HSD News Round-Up
August 8, 2024
Quality Staff and Programs, Traffic Decongestion, Lockdown Capabilities Top the List of Priorities in FPC Survey #3
This fall, the Facilities Planning Committee (FPC) invited Hockinson families to participate in FPC survey #3, designed to engage the community in facilities improvement priorities and follow-up on feedback given in surveys 1 and 2. In family surveys, overcrowding at HHES has emerged as a top facility concern. HHES is the largest elementary school by student population in Clark County.
Facilities Planning Committee Member Spotlight: Brian Hebert
Brian Hebert is a Hockinson parent and member of the Facilities Planning Committee (FPC.) He loves spending time with his wife and boys. In his free time, he enjoys camping, attending Hockinson football games, going to the AlderBrook Drive-Ins, and taking the family to Hockinson Fun Days.
“I was inspired to join the Facilities Planning Committee because I believe that well-maintained facilities not only reflect how our district operates but also set a standard for our community,” said Brian Hebert. “I appreciate the sense of belonging in a rural town and want to see Hockinson succeed.”
Learn more about the FPC here!
First Open House Explores Challenges, Solutions to HSD Facilities' Needs
Marshall was pleasantly surprised with the open house. "While I definitely wanted [the open house] to start a dialogue, I expected that the format would stay pretty close to a presentation, with Aaron [Villanueva] and I largely sharing information," said Marshall. "But we ended up learning a lot from the ideas and input shared by our families who were there." He hopes that families will be able to join School Board members and school leaders at the Oct. 18 Community Tour and Oct. 24 Open House to learn about the district's facilities needs and discuss possible solutions.
Marshall recognizes that these events will most likely need to be coupled with additional print communications. "I know our families care about our schools and students. I also know that they are very busy. So we will be developing a summary of this information and getting it out to our community soon," said Marshall.
Levy Spotlight: AP Literature Enrollment Explodes in 2024-25
Over the past three years, HHS's AP Literature course has quadrupled in size, with nearly 70 seniors eager to take on the challenge this year. This is a testament to the high-quality learning experiences that are made possible by our talented teachers and levy funding. Learn more about the growth of AP Literature - as well as the benefits of Advanced Placement courses - here.
Below: Quote from John Stone, a senior who enrolled in AP Lit to better prepare himself for his future career.
Welcome to the Team, Cree Reynolds!
Cree Reynolds has joined Hockinson High School (HHS) as its new College and Career Readiness Advisor. Her role is 100% funded by the Horizons Regional Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the next three years! Her position is part of a wider effort aimed at expanding college and career readiness programs at small high schools across our region.
Reynolds enjoys working with HHS students and staff, in particular Angelina Sarkinen, who supports the school's Career & Technical Education programs and College and Career Center. “I love the energy of [HHS] students. They are so talented and ambitious,” said Reynolds. “Choosing a career or a post-secondary program is one of the first big adult decisions many of our students will make and having trusted adults available to guide them through this process is a big key to success. I'm so honored to be able to work with Angelina and support our students.”
Welcome, Cree!
Attention All HMS & HHS Parents: Last Call for Chromebook Assurance!
If you are the parent of an HMS or HHS student and have already purchased Chromebook Assurance for the 2024-25 school year, you can move on to the next article! Otherwise, please read on:
Due to an abnormally low number of families who have signed up for Chromebook Assurance this fall, the HSD is extending the enrollment deadline to Friday, October 4th. This means that if you haven't yet signed up, and would like to, all you have to do is click on this link. Follow the directions to login and sign up your student. The cost is still $20 or free for families who qualify for FRL benefits. Step-by-step directions are available here. Please note: Any damages that occur before signing up for Assurance will not be covered.
Click here for more information on the Assurance program.
Attendance Matters!
Hockinson School District is focused on ensuring student success through regular attendance, which is vital for academic and social growth. At HMS, students recently achieved 93.5% attendance, with 97.7% of students arriving on time. Good job, Hornets!
Regular attendance is not just a Washington state requirement, it's important for student success. Research shows that missing even two days a month can affect reading proficiency and graduation rates for students. Establishing consistent routines, monitoring absences, and planning appointments or vacations outside school hours can help students to establish good attendance habits. Parents will be notified of unexcused absences and can check their student's attendance on Skyward Family Access. For more information, review our attendance policies below:
HHS Sophomore Hunter Bledsoe Organizes Fundraiser for Families in Need
He “can” do it! KXL Radio profiled HHS sophomore Hunter Bledsoe in its October 18 Everyday Hero segment, “High Schooler is a Hero for Those in Need.”
Bledsoe was recognized for his effort to feed the needy in his community. Hunter organizes a food drive every year, and last year he gathered 1,900 canned food items. In 2024, his goal is to fundraise enough to eclipse the 2,500 mark! In past years, Hunter has noticed that some donations are expired or close to expiring, so he has already started a Go Fund Me account to raise money to buy quality food items that are healthier and more appetizing for Hockinson's families in need.
Way to go, Hunter! You can listen to Hunter’s interview here.
HHES Boosts Kindness and Student Unity this Fall
Pictured is HHES Counselor Nicole Starkey giving a "Kindness Lesson" to 2nd grade students at HHES. As you can see, it was smiles all around!
HHES has created a number of these kindness activities each week, culminating in Unity Day on Oct. 16. This week, students are encouraged to give five compliments a day to someone at school or home. They get to look forward to a Spirit Day this Friday when they get to wear their favorite hat to school. Activities like these make emphasizing kindness in our school communities a fun and engaging experience for our students.
HSD Welcomes "The Fabulous Four From Fresno”
Relocating to a small town two states away is a big leap. Normally, you would expect to be the only person from your hometown. So you can imagine the surprise of four HSD staff members who recently found out that they had all moved north from Fresno County schools, located 821 miles away in California. HSD’s Occupational Therapist Samantha Voigt’s reaction echoed that of her colleagues: “What are the odds?!”
It turns out that the odds are in the HSD's favor. We are grateful that Voigt, Michael Olson (HHES Assistant Principal), Julieann Parker (HSD substitute teacher), and Jordan Mosier (HHS Psychologist) all landed in the HSD! While the feeling is mutual among the four former Fresnoians, they appreciate different aspects of Hockinson's schools. Parker enjoys the HSD's positive school environments, while Mosier loves working in a smaller, more personalized school system. Voigt and Olson note one thing Hockinson has in common with their hometown: Both communities take incredible pride in their schools!
Pictured clockwise below: Samantha Voigt (upper left), Michael Olson, Jordan Mosier, and Julieanne Parker.
HSD Takes Steps to Prepare for Emergency Readiness with Family Notification & SRP Practice
Attention, HSD Staff and Families: Emergency Notifications Test on Thursday, 9/26 at 7 pm
To ensure we’re ready to deliver inclement weather and emergency notifications, we will be conducting a practice run of our new messaging system on Thursday, 9/26 at 7 pm.
HSD uses text and automated phone notifications to communicate emergency information and inclement weather updates to families, so it is essential that our families' contact information - especially email and phone - is current and operational. If you do NOT receive a phone, text, and email notification by 7:15 pm, please fill out this simple Google Form. If you do receive the test notifications, no further action will be required.
Please be aware that these messages will come from 98900.
Families are discouraged from blocking this number or opting out of this notification system when prompted to opt in or opt out of these important messages.
Standard Response Protocol
Hockinson School District has been a local pioneer in adopting the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), and now all regional school districts are following suit. The SRP is a nationwide initiative to improve the efficiency of school emergency responses (Hold, Secure, Lockdown, Evacuate, and Shelter) to an array of scenarios such as a threat on/outside of campus, natural disasters, or a need to get outside quickly. Learn more about the SRP here. Schools conduct one or more SRP-based safety drills per month in an effort to ensure that school personnel are prepared to take the necessary steps to keep students safe every day and in exceptional circumstances.
News Bites
- Save the Date! HSD Community Tour Set for Fri. Oct. 18: We want our families to know that this year's fall community tour will have a dual focus on school facilities and the school cultures inside our buildings. Participants have the option of joining us for the full tour (8-11:30 am) or a partial tour. Additional details and an electronic sign up form will be emailed out to families in early October.
- Check out Chartwell’s September Newsletter Here: This month’s theme is “Power Up” which emphasizes the importance of staying active, getting into a healthy routine, and - as you might expect - good nutrition.
- 2024-25 FRL Deadline Approaching: We want our families to be aware that free/reduced lunch applications need to be submitted by 4 pm on Wednesday, October 9. There was a delay in updating this year's form, which has been corrected and is available on the Nutrition Services web page (scroll mid-page).
- Tips for Emergency Preparation at 10/1 Silver Social: Jodi Blackwood, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency representative, will present on disaster preparedness. Learn the ins and outs of building an emergency kit on a budget. RSVP to this free Community Education event by calling or emailing Katie O'Malley-Soot at (360) 448-6480 / katie.omalley-soot@hocksd.org.
- Learn the HSD Custodial Shuffle: No. It's not a dance. It's a personnel sequence. A number of custodians have assumed new roles and/or locations for the 2024-25 school year. At HHES, Gabby Morley and Elena Bidiones have joined HHES as evening custodians and Bruce Davis has returned as Lead Custodian; Justin Whiteley (Lead) and Isabel Hunt (Mid-day) have moved from HHES and HHS to HMS, respectively; and Jill Cook and Amador Madrigal have moved from HHES to HHS and Gelaine Scroggie is the school's new Lead Custodian, replacing Kade Hoots who moved to a new role in the Grounds Department.
- Thank you, PWT: The new Birthday Book Vending Machine has arrived at HHES and dispensed its first books to students celebrating their birthdays. This fun and creative way to recognize students and reinforce reading was made possible by People Working Together. We will be sure to feature this new machine and tradition in a future Round Up!
- Sign up for the 11/2 Fun Run: Everyone is invited to participate in the Saturday, Nov. 2 Dia de los Muertos Fun Run organized by the AAA Boosters. This is a fun (and healthy) event that brings our community together and raises funds for HHS sports and activities. Sign up here.
Contact Us
Email: justine.hanrahan@esd112.org
Website: https://www.hocksd.org/
Location: 17912 NE 159th St, Brush Prairie, WA 98606, USA
Phone: (360) 448-6400