
Panther Update Family Edition #24
February 21, 2025

A Note from the Principal...
Hello Panther Families,
We have some exciting things happening at HSE Intermediate/Junior High! 🎉
- Student Council T-Shirt Fundraiser – Support a school in California recovering from wildfires by purchasing a t-shirt. Every contribution makes a difference!
PTO Family Night - Monday Night
Scholastic Book Fair – Get ready to stock up on great books next week! 📚
- Royals Fan Stand – On Thursday (2/27), grab your Royals gear right here at school! 👕💙
- High School Musical Tickets – Tickets for our production of High School Musical went on sale today! The show runs March 7th & 8th, and you won’t want to miss it! 🎭
It’s hard to believe we’re heading into the last week of February already! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! 💙🐾
Janie Ulmer
Principal
Permission slips were sent home on 1/31 and were due back by 2/14.
Please reach out to your student's teacher if you have any questions.
Rekindle Hope
Panthers are helping to "Rekindle Hope" for the Odyssey School in Altadena, California. Sadly, the Odyssey school was burned to the ground recently during the California Wildfires. Student Council has decided to reach out and try to help this school community. We will be selling t-shirts for $15 at lunch. All proceeds will go to helping their school rebuild and contribute to supplies that are needed. As an independent charter organization Odyssey is mostly on its own. It can’t raise money through a bond, and it lacks the staff to navigate the labyrinth of grants, permits and other paperwork. Please help us partner with the Odyssey School and rekindle hope for this awful tragedy. Together, we can make a difference!
High School Musical Jr. is March 7th & 8th
You can visit our website to purchase tickets. Our website is: http://our.show/hijhmusicals
Adult tickets are $10, student tickets are $5. A credit card fee will apply and be added to your order for reservations made online.
Tickets can also be purchased in person the week of the show (March 3-7) during lunches, if you would prefer to send cash or a check (payable to HIJH) with your student to purchase.
Tickets for the Friday, March 7th, 4:30pm show are general admission. Tickets for all other performances are reserved seating, so you will choose your seats at the time of purchase, making it easier for families to plan ahead of time and to be able to sit together.
Tryouts for the 2025-26 school year information
Library Update
Think Spring Book Fair
HIJH’s Think Spring Book Fair will be from February 24-28. A percentage of all sales during the Book Fair come back to HIJH library to support purchasing books and resources for our teachers and students.
Book Fair Family and Community Night - You’re invited! It will be Monday, February 24 from 4-6:30 PM. Enter through Door 1 or 14.
View a copy of Scholastic’s spring book fair flyer here that shows some of the titles Scholastic is highlighting.
Setup an eWallet here if interested in a cashless option.
March Author Visit Updates
Sign-ups and contests for some additional March 12 opportunities were posted in the library’s Canvas this week. 5th and 6th graders can enter a contest to introduce author Varian Johnson and be part of a small group who eats lunch with the author. 7th and 8th graders have the option to fill out an interest form for a writing workshop with the author.
Varian Johnson is also visiting FCI and Hamilton East Public Library while in the area. If you are interested in hearing him speak at HEPL, there is more information on HEPL’s site here.
Look for author book signing/pre-order information in next Friday’s updates.
Panther Fest
Save the Date! Friday, March 28, 2025, from 6:30-8:30pm.
Join us for Panther Fest! This is our 5th & 6th grade night of fun. Enjoy inflatables, games, trivia, face painting and more! Wristbands will be $20. Concessions will be available as a separate purchase and are not included in the price of the wristband. This is a drop off event. All volunteers must have a current background check on file. No siblings or non-HIJH students may attend with volunteers.
Due to the large attendance for this event, we really need ADULT volunteers to make this a success! Please consider volunteering for a shift. Link to volunteer is below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084CA9A82DAAFE3-53328762-pantherfest
Rise Game Request
All items can be dropped off in the bin labeled “RISE GAMES” outside the front office at school. Please place any loose items in a ziploc bag or grocery bag.
Any questions? Email: hijhpto@gmail.com
Indy Zoo Tickets for HSE Families
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.
NJHS - National Junior Honor Society
HIJH is recognized as one of the official charter schools for the national academic organization known as National Junior Honor Society. Students are eligible to apply based on the GPA calculation after Semester 1 of 7th grade. A GPA of 3.67 is required to apply.
Invitations are sent to students' email if they are eligible to apply. Students are also notified via email if their application and essay has been approved by the Faculty Council. The process can take two to three weeks for all applications to be reviewed. Not all applicants are accepted, and several may be given a chance to re-write their essay. If approved, a Canvas page is created to help with information and tracking community service.
By April of their 8th grade year, candidates must maintain a 3.5 or higher GPA, complete 50 hours of community service, and show good character to be formally inducted in May of their 8th grade year. Please note that participation in NJHS is not required for qualification to NHS at high schools.
Induction: May of the 8th grade year.
Helpful Tips & Links from the Counseling Department
Resources for 5th and 6th grade parents
Panther Peers
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=PkZ4tvvZX0eBU43PqJYEfQJDrP3aXbVMkdIrr69iGBxUMEtITjkwVzhNVjdDSkUzSjBJQ1cwV01FUC4u. This is a link for 7/8 parents to fill out for an upcoming group opportunity. The group is called Panther Peers, which will focus on healthy relationships/friendships. This group will be held one day a week during RISE. If you should have any questions, please feel free to email me at scampbell@hse.k12.in.us
Test Anxiety
Symptoms of test anxiety to look for in your child could range from sweating, racing heart, fast breathing, butterflies in the stomach, stomachache, headache, shaking, feelings of nausea or passing out.
These symptoms can even happen among students who are academically capable. Some only feel butterflies in their stomach, while others might experience severe symptoms making it difficult to concentrate. However, research has shown that some level of nervousness can be helpful. It can aid in alertness, due to increased arousal levels.
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/.
Mudsock Youth Athletics
Curious about rugby? Join Mudsock Youth Rugby for a FREE Try-It Day on Sunday, February 23rd at Fall Creek Intermediate:
This event is open to 2nd–8th grade boys and girls and is the perfect opportunity to learn about this exciting, inclusive sport. Our experienced coaches and board members will be on hand to teach fundamental skills, answer questions about the upcoming spring season and introduce youth to the growing sport of rugby. Learn more including times here.
Spring Boys Volleyball Callout:
Intermediate and junior high boys, it’s time to hit the court and serve up some fun this spring! Whether you're just getting started or dreaming of playing in high school, our spring skills clinic and intramural-style league is the perfect way to build skills and make friends. Register now at myathletics.com and learn more here.
Sign Up Now - Spring Sport Registration Remains Open:
Get ready for an action-packed spring! With 9 sports to choose from, there’s something for every skill level and interest. Registration is now open at myathletics.com. 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!
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.
Follow Us On Social Media
Twitter:
@HIJPanthers
@hijhathletics