Wednesday, December 19, 2012

HW is collecting for Toys for Tots

The U.S. Marines will be at Hanford West High School Dec. 20 to collect for Toys for Tots. Students, staff and community members can bring new, unwrapped toys to the HW Career Center at any time before then to make a donation. Help spread that holiday Cheer to those that can not afford to.

Monday, December 17, 2012

School Safety

A Message from the Superintendent:

We are all deeply saddened by the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. As a parent and as an educator, my heart is heavy as I think of the innocent lives stolen and the valiant efforts of school staff and public safety professionals to protect the students entrusted to their care. Please join me in keeping the students and families of the Sandy Hook community in your thoughts as they begin their healing process.

Even as we all mourn for the victims in Connecticut, we know that you will also be thinking about the safety and security of our own students and schools.

I want to reassure you that student safety remains our highest priority. Our prevention and preparation procedures, regular training and drills, and our strong partnership with local law enforcement and with you, our families and community, are designed to help us identify and respond to any potential safety risks.
  • Hanford Police Officers serve as School Resource Officers at our schools, maintaining a presence at our campuses, investigating school related incidents, and being available to students and staff as needed. 
  • Administrative staff are vigilant about supervising students during the school day and all staff and students are trained and drill regularly about how to respond to all kinds of emergency situations, including situations involving an active shooter. 
  • HJUHSD has a strict expectation that all visitors on campus check in at the front office. Visitor badges are one way to identify who should, and shouldn’t, be on campus.
  • A Campus Safety Tip Line has been set up for each school. Students, parents, staff and community members are encouraged to report any safety concerns to school officials or law enforcement. Please note that these are not intended to be an emergency contact number, but rather a tip-reporting resource:
    • HWHS: 559.584.4347 / Text: 559.549.4947
    • HHS: 559.583.7877  / Text: 559.492.8477
    • SPHS: 559.583.5915 / Text: 559.460.7747
    • EFJ: 559.582.1515 / Text: 585-1515
As we learn more about exactly what happened in Connecticut, we will be discussing how we might improve our own safety procedures. Awareness will continue to be one of our best preventative tools. The simple observations and actions of alert individuals can and have prevented tragedies in many communities. If you are aware of any suspicious activity or potential threats, please report them to your school staff or to law enforcement immediately. 

There is no easy way to come to terms with a tragedy like this. Our teachers, counselors and school professionals are available to support the emotional needs of our students and families this week. The American Psychological Association and the National Association of School Psychologists recommend that parents encourage children to talk about their thoughts and feelings and to reassure them of their own safety. It is also recommended to limit children's exposure to media coverage of such tragedies. You can visit the sites above for more help and resources.

Sadly, there are no absolute safe havens in our world. But our dedicated and caring teachers and staff members strive every day to provide a safe environment where all students can learn and grow. We will continue to protect and nurture our students as we all move forward from this horrific tragedy.

Thank you for being a part of our school community and for your support of our students, staff and each other. 

William L. Fishbough
Superintendent


Our flags will fly at half-staff today and tomorrow in memory of the victims at Sandy Hook.
Our thoughts are with these families.

 Source: New York Times


Thursday, December 13, 2012

FINALS WEEK is Dec. 18-21

HJUHSD Semester Exams will be December 18 through 21.

Hanford High School, Hanford West High School, Sierra Pacific High School and Earl F. Johnson High School will all have modified bell schedules for the week, with early release on Dec 19, 20 and 21.

Schools will have normal start and end times on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, school will start at 7:45 a.m. and students will be released early - at 11:25 a.m. for Earl F. Johnson and at 12:15 p.m. for all other schools.

Please make sure students are well-rested, have a good breakfast, and are at school on time every day, especially during this last week of classes and assessments.

First Semester Final Exams Schedules:

HHS, HWHS, SPHS

EFJ




Tuesday, December 11, 2012

HHS Choral Concert is Dec 18

The Hanford High School Choral Music program will present it's Winter Concert on at 7 p.m. December 18 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. The holiday music concert will feature the Men's Choir, Women's Choir, Advanced Women's Ensemble, Chamber Singers and soloists. Admission is $5 at the door.


Friday, December 7, 2012

HHS, SPHS drama present "A Christmas Carol"

Hanford High School and Sierra Pacific High School drama students will present, A Christmas Carol at 7 p.m. Dec. 19, 20 and 21 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center

This family friendly show is a delightfully refreshing version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, from a new perspective: Combining a traditional retelling of A Christmas Carol as a play-within-a-play.

Revelations brought by visiting his past, present and future with three ghosts persuade Scrooge to turn his life around. In this beautifully written adaptation, you’ll find all of the classic Charles Dickens characters, including Scrooge, Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s sister Fan and even his long-lost Belle. The play ends uniquely with a heartwarming surprise.

Tickets are $5. Additional information is available by contacting Mrs. Payoyo at mpayoyo@hjuhsd.k12.ca.us

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Don't miss the HW Choir Winter Concert Friday

The Hanford West Choir will present a Winter Concert at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

HHS presents "Sounds of the Season" Thursday

The Hanford High Jazz and Concert Band will present it's holiday concert, "Sounds of the Season 2012" at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. Admission is free, but donations are always welcome.

Monday, December 3, 2012

First Semester Final Exam Schedule

HJUHSD Semester Exams will be December 18 through 21. Hanford High School, Hanford West High School and Sierra Pacific High School will all have modified bell schedules for the week, with early release on Dec 19, 20 and 21.

Click here to download the full First Semester Final Exams Schedule 

Click here for Earl F. Johnson High School's Bell Schedule.



HW Jazz Concert TONIGHT!

The Hanford West High School Winter Jazz Showcase is TONIGHT at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. The concert begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Hope to see you there!

Friday, November 30, 2012

Give Blood at HHS Dec. 7


Hanford High School 
 Partnership Academy

BLOOD DRIVE

Friday, December 7, 2012 
8 a.m. - Noon

HHS West Gym 

Students 16 and older 
Open to the public



Thursday, November 29, 2012

HJUHSD introduces course changes to reduce crowding

The Hanford Joint Union High School District will be making changes to course offerings in the 2013-2014 school year, Superintendent William Fishbough announced this week.

Specifically, these changes will affect AVID courses, Honors courses and AP courses.

The District will host an informational meeting about these changes for parents, students, staff and other interested community members at 5:30 p.m. December 3 at the District Office, 823 W. Lacey Boulevard. 

“The purpose behind these changes is to allow our schools to offer all of our students improved educational opportunities,” Fishbough said.

These curriculum changes will create a more flexible “master schedule” – the logistical “road map” the district uses to plan when, where and how all courses are offered throughout the school day, Fishbough said, which will help balance course enrollment.

“Year after year of cuts to school funding at the state level have made it harder and harder for schools to offer all of the classes our students need to prepare them for college and careers,” he said. “We have more and more classes that are over-crowded, which is not a good learning environment. We need to look at ways to plan our class schedules to be able to place all students in the courses they want and need and to ensure that, when they are in those courses, they are getting the best education we can offer.”

Fishbough said district and school administrators looked at the ways other high schools have approached these problems, but that their main focus in responding to diminishing resources was to preserve the quality of curriculum.

“We need to balance our classes and get students into the courses they need,” he said, “but not at the expense of being able to give all of our students a well-rounded academic program.”

To that end, the District will be making changes in 4 areas in the coming school year:

AVID COURSES

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) courses will no longer be offered.

AVID is a college-readiness course that focuses on a specific demographic of students. It’s primarily designed to serve students in the “academic middle” – students who are earning Bs and Cs and who have not made college a priority, but who have been identified as having the potential to stretch their academic abilities and goals.

Currently, only about 100 students per year, per school can take advantage of the AVID course, Fishbough said. Under the new model, the “best parts” of the program will be offered to all students.

“The AVID program offers several valuable strategies and practices,” Fishbough said. “So, while we will be eliminating the ‘AVID classes’, we will not be throwing the baby out with the bathwater – instead we’ll expand those strategies to reach out to even more students.”

Elements of the AVID curriculum will be embedded into the Freshman “Success 101” class (which was previously a required course, but which will now be offered as an elective) and other courses. Schools will also work on expanding communication with all students and families about college and career opportunities.

HONORS COURSES 

Honor courses will no longer offer “weighted” credit, but the “Honors” designation and curriculum will remain unchanged.

Honors course are designed to offer students the opportunity to take higher-level curriculum. In the past, Honors courses offered the potential to earn additional course credits – and therefore a higher potential overall Grade Point Average (GPA) – than the district’s “standard” college-preparatory courses.

“Again, this is driven by our Master Schedule restraints,” Fishbough said. “Specific Honors courses offered and how many sections per day will be available will be driven by student interest and scheduling availability. Eliminating the extra credit for Honors courses levels the playing field: Students who choose different priorities for their class schedules will not be penalized in their overall GPA.”

AP COURSES 

Class credits and course offerings for Advanced Placement (AP) courses will also change.

AP courses are designed to prepare students to take Advanced Placement tests offered by The College Board for the opportunity to earn college credit.

Fishbough said the District is committed to continuing to offer as many AP classes as possible, provided that there is a minimum of 25 students enrolled in the course, an AP qualified teacher available, and curriculum that is pre-approved by The College Board.

“I wish we could give every student every class they wish to take, but the fiscal reality is that we just can’t afford to run a class that only has a dozen students in it,” Fishbough said.

For AP class credit, only students who earn a proficient or advanced score on the HJUHSD district-wide final exam will earn “weighted” credit for the course (a .02 “bump” per semester over the baseline credit).

The District also highly recommends that all AP students take the corresponding College Board AP Test, but that will continue to be optional and decided by each student and their family.

“ADVANCED” COURSES 

The “advanced” label will be removed from several courses.

The district offers several courses that were labeled as ‘advanced’ for a variety of reasons in the past. But those courses offer college-preparation level curriculum for specific grade levels – not the higher-level curriculum offered in AP and Honors courses.

“This is primarily a language clean-up,” Fishbough said. “Eliminating the ‘advanced’ title from courses that don’t offer higher-level curriculum will further simplify the overall Master Schedule process and allow us to schedule students into classes according to their needs.”

The exception will be the “English 1 Advanced” course, which does offer more advanced curriculum and therefore will retain the title.

LEARN MORE 

Parents and students with questions or concerns are encouraged to attend the informational meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the District Office, 823 W. Lacey Boulevard.

Fishbough will share information about these changes and be available to answer general questions. Parents with more specific questions about their students’ classes and schedules will be able to make appointments with their principals to discuss those in detail.

Those who cannot attend Monday’s meeting are encouraged to contact their school principal or Fishbough with their questions or concerns.

“We want to make sure our parents and students, including our incoming freshmen for next year, understand our challenges and our goals and have the opportunity to share their concerns with us,” Fishbough said.
 
  

Congratulations to the HJUHSD Employees of the Year!

Please join us in congratulating the following employees on being selected as the Hanford Joint Union High School District Employees of the Year:

TEACHER OF THE YEAR
NANCY NAGATANI, HANFORD HIGH 

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 
NANCY WEST, HANFORD WEST

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR 
RENEE CREECH, DISTRICT OFFICE 

Each of these outstanding staff members will also be nominated in their category to represent Hanford Joint Union High School District in the Kings County Excellence in Education Awards in April.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

SPHS Book Fair is Dec. 3-7


Join us for the Sierra Pacific High School Book Fair 
from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily 
December 3 through 7 at the SPHS Library!


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

GED test update will affect local students

Students working toward their GED have one year to finish the test before the current version expires.

The current version of the GED test, known as the 2002 Series GED test, will expire at the end of 2013 and will be replaced with the new 2014 GED test on January 2, 2014.

Those who have taken the 2002 Series GED test, but not passed all five parts, have until the end of 2013 to pass or they will need to start over again in 2014 with the new GED test in order to receive their high school credentials.

“The GED test opens doors to college, better jobs, the respect adults deserve, and the satisfaction of earning a high school credential,” said Ryann Huddleston, Testing Coordinator of Hanford Adult School. “So we want to be sure that everyone is aware of this deadline. GED test-takers must act now to finish and pass before the current test expires.”

Interested GED test-takers can find more information at finishtheGED.com.
“Support is available, right here in Hanford,” said Gary Marr, Principal of Hanford Adult School. “We can help adult learners get prepared to take the parts of the GED test they still need to pass. We want you to succeed!”


A few important tips you should know about testing in Hanford before the end of 2013:
  • Tests are given once a month at Hanford Adult School. 
  • The cost of the GED Test is $150 for all 5 subjects or $30 per individual subject.
  • The last month to take the current version of the GED test is November 2013. 
“To anyone who has already started the GED test, your future is calling. By passing the GED test, you can answer that call,” said Randy Trask, president and CEO of GED Testing Service. “You owe it to yourself. Don’t miss the chance to turn one small step into your next big opportunity in life.”

The GED test has opened doors to better jobs and college programs for more than 18 million graduates since 1942. Last year nearly 800,000 adults sat for the GED test, which is accepted by virtually all U.S. colleges and employers. Learn more at GEDtestingservice.com.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Sierra Pacific Green and Gold Christmas Tree Gala is December 2

Please join the Sierra Pacific High School Athletic Boosters for the first Green and Gold Christmas Tree Gala at 2 p.m. December 2 at the Kings Fairgrounds Wine Garden.

Enjoy a Christmas Tree raffle and silent auction along with gourmet coffees, hot cider, hors d'oeuvres, petit fours a vintage holiday train, and performances by the SPHS Jazz Bands.

Tickets are $25, which includes 5 chance tickets. Additional chance tickets will be available at the event for $5 for 10 tickets. Tickets are available by contacting Marty Verhoeven at 559-410-2420 or other SPHS Booster Club members. 



Friday, November 9, 2012

HH Book Fair: Reading All-Stars

Join us for the annual Hanford High Scholastic Book Fair Nov. 9 through 16 in the Hanford High Library from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.

Monday, October 29, 2012

First "Hanford Band Showcase" is November 7

HJUHSD Bands will unite for the inaugural Hanford Band Showcase at 7 p.m. November 7 at the Jacob L. Neighbor Bowl.

The marching bands from Hanford High School, Hanford West High School and Sierra Pacific High School will all perform their 2012 field shows. Admission is free and snack and beverages will be available for purchase.


Friday, October 26, 2012

HHS band serves up take-home turkey dinners for election night

The Hanford High School Band program is selling tickets for it's annual Election Night Turkey Take-Out Dinner.

 The dinner includes a generous serving of turkey from Raven's Deli, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce and a roll all for $10.

 Tickets are available from HHS band or color guard members or by contacting Band Director Janet Levine. Dinners will be available for pick up from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. November 6 at the HHS Cafeteria.


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

HW presents musical performances from Broadway, Disney

Join Hanford West High School for an evening of musical theater this week!

The HW music department will present scenes from The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and Wicked at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. General admission is $5, Student admission is $3.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Message from your School Nurse

Dear Parents,

Please know that I am available to assist your student with any health care concerns they may face during the school year.

Communication is the key to keeping our students healthy and ready to learn. If your student has a health condition that you would like the school and their teachers to learn about, please provide me with this information or documentation. I can then easily relay information and education to their teachers. I want you to know that I take our student’s health seriously and can assist with providing a proper health care plan for your child’s condition. Please utilize me as a resource if you have any questions on where or how you can receive health care.

If you feel your child is having hearing or vision problems, please contact me as I am able to perform a quick hearing or vision screening and can lead you in the right direction as to where to obtain services for this (such as local audiologists). Also, please know that any documentation you provide or any contact I have with your student is held confidential.

Regarding medications at school:

All student medication-prescription and non prescription, including a rescue inhaler, will require a doctor’s note. Most medications will be stored in the nursing office. With the parent’s permission and with clear doctor’s instruction, students may be given medication by a school employee. Please pick up a Medication Authorization Form at your campus office or download a copy below.

It is the parent’s responsibility to provide the school with an adequate amount of medication. Medication must be delivered to the school in its original container/label. Prescription labels must include the student’s name, doctor’s name, correct medication and dosage, and clear instructions.

Students will only be allowed to carry medication if the school is provided with a doctor’s note and parent’s written consent. Again, the Medication Authorization Form is used provide this. Failure to properly follow directions or endangering self or others will result in a loss of this privilege.

I wish you and your students a healthy school year. Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Kathleen Chapa, School Nurse, Ext. 4027

Friday, October 12, 2012

SPHS Band takes 2nd at debut field competition

Congratulations to the Sierra Pacific Golden Bear Marching Band and Guard for their winning performance at their first field show competition in school history last Saturday.

The SP Band took home the 2nd place trophy for their division in the Sierra Cup Classic at CSU, Fresno with their first ever performance of their show, "Skylines". They also took caption awards in Auxiliary, Percussion and General Effect.
 
This was a great first performance from the Golden Bear Marching Band and Guard, and they will continue their competition schedule at the Central Coast Classic at Arroyo Grande High School on October 20. Good luck, Golden Bears!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

HHS Choral presents "Every Heart Sings" Oct. 16

The Hanford High School choral program will present it's Fall Concert "Every Heart Sings" at 7 p.m. October 16 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. The concert will feature the Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus, Advanced Women's Chorus, Chamber Singers and select soloists. Admission is $5.

Monday, October 8, 2012

HHS and SPHS drama clubs present: "Chemical Imbalance" this week

Hanford High School and Sierra Pacific High School Drama Clubs will present Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Play by Lauren Wilson October 11, 13 and 14 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. 

Chemical Imbalance is a darkly comic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Set in Victorian England, the play is a fast-paced romp about people tightrope-walking the thin line between propriety and immorality. Dr. Henry Jekyll is on the brink of a mad scientific discovery to unleash mankind’s dark side.

Performances will begin at 7 p.m. October 11 and 13 (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.) and at 2 p.m. October 14 (Doors open at 1:30 p.m.).  Admission is $5 for students and $8 for adults.

For more information, please contact bankrum@hjuhsd.k12.ca.us

Friday, October 5, 2012

HHS Homecoming 2012

Hanford High School ASB leaders are busy planning events for next week's "Carnival Cruise" themed Homecoming Week!

October 8 
Powder Puff Football
5 p.m. at Neighbor Bowl 
Come out and support your class in a flag football competition. Female students from each grade will compete to see who rules the field.

October 8 
Monday Night Jam
7 p.m. Neighbor Bowl 
HHS students compete in a variety of crazy and entertaining games. The highlight of the night is the Male Cheerleading Competition between the classes and announcement of the finalists for Homecoming King and Queen.

October 10
Dinner with the Team & Homecoming Dance
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
In honor of our team we will be having dinner & dancing. Dinner will be served from 6 – 8 pm in Pup Plaza and dancing will be from 7 - 9pm in the cafeteria. Our varsity football team will be introduced in addition to our Homecoming 2011 Court. Parents & families are welcome to attend the dinner portion of the evening.

October 12 
Homecoming Game
JV 5 p.m., Varsity 7:30 p.m. 
 Our mighty Bullpups will take on the Golden West Trailblazers. The parade of floats and introduction of Homecoming Royalty will follow the JV game, with the announcement of Homecoming King and Queen at Varsity halftime.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

October is Bullying Prevention Month

"The End of Bullying Begins with You"

National Bullying Prevention Month was created by the Pacer Center in 2006. Held each October, it is designed to help communities unite nationwide to raise awareness about bullying and prevention.

If the video won't play or if YouTube is blocked at your location, you can view it here.

Bullying happens somewhere in this country every 7 seconds.
  • Nearly one-third of all school-aged children are bullied each year - upwards of 13 million students. 
  • 77 percent of students have been the victim of some type of bullying.
  • Children with disabilities are two to three times more likely to be bullied than their non-disabled peers; 40 percent of children with autism and 60 percent of children with Asperger’s syndrome have experienced bullying. 
  • LGBT teens are bullied 2 to 3 times as much as straight teens. 9 out of 10 LGBT students have experienced harassment at school.
  • An estimated 160,000 children miss school every day because of the fear of assault or intimidation by other students.
  • Approximately 42 percent of school-aged children have been bullied online, with 35 percent being victims of online threats. Approximately 58 percent report that someone has said something mean or hurtful to them online. 
  • More than half of students who are bullied do not report it.
About 57 percent of bullying situations stop when a peer intervenes on behalf of the person being bullied.

It's not just statistics: These numbers represent real students - and they all have their own story to tell.

Unity Day: Wednesday, Oct. 10

Mark your calendar now and plan to wear orange on Unity Day. That’s when people around the country will join the movement to “Make it Orange and Make it End!

LEARN MORE: Online Bullying Prevention Resources for students, parents and educators:

HJUHSD students who are victims or witnesses of bullying are encouraged to talk to a teacher, counselor, coach, administrator or another trusted adult for help!

"The End of Bullying Begins with You"


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

HHS Dugout Club Horseshoe Tournament

The Hanford High School Dugout Club will host it's 3rd annual Horse Shoe Tournament at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 3 at the Kings Fairgrounds. Registration is $50 per team; shoes provided. For more information, please contact Kathy at 967-1585 or kfagunde@kings.k12.ca.us.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Get the latest HJUHSD headlines online or on your phone!


Are you following @HJUHSD and @HanfordWestHigh on Twitter for all the latest news and updates?

To get updates sent directly to your phone, just text "follow @hjuhsd" or "follow @hanfordwesthigh" to 40404. Please note: text messaging rates apply!

(To stop getting updates, you can text "unfollow @hjuhsd" or "unfollow @hanfordwesthigh" to 40404 at any time.)

You can also become a fan of our schools on Facebook:




Friday, September 28, 2012

Don't miss the HW Book Fair October 8-12

Reading All-Stars:

Join us for the annual Hanford West Scholastic Book Fair October 8 through October 12 in the Hanford West Library from 7:30 am until 3:30 daily. You don’t want to miss it!


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

College Night: Sept. 13

HJUHSD will host College Night 2012 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Hanford West Event Center.

Students and parents are encouraged to attend to learn more about educational opportunities and options by talking with representatives from colleges all over the western United States, as well as military recruiters.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

HHS hosts Youth Cheer Clinic

Hanford High Youth Cheer Clinic 
For students 4 years old through 8th grade 
1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25
HHS Cafeteria 
$25 before Sept. 14 (includes Bullpups shirt)
Participants will perform at the HHS football game on Friday, Sept 28. 
Registration forms are available at local elementary schools and the HHS Guidance Office. 

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Sierra Pacific High Back to School night: Sept 12

Parents, students and other family members are invited to attend the Sierra Pacific High School Back-to-School Night Wednesday, September 12.

 The event will begin with a band and choir performance and a presentation by the principal at 6 p.m. in the Gymnasium. From 6:30 p.m. to 8:10 p.m., families are invited to follow their students’ class schedules to visit classrooms and meet with teachers.

The ASB Student Store will be open for business for those who want to purchase merchandise, spirit wear, ASB cards or school yearbooks. The food services department will be set up in the middle of campus to offer free samples of food.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Hanford West Back to School Night: Sept 5

Parents, students and other family members are invited to attend the Hanford West High School Back-to-School Night Wednesday, Sept. 5.

The event will begin with a presentation at 6 p.m. in the HW Event Center. From 6:30 to 7:50, families are invited to follow their students' class schedules to visit classrooms and meet with teachers.

The ASB Student Store will be open for business, if you want to purchase Hanford West merchandise or school yearbooks, and the Snack Bar will be offering free samples.

Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Online Gradebook (Parent ABI) functions have been restored

We have corrected the settings that were causing the Online Gradebook (Parent ABI) account creation errors.

If you tried to create an Online Gradebook account in the last day and were unable to complete the process, please try again. 

Thank you again for your patience: We are very sorry for the inconvenience!

Technical Difficulties: Online Gradebook

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our HJUHSD Online Gradebook (Parent ABI) account creation process.  

Please DO NOT try to create a new Online Gradebook Account or to reset your Online Gradebook password until repairs have been completed.

We will post an update as soon as we have confirmed functions have been fully restored.

If you tried to create an Online Account last night or today and were not able to complete the process, please WAIT until functions are restored and then try again using the instructions and personal verification information previously emailed to you.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this delay may cause you.

 Again, we will post another update as soon as repairs are complete. Thank you so much for your patience!

HHS Back to School Night is tonight!

Hanford High School Back to School Night starts at 6 p.m. in the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. Classroom visits will begin immediately after at 6:25. We hope to see you there!

Annual reminder: HJUHSD Facebook Commenting Policy

The Hanford Joint Union High School District welcomes community contributions to its Facebook Page in the form of comments, photos, photo tagging, wall posts, etc. Community-contributed content on this Page is the opinion of the specific author and does not represent HJUHSD.

HJUHSD abides by the Facebook Statement of Rights and Responsibilities and asks its Facebook Fans to do the same. Specifically, please do not post unauthorized commercial solicitations or "spam"; bully intimidate or harass other users; post content that is hateful, threatening, pornographic or gratuitously violent; or do anything that is unlawful, misleading, malicious or discriminatory on the HJUHSD Facebook Page.

HJUHSD reserves the right to, but is not obligated to, remove comments that contain commercial solicitations, are factually erroneous or libelous, are widly off-topic, cannot be translated into English by free online translation software, or that otherwise violate Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities. Facebook encourages all users to use the "Report" links when they find abusive content.

Thank you in advance for your contributions to the HJUHSD Facebook Page and for your help in creating a safe and useful online community.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Online Gradebook is now active for 2012-2013

The HJUHSD Online Gradebook (Parent ABI) is now active for the 2012-2013 school year.

The Online Gradebook allows parents and students to access student grades, attendance and other information from any internet-connected computer with your personal login credentials.

To create an account, please complete and submit the HJUHSD Online Gradebook Access Request Form.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have already submitted a hard-copy request form, your account is in the process of being created by school staff. You DO NOT need to complete this online request form. You will receive an email within the next week with instructions on how to access your account.

For parents and students who have NOT already requested an account or to add a student to an existing account, you will need to submit a separate online form for EACH account (email address) that you want to create.  If you have more than one student, please submit a separate form for each student.

After you submit the form, you will receive an email with instructions on how to set-up and access your account. If you do not get this e-mail, please check your Spam/Junk Mail to see if it has been blocked.

If you already have an account, you can login to the Online Gradebook with your email address and password.

If you have forgotton your password, please use the  "Forgot your Password?" link on the Online Gradebook login page to reset your password.

For families without internet access, computers are available at each HJUHSD school to access the Online Gradebook. Internet access is also available at local Family Resource Centers. We hope this service will help improve communication between school and home and serve as a useful tool for parents and families.

If you have any questions, please contact your school Testing Secretary:

Hanford High: Cathy Hatfield, 583-5902 x 3122
Hanford West High: Christine Lee, 583-5903 x 3128
Sierra Pacific High: Sonja Thomas 583-5912 x 2010
Earl F. Johnson High: Irma Villalobos, 582-5904, x 7000


Monday, August 13, 2012

Welcome to the 2012-2013 School Year!

The first day of classes is THURSDAY, AUGUST 16! School starts at 7:45 a.m.

The 2012-2013 school year has brought leadership changes to all three of our comprehensive high schools this year: Michelle Borges is the new Principal at Sierra Pacific High School, Scott Pickle is the new Principal of Hanford High School, and former Learning Director Darin Parson is taking over as Principal of Hanford West High School. Gary Marr continues to serve as Principal of Earl F. Johnson High School and Hanford Adult School. All of our administrators will out-and-about on campus this week, greeting students, meeting with parents, and visiting classes. Be sure to give them a warm welcome, if you see them!

Parents and students are encouraged to visit HJUHSD Online for tools and resources to help your first days of the new school year be a success!
  • The HJUHSD Online Calendar has all the information you need about events, activites and atheltic schedules, as well as links to daily bulletins and monthly school menus. 
  • Bell schedules, bus routes, campus maps and contact information for teachers and staff members are can all be found online as well. 
  • The Student/Parent Handbook has important information about dress code, discipline, clubs, eligibility and other school rules
  •  The Course Catalog is your guide to curriculum, graduation requirements and college entrance information.
  • Several of our teachers also have class websites designed to help improve communication with students and parents, with more being added every day! See the Staff Directory for links.
Please take some time to explore HJUHSD Online and, if you have any questions, feel free to contact your teachers or school staff for more information.

 All HJUHSD staff members - from principals and teachers, to administrators and office staff, to custodians and bus drivers - are committed to helping all students to have a successful 2012-2013 school yea. Please let us know what we can do to help your school year get off to a great start!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

HJUHSD is Going Google!

We are pleased to announce that HJUHSD has chosen Google Apps for our new email and calendar platform.

Our IT team has been working on the migration and is looking forward to moving employees from our existing email server to the new services over the next few weeks.

With Google Apps, we'll gain the benefits of a robust and innovative feature set, the ability to access email and calendar services from any Internet-connected computer, increased storage capacity, and lower infrastructure and support costs. What's more, Google Apps is easy to use, and we think staff will find it to be a more efficient way to manage email and calendars.

 Our email addresses will NOT be changing. But, we WILL experience an interruption of email services during this transition, from Thursday, July 26 through Monday, July 30.

After Noon on July 30, all HJUHSD staff members will be able to login to their new Google Apps accounts to access their email, calendars and contacts.

STAFF: To login to your Google Apps account, start at the HJUHSD Google Apps Welcome Center (https://sites.google.com/a/hjuhsd.k12.ca.us/hjuhsd-google-apps-learning-center) and login with your HJUHSD Google Apps username and password. All the resources you need are there waiting for you! Though your email account will not be activated until July 30, you can login to the Google Apps Center NOW to start using other tools and to learn more about the new resources available to you!

If you do not know your Google Apps login, email webmaster@hjuhsd.k12.ca.us or call the HJUHSD IT Office at 559-583-5901, ext. 3104.

We think our staff and our community partners will all benefit from our new Google Apps services, and we're committed to making this a smooth transition. Thank you for your patience!

Friday, July 20, 2012

Walk-thru Registrations are August 6-9

Walk-through Registrations for the 2012-2013 school year will be the week of August 6.

Walk-Through Registration is designed to help students get the new school year off to a good start: Students can pick up their class schedules, check out textbooks, purchase ASB Cards and PE clothes, pre-order yearbooks and take their school photos.

All students should receive a registration packet in the mail along with the 2012-2013 Student/Parent Handbook. If you have not received your packet by July 30, please call your school office.

Parents and students should review the Registration Packet together and fill out all required forms before their Walk-Through dates. All registration forms must be turned in before students can pick up their class schedules. For students/parents who cannot attend Walk-Through, parents/guardians may designate in writing an adult to attend on their behalf. (See registration forms for more information.)

Students who do not pick up their class schedules at Walk-Through will NOT be able to get their schedules until the first day of school. 

HJUHSD WALK-THROUGH REGISTRATIONS

HANFORD WEST HIGH SCHOOL
Hanford West Cafeteria

August 6: Freshmen and Seniors
Grade 9: 8:30 a.m.– 11:30 a.m.
Grade 12: 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

August 7: Sophomores and Juniors
Grade 10: 8:30 a.m.– 11:30 a.m.
Grade 11: 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.


HANFORD HIGH SCHOOL
Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center

August 8: Freshmen
Grade 9: 8:15 a.m.- 12:25 p.m. (See Registration Packet for your specific time slot)

August 9: Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
Grades 10-12: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. (See Registration Packet for your specific time slot)

SIERRA PACIFIC HIGH SCHOOL
North Entrance of the 200 Building

August 8: All Grades
1 p.m. - 7 p.m. (See Registration Packet for your specific time slot)

 FIRST DAY OF CLASSES IS THURSDAY AUGUST 16! SEE YOU THERE!



Thursday, July 19, 2012

Pics from the Past

Become a part of the HJUHSD community on Facebook to see the new "History" Photo Albums for Hanford High School and Hanford West High School.

We've uploaded dozens of photos and videos of our schools and students going back more than a decade, including pics from as far back as our first graduation in 1895! And we'll be adding more soon.

If you see yourself in one of our photos or videos, please tag and share! Community members are encouraged to upload your own memories to our page as well - just please remember to follow our Facebook Community Guidelines.

"Like" our Facebook pages and subscribe to our news feeds to keep up with the latest news AND our "Pics from the Past" ...



Friday, July 13, 2012

HHS Presents: "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" July 20 and 21

The Hanford High School Drama Club will present "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" at 7 p.m. July 20 and 21 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center.

Charles Schulz's comic strip characters come alive in this award-winning Broadway revival. The musical captures all the favorite episodes from Schroeder and Lucy at the piano, Charlie Brown and Lucy at the psychiatric booth, Linus with his blanket, Snoopy with his supper dish, and the whole gang at the baseball game.

The performance includes hilarious comic sequences animated by high-energy dance routines. It's non-stop entertainment for adults and children alike!

The cast is a blend of students from Hanford High and Sierra Pacific High, led by co-directors Dwayne Tubbs and Bianca Ankrum and production assistant Jo Shoop, with costumes by Marcy Payoyo.

Tickets are $10 for adults, and $8 for students.

For more information, please contact Bianca Ankrum at bankrum@hjuhsd.k12.ca.us.


Monday, July 2, 2012

Summer School second session starts today

HJUHSD Summer School Second Session runs July 2 through 18 at Earl. F. Johnson High School.  Classes are 7:45 a.m. to 12:02 p.m. every week day. (Excluding the July 4 holiday.) For more information, please contact Summer School Principal Darin Parson at 583-5903 ext. 6008.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

HJUHSD schools earn 6-year accreditations

Congratulations to Hanford High School and Hanford West High School for each earning six-year accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

WASC one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States. The accreditation process is a self-study and a peer-review designed to ensure that schools are constantly improving academic services for students. The study includes review of:
  • the degree to which the school addressed recommendations of the last visiting committee
  • the school's use of appropriate student outcome measures to demonstrate evidence of student learning and success; 
  • the degree of involvement of all members of the school community in development of the self-study; and 
  • the capacity of the school to implement a schoolwide action plan resulting in ongoing improvement. 
Six years is the longest accreditation term granted by WASC. The self-study and review cycle will continue with a mid-term "progress report" in three-years to summarize progress and changes.

From the WASC website:
"Accreditation is a term that originally meant trustworthiness in its middle French, Old Italian usage. The original purpose of accreditation in the United States was designed to encourage the standardization of secondary school programs, primarily to ensure for the benefit of colleges and universities that graduating students had mastered a particular body of knowledge. However, today the process developed by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), involves a dual purpose that continues the expectation that schools must be worthy of the trust placed in them to provide high quality learning opportunities, but with the added requirement that they clearly demonstrate that they are about the critical business of continual self-improvement. Ultimately, the accreditation process is all about fostering excellence in the elementary, secondary, adult, postsecondary and supplementary education programs we accredit. Our fundamental cause involves helping schools meaningfully create the highest quality learning experience they can envision for all students. It is WASC's consistent purpose to professionally support schools in creating for themselves a clear vision of what they desire their students to know and be able to do and then to ensure that efficient and relevant systems are in place that predictably result in the fulfillment of those expectations for every child. The capacity of any organization to improve is directly related to its ability to recognize, acknowledge, and act on its identified strengths and limitations. The accreditation process is a vehicle that enables schools to improve student learning and school performance based on an analysis of those strengths and limitations. Participating schools must meet rigorous, research-based standards that reflect the essential elements of a quality and effective school, but again, must also be able to demonstrate engagement in as well as capacity to provide continuous school improvement"


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Summer School starts June 7

HJUHSD Summer School will begin Thursday, June 7 at Earl F. Johnson High School. Classes are 7:45 a.m. to 12:02 p.m. every weekday through June 27.

All students enrolled in Summer School should arrive at 7:30 a.m. Thursday to pick up class schedules. Students enrolled in online APEX classes also need to arrive at 7:30 a.m.Thursday to pick up a username and password to begin class.

The second session of Summer School will run July 2 through July 18, also at Earl F. Johnson High School, during the same hours.

For more information, please contact Summer School Principal Darin Parson at 583-5903 ext. 6008.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

HW student wins congressional art contest

Congratulations to Hanford West art student Tayla Akins
for placing 2nd in the Congressional Art Contest last night at Fresno State.
Her artwork will be on display at Congressman Costa's office in Fresno for one year. 


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

SPHS Spring Concert is "Out of this World" TONIGHT

The Sierra Pacific High School Symphonic Band and Jazz Band will perform their 2012 Spring Concert at 7 p.m. tonight in the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. The concert will be “Out of This World” featuring music from Star Wars, Star Trek, ET, Jurassic Park, 2001 Space Odyssey, Harry Potter, and The Holtz Planet Suite.  Admission is free, but donations are always welcome.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

HJUHSD 2012 Graduations

HJUHSD 2012 Graduation Ceremonies are approaching!

Hanford West High School Graduation Ceremony
Thursday, May 31, 2012
8 p.m. - Gates open at 6:15 p.m.
Jacob L. Neighbor Bowl
Seating is limited, see your graduating senior for tickets.
For more information, see the HW Senior Newsletter.

Hanford High School Graduation Ceremony
Friday, June 1, 2012
8 p.m. - Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Jacob L. Neighbor Bowl
Seating is limited, see your graduating senior for tickets.
For more information, see the HH April Newsletter.

Earl F. Johnson Continuation High School Graduation Ceremony
7 p.m. - Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center

Hanford Adult School
7 p.m. - Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center



Subscribe to the HJUHSD Online Calendar to keep up with all the latest events and activities.


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

HHS presents "Beauty and the Beast in music and sign

Come enjoy music and Sign Language at Hanford High School as the HHS Choir and Visual Voices team up to bring local audiences a night of “Beauty and the Beast” May 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. May 18 and 19 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. Doors open at 6:15 and limited tickets will be available for $8 each.

HW Band concert is tonight

The Hanford West Band will be in Concert tonight at 7 pm at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. The concert will feature the Jazz Bands "A" and "B", Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band and Symphonic Band.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

HW Choir presents "Flashback to the '90s"

The Hanford West Choir Department presents "Flashback to the 90s" TONIGHT and Friday night at 7 p.m. at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. Tickets are $5.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

A Message from the Kings County Office of Emergency Management: Your Input is Needed

A Message from the Kings County Office of Emergency Management:

Your Input is Needed! 

Kings County is in the process of updating its Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan will assess the likelihood of various natural hazards such as flooding, fires, earthquakes, severe weather and more. A critical component of the planning process is YOU.

We are seeking the participation of people living in the community to help us assess the likelihood of natural hazards and to identify measures to minimize impacts.

Nationwide, taxpayers pay billions of dollars annually helping communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals recover from disaster. Some natural disasters are predictable, and in many cases much of the damage can be reduced or even eliminated. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has targeted natural disaster loss reduction as one of its primary goals. The federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires local governments to maintain a FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan in order to maintain eligibility for certain federal disaster assistance and hazard mitigation funding programs.

Each participating jurisdiction in Kings County will have its own section within the overall Kings County Plan. Your comments and ideas are invited to attend one of the upcoming public meetings on:

Monday, May 14, 2012
Hanford City training Room
317 N. Douty Street
Hanford, Ca. 93230
6 p.m.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Cocoroan Council Chambers
832 Whitley Avenue
Corcoran, Ca. 93212
6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Avenal Veteran's Hall
108 W. Kings Street
Avenal, Ca. 93204
6 p.m.

The overall purpose of these meetings is to inform the public on the purpose and planning process for the local hazard mitigation plan development, present the types of hazards in or possibly affecting Kings County, and seek input from the public on priorities for risk reduction.

If you are unable to attend one of the above meetings, we have also developed a public survey that is located on the www.countyofkings.com website to gain your important input into this planning process.

If you have any questions or would like to leave a comment please email us at kingscounty.oem@countyofkings.com or call the Office of Emergency Management at (559) 852-2881.



Wednesday, May 2, 2012

HHS Cheer try-out packets available May 7

Hanford High School Cheer tryout packets for 2012-2013 will be available in the HHS guidance office May 7 through 11. For additional information, please contact Gina Lewis at 559-816-4069.

Friday, April 27, 2012

HJUHSD awards diploma to WWII internee


The HJUHSD Board posthumously awarded a diploma to Mr. Frank Tokumoto of Hanford this week.

Tokumoto was placed in an internment camp in 1941, which interrupted his education and his ability to complete the required course of studies to graduate with the HHS class of 1942.

HHS Principal Cheryl Hunt presented the diploma to Mr. Tokumoto's wife Ayako Tokumoto, his daughter Carey Takasaki, son-in-law Bruce Takasaki and granddaughter Amanda Takasaki at the HJUHSD Board Meeting April 24.

Mr. Tokumoto worked for the City of Hanford and was a master craftsman. Along with his siblings, he was an avid high school sports fan, rarely missing a game (especially baseball and football).

Under California Education Code, the District can retroactively grant high school diplomas to former students who were interned by the federal government during World War II or who are an honorably discharged veterans of World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War, who did not receive a diploma because their education was interrupted by internment or military service.


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

HHS teacher is state finalist for agsci teacher of the year

Congratulations to Hanford High School teacher Sam Rodriguez on being named a state finalist for Agriscience Teacher of the Year by the California FFA Association.

The Agriscience Teacher of the Year Award recognizes outstanding agricultural educators who emphasize science concepts, principles and applications in their curriculum. Agriscience education enhances the image of agriculture by portraying to students that agriculture includes many careers that are not solely agricultural production or business-oriented.


Tuesday, April 24, 2012

HHS principal, teacher are county "Excellence" winners


Congratulations to HJUHSD's Kings County Excellence in Education Award winners: Hanford High School Principal Cheryl Hunt and teacher Carol Smith! And congratulations as well to School Employee of the Year finalist, Hanford High's Connnie Soares.

The Kings County Excellence in Education Awards are sponsodred by the Kings County Office of Education and the Educational Employees Credit Union (EECU). See EECU's photos of the event on their Facebook Page and read more about the event on the EECU webpage.




Monday, April 23, 2012

HW Band Director wins national award

Lisa Butts, band director at Hanford West High School, has been named to the Bandworld Magazine’s Legion of Honor, a prestigious national honor bestowed on those selected as the best band directors for a given year. Read more at The Hanford Sentinel ...

http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/features/community/hanford-west-band-director-earns-prestigious-award/article_2f4918ce-8b5a-11e1-8669-001a4bcf887a.html


Friday, April 20, 2012

HJUHSD Library Media Center Missive

by HJUHSD Library Staff

LIBRARY WINS GRANTS

The Sierra Pacific High School Library has been thrice blessed this spring! First, a $150 dollar grant was awarded to Mrs. Carol Bennetts (HJUHSD Teacher Librarian) by the Kings Retired Teachers’ Association. Mrs. Bennetts wanted to add some permanent artwork to the library and chose to purchase four prints of famous paintings/photographs with frames. Two busts (one of Ernest Hemingway and one of Frederick Douglass) were also purchased and donated to the library.

The second grant of $700 was awarded by the California Table Grape Association to fund the project “Know Your Heritage.” Books about local history have been purchased from the Carnegie Museum and the Hanford Chamber of Commerce. Additional books have been ordered that will be part of the grant project, which will consist of students using the books about local history and agriculture to answer a daily question relating to Hanford, Kings County, the Central Valley, or California. Prizes (purchased from the Carnegie Museum) will be awarded each day and the project will run for one month. The books will then become part of the permanent library collection, and the historical knowledge gained will become part of the students!

The third grant of $5,000 was just received from the Barona Indian Tribe and will be used to add reference and non-fiction books to the collection. Assemblyman David Valadao (who sponsored Sierra Pacific in the grant competition) will be awarding the check to the Sierra Pacific Library this week at a small reception. The Sierra Pacific Library Staff (Mrs. Carol Bennetts, Ms. Amanda Martin, and Mr. Jason Wix) would like to thank these generous grantors for their help in making the library even more inviting and comprehensive.



CYRM PROGRAM A SUCCESS

Hanford West, Sierra Pacific, and Hanford High Libraries have completed the California Young Reader Medal (CYRM) program for the 2011/12 school year.

The voluntary reading incentive program kicked off in January with Mrs. Bennetts (Teacher Librarian) trying something new this year as far as inviting students to participate in the program. Thanks to Mr. Ross Brock and his video production class for filming the traditional book talks which were then sent to teachers to show to English classes. During the next few months, Mrs. Calderon & Mrs. LaTraille (HW), Ms. Martin & Mr. Wix (SP), and Mrs. Stafford & Mrs. Brock (HH) worked hard at getting books back from students in a timely manner and getting them into the hands of other students. The 3 books chosen at the state level for this year were If I Stay by Gayle Forman, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, & Beastly by Alex Flinn. Students received prizes (& sometimes extra credit in English) for each of the three books read.

At the completion of the program on March 21, 2012, 42 students (HW), 32 students (SP), and 16 students (HH) who had read all three books were invited to attend a pizza party in the Library, at which time they voted as to which of the three books they preferred. The book chosen as the best by students at all sites was Graceling. Additional prizes and congratulations were given to Sarah Porter & Emma Graff (HW), Harrison Nicholas & Christina Gong (SP), and Beatriz Garcia & Lorraina Hernandez (HH) who were 1st & 2nd of all students at each site to complete the 3 books. This was the 11th year that the program has been run at HW and the second year at HH & SP (Mrs. Wheaton ran last year’s program at SP). Students from all four grades are included.

 A big THANK YOU goes out to the English teachers, who not only handed out prizes for us and kept students on track, but also gave extra-credit points to encourage the students to read. Way to go, English teachers (& thanks, also, to our principals for funding the reward parties)!



LIBRARY STATISTICS 

Library Books in collections – HW 13,557 books worth $325,379 HH 11,835 books worth $225,639 SP 3,368 books worth $86,835 Textbooks in collections – HW 35,511 books worth $1,277,359 HH 26,840 books worth $1,174,267 SP 8,795 books worth $483,104 Money made (50% in book profit) at Book Fairs: HW (third book fair) made $761.76 HH (second book fair) made $767.30 SP (first book fair ever) made $1,043.11


 APRIL IS SCHOOL LIBRARY MONTH

Stop by your library and check us out! Joint Staffs Help Each Other & Celebrate The Library staffs of HW, HH, & SP worked together again this past year for all 5 walk-thru events at the 3 campuses. Although it was A LOT of work, the overall results were praised by all involved, so it will be tried again this fall at all 3 sites (that is, assuming we live thru the check-in sessions this spring!) The Library staffs from all 3 schools were able to meet for lunch together at Christmas (and Mrs. Wheaton was able to join us) where we had a cookie exchange – yummy!! Mrs. Bennetts & Mrs. Wheaton also attended an informative conference on March 9th at Fresno Pacific where delicious foods were served along with provocative ideas.


Study abroad and hosting opportunity

World Link Inc. Exchange is currently seeking student applicants (15-24) interested in a one year language study abroad, fully funded by U.S. Dept. of State. Host families for incoming exchange students are also needed. For more information, visit: www.worldlinkinc.org

Thursday, April 19, 2012

HHS Drama goes "Back to the 80s" this weekend

The Hanford High Drama Club presents "Back to the 80's" The Musical April 20 and 21!

Mrs. Payoyo directs this adapted play based on the 1980's movie "Back to the Future". This "totally awesome" musical features your favorite 80's Solid Gold hits like "Footloose", "Every Breath You Take", "Love is a Battlefield" and much, much more!

Come follow your favorite Back to the Future characters, Biff, Marty McFly, George and Lorraine McFLy and, of course, Doc Brown. This rocking musical features the music of Queen, Madonna and Michael Jackson.

You are sure to have a great time while going "back in time" with the HHS Drama Club! So pull out those leg warmers, tease that hair and come on down to the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center April 20 and 21! Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.


Tuesday, April 17, 2012

HW brings home 10 medals from Skills USA competition

Congratulations to the Hanford West Skills USA Team! HW sent 28 students to the Skills USA Competition in San Diego and came home with 10 medals.

Individual:
  • Angel Bautista: Bronze, TIG Welding 
  • Alan Chin: Gold, Graphic Communitcations 
  • Austin Costa: Silver, Precision Machining 2 
  • JB Dillard: Silver, Precision Machining 1 
  • Marlene Felix: Gold, TIG Welding 
  • Tor Gudmundsson: Gold, Food and Beverage Service 
  • Joseph Lambert: Silver, TIG Welding 
  • Jimmy Porter: Gold, Precision Machining 2 
Team:
  • Dane Gonzales: Silver, Web Design 
  • Kelsey Lopez: Silver, Web Design

Monday, April 16, 2012

HHS Percussion wins Valley title

by Janet Levine
HHS Band Director  

Congratulations to the Hanford High School Winter Percussion members, who are 2012 Open Class Champions for the SJVCGPR valley circuit! The HHS Percussion group took first place March 31 against other area schools for the valley title.

Congratulations as well to the HHS Winter Guard for their successful season. They performed their show entitled "Overkill", and had a very strong performance earning them a 3rd place finish in their class.

We are very proud of all our students and appreciate the hard work and dedication they put forth all season. We would also like to thank the staff and band boosters for all their help and support.


Monday, April 2, 2012

HJUHSD art students featured

HJUHSD Art Students Participated in the California Art Education Association's Youth Art Exhibit last month, hosted by Arte Americas in Fresno. This year's theme was “Preserving the Arts”. Congratulations to the HJUHSD art students who were featured in the exhibit:

Award winners:
Jennie Gutierrez - 1st place 3D, Hanford High
Sammi Blue -3rd place 3D, Hanford West High

Exhibitors:
Hanford High 3-D: Mattea Green, Kylee Drennen, Alyssa Grabow-Oliveira, Megan Prewitt
Hanford High 2-D: Sydney Gallegos
Hanford West 2-D: Ilse Reyes, Kelsey Lopez, Casandra Carrillo, Tayla Akins and Asia Blevins
Hanford West 3-D: Madisyn Jeske, Lauren Novencido, Alison Unruh, Sierrah Esparza

Friday, March 30, 2012

HW Art Camp April 14

HW Art Club will be host an Art Camp Saturday, April 14.

K through 8th grade students are welcome to sign up at the cafeteria door.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Students can sign up for one or both sessions (Morning: 10 a.m. - 12  p.m., Afternoon: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.).

Activities this year will include t-shirt stenciling. Students who want to do this activity will need to bring their own t-shirt.

The cost is $10 for one student, $18 for two students, $25 for three students, or $8 each for families with 4 or more children.

HW art student wins state honors

Congratulations to Hanford West art student Kelsey Lopez for winning the Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Education Award.

Her artwork will be published by the California Teacher's Association and her artwork will be on display for a year at their headquarters in Burlingame.

She also has won a $550 cash prize for both herself and her teacher Ms. Blevins!

HHS Percussion competing in Valley Championships March 31

The Hanford High School Winter Percussion will be competing in the Valley Championships at 7:54 p.m. Saturday at Clovis North High School.

 The Winter Percussion students have been working hard and traveling every weekend since mid-February, performing their show "How do I fit in?". The music is based on Radiohead music that was arranged by Elijah Turner, a current percussion student at Hanford High, and Nathan Eby. The show communicates the everyday struggle of students trying to fit in with their peers.

The Winter Percussion group has been developing nicely and have won first place the Open Class division at the past two local shows at Lemoore High School and Buchanan High School. We have also performed at WGI evens and took 3rd place at the Ceres event and were Finalists at WGI Western Percussion Championships in San Bernardino on March 25.

We are very proud of the Winter Percussion program and all the hard work and dedication the students, staff and band boosters put in all season. We wish the group good luck as they wrap up their very successful season!

~ Janet Levine, HHS Band Teacher

Thursday, March 29, 2012

SPHS Band Boosters Pasta dinner is tonight

What are your dinner plans tonight? You could have a delicious pasta dinner AND support he Sierra Pacific Band program!

The SPHS Music Department is hosting a Pasta Dinner fundraiser TONIGHT, March 29, starting at 6 p.m. SP Band Boosters are selling Fratelli’s Pasta Dinners for take-out or dine-in. For $10 for adults and $6 for kids, you can get a full Fratelli’s meal, including your choice of pasta (Alfredo or Baked Ziti) a salad and bread knots.

If you prefer dinner and a show, stay to watch the 6:30 p.m. performances by the Sierra Pacific Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, and solo performances. Tickets for the performance without dinner are also available for $5.

For more information, contact music teacher Jeff Detlefsen at jdetlefsen@hjuhsd.k12.ca.us.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Winter Guard extravaganza tonight!

The Winter Guard teams from Hanford High, Hanford West High and Sierra Pacific High will perform at 8 p.m. tonight at the Hanford West Event Center. Admission is free!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

HW ASL performance Thursday

Hanford West America Sign Language students will will showcase a journey through their 4 years in high school through music in their performance, "Signs of Our Times" at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. Admision is free, donations appreciated.

Monday, March 26, 2012

HPD Explorers Fundrasier Dinner April 19

Hanford Police Department Explorer Post #1014 
Take-Out tri-Tip Dinner Fundraiser
5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19
Pick-up will be in the south alley of the
Hanford Police Department (near the Civic Auditorium)
$10 each
Contact any HPD Explorer to purchase tickets
or contact Andrew Mazza at Hanford High School at 559-583-5902, ext. 4038.

Friday, March 23, 2012

HW Yearbook awarded high honors

Congratulations to the Hanford West 2010-2011 Yearbook staff on winning "Superior" award from the San Joaquin Valley Scholastic Press Association. This critique is done for all high schools in the San Joaquin Valley and is administered by California State University, Fresno.

The HW Yearbook was also awarded a 2nd Place by the American Scholastic Press Association in College Point, New York. This critique is done for all high schools in America. They stated “Your yearbook shows excellence in the fields of writing, photography and page design. Congratulations to the editors, writers, photographers, layout/graphics designers, staff and advisor who have made this publication possible.”

Thursday, March 22, 2012

HW Band program continues winning tradition

The Hanford West Jazz Bands traveled to San Luis Obispo February 25 to compete in the Central Coast Jazz Festival at Cuesta College. The Jazz Festival brings in bands from all over California. This year, the members of the HW Jazz Band "B" were awarded 3rd place in the Novice class and the Jazz Band "A" took First place in the Intermediate class.

 On March 9, the Hanford West Symphonic Band participated in the California Association for Music Education's Ratings Festival in Kingsburg. The band performed before 3 adjudicators and were awarded a Unanimous Superior Rating, which is the highest rating given. In addition, the band also received a Superior Rating in the Sight Reading portion of the festival. This is the 10th year in a row that the Hanford West Symphonic Band has received a Superior Rating at the CMEA Festival.

On March 17, the Hanford West Jazz Bands did very well at the CMEA Jazz Festival. The 'B" Band received an Excellent rating from the 3 judges and the "A" Band received a Superior rating. The "A" band has received a Superior Rating for the past 11 years at the CMEA Jazz Festival.
 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

HPD Explorers are Central Valley champs

The Hanford Police Department Explorers traveled to the Tulare Fairgrounds this month for the 4th Annual Central Valley Law Enforcement Explorer Competition.

At the competition, the Explorers have the opportunity to compete in many scenarios that test them in a variety of areas of Law Enforcement.

The HPD Explorers went up against 19 other police/sheriff departments and came out as the top overall winner of the competition, defending their title for the second consecutive year! The Hanford Explorers also won:
  • Written Examination (4th place) 
  • Relay Race (2nd Place) 
  • Male Explorer Obstacle Course (4th place) 
  • Night-Suspicious Subject (2nd place) 
  • Night-Time Traffic Stop (3rd place) 
  • Crime Scene Investigation (3rd place) 
  • Vehicle Search (2nd place) 
  • Medical Scenario (2nd place) 
  • Domestic Violence Scenario (2nd place) 
  • Explorer Ride-along (5th place) 
  • Shooting Skills (4th place) 
  • Crisis Negotiations (4th place) 
  • Hazardous Response (3rd place) 
  • Tug-of-War (5th place) 

Congratulations to all of the students in the Explorer program and to their advisers!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Softball Alumni take the field

Last month, Hanford High Alumni softball players faced off against each other and then against the HHS Varsity Hanford High Softball team.

Later that night, Gary Marchbanks, Kathy Mayer and Gloria Duran were inducted into the HHS Softball Hall of Fame ... Read more in the Hanford Sentinel.


Thursday, March 8, 2012

HHS Girls Bball in Long Beach Saturday

The Hanford High School Girls Basketball team will play Saturday, March 10 versus Long Beach Poly at Jordan High School at 6500 Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach. It will be a doubleheader with our girls playing at 6 p.m. followed by Long Beach Poly boys v. Orange Lutheran at 8 p.m. The price of admission is $10 for adults, $6 for students with ASB card, $6 for children 5 and over, and $6 for seniors citizens 65+. The gates will open at 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

HHS Presents: "So You Think You Can Act"

The Hanford High School Drama Club will present "So You Still Think You Can Act" at 7 p.m. March 23 at the Straton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. Admission is $3. for more information, please contact Bianca Ankrum, HHS Drama and Stagecraft Instructor at 559-583-5902 or bankrum@hjuhsd.k12.ca.us

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Student artists featured at Arte' Americas

Youth Art Month Reception
Youth Art Exhibit Preserving the Arts
Arte’ Americas
1630 Van Ness Fresno, CA 559-266-2623 
1:30-3pm
March 18
Student Awards start at 2 p.m.

Free of charge! 
Come and enjoy the show! 

Featured 2-D Hanford West Artists: 
Ilse Reyes, Kelsey Lopez, Casandra Carrillo, Tayla Akins and Asia Blevins 


Thursday, March 1, 2012

Senior Ethics Table Leaders needed!

The Hanford Joint Union High School District is seeking local business leaders and other volunteers to serve as Table Leaders for the 2012 HJUHSD Senior Ethics Workshops.

More than 60 Volunteers are needed each day to help guide small groups of students through discussions of “real-world” values, ethics & decision-making.

 If you are a past table leader, you know that this is a fun and rewarding event and we would love to have you participate again. New table leaders are always welcome as well.

 If you are interested in volunteering as a table leader, please fill out and return the Table Leader Registration Form and we will register you for the event(s) of your choice.

HJUHSD Senior Ethics Workshops 2012
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. 
Tuesday, April 10 (Hanford West High) 
Thursday, April 12 (Hanford High and Alt. Ed.) 
Koinonia Hall: 12536 Hanford-Armona Road 

For more information, please contact 
Communications Coordinator Candace McIlroy at


HHS girls play for Valley Championship Saturday

The Hanford High School Girls Basketball team will play Stockdale High School for the Division 1 Valley Championship at 6 p.m. Saturday March 3 at Selland Arena in Fresno. Tickets are $12 for adults and $9 for students with ASB cards and Senior Citizens.


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

HW wins at Cuesta Jazz Festival

Congratulations to the members of Hanford West's "A" and "B" Jazz bands on their finish at the Cuesta College Jazz Festival last Saturday in San Luis Obispo.

The "B" Band finished in 3rd place out of 7 bands in the Novice division. The "A" Band finished in 1st place out of 6 bands in the Intermediate division. Laura Sasser, trumpeter, was awarded the Most Outstanding Musician at the Festival and offered a $1,000 scholarship to attend Cuesta College. Great job Mighty Huskies Jazzers!!


HW Band Backers Dinner Dance in March 3

Hanford West Band Backers 
14th Annual Dinner Dance Fundraiser 
Hanford Civic Auditorium 
6-11 pm, Saturday, March 3 
$25 per person for dinner and dancing 
$15 per person for dancing only 

Featuring:
3 hours of dancing to Run 4 Cover 
Catered dinner of tri-tip, baked chicken breast, rice pilaf,
green beans, salad, roll, and dessert, as well as a full bar 
Silent and live auction to raise money for the HW Band uniform fund 

Call 559-583-5903 Ext. 6413 for tickets or information.

Monday, February 27, 2012

HHS girls basketbal semi-finals at Wednesday

The Hanford High School Girls Basketball semi-final playoff game versus Edison will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 29 at HHS. Ticket prices are $6 ($5 for Seniors Citizens & students with ASB cards) with free admission for children under 5. Gates will open at 5:45pm.


HJUHSD Email Service Interruption

HJUHSD email services were malfunctioning from about 3:15 Thursday through about 3:15 Sunday. If you sent an email to an HJUHSD staff member during this time, it is very likely that your email was NOT received. Please consider resending your message? We're very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

HHS girl's basketball team in Division playoffs

Congratulations to the Hanford High School Girls Basketball team for winning their 94th straight game and earning their 6th straight WYL championship title.

 The team has advanced to the Division I playoffs and seated #2 with a first round bye. The quarter final game will be played at home at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 24. The Bullpups will face either #7 Clovis or #10 Liberty of Bakersfield. Ticket prices are $6 for adults and $4 for students with an ASB card. Good Luck Bullpups!