HSD News Round-up

The HSD is committed to building and maintaining “a safe, welcoming, and positive learning environment that supports high academic and behavior expectations for all.” It is such a priority that it is one of our Big 3 district-wide goals. Recent incidents have prompted us to redouble our efforts to emphasize kindness, inclusion, and problem-solving among our students.

Every week during October, we will post articles relating to this important topic in an effort to increase awareness, share strategies for reducing bullying, and support students. This week we are highlighting its prevalence in schools, why bullying is considered an adverse childhood experience, and some action steps parents can take to support children at home.

We are committed to maintaining our facilities and making sure our schools are clean and safe for students, staff, and visitors. COVID has pushed this commitment to the next level as we do our part to protect family and community health. Tomorrow is National Custodial Workers Appreciation Day and we wanted to take this opportunity to salute our amazing custodians:

• HHES: Bruce Davis, Lead; Gelaine Scroggie; Paul Leon-Guerrero; Chris Chapman; and John Samson.
• HMS: Joe Wambach, Lead; John Samson; Dennis Combs; and Gregg Hinzmann
• HHS: Kade Hoots, Lead; Randy Dickinson; Justin Whiteley; and Raymond Chavarria

Although our custodians often work behind the scenes, the impact of their work is front and center every day. So thank you, HSD custodians, for supporting teaching and learning in our schools as well as the health and success of our students.

The Hockinson School District is in the process of adopting new school health materials for both middle and high school. These materials must comply with our state’s new law (RCW 28A.300.475) requiring that all public schools provide comprehensive sexual health education (CSHE). Beginning today, October 1, Hockinson families have the opportunity to review the above materials. This review window will run through Thursday, October 14. More information can be found in an Oct. 1 email sent out to all HSD parents or on the CHSE web page.

Every day, there are hundreds of feel-good and success stories in HSD classrooms. Here are just a couple:

The first comes courtesy of HHES Associate Principal Bess Colpron, who described her experience with a writing station in a Transitional Kindergarten (TK) classroom (TK is a new program for the 2021-22 school year.)

One of my memorable experiences this past week was having the opportunity to write letters with students at their writing station. The writing station was stocked with paper, markers, crayons, and pencils for creative letter writing. Mr. Sears had provided prompts on the wall of how to spell special people in their lives such as: Mom, Dad, Grandparents, and even their classmates. The best part was that there were also envelopes! The students told me all about how neat it was to be able to put their letters in envelopes. We all had a great time writing letters to friends. I left with two envelopes stuffed with letters that were folded in multiple different ways. (-:

The second comes from Hockinson Middle School where Brian Wisely recently received the weekly Rock Star Teacher Award. Mr. Wisely’s nominator wrote:

Brian cares deeply about his students. He checks in with them when he recognizes that they are struggling or unhappy in class. His goal is to make his classroom a place where every student can learn in a safe, supportive environment.

Have you seen what Hockinson Community Ed has to offer this fall?!

Fall Classes, Camps, and Activities:

• Mad Science - Chemical Clues (session 1) Grades 2-5

• Mad Science - Chemical Clues (session 2) Grades 2-5 (students do not need to participate in session 1 to register for session 2)

• October 8 Day Camp (non-school day) Full and half-day camps for Grades K - 5

• November 11 Day Camp (non-school day) Full and half-day camps for Grades K - 5

• November 24 Day Camp (non-school day) Full and half-day camps for Grades K - 5

• Youth Basketball - Grades 3-6 Registration will open mid to late October

• Men's Basketball (Adults) - Tuesday nights

• Pickleball (Adults) - Tuesday/Thursday nights *NEW

• Jazzercise (Adults)

For more information on any of our classes/camps check out the Community Ed website.

Signup online at or drop off your registration and payment at the Community Ed office (15916 NE 182nd Ave.)

For questions contact Charity Schadt at charity.schadt@hocksd.org.

Thanks to People Working Together (PWT) and the multiple benefactors who contributed over $2,700 as part of the Sept. 23 Give More 24! community fundraising program, the Early Learning Garden is one step closer to reality. This play area is a volunteer project spearheaded by PWT and the HSD that will enhance our community and the After School Adventures program. In recognition of the garden’s educational component, Bonneville Power Administration donated $3,000 to this project. The Nutter Foundation donated an additional $2,000. PWT raised over $4,750. With that combined $9,750 the HSD qualified for a $9,000 matching grant from the Price Foundation! We anticipate we will complete the first phase of this project by the end of October. More features will be added in 2022-23, which means more support is needed.If you would like to make a donation you can make one here.

• Citizen’s Advisory Committee Meeting - Monday, Oct. 4 @ 6 pm
• No School on Friday, Oct. 8 - State Inservice Day (Day Camp available. See above.)
• HSD School Board Work Session - Monday, Oct. 11 @ 6 pm

We want to limit the spread of COVID as well as its impact on students and families. Please follow the 3 Ws: Wear your mask when in public, Watch your distance and time (the rule of thumb is 6’ for a maximum of 15 minutes), and Wash your hands frequently.

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