Contest

7th Science Mock Test (8th ONLY)

8th UIL Math/Science @ Queen City

10th Rising 8th Grade Course Selection Forms Due (7th ONLY)

10th Track Meet @ Hallsville

11th Math/Alg 1 Mock Test

11th Pre-UIL Band Concert

11th-14th HJH Cheer Tryouts (7th ONLY)

12th Kona Ice

13th Social Studies Mock Test (8th ONLY)

13th College Day

14th MP 3 Closes

14th 3rd 9 Week Reward

14th HHS Cheer Tryouts (8th ONLY)

17th-21st Spring Break

22nd HJH Angler @ Toledo Bend

24th Fire Drill

24th HISD Board Meeting

24th District Track Meet @ Mt Pleasant

24th 2025-2026 Yearbook Applications open

25th New HJH Cheer Squad Parent Meeting

26th Organization Pictures

28th-29th Math/Science State Meet @ San Antonio

31st Tennis vs Pine Tree

*Please join SportsYou located at the bottom of our newsletter for complete schedules and game locations

*Students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian in order to attend home events

*Details of these events are listed below

We are thrilled to provide our 8th-grade students with valuable opportunities to explore their future pathways:

• Career Fair: Community members will visit the Junior High to share insights about various professions and career options.
• High School CTE Showcase: The High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) department will introduce students to the programs and opportunities available during their high school years.
• Counselor Meetings: High School Counselors will meet with students to discuss their four-year plans and finalize individualized academic pathways.

Please review the attached timeline for key events over the next few months. We encourage you to have meaningful conversations with your child about their goals and aspirations for high school and beyond. Let’s work together to set them on the path to success!

Your Hallsville Ladycats had an amazing season! Your white teams went undefeated and are district champs!

The 7th grade purple team went 7-1 and are District champs! The 8th Grade purple team came in 2nd in district FINISHING with a record of 6-2. Way to go Ladycats.

Our boys basketball teams wrapped up their season with 3 out of the 4 teams defeating Nacogdoches at home! All 4 of the teams played exciting games to finish the season.

Our 7th Grade B team won by 3 points to secure a district championship!

They only lost one game in all of district play, finishing 6-1 in district, and 7-2-1 overall for the season!

The 7th Grade A team captured their 2nd win of the season by beating Nacogdoches by 7 points. They showed lots of growth throughout the season, which showed in how close they played a lot of their opponents as the season progressed.

The 7th Grade A Team finished the season with an overall record of 2-10 and 1-6 in district play.

The 8th Grade B team pulled out an incredible win over Nacogdoches in double overtime, clinging to a 3 point win! There were many huge shots made and defensive stops that helped them claim the victory!

The 8th Grade B Team finished the season with an overall record of 7-3, and 5-2 in district play.

The 8th Grade A team battled tough with Nacogdoches, but eventually fell as Nacogdoches finished the district season undefeated. It was a very close game at half time, and they played with unbelievable effort, making their fans proud in pushing the other team to their limits.

The 8th Grade A Team finished the season with an overall record of 1-11, and 1-6 in district play.

All of these young men became better basketball players both in their skill and understanding of the game throughout the season, and we are looking forward to what they will do in high school as they continue to improve!

The 2025 HJH Track season is off to a great start. On Thursday, February 27th the track team attended the Pine Tree Meet. The 8th grade boys placed 3rd and the 7th grade boys placed 2nd. Both the 8th and 7th grade girls finished the meet as MEET CHAMPS. Our track team will compete next week at the JH Lobo Relays in Longview. Girls will compete on Monday, March 3rd and the boys will compete on Tuesday, March 4th. For all information regarding HJH Track, please subscribe to the Track SportsYou page.

This May, don't miss HJH's spring musical Xanadu! Xanadu has it all! 80's nostalgia, sweet disco, rock and roll, roller skating, AND Greek Mythology!

A struggling artist Sonny dreams of one day opening the best roller disco Los Angeles has ever seen, but that dream had no way of becoming a reality until Cleo, a grecian muse, comes down to earth to help him! Will they be able to achieve Sonny's dream and help Cleo to achieve the gift of Xanadu? Or will muses, gods, and love get in their way?

Find out when you come see Xanadu Jr!

The HJH Bobcat Anglers will continue their tournament season on Saturday, March 22nd at Toledo Bend North, The Lost Frontier. The anglers are off to a great start and look to improve on their success.

On Saturday, February 1st, the Junior High and Intermediate fifth through eighth grade students participated in the District Middle School UIL meet held at Hallsville Junior High. There were seven schools represented by over 650 students providing some very tough competition.

The Bobcats came in First Place in the overall sweepstakes. Additionally, each grade was ranked according to their scores and the results were:

8th grade: First place

7th grader: First place

6th grade: First place

5th grade: First place

Congratulations to all of those students involved in the UIL teams! Be on the lookout for information on our end of year trip in May!

The Bobcat Math & Science Team (MST) is continuing to show just how much they want to be successful. The month of February ended with the greatest amount of growth they have seen all season. As of now, there are 31 students that have qualified to attend the state competition at the end of March. But with two more “regular season” meets remaining, there is bound to be many more students that are added to that list! When you see a member of the Bobcat MST, give them a high five or a fist bump and wish them well. This group of Mathletes are roaring and ready to go!

The MST Coaches greatly appreciate all of the students' hard work and dedication as well as the endless support and backing of their parents.

Students are gearing up for elections to choose their organization leaders. Candidates are writing essays to share their visions, enhancing leadership skills and teamwork. Participation in running or voting is vital, as every voice shapes the student council's future. The election aims to be fair and enthusiastic, with hopes for successful candidates to achieve new goals.

Our pretzel fundraising event raised significant funds and fostered a sense of community and camaraderie among students. Our fundraiser provides additional resources for upcoming student council projects and activities. As we move forward, let's continue to support and engage in activities that bring our school community closer together, enhancing our shared experiences and paving the way for future successes.

StuCo officers gave the teachers a treat of drinks delivered to their classrooms during advisory. It was a small gesture, but it went a long way in showing appreciation for the hard work and dedication teachers put in every day. The teachers were delighted, their smiles and gratitude evident as they enjoyed their refreshments.

StuCo honors Jotham Rite for his volunteer work at the Baseball Tournament. His dedication significantly impacted the event's success, showcasing an exemplary commitment to the community. Jotham's willingness to support his peers is inspiring and reflects the spirit valued in the student body. Keep it up, Jotham!

Parents, the HJH Yearbook staff will be conducting club/organization/sports teams portraits on Wednesday, March 26th. Please send your student to school with the appropriate uniforms and/or organization shirts. If they are in multiple activities, please make sure they bring ALL necessary shirts and gear. This will be group photos ONLY.

In addition, applications for the 25-26 HJH Yearbook staff open on Monday, March 24th! There will be a Google form sent out the day of, and paper applications will be available in the library upon request. They are due back to Mrs. Wilson by Friday, April 11th.

Also, if you have not yet ordered your 24-25 yearbook, this link will take you directly to the online school store!

The deadline for pre-orders is Friday, March 14th. Make sure you order now so you’re guaranteed a copy!

KONA Ice will be on campus on Wednesday, March 12th. Students can purchase drinks during their lunch times. Cash or cards are accepted. Parents can also pre-register their child's drink using the code in the graphic provided. Scan the QR code provided in the graphic attached for the direct link and put in the event code.

Mark your calendars for Friday, March 14th, as our 8th-grade students take on the staff in an epic basketball showdown to determine who rules the court and claims bragging rights on campus! This is our 4th annual game, with the staff currently holding a 3-0 record over the students.

Eligibility Requirements:
To attend the game, students must:

• Be passing all classes.
• Maintain at least 90% attendance.
• Meet all behavioral expectations.

Important Note for Parents:
Due to limited seating, this event is exclusively for students and staff.

Please encourage your child to stay focused, make good choices, and meet expectations so we can pack the gym with students for this exciting event. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase during the game. Let’s make this showdown one to remember!

The school day starts at 7:50am and ends at 3:35pm. At 7:45am, students will be released from the gym to their classrooms, and morning announcements will start at 7:50am. Attendance is taken every period at the Jr. High. Any student arriving late or leaving early will be marked absent for the periods that he/she misses. All absences, full or partial day, require documentation to be excused. If a student misses more than 20 minutes of a class without valid documentation, the student will be considered absent for this purpose.

When a student is absent and returns to school, he/she MUST bring a note signed by the parent explaining the reason for the absence or a note from a doctor. Any absence of more than 5 consecutive days for illness will require a statement from a doctor verifying the illness. Parent notes must be turned in within 3 days of the absence.

*Any documentation needing to be turned in can be done so through the reception desk, attendance office, or emailed directly to Mrs. Dorsey at bdorsey@hisd.com.

Parent notes must be turned in within 3 days of the absence. Per our handbook, early pick-ups are unexcused unless our nurse sends your student home or we receive documentation from a doctor's office for that date. Any documentation needing to be turned in can be done so through the reception desk or attendance office, or emailed directly to Mrs. Dorsey at bdorsey@hisd.com.

Texas Education Agency states that a student must attend a class 90% of the time it is offered to earn credit for that class. Students with less than 90% attendance will not earn credit and cannot be promoted to the next grade level. Both excused and unexcused absences count toward time missed in a class. The state will allow us to place a student in the next grade level if that student has completed a principal approved plan to recover attendance. You will be notified if your student falls below 90% attendance and requires credit recovery. Credit recovery classes began Saturday, February 22nd and will continue into March.

If your child is needs extra support in a classroom we have opportunities for them to receive assistance outside the school day. Teachers are available before and after school for tutorials. Even if the day you can bring your child early or pick them up late doesn't match with their teacher's tutorial schedule, someone in that department can help. Please contact your teacher if you feel your child needs the extra support to be successful this school year.

Every 2nd Thursday of the month, students and staff are encouraged to wear college shirts to endorse education beyond high school. This month will be Thursday, March 13th. On this day, we can come together regardless of our college mascot and cheer on our students as they begin to prepare for their future.

In an effort to practice our safety protocols, HJH will regularly perform safety drills to ensure our students and staff know how to respond in a crisis situation. Safety is our number one priority and we will continue to practice all state mandated drills throughout the school year so that our students and staff are prepared. In the event of an actual emergency, HJH will communicate to our families in a timely manner to keep you informed.

The 8th-grade dance theme is "Let's Glow!"

On Monday, March 24th, a registration and liability form will be sent to all 8th-grade parents. The deadline to RSVP is Friday, April 4th.

Please note:

• Any student with a current DAEP placement on the day of the dance will not be permitted to attend.
• Due to limited space, the dance is exclusively for current Hallsville Junior High 8th graders.

In March, we will continue our Leader in Me focus with students. Teachers will finish Habit 5: Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood. In Habit 5 students will:

• Practice Empathic Listening

• Respectfully seek to be understood

Teachers will then move into Habit 6: Synergize. In Habit 6 students will:

• Value differences

• Seek 3rd alternatives

Our Leader in Me lessons are on Monday’s during Advisory. We encourage you to ask your student(s) about the good habits they are learning how to implement in their daily lives in and out of school.

HISD looks to a have a GREAT year in 2024-2025! Attached is a copy of the HISD calendar.

• Teachers will ask that phones be turned in class.
• Phones may be used in the hallway before/after school, during transition, and in the cafeteria during lunch.
• No cell phone used in the hallway during instructional time.
• Devices used for other purposes will be confiscated immediately and the following fees will be charged:

• First offense: Student may pick up from the office at the end of the school day.

• Second offense: Parent must pick up from the office (no charge).

• Additional offenses: $15 fine for every incident thereafter and parent must pick up from the office.

• Any items not collected after July 1,2025 will become property of Hallsville Junior High.

Parent Drop-off/Pick-up:

The map below has instructions for parent pick-up and drop-off. Please make sure you enter in the correct locations and stay in line. The first couple of weeks will be hectic. Thank you in advance for understanding and being patient as we work to make these processes as efficient as possible for our students.

Car Tags for parent pick-up will be passed out during Meet the Teachers or afternoon pick-up on the 1st day.

Parent Drop-Off:

• Gym Parking Lot
• Do not enter via Bobcat Lane once the parking lot is already full
• Enter through the stadium home side parking lot on Rob Street
• Doors open at 7:15am, no students should be dropped off prior to this time
• Students will enter through 100 hall doors located above the gym and make their way to the gym
• After 7:50am, students should be taken to the main entrance
  

Parent Pick-Up:

• Gym Parking Lot
• Do not enter via Bobcat Lane once the parking lot is already full
• Enter through the stadium home side parking lot on Rob Street
• School dismisses at 3:35pm and once all staff is in position we will begin calling names. It is important that you have a car tag in your window to maximize efficiency with this process
• If for some reason your child does not come to your car, please pull your vehicle across Bobcat Lane to our stadium parking lot and our Officer will help locate your child and get them to you safely
• This allows for our flow of traffic to continue as we work to get all students home safely
• At 3:55pm all students remaining at pick-up will be escorted to the front of the building and you may pick your child up from there

7th/8th Grade Boys Athletics:

• 8th Grade Boys begin their day at the fieldhouse and may be dropped off in the fieldhouse parking lot
• 7th Grade Boys end their day at the fieldhouse and may be picked up at the fieldhouse parking lot
• ONLY Boys Athletics may be picked up or dropped off at this location

*Students may NOT be dropped off or picked up anywhere other than these locations

Bullying:

is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems. Bullying can threaten students’ physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn.

In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include:

• An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.
  

• Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.

Bullying could include actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

Harassment:

means threatening to cause harm or bodily injury to another student, engaging in sexually intimidating conduct, causing physical damage to the property of another student, subjecting another student to physical confinement or restraint, or maliciously taking any action that substantially harms another student's physical or emotional health or safety.

Parents and Guardians,

We are reaching out to bring your attention to an important new policy change that has been passed by the 88th Texas Legislature and will be taking effect immediately in our district.

House Bill 114 (HB 114) has been enacted to respond to the increasing concerns around e-cigarettes, vaping, marijuana, and THC related products amongst our youth. The Bill mandates that any student found in possession of, under the influence of, selling, gifting, or delivering these substances within a 300-feet radius of any school premises, will be immediately removed and placed in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP).

You can access the full version of the Bill here: https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/pdf/HB00114F.pdf

Please take a moment to discuss the implications of this new law with your children, emphasizing the importance of adhering to school policies and laws for their own welfare and for the betterment of the school community as a whole.

Thank you,

HISD Administration

Website: https://www.hisd.com/Domain/9
Location: 1 Bobcat Lane, Hallsville, TX, USA
Phone: 903-668-5990
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HallsvilleJH/