HHS Focus
First week of school!
Schedule
Thursday, Aug 20th
First day of School
During seminar all students head to the Auditorium. We will go over handbooks and procedure changes.
Friday, Aug 21st
Lock-In from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Lock-In shirts are available to order from Rebellious Boutique.
Saturday, Aug 22nd
Golf Booster Meeting at 9:00 am at Forewinds Golf course.
Saturday Night Live at 10:00 pm on our football field!!! I heard we will be able to hear the hits from across town!
Sunday, Aug 23rd
Senior Signing from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Mr. Kent’s Updates
It is hard to believe that another school year is already here! I hope each of you had an opportunity this summer to step away, recharge, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy a well-deserved break.
The beginning of a new school year always brings a sense of excitement, anxiety, and possibilities. We have new students to welcome, relationships to build, goals to pursue, and countless opportunities ahead of us to make a difference in the lives of our students.
There will certainly be challenges along the way, and not every day will go exactly as planned. What matters is that we continue to support one another, communicate, learn and grow together, and always keep our students at the center of the decisions we make.
I am excited about the year ahead and thankful for each of you and what you bring to HHS. Let's start strong, take care of one another, celebrate the successes along the way, and make the 2026–2027 school year one we can all be proud of.
Welcome back, Eagles! Let's have a great year!
This Week…. Aug 16th - Aug 21st
First Day of School!
We’re excited to welcome everyone back! The beginning of the school year is all about building relationships, establishing expectations, and creating positive routines that will help our students be successful throughout the year. We appreciate the support of our families as students settle in, learn their routines, and get off to a great start!
Handbook Updates
Excessive Absences
Parents/guardians will be notified when absences become excessive. The administration may require attendance meetings, attendance contracts, counseling referrals, ISS, or other interventions when attendance concerns significantly impact student learning.
Excessive absences are defined as:
7 or more absences per class period in a semester, or
12 or more absences per class period in a school year,
regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused.
Excessive absences and truancy are separate attendance concerns and may result in different interventions, disciplinary consequences, or legal reporting requirements.
Truancy is based on unexcused absences and is defined by Kansas law. A student may be considered truant if they are inexcusably absent for three consecutive school days, five cumulative days in a semester, or seven cumulative days in a school year.
Excessive absences, sometimes referred to as chronic absenteeism, are based on the total number of days missed regardless of whether the absences are excused or unexcused. A student who accumulates seven (7) absences in a semester or twelve (12) absences during the school year may be considered excessively absent and may be subject to attendance interventions, attendance contracts, loss of privileges, or other administrative actions.
Attendance Concern | Possible Interventions/Consequences |
|---|---|
7 absences in a class (semester) | Parent contact, attendance meeting, attendance contract |
Continued excessive absences | ISS, loss of privileges, counseling referral |
Failure to improve attendance | Loss of participation opportunities in school activities, loss of make-up privileges, zeros for missed assignments, additional disciplinary consequences, or referral to truancy procedures when applicable |
Attendance concerns are evaluated on an individual basis. Consistent communication and documentation between students, parents/guardians, teachers, counselors, and administrators are important in addressing attendance concerns and supporting student success.
Tardy Policy
Tardies disrupt the educational environment and result in lost instructional time. Excessive unexcused absences, truancy, or leaving campus without permission may result in disciplinary action and referral to truancy procedures under Kansas law.
Students arriving late to school must report to the front office before going to class. Students are counted tardy if they arrive to class late by 15 minutes or less. If students are late to the first hour they must report to the office and if students are arriving late for school at any time they must check in with the front office first. If they arrive more than fifteen minutes late they are counted absent.
Tardy Occurrence | Consequence |
1st Tardy | Verbal warning - By Teacher |
2nd Tardy | Conference with student and parent contact - By teacher |
3rd Tardy | Conference with student and parent contact - By teacher |
4th and Additional Tardies | From principal - Office referral and detention, ISS for students who acquire over 7 tardies in a semester. |
Tardies reset each semester.
Students arriving late due to medical appointments must provide documentation.
Final Exemption Policy
In the first semester, a student is eligible for final exemption in a class if the student has a grade of 90% to 100% in the course, has five (5) or fewer absences in that class period during the semester, and has not received detention, ISS, or OSS during the first semester.
In the second semester, a student is eligible for final exemption in a class if the student has a grade of 90% to 100% in the course, has ten (10) or fewer absences in that class period during the school year, and has not received detention, ISS, or OSS during the second semester.
School-sponsored activity absences are the only absences that do not count toward the attendance requirement for final exemption eligibility.
Grades and eligibility for final exemptions will be determined one week prior to the start of final examinations. Students who receive detention, ISS, OSS, or become ineligible because of attendance after final exemption eligibility has been determined may have their exemption revoked at the discretion of the administration.
Make-Up Work
It is the student’s responsibility to obtain make-up assignments from teachers following an absence. Policies regarding late work will be determined by each teacher and noted in each course syllabus and approved by the principal.
Students will receive one school day for each day absent to complete missed assignments. For example, if a student is sick for two days on Monday and Tuesday, he/she will have Wednesday and Thursday to get all assignments made up.
Incomplete Policy - Teachers are expected to have a set of state standards and exit outcomes that each student is to master in order to earn credit for their class. Students are expected to complete all assignments made by their teacher. The expectation is for students and teachers to promptly discuss missing assignments. Parents must also be contacted by the teacher if a student has missing assignments. Teachers will give a 0% for work not completed by the due date. Once students turn in missing work teachers can assess how much credit will be given depending on their classroom syllabus. These grades may result in ineligibility for extracurricular activities if a student has two or more at mid-term, nine weeks or semester grading periods.
Personal Electronic Device Policy
USD 210 is committed to providing students with a safe, focused, and distraction-free learning environment. Research consistently demonstrates that limiting access to personal electronic communication devices during the school day improves student engagement, strengthens peer interactions, reduces distractions, and supports academic achievement. Our goal is to maximize instructional time while helping students develop healthy habits regarding technology use.
To support these goals, the use of personal electronic communication devices during the school day is prohibited. Personal electronic communication devices include, but are not limited to, cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds, wireless headphones, and any other non-school-issued electronic communication device. Wired headphones are allowed. This policy applies from the beginning of the school day until dismissal, including instructional time, passing periods, lunch, and recess.
Students shall ensure all personal electronic communication devices are turned off (or silenced, when appropriate) and stored as required by their school building. Because each attendance center has unique supervision, facility, and operational needs, building administrators shall establish procedures for the secure storage of student devices that are consistent with this district policy.
Building Procedures
Hugoton Elementary
Personal electronic communication devices must be turned off and stored in the student's backpack throughout the school day.
Hugoton Middle School
Students who bring a device to school must turn it off (or silence it) and store it in their assigned locker during the school day.
Students who prefer not to store a device in their locker may check it into the school office before school and retrieve it at dismissal.
Students may not access a stored device during the school day except when checking out of school with office approval.
Hugoton High School and Hugoton Learning Academy
Students are encouraged to leave personal electronic communication devices at home or secured in their vehicle.
Students who bring a device to school and do not wish to leave it in their vehicle may check it into the school office before school and retrieve it at dismissal.
Any device confiscated by a staff member shall be delivered to the school office as soon as reasonably practical.
Consequences
Students found using or possessing an accessible personal electronic communication device in violation of this policy are subject to the following consequences:
First Offense
Device confiscated and secured in the office.
Students may retrieve the device at the end of the school day.
Second Offense
Device confiscated and secured in the office.
30-minute detention.
Parent/guardian notified and required to retrieve the device.
Third Offense
Device confiscated and secured in the office.
One-hour detention and/or community service.
Parent/guardian notified and required to retrieve the device.
Fourth and Subsequent Offenses
Device confiscated and secured in the office.
One day of In-School Suspension (ISS), including community service as assigned.
Parent/guardian notified and required to retrieve the device.
Dress Code
Students are expected to dress in a manner that promotes a safe, respectful, and distraction-free learning environment.
The principal or designee shall make the final determination regarding dress code compliance.
General Dress Expectations
Clothing must be neat, clean, and appropriate for school.
Undergarments must remain covered.
Shoes must be worn at all times.
Hats, caps, bandanas, sunglasses, and hoods may not be worn inside the building.
Blankets/fleece throws are not permitted during the school day.
Clothing must fully cover areas traditionally covered by undergarments. Clothing exposing excessive cleavage, buttocks, or midsection is prohibited. Shorts, skirts, and dresses are to be approximately fingertip length, meaning some material is showing when arms and fingers are at their maximum length. Shirts will cover the student’s stomach and should have shoulder straps at least an inch wide. No spaghetti straps are allowed unless covered by another shirt or sweater. Holes in pants where skin can be seen above the fingertips when arms are at the side will not be allowed.
Clothing may not display alcohol, tobacco, drugs, vulgar language, violence, or sexually suggestive material.
To correct the situation, the clothing can be worn inside out, extra clothes found in the building may be offered, or parents may be notified to bring appropriate clothing for their child. Dress code violations will be referred to the principal who will determine how to handle each dress code violation. Please teach your child to dress for success!
Mosyle@Home
You asked and we delivered. Last year multiple parents asked how they could monitor school iPads at home. Now we have Mosyle@Home. You can set up monitoring guidelines outside of the school day and monitor your child's iPad usage.
Lock-In
Our Lock-In will be from 6:00–11:00 p.m., and it’s always an event our students look forward to! STUCO is busy planning activities and putting together a fun evening for everyone. More information will be coming soon, so stay tuned!
Lock-In shirts are available to order from Rebellious Boutique. Stop by the boutique in person to place your order and get ready for a great night!
Looking Ahead: August 23–29
Student schedules should be finalized by the end of the week, and we’ll share information about MAPS testing as soon as it becomes available.
As we move through these first few weeks, our focus continues to be on helping students establish strong routines, feel connected at school, and build positive relationships with their teachers and classmates. Families are an important part of that process, and we appreciate your partnership and support.
We’re excited for a great year ahead. Let’s make it a great one, Community!
Quote for the Week!
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."