Hello everyone!

A quick reminder that there is no school on Monday and Tuesday in observance of Presidents' Day—enjoy the long weekend!

As we return next week, please remember that students coming back from appointments should not bring outside food or drinks into the school. We appreciate your support in keeping our learning environment focused and distraction-free.

Also, in today's newsletter be sure to check out the flyer from our Student Council! Our students are leading a fundraising effort to support a middle school in California that is working to rebuild after the devastating wildfires. Your support can make a difference!

Enjoy the break, and we’ll see everyone back on Wednesday!

Ms. Janie Ulmer

Principal

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!

If you're interested in learning how to keep your children safe online, we’re offering an informative session on Thursday, February 20 focusing on just that.

Join Assistant United States Attorney Tiffany Preston, a federal prosecutor with nearly 17 years of experience investigating internet crimes against children, as she shares practical, common-sense

approaches to online safety.

Date: Thursday, February 20

Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Location: HSE Administration Building, Board Room (13485 Cumberland Road, Fishers)

Ms. Preston will also discuss how you can help your children make smart choices online, implement device safety measures and how to recognize the risks of communicating with strangers on popular apps and games like Roblox, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Minecraft, Fortnite, and more.

We hope you'll join us for this valuable conversation on protecting kids in today’s digital world. No registration is required.

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 the library to support purchasing books and resources for our teachers and students.

· 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.

· Setup an eWallet here if interested in a cashless option.

March Author Visit

Author Varian Johnson will be visiting HIJH on Wednesday, March 12. All 5th and 6th graders will get to hear the author speak. Author visits are a great way to encourage students in reading and writing! 7th and 8th graders will also have some opt-in opportunities such as a writing workshop. Student contests, workshop sign up, book order information, and more will be coming out in the near future!

HEPL’s Winter Reading Program

Hamilton East Public Library is hosting their Winter Reading Program during the month of February. Sign up is open now for all ages, and books can be logged from February 1-28. Find more details here.

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

HIJH PTO Board

hijhpto@gmail.com

hijhpto.wordpress.com

Legendary comedy icon Jeff Foxworthy is headlining the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation’s Legacy Celebration (formerly Game Day). Foxworthy is one of the most famous comedians ever, a multiple Grammy Award nominee and the highest-selling comedy recording artist in history.

All HIJH Panthers families are invited to buy tickets to the show, which will be February 21st at the new Fishers Event Center. The event will feature an auction benefiting innovative teacher grants, student scholarships, mental health and student wellness initiatives.

BUY TICKETS HERE: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0500617B9496124F

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

Dates of Club:

Wednesday, February 19

Wednesday, February 26

Wednesday, March 5

Wednesday, March 12

Thank you for all your donations!

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

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The 21st Century Scholars program helps eligible students who meet certain high school requirements attend college for free, https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars/enroll/.

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!

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!

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.

Twitter:

@HIJPanthers

@hijhathletics