Welcome to the month of November at Hershey Public Schools! October was again a whirlwind of activity with a variety of Panther fall activities, classes transitioning from quarter one to quarter two, holding HOCO 2025, and hosting the 2025 Fall Parent Teacher Conferences! The students and staff continue to do a great job hitting the ground running, meeting building expectations, and excelling in and out of the classroom! 

As I have stated before, please make note of a couple of items in this month's newsletter. First, please check out the LINK TO IMPORTANT DATES for the month of November. These dates are critical to make sure of all stakeholders as we get into the start of a new school year.   Second, I included a re-cap of Homecoming 2025 and the Parent Teacher Conferences that were held in the month of October here in Hershey. These two events helped bring the community and the school together and many positive outcomes came as a result of these two events! Finally, there are other items of importance for families to use as a reference as we continue throughout the school year here at HPS!

As always, if there is anything we can do to support you and your family, do not hesitate to reach out to me here at the school. We have the privilege of working with great students every day and if there is a way we can partner to make it a better experience, let’s have that conversation! 

We are excited to continue to work with the staff here at HPS on the importance of PANTHER MOJO. This provides a simple framework for our staff and students to come back to when remembering what is foundational here at Hershey! MOJO stands for the following:

• Meaningful Engagement

• cOmmon Expectations

• Joy in Learning

• Opportunities for Growth

This month we are focusing as a staff on the importance of Joy in Learning! We want all stakeholders to know that when students are in the classrooms that 1) enjoy the process of learning 2) encourage active classrooms 3) know and respect everyone's why

Hershey Public Schools is proud to announce that Addison Frederick, Ryleigh Melvin, and Kenna Bringewatt have been selected as local recipients of the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) Believers & Achievers Award, sponsored by the NSAA and Currency.

The Believers & Achievers program recognizes outstanding high school seniors across Nebraska who exemplify excellence in academics, leadership, and involvement in NSAA activities. Students honored through this program demonstrate a strong commitment to citizenship, school involvement, and community service, representing the very best of Nebraska’s future leaders.

Each year, NSAA member schools nominate deserving students, and from those nominations, 48 seniors statewide are selected to be honored throughout the 2025–26 academic year. Those selected will be featured on an official NSAA poster displayed in schools across the state, recognized at an NSAA Championship event, and invited to a year-end banquet where individual scholarship winners will be announced

We are proud of Addison, Ryleigh, and Kenna for their dedication in the classroom, their leadership on and off the field, and their positive impact on the Hershey community.

Hershey Public Schools is proud to announce that Amelia Lake, a talented student from Hershey High School, has been selected by the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) to perform the National Anthem at the NSAA State Swimming and Diving Championships in Lincoln.

Amelia will take center stage at approximately 10:00 a.m. CST on Thursday, February 26, 2026, to open the championship competition with her performance of The Star-Spangled Banner. This honor recognizes not only Amelia’s outstanding vocal talent but also the dedication of our students and staff who continue to represent Hershey with pride and excellence across the state.

Please join us in congratulating Amelia on this incredible achievement!!!

This year we will continue to dive into and focus on strengthening our instruction through the Marzano Instructional Framework. This year we will take time to reflect and work on the importance of having curriculum aligned to standards, having assessments that give students and staff a clear understanding of what they know, and continuing to work on engagement strategies in the classroom.

It is our hope and expectation that through our continual work within the Marzano Framework and building a strong curriculum for our students, we can continue to improve the student experience and see students Learn, Grow, and Thrive here at HPS!!

We are excited to announce the Hershey 7-12 October Students of the Month!! These students exemplify the hard work and character we seek here at HPS!! Grade level winners include: 

7th - Morgan Lorensen 
8th - Tanner Abbott 
9th - Kolton Palm 
10th - Rylee Reitz 
11th - Lexi Pinkerton  
12th - Rhodee Hill 

Additionally, the following students were selected as the Junior High and High School Student of the Month! 

Junior High -  Tanner Abbott 
Senior High - Rhodee Hill 

Please click on the LINK BELOW to access the Activities Calendar for the month of November!! We have a bit of a lull between fall and winter sports, but you can still stay updated as to what is happening in PANTHER NATION!! 

LINK: https://www.hpspanthers.org/events 

Hershey Public Schools’ 2025 Homecoming Week was full of Panther spirit and community pride! The festivities kicked off with high school students beginning work on their class floats for the annual homecoming parade, while junior high students decorated the main hallway. This year’s theme — "Blast From the Past" — inspired creative decorations and outfits throughout the week. The 7th grade brought the 1980s back to life, while the 8th grade highlighted the 2000s. On the floats, the 9th grade took on a prehistoric theme, the 10th grade captured the Roaring ’20s, the 11th grade went Wild West, and the seniors went "all in" on a full throwback experience.
Students showed their Panther pride through themed dress-up days all week:

Monday: Pajama Day

Tuesday: Rhyme Without Reason

Wednesday: Soccer Mom vs. BBQ Dad

Thursday: Decades Day

Friday: Spirit Day

For the second straight year, HPS hosted a Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally, an event that brought together the entire PK-12 student body and the Hershey community. The Panther Pride Marching Band led the parade down Lincoln Avenue, followed by the Cheer Team, Dazzlers, and Sparklers, who performed short dances along the route.

The procession also featured the Hershey Teammates program, HELP Club, the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department, local businesses, and the Homecoming Royalty and Court riding in style. Grade-level floats closed out the parade, ending at Hershey Public Schools, where everyone gathered in the Activities Center for a spirited pep rally organized by the Cheer Team. Friday night’s game at Summers Field featured the Panthers taking on the Amherst Broncos. The first half was dominated by Hershey, who took a 22-0 halftime lead. The Dazzlers and Sparklers electrified the crowd during halftime, and the Panther Pride Marching Band delivered another stellar performance. The Broncos rallied late, but the Panthers held strong for a 22-14 Homecoming victory! Following the game, the 2025 Homecoming Royalty and Court were presented:

Freshman Attendants: Brynlee Dawkins and Kolton Palm

Sophomore Attendants: Ellie Hampton and Ty Vaughn

Junior Attendants: Alexis Pinkerton and Ryan Murphy

Queen Candidates: Kenna Bringewatt, Clara Denny, Makenna Johnson, and Ryleigh Melvin

King Candidates: Rhys Edelman, Rhodee Hill, Jaydon Parker, and Quinton Pinkerton

The 2025 Homecoming Queen and King were crowned — Kenna Bringewatt and Quinton Pinkerton!

Homecoming Week concluded with a high-energy dance on Saturday night from 8:00-10:30 p.m. at Hershey High School.

Hershey Public Schools would like to thank STUCO and Mrs. Pettera for their outstanding work planning and executing Homecoming Week, the class sponsors for their time and creativity with floats and hallways, the Cheer Team for organizing the parade and pep rally, all HPS staff and students for their participation and spirit, and the custodial staff for keeping facilities in top shape throughout the week.

Parent-Teacher Conferences were held on Thursday, October 23rd and Friday, October 24th here at Hershey High School in the Competition Gym. All parents & guardians were encouraged to attend this event as it served as a great opportunity for parents and teachers to communicate about the students and how to partner to aid in the success of the student.  Over the course of two days, over 120 parents came to meet with teachers to discuss their child's educational progress and ways both the school and family can partner for student success! 

Additionally, for SENIOR & JUNIOR PARENTS, there was a College Night hosted by Education Quest for Hershey Seniors as well as a Next Step Ready hosted by Mrs. Pettera & Mr. Cudney for the Hershey Juniors. 

The Hershey FFA Chapter brought agriculture to life for young students during its annual Elementary Ag Day, held recently for Transitional Kindergarten through 6th-grade classes. The event aimed to connect students with local agriculture through hands-on learning experiences and interactive stations featuring livestock, farm equipment, and even a fistulated steer from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Beef Lab.

Organized by the Hershey FFA officer team, the event involved over 30 FFA members, along with support from parents and community sponsors, who came together to inspire the next generation with the importance of agriculture.

Elementary students rotated through various stations where they could see, touch, and learn about local ag practices. A highlight of the day was the opportunity to interact with a fistulated steer from the UNL Beef Lab—allowing students to feel inside a cow’s stomach and learn how ruminant digestion works.

Our goal was to make agriculture real and relatable for these students. Most kids see farms from a distance—we wanted to bring them closer to the animals, equipment, and people that help feed the world.

Hershey FFA would like to thank all of the Farm Credit Service employees, parents, students and community supporters who helped make Elementary Ag Day a meaningful and memorable experience for the youth of Hershey Public Schools.

All students are welcome to attend Panther Power Hour here at Hershey throughout the school year! Panther Power Hour is designed to provide a space for students to recover failed credit (11th & 12th grade only), make up tests and quizzes, or simply to have a quiet space to work on homework after school. Panther Power Hour is held Monday - Thursday from 4:00 - 5:00 PM and is staffed by an HPS teacher. The following rooms will be used for the following days:

Monday - Mrs. Swartz’s Room

Tuesday - Ms. Lorensen's Room

Wednesday - Mrs. Stoner’s Room

Thursday - Mrs. Eshleman’s Room

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Cudney or Mrs. Pettera for more information!

2025-2026 Weighted Grading Scale

We will continue in the 2025-2026 school year with the use of weighted grading for ALL Dual Credit Classes. This list of dual credit classes offered at Hershey that will count towards this include the following:

• English 1010

• English 1020

• College Algebra

• College Speech

• College Psychology

• College Sociology

• College Trig

• College Stats

• College Wealth Build

• College Accounting

• Welding 1050 NEW

The grading scale that will be used will be similar to a number of other area schools who use weighted grading for dual credit courses.

• A = 5.0

• B = 4.0

• C = 3.0

• D = 2.0

• F = 0.0

HPS Breakfast & Lunch Menus

We are excited as a district to now partner with Opaa! as our new food service provider here at HPS! They will continue to offer breakfast and lunch for all students, as well as a “Second Chance Breakfast” for 7-12 students at the conclusion of first period. Check out the following link for updated daily menus! LINK: https://myschoolmenus.com/organizations/3386

Nebraska SMART (Success Made Accessible through Rural Tutoring) is a free virtual tutoring program for K-12 students who attend any Nebraska school. Teacher education candidates from Chadron State, Peru State, and Wayne State Colleges remotely tutor students through an online tutoring platform.

Nebraska SMART was established by the Nebraska State College System in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Education, which awarded an Innovation Grant to the State Colleges to develop a rural tutoring program. Chadron State College, Peru State College, and Wayne State College collaboratively offer this free online tutoring program to K-12 students in Nebraska.

Please follow the links below for more information on how this free program can benefit your students!!!

NEBRASKA SMART TUTORING WEBSITE LINK https://nscs.edu/nebraskasmart

NEBRASKA SMART TUTORING VIDEO LINK https://youtu.be/6nFWyY1fEGA

Please look at the above map to see parking and entrance locations for activities this fall at Hershey High School! Please note there is handicap parking close to the school just on the south side of the Activities Entrance. Additionally, the HPS Activities Entrance as well as main entrance to the school are now marked with clear signage!

Below are some GREAT tips and reminders shared by our 7-12 guidance counselor, Jolene Pettera! 

• Make an appointment with Mrs. Pettera to review credits, career goals, and college plans.

• Make college campus visits!

• Continuing working on scholarships that are posted in the Class of 2026 Thrillshare Room. New scholarships are posted as they become available.

• Do you have your letters of recommendation?

• Is your biographical essay complete?

• Is your resume complete?

• ACT test is December 13th-late registration in November 7th (register at www.actstudent.org)

• Fill out college applications. If you have any questions be sure to consult Mrs. Pettera. Submit your application now, along with all necessary forms and application fee.

• Tell Mrs. Pettera where you have applied so transcripts can be sent.

No Missing Work Recognition

In an effort to reward students who are continually doing what is asked of them and staying on top of their work, we have started a No Missing Work recognition. Panthers who have no missing work during the course of a week will be entered into a weekly grade band drawing for a $5.00 gift card to Kwik Stop. The winners will get a gift card and be posted to HPS social media!

Electronic Device Policy

The district has adopted an updated personal electronic device policy for the 25-26 school year. Students in grades 7-12 will be asked to put all personal electronic devices (cell phones/watches/ear buds) in a school issued pouch that is to be placed in their school issued backpack from 8:15 AM until 3:42 PM. Students in grades 9-12 can access their personal electronic devices from the start of the lunch period until 1:00 PM. Students that fail to comply with the new policy will have their personal electronic device confiscated and turned into the office and progressive disciplinary action will be taken. There will be more information shared out on school social media as well as at the beginning of the school year kickoff event.

7-12 Food & Drink Policy

In order to comply with FDA guidelines as well as promote healthy decisions and lifestyles, we will continue to work on limiting food and drink in the building for students during the 2025-2026 school year. Students MAY NOT bring in outside food or drink into the classroom and/or any food or drink brought into the building must be consumed before school starts at the beginning of the day or before classes resume following lunch.

7-12 Student Tardy Policy

In order to get students to class on time and begin lessons, the HPS tardy will continue to be the following:

• Weekly Tardy List Ran Monday AM from Previous Week

• Detentions / ISS Assigned by Assistant Principal

• All to Be Served by End of Current Week

Discipline Progression

• 0-4 Tardies - Grace Period

• 5-9 Tardies - 30 Minute Detention

• 10-14 Tardies - 60 Minute Detention

• 15-19 Tardies - 1 Day ISS

• 20-24 Tardies - 2 Day ISS

• 25-29 Tardies - 3 Day ISS

• 30+ Tardies - TBD

• Any unserved discipline will be doubled after a week of it being assigned by HPS administration.

7-12 Homeroom Period

Starting this school year, all students in grades 7–12 will end their day in a designated homeroom classroom. This new structure was developed through collaboration between a teacher committee and the HPS administration. The final 20 minutes of each school day have been intentionally designed to provide meaningful support and enrichment for all Hershey 7–12 students.

• During this time, students will engage in a variety of activities, including:

• ACT test preparation

• Character development lessons using Mike Smith’s Harbor video series

• Weekly grade checks and opportunities to complete missing work

• Skill-building in organization, planning, and goal setting

• Targeted academic intervention

• Homeroom competitions and games to foster community and engagement

• Designated reading time to support and strengthen literacy

This dedicated period is intended to help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally as they prepare for success both in and beyond the classroom.

The most important part of any school is the safety and well being of the students and staff! Several items exist within schools to support school safety. These include:

• Secured access during the school day. Visitors to school must check-in at the main office after they are allowed access through the office doors. All other doors are to be closed and locked during the course of the school day.

• Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is established. This provides a consistent student and staff response to potential emergencies. More information about SRP can be found at this LINK.

• Minimizing deliveries during the school day. We understand that a parent may wish to deliver food to students for special occasions, and we appreciate this. We discourage this from being a regular occurrence.

• Minimizing student visits to vehicles during the school day. Students that forget a school-related item in their vehicles may check-in at the main office before they are allowed to visit their vehicles.

• We appreciate the important part our students, staff, and families play in keeping our school safe. This year we plan on running eight fire drills, four SRP drills, two tornado drills, and two bus evacuation drills all in an effort to help students and staff be prepared in the event of an emergency.

We believe that we want to continue to prepare our students in the case of an emergency so that we are prepared in the case of a true emergency!