HSD News Round-Up

The Hockinson High School marching band participates in the Fun Days Parade on Saturday, June 1. Continue reading to view more snapshots from Fun Days, get a glimpse into end-of-the-year festivities, and learn about upcoming graduation events at all three schools.

As this school year draws to a close, we want to continue to celebrate student and staff achievements, highlight school events, as well as keep our HSD families informed about the upcoming school year. This Round-Up is split into two sections - current events and graduation information, including a look ahead to the 2024-25 school year.

One June 4, Career Connect Southwest (CCSW) announced Angelina Sarkinen as the 2024 Educator of the Year at the fourth annual STEM Rising Star and Regional Partner Awards ceremony hosted at Clark College. Sarkinen, who is the school's Career & Technical Education Secretary and College/Career Specialist, was recognized for her exceptional dedication to preparing students at Hockinson High School for success in their postsecondary pathways. Way to go, Angelina!

HHS sophomore Elsie Lyon was also honored as a "STEM Rising Star" finalist at the event. This award recognizes female students who embrace science, engineering, technology, and math (STEM) education and who explore STEM in ways that will support their education, career, personal development, and the development and needs of others. As a finalist, Lyon received a stipend, some STEM "swag," and additional learning opportunities. Congratulations, Elsie!

On Thursday, May 30, students at Hockinson High School put their colorful school spirit on display! Students arrived dressed in their class colors ready to go head-to-head in a school-wide "Olympics" consisting of 10 competitive events. The Red Team - aka Senior Class - were named the 2024 Color War Champions.

Hockinson School District received a clean financial audit report from the Washington State Auditor’s Office again this year, maintaining a longstanding tradition of strong financial management in the district. The report indicates district compliance with federal and state requirements for the reporting period from September 2022 to August 2023. Auditors made it a point to commend the HSD for its responsible use of federal emergency (pandemic) aid, which ended this year.

The Washington State Auditor conducts an audit of school districts across the state every year. Aaron Villanueva, Director of Business Services at Hockinson School District, worked closely with the audit team as they conducted a thorough review of the district’s use of public funds.

This week, seniors met with HHS leadership and community volunteers for exit interviews to close out their their high school career. These interviews are important for capturing student perspectives on school programs that have made the greatest impact on their lives, and how HHS can be improved upon next year. This tradition encourages continuous improvement within the Hockinson High School community.

“These interviews are so valuable because they center on our kids and what matters to them. In many ways they’re like a gift from the graduating seniors to underclassmen because by sharing their thoughts they impact whate classes, events, and programs we offer to our students in the coming years," said Tim Fox, Hockinson High School Principal.

Hockinson School District is seeking new team members to join us this fall as Student Learning Advocates. We have partnered with AmeriCorps and the Washington Reading Corps to provide additional academic support to students through our Student Success Program. This is an ideal position for young adults, retired educators, or anyone wishing to make a difference in the lives of Hockinson's kids.

Student Learning Advocates are an incredible resource for Hockinson's students. As a Student Learning Advocate, you’ll be placed in a HSD school where you’ll help students in reading, study and organizational skills. Every day, you’ll meet with students one-on-one or with small groups to provide tutoring and extra support to build their confidence and academic skills. (Pictured: Current Student Learning Advocates Dalton Rausch and Elin Bony).

Two Student Learning Advocates are needed at HHES to support students with tutoring in reading. Members will also help with other academic and organizational support of students as needed.

• Learn more and apply here: Student Learning Advocate- Elementary

Additionally, two Student Learning Advocates are needed at the secondary level (middle and high school) to support students with tutoring, study skills, and organizational support.

• Learn more and apply here: Student Learning Advocate- Secondary

As this is an AmeriCorps national service position, members will serve a 10-month term from 09/03/2024 to 07/15/2025. Each paid position is eight hours a day, five days a week.

We would love to have you or someone you know and respect join us as Student Learning Advocate and help to lift our Hornets and Hawks reach new heights in the classroom. If interested, please apply soon!

A few additional details:

• $2,500+/mo stipend

• Service member-only health and dental insurance

• Counseling and career-support services

• A continuing education award ($3,500+) upon successful completion of service

What an amazing time we had at Hockinson Fun Days! We enjoyed seeing you all at the pancake breakfast, marketplace bazaar, parade, carnival games, and bingo. Can't wait to see you all again next year!

A huge thank you to every volunteer who helped to make this happen. Your energy and community spirit make a huge difference. Click HERE to find out more about this family-friendly Hockinson tradition.

The HSD is continuing with its Chromebook collection format that started last summer. This means that students have the option of keeping their Chromebooks throughout the summer. The only group of students required to turn in their Chromebooks are the graduating seniors in the Class of 2024. Students in Grades 6-11 have the option of returning their Chromebooks by the end of the day on June 17. For those opting to keep their Chromebooks, it is important to know that the HSD Assurance Policy will remain in effect throughout the summer and cover repairs not caused by student negligence. Students and families: Please keep track of your Chromebook (and charging cable). It is an important learning and testing device. The cost of a replacement Chromebook is $364. A charging cable costs $20.

Heads up! This fall, new Chromebooks will be issued to students in Grades 5, 6, 9 and 10. Our Chromebooks will age out by 2027 and this schedule will enable us to keep our Chromebooks current and stay on an affordable replacement rotation.

The HHES bicycle and pedestrian safety improvement project will begin mid-June. It will install three marked and lighted crosswalks near the school to improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians. Construction is slated to begin in mid-June, but the exact start time is weather-dependent. This $445,000 project is made possible by a combination of state and county grants that were awarded to the HSD. You can learn more about this improvement here.

Girls Tennis Named 2A State Academic Champions

This year’s HHS Girls Tennis Team was successful both on the tennis courts and in the classroom. Collectively, the Varsity team maintained a 3.932 average GPA earned them a WIAA State Academic Championship! The team includes: Ashley Suva, Sophia Broten, Sarah DeRoos, Elsa Gundersen, Alexus Heeter, Charlotte Lyon, Trinity Maldonado, Olivia Muller, Lauren Teckenburg, Ana Maitland, and Kendall Zabel.

HMS Track Teams Shine at SWWMSL District Championship

On May 14, the HMS Boys and Girls Track teams headed to Castle Rock, WA to participate in the Southwest Washington Middle School League Track & Field Championships. HMS competed against 11 other schools in 13 track events. Great job, HMS Track! View the meet’s official results here.

The Boys placed 2nd at the district meet. Special congratulations to the below athletes, all of whom placed within the top three in their respective event(s): Barrett Roscoe (2nd in 400 Meters, 3rd in High Jump); Tavin Timperley (2nd in 800 Meters, 2nd in 1600 Meters); Braxtyn Muhonen (3rd in 1600 Meters); Mazin Barajas (2nd in 100m Hurdles); Jett Worthington (1st in Javelin); Aiden Palmer (Tied 2nd in High Jump)

The Girls placed 8th at the district meet. Special congratulations to the below athletes for placing within the top five in their respective event(s): Mia Thorner, Yasmin Ugalde, Leana Berezhnoy, Claire Massie (4th in 4x200 Relay); Yasmin Ugalde (5th in Long Jump)

Hockinson High School graduates will gather for the June 7 graduation ceremony to close out their high school career with classmates, family and staff. The Class of 2024 has laid the foundation for future success by building a positive culture of kindness, determination, and hard work. We look forward to seeing the great things that these Hawks accomplish!

Senior students and families: Please check out the Senior Info page for graduation deadlines, events and requirements.

Hockinson High School’s Class of 2024 is graduating in just a few short days! It is both nostalgic and gratifying to watch our seniors embark on their next journeys, and we’re very proud of our graduates. Seniors were invited to fill out a Google form to share their post-grad plans. Here is an overview of fall plans for the class of 2024:

• 73% are heading to 2- or 4-year college
• 8% are attending a trade school or apprenticeship
• 13% are entering the workforce
• 3% are going on a mission
• 3% are entering the military

Check in with our HSD Facebook Page each Sunday to celebrate 5 graduating seniors and learn more about their individual post-grad plans.

Tomorrow, students at Hockinson Heights Elementary will get a glimpse of the future at the Grad Walk. Hockinson High School seniors make a trip to the elementary and middle school just before graduation each year.

Grad Walk is not only a time for high school seniors to reflect on their accomplishments over the past 13 years, but also an opportunity for elementary and middle school students to envision graduation as a future milestone.

On June 11 at 5 pm, the Class of 2037 will experience their first graduation. Join us in celebrating the academic and social growth that these young students have achieved this school year. Our Transitional Kindergarten program prepares students to enter kindergarten with confidence in the fall.

Eighth grade students at Hockinson Middle School open a new chapter of their student careers, preparing for high school at the 8th grade promotion ceremony on June 12 at 6 pm.

The 8th grade promotion is a free, ticketed event. Not enough tickets for the whole family? No problem! The event will be live streamed. More details will be shared by Hockinson Middle School next week.

HHES

• Back to School Community Fair Thursday, August 22 at 5-7 pm​

HMS​

• Hornet Academy (6th Grade) August 26 • 8 am to 12 pm

• 7–8th Grade Orientation August 27 • 8 am to 12 pm

• Open House September 3 • 5:30-6:30

HHS​

• 10-12 Grade Orientation, August 26​

• 12th Grade: 9 am – 10:30 am​

• 11th Grade: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm ​

• 10th Grade: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm ​

• 9th Grade Orientation, August 27 9:00 am – 11:30 pm​

• BBQ lunch for all freshmen: 11:30 am to 12:00 pm

Save the Date

• TODAY Wed. June 5: Jr. Rose Parade

• June 6th & 7th: HMS Spirit Days

• Thurs. June 6: Graduation Walk at HHES

• Fri. June 7: 5th Grade Visit to HMS

• Fri. June 7: HHS Graduation @ 7 pm

• Mon. June 10: 5th Grade Bottle Rockets at HHES

• Mon. June 10: HSD School Board Regular Meeting at HCC @ 6:00 pm & Zoom

• Tues. June 11: Grades 1/3/5 Family Picnic at HHES (class lunchtimes)

• Tues. June 11: TK Graduation @ 5 - 6:30 pm

• Tues. June 11: 8th Grade to visit to HHS

• Wed. June 12: 5th Grade Field Trip to Lewisville Park

• Wed. June 12: 8th Grade Promotion

• Thurs. June 13: Grades K/2/4 Family Picnic at HHES (class lunchtimes)

• Thurs. June 13: First Grade Field Trip to Zoo

• Thurs. June 13: 5th Grade Fire Truck

• Fri. June 14: 8th Grade Party at HMS

• Sat. Aug 24 HHS Football Kick-Off Day w/Alumni

• Wed. Aug 28th – First Day of School

HHS Summer Sports Information Available HERE

View the 2024-25 School Year Calendar HERE

Email: justine.hanrahan@esd112.org
Website: https://www.hocksd.org/
Location: 17912 NE 159th St, Brush Prairie, WA 98606, USA
Phone: (360) 448-6400