Panther Pulse

As we enter into December, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership. December is a busy time for everyone, and it's also important for our students to stay focused and engaged.

We would like to remind everyone about the importance of maintaining consistent attendance and being on time to school. Every day counts, and punctuality is key to student success. Please also take a moment to review our behavioral expectations with your child, as these standards help ensure a positive and productive learning environment for all.

Additionally, I encourage you to check PowerSchool regularly to stay informed about your child’s grades and attendance. It’s a great way to stay connected and identify any areas where your child may need support.

Thank you for helping us make Holliston High School a great place to learn.

Please join us for the Winter Choral Concert featuring performances from the Holliston High School Chorus, RAMS Chorus and Miller Chorus. The concert will take place in the Holliston High School auditorium and begin at 7:00 pm.

We hope to clarify and remind everyone of our dismissal procedures to ensure smooth communication and accurate attendance records.

If your student needs to be dismissed during the school day, please contact the main office directly. While students and parents may make prior arrangements for dismissal, it is essential that the office is informed. Without this communication, it may appear that the student has left school without permission, which would lead to a follow up conversation with an assistant principal about cutting classes.

For situations where a student is not feeling well:

• If a student contacts you to say they feel unwell and you decide to dismiss them, please contact the main office. In this case, the student will not be evaluated by the school nurse prior to leaving, as the dismissal will already have been authorized by you.

• If your student arrives at school feeling well but begins to feel unwell during the day and you would like them evaluated, they should visit the nurse’s office. Based on the evaluation, the nurse will determine whether it is best for your student to remain in school or be dismissed.

• If you are certain you wish to dismiss your student regardless of the nurse’s evaluation, please contact the main office directly instead of the nurse’s office to facilitate the process.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain accurate attendance records and ensuring that all students’ needs are addressed appropriately. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please feel free to reach out to the main office.

Click the links below for the most up to date athletic information

HHS Athletics Webpage

Games Schedules, Rosters & Results

Please follow @HollistonAD on X and @HollistonAthletics on Instagram

Winter sports registration is now open through November 15th, click here here to register

The PTO is excited to offer “After School Study Hall”.

PTO will provide volunteers to sit in the library once a week (Wednesdays) from 3:00-4:15p. Volunteers will be there to ensure students are engaged in studying.

This study hall is open to any Holliston High School student who is looking for a safe place to work on projects, read, or get some homework done prior to heading to a practice or game.

If you can spare an hour, please sign up for a slot! We've scheduled dates beginning November 6 and continuing through December. We will add dates in the new year.

Please consider volunteering to chaperone! Please encourage your student to attend the study hall!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4BADAF29AAFA7-52777578-after#/

Volunteer Opportunity with Holliston Hub-HCAT: Video Record and Call Holliston High School Athletic Games!

Are you interested in media production, sports, or sports announcing? Holliston Hub-HCAT is

looking for student volunteers to cover and provide play by play announcing at Holliston High

School athletic events.

What’s involved?

- Volunteers will record the action of sports games using a video camera (training provided

on camera use and setup).

- Volunteers will also announce the game with guidance available. (Whether the

announcing is live or taped will depend on the game.)

- Volunteers will capture exciting moments and provide commentary on the action.

Training and Support:

You’ll learn how to properly setup and operate a professional broadcast video camera.

Why volunteer?

This is a great opportunity to gain experience in video production and sports announcing,

develop technical and communication skills, and build a portfolio. It’s also a great way to

enhance your college applications or resumes while contributing to the school’s sports

community.

For more information or to sign up, please contact Donald Cronin, Production Manager, at

Holliston Hub-HCAT: don@hcattv.org.

Come support the Holliston Ski Team on Thursday, December 12 at 7:00pm by coming to see this year's Warren Miller Movie! Warren Miller movies are ski and snowboard movies filmed in some of the most beautiful places featuring incredible athletes. Warren Miller Entertainment is going big for 75 years - yes, this is their 75th annual film! It features 10 all-new, original segments and a stacked lineup of athletes like snowboarders Shaun White, Zeb Powell, Toby Miller, Danny Davis, and 15-year-old phenom LJ Henriquez, plus skiers Max Hitzig, Lexi duPont, Caite Zeliff, Aaron Blunck, and many more. The film will take fans to powder stashes and chutes worldwide, featuring special collaborations with Selema Masekela, the Real SkiFi, Sherpas Cinema, the Technically Doing It crew, and Framework.

You can buy your tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/acaa41ca-f7ec-492f-92f3-b40c38e54415

Theatre 370 Presents Carrie the Musical as our first production of the 2024-2025 season! Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it. Based on the Stephen King horror classic, this favorite is given new life onstage and is not to be missed.

The show contains adult themes including violence, mass killing at a school prom, child abuse, PG-13 language, blood, religion, suggested sexual abuse, and bullying.

This show is not suitable for children under 14.

Tickets NOW available at https://cur8.com/25481/project/125449 or on the Theatre 370 homepage

Click the links below for the most up to date athletic information

HHS Athletics Webpage

Games Schedules, Rosters & Results

Please follow @HollistonAD on X and @HollistonAthletics on Instagram

Winter sports registration is now open through November 15th, click here here to register

The PTO is excited to offer “After School Study Hall”.

PTO will provide volunteers to sit in the library once a week (Wednesdays) from 3:00-4:15p. Volunteers will be there to ensure students are engaged in studying.

This study hall is open to any Holliston High School student who is looking for a safe place to work on projects, read, or get some homework done prior to heading to a practice or game.

If you can spare an hour, please sign up for a slot! We've scheduled dates beginning November 6 and continuing through December. We will add dates in the new year.

Please consider volunteering to chaperone! Please encourage your student to attend the study hall!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4BADAF29AAFA7-52777578-after#/

Volunteer Opportunity with Holliston Hub-HCAT: Video Record and Call Holliston High School Athletic Games!

Are you interested in media production, sports, or sports announcing? Holliston Hub-HCAT is

looking for student volunteers to cover and provide play by play announcing at Holliston High

School athletic events.

What’s involved?

- Volunteers will record the action of sports games using a video camera (training provided

on camera use and setup).

- Volunteers will also announce the game with guidance available. (Whether the

announcing is live or taped will depend on the game.)

- Volunteers will capture exciting moments and provide commentary on the action.

Training and Support:

You’ll learn how to properly setup and operate a professional broadcast video camera.

Why volunteer?

This is a great opportunity to gain experience in video production and sports announcing,

develop technical and communication skills, and build a portfolio. It’s also a great way to

enhance your college applications or resumes while contributing to the school’s sports

community.

For more information or to sign up, please contact Donald Cronin, Production Manager, at

Holliston Hub-HCAT: don@hcattv.org.

Join this collaborative community event with Minding Your Mind for an important conversation on the overlap between mental health struggles and substance misuse in youth and young adults on Wednesday, November 20th from 6-7:30pm on Zoom! Register with this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvc-Guqj8iHNaQ5TTfhygIHdYXJNMFhOJd

Term 1 ended on October 31st. Grades will be posted after 3pm on Tuesday, November 12th.

Theatre 370 Presents Carrie the Musical as our first production of the 2024-2025 season! Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it. Based on the Stephen King horror classic, this favorite is given new life onstage and is not to be missed.

The show contains adult themes including violence, mass killing at a school prom, child abuse, PG-13 language, blood, religion, suggested sexual abuse, and bullying.

This show is not suitable for children under 14.

Tickets NOW available at https://cur8.com/25481/project/125449 or on the Theatre 370 homepage

Click the links below for the most up to date athletic information

HHS Athletics Webpage

Games Schedules, Rosters & Results

Please follow @HollistonAD on X and @HollistonAthletics on Instagram

Winter sports registration is now open through November 15th, click here here to register

The PTO is excited to offer “After School Study Hall”.

PTO will provide volunteers to sit in the library once a week (Wednesdays) from 3:00-4:15p. Volunteers will be there to ensure students are engaged in studying.

This study hall is open to any Holliston High School student who is looking for a safe place to work on projects, read, or get some homework done prior to heading to a practice or game.

If you can spare an hour, please sign up for a slot! We've scheduled dates beginning November 6 and continuing through December. We will add dates in the new year.

Please consider volunteering to chaperone! Please encourage your student to attend the study hall!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4BADAF29AAFA7-52777578-after#/

Japan Trip April 2026

Due to overwhelming interest in the EF Trip to Japan scheduled for April 2026, HHS is offering an additiolnal second tour group. There are a limited number of spots still available. If your student is interested, please take a look at this presentation and email the group leader Amanda Rivera at riveraa@holliston.k12.ma.us for sign-up information. Students will be able to join the trip on a first come first serve basis.

Holliston High School will provide the ASVAB test again this year, on December 12th. If you are interested in taking the test please speak with your school counselor. For more information about the test please click the following link.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

Join this collaborative community event with Minding Your Mind for an important conversation on the overlap between mental health struggles and substance misuse in youth and young adults on Wednesday, November 20th from 6-7:30pm on Zoom! Register with this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvc-Guqj8iHNaQ5TTfhygIHdYXJNMFhOJd

Thursday, October 31st, marks the end of Term 1 for students. Grades will be released on November 12th after 3 p.m., students and parents will be able to access grades through PowerSchool.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your student's grades, please reach out directly to your student's teacher. We are looking forward to a successful term 2.

State mandated health screenings will begin on November 6th and 7th and continue on an ongoing basis until they are completed.

Screenings

Vision and Hearing Screenings are conducted according to the guidelines provided by the MDPH (https://www.mass.gov/lists/school-health-screening). A referral letter is sent home when the student does not meet the screening parameters recommending evaluation by your physician or vision professional.

Vision screening is performed in grades PK, K-5, once in grades 6-8, once in grades 9-12.

Hearing screening is performed in grades K-3, once in grades 6-8, once in grades 9-12.

Heights and weights are done on students in grades 1, 4, 7, and 10. Body Mass Index (BMI) and corresponding percentile is calculated and recorded following guidelines from the MDPH for each student. The results are not mailed home but instead will be recorded in the student’s cumulative health record at school. Parents are welcome to call the school nurse to discuss the findings.

Postural screening is conducted annually for students in grades 5-9. A report from the student’s healthcare provider is required in order to be excused from this school screening. A referral letter is sent home when the student does not meet the screening parameter so that further evaluation can be done

Exemptions: These exams are mandated by the state. A religious exemption, medical exemption or provider’s note submitted before the screening is acceptable to excuse your student from the exam.

Complete Exemption Form Here

Theatre 370 Presents Carrie the Musical as our first production of the 2024-2025 season! Carrie White is a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie’s just discovered she’s got a special power, and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it. Based on the Stephen King horror classic, this favorite is given new life onstage and is not to be missed.

The show contains adult themes including violence, mass killing at a school prom, child abuse, PG-13 language, blood, religion, suggested sexual abuse, and bullying.

This show is not suitable for children under 14.

Tickets NOW available at https://cur8.com/25481/project/125449 or on the Theatre 370 homepage

Yearbooks are on sale. We wanted to make sure seniors/parents/guardians know and get their books purchased early at the discounted price. Last year, the books sold out and some people were not able to purchase a book, so the earlier you buy the better!

You can purchase the yearbook at https://yearbookforever.com (search for Holliston High School). If you need financial assistance, please contact administration and they will contact the yearbook advisor (Ms. Victoria Roy)

Additionally, for seniors here are some important dates for the yearbook:

• Senior pictures are due Friday 10/25/2024 NO EXCEPTIONS

• Take your pictures over the summer!

• If you take pictures with Henry Studios, they will send us your photo

• Otherwise, please email your senior photo to yearbook@holliston.k12.ma.us

• Photos should be 4” by 5” @ 300dpi jpg format

• Senior Baby photos due by Friday 11/8/2024

• Please email to yearbook@holliston.k12.ma.us with the subject “STUDENT NAME- baby picture”

• Family and Business Ads → if you would like to purchase an ad for the yearbook please see the pricing below. All ads can be created at https://yearbookforever.com

Pricing:

Personal/Family Ad (for seniors)

Full page

$230

1/2 page

$165

1/4 page

$80

1/8 page

$40

Business Ad:

Full page

$250

1/2 page

$185

1/4 page

$60

1/8 page

$40

Please reach out with any questions. We are looking forward to creating a great yearbook!

The HHS Yearbook Staff

Japan Trip April 2026

Due to overwhelming interest in the EF Trip to Japan scheduled for April 2026, HHS is offering an additiolnal second tour group. There are a limited number of spots still available. If your student is interested, please take a look at this presentation and email the group leader Amanda Rivera at riveraa@holliston.k12.ma.us for sign-up information. Students will be able to join the trip on a first come first serve basis.

Panther Fans- “Senior Night” for Fall athletics is upon us. Let’s fill the stands and celebrate our teams!! Dates/times/locations below.

Congratulations Class of 2025!!

Wednesday, 11/6/24, 3:45pm Unified Basketball vs Ashland (Sr. Day)

Click the links below for the most up to date athletic information

HHS Athletics Webpage

Games Schedules, Rosters & Results

Please follow @HollistonAD on X and @HollistonAthletics on Instagram

Winter sports registration is now open through November 15th, click here here to register

The Holliston Drug & Alcohol Awareness Coalition (HDAAC) is recruiting students for their Youth Action Team (YAT)! The YAT is composed and led by youth who will be working to make a positive difference in Holliston. Our goals are to discuss issues related to substances, mental health, and overall wellness in the community and how we can work towards resolving them. We will accomplish this with initiatives like planning events, creating campaigns, presenting to younger kids, advocating at the State House, and more! Every meeting, event, and project will also count for community service hours. Youth in the YAT will not only make a difference in Holliston, but in the lives of their peers, and themselves. Sign up with this form https://forms.gle/XFdzLChjk2oGf4Kp7 and email the HDAAC Coordinator Zoe at moreauz@holliston.k12.ma.us with any questions.

The PTO is excited to offer “After School Study Hall”.

PTO will provide volunteers to sit in the library once a week (Wednesdays) from 3:00-4:15p. Volunteers will be there to ensure students are engaged in studying.

This study hall is open to any Holliston High School student who is looking for a safe place to work on projects, read, or get some homework done prior to heading to a practice or game.

If you can spare an hour, please sign up for a slot! We've scheduled dates beginning November 6 and continuing through December. We will add dates in the new year.

Please consider volunteering to chaperone! Please encourage your student to attend the study hall!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4BADAF29AAFA7-52777578-after#/

Holliston High School will provide the ASVAB test again this year, on December 12th. If you are interested in taking the test please speak with your school counselor. For more information about the test please click the following link.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

October 31st - End of Term 1

October 31st - Senior Dress-Up Day

October 31st - AP Exam Registration Ends

November 1st - No School

Dear Students and Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

Please click here for an important message regarding AP exam registration. Please note the two deadlines (dependent on AP course(s) enrollment).

Registration for Term 1 and all Online courses is October 1 - October 31, 2024.

Registration for Term 2 and Spring semester courses is January 1 - March 1, 2025.

* We know that parents/guardians may desire to register their students for exams, however, we strongly recommend that parents/guardians and students are BOTH present while registering to ensure the correct exams are ordered on time and students only have one College Board account.

**Please disregard this message if it does not apply to you or your student(s). AP (Advanced Placement) Exams are relevant if your child is enrolled in AP courses which are typically offered to juniors and seniors (AP Physics 1 and AP European History are available to sophomores, as well.) AP courses are college level courses taught at the high school level.

Today, October 25th, the High School will be took part in an Intruder Response Drill. The drill involved providing the students with scenarios and having those scenarios discussed in their classroom. Throughout the year we will run various drills with the students to ensure all students are prepared in case of an emergency.

We understand that these drills can be unsettling for some students. Our staff will take care to explain the importance of the drill and to support students throughout the process. Additionally, our counselors will be available to provide any necessary support following the drill.

If you have any questions about the drill, please reach out to David List.

Thursday, October 31st, marks the end of Term 1 for students. Grades will be released on November 11th after 3 p.m., students and parents will be able to access grades through PowerSchool.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your student's grades, please reach out directly to your student's teacher. We are looking forward to a successful term 2.