Dear Panther Families and Community,
I want to congratulate all of the seniors for their hard work. Graduation will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 10:00 AM in the Activity Center. This is always my favorite event each year. It is wonderful to celebrate this milestone with students and their families! The graduation ceremony will be live-streamed on our YouTube channel for those who are unable to attend in person. The Class of 2026 has achieved many honors and awards—congratulations on a job well done!
The last day of school for K–11 students is May 20. This final week will be filled with activities and end-of-year celebrations. Teachers will be available through May 21.
Currently, the principals are planning learning activities for students in grades K–6 and credit recovery opportunities for students in grades 9–11 for summer months. Parents will receive more information on these opportunities as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to your principal.
National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 4–8. Our teachers and support staff have worked tirelessly to ensure that our students are on track to meet next year’s learning goals. On Tuesday, May 5, we will observe National Teacher Appreciation Day to recognize their dedication!
Doug Long and Bernie Madison will be retiring from Hershey Public Schools at the end of this school year. We are very excited for them and the opportunities that retirement will bring. We wish them nothing but the best! A celebration will be held at the school on Wednesday, May 20, at 2:30 PM in their honor.
We want to wish all the best to Amber Blessin and Jordan Cudney. Amber and Jordan will be leaving Hershey Public Schools at the end of the school year. We wish them both the best as they move forward with their education careers.
We will continue communicating with parents through Thrillshare and Rooms. These platforms use the contact information you provide. It is very important to keep your information updated in PowerSchool. Please update any changes to your cell phone number, email, or address either in the PowerSchool parent portal or by calling the school.
The first day of the 2026-2027 school year is scheduled for Tuesday, August 19. We will use Thrillshare and Rooms to share any updates over the summer.
You will be receiving a copy of our 2025-2026 Annual Report in the mail this summer. Schools are required by Rule 10 of the Nebraska Department of Education to inform the public of specific financial and educational information. We compile this into a brochure each year and mail it to all district patrons. I hope you find the report informative and helpful. If you have any questions, please stop in and see me or contact me by phone.
Educationally,
Mrs. Jane Davis, Superintendent
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Hershey Fine Arts Compete Well!
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Hershey Spring Sing - May 12 |
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We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Spring Sing elementary music concert on Tuesday, May 12 in the Activities Center! Our students have been working very hard and are eager to share their talents with you. The evening will begin with the PK–3 performance at 6:00 PM (students should arrive by 5:45 PM in the competition gym). These students will perform “It’s a Jungle Out There,” with fun dress themes including hyenas, elephants, monkeys, and cheetahs. The 4–6 performance will follow at 6:45 PM (students arrive by 6:30 PM), featuring “The Lion King Kids.” Older students will dress in jungle-inspired themes such as hyenas, animals, flowers, and foliage to bring the performance to life.
We are also looking for volunteers to help create a tropical jungle atmosphere with decorations like large flowers and faux plants—please reach out if you can help! Students with main roles will receive additional costume information. Please note that due to streaming rights, the performances will not be livestreamed. We hope you can join us for this special evening as we celebrate our students’ hard work and creativity!
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Lillian Fuchser is Heading to the National Stage!!! |
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Lillian Fuchser has earned a spot at the FBLA National Leadership Conference this summer in San Antonio, Texas, where she will compete in the Public Administration and Management event. This competitive event challenges students to demonstrate their understanding of government operations, public policy, and management principles through testing, case studies, and real-world problem solving.
The FBLA National Leadership Conference brings together thousands of top students from across the country for several days of competition, leadership workshops, and networking opportunities. Qualifying for this large event is a significant accomplishment and reflects months of preparation and dedication for Lillian and her advisor, Mrs. Cynthia Elliott!
Congratulations to Lillian on this outstanding achievement, and best of luck in San Antonio!
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Seniors Achieve 12 Activity Awards! |
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The 12 Activities Award is one of the highest honors a Hershey student can achieve. It is presented to students who have participated in at least three activities during each of their four years of high school—demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to involvement, time management, and Panther pride.
2025–2026 12 Activities Award Recipients:
Lindsay Blomstedt
Kenna Bringewatt
Lillian Fuchser
Landon Kennicutt
Ryleigh Melvin
Brett Morgan
Jaydon Parker
Quintin Pinkerton
Cale Russman
Michael Salinas
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Hershey Public Schools Celebrates 2025–2026 Athletes of the Year |
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Hershey Public Schools also recognized two standout seniors as the Male and Female Athletes of the Year, awards voted on by HPS head coaches.
Male Athlete of the Year: Rhodee Hill
Rhodee Hill concluded one of the most decorated careers in recent Hershey history, earning Omaha World-Herald Class C2 First Team All-State honors and being named both the NSAA Class C-2 District 6 Player of the Year and District MVP. A dominant two-way player, Hill rushed for over 1,000 yards during his senior season while also leading the Panthers with 105 total tackles on defense. Over the course of his career, he accumulated more than 2,600 all-purpose yards and consistently ranked among district and state statistical leaders.
In addition to his success on the football field, Hill was a four-year participant in track and field, establishing himself as one of the area’s top discus throwers. He will continue his athletic career at the collegiate level, having committed to play football at Morningside University.
Female Athlete of the Year: Kenna Bringewatt
Kenna Bringewatt capped off an outstanding high school career as one of Hershey’s most accomplished multi-sport athletes. A 12 Activities Award recipient, Bringewatt competed in volleyball, basketball, and track and field throughout her high school career, demonstrating exceptional dedication and versatility.
She earned SPVA All-Conference honors in both volleyball and basketball, highlighting her impact across multiple programs. In track and field, Bringewatt made school history by breaking the Hershey High School record in the 200-meter dash, further showcasing her athletic excellence. She will continue her academic and athletic career at the next level, having committed to play basketball at Central Community College.
Hershey Public Schools congratulates all of this year’s honorees for their incredible achievements and thanks them for the legacy they leave behind!
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L to R: Rhodee Hill and Kenna Bringewatt |
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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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How to Decide What to Post! |
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In today’s digital world, it’s easier than ever to share photos, videos, and opinions with just a few clicks. While this can be a great way to connect and communicate, it also comes with responsibility. A helpful visual titled “Should I Post This?” encourages students (and adults) to pause before sharing and think through a few important questions. Taking a moment to reflect can help prevent misunderstandings, hurt feelings, or unintended consequences.
The graphic focuses on respect and kindness when posting about others. It reminds us to ask for permission before sharing someone else’s photo or video and to consider whether a post could embarrass them now or in the future. It also encourages users to think about tone—especially when posting comments or opinions—and to avoid sharing in the heat of the moment. These simple steps promote empathy and help create a more positive online environment.
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Another key message is thinking about long-term impact. Posts that include personal information or could be taken the wrong way may affect future opportunities, including college or career options. The visual offers a practical guideline: if you wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing something with a trusted adult, it may be best not to post it at all.
As we continue to support students in becoming responsible digital citizens, tools like this provide an easy and effective way to guide decision-making. By encouraging thoughtful posting habits, we can help ensure that our online interactions reflect the same respect and integrity we value in our school community.
Go Panthers!
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Students and families in the community have a great opportunity to keep reading all summer long as the Hershey Public Schools library opens its doors for special summer hours.
The Summer Library program is designed to encourage continued learning, spark imagination, and help students stay engaged with books during the break. Whether students are looking for their next favorite novel, exploring new topics, or simply enjoying a quiet place to read, the library offers something for everyone.
Summer Library Dates & Times:
June 10
June 24
July 8
July 15
Hours: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Students of all ages are welcome to stop by, browse the collection, and check out books to enjoy at home. Staff will be available to help with recommendations and assist readers in finding materials that match their interests and reading levels.
Taking advantage of the Summer Library is a simple way to build strong reading habits, prevent summer learning loss, and make reading a fun part of the break.
For more information, families are encouraged to contact the school or watch for additional updates from Hershey Public Schools.
Make reading part of your summer routine—we hope to see you at the library! 📚
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May Activities Director Newsletter
All Spring activities are approaching championship time in their seasons. SPVA meets and district competitions are just around the corner. The hard work and dedication will prove to be vital this time of year. Good luck to all spring activities!
BOYS GOLF brought home the championship from our own Hershey Invite last month. A true team effort. The guys will be teeing it up at the SPVA meet on the 1st of this month in Chase County at 11:00 AM CT. Then a couple meets before they head West to Ogallala for the district Meet on the 18th of May. The fellas have been playin’ some good golf and hope to qualify as a team come districts. Good Luck, Linksters!!
GIRLS TENNIS has been hitting the courts throughout the spring and are getting better. They will have several competitions in May and their last home dual vs St. Paul scheduled for the 28th of April was postponed. Their next competition will be Tuesday May 5th serving at 4:00 PM in Lexington. The ladies will hit the road for the State Tennis Tournament, which starts on the 26th of May. Girls are having fun. Good Luck, Tennis!
BOYS/GIRLS TRACK had a good showing at our own Mike Troxel Meet. It was cold but we got it in. The kiddos have been breakin’ school records and personnel records (PRs) this year, and look to continue that trend at the SPVA meet held at Perkins County on May 1st starting at 10:00 AM CT. The boys and girls will then head to Ord on the 7th of this month starting at 2:00 PM. Districts this year will be in Perkins County on the 14th of May starting at 11:00 AM CT, where the tracksters are lookin to punch their ticket to the show. Good Luck, Tracksters!
JH TRACK started their season at home in the HPS/NPSP JH Invite on the 15th of last month and all the kiddos had fun competing. The young’ns will be at the SPVA meet on the 7th of this month starting at 10 AM CT at Mitchell HS. The kiddos will have a state meet in Gothenburg on the 16th of May starting at 9:00 AM. The athletes qualify for state by marks throughout the season, not at a district meet. Each athlete will be looking to hit those marks. Good luck, JH Tracksters!
Mr. Madison - Activity 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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