Dear Hudson Explorer (and parent/guardian): August, 2019

We might as well get this over with right at the start . . . the Hudson High School Opening Day is August 14th! My apologies for this annual “Welcome Back” packet that includes all the important start-of-school “stuff” but hopefully the information you’ll read about helps mitigate any lingering anxieties you may have about the return to school. I hope you’ve enjoyed your summer vacation so far; once this “welcome back packet” arrives in the mail, there’s not much time left before school resumes . . . and that “soft start” opening day is Wednesday, August 14th . . . but only freshmen and students new to HHS attend Wednesday’s “Orientation Day!” The balance of the student body reports on Thursday, August 15th! Beginning a new school year often results in somewhat of a shock to our systems, so we’ll ease into the year with a short, 3-day first week to acclimate ourselves to the demands of a full week! The first long weekend of the year includes Labor Day on Monday, September 2nd . . . that long weekend should provide ample recovery time from the collective impact of early morning alarms, a new daily schedule, routines, classwork, school lunches and homework . . . speaking of which, your first homework assignment is to take a few minutes and read through this opening packet (caveat: this does NOT meet the “summer reading” requirement ) so you’re informed of all of the relevant material unique to Hudson High School—and don’t hesitate to contact me via email (wilchb@hudson.edu), work phone (330.653.1416) or cell (440.724.0772) if you have questions or concerns. On behalf of the HHS administrative team, here’s wishing you a very productive and successful school year!

FRESHMEN/NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION Consistent with the theme of sticking with what works, we’re beginning the school year with the opening day dedicated solely to our incoming Freshmen and transfer students new to Hudson High School—and that day is Wednesday, August 14th. Counselors, student leaders and administrators have planned an orientation program that encompasses the entire day—so gone are those opening days with 1575 teenagers crowding the halls and making navigating the high school more difficult than it needs to be! Here’s a draft schedule of Orientation Day:

8:00 – 9:05 AUDITORIUM - Meet the Principals - Student Government Presentation – How to grow at HHS!

9:10 – 9:50 HOMEROOM

- Students report to homeroom to meet their HUDDLE mentors and to get their schedules - New students will report to A211

9:55 - 11:35 INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS: 1. Safety Plan Procedures 2. Tour of HHS 3. Guidance Session – Students will meet with their school counselor

11:40-12:15 LUNCH & Student Involvement - All students will meet in the commons for lunch (buy or pack) - Students will have a chance to see what clubs and activities are available at HHS

12:20-2:35 DAILY CLASS SCHEDULE 1st period: 12:20 – 12:35

2nd period: 12:40 - 12:55

3rd period: 1:00 – 1:15

4/5th or 5/6th period: 1:20 – 1:35 (*explain the next transition...no lunches)

6/7th or 7/8th period: 1:40 – 1:55 (*explain the next transition...no lunches)

9th period: 2:00 - 2:15

10th period: 2:20 – 2:35 ** 10th period teachers walk students to the main gym

2:40 – 3:00 PEP RALLY & ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Our sole focus will be to ensure that those students new to our building are acclimated and comfortable with their new building/schedule/procedures! It’s important for new students to “get involved” . . . to that end, student representatives will be on hand during lunch to promote

Hudson High School

Brian Wilch, Principal Corey Hoynacke, Unit Principal Michael Miller, Unit Principal Maureen Schreiner, Unit Principal Mike Chuppa, Athletic Director

Home of the Explorers!

2500 Hudson-Aurora Road Hudson, OH 44236-2389

Phone 330/653-1416 FAX 330/653-1481 www.hudson.edu

Here’s our opening week’s

schedule . . . there’s a full-size

version on the last page!

membership in a myriad of clubs and organizations established at HHS. As in the past, students are welcome to visit the building during the days leading up to the start of school! If desired, simply stop by the main office and I’ll personally welcome you and answer questions or address any concerns!

TELEPHONE NUMBERS Please take a minute to record or cut out the following list of important phone numbers. During the month of August, the main office is open from 7 am – 4 pm. Please call the appropriate office or department when making inquiries, reporting absences, etc. And of course, we’re accessible via E-mail; contact information and other pertinent info can be found at http://www.hudson.k12.oh.us.

“SCHOOL FEES” VS. “COURSE FEES” School Fees are assessed to all students based on grade; Course Fees vary depending on courses selected by students. We’re holding off on the assessment/collection of fees until September 3rd to assist families in consolidating fees and cutting down on the number of checks to write. See inset above for information on school fees. Also, waiting until September before assessing/collecting course fees allows for student schedules to be finalized to avoid excessive refunds if there are schedule changes. Please check your MyPaymentsPlus account periodically for updates/balances.

SCHOOL ACTIVITY FEES Extracurricular experiences have great value for students; but they’re just that—extra! For athletics, there is an $800.00 Family Cap—that cap only applies to Athletic participation. Payment can be made via the MyPaymentsPlus online system that will be up and running in August (payments can’t be processed until rosters are established); also, checks made out to HCSD can be paid to the coach/advisor, athletic office, or main office. Please don’t worry about paying for a future sport/activity that doesn’t work out—we’ll gladly refund the fee. Remember that students are denied contest participation until the activity fee has been collected!

HHS PHONE NUMBERS Main Office ................. Holly Rubin, Secretary to the Principal ........ 330.653.1416 ... 7621 Cindy Benchek, HHS Receptionist................ 330.653.1416 ........ x5 Holly Lawrence, Unit Principals Secretary ... 330.653.1416 ........ x5 Main Office FAX .......... ..................................................................... 330.653.1481 Attendance Office ..... Robin Andrasik, Attendance Secretary ........ 330.653.1416 ........ x1 Guidance Office .......... Linda Golden, Guidance Secretary .............. 330.653.1416 ........ x2 Guidance Office .......... Claudine Rightnour, Guidance Receptionist 330.653.1416 ........ x2 Athletic Office ............. Kim Murray, Athletic Secretary ................... 330.653.1438 Athletic Office FAX ...... ..................................................................... 330.653.1490 Staff Listing ................. ..................................................................... 330.653.1416 ........ x6 HCSD Records Office ... Cheryl Barnes, Records Secretary ................ 330.653.1419 Transportation Office . ..................................................................... 330.653.3355 E-Connect (school information, report absences, etc) ..................... 330.653.1300 SAFE School HelplineTM (Anonymous) ................................................ 800.418.6423 .... x359

2019-20 HHS FEES Freshmen ..........................................................$42.00 Sophomores ......................................................$45.00 Juniors ..............................................................$45.00 Seniors ..............................................................$65.00 The above “SCHOOL FEES” won’t be assessed until September 3rd—delaying a few weeks should help streamline the payment process for families. “School Fees” are paid by all students and cover the following: Chromebook ($20), PSAT for sophomores & juniors ($15) and the Pre-ACT for freshmen ($12) on “Test Day” (10/16/19), the district technology fee ($10); and for seniors, the graduation fee ($35, no test fee for seniors). There’s no “Planner” fee—instead, that information is “pushed out” to students’ Chromebooks.

Individual “COURSE FEES” will also be invoiced on September 3rd, collected via the MyPaymentsPlus system (amounts are listed in the Curriculum Guide). AP Test Fees, required of all students enrolled in AP courses, will be billed/collected later in the second semester—that test fee is approximately $94 but don’t be surprised if The College Board ups it to $95.

Payment can be made online through MyPaymentsPlus or if you prefer, you may send a check made out to HCSD. Cash can be paid only through the main office. Again, School Fees and Course Fees won’t be assessed until September 3rd!

2019-20 ACTIVITY FEES Marching Band ............................... $100.00 Athletics ......................................... $200.00 Academic Challenge ........................ $20.00 Chess Club ...................................... $20.00 Debate/Speech team ....................... $30.00 DFCA ................................................. $20.00 Drama club ..................................... $20.00 Key Club .......................................... $20.00 Model United Nations .................... $20.00 Science Olympiad ............................. $20.00 Student Government ...................... $30.00

FIRST WEEK’S SCHEDULE INFORMATION Only freshmen and new students report on August 14th for “Orientation Day!” The balance of the student body will report on Thursday, August 15th for their “first day!” On Thursday, all students report for a 70-minute homeroom (HR) beginning at 8:00am. During the extended homeroom, 30-minute class meetings will be held in the auditorium—Seniors are scheduled first and should report directly to the Auditorium. The schedule on the first page provides an overview of the opening days’ timelines (larger depiction located on last page of this packet). Extended homeroom will be used Thursday and Friday only—Homeroom periods are rare at HHS!

Schedules for freshmen and new students will be distributed during homeroom on Wednesday. Schedules for returning sophomores, juniors and seniors will be distributed during homeroom on Thursday.

o Homeroom assignments will be posted around the building at all main entrances. Students are to identify and locate their assigned homeroom and report by 8:00 am (most HR assignments are

the same as the previous year). Students participate in a comprehensive orientation program during our opening week; they also attend a

class meeting in the auditorium: Seniors & Juniors on Thursday; Sophomores on Friday. (Freshmen & new students

have theirs on Wednesday) If everything goes well on Thursday, we’ll dismiss at 3:00 pm, and try it again on Friday! Attention Sophomores: A representative from Jostens will deliver a short class rings presentation Friday morning during homeroom!

FORMS NO MORE! Parents/students can simply click on https://hudson-oh.finalforms.com/; it’s the link that connects to required forms electronically using Final Forms—you may update/enter your information at your convenience. You will need your student’s 5-digit ID to login. We recommend holding off on the Code-of-Conduct/ Handbook sign-off until your student has it in his/her possession (loaded on everyone’s Chromebook!) More details regarding HCSD Communication can be found on the last page of this packet.

SCHOOL PICTURES LifeTouch Pictures will be at the high school on Friday, August 16th to take student pictures for the yearbook and for student ID cards (retakes on 10/22 just in case you’re planning to have the braces removed ). Students will receive a picture packet during homeroom on their first day of school that describes packages/prices. Each student must bring his/her package selection with payment to the photographer on Friday. (Seniors: the Prestige Photographic division of LifeTouch continues to offer a free sitting for senior portraits (Ghent

Square, Suite #6)—required to be included in the yearbook. For convenience, they also make it a point to accommodate seniors at HHS during the school year. “Special offer” postcards have been mailed home over the summer…phone: 1.800.589.6411)

STUDENT-PARENT HANDBOOKS (Planners) The Student-Parent Handbook will be pushed out to students’ Chromebooks on the first day of school. The Student-Parent Handbook is an important resource guide outlining school policies and procedures—most importantly, the Student Code of Conduct! We highly encourage and recommend a thorough review of the handbook; important topics of emphasis will be covered during homeroom time and in class meetings during the opening week. A parent/guardian sign-off is required once the document has been reviewed (this can be accomplished electronically via Final Forms . . . that process is outlined on the preceding page). The Code-of-Conduct is also available on the HHS website in the Handbook tab under “About Us.”

MORE ABOUT CHROMEBOOKS HHS is in our last year of our 1:1 Chromebook initiative—expect a transition to iPads in the 2020-21 school year. In the interim, HCSD supplies each student with a Chromebook for their educational use. Teachers will continue to utilize G Suite for Education as a learning management tool in our classrooms. As you may know, Chromebooks are laptop devices designed to be used primarily while connected to the Internet to utilize applications and documents “in the cloud." The integration of technology enhances opportunities for student research and project-based learning both in-class and at home. Our 1:1 program is designed to:

Expand and enhance educational opportunities for students Encourage integration of 21st-century technology skills throughout the learning process Use Google Classroom as the foundation for collaboration, transforming instruction and learning

The “most important” form of all is the Emergency Medical Authorization—without a completed form on file, students can be excluded from school after several reminders are sent home.

Provide students with access to anytime, anywhere learning by harnessing cloud-based applications to extend learning time beyond the school day.

Students in Hudson have been using Google Apps for Education and Chromebooks for the past several years. Providing students with the access to resources using their own device allows them to have access to resources outside of the classroom walls during the traditional school day. Students will be able to collaborate with their peers through tools such as Google Docs, Classroom, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail. These tools will also enable students to create, access, manage, integrate, and evaluate information in all subject areas. New last year was the introduction of Securly as our new Internet filter that replaces GoGuardian. With Securly, there’s a parent portal feature which will help parents stay informed regarding their student’s online activity.

OPEN HOUSE/NEW STAFF MEMBERS Besides our 400 or so incoming freshmen and students new to the high school this fall, we’ll be welcoming a couple of new staff members to the high school—as replacements for staff

who have left HHS. Please make it a priority to meet the entire teaching staff at our annual Open House.

Hudson High School Open House

Thursday, August 15th at 7:00 pm

(see Open House invitation & map towards the back of this packet).

SUNGARD (eSchool Plus) & HAC

The District maintains all of its student data and conducts business operations within the eSchoolPLUS system from SunGard. This comprehensive system provides one integrated solution for teachers and administrators to provide student support by having a 360-degree look at student information, assessment and curriculum. The software suite also is being used for the district’s finance and business operations. eSchoolPLUS also has a unique feature for parents called Home Access Center (HAC). This web accessible feature will make it easy for parents/students to access detailed information regarding student progress and other information provided by teachers/school. Student/parent login information remains the same from the previous year. For new students to HHS, HAC information will be made available during Orientation Day—or, parents can contact the main office (Cindy Benchek) and request HAC procedures/login access. HAC will be available on the 1st Day of School.

6-DISTRICT COMPACT STUDENTS HHS Compact students should follow the Hudson schedule for their academic classes in our building. All COMPACT students will be receiving information from the COMPACT office in the coming weeks. Here is a draft version of some important Career Program dates:

LUNCH & BREAKFAST Lunch periods on Monday, Tuesday and Friday are 4, 6 and 8. On Block Days (Wednesday & Thursday), however, students eat lunch with their respective classes—those days feature 3 lunch periods. For those who miss a meal/snack in the morning, breakfast is available after 7:30 am; and study hall students have access to the breakfast menu until 9:30 am each day. Those students who were on Free and Reduced Lunch for the previous year are eligible for the same benefits until October 1st of this year. A new application form is required each year and is available through the Food Service Website. Of particular interest to freshmen and new students is the “cashless” system whereby students pay for meals via their school account that is accessed

New Replacing Subject/area

Emily Barger Jan Neff Business

Cindy Benchek Angie Hagan Receptionist

Julia Carr Christine Radie English

Stephanie Crecelius Kaitlyn Coberly English/Language Arts

Cecilia Frammartino-Kotlyn

Doug Winston Counselor

Holly Lawrence Carie Wright Unit Principal Secretary

Meghann Mooney New Interventionist

Claudine Rightnour Amy Treend Guidance Secretary

Chad Saylor Nora Faul Mathematics

GRADE CARDS!!! A point of information worth remembering is that HHS Report Cards are printed and distributed only at the end of each semester; early January & mid-June! Students/parents may view and print 1st and 3rd quarter grade cards via HAC; and also stay current on homework/ grades/ daily attendance!

via their 5-digit school ID number . . . with lunch charges deducted from a cash balance deposited in advance. This system should help keep the free & reduced lunch information confidential and help speed up serving lines which equates into more time to eat! Here are additional details from the Food Services Department:

1. No changes this year in lunch prices! ($3.00 . . . we remain in the middle of the pack of similar districts). 2. Deposits to student lunch accounts can be made in person (check) or online at https://www.mypaymentsplus.com. Online

deposits are posted remarkably fast! 3. Families who believe they may qualify for free or reduced lunch and/or free breakfast will need to complete a form and turn it

in to the Food Services office. Parents can download this from the website (again, by mid-August) or stop by any building to get this form. (Families must meet the qualifications each year).

4. A hot breakfast will be available in the cafeteria for $2.00. It will meet the standards of the National Breakfast Program. Additional a la carte items (bagel bar, yogurt parfait, fruit, etc.) will also be available. Breakfast will be ready to be served from 7:30-9:30. We need one period to change the lines over for lunch so we’ll close the kitchen doors, but the snack bar will continue to be open so students can get something to eat every period.

5. Any updates to district wellness policies and links of interest will be on the “Nutrition” section of the website.

MYPAYMENTSPLUS

MyPaymentsPlus is our online service that will provide you with the convenience and information you need to manage all your student fees and lunch accounts. This comprehensive system is your one-stop-shop for all school payment needs, virtually eliminating the need for sending any cash or checks to school. The system uses the student-keyed school ID for identification at the cash register. Fees and accounts that can be paid and monitored on-line:

Lunches Accounts (balances, purchases, low-balance notifications)

Student Fees

Course Fees

Pay-to-Participate Fees

ActivityFeeMyPaymentsPlus will allow families to manage ALL student accounts online or via telephone at 888-665-7667 after creating a free, secure profile. Even if you don’t wish to pay online, we strongly encourage you to visit www.MyPaymentsPlus.com to create a profile. For a small fee, MyPaymentsPlus will allow families to:

Make a prepayment into student meal accounts, or into student fee accounts using a check, credit card, or debit card. Funds deposited through MyPaymentsPlus will be available for use within a matter of minutes. These payments can be made online or by calling 866-665-7667.

Create settings to automatically replenish student lunch accounts when a low balance is reached. The program fee for MyPaymentsPlus is 2% per total payment. For example, a $20.00 deposit would amount to a transaction fee of only $0.40.

ATTENDANCE REGULATIONS:

Policies governing students’ compulsory school attendance are established by the Ohio General Assembly and require parents to take responsibility for school attendance of their children. The State of Ohio Legislature passed HB 410 which specifically defines attendance in all of Ohio’s public schools. This new law used to require each school district to send a letter when there is an absence with or without a legitimate excuse. HB 410 requires if students are absent (with or without a legitimate excuse) for 38 or more hours in a month or 65 hours in a year then written notice must be provided to parents and, within seven (7) calendar days of the written notice, the absence must be reported to the State.

Again, HHS is now compelled by law to send courtesy letters regarding students’ attendance. As part of our school district procedures and attendance interventions, we are only able to accept 10 parent excusal notes per year for a student. After the ten parent excusals have been exhausted, students will be asked to bring in a doctor’s note for additional absences. Please see our Student Handbook for more information on our attendance policies. Furthermore, if you have a question about a specific attendance date, please call our attendance office: (330-653-1300). We want to work with families and help in any way we can. We look forward to partnering together to ensure that all students receive the best education possible. “Excused” absences are limited to: illness, medical/dental appointment, bereavement, religious observance or other emergency circumstance. Also, Hudson High School requires written verification following doctors’ appointments that cause students to miss instructional time; if a student was seen by a

physician, please send a note signed by the physician to our attendance office. Parents or guardians may call the physician’s office and have the excuse faxed to the attendance office (330-653-1368, Attention: Attendance). The attendance office is located at the “E” door entrance by the auditorium. All students should enter through the attendance office vestibule after the doors have locked. Tardy students will be issued a pass to class. Call out procedure: Parents should report their student’s absence by calling the attendance line (330-653-1300) as soon as possible in the morning. Students must sign in/out at the attendance office when arriving/leaving, which is where pick up is preferred. A parent does not need to enter the building to drop off/pick up the student if the attendance line has already been called. Last minute appointments: If an appointment is scheduled last minute, the call out procedure is the same. The quickest method to notify the attendance office is through the attendance line. If the student is unaware of the appointment, you may also call the main office and request a note be sent to the student. (330-653-1416). Students must sign in/out at the attendance office when arriving/leaving. Medical/Dental appointments: If an appointment is scheduled during the school day, the call out procedure is the same. The quickest method to notify the attendance office is through the attendance line. The student should stop by the attendance office in the morning to obtain a pass to give to the teacher. Verification from the doctor’s office is required upon the return to school for a medical or dental appointment to be excused.

UNDERSTANDING “FERPA” AND WHAT IS “DIRECTORY INFORMATION?” The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a Federal law, requires that the Hudson City School District obtain your written consent prior to disclosure of personally identifiable information, such as academic or medical information, from your child’s education records. However, Hudson Schools will disclose appropriately designated “directory information” without written consent, unless you have advised the district in writing that you do not want your child’s directory information disclosed. Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or personally invasive if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without a parent’s prior written consent. The primary purpose of directory information is to allow Hudson Schools to include or use this type of information in/or for all district publications or systems, multimedia, web and video programs; honor roll, graduation programs and not-for-profit organizations. Exceptions to the non-profit regulation include companies that provide class rings, caps & gowns, or are contracted to take school photos or publish yearbooks.

Parents who choose to use the written opt-out option available for directory information should understand that no information will be published about their student. In addition, if this is the preferred option, the request will permanently follow the student until the instructions are changed in writing. This includes alumni as well. The following information is designated by the Board as directory information: Student name, Participation in activities and sports, Parent name, Weight and Height of athletes, Address, Degrees, honors, awards, Telephone Number, Dates of attendance, Photos, Email Address, Grade level, Educational agencies or institutions attended recently, Date and place of Birth, and Major Field of study. Students participating in performance groups or athletics open to the general public are subject to any and all publicity. Public events are not protected under FERPA.

STUDENT ATTIRE

The HHS “Dress Code” continues to be an area of importance in the operation of our school. Our school dress code was established and recommended by a committee in the early 1960’s and was adopted by the Board of Education. Seriously, we regularly update our policy through a process that includes students and parents! The following are meant to be

REMINDER FOR SENIORS MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE REQUIREMENT The State of Ohio now requires all students entering the 12th grade to have a second dose of meningococcal vaccine. If the first dose was administered on or after the 16th birthday, a second dose is not required. Ohio allows parents who object to vaccines to opt out.

Dr. Rebecca Brady with the Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics said most instances of meningitis, the most common of the meningococcal diseases, can start out with flu-like symptoms, including a fever, headache or stiff neck. But within a day, the patient could be in an intensive-care unit. Dr. Bill Cotton, medical director of primary care for the Ohio chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said the state is behind on requiring immunizations; 36 other states require the vaccine for college admission. Cotton said that for the vaccination to be effective, two shots are needed. Brady added that the second shot is given a year before most students go to college, providing an extra layer of defense.

Students who do not provide documentation of these immunizations to the school this fall are subject to exclusion. Please contact the school clinic with questions or concerns.

guidelines of appropriate dress for school and to contribute to the positive atmosphere at our school. They are not intended to be comprehensive. When considering clothing for school, think about whether it is something you would wear to work, at a restaurant, retail store, or doctor’s office. The final decision about any dress code violation will rest with the building principals.

Allowable Dress & Grooming School dress and grooming should be similar to what would be appropriate for

an informal workplace or place of business. Shorts or skirts should be an appropriate length. Clothing must cover undergarments and private areas. Clothing covering undergarments and private areas must be opaque. Clothing must be suitable for all scheduled classroom activities including physical

education, science labs, wood shop, and other activities where unique hazards exist. Specialized courses may require specialized attire, such as sports uniforms or safety gear.

Special permission must be granted by Administration for hats, bandannas, etc. to be worn during the school day. Non-Allowable Dress & Grooming Clothing and accessories should not advertise or suggest drugs, alcohol, tobacco, illegal substances, weapons,

violence, profanity, hate speech, or obscenities. Hats, hoods, bandannas, and all other head coverings should not be worn in the building during the school day due to

school safety concerns. Head coverings are permitted for religious purposes. If the student’s attire or grooming threatens the health or safety of any other person, then discipline for this violation

will be consistent with discipline policies for similar violations. What will happen if I am sent to the office? Students sent to the office for a dress code violation will first be asked if they have something else to put on. The next

alternative will be to call a parent to bring a change of clothes from home. Our goal is to return students to the learning environment as quickly as possible, but students will not be permitted

to return to class until clothing is changed. A student may be sent to In-School Restriction while waiting for a parent to arrive or if they refuse to change

clothes. Repeat offenders may warrant additional disciplinary consequences. Final interpretations of appropriate dress and grooming reside with the building principal and/or his/her designees

PARKING PERMITS Via social media, many Explorer graduates have posted that if a heavy application of WD-40 lubricant spray is applied to their vehicles’ windows, the extra-sticky parking violation stickers we use at the high school won’t stick—and you can peel them off and stick them on Mr. Wilch’s truck in the staff parking lot. To combat this problem, we’re in negotiations with the Gorilla Glue folks, and the Gorilla, to devise a really stick glue for our parking violation stickers! Seriously, only licensed drivers in grades 10 - 12 are eligible to drive to school and are required to register their automobiles and purchase a parking permit (at a nominal cost of $25.00) from the Unit Principals’ Office. Parking Permits are non-transferrable—and please don’t photocopy someone else’s; we actually cross reference permit numbers to license plates! Lastly, do not pay $100 on Facebook Marketplace—you’ll get a much better deal from us! The procedure to apply for a permit is as follows:

Submit registration information via the school’s website (under “forms”)

Show proof of insurance and Driver’s License

Remit payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Unit Principals Office. Note: No permits will be issued unless the registration information is complete and your driver’s license picture is pleasant looking.

Note: 6-District COMPACT students’ HHS parking permits are valid at the other consortium high schools. Another Note: The distance from the farthest corner of the junior lot to the high school is about the same as from the baseball lot! Sophomores should remember that in two short years, they’ll be right next to the building!

Parking Permits will be mailed to your home using the self-addressed stamped envelope the week prior to school—if we mail them sooner, students lose them! Please review the rules and regulations, then keep the parking permit in a safe place until school starts—replacements will cost an additional $25.00!

COUNSELING & SCHEDULING Scheduling conflicts for 2019-20 were resolved last May. We hope that all required subjects and the correct elective courses were accessible—scheduled classes should correspond with the course verification form you signed in the spring. Sorry, we do not make schedule changes to accommodate teacher preference. Freshmen and new students will receive a final copy of their schedule during Orientation Day on August 14th. Others will receive the finalized version of their schedule during homeroom on August 15th. Any student with a significant scheduling concern or omission should make an appointment with their school counselor. Counselors are assigned by the students’ last names. Here’s the breakdown:

A – Co ............................ Cecilia Frammartino-Kotlyn Cp - G ................................................ Kelsey Haggerty H- Li .............................................................. Jill Okey Lj- Pe ............................................. Nicole Carmichael Pf – Sp ........................................... Jennifer Chadima Sq - Z ................................................. Shelley Laudato Secretaries .......... Linda Golden & Claudine Rightnour

ATHLETIC CONFERENCE: SUBURBAN-NATIONAL LEAGUE The Hudson High School Explorers are proud members of the Suburban Conference (large school member of the National League division—the primary benefit being proximity of rival schools). Opponents include: Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Brecksville-Broadview Hts, North Royalton,

Twinsburg, Nordonia and Wadsworth. The Suburban League offers greater opportunities for fan following, less travel, and competition against similar schools in academic standing. Here’s an important requirement for all OHSAA sports: A parent or guardian must attend an informative, pre-season meeting hosted by new AD, Mike Chuppa and the athletic department . . . or their son/daughter is denied participation. On the topic of athletics, one of the most confusing aspects of competing in interscholastic athletics is in the area of Eligibility. As a review—The Ohio High School Athletic Association rules state that High School Students

must have received passing grades in a minimum of five (5) one-credit courses, or the equivalent, in the preceding grading period—SUMMER SCHOOL DOES NOT COUNT in establishing eligibility! For incoming freshmen: A student enrolled in the first grading period after advancement from the eighth grade must have passed a minimum of five of all subjects carried the preceding grading period in which the student was enrolled. For eligibility calculations, do NOT include any PE courses—they only carry half the credit! Exam, semester and final grades have no effect on

eligibility—just quarter grades! The biggest issue at HHS is the student-athlete’s lack of credits in a grading period if students/parents mistakenly include a PE course as a full-credit course—PE is only .125 credits per quarter so don’t count it! If you have any additional questions check out the OHSAA web site at www.ohsaa.org or contact our athletic office. Attention potential NCAA student-athletes: Be sure to look at your high school’s list of NCAA-approved core courses on the Eligibility Center's website to make certain that courses being taken at Hudson High School have been approved as core courses. The Web site is www.eligibilitycenter.org. For more information regarding the rules, please go to www.NCAA.org. Click on “Academics and Athletes,” then “Eligibility and Recruiting.” Or visit the Eligibility Center website: www.eligibilitycenter.org. Call if you have questions: Toll-free number: 877.262.1492.

The unit principal assignments are as follows: Corey Hoynacke .................... Sophomores & Seniors P - Z Maureen Schreiner .............. Freshmen & Seniors Han - O Mike Miller ............................... Juniors & Seniors A - Ham

Holly Lawrence .............. Unit Principals Secretary

A WORD ABOUT SCHOOL SUPPLIES: At the high

school level students have varied schedules with a multitude of options regarding classes and instructors. As such, HHS does not publicize a “master list” of school supplies required for the start of school. Instead, students should formulate their supply list the first week of school as directed by their classroom teachers. To be safe, students should arrive the first day with pen and paper—and a pleasant and enthusiastic disposition!

The HHS Bookstore will be available during lunch periods daily! Supplies and required supplemental texts can be handled through the bookstore (adjacent to the commons). VIP volunteers are needed for the first few weeks of school!

Did You Know? The OHSAA does NOT accept grades earned in summer school to be used to determine eligibility! Grades from the 4th quarter only (not exam or final grades) are used to determine eligibility for the following fall sports season!

High School Athletes must have a valid physical on file before participation! Please log-in, register, and complete the pre-participation physical form from Final Forms: https://hudson.finalforms.com. Print the completed form (3 pps) and take to your sports physical appointment. Return completed form(s) to your coach or the Athletic Office.

FLEX PASS PROVISIONS The HHS Flex Pass program affords juniors and seniors the privilege of leaving

the building during study hall periods. Flex Pass Privileges are awarded based on the following criteria from the previous quarter:

o Passing Grades

o Behavior/citizenship

o Attendance (no more than 3 absences per qtr)

o Sufficient credits (junior or senior status) o In “good standing” with fees/fines/obligations

o Updated/current “Final Forms” Most enjoying this privilege in the past will continue to do so. Regarding the attendance standard . . . Please know also that all public high schools used to have an attendance target prescribed by the Ohio Department of Education that was shared on the Local Report Card and counted as one of the 12 “Indicators” to earn an “Excellent” designation. That target is 93%. So if we “do the math”, 7% of 180 days = a maximum average of 12.6 days per year … divide that by four quarters, and we’re left with just 3 absences (excused or unexcused)—that’s where we got our target. We know that students get ill, and with concerns about the flu, we certainly want sick students to stay at home—so students exceeding the attendance target in any quarter can appeal, provide the appropriate rationale, and then have Flex Pass Privileges reinstated! Flex Pass applications will be processed beginning the second day of school! Lastly, here’s a reminder that the Flex Pass privilege is NOT intended for students to roam the halls during instructional time!

TUESDAY “EXPLORER” PERIOD

Many high schools struggle to provide a regular time for intervention opportunities so students can get the help they need. By law, schools must provide opportunities for intervention for struggling learners—a strategy called RtI (Response to Intervention). This concept should not be confused with Special Education—those provisions/accommodations already work for Special Needs students—we’re targeting regular education students who struggle and need some extra time to be successful. What schools struggle with is finding time to provide these interventions (transportation limitations before/after school, conflicts with work/sports/clubs, etc). Our “Explorer Period” occurs every Tuesday and is analogous to “office hours” in a collegiate setting—all teachers are available to assist students! Students who are carrying a D+ average or lower will be assigned to intervention with their respective teachers; students who simply fail to do their classwork/homework are assigned to a supervised study hall. Others who simply need clarification, support or who have missed instructional time are also welcome to see their teachers. Other activities will be scheduled during this time block each week, including Freshmen Mentoring sessions and Guidance workshops. Students can simply choose to study in the Media Center, hang out with friends in the Commons, or work off some energy in the main/auxiliary gym. The bottom line is that students who need help will have time each week to get the assistance they need to be successful!

HHS DAILY SCHEDULES While we’re sharing schedules, here are the other days of the week (note that there are no block days the first week of school). The first “block day” is Wednesday, August 21st; students aren’t required to be in school until 9:35!

Tuesdays Period Time

1 8:00 - 8:45

2 Announcements

8:50 - 9:40

3 9:45 - 10:30

Explorer Period

10:35 – 11:05

4 11:10 – 11:40

5 11:45 - 11:55

6 12:00 - 12:30

7 12:35 – 12:45

8 12:50 - 1:20

9 1:25 – 2:10

10 2:15 - 3:00

Monday, Friday Period Time

1 8:00 - 8:50

2 8:55 - 9:50 Announcements 3 9:55 - 10:45

4 10:50 - 11:20

5 11:25 - 11:40

6 11:45 - 12:15

7 12:20 - 12:35

8 12:40 - 1:10

9 1:15 – 2:05

10 2:10 - 3:00

Wednesday 3 Classes

Thursday 4 Classes

Period Time Details Period Time Details

Teacher PLC Meetings 1 8:00 – 9:30

2 9:35 – 11:10 3 9:35 – 11:10 Announcements

4/5

or

5/6

11:15 – 1:25

L1: 11:15 – 11:45 L2: 12:05 – 12:35 L3: 12:55 – 1:25

6/7

or

7/8

11:15 – 1:25

L1: 11:15 – 11:45 L2: 12:05 – 12:35 L3: 12:55 – 1:25

9 1:30 – 3:00 10 1:30 – 3:00

Flex Passes are valid for all five days of the week. Parental

Permission is required!

EMAIL COMMUNICATION TO/FROM TEACHERS Email’s a great communication tool but when teachers share student information electronically, there is a slight degree of risk that an unintended party could receive confidential information—you’ve probably seen disclaimers at the end of email messages or on FAX coversheets that address this shortcoming. Because of this risk, we want to make sure parents and guardians are knowledgeable and comfortable with email limitations and in acceptance, that you initiate the first electronic communication. Our building expectation is that we reply the same day or next (let an administrator know if this isn’t the case)!

DROP OFF/PICK UP INFORMATION Student drop-off at Hudson High School goes relatively smoothly because not all 1,575 students arrive at the same time—the same can’t be said for dismissal! For optimal safety, please drop-off students adjacent to the curb—not in an outside lane. From my observations, traffic seems to flow better when folks use their turn signals…including the school buses! In the morning, vehicles entering the front of the building have a choice of either lane as the front loop is “one way” only—and there’s plenty of room to get over to the right once you’re up by the front entrance (labeled B). Again, drop students at the curb—too often, drivers are looking toward their drop-off instead of looking ahead as they pull out—and that could prove disastrous! At dismissal, please avoid the front loop of the high school from 2:45 – 3:10 pm. We have approximately 30 buses either lined up or in route from the Middle School—and they don’t pull out until 3:09 pm. That could translate into a cloud of diesel fumes if you happen to get caught in the line-up—not to mention the impact on where the buses fall in the line-up grid if you’re “in their space.” Some students get real confused when the bus isn’t in the same location each day (something to do with them all being the same color). Instead of the front loop, parents can pick up students at the Auditorium entrance off of Stow Road; but with the concentration of student traffic, it’s not the best scenario. It’s how it is at most high schools! Probably the best plan would be to avoid the rush altogether and coordinate a pick-up time at or after 3:15 pm! And please avoid the Hudson United Methodist Church Parking Lot; that’s private property and they run a day-care/preschool program during the day . . . no student pick-ups!

PLANNING A VACATION DURING SCHOOL TIME? Although we discourage family trips scheduled during school days, inevitably, some dates simply don't work out and conflicts arise. Family time is important in the development of adolescents--and if your teen actually wants to travel with parents on a family vacation, you're ahead of the curve! In addition to having your teen complete the Planned Absence Report found on our website or in the main office prior to the absence, here are a couple of general tips:

Schedule trips to avoid planned testing. o For HHS, these dates would include "Test Day" on October 16th o AIR testing: December 3rd – 16th (1st semester Gov students, make-ups & those needing higher scores) o ACT State-required test for Juniors: March 10th o AIR testing in the spring (April 8th – 19th) o AP Testing (May 4th-15th) o Final exams (May 20th-22nd)

Contact/inform teachers2 weeks prior to departure (email works great). Plan time for homework or projects due upon returning Pace the trip to avoid tiring out your student Budget time after the return for your student to catch up--based on the

length of the absence, extra time before/after school may be required Offer to have the student make a presentation pertinent to course content upon returning

Planned Absence Form: To be returned to the attendance office with signatures prior to departure. Semester and Final Exams are not administered early—they must be made up after returning from the trip and per teacher arrangement.

COMMUNICATION TIPS

Hudson City Schools shares its online capabilities that enable parents to update both annual and on-going registration and emergency phone contact information for receiving automated calls. The Emergency Medical Authorization form, Acceptable Technology Use form, and Student Handbook sign-off form are now available online.

Automated Phone Call Registration: The Hudson City School District has opened a new online parent portal to Blackboard Connect. This new system provides parents/guardians the opportunity to enter four contact numbers in the District’s automated phone calling system. The automated phone calling system is used for building principal updates, flow lunch balances, event reminders, school cancellation announcements, and other school emergency calls which are generated from this system. Parents will also be able to register for text messages via this communication tool as well. Contact phone numbers currently in our database from new student registration or the previous school year will remain in the system until updates are made by parents/guardians.

How to I register online for the auto call system? Click on the link below. You will need your student’s 5-digit ID on hand. For families new to Hudson, your student’s ID number can be found in the informational letter coming soon from the district. Parents may also contact their student’s building main office for this information.

Blackboard Connect Auto Calls: How to Register Register: https://hcsd.bbcportal.com/

How do I complete my annual forms online? Some parents may be familiar with the Final Forms application through our athletics program. Final Forms is a company that provides secure online registration of student forms needed by the school district. Parents/Guardians will now be able to complete the Emergency Medical Form, Acceptable Technology Use Form, and the Handbook sign off form with just a few clicks. This will enable families with more than one child to edit the names and birthdates on each form instead of filling out multiple forms for each child. These are annual forms that must be completed by August 29th.

Final Forms link: https://hudson-oh.finalforms.com/ How do I receive District, school and classroom news, announcements and important information via email? The Hudson City School district website provides up-to-date District, school and classroom news, announcements and important information, such as school emergency or high priority information that parents need. To receive email notices, parents may Register and Subscribe to specific information that is needed at How to Register and Subscribe to Information on the website.

FOR OUR MILITARY FAMILIES

You’ll be proud to know that Hudson High School was recently recognized by the Ohio Department of Education with a Purple Star Award. The Purple Star designation recognizes schools that meet important criteria for serving military-connected children and families. Much more information can be found under the “For Families” tab of our website.

FINALLY . . . If any of us at Hudson High School can be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact us at the

appropriate phone number (listed previously) or check the webpage for information/email addresses. Our offices are open from 7:00 AM until 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. If you’re a returning student who feels anxious not knowing your schedule, stop in to the counseling office and we can print a copy and walk/talk you through your schedule.

And specifically for our incoming freshmen and students new to HHS, if you have any concerns or questions that need answers right away, please don’t hesitate to email me at wilchb@hudson.edu, call my office at 330.653.1416, x3483, or even call my cell phone at 440.724.0772. I am committed to making sure your transition to Hudson High School is as seamless as possible!

Thanks for reading! Sincerely,

Brian D. Wilch, Principal Twitter: @BDWilch

Fall Calendar:

8/5/19 Fall Sports Parent Orientation/OHSAA/NCAA Meeting

Aud, 7:00 pm (Mandatory for fall participation)

8/14/19 Freshman/New Student Welcome Day Only freshmen & students new to HHS attend opening day

8/15/19 First day for ALL students No block days 1st week!

8/15/19 High School Open House 7:00 pm, begin in 1st period classrooms

9/2/19 Labor Day No School!

9/23/19 Financial Aid Night 7:00 pm, Auditorium

9/27-28/19 Homecoming Weekend Pep Assembly, Homecoming Football, Homecoming Dance

10/5/19 Distinction Hall of Fame Induction Commons/Auditorium, 8:45 am

10/7/19 NHS Induction 7:00 pm, Auditorium

10/10/19 End of first grading period! 41 days

10/11/19 Professional Development/Records Day for staff No school for students!

10/14/19 Selective College Admissions & ACT Prep Seminar All day, Auditorium

10/16/19 “Test Day” Pre-Act (9th), PSAT (10th & 11th)

10/23-24/19 Parent Conferences HHS, 5:00 pm-9:00 pm

10/25/19 No School

11/27-29/19 Thanksgiving Recess No School

HHS OPEN HOUSE: AUGUST 15TH

You are invited to attend Hudson High School’s annual Open House on Thursday evening, August 15, at 7:00 pm. By meeting the staff at the onset of the school year, we hope to promote timely and effective communication while extending an excellent opportunity for you to learn about the high school and, most importantly, your student’s educational program. With regard to communication, please know that we are committed to addressing any concerns as they arise—we’d prefer timely communication of issues rather than delaying to Parent Conference held later in October—and, we will try our best to reply to voicemails or emails the same day or next! Regarding email, we acknowledge that it’s a great

communication tool but when teachers share student information electronically, there is a slight degree of risk that an unintended party could receive confidential information. Because of this risk, we want to make sure parents and guardians are knowledgeable and comfortable with email limitations and that in acceptance, you initiate the first electronic communication.

Open House begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. Parents are asked to report to their student’s first period class upon arrival. Remember to bring your student’s schedule using the template at the bottom of this page and map so you’ll know where to go each period. Have your student complete the schedule by entering course titles, teachers’ names and room for the first semester. Don’t be concerned about getting lost; we’ll have staff and student leaders located throughout the building to provide directions. You’ll want to wear comfortable shoes as the building consists of over 350,000 square feet and has three levels; and given the abbreviated schedule, you may feel like you’re competing in a track meet!

Don’t worry about study halls or lunch—there are a few informational tables in the commons for your perusal or since the periods aren’t that long, you can simply take a breather! Announcements will be made during the first period class. Once we finish with announcements, your first period teacher will present an overview of their course—and then we’re off and running! You will follow your son/daughter’s schedule throughout an abbreviated 7-period day. The evening’s compact schedule will preclude any individual conferences with teachers, but you may take the opportunity to make appointments to meet with teachers, counselors or administrators at any time.

You may schedule times for our first semester Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 23rd & 24th from 5:30 – 8:50 pm later this semester by registering via PTCFast.com. This online process will make it more convenient for parents to sign up for conferences. We will be posting a link to our conference page on our website once we are ready to start scheduling conferences.

In summary, Open House is intended for the parents/guardians; therefore, students are not expected to attend (the halls get very crowded as our Open House is typically well-attended). We hope that every student can be represented by at least one parent/guardian and that you will have an enjoyable and informative visit. Given that the staff lot is usually at capacity with teachers’ cars, you’ll want to know that parking is available in the student parking lots. Handicap parking is available in all parking lots. Again, please add this event to your calendar and we look forward to seeing you on Thursday, August 15th.

PERIOD TIME CLASS ROOM TEACHER

1st + Announcements 7:00-7:15

2nd 7:20-7:30

3rd 7:35-7:45

4th/5th or 5th/6th 7:50-8:00

6th/7th or 7th/8th 8:05-8:15

9th 8:20-8:30

10th 8:35-8:45

Don’t forget to include the letter (wing) preceding the room number (i.e.: A-212)!

NEVER GIVE UP THE SHIP!