Dear Panther Families and Community, March is here! We are looking forward to warmer weather and the signs of spring.
On Tuesday, March 2, we celebrate Nebraska Teacher Recognition Day. This is a special time to honor the outstanding teachers at Hershey Public Schools. Our teachers do much more than teach lessons. They inspire, guide, encourage, and support our students every day. The impact they have often lasts a lifetime. We are very thankful for their dedication and the difference they make in the lives of our Panthers.
We are proud to share that on February 20, 2026, the Hershey High School Cheer Team won the Class C2 State Championship in Traditional Tumbling and Stunting at the NCA Cheer & Dance State Championships in Grand Island. Led by coaches Andrea Wilson and Missy Thompson, the team competed against other top C2 schools across Nebraska. After months of early morning and Sunday practices, their hard work paid off with an exciting first-place finish. Congratulations to our Panthers on an outstanding accomplishment!
We would also like to congratulate Mr. Jordan Cudney on his promotion to Waverly for the 2026–2027 school year. While we are sad to see him leave Hershey Public Schools, we are incredibly proud of him and this well-deserved opportunity. Mr. Cudney has been a strong leader for our students and staff, and his positive impact will be felt for years to come. We wish him and his family the very best as they begin this exciting new chapter. We also want to recognize Mr. Madison as he prepares for retirement. We are thankful for the time, dedication, and care he has given to our students and school community. His commitment to education has made a lasting difference. We wish Mr. Madison all the best in his retirement and hope he enjoys this next season of life.
The third nine weeks of the 2024–2025 school year ends on March 11 with an 11:30 a.m. dismissal for all students. It is hard to believe how quickly the school year is moving! Students will soon begin spring assessments, including the ACT for our juniors. We are excited to welcome Chad Cargill to Hershey on March 16 to speak to our sophomores and juniors about the ACT. We appreciate the Hershey Public Schools Educational Foundation for covering half the cost of this assembly. Spring Break will be March 12–13, and there will be no school on those days. Elementary Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held Thursday, March 19, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. and Friday, March 20, from 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Students in PreK through 6th grade will not have school on Friday, March 20. On Thursday, March 19, all PreK–12 students will be dismissed at 2:45 p.m. so teachers can prepare for conferences. We are also excited to announce that the Hershey Fire Department’s annual Spaghetti Feed will take place on Sunday, March 29, in the Activities Center. We hope to see many of you there supporting our local fire department.
The Nebraska Unicameral is currently in session. Lawmakers are discussing bills related to agricultural land valuations, government spending, and school funding guidelines. Due to increased agricultural land values, our district is no longer considered equalized under the TEOSSA formula. Currently, the only state aid we receive is for net option students and a small portion of income tax funds. In the past, TEOSSA funding was supported equally by property taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes. Because of changes in state funding, that balance no longer exists. If you have questions about our district budget, TEOSSA, or pending legislation, please feel free to call or stop by my office.
As we move through the remainder of winter, please remember to check your phone messages for weather-related school announcements. If your contact information changes, contact your school office so we can update our records. We do our best to make weather decisions the night before, but sometimes conditions change quickly. Student safety is always our top priority. Please remember that parents always have the final decision about sending their child to school during winter weather. If I can ever assist you, please do not hesitate to reach out. Have a wonderful month! Educationally,
Mrs. Jane Davis |
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I'm a new If you are a leader who believes in empowering students, investing in people, and building a culture where everyone can thrive; we invite you to consider becoming part of the Hershey Panther community! |
THANK YOU TEACHERS!!!! - YOU TOUCH THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS EVERYDAY! |
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On Tuesday, March 2, we proudly celebrate Nebraska Teacher Recognition Day. This special day gives us the opportunity to honor the incredible educators who make a difference in the lives of our students every single day.
Teachers have a powerful and lasting impact that goes far beyond the classroom curriculum. While they are responsible for teaching important academic skills, their influence reaches much deeper. Our teachers provide daily support, guidance, encouragement, and care. They inspire students to believe in themselves, challenge them to grow, and help guide them through important years of their lives.
The impact of a great teacher often lasts a lifetime. Many adults can still name a teacher who made a difference in their lives years ago. That kind of influence speaks volumes about the dedication and heart our teachers bring to their work. Their contributions are so meaningful that communities across Nebraska come together each year to recognize and thank them.
At Hershey Public Schools, we are incredibly grateful for the passion, commitment, and care our teachers show every day. Because of them, our students learn, grow, and thrive. Please join us in thanking our amazing teachers for all they do! |
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Hershey Cheer Team Wins State C-2 Title - Making School History! |
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Left to Right: Cole Murdock, Kyler Klein and Demi DaMoude |
Led by coaches Andrea Wilson and Missy Thompson, the Hershey High School Cheer Team won the Class C2 State Championship in Traditional Tumbling and Stunting on February 20, 2026. The NCA Cheer & Dance State Championships were held at the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island. The Panthers competed against other top C2 schools from across Nebraska to earn the state title.
The competition included cheerleading squads from school districts of all sizes across Nebraska. Teams were judged on skill, difficulty, timing, teamwork, and overall performance. In the Traditional Tumbling and Stunting division, teams must show advanced tumbling, strong stunts, and smooth transitions.
The Hershey team performed with great energy, excitement, and focus. Their routine showed months of hard work and dedication. The girls spent many early mornings in the gym at 6:00 a.m. during the school year and also practiced on Sundays to prepare for this competition. All of their hard work truly paid off. They impressed the judges with clean skills, sharp motions, strong teamwork, and great poise on the mat.
By winning the state championship, the Panthers showed true Panther Pride — hard work, teamwork, and excellence on the state stage. Congratulations to the Hershey Panther Cheer Team on an outstanding state championship! |
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Hershey Dazzlers Earn Third Place at State Dance |
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We are also proud of the Hershey Dazzlers and their performance at the State Dance Competition on February 20 in Grand Island. Under the direction of coaches Alicia Odean and Kathy DaMoude, the Dazzlers represented Hershey Public Schools with pride and enthusiasm on the state stage. Their hard work paid off as they earned a 3rd place finish for their routines.
The team performed with energy, spirit, and strong teamwork. Their routine reflected months of preparation and dedication. Just like our cheerleaders, the Dazzlers commit to early morning practices and Sunday rehearsals throughout the season. Their strong work ethic and commitment to excellence truly stand out.
We are proud of the effort, determination, and Panther Pride shown by the Hershey Dazzlers. They continue to represent our school in a positive and impressive way. Congratulations to the Dazzlers on a great accomplishment! |
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Read Across America Day is March 2nd! |
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Read Across America will be celebrated on Monday, March 2. This special day encourages students of all ages to enjoy reading and discover the power of books. Schools across the country take time to highlight the importance of literacy and inspire a lifelong love of reading. At Hershey Public Schools, we are excited to join in this celebration.
March 2 is also the birthday of Dr. Seuss, one of the most well-known children’s authors of all time. His creative stories, playful rhymes, and memorable characters have inspired generations of young readers. Books like The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, and Oh, the Places You’ll Go! remind us that reading can be fun, imaginative, and meaningful. Dr. Seuss’s work continues to encourage children to explore books and develop a love for reading. Reading helps students build strong vocabulary, improve writing skills, and grow their imagination. When students read, they explore new ideas, cultures, and perspectives. Whether it’s a favorite picture book, an exciting novel, or an interesting nonfiction text, every book helps strengthen important skills that support success in school and beyond. Hershey will celebrate with guest readers for March 2nd! |
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REMINDER: Changes Coming to the ACT in 2026 — What Hershey Students & Parents Should Know. |
As Hershey High students continue preparing for college and scholarship opportunities, it’s important for families to be aware of ACT changes rolling out for the 2025 calendar year through spring 2026. The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized exam used by many U.S. colleges in admission decisions, and strong scores can strengthen an application and may help students qualify for merit-based scholarships. Currently, the ACT includes four subject tests—English, Math, Reading, and Science—with an optional Writing (essay) section.
ACT, Inc. is introducing an “Enhanced” ACT in phases beginning in April 2025. The updated version will be about 75 minutes shorter and will include 44 fewer questions, giving students more time per question and reducing testing fatigue. Another major change is that the Science section will become optional, similar to how the Writing section works today. In addition, the Composite score (1–36) will be calculated using only English, Math, and Reading. If a student chooses to take Science, that score will be reported separately and will contribute to a STEM score. The Math section will also change from five multiple-choice options to four, and students will still be able to choose either paper-and-pencil or digital testing (at participating sites). The new format begins with national digital ACT testing in April 2025, expands to paper/Saturday tests in September 2025, and then rolls out to school-day ACT testing in spring 2026.
These updates are designed to make the ACT more flexible, less stressful, and more modern by allowing students more choice, shortening the test, and offering digital options that better reflect how students learn and test today. Families can help students prepare by staying informed about which test dates use the new format and planning ahead. All juniors will take the state-mandated ACT on April 8, 2026, and sophomores will take the PreACT on the same date.
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| Purchase your HPS Activity Pass - Information Below Activity Passes are available to purchase for the 2025-2026 season. Family passes are available for the entire year, or just the fall and winter seasons. You can also buy a single adult pass or a single student pass. Please see more information below: |
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Debit/Credit Card Payments |
Hershey Public Schools will be accepting debit and credit card payments. Cards may be used for admission to games, concessions, purchases at the team store, and other miscellaneous office items that are tied to the Activities Account. Please note that standard processing fees will apply. This system is not connected to the online lunch program.
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The Hershey Panther Team Store will be opening in the next few weeks and will feature T-Shirts, Polos, 3/4 zips, Sweatshirts, Hoodies and Hats! The Team Store accepts our new electronic payment methods! Show your team sprit with some new panther gear! Please watch for our digital online store in the coming weeks!
The link to the store is HERSHEY TEAM STORE |
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Digital Citizenship-AI Message |
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Respect Online Is Still Respect! |
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This image serves as an important reminder that respect matters both in person and online. Just like in our hallways and classrooms, the way we communicate digitally reflects who we are as a school community. Behind every comment, direct message, and post is a |
| real person with real feelings. We encourage our students to think before they send, choose their words carefully, and disagree with care. Showing kindness and respect online helps create a safe, positive environment for everyone. Go Panthers!
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Hershey Public Schools – Activities Director Newsletter March 2026 Hard to believe, but we are done with winter athletics! The 2025-2026 Spring season is starting practices on Monday of this Month. Each program will follow the PATH (Process oriented, Accountability, Teamwork, Honesty) through the season and make Panther Nation Proud. Good Luck to all activities, as they start the spring season strong!
Girls Basketball The girls basketball team finished their season at the sub-district final vs a very talented Alma team. They finished with a respectable 15-11 record. The girls competed very well and made the Panther Nation Proud. JH Girls Basketball
The JH gals finished at 6-4. They learned the game and became better basketball players throughout the season. Good job, girls! Boys Basketball Boys Basketball finished with a winning 13-12 record. Finishing with a sub-district loss to Fillmore Central. The fellas were competitive in all their games and were fun to watch. They too, did Panther Nation Proud! JH Boys Basketball The JH boys learned the game and improved throughout the season. The boys finished at 2-6 on the season. Good job, boys! Wrestling
The Panther wrestling teams finished the season at the end of last month. Clara Denny was the lone state qualifier for the Panthers. Clara drew pretty tough girls at state and didn’t medal. The girls and boys wrestling team got better throughout the year and will continue to improve in the future. Good job, Panther wrestlers. Speech
The Panther speech team has been competing well this season, with several individual awards to show it. The kids work hard and are very talented. Hershey, hosted by the SPVA Speech tournament on the 25th of February and represented Hershey very well. Speech districts are the 18th of this month, and state will be the 25th of this month. Break a leg, Panther Speech! Go Panthers!
— Bernie Madison, Activities Director |
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Calendar Event Information
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It is important that you are viewing the Hershey Event Calendar in the correct app on your mobile device. In order to see updates on your cell phone when activities change, please utilize Google Calendar on your Device, this will ensure that you are seeing the updated information. Events | Hershey Public Schools
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