The Hornet's Sting Volume 1, Issue 9

The Hornet’s STING!

Volume 1, Issue #9

Hello! Thank you so much for your enduring support and enthusiasm for our program at Hillside High School! The Hornet’s STING returns after a one week hiatus with outstanding news about “What’s Good” at Hillside High School!

First, we are pleased to announce that your student will bring home their first grading period report card on Thursday, October 29, 2009! As I advised in the last STING, our first grading period ended on Friday, October 23, 2009. We had A LOT going on that day, as it was not only the final day of the grading period, but also the end of our Homecoming/Spirit Week festivities! We capped off a great first nine weeks with a Spirit Assembly that recognized our students, student-athletes, band, and faculty and staff, and we were joined by our special invited guest, Mr. Brian Dawson of WQOK-97.5 FM!

Second, attached to the student report card will be Hillside’s North Carolina School Report Card! As you may be aware, the North Carolina School Report Card contains valuable data about the academic performance of every public school in North Carolina. Please be sure to examine this document very carefully, and please be sure to visit the report card website at www.ncschoolreportcards.com, and click on the 2008-2009 school year to view the most recent data!

Third, I am very pleased to announce that the Hillside Marching Hornets performed exceptionally well at the state band championship competition this past weekend! Results are as follows:

• HHS STATE CHAMPIONS DANCERS!
• HHS STATE CHAMPIONS MAJORETTES!
• HHS 2^nd Place Music!
• HHS 2^nd Place General Effect!
• HHS 2^nd Place Flags!
• HHS 2^nd Place Drum Majors!
• HHS 2^nd Place Marching!
• HHS 1^st Place Percussion!
• HHS 2^nd Place Overall Band in Class AAA!

Congratulations to our Hillside Hornets Marching Band under the leadership of Mr. Xavier Cason and the participation of over 100 outstanding young men and women!

Fourth, I am pleased to announce that we are hosting Junior Night on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 in our Dining Hall, and would LOVE for you to attend! The purpose of Junior Night is to provide our juniors and their parents with valuable information such as ACT/SAT preparation, the planning process for post-secondary education, and registration information for spring semester and senior year classes. We are meeting at 6:00 p.m. in our Dining Hall and hope to see you there!

Fifth, I am excited about the prospects for our 2^nd grading period of the academic year, which begins on October 27 and ends with final exams in mid-January! Once again, the focus will be on quality instruction and academic accountability. In order for us to achieve our goals, however, we have to provide a disciplined instructional environment that is free of distractions, disruptions, and is one that features wise use of every second of instructional time. PLEASE join us in insisting that our students understand, grasp, and appreciate the concept of punctuality and consistent attendance to school! We have too many students who are missing valuable days of school, and too many who are tardy to school and/or to classes. We do not wish to have any student have or develop the misguided idea that it is okay to arrive late to ANYTHING, and it is important that all of us send this crucial message to our students that on time in reality means 5 minutes early!

Until next time,

HDL