Homer High-Lights
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 7, February 2024
Principal's Corner
One of the biggest issues today when it comes to teen health and education is social media. It is becoming very apparent that Social Media can be harmful to teens. The New Tribune in Tacoma Washington has a great opinion article titled, "Screens are a drug experts warn. Why is no one listening? What can parents do?" by Matt Driscoll. While this is an opinion piece, they cite some real dangers and provide research to back the claims. You can read the article here: Screens are a Drug
Social media can be useful, but it can also be harmful to adolescents teens. Bullying, too much screen time, not enough sleep, depression and sexploitation are all serious issues that can negatively affect teens. Those are very tangible dangers, but there are also the hidden dangers. As Matt Driscoll states in his article, "There is always a glowing screen offering distraction nearby." The point he is making is that with the unlimited content, having a device with you at all times added to the fact that teens spend an average of over 7 hours on their phones each day makes it very likely it can become a huge distraction at best or an addition at worst.
Dr. Mary Ann Woodruff in this same article that screen time may be a leading cause of Anxiety, depression and suicide among teens.
Parenting is hard and talking about screen time with a high school student can be difficult and many times end in an argument. Every person and family is different, and all I am asking is that you consider what is right for you, your family and your child. Have a conversation with your child about screen time and the about the Apps they have on their phone.
I am not advocating to get rid of phones and computers, but the negative consequences of social media are real and as parents and as a school we need to be intentional with phone access. This is a big reason that HHS is limiting cell phone use in the classrooms and students are not allowed to take their phones when they use the restroom during class time. (Some teachers do allow cell phone use for specific educational uses.)
What can parents do?
Matt Driscoll suggests that parents work with their children to strike a reasonable balance and that they should be a good role model with their own phone use. This means when you are at home after school you should limit yourself and your children to about an hour per night of screen time. (This is a suggestion; you can set a standard that feels right for you) Children should always access the web in a public space such as the living room.
It is not recommended that a child or teen take their phone to bed with them at night. There is a lot of research that says this messes with their sleep patterns. Many students will be up late at night texting and scrolling through social media instead of sleeping. They could be communicating with people and accessing things parents would not approve of and the parent would not know. As a parent you should be aware of some dangerous Apps that students may have on their phone. (You can view this list below.)
Often parents trust their older teens and figure they don't need as much oversight and guidance. The truth is just the opposite. Teens need their parents directly involved in their lives, including monitoring their social media and screen time. Dealing with phone use can cause arguments and heated discussions, but it usually is worth the time and effort.
If you have concerns or suggestions please schedule a time to meet with me by calling 235-4600 or send me an e-mail at dwaclawski@kpbsd.k12.ak.us.
Douglas Waclawski
Principal
907-235-4600
Apps Parents Should Be Aware Of
Parent Teacher Conferences - February 14th, 15th & 16th
Our annual Parent Teacher Conference event is on February 14, 2024 in the commons from 6 pm till 8 pm. All the teachers will be in the commons and parents or guardians come come anytime and talk to your child's teacher when they are available.
We will have our annual staff chili cook off, student performances and parent classes. We hope to see you there.
If you can't make in on the 14th, we will have regular parent teacher conferences in teacher classrooms. The hours are Thursday, February 15th 9:00-11:00, and 12:00-4:00. Friday will be from 9:00 am till 12:00 pm. Please go to PickTime and schedule your conference with your students teachers. PickTime Schedule
Wednesday 2/14 Evening Event
6:00 - 8:00 pm
- Chili Cook-Off
- Evening in the Commons
- Student Presentations
- Presentations for Parents
- Meet with teacher in commons
Schedule
- Wed. 2/14 6:00 – 8:00 pm
- Thur. 2/15 9:00 – 11:00 am
- 12:00 – 4:00 pm
- Fri 2/16 9:00 – 12:00 pm
Random Acts of DDF
Do you want to have good time, be entertained and laugh out loud? If so, make sure you attend Random acts of DDF Friday, February 9 at 5:30. See some of Homer High School's best and brightest actors, debaters and public speakers. You will be glad you came.
- Random Acts of DDF will be on February 9
- Silent Auction begins 5:30.
- Performance is 6:00-7:30
The First Annual HHS Chess Tournament was a Success!
Here are a few snapshots captured during our inaugural HHS Chess Tournament on January 12, 2024. A heartfelt appreciation goes to Andy Haas and Leo Dykstra for orchestrating and organizing this event. With a total of 16 participants in our first tournament, we look forward to hosting many more in the future.
Homer Health Camps
FREE Health Care Exploration Camp
KPBSD and Alaska AHEC are teaming up again to offer a Health Care Exploration Camp over spring break March 11-15, 2024 in Homer (at SPH and/or HHS).
Students interested in healthcare careers can learn about different professions within the industry, become Basic Life Support certified, and earn 3 college credits/1 high school credit**….all for FREE!
For more information or to register, see the graphic or follow this link. https://bit.ly/47EFomB
Registration deadline is Monday, Feb. 19. If registrations exceed class capacity, priority will be given by grade level seniority.
**Credit requires attending the entire one-week intensive AND additional online assignments through UAA.
**Housing is NOT available/provided for this camp.
Soldotna – Feb 12-16 – Central Peninsula Hospital
Homer Area – March 11-15 – South Peninsula Hospital / Homer HS Library
Seward – April 8-12 – Providence Medical Center / Mountain Haven / Seward HS Library
See the attached flyer for dates & QR code for students to register.
HHS Art Instagram Page
Would you like to look at all the cool art that HHS students are creating? If so, go to the Instagram site. Artwork will be added and updated each month.
Homer High School Is Using Remind
Homer High School is now using Remind for all classroom and sports communication. Please make sure you opt in to Remind when get a message from HHS. We are using remind for sports communication and with some school-wide communication.
If you have opted out and are not receiving Remind Messages, go to notification preferences and opt back in. If you are having problems or questions with changing your preferences, call our office at 907-235-4600 for help.
We encourage you to check out this parent guide to get tips on how to use Remind. We're excited to use Remind to make connecting with your family more engaging.
Please sign up for Remind and allow HHS to send you text messages.
Shop the Online Mariner Store
The Homer Boosters have created the HHS online Apparel Store. Get all your Homer Mariner clothing and swag you need while supporting HHS sports. The web address is: https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/alaska/homer/homer-senior-high-school
Dates To Remember
- Feb 1: JV boys basketball vs Sand Point 4:00pm
- Feb 2: Basketball vs Nikiski: JV boys 4:30, V Girls 6:00, V Boys 7:30
- Feb 6: HHS Site Council meeting in library 4:10pm
- Feb 8: Homer Winter Carnival Basketball tournament: V Girls 3:00, V boys 4:30
- Feb 9: XC Ski team @ regions in Kenai
- Feb 9: Early release day @ 2:20pm
- Feb 9: Homer Winter Carnival Basketball tournament: V Girls 3:00, V boys 4:30
- Feb 9: Random Acts of DDF performance 7:00pm in the theatre
- Feb10: ACT exam 8:00am
- Feb 10: Homer Winter Carnival Basketball tournament: V Girls 3:00, V boys 4:30
- Feb 10: Winter Ball Dance 8:00-11:00pm in the theatre
- Feb 14: Parent teacher conference event in the commons
- Feb 14: C team Basketball vs Nanwalek: Boys 4:00, Girls 5:30
- Feb 15: Parent teacher conference/No school for students
- Feb 15: Basketball vs Kenai: JV girls 3:00, JV boys 4:30, V girls 6:00, V boys 7:30
- Feb 16: Parent teacher conferences/No school for students
- Feb 19: Boys C-team Basketball vs Soldotna 5:30
- Feb 22: KPBSD budget meeting 5:00 in the library
- Feb 24: Basketball vs Grace Christian: JV girls 12:00, JV boys 1:30, V girls 3:00, V boys 4:30
- Feb 27 ASVAB Test 9:00 am
Homer & Soldotna Communities Come Together to Support Coach Carlin
Here is a news report about Homer High School and Soldotna Hockey teams honoring John Carlin. He is a great man and a great hockey coach who touched so many lives in a positive way and is now battling pancreatic cancer.
Counselor Corner
HHS School Counselors
Sue Rennolds – Class of 2026 srennolds@kpbsd.k12.ak.us ~ (907) 235-4691
Paul Story – Classes of ’24, ’25, ’27 pstory@kpbsd.k12.ak.us ~ (907) 235-4685
Scholarship Season
The KPBSD OneStop Scholarship Database. It is the place to go for regional- and state-wide scholarships, essay contests with cash prizes, and more. Check back often as there will still be more listed in the coming weeks and months! Here’s a small sample of what’s available now:
- Hilcorp FLA Scholarship – due Feb. 29
- Alaska Community Foundation Scholarships – 47 different scholarships due Mar. 15
- Mae Ciechanski Scholarship – due Mar. 22
- Homer Foundation Scholarships – 16 different scholarships due Mar. 24
- Homer Marine Trades Scholarship – due Apr. 15
- Homer Rotary Scholarship – due Apr. 15
- LFS, Inc. Scholarship – due Apr. 15
- KPBSD/AVTEC Scholarship – due Apr. 26
**And seniors, the FAFSA is finally out, fully functional, and, I might add, easy to use. File as soon as you can to maximize your federal student aid opportunities for next school year.
UAF visiting HHS February 8th and 9th
Students and families are invited to come meet the admissions representatives from the U. of Alaska Fairbanks, our state’s flagship campus, in room B106 Thursday, Feb. 8th during FOL (3:05-3:50pm) or Friday, Feb. 9th immediately following the early release (2:30-4:00pm).
Ray and her colleague have a wealth of information about short-term certificate programs all the way to PhD possibilities, and can also advise on the FAFSA, UA Foundation Scholarship programs (due Feb. 15), national and international exchange programs, and more.
UAF also hosts the Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) every summer for current juniors and seniors.
- Free college summer program at UAF for Native and rural students
- $7,500 value
- Applications due March 1
- www.uaf.edu/rahi
AVTEC Field Trip – Mar. 26, 2024
AVTEC in Seward has amazing training programs in the trades, all of which are nine months or less.
Our trip will feature a general orientation to the school, a tour of their Diesel/Heavy Equipment Technologies program, and, hopefully, an additional tour of Construction Technology or Industrial Electricity.
Interested students need to submit this permission form no later than 10:00am Tue., Mar. 19.
ASVAB – Feb. 27, 2024
The November ASVAB was canceled and has finally been rescheduled for Tue., Feb. 27!
The (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is designed for 10th -12th graders to help identify the kinds of jobs in which they show promise. While primarily used by and for the military, students without interest in the armed services sometimes take the test because it’s one of the few career assessments that tests aptitude, rather than just interest. Some of the subtests focus on non-academic areas like electronics, automotive, “shop info”, and mechanical comprehension.
The test will be administered at HHS Tue., Feb. 27 at 9am. Students who test will be responsible for making up work they missed in their 1st and 2nd period classes. To sign up, simply email pstory@kpbsd.k12.ak.us .
Summer Jobs
HHS alum (Class of 2012) and owner of Central Charters, Andre Lovett, is looking to hire some Mariners for his summer crew. If you’re interested in working retail on the Spit this summer, contact Andre at 299-4955 or centralcharters@gmail.com .
Math for Trades Students Open School Store
Our Math for Trades course has officially opened the Mariner Market. Students have selected products, determined prices, and are actively promoting this endeavor to their peers. Additionally, students are diligently implementing accounting practices to manage the financial aspects of this venture. It's worth noting that all snacks available are USDA-approved and health-conscious, and the store operates entirely under the management of students.
The Mariner Market is scheduled to be open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during lunch this week! If there are specific healthy items or supplies you would like to have at the market, feel free to contribute your ideas to our wish list.
Current Mariner pitchers, Clyde Clemons, Henry Wedvick and 2020 grad Mose Hayes pose here working with famous pitching and QB coach, Tom House. The players attended a 3-day clinic last summer that focused not only pitching mechanics but the importance of sleep, nutrition and the mental game as it applies to athletes. Dr. House has worked with some of the biggest names in professional baseball and football and is considered one of the great coaches of our time.
You can read about Tom House in a link to a NY Times article as well.
Tom House Is (Still) Reinventing Pitching With Mustard App - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
SAT - PSAT - ACT
SAT – register at www.sat.org/register
ACT – register at www.act.org
PSAT (for 10th/11th graders planning to apply to 4-year college). Great, cheap practice and Junior entry into the National Merit competition.) – registration for October testing through HHS to be announced soon.
Help Celebrate Your Graduate
The deadline to submit senior stuff (portrait, baby picture, senior siblings of current HHS students) plus Memories, Wills, and Quotes – all senior students were sent an email from Mrs. Bishop – is January 31. We don’t want to be a bother AND we don’t want to miss a student.
Have you purchased a yearbook yet? Your student is in it! Here’s an online link or cash and check are accepted in the front office.
Thank you! from the Yearbook Staff – Ally, Alaiyah, Minadora, Julie, Caitlin, William, Nathan, Annabelle, Natlie, Sophia, Katelyn, Caitlyn, Juliann, Amanda, and Mrs. Bishop
The Mariner Way.
Last year our teachers, students and parents from our Site Council got together and helped write the Mariner Way. This is what we think it means to be a Mariner and what we want to aspire to. We hope that when people think of Homer High School they will say we are living the Mariner Way.
We are the Mariners, a special blend of toughness, compassion, grit and integrity. We understand we are part of something bigger than ourselves and endeavor to be better every day. We show sportsmanship, help out community and strive for academic excellence. This is the Mariner Way.
Mrs. Baker's LA Class Poetry
9th Grade Peotry
In ELA 9th grade, Mrs. Baker’s and Ms. McCutcheon’s class is working on analyzing poetry and writing poetry. Here are some fine examples of the various styles of poetry they have created the past three weeks. We are also busy memorizing poems for the annual Poetry Out Loud event occurring this coming Wednesday.
Gia Baker
Isidore Brown - In Shadows
In shadows cast, a wilted rose unfolds,
Petals stained with tears, tragedy it holds.
The broken clock ticks, echoing despair,
As dreams shatter, a heart laid bare.
Rivers of sorrow, inked in midnight's hue,
A somber dance of fate, a tale untrue.
Caged whispers linger in the silent plea,
Tragedy's tapestry, woven destiny.
Isidore Brown
Margo Curtis - Little Bugs
Teensy tiny is the bug, nothing to do but cower,
Crawling fast and buzzing far, Underneath the humans power,
Living short, and sometimes sad,
Wings get broken, and that's bad,
But you could say the same for us,
Always in a sort of rush,
Living short, and sometimes mad
On this planet in the stars, we are small, just like bugs.
Zoey MaGee - Sleep Insomnia
She greets me at my door when I get up to go to sleep,
With her basket full of thoughts to discuss.
Takes them all out one by one,
Showing me she has begun.
All night every night,
This is what she does.
Without fail,
She comes every day to tell a tale.
I wish she would go away,
But she likes to stay.
She keeps me up nearly all night,
Til the sun shines bright.
Myles Robinson
In shadows deep, where sorrow lay,
A lonely heart sought joy one day.
A dove appeared, with wings of grace,
Its gentle coos, a soothing embrace.
A glimmer of hope from the beautiful bird
Told everything it needed without saying a word
In graceful flight, a fateful dove,
A sign of hope, in the skies above.
HHS Basketball Thanks Bethel
Homer High recently attended the Bethel Basketball Tournament in Bethel. We would like to thank the Bethel community for there welcoming hospitality. Our student athletes got to go dog sledding, ice fishing and were able to tan fur. Everyone had a great time and they can't wait to return next year.
Homer High School
Email: dwaclawski@kpbsd.org
Website: http://homerhighschool.blogs.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/wpmu/
Location: 600 E Fairview Ave, Homer, AK, USA
Phone: 907-235-4600
Facebook: www.facebook.com/homerhs