HSD News Round-up

Keeping the Hockinson community in the loop!

Jazzercise Group Has Huge Heart for Hockinson’s Kids

Sue Thompson and her Jazzercise friends continued their tradition of donating to a Valentine’s Day fund for Hockinson’s students-in-need. This year’s donation exceeded $600 and will help student’s cover the cost of school-related fees and supplies.

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HMS Students Participate in Regional Honor Band

Middle school musicians from around southwest Washington, including five from HMS, were recently selected to the Lower Columbia River Music Educators Association’s (LCRMEA) Honor Band. Click HERE to watch these students, representing Jennifer Ritenburgh’s band program, perform in the Feb. 12 LCRMEA Honor Band Concert at Mtn. View High School.

Calendar & Redistricting Update

Because the Feb. 24 school cancellation fell after the Feb. 18 designated snow make-up day, the HSD School Board will add a make-up day to the end of the school year at its Feb. 28 Regular Meeting. An updated calendar will be posted to the HSD website once the placement of the make-up day is finalized.

On Feb. 28, the School Board will also consider approving the redrawn HSD boundaries. More information on redistricting is available here.

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At Home COVID Tests Available to HSD Students

Are you interested in having additional COVID tests for at-home testing? HSD families can sign up for two free iHealth COVID tests per student here: Covid-19 Home Test Kit Distribution Form. Information on test pick-up dates/times will be sent out to the email address provided. Please contact caleb.millay@hocksd.org if you have any questions.

The HSD will continue to offer drive-thru COVID testing through the end of the school year.

Communications Survey

One of the three main goals in the HSD Strategic Plan focuses on Community and Communications. To help us better connect with families and make our district and school communications as effective as possible, we ask that families take 5 minutes to complete this Communications Survey. Thank you in advance for your input.

Citizens Advisory Committee Seeks New Members

Are you interested in learning more about the programs and operations of the HSD? Do you want to get acquainted with district employees, community members, and School Board Members? Consider applying for the HSD Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC was established to keep the Board informed of our community’s needs and inform the community of school district needs.

CAC meetings take place on the first Monday of every month from 6:00-7:30 pm, October - May. The CAC application is available HERE.

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Hornet’s Nest: A New Hangout Room at HMS

Another goal in the HSD Strategic Plan focuses on making our schools safe and welcoming for all. Accordingly, the HSD School Board has encouraged our school’s efforts to support students’ socioemotional health, solicit student voice, and cultivate inclusive school cultures in which every student feels they belong.

A recent HMS student survey showed that a large number of students were interested in making connections with their peers and helping everyone find their own circle of friends. So HMS Counselor Nicole Schneider and COVID Support Specialist Heidi Uhrich redesigned and redecorated the school’s counseling center to create the Hornet's Nest: An indoor recess hangout and meeting space. They also put together the Hornet Hangout program, a recess alternative where students can hang out hang out with friends in the Hornet’s Nest and play games, watch movies, and complete arts and crafts projects. This recess alternative happens on Tuesdays and Fridays. Last week,12% of the HMS students attended a Hornet Hangout.

Principal Meredith Gannon praised Schneider and Uhrich for their responsiveness and care. Gannon says, “We are thrilled to have Hornet Hangout. It gives our students another option where they can be who they are and share their unique gifts and talents with the HMS community.”

HSD Employment Opportunities

We want to thank the Hockinson community for its tremendous response to our all call for substitute teachers.

The HSD still has a significant need for classified substitutes, which include general duty aides at recess/lunch, para-educators in classrooms, secretaries, security, and custodial staff. All of these positions usually take place during the school day, whereas the 4- or 8-hour substitute custodian shifts fall in the afternoons and evenings (a great part-time job for college students). Non-custodial Classified Substitute rates: $16.00/hour. Custodial Substitutes: $18.00/hour. Training is provided.

Click HERE to apply and make a difference in HSD schools.

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State Announces Mask Rollback will Begin March 21

On Feb. 17, Governor Inslee announced that the statewide indoor mask mandate will be lifted on March 21, 2022 due to a continued decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. School districts were not provided any additional information other than masks will continue to be expected on buses due to federal requirements.

We want to make this a smooth, safe, and respectful transition for everyone and plan on following the following timeline:

3/7-11 Department of Health is expected to release updated K-12 School Requirements for Washington school districts.
3/14-18 HSD reviews these updates and creates an implementation that will be shared with HSD staff and families in advance of Monday, 3/21.

Upcoming Events:

Feb. 28 Regular Board Meeting @ 6 pm
Mar. 2 Read Across America Day
Mar. 2 Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting @ 6 pm
Mar. 3 2nd Grade Music Concert @ 7 pm
Mar. 7-11 National School Breakfast Week & Classified Appreciation Week Mar 7-11

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Connect with Hockinson Schools

Website: hocksd.org
Location: 17912 NE 159th St, Brush Prairie, WA 98606
Phone: (360) 448-6400
Facebook: facebook.com/HockinsonSchools