Hershey Public Schools

7-12 Panther Newsletter

October 2025

Principal's Welcome

Welcome to the month of October at Hershey Public Schools! September was a whirlwind of activity with a variety of Panther fall activities, homecoming, parent-teacher conference, and classes in full swing. The students and staff have done 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 IMPORTANT DATES for the month of October. These dates are critical to make sure of all stakeholders as we get into the start of a new school year. Second, I included information about Parent Teacher Conferences towards the end of the month. 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!

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Panther MOJO

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 Common Expectations! We want all stakeholders to know that when students are in the classrooms that 1) Learning is Taking Place 2) Connection and Relationships are Prioritized and 3) Student’s Voices are Heard!!!

Marzano Educational Framework

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!!

Hershey 7-12 September Students of the Month

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

7th - Avery Thompson 
8th - Katie Fowler 
9th - Halzee Etherton 
10th - Braislee Wilson 
11th - Cole Murdock 
12th - JT Lantis 


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

Junior High -  Katie Fowler 
Senior High - Halzee Etherton 

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Hershey Panther HOCO 2025

We will be celebrating Homecoming 2025 at the end of September and the beginning of October and we are excited to celebrate with the Panther community! Homecoming 2025 will run the week of September 29th - October 4th and this year’s theme is “Blast from the Past”! The dress up themes for the week will be as follows:

Monday - PJ Day

Tuesday - Rhyme Without Reason

Wednesday - BBQ Dad vs Soccer Mom

Thursday - Decades Day

Friday - Spirit Day

Students are to be reminded that all costumes should be school appropriate and adhere to HPS dress code. Hats are allowed throughout the week and pajama pants will be permitted on Monday. Hershey STUCO will have small sprint items to purchase throughout the week as well.

We again will have the Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 3rd starting at 1:45 PM. The parade would run down Lincoln Avenue and conclude with a quick pep rally in the Activities Center. The parade would feature the Panther Pride Marching Band, Cheer. Dazzlers, floats from each grade level (9-12), the HVFD, Hershey HELP Club, the Teammates Program, JH sport teams, and the Hershey homecoming royalty. Families and community members are welcome and encouraged to attend the parade and pep rally.

The football game will be Friday at 7:00 PM versus the Amherst Broncos. Homecoming week will conclude with the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, October 4th, at 8:00 PM here at Hershey High School. All students and guests attending must be in good standing with the school and will submit to a breathalyzer test in order to attend.

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Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences

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Parent Teacher Conferences will be held this year on Thursday, October 23rd and Friday, October 24th here at Hershey High School in the Competition Gym. All parents & guardians are encouraged to attend this event as it serves 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. There will also be time to communicate with administration and other support staff if there are any questions or concerns you may have.

Additionally, for SENIOR & JUNIOR PARENTS, there will again be a College Night hosted by Education Quest at 7:00 PM in the HPS Collaboration Space for Hershey Seniors and a Next Step Ready hosted by Mrs. Pettera & Mr. Cudney at 7:00 PM in Mrs. Bottom Room.

So please mark your calendars to attend Parent Teacher Conferences on either October 23rd or 24th! 

Mike Smith "Design Your Life" Workshop

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On Monday, September 8, our 7–12 Hershey Panther students geared up for a full day of growth, goals, and inspiration! Here's the was rundown on the day! In the morning students in grades 7–11 dove into their Fall 2025 MAPS testing to measure student academic growth while staff members worked one on one with Mike Smith and his "Design Your Life" Curriculum. The seniors reported a bit later and held a senior class meeting to talk graduation, homecoming, scholarships, and life after high school.

Later in the morning the 7th and 8th students broke off to attend the Mike Smith "Design Your Life" Workshop, focusing on purpose, identity, and positive impact while students in 9-11 finished MAPS testing. After lunch students in grades 9–12 experienced the "Design Your Life" Workshop—a powerful session to challenge and inspire their personal journey, while the 7th and 8th students continued in MAPS testing. All students regrouped in homeroom to reflect and wrap up the day.

A BIG THANK YOU to Highland Ag for stepping up and serving as the event sponsor to help bring Mike Smith and the "Design Your Life" workshop to Hershey!!!

🎯MAPS testing + Mindset growth = A GREAT day to remember at HPS!!!

Panther Power Hour

PPH

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. Aylward’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

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Important Dates in October

  • 10.1.25 - FFA @ Lincoln County Livestock Clinic

  • 10.2.25 - JH/JV Cross Country @ Gothenburg Invite (Wild Horse G.C.)

  • 10.2.25 - JH Volleyball @ McCook Bison (McCook JH)

  • 10.2.25 - R/JV/V Volleyball vs Valentine Badgers (Competition Gym)

  • 10.2.25 - JH Football @ Ogallala Indians (Ogallala H.S.)

  • 10.3.25 - HOCO Parade & Pep Rally

  • 10.3.25 - V Football vs Amherst Broncos (Summers Field)

  • 10.4.25 - HOCO Dance (HPS Cafeteria)

  • 10.6.25 - Girls Golf @ NSAA District Meet (Crandall Creek G.C.)

  • 10.6.25 - V Softball @ NSAA Sub Districts (Centura H.S. - Cairo, NE)

  • 10.6.25 - Reserve Volleyball @ Perkins County Invitational

  • 10.7.25 - JV/V Volleyball @ Loomis Wolves (Loomis H.S.)

  • 10.8.25 - FFA @ District Livestock Judging (Valentine, NE)

  • 10.9.25 - JH Volleyball vs Gothenburg Swedes (Competition Gym)

  • 10.9.25 - JH/HS Cross Country @ SPVA Meet (Pheasant Run G.C.)

  • 10.9.25 - R/JV/V Volleyball @ Sutherland Sailors (Sutherland H.S.)

  • 10.9.25 - JH Football @ Chase County Longhorns (Chase County H.S.)

  • 10.10.25 - V Softball @ NSAA District Final (TBD)

  • 10.10.25 - V Football @ Gordon Rushville Mustangs (Gordon Rushville H.S.)

  • 10.11.25 - V Volleyball vs NPSP/Maxwell Triangular (Competition Gym)

  • 10.13.25 - No School - HPS Professional Development

  • 10.13.25 - Girls Golf @ NSAA Class C State Meet

  • 10.13.25 - JV Football vs Sidney Red Raiders (Summers Field)

  • 10.13.25 - HPS School Board Meeting

  • 10.14.25 - Girls Golf @ NSAA Class C State Meet

  • 10.14.25 - JH Volleyball @ Our Redeemer Cougars (Our Redeemer Lutheran)

  • 10.14.25 - V Volleyball vs D-C-S/Perkins County Triangular (Competition Gym)

  • 10.15.25 - Softball @ NSAA Class C State Tournament (Smith Softball Complex)

  • 10.16.25 - Softball @ NSAA Class C State Tournament (Smith Softball Complex)

  • 10.16.25 - HS Cross Country @ NSAA District Meet (Pheasant Run G.C.)

  • 10.16.25 - JH Volleyball vs NPSP Irish (NPSP H.S.)

  • 10.17.25 - Softball @ NSAA Class C State Tournament (Smith Softball Complex)

  • 10.17.25 - V Football vs Kearney Catholic Stars (Summers Field)

  • 10.18.25 - Marching Band @ Minden Bandfest (Minden H.S.)

  • 10.18.25 - V Volleyball @ SPVA Tournament (Kimball H.S.)

  • 10.20.25 - R/JV Volleyball vs NPSP Irish (Competition Gym)

  • 10.20.25 - JH Volleyball @ Broken Bow Indians (Broken Bow JH)

  • 10.21.25 - R/JV/V Volleyball @ Chase County Longhorns (Chase County HS)

  • 10.23.25 - Panther Pride Marching Exhibition (Summers Field)

  • 10.23.25 - 7-12 Parent Teachers Conference: D1 (Competition Gym)

  • 10.24.25 - 7-12 Parent Teachers Conference: D2 (Competition Gym)

  • 10.24.25 - HS Cross Country @ NSAA Class D State Meet (Kearney C.C.)

  • 10.24.25 - V Football @ Mitchell Tigers (Mitchell H.S.)

  • 10.25.25 - Marching Band @ NSBA State Competition (Kearney H.S.)

  • 10.27.25 - V Volleyball @ NSAA C-2 Sub District Tournament (TBD)

  • 10.28.25 - JH Wresting Picture Day (Wrestling Room)

  • 10.28.25 - V Volleyball @ NSAA C-2 Sub District Tournament (TBD)

  • 10.31.25 - V Football @ NSAA C-2 First Round Playoff (TBD)

  • 10.31.25 - Play Production @ Cozad Festival (Cozad H.S.)

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Hershey Panther Activities Facility Map

Activities

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!

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Important Senior Reminders from the Counselors Office!

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 October 18th-late registration in September 30th (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. 

  • College Night hosted by Education Quest on Thursday, September 23rd at 7:00 PM in the HPS Collaboration Space. They will cover the following topics: 

    • Financial Aid Process

      • Types of Aid Available

      • FAFSA 

    • Scholarship Resources

7-12 HPS School Polices / Programs

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.

HPS School Safety 

SRP

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!

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