
Panther Update - Family Edition #19
January 17, 2025

A Note from the Principal...
Hello Everyone,
School will be closed on Monday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This day offers an opportunity to reflect on his inspiring message of equality, justice, and unity. Dr. King's vision continues to guide us in building stronger, more inclusive communities and supporting one another. We encourage our students to carry forward his legacy by showing kindness, courage, and respect in their daily lives.
On another exciting note, we’re thrilled to welcome the start of wrestling and girls' basketball as they are now officially underway! We’re looking forward to an amazing season filled with teamwork, dedication, and school spirit. Be sure to check the schedule for upcoming matches and games—your support in the stands means the world to our athletes!
Thank you for being part of our vibrant school community. Let’s continue to grow together and cheer each other on, both in and out of the classroom.
Ms. Janie Ulmer
Interim Principal
Car Rider Line
Drop Off Zone Reminder
We have a large drop off zone between the two orange cones set up at Door 1. Please do your best to pull forward past the front door. This allows at least four or more cars to unload at the same time. Sidewalks are treated to allow students to slowly, yet safety get into the building.
Chess Club
Are you interested in learning to play chess? Do you already know how to play and want to improve your game? Chess is a fun game of strategy.
Chess Club sign-ups are available by the front office and outside of Ms. Dorsel's Room (Room 242). The Chess Club will begin meeting next week on Wednesday, January 22nd, before school.
Grab a sign-up sheet if you are interested, space is limited.
Dates of Club:
Wednesday, January 22
Wednesday, January 29
Wednesday, February 5
Wednesday, February 12
Wednesday, February 19
Wednesday, February 26
Wednesday, March 5
Wednesday, March 12
A Message from FHS
Thank you to everyone who attended our FHS Academic Planning Night earlier this week. It’s always good to have families in the building; these are the moments when I really feel like a Tiger community! If you could not attend the evening, or if you couldn’t attend all the sessions you wanted to attend, don’t worry! All session information can be accessed on our FHS website for families to consume and digest at your leisure.
Thanks,
Pam Gorgol
Administrative Assistant to FHS Principal, Fishers High School
Student Handbook Feedback
Every year, we gather input from various stakeholder groups about possible revisions to our Student Handbook. Please consider reviewing our current Student Handbook https://www.hseschools.org/about/student-handbooks and offering feedback for enhancement; these suggestions could be revisions, removals, or additions.
If you have suggestions, please feel free to submit them at the links provided below. All feedback is due by Friday, January 24. Thank you for your assistance in this important process!
Parents/Community - Junior High Link: https://forms.office.com/r/s1HXd7MhM1
Parents/Community - Intermediate Link: https://forms.office.com/r/rS34HY0k1J
Clinic Notes 🩺🥼
What is a Concussion?
A concussion is a brain injury that affects how your brain works. It can happen when your brain gets bounced around in your skull after a fall or hit to the head.
+ What should I do if I have a fall or hit to my head?
Report it to your coach or teacher, get checked by a doctor, and give your brain time to heal.
+ What are some signs and symptoms of a concussion?
You may have a concussion, and should be evaluated by a doctor, if you have any of these symptoms after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head:
Get a headache
Feel dizzy, sluggish, or foggy
Are bothered by light or noise
Have double or blurry vision
Vomit or feel sick to your stomach
Have trouble focusing or problems remembering
Feel more emotional or “down”
Feel confused
Have problems with sleep
District Policy for Illnesses
- Fever of 100.4 should stay home for 24 hours and remain home until fever is normal without the use of medication.
- Vomiting should stay home for 24 hours and remain home until vomit free without help of medication.
- Diarrhea should stay home for 24 hours and remain home until diarrhea free without use of medication.
Injuries
Any injuries that need restrictions from a doctor, please let us know. We are happy to allow students to use elevator and to have a book carrier with a doctor's note showing the restrictions.
Orthodontist Visits
It may be beneficial to give your student a pain reliever an hour BEFORE getting braces tightened. It helps keep the pain down and makes their day easier when returning to school.
4-H Program
“Don’t be caught in the cold! We encourage all families to enroll in 4-H by January 15. Participants must re-enroll every year. 4-H is an informal educational program where youth “learn by doing.” Anyone in grades 3-12 can learn life skills such as cooperation, leadership, decision-making, responsibility, and more through hands-on projects in more than 60 different subject areas.
Youth in grades K-2 may enroll in Mini 4-H. The 4-H Program is a great opportunity to develop a hobby, experience camp, make new friends, and promote family togetherness.”
For more information, contact the Purdue Extension Hamilton County Office at 317-776-0854 or visit puext.in/hamco4h.
Enroll online at in.4honline.com.
Math Bowl Tryouts
Attention all 5th and 6th grade mathematicians! Tryout information and permission slips are now available for the 5/6 math bowl team. Tryouts will be held before school on Friday, January 31st in the LGI room. Interested students can pick up a form outside Mrs. Mockler’s classroom (room 220) or from the main office. Forms are due on or before January 29th in order to take part in the tryout. Contact Mrs. Mockler at jmockler@hse.k12.in.us with any questions.
Helpful Tips & Links from the Counseling Department
Conflict resolution tips..
Another extremely important way for your child to learn and understand conflict resolution is by the adults in their lives modeling those appropriate techniques that were covered this semester. When they see us fail and succeed, they start to see that it is possible, even when it is hard. Child Mind Institute
Withdrawing Student from School
If your child is withdrawing from Hamilton Southeastern Intermediate/Junior High School, please notify the Counseling Department at least two days in advance of your child’s last day. Withdrawal forms must be signed by the parent/guardian.
Panther Spirit Wear Clothing Closet
New this year, we are collecting gently used Panther spirit wear to give to students in need or that move to our school during the year and want something. Please contact Mr. McCord at gmccord@hse.k12.in.us if you are interested in receiving items or have items to donate.
Snack Attack
Fishers Youth Assistance Program (FYAP) offers a free weekend snack program for any student attending Hamilton Southeastern Schools who qualifies for the reduced lunch program or has an increased need currently. Snacks are delivered to schools each week and sent home with students. To be part of this free program, you must sign up your family online at https://forms.gle/ZDZ4mtJ2sXoaRRRx6.
Local Food Pantry
Northview Fishers has a mobile food pantry to serve the Fishers community. Some items available are meat, milk, fresh bakery items, fresh produce, pharmacy, and hygiene products. This resource is available to ANYONE. More information and dates are available at mobilepantry.info.
21st Century Scholars
The 21st Century Scholars program helps eligible students who meet certain high school requirements attend college for free, https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars/enroll/.
Library Update
Hour of Code
If your student missed Hour of Code in December, it is not too late! You can still check out Hour of Code activities here. There are also some Hour of Code resources posted in the Library’s Canvas.
Comic Book in a Day with HEPL
Hamilton East Public Library is hosting their Comic Book in a Day Challenge on January 18. All ages and abilities can participate. Find out more on their website here.
Young Adult Permissions for 5th and 6th Grade
With a new semester brings new requests from 5th and 6th graders who want to check out young adult books from the library. The library has resources to inform and entertain all students and grade levels, including middle grade books geared towards our younger students, middle school books for all, and young adult books geared towards our older students that reviewers and publishers have recommended for ages 13 and up or 14 and up. It is up to the adults at home if 5th and 6th graders have permission to check out young adult books. Email Mrs. Boudreau if interested in giving your 5th or 6th grade student permission to do so.
World Read Aloud Day
World Read Aloud Day is coming up on Wednesday, February 5. There are lots of opportunities for ideas of things to read to others in your household, activities to do, and even authors to hear from and connect with! Find some ideas and resources here. HIJH Library will be offering live virtual author connection opportunities for classrooms that day.
Mudsock Youth Athletics
Sign Up Now - Early Bird Spring Sport Registration is Open!
Get ready for an action-packed spring! With 9 sports to choose from, there’s something for every skill level and interest. Early bird registration is now open at myathletics.com and runs through January 31st. Sign up for baseball, softball, soccer, boys and girls' lacrosse, rugby, boys' volleyball, pickleball and track & field. Explore detailed season information here and secure your spot today!
Spring Program Scholarships Available:
Interested in spring program scholarship opportunities with our leagues? Families who are on free or reduced lunch within the district can apply for one per season per child and must apply and be accepted during our open registration period. For spring sports these dates are January 1st – January 31st. Email info@myathletics.com.
Help us create a safe and positive environment for participants, parents, guardians, coaches and referees. When you register with us in 2025, you will sign the following agreement. Just think of the difference we can make TOGETHER.
R.A.V.E. Reviews
Help us in recognizing and appreciating our talented, hard-working, and dedicated employees by submitting a R.A.V.E. (Recognizing All Valuable Employees) Review. All HSE staff members are eligible for nomination and may be recognized multiple times. To submit a R.A.V.E. Review, click here to fill out a quick and easy online form and share why the individual is a 5-Star employee.
Recipients will receive a R.A.V.E. Review window cling to proudly display their nomination in their workspace, a certificate and letter of recognition with their review. Each month, one R.A.V.E. Review recipient will be selected at random by the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation for a $100 gift card. Thank you for your support!
HSE Intermediate and Junior High
12278 Cyntheanne Road, Fishers, IN, USA
Main Line: 317-594-4120
Attendance: 317-594-4126
Counseling: 317-594-4124
Fax: 317-594-4129
Website: https://hij.hseschools.org
Permitted use of school newsletters as required by the Equal Access Act is not an endorsement of this group or this group’s beliefs by Hamilton Southeastern Schools or the Board of School Trustees.
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