Winter Break

Just a reminder that all HJUHSD schools will be on Winter Break December 20 though January 7. Classes will resume January 10. 

In addition, all HJUHSD schools and offices will be closed Dec. 23 and 24 and Dec. 30 and 31.

We wish all of our students, staff and families a very happy holiday!

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HJUHSD Finals Schedule 2010

FIRST-SEMESTER FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, December 14
Period 1 7:45 a.m. - 8:23 a.m. 38/5
Period 2 8:28 a.m. - 9:06 a.m. 38
Snack 9:06 a.m. - 9:20 a.m. 14/5
Period 3 9:25 a.m. - 10:03 a.m. 38/5
Period 4 10:08 a.m. - 10:46 a.m. 38/5
Period 5 10:51 a.m. - 11:29 a.m. 38
Lunch 11:29 a.m. - 12:12 p.m. 43/5
Period 6 12:17 p.m. - 12:55 p.m. 38/5
Period 7 1:00 p.m. - 3:02 p.m. 122/380

Wednesday, December 15
Period 1 7:45 a.m. - 9:46 a.m. 121
Snack 9:46 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. 24/5
Period 4 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 120/246

Thursday, December 16
Period 2 7:45 a.m. - 9:46 a.m. 121
Snack 9:46 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. 24/5
Period 5 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 120/246

Friday, December 17
Period 3 7:45 a.m. - 9:46 a.m. 121
Snack 9:46 a.m. - 10:10 a.m. 24/5
Period 6 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. 120/246


IN CASE OF FOGGY DAY SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, December 14
Period 1 8:55 a.m. - 9:24 a.m. 29/5
Period 2 9:29 a.m. - 9:58 a.m. 29
Snack 9:58 a.m. - 10:12 a.m. 14/5
Period 3 10:17 a.m. - 10:46 a.m. 29/5
Period 4 10:51 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. 29/5
Period 5 11:25 a.m. - 11:54 a.m. 29
Lunch 11:54 a.m. - 12:37 p.m. 43/5
Period 6 12:42 p.m. - 1:11 p.m. 29/5
Period 7 1:16 p.m. - 3:16 p.m. 120/324

Wednesday, December 15
Period 1 8:55 a.m. - 10:56 a.m. 121
Snack 10:56 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 29/5
Period 4 11:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 120/246

Thursday, December 16
Period 2 8:55 a.m. - 10:56 a.m. 121
Snack 10:56 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 29/5
Period 5 11:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 120/246

Friday, December 17
Period 3 8:55 a.m. - 10:56 a.m. 121
Snack 10:56 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 29/5
Period 6 11:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 120/246

Sign up today for the HJUHSD Online Calendar to get all the latest announcements and updates about events at your school!

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HW collects Toys for Tots

Hanford West students and extended community are invited to join the Hanford West Octagon Club and the United States Marine Corps in making Christmas dreams come true through the Toys for Tots program.

U.S. Marines will be on campus Dec. 13 and 14 to collect donations of NEW, unwrapped toys and gifts before school, at Break and at Lunch.

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Kings Art Show Winners

Congratulations to the following HJUHSD students for placing in the Kings County Young Masters Art Show.

From Hanford West High:

• 1st place, Drawing: Amy Chin
• 2nd place, 3-Dimensional Design: Megan Fields
• Special Awards: Hanford Joint Union High School District: Makayla Fleming
• Special Awards: Hanford Rotary: Briannon Haser
• Honorable Mentions: Tayla Akins, Michael Allen, Briana Artuna, Dezman Diaz, Veronica Felts, Kelsey Lopez, Alyana Manasan, Ilse Reye, Hunter Rose Turner, Alyana Manson and Cynthia Viamonte.
• Additional Participants: Megan Sue, Alexis Prudhomme, Mariana Tabarres, Hector Figuero, Makayla Fleming, Alexia Pimentel, Ricardo Munoz, Mason Lopez, Halle Montgomery, Denise Maldanado, Elia Huerta, Corrina Thomas, Shea Dias, Zach Beinhorn, Evelyn Partida, Asia Blevins, Gerado Arciga

From Hanford High:

• 1st Place: Becca Rodriguez 3D Mask
• 3rd Place: Sarah Nesbit 3D Mask
• Honorable Mention: Iris Carvantes, Conner Rose, Luis Moran
• Participants: Jake Highfill, Dawna Davis, Valerie Lira, Trudy Perez, Marlene Juarez, Anissa Steward, Travis Mattos, Christina Clarke, James Rodriguez, Christyann Medina, Ricardo Rios and Jenni Kuenning.

The Young Masters Show will be on display at the Kings Art Center through December. The Kings Art Center is open: Wednesday  through Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday Noon to 3 p.m.

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Incoming Freshmen Parent Orientations

HJUHSD invites parents of incoming freshmen to an Orientation Night designed to provide an overview of high school and the courses and requirements necessary to graduate from HJUHSD and continue on to college.


The program, which takes about an hour, also will acquaint parents with the high schools’ many academic and vocational programs and include information about the registration process and selecting classes, along with the opportunity to ask questions.
Below are the scheduled presentations for each high school. If you need assistance determining your school of attendance, please refer to the HJUHSD Attendance Area map.
Parent Orientation 2010
Monday, January 31
Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Program begins at 6:15 p.m.
(Direct Spanish translation available)
For more information, please call:
Ana Lourenco at 583-5902, Ext. 4018

SIERRA PACIFIC HIGH SCHOOL
Parent Orientation 2010
Wednesday, January 19
SP Cafeteria
Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
Program begins at 6 p.m.
(Direct Spanish translation available) 
For more information, please call:
Donna Sheldon at 583-5912, Ext. 2010

HANFORD HIGH SCHOOL

HANFORD WEST HIGH SCHOOL
Parent Orientation 2010
Monday, January 31
HW Cafeteria
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Program begins at 6:15 p.m.
(Direct Spanish translation available)
For more information, please call:
Karen Clancy at 583-5903, Ext. 6000

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NOCHE DE ORIENTACION PARA PADRES DE ESTUDIANTE ENTRANTE

HJUHSD invita a los padres de nuestros estudiantes de primer año entrantes a la Noche de Orientación. Este programa esta diseñado para dar a los padres y estudiantes una descripción de una escuela secundaria y de varios cursos y requerimientos necesarios para graduarse de HJUHSD y continúe con el colegio. El programa cual tomara una hora y se le informará sobre muchos programas académicos y profesionales disponibles para su estudiante. La orientación de Padres incluye una breve presentación acerca el procesó de registración, la selección de las clases y tendrán la oportunidad de hacer preguntas.

Abajo están los horarios de las presentaciones de cada escuela. Si usted necesita ayuda en determinar su escuela de asistencia, por favor de refiérese al mapa del área de asistencia en la página anterior.

SIERRA PACIFIC HIGH SCHOOL
Orientación de Padres
miércoles, 19 de enero
en la Cafetería
(Traducción en español estará disponible)
Puertas abren a las 5:45 de la tarde,
Programa se empieza a las 6 de la tarde
Para más información, por favor llame a
Donna Sheldon al 583-5912, Ext. 2010

HANFORD WEST HIGH SCHOOL
Orientación de Padres
Lunes, 21 de enero
Cafetería de HWHS
(Traducción en español estará disponible)
Puertas se abren a las 6:00 de la tarde
Programa se empieza a las 6:15 de la tarde
Para mas información, por favor llame a
Karen Clancy al 583-5903, Ext. 6000

HANFORD HIGH SCHOOL
Orientación de Padres
Lunes, 31 de enero
Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center
(Traducción en español estará disponible)
Puertas abren a las 6:00 de la tarde,
Programa se empieza a las 6:15 de la tarde
Para mas información, por favor llame a
Ana Lourenco al 583-5903, Ext. 4018

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Foggy Days

As winter weather sets in, the Valley will be experiencing its normal foggy weather.

On mornings when the HJUHSD transportation manager determines that it is unsafe to transport students on school buses because of fog, buses will be delayed from 1 hour and 15 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the severity of the fog, and classes will start at 8:55 a.m. In some cases, morning buses may even be canceled.

On foggy mornings, please remember to check for Foggy Day Schedule announcements on television Channel 18 or call our Foggy Day Hotline at 559-583-5909.

More information about our Foggy Day procedures, including bell schedules and specific Foggy Day Plans, please visit the HJUHSD Transportation Page or call your school office.

Thank you.

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HHS Library Book Fair

The Hanford High Library will host a Scholastic Book Fair titled Reading Saves the Day from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 6 through 9. Come and check it out!

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Holiday Concerts

HJUHSD is pleased to present the following Holiday Concerts:

• The Hanford West High School Jazz Band Winter Concert will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center.
• Hanford High School will present Sounds of the Season, A Holiday Concert featuring the HHS Concert and Jazz bands at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center.
• Sierra Pacific High School will present an Instrumental Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10 at the SPHS Band Room.
•  The HWHS Winter Choral Concert will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. 
• The HHS Winter Choral Concert will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. 

For more information - and to keep up with all the latest events and activities at HJUHSD schools, sign up for the HJUHSD Online Calendar.

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HHS Drama Presents "CSI: Christmas Scene Investigators"

WHO: HHS Drama Club
WHAT: CSI: Christmas Scene Investigators, or: Who Stole Santa? 
WHEN: 7 p.m., December 7 and 8.
WHERE:  Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center (120 E. Grangeville Blvd.)
HOW: Tickets are $5. Refreshments will be served.
CONTACT: Bianca Ankrum, 559-583-5902, ext. 8495 or bankrum@hjuhsd.k12.ca.us

At Wendell Wilke High School, Christmas may not come at all if Principal Crunge has his way. The reason? Santa Claus is missing! During the last rehearsal for the annual Christmas Show, the action comes to a screeching halt when the cast discovers the Santa Claus statue, the highlight of the final number, has been stolen!

"That's it!" intones the principal. "No Santa, no show!"

Mrs. Dickens, the director, urges Principal Crunge to give them a chance to find the missing St. Nick. She immediately calls in the Clue Club — a group of five ambitious and eccentric students who take mystery and detection into the realm of science.

Lines, accusations and motives fly fast and furious as each student, from the jock who's in the show on a bet, to the girl who has a crush on the stage manager, becomes a suspect, along with the costumer, stage manager, school receptionist, janitor and even Mrs. Dickens.

Full of more surprises than a fruitcake, the Clue Club finds they have successfully fulfilled their duty as "Christmas Scene Investigators" when they reveal just why the true meaning of Christmas is all that really matters.

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EFJ Volleyball wins 2nd at Citrus tournament

Congratulations to the Earl F. Johnson High School Volleyball Team for winning Second Place at the Citrus High School Invitational Volleyball Tournament.

 

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HHS Band wraps up season with Fresno wins

The Hanford High School Marching Band and Color Guard wrapped up an outstanding season on Nov. 20 at WBA State Championships in Fresno.

The band and color guard went up against 18 schools from all over California and finished with a respectable 6th place and a 3rd in percussion.

In the Spring, the band will compete in percussion in the WGI national circuit, traveling to Northern and Southern California for competitions. The band will also be preparing for jazz festivals and concert band festivals. The color guard will compete in the SJVCGPR local circuit n Fresno.

For more information, please visit www.hanfordhighband.org.

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Happy Thanksgiving

The HJUHSD Board and Staff wish all of our students and their families a very Happy Thanksgiving!

All HJUHSD schools will be closed Wednesday Nov. 24 through Friday Nov. 26. Classes will resume Nov. 29.

To help keep track of school holidays and other key dates and events, sign up for the HJUHSD Online Calendar, today!

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Congratulations Employees of the Year!

Congratulations to the HJUHSD 2010 Employees of the Year:

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR

Bobby Peters

Principal

Hanford West High

TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Melanie Pulliam

Teacher

Hanford High and Sierra Pacific High

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Sally Morgan

Athletic Clerk

Hanford High

All three employees will be honored by the HJUHSD Board and will be nominated for the 2011 Kings County Excellence in Education Awards.

Please take a moment to congratulate these outstanding educators!

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Hanford FFA is the number one program in California

The Hanford FFA program was recognized Saturday as the 2010 California FFA Chapter of the Year.

The award was based on 2010 statistical performance indicators of five categories:

• American FFA Degrees
• State FFA Degrees
• State Proficiency Awards
• State Championship winning judging teams, and 
• State FFA Executive Committee Members

Scoring is based on a 100-point scale with Hanford scoring 75.50 points, 10 points higher than the second place chapter.

Hanford Ag Dept is Outstanding Large Program in Tulare-Kings

The Hanford Agriculture Department was recognized by the San Joaquin Region of the California Agriculture Teachers Association as the Tulare-Kings Section Outstanding Large Program.

This is very prestigious award; the Tulare-Kings Section is home to three of the largest and most successful program in the state Hanford, Lemoore and Tulare. Department members Susan Moran, Lilly Pimentel, Sam Rodriguez, Brian Combes, Dennis Fuller, Jared Castle and Laura Henson are very excited about this accomplishment and look forward to submitting an award application the California Ag Teachers Association to compete for the outstanding program in the state in the spring.

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HHS Band takes First Place in Madera

Congratulations to the Hanford High Marching Band and Color Guard for an outstanding performance in Madera Nov. 13. The band took first place in the 2A division and also won Best Drums!

The Marching Band and color guard are gearing up for WBA State Championships Nov. 20 at Koligian Stadium in Fresno, where the marching band will compete against 18 other schools from all around California. If the band scores in the top 5 in the 2A division, it will move onto Finals Nov. 21.

"Regardless of the outcome, we are very proud of the band and guard students and their strong efforts of hard work and dedication they have given all season," Band Director Janet Levine said.

For more HHS Band News, visit www.hanfordhighband.org

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HW Band Take-Out Dinner Friday

The Hanford West Mighty Huskies Band will host a shredded beef take-out dinner this Friday. Dinners will include:

• Seasoned shredded beef (home made by the HW Band Backers)
• Rice pilaf
• Green beans
• Green salad
• Roll with butter

All for only $10!

For tickets, please email Lisa Butts at lbutts@hjuhsd.k12.ca.us by Wednesday!

Thanks for your support!

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2010 State FFA Cotton Judging Results

Congratulations to the following Hanford FFA students for their award-winning performances at the 2010 FFA State Cotton Judging Contest:

State Cotton Judging Contest - 3rd Place Winners: 

• Katie LaBlue
• Maddy Wisecarver
• Lizz Smith
• Kelsey Escobar 

State Cotton Judging “B” Contest  - State Champions:

• Grant Verdegaal 2nd High
• Rozi Hokimshoeva 3rd High
• Claudia Flores 4th High
• Evie Starich

State Cotton Judging “B” Contest - 4th Place

• Myahri Avezklycheva
• Austin Harris
• Chad Henry
• Jose Torres 

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HHS collects for "Santa for Seniors" at Milk Can Game

Hanford High School is "competing" against Lemoore High School in more than one way tonight.

The athletic rivals will face off in the traditional Milk Can Football Game tonight. But, off the field, students will also be competing - to see who can raise the most money for Santa for Seniors.

Santa for Seniors will use the funds raised to buy necessary items for local senior citizens in retirement and convalescent homes.

As part of this good-natured competition, Hanford High ASB will collect change from fans at the Milk Can Game.

Last year, HHS extended the collection drive to the school day before the big game and it was a huge success, netting more than $1300 in all for the charity.

This year, ASB "elves" will make their rounds again during 5th period of the school day to collect spare change for Santa for Seniors. Many HHS staff members are also donating $5 each for the privilege of wearing jeans to work today.

Tonight, Milk Can Game fans will have a similar opportunity to use their spare change to help make the holidays happier for local seniors. Donations will be accepted through the middle of the second quarter and the school who raises the most money will be announced as the "winner" at half-time.

Thanks in advance for your support!

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HW Octagon Club: Treats for Troops

The Hanford West Octagon Club is gathering "Goodies for Our Troops".

 Donations of items (see list below) or cash will be accepted through November 18; Cash donations will be used to purchase additional items or pay for the postage to send them. The US Postal Service provides free boxes to send these items at a flat rate of  $12.

The donations should reach the troops a couple of weeks before Christmas. Cards and letters are also welcome.

Donations can be delivered to the HW Career Center. For more information, please contact Ruben Amavisca at ramavisa@hjuhsd.k12.ca.us.

Requested Donations: 
(List provided by give2thretroops.org - ALL CAPS items are most requested and needed.)


FOOD, SNACKS AND DRINKS:

• BEEF JERKY / SLIM JIMS
• COFFEE (Ground or whole; instant or drip. Ground is preferred)
• POWDER DRINK MIX (Gatorade, Kool-Aid, Crystal Light)
• SUNFLOWER SEEDS & PUMPKIN SEEDS
• TUNA & CHICKEN SALAD (in foil pouches, or ready-to-eat kits (no cans)
• PROTEIN POWDER & PROTEIN BARS
• CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS
• Hot Chocolate packets, Herbal teas
• Hard Pretzels / Cheetos / Fritos / Chex Mix / Wheat Thins / Ritz
• Gum / Hard Candy (must be individually wrapped in large bags)
• Granola Bars / Power Bars / Cereal Bars / Cliff Bars
• Fig Newtons, Oreos, Cheese & Crackers - Small Packs
• Trail Mix, Dried Fruit, Granola, Fruit Roll-Ups / Fruit By The Foot / Fruit Gummies
• DRY SOUP: (Ramen Noodles / Cup-O-Soup: just add water)
• NUTS: Peanuts, Mixed Nuts (salted preferred)
• MICROWAVE FOOD (Popcorn, Chef-Boy-R-Dee, Mac'n'Cheese, etc.)
• COOKIES / Girl Scout Cookie
• Rice Krispie Treats (store-bought only)
• Little Debbies® & Hostess® cake products
• Oatmeal Packs (Instant: Just add water)
• Cereal (Small, individual boxes)
• Condiments, Spices; Sugar; Salad Dressing (no glass jars)
• Caffeinated gum or candy

TOILETRIES: NO HOTEL SAMPLES, PLEASE

Note: Some troops have allergies & need brand name toiletries that list all ingredients. The military issues toiletries to our troops, however troops often miss their favorite brand of shampoo or soap. Our goal is to send troops reminders of home & items they miss.

• BABY WIPES (travel size)
• HAND SANITIZER (travel size)
• Body Wash, Liquid Soap, Facial Cleanser
• Shampoo /Conditioner (travel size)
• Hair Gel (for female troops to pull hair back)
• Combs / Brushes / Bobby Pins (in original packaging, please)
• Deodorant (travel size)
• Razors (disposable or "Intuition" or "Mach 3" types)
• Shaving Cream in Tubes / Shaving Soap (No CANS of Shaving Cream, please!)
• Lip balm / Chap Stick / Carmex / Blistex
• Baby Powder & Foot Powder (travel size)
• Tissues (individual packs; travel size only)
• Hand & Body Lotion / Moisturizer (travel size)
• Sunblock, SPF 45, Zinc, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera Gel
• Bug Spray / DEET / Skin-So-Soft
• Mouthwash (travel size)
• Toothpaste & Toothbrushes & Dental Floss
• Breath Mints / Breath Strips
• Lozenges / Cough Drops
• Loufa Sponges / Buff Puffs / Washcloths
• Nail files / Emery Boards / Nail Clippers
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Cotton Swabs (i.e. Q-tips) - also used to clean guns!
• Cotton Balls
• Band-aids, Gauze Pads, First Aid Kits / Ace bandages, Icy Hot or Bengay cream
• Moleskin
• Shoe Insole Cushions (gel kind is best)
• Tylenol, Motrin, Advil or Aspirin Packets
• Eye Drops (i.e. Visine)
• Nasal Spray
• Vitamins (multi-vitamins are always needed!) 

ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS:

• BATTERIES: (AA, AAA, C & 9 Volt are the most requested)
• DVD Movies (new or used - recent releases only, please!)
• Xbox Games, PSP, PS2 & PS3 Games (new or used)
• iTunes® Gift Cards
• 35 mm disposable cameras
• Computer Flash Drives & Thumb Drives
• Portable CD players / head phones
• Electronic handheld games
• Small homemade gifts - reminders & comforts of "home"
• Small photographs or posters of scenery for their tents & walls
• Pens & mechanical pencils, small note pads
• Stationery & Envelopes; blank cards to send home
• Double-sided tape, small crafts kits, scrap-booking items
• Day planners / Calendars / Small, Pocket Calendars
• Game Books: (Crossword Puzzles / Word Search Books / Math Puzzle books / MAD LIBS / Logic Problems / Sudoku)
• Yo-Yo's, Dominoes, Playing Cards (new), Poker Chips & Mats, Dice
• Board games (UNO, Othello, Checkers - travel size is great, too!)
• Dart Boards (regular or magnetic - any size)
• Nerf Footballs / Whiffle bats, balls & Mitts / Sports equipment
• Frisbees / Hackey sacks
• Music CDs, Magazines & Books

OTHER:

• Laundry Detergent and Fabric Softener::Bold Powder, Cheer Liquid (all versions),Cheer Powder (all versions),All Powder (all versions),Surf Powder (all versions),Woolite (all versions)
• FLASHLIGHTS - SMALL (battery operated. Surefire Brand preferred)
• AIR FRESHENERS (standalone-not plug-in. Car types are also good)
• SOCKS: Black, Olive Green & White (cotton or wool)
• PHONE CARDS - Pre-Paid (Click HERE for Where to Buy and What Types of Phone Cards to Buy from Third-Party Vendors)
• Small toys (Beanie babies) & school supplies for Iraqi & Afghan children
• Patriotic knick-knacks, USA flags, flags from your state, bandanas, baseball hats, football jerseys, banners to tack on their walls or tents.
• Black or Green duct tape, small tool kits, dust masks, carpentry tools, Fly swatters, fly paper, mosquito netting, bug repellent in plastic pump bottles only (NO AEROSOL CANS, PLEASE!)
• Paint brushes, adhesive wall hooks
• Gun cleaning supplies (lube) such as Militec-1 & CLP
• Generic sunglasses (Ballistic, black only. No "mirror" types)
• Alarm Clocks (Small in size; wind-battery-operated)

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HW Huskies Band finishes season on a high note

The Hanford West Mighty Huskies Band finished its competition season on a high note last week at the Pismo Beach Band Review:

• Color Guard finished 3rd overall (instructor, Ruben Amavisca)
• Percussion finished 2nd overall (instructors, Patricia Adams and Joseph Hernandez)
• Drum Major Donnie Strong took 1st place in the Mace category
• The Band took Music Sweepstakes (the highest score on music of all bands attending)
• The Band also took overall Sweepstakes meaning they had the highest overall score of all bands attending

 Thank you for supporting The Mighty Huskies Band!

~ Lisa Butts, HW Band Director

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HHS Band Update

Congratulations to the HHS Marching band and Color Guard for their recent accomplishments. As a member of the WBA circuit, the HHS Band program competes against schools from all over California. This year they are performing an original composition written by Gary P Gilroy entitled "Carnaval Macabre." The music has familiarly haunting melodies and exciting energy that the students really enjoy playing.

• WBA Golden State Tournament - Oct. 16
• 2nd Place in the 2A Class
• Best Percussion and Best General Effect

• WBA Fresno State Sierra Cup Classic- Oct. 30 
• 2nd Place in the 2A Class Best Percussion

Upcoming Events:

• WBA Madera Invitational - November 13
• WBA State Championships - Fresno - November 20

Please check www.hanfordhighband.org for more information.

~ Janet Levine, HHS Band Director

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HW Book Fair Nov 15-19

WHAT: HW Fall 2010 "Reading Saves the Day" Scholastic Book Fair
WHEN 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., November 15-19
WHERE: Hanford West Library.

For more information, please contact the Hanford West Library at 583-5903 ext.6022

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Board study session re: Restricted Campuses, Nov. 9

The Hanford Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees will hold a Study Session from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 9 at the HJUHSD Board Room, located at 823 W. Lacey Boulevard on plans to convert Hanford High School and Hanford West High School from “open” campuses to “restricted” campuses beginning in the 2011-2012 school year.
The HJUHSD Board invites parents, students, business representatives and other community members to attend this Study Session to learn more about the planning process for this transition and to share their thoughts and concerns on the subject

The overall goal of this transition is to help increase student safety.

The tentative plan is to have a closed campus for Freshmen and Sophomores and to offer an open campus privilege for Juniors and Seniors in good standing that would allow those students to leave campus at lunch time.

New perimeter fencing - paid for by State school safety funds - was added to the Hanford High and Hanford West High campuses this summer as part of this transition. The District is also exploring the expansion of on-campus meal options for students.

The Board welcomes feedback from any interested community partners on these topics.

Interested community members who cannot attend the Nov. 9 meeting are invited to write to the Board at: HJUHSD Board of Trustees, 823 W. Lacey Blvd. Hanford, Ca

Additional information is available by calling the HJUHSD Superintendent’s Office at 559-583-5901, ext. 3101.

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HHS Frosh to compete in Ca. Regional Golf Championships

Paulette Maskarino, a Freshman at HHS, made the cut to attend the Southern California Regional Golf Championships Nov. 10 in Murrieta, Ca.

She shot a 79 at the area championships last week at the Sunnyside Country Club. Maskarino is the first female golfer from Hanford High to advance to the Southern California finals.

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HW Baseball Player to sign letter of intent for Div. 1 school

Hanford West Senior Eian Raeber will sign a national letter of intent to play baseball on scholarship at the University of Northern Colorado, an NCAA Division I school, at a signing ceremony at 3:30 p.m. November 9 at the HWHS Cafeteria.

Eian is four-year varsity player and he has worked extremely hard to reach his goal of playing at the Division I college level.

"I am extremely proud that Eian's success in the classroom has afforded him this opportunity," said Coach Michael Remy. "He is also a person of great character and a model player for our program. Everyday our team talks about how the only things we can control are our attitude and effort."

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HW Boys Basketball Tip-Off Dinner is Nov. 4

Tickets are still available for the Hanford West Boys Basketball Take-Out Tip-Off Dinner catered by Cal Clement! Deep-Pit Pork ~ $10 ~ 4-6 p.m. ~ Nov. 4 ~ HW Cafeteria. Contact Coach Tim Caudillo at 559-583-5903 for tickets or more information.

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HW Band earns honors at Sierra Cup Classic

The Hanford West Mighty Huskies competed in class "AA" Saturday in the Sierra Cup Classic at Fresno State.

The band took 4th place overall in its class, 2nd place in Music, 3rd Place in Color Guard and 4th Place in Percussion. Of all 23 bands in classes "A" "AA" and "AAA", The Mighty Huskies took 5th place in Music.

The Mighty Huskies will perform again this Saturday at the Pismo Beach Band Review.

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California Healthy Kids Survey 2010-2011

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Your child is being asked to be a part of our school’s Healthy Kids Survey sponsored by the California Department of Education. This is a very important survey that will help promote better health among our youth and combat problems such as drug abuse and violence. Please read this form for information about the survey and for instructions on how to withdraw your child. If you do not want your child to complete the survey, you must notify your school.

Survey Content

The survey gathers information on behaviors such as physical activity and nutritional habits; alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; school safety; and environmental and individual strengths and assets.  It also includes questions regarding planning, or attempting to commit suicide; sexual behavior and practices leading to HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. You may examine the questionnaire in the school office or online here: Healthy Kids Survey.
It is Voluntary. Your child does not have to take the survey. Students who participate only have to answer the questions they want to answer and they may stop taking it at any time.
It is Anonymous. No names will be recorded or attached to the survey forms or data. The results will be made available for analysis only under strict confidentiality controls.

Administration

The survey will be administered prior to the end of 1st semester.  It will take about one class period to complete (about 50 minutes) and will be administered in your child’s Success 101 or US History class.
Potential Risks: There are no known risks of physical harm to your child.  Risks of psychological or social harm are very small. None have been reported in seven years of survey administration. In rare instances, some discomfort might be experienced from the questions. The school’s counseling services will be available to answer any personal questions that may materialize.

For More Information

The survey was developed by WestEd, a public, non-profit educational institution.  If you have any questions about this survey, or about your rights, call the district at 583-5901, extension 3118.

Click here to review the Healthy Kids Survey

If you do not want your child to participate, you may contact:

• Hanford West High School: Bobby Peters at 583-5903, ext. 6000
• Hanford High School: Pablo Chavero at 583-5902, ext. 4004
• Sierra Pacific High School: Janice Ede at 583-5912, extension 2012
• Earl F. Johnson High School: Gary Marr at 583-5904, ext. 7000
• Hanford Night Cont. High School: Dorothy Crass at 583-5904, ext. 7006

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ENCUESTA CALIFORNIA HEALTHY KIDS 2010-2011

Estimado padre, madre o guardián:

Se le está pidiendo a su niño que forme parte de nuestra Encuesta Healthy Kids patrocinada por el Departamento de Educación de California.  Esta es una encuesta de suma importancia que ayudará a promover una mejor salud entre nuestros jóvenes y a combatir problemas como el abuso de drogas y la violencia.  Por favor, lea esta forma que contiene información sobre la encuesta y también instrucciones a seguir si usted no desea que su hijo participe.  Si usted no desea que su hijo complete la encuesta, debe comunicárselo a su escuela.
Contenido de la encuesta.  La encuesta recolecta información sobre comportamientos como la actividad física y los hábitos alimenticios; sobre el alcohol, el tabaco y otros usos de drogas; sobre la seguridad en las escuelas; y sobre los puntos fuertes y los valores relacionados con el ambiente y el individuo.  También incluye preguntas que tratan sobre el pensamiento, planificación o intento de cometer un suicidio; el comportamiento y las prácticas sexuales que pueden causar el VIH/SIDA, las enfermedades transmitidas sexualmente y el embarazo.  Usted puede examinar el cuestionario en la oficina de la escuela, o en el sitio web de su distrito:  ENCUESTA CALIFORNIA HEALTHY KIDS

La participación es voluntaria.  Su niño no tiene obligación de completar la encuesta.  Los alumnos que participan sólo tienen que responder a las preguntas que quieran contestar y pueden dejar de realizar la encuesta en cualquier momento.

La encuesta es anónima.  Ningún nombre será registrado o adjuntado a las formas o a la información de la encuesta.  Los resultados se darán a conocer únicamente para análisis bajo controles confidenciales estrictos.
Administración.  La encuesta será administrada antes del final del primer semestre.  Tomará aproximadamente un período de clase para completar (unos 50 minutos) y se administrará en la clase de Success 101 o Historia US de su niño.

Riesgos potenciales.  No se conoce ningún riesgo de daños físicos para su niño.  Los riesgos nocivos de tipo psicológico o social son muy pequeños.  No se ha reportado ninguno en los siete años que se ha administrado la encuesta.  En casos poco comunes, algunas preguntas podrían hacerlo sentir incómodo.  Los servicios de consejería de la escuela estarán disponibles para responder a cualquier pregunta personal que pudiera surgir.
Para obtener más información.  La encuesta fue desarrollada por WestEd, una institución educativa sin fines de lucro.  Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre esta encuesta o sobre sus derechos, llame al distrito al número 583-5901, extensión 3121 o 3120.

ENCUESTA CALIFORNIA HEALTHY KIDS

Si usted no quiere que su hijo participe, usted puede comunicarse con:

• Hanford West High School: Bobby Peters at 583-5903, ext. 6000
• Hanford High School: Pablo Chavero at 583-5902, ext. 4004
• Sierra Pacific High School: Janice Ede at 583-5912, extension 2012
• Earl F. Johnson High School: Gary Marr at 583-5904, ext. 7000
• Hanford Night Cont. High School: Dorothy Crass at 583-5904, ext. 7006

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FREE Training on getting the most from the HJUHSD Online Calendar

The Tandem for Schools calendar - which hosts the HJUHSD Online Calendar - is offering a FREE online training for parents and other community members on how to make the most of the Tandem Calendar at 6 p.m. November 3.
The webinar will last 30 minutes and we’ll review all the basic questions on how you can use the features of the Tandem Calendar.

• How do I find the events at my child's school?
• What does "filter" mean and how do I find the activities and sports my child participates in?
• How do I sign up for email and text message updates?
• Can I sync the school calendar with my personal calendar?

If you have other questions, you can email them to: support@intand.com  for review during the webinar.
To attend this free online training, register here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/502468793

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Education Pays

Education Pays: A Report on the Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society, by the College Board Advocacy and Policy Center:

• View the Slideshow
• Read the full report in PDF

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HAS Nursing Program Celebrates 45 Years

Graduates, interested students, and former staff are invited to attend the 45th Anniversary Celebration of Hanford Adult School’s Vocational Nursing Program from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. October 25 at HAS, 905 North Campus Drive.

Demonstrations, historical displays and tour of facilities will be available. Refreshments will be served on the patio.

If you are a graduate and cannot attend, we would like to hear about your experiences in the health field after graduation by email or letter.

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Hanford High Band Boosters Election Night Turkey Dinner

HHS Band Boosters Election Night Turkey Dinner

• Tuesday, November 2, 2010
• Take out only - 4 pm to 7 pm
• Pick up at Douty Street parking lot

Dinner includes deep-pit turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans and roll! All proceeds will benefit the Hanford High School Band and Color guard. Tickets are available by emailing Janet Levine at jlevine@hjuhsd.k12.ca.us

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SPHS Library Fundraiser

Sierra Pacific High School has a brand new library, and we are trying to fill our shelves with great new books.

If you would like to help us grow, you can donate to our Funds 4 Books fall fundraiser online or you can write a check payable to funds4books.com and drop it by the school.

All funds will go directly to the purchase of books for the library.

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HHS Choral Concert October 19

The Hanford High School Choral Department will present their Fall Concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. Admission is $5.

The concert will feature the Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus, Advanced Women's Chorus, Chamber Singers, and soloists.

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HW Might Huskies Band alumni invited to join Homecoming Festivities

All alumni of the Hanford West High School Mighty Huskies band and color guard are invited to join in the Hanford West Homecoming festivities Oct. 22 at the Jacob L. Neighbor Bowl.

The alumni band will rehearse at the Bowl at 6:30 p.m. and play with the current band during the football game. All band alumni are invited, even if they no longer play an instrument. There will be a gathering at a local pizza restaurant following the game.

For more information, contact Band Director Lisa Butts at hwband@mac.com or call 583-5903, ext. 8610.

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HHS Presents "Rachel's Challenge"

Hanford High School will host Rachel’s Challenge on October 18.

During the school day, students will attend an assembly where they will hear the incredible story of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School tragedy. Rachel left behind an amazing legacy and a simple challenge to anyone who will accept it – treat others with kindness and compassion and you just may change the world you live in.

After the student assemblies, HHS student leaders will receive special, in-depth training to better understand how they can make a difference in their school and community.

As a wrap-up of the day’s events, parents and community members are invited to attend a similar presentation at 7 p.m. at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center to hear Rachel's story and learn how they can help create a positive school and community environment.

The student leaders at Hanford high School are excited to bring this event to Hanford and we hope that this opportunity may “start a chain reaction” of kindness and compassion in our community.

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HHS Drama Club presents "Taming the Wild Wild, West in a Dress"

The Hanford High School Drama Club will present Taming the Wild, Wild West in a Dress October  7 through 9 at the Stratton L. Tarvin Presentation Center. Show time is 7 p.m. and tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for students.

This show is a Western comedy about a young actor, Clarence, and his acting troupe on a journey to Nevada. Clarence makes the trek to inherit a saloon left to him by his late Aunt Iva Fortune (get it? Iva Fortune?).  He soon comes to realize that it’s not a saloon, but a ladies’ salon he has inherited! Unfortunately, men could not manage salons in those frontier days so Clarence and his talented group of friends must devise a plan. Come and see how these men manage to pull off the deception in dresses! We hope to see many of you there in the audience to support our great theatre program.

The HHS Drama Club will also attend the Drama Teachers Association of Southern California Festival Competition in Central Los Angeles October 30. Seven drama students will be competing at Central Los Angeles High School in both performance and technical categories.

Important Fall Dates for HHS Drama:
10/7-10/9         Taming of the Wild Wild West in a Dress (7pm in the PC)
10/28                Drama club meeting in room 409- Costume themed potluck
10/29-10/30     DTASC (overnight trip to Los Angeles, all day festival Saturday)
11/10                Beauty and the Beast @ Saroyan Theatre in Fresno (7:30pm)
12/2                  CSU Fresno Scholarship Festival (all day seniors only)

Please call 583-5902 ext. 8495 or email bankrum@hjuhsd.k12.ca.us for information about any of our fall events. We are always looking for parent volunteers, chaperones, or donation of props, costumes or lumber.

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Important Health Information for parents

Influenza

What you Need to Know about Influenza (PDF) Lo Que Usted Debe Saber Acerca de influenza (PDF) Centers for Disease Control Website Say No 2 Flu (Fresno County Community Health)

 Staph Infections

A Parent's Guide to MRSA in California (PDF) Guía Para Padres Sobre el SARM en California (PDF)

 West Nile Virus

Information about protecting your family from West Nile Virus (PDF) El virus del Nilo Occidental: Protejase usted y su familis (Spanish) (PDF) West Nile Virus: Tiv thaiiv koj tus kheej thiab koj tsev neeg (Hmong) (PDF)

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Message from the Superintendent: New Fences

Superintendent Bill Fishbough

As you may have noticed, we added new perimeter fencing to the Hanford High School and Hanford West High School campuses this summer.

These fences, paid for with State school safety funds, are part of our efforts to make sure students and staff are safe and secure on campus.  The additional fencing will allow school staff to better monitor foot traffic on and off campus, including students and visitors.

The long-term plan is to create a "restricted campus" at Hanford High School, Hanford West High School and Sierra Pacific High School in the 2011-2012 school year.

We are still working out the specifics, but the plan is to have a closed campus for 9th and 10th grade students and a modified open campus for 11th and 12th graders. That means that upperclassmen in good standing would be able to leave campus at lunch time.

To support these safety related changes, we are also looking at expanding our on-campus meal options for students in 2011-2012.

 I will work to keep parents, students and community members up to date on these changes as they occur.

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Budget Update: March 24, 2010

Superintendent Bill Fishbough

Last night, I presented to the Board two more pieces of our 2010-2011 spending plan. Specifically, we discussed planned cuts to non-teaching staff and to athletic spending.

As you know, HJUHSD expects to get about $2.5 million less in funding this year from the State. We have planned a variety of cuts to administration, staffing and programs to meet these budget cuts. A summary of those budget plans are available below.

CLASSIFIED POSITIONS

Part of those budget-balancing plans included a cut of $1 million to funding for the Hanford Adult School. As a result of those cuts, we will be eliminating the following Classified (non-teaching) staff positions at Hanford Adult School:

• 1 full-time Instructional Aide
• 1 full-time Clerk 1
• 1 part-time Food Service Aide
• 1 part time Food Service 1

We will also eliminate 1 part-time Instructional Aide from the Opportunity Program at HHS.
In addition to these cuts, we have already eliminated from next year’s budget two currently vacant positions: A Payoll Clerk and a Custodian.

ATHLETICS

I am also proposing the following spending cuts to athletic budgets for 2010-2011:

From HHS:

• 2 Football Assistant Coaching Stipends
• 2 Wrestling Assistant Coaching Stipends
• 2 Boys Volleyball Coaching Stipends (Suspending program)
• 1 Diving Coaching Stipend (Suspending program)

From HWHS:

• 2 Football Assistant Coaching Stipends
• 1 Wrestling Assistant Coaching Stipend
• 1 Track Assistant Coaching Stipend
• 2 Boys Volleyball Coaching Stipends (Suspending program)
• 1 Diving Coaching Stipend (Suspending program)

These cuts total just under $50,000. Athletic Transportation budgets will also be cut by $5,000 at each school.

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Budget Update: March 10, 2010

Superintendent Bill Fishbough

This week, I presented the HJUHSD Board with a summary of our planned budget changes for next year and an estimate of additional spending cuts that will still need to be made.

As you know, we are anticipating a $2.5 million cut to our State funding this year. In addition, we are anticipating increased salary costs (contracted step and column increases) of $400,000 for 2010-2011. That leaves us with a total expected deficit of $2.9 million for the coming year.

Our proposed changes to date are to:

• Move $1 million from the Adult School Fund to the General Fund.
  • These funds are normally earmarked for Adult School use only. But, to help ease the budget burden on schools, the State removed the restrictions on these funds through 2013
  • The Hanford Adult School currently receives about $1.6 million in state funding as well as about $200,000 in federal funds. In addition, some the Adult School programs are fee based and self-sustaining, such as the Nursing Education and Welding programs. We will continue to run as many programs as we can reasonably provide with the funds and staffing that we can maintain. But several programs will likely be cut back or eliminated.
  • As a result of these cuts, the board has approved the elimination of 5 full-time-equivalent teaching positions at Hanford Adult School. Additional non-teaching staffing changes may also be necessary as we make decisions as to what programs we will be able to support.
• Eliminate 14 teaching positions at the high schools.
  • This figure was reached by calculating the number of teachers needed to serve students with all classes filled to contracted maximums and will reduce spending by $980,000.
• Eliminate 3 counseling positions at the high schools.
  • The State had provided additional funding specifically to increase high school counseling a few years ago. HJUHSD used those funds to increase our counseling staff. These funds are now available for unrestricted general use. This will save $210,000.
• Elimination/reorganization of site administration positions.
  • The Earl F. Johnson High School/Hanford Night Continuation High School Principal position will be vacant at the end of this school year. The Hanford Adult School Principal will become principal of Earl F. Johnson High School. He will also continue to administer programs at HAS. As we will be running minimal programs at the Adult School, administrative duties there will be greatly reduced. The most time-consuming administrative duties will pertain to the Nursing Program, which is required by law to have its own Nursing Director to oversee it (funded by the program). 
  • The Director of Special Education, who was also the half-time HAS Assistant Principal this year, will continue to oversee Special Education and also serve as the Hanford Night Continuation Principal.
  • The Hanford West Learning Director will move to Sierra Pacific High School. The Hanford High School Learning Director will move to Hanford West High School. That will leave an Assistant Principal and a Learning Director at Hanford West and two Assistant Principals at Hanford High, with the understanding that when an Assistant Principal position is vacated, it will be replaced with a Learning Director.
  • All of these administrative changes total a savings of about $476,000.
• Eliminate several District administrative positions.
  • The Director of Student Services position will be vacant at the end of this school year and the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services position will be vacant as of the end of the calendar year. We will not refill those positions. Instead we will create a new Director position to handle some of those duties. The remaining responsibilities will be moved to the Superintendent, and Assistant Superintendent.
  • The Director of Transportation position will be vacant at the end of the school year. We will not refill that position. Instead, the Director of Maintenance will become the Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation, overseeing both departments.
  • The Data Services Manager position will be eliminated. The Data Services Manager salary and benefits this year are budgeted at $105,000. This cost will be eliminated. We will create a new classified Network Technician position for which salary and benefits are expected to be $79,000. The net savings is $26,000.
  • The Coordinator of Communications position will be eliminated. The total salary and benefits budgeted for this position this year was $79,000. As part of the restructuring of the IT Department, a new classified position is being created for which salary and benefits are expected to be about $79,000. This new position will work with online media, student data systems, external communication and the three end-user IT support technicians. While overall budget is a concern, the changes to the IT department are not so much about cutting costs as about altering HOW we are spending the dollars we have to better serve our schools.
  • Two other vacant positions – a payroll clerk and a custodian – will not be filled, for a reduction of $116,000.
  • A four-hour receptionist position may be re-instated at a cost of $25,000. This is a placeholder position. I hope that we won't need to fill this position and that current staff will be able to handle all phone calls, walk-ins and afternoon sub-coordination issues. But, with the cuts to personnel and shifting of duties that will be happening at the District Office, I want to make sure that our customer service - including service to our own staff - will not fall to unacceptable levels. As we see how all of our cuts and changes play out, I will make a final decision as to whether or not to fill this position. Until then, it's best to budget the funds and not need them then vice versa.
• Cut $35,000 each from the Hanford High School and Hanford West High School athletic budgets.
  • HHS and HWHS received about $300,000 each for athletics last year. Sierra Pacific High School received $75,000 for athletics last year. These funds are used to pay coaching stipends, Transportation, and Supplies. This year, HH and HW will have $265,000 to spend on athletics and SP will be allocated up to $125,000. We have allocated increasing funds for SP for the next few years as the school population grows, to eventually bring it up to the level of the other comprehensive sites.

If and when all of these changes are made, the net difference to our annual budget is projected to be just over 2.8 million, leaving us with a deficit of $96,000.

I am working with managers and staff to explore additional ways to reduce spending in 2010-2011 to balance the budget.

I have appreciated many of the suggestions that have come to me through our online Budget Feedback Form and other communications with staff, students, parents and community members. If you have additional savings suggestions or questions about the decisions that have been made so far, I encourage you to use the Budget Feedback Form to share them. I will continue to read and consider every suggestion personally.

None of these are easy decisions. These are extremely tough times and there are no “bright spots” in this planning process. But the focus on educating our students must remain unchanged. Despite the reduction in our resources, we are still responsible for providing the best educational experience possible for every student. I know these changes will make that job harder, but I have faith that our staff can rise to the challenge.

As always, I will do my best to keep you posted of news and decisions affecting our budget as they occur.

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Budget Update: February 19, 2010

Superintendent Bill Fishbough

On Tuesday, I will bring three pieces of our 2010-2011 budget planning to the Board of Trustees: Reductions in certificated staff; reductions in administration; and a revised Early Retirement Incentive program.

TEACHERS & COUNSELORS

As I said in my last message, we will be eliminating 14 9th through 12th grade teaching positions for the coming year by ensuring all classes are filled to the contracted maximums.

New on the Board agenda next week will be the proposed elimination of 3 counseling positions and a reduction of 5 Adult School teaching positions. The Board will be considering approval of the resolution affirming the reduction of services this week.

If the certificated positions (excluding Adult School) are eliminated, the cuts total approximately $1.2 million dollars, or 7 percent, compared to the current year.

ADMINISTRATION

I will also be proposing the following administrative changes to the Board.

Earl F. Johnson Continuation High School Principal Clinton Williamson has requested to return to teaching. Hanford Adult School Principal Gary Marr will serve as Principal of both the Adult School and EFJ.

Director of Curriculum and Student Services Leslie Steffen and Director of Transportation Jim Black will both retire at the end of the school year. Assistant Superintendent Tim Smith will retire in December. To save money, these positions will not be replaced. Additionally, Maintenance Director Bruce Pickering will become Maintenance, Operations and Transportation Director.

Ward Whaley, who is currently an Assistant Principal at Hanford West High, will take over a new Director position at the District Office to oversee Human Resources and other services.

Dorothy Crass will oversee Special Education, EL and Migrant Services and serve as Hanford Night Continuation Principal.

The other central services that were managed by Mr. Smith and Ms. Steffen will be absorbed into the duties of the Superintendent’s Office and Assistant Superintendent of Business Services.

At the comprehensive high schools, Learning Director Janice Ede will move from Hanford West High School to Sierra Pacific High School. Learning Director Darin Parsons will move from Hanford High School to Hanford West High School. That will leave an Assistant Principal and a Learning Director at Hanford West and two Assistant Principals at Hanford High, with the understanding that if/when an Assistant Principal position is vacated, it will be replaced with a Learning Director.

All of these administrative cuts and changes total $581,471, or 22 percent, compared to the current year.

EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE

We have received word from our attorneys that the Early Retirement Incentive approved by the Board earlier this month is not in compliance with the current mandates of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) because it offers different levels of compensation to retiring employees based upon age.

To comply with changes to the law, I will be recommending to the Board the deletion of the current out-of-compliance Board Policy, rescind the original Early Retirement Incentive offer it made last month, and approve a revised Early Retirement Incentive offer. The timeline for qualified staff to take advantage of the incentive would be unchanged.

Again, I want to remind staff that these are the first phase of cuts – those that need to be approved by the board before March 15.

I will be meeting with the District Budget Committee March 2 to discuss additional proposals for changes and savings and I will continue to keep you posted as decisions are made.

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Budget Update: February 11, 2010

Superintendent Bill Fishbough

This week, the HJUHSD Board approved an Early Retirement Incentive Program for certificated staff for this year.

This Board has not advocated such programs in the past because it felt the financial savings did not outweigh the loss of experienced teachers. However, the Trustees said they were willing to consider this option because of the extreme financial challenges facing our schools this year.

Unfortunately, the ongoing funding cuts from the State are so massive that an Early Retirement program is only the tip of the iceberg.

I am currently working with school and district administration to create a plan to cut our spending by at least $2.5 million to bring our budget into balance.

The State has suggested some “flexibility” in spending designed to help schools absorb cuts to the General Fund, and we are looking at ways to take advantage of that flexibility.

It is my goal to make the necessary cuts in a way that impacts teaching and learning as little as possible. But, there is no doubt that cuts this large will be felt district-wide. There is just no way around that.

On February 23, I will make my first budget recommendations to the Board. I will be recommending a reduction of 14 teaching positions for 2010-2011. We will make these cuts by ensuring that all classes are filled to the contracted class sizes.

Staffing reductions are not the only step we need to take to balance the budget. But staffing changes have to be one of our first steps because, by State law, we have to give notice to certificated staff by March 15 if their positions will be cut in the next school year.

I will be meeting with affected staff members personally in the coming weeks. It is my hope that we may not have to follow through on every “pink slip” we issue. But, at this time, we have to act conservatively and plan for the facts as we know them.

Following that first round of staffing decisions, I will be bringing to the Board more detailed plans affecting classified and administrative staffing and other changes to school and district spending.

I appreciate your patience during this difficult time. And I appreciate the input that I’ve received from staff, parents and others about budget planning. I’ve received several good suggestions about ways to save money and cut spending through our online Budget Feedback Form.

I’ve also received some questions about last year’s budget cuts. You can find a summary of last year’s budget cuts can be found below.

Again, as we make decisions affecting next year’s budget, I will continue to keep you updated. If you have a specific suggestion or question, please use our Budget Feedback Form to share it.

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Budget News: Governor's Proposal, January, 2010

Superintendent Bill Fishbough

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger presented his State Budget proposal this month, including cuts of more than $1.4 billion to public education.

Specifically, the Governor is proposing an ongoing cut to “administrative” or “non-instructional” funds of $1.2 billion as well as a negative Cost of Living Adjustment of -.38 percent, which equals another $202 million in school funding cuts.

For the Hanford Join Union High School District, this will mean a cut of about $1 million in funding.

In addition, the 2010-2011 proposed budget includes an ongoing cut from the 2009-2010 school year that equals another $1.5 million in cuts for HJUHSD.

That’s a total of $2.5 million in funding cuts for our school district for 2010-2011.

We know that some of the Governor’s proposed figures will change between now and the time the legislature actually adopts a State Budget for 2010-2011. But, given the current economic climate, it’s unlikely that the school funding situation will improve.

Another factor that could affect HJUHSD spending this year is the possibility of declining enrollment.
Because schools are funded in part based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA) of students, more students equals more dollars from the State. This year, for the first time, HJUHSD is projecting a possible decrease in student enrollment – which would, in turn, lead to a decrease in State funding.

Last year, HJUHSD budgeted to spend about $30 million in General Fund money. A cut of more than $2.5 million is a cut of about 8% of our spending compared to the current year.

It will be a huge challenge to cut that much, especially when you consider the fact that approximately 80% of our budget is spent on salaries and benefits. It’s just not possible to cut that much and not “feel” it in our day-to-day operations.

I am working closely with our school administrators to identify changes that can be made to balance our budget. We will present a list of potential budget reductions to the Board of Trustees in February.

As we examine all of our programs and expenses, I would appreciate the input of our staff, students, parents and other partners.

If you have a specific idea or suggestion or question regarding 2010-1011 budget planning, please take a moment to fill out the Budget Feedback Form to share your opinion.

As the news from Sacramento and about our local plan develops, I will work to keep you all updated on changes and decisions.

Despite the difficult decisions and changes ahead, I want to assure you that our District goals remain unchanged. Our top priority, always, is the academic success of our students. While these budget cuts will no doubt create new challenges, our focus will not falter.


Governor's January Budget Proposal and Impact on HJUHSD

On Jan. 8, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled his spending plan for 2010-2011. Under the plan HJUHSD would lose $2.5 million in state funding. The Governor has proposed the following elements as part of his budget:

Governor’s Proposal: A NEGATIVE cost of living adjustment (COLA) of  -.38%
Impact on HJUHSD: Equals a loss of $100,000 in funding for HJUHSD

Governor’s Proposal: $1.2 billion reduction in revenue limit funding for districts. The Governor has suggested this cut be limited to “central administrative functions” or “non-instructional” costs, but has not defined those terms at this time. Also proposed is $300 million in savings statewide by easing restrictions on school districts' ability to contract for services.
 Impact on HJUHSD: Equals a loss of $900,000 in funding for HJUHSD

Governor’s Proposal: An ongoing deficit factor of 18.355% in funding for all schools (carried over from 2009-2010 and planned to continue each year until the state deficit is corrected).
 Impact on HJUHSD: Equals a loss of $1.5 million in funding for HJUHSD

Estimated total impact for HJUHSD: A $2.5 million reduction in funding

LAST YEAR’S BUDGET CUTS: 2009-2010

There’ve been some questions about budget cuts made LAST YEAR. As a reminder, the initial State budget cuts for 2009-2010 were $1.8 million for our district.

In addition to several operational changes to help reduce spending, we made the following changes last year:
Administration

• Cut the Director of Special Education position from full-time to a half-time.
• Cut the Hanford Adult School Assistant Principal position from full-time to a half-time.
• Eliminated the Hanford Night Continuation Principal position.

Teaching Staff

• Modified the Contract between teachers and the District to increase class size limits and to eliminate an extra non-teaching period for some ag teachers
• Eliminated 10 teaching positions. Some were resignations that were not filled, some were non re-hires and some were “pink-slip” layoffs.

Non-Teaching Staff

• Eliminated one Bus Driver position
• Eliminated one Mechanic position
• Reduced the Career Center Technicians at HHS and HWHS by two hours per day each
• Eliminated two clerical positions at the District Office (Part-time Receptionist, Full-time Human Resources Clerk)

Mid-year, the State made additional cuts, totaling $2.5 million for HJUHSD ($1.5 million in “ongoing” cuts and $1 million designated as a “one-time” cut). We balanced the mid-year funding deficit by taking advantage of the “flexibility” offered by the state to use previously “restricted” funds.

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