HSCHS Gets A Great Start
by Principal Dustin Hunt
It is hard to believe that we are already beyond the Labor Day weekend and beginning our third week with students at the high school. The year holds many changes for the students roaming the halls of HSCHS. However, as always our students have adjusted to the change and risen to the occasion very well.
High school freshmen have the biggest changes and have begun a study skills curriculum to improve organization, grades, and study habits. The students are adjusting to life in a new building and are doing great work. The freshmen orientation night was as well attended as it has ever been. The first annual “Commitment to Graduate” night served to introduce our newest high school students, along with their parents at halftime of the August 27th home football game. This event had excellent attendance as well by both parents and students. It was a special night with the Cats bringing home the victory and our entire community sharing in the commitment to help all students graduate.
Upper classmen are also adjusting to a new schedule as well. The students have several incentives to perform at high levels and are striving to reach those goals. This fall our juniors will have their first opportunity to receive ACT preparation instruction. The ACT test correlates directly to many scholarship dollars for our students upon graduation. Raising the overall ACT performance and score is a building and a district goal. Our seniors are off to a terrific start in their required Adult Living course. The course is designed to give the students many of the tools that are necessary to be a good citizen, that are not necessarily in a school curriculum. Examples would be how to register to vote, financial savvy, credit card amortization, how to apply for a loan, registering for selective service, to name a few.
Students are not the only ones looking at changes this fall. The staff is doing a great job implementing new structures to ensure that all students are learning at high levels. The high school staff for the first time has collaboration built into their day. The time is utilized for curriculum work, analyzing student data and performance, and creating instructional resources. It was a much needed change and the staff is making great use of the collaboration time.
The fall sports teams are all off to excellent starts. Our students continue to add to the rich tradition of academic and athletic excellence. Homecoming activities are to begin soon allowing students to showcase their Bobcat Pride. Be sure to check the school website for information on upcoming events and I look forward to seeing you out in Bobcat Country.
Dustin Hunt
Principal
Hot Springs County High School
