Hershey Public Schools Logo

Our main objective is to provide in-person learning and have our school building remain open.  We believe that "being in school" is the best place for students to receive an education, interact socially with peers, and to be enriched by a positive and consistent routine.  We also believe that it is a top priority to do all we can to keep our students and staff safe. To communicate with the school community we will use a “School Risk Dial”.  This is similar to the risk dial being used by West Central District Health Department. The colors are Green, Yellow, Orange and Red.

The school risk dial is an indicator of how widespread COVID-19 is in our school and our community.  When the school is in “Yellow” on the risk dial, face coverings are encouraged/expected in our building for staff and students.  When the risk dial is in “Orange” face coverings will be required for students and staff.  Student exemption information for face coverings will be placed on our website prior to August 17th.  When the risk dial moves to “Red” the school will likely be closed.  Student learning will be held remotely.

COVID-19 is predominately shared through droplets in the air.  Wearing a face covering reduces the likelihood that droplets will be released into the air.  Someone who is asymptomatic does not have any symptoms.  Wearing a face covering reduces the chances of those droplets getting out into the air.  Practicing social distancing is the best method of reducing spread, wearing a face covering is the next best thing.   

Staying in school is important. The typical number of days a student or a teacher would miss if they have direct contact with someone with COVID-19 and they are not wearing a mask is 14 days.  Students or teachers have a higher likelihood of remaining in school if they wear a face covering.

Our ability to re-open and keep our schools open will be a shared responsibility that depends on all of our students, their families, and our staff.
This has to be a community-wide effort. 

On a daily basis we will be asking parents to Pre-Screen their children for the following symptoms:

• Cough                                       
• Chills                                          
• Fever                                          
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle pains
• Loss of taste/smell
• Nausea
• Vomiting   
• Diarrhea
• Headache

Also consider the following:  Contact with anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 3 weeks

If you child is ill, please have them stay home. Students do not report to school if symptomatic, we encourage you to call your medical professional.

Hershey Public Schools is in the process of finalizing our Return to School Plan.

Our plan is being developed around these core beliefs!

Belief Statements:

• We believe in doing all we can to provide a high-quality educational experience to all students regardless of the circumstances.
• We believe it is a top priority to do all we can to keep our students and staff safe.
• We believe that schools, by following all of the guidelines and strategies below, are safe learning and working environments.
• We believe that being proactive in planning and preparation is critical in order to effectively respond to challenging situations.
• We believe that it is important to share with our Hershey staff, parents, students, and community stakeholders the “why” behind our thought processes and decisions.
• We believe that “being in school” is the best place for students to receive an education, interact socially with peers, and to be enriched by a positive and consistent routine.
• Our ability to re-open and keep our schools open will be a shared responsibility that depends on all of our students, their families, and our staff. This has to be a community-wide effort.

School will begin for our students on August 17th! 

More will be shared in the coming days!

7th & 8th Grade Math School Supply List (2020-21)

1 inch 3 ring binder

1 set of dividers for binder

loose leaf paper

1 pack of white board markers

1 white board eraser (optional)

highlighters

pencils

2 colored pens (colors I can see)

earbuds/headphones

1 box of tissues

Mr. Jeff Steinbeck, Hershey High School Principal, has been named Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals Region V High School Principal of the Year for 2019-2020.  This award recognizes a secondary school principal that exemplifies quality leadership in education.  The award is voted on by members of the region.  Region V extends from McCook to Valentine and west to the state line and consists of approximately 45 principals. NSASSP is affiliated with the Nebraska Council of School Administrators and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

“I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to belong to and work with the Region V principals group.  This group is comprised of individuals with a wealth of knowledge and experience and I am very honored to be selected for this award” states Steinbeck.   

“Jeff is very deserving of this award,” states Jane Davis, Hershey Public Schools Superintendent.  “Jeff is a wonderful role model for others and he is committed to making a difference in the lives of his students and staff each and every day.”

Hershey Public Schools Census 2020

Hershey Public Schools are taking a census of children living in the school district from birth though age 21. Any baby born though June 30th of the current year will be included for the current year's census. The census is used for reporting a count of all children to the State of Nebraska by ages and is also used by the district for program planning. 

If your children are already attending school here, we have that information, but if you have younger children not in the school system, we need this information. This if for all students living in the district even if you do not attend school at Hershey Public Schools. Please complete the form below. 

If you have any questions please contact Diana Connell at Hershey Public Schools 308-368-5573 or email: diana.connell@hpspanthers.org

bit.ly/2020HersheyCensus

Click Here: 2020-2021 Class Supply List

News from the Elementary Principal.

Dear Parents,

Who could have ever imagined what school would look like in April 2020!  I certainly didn’t think I would be sending a newsletter from an empty school during my first year as elementary principal.  Please utilize the school website to access  “Continuity of Learning Website” this platform allows the school district to provide clear expectations and norms for both students and parents.  We are here for you.   Teachers have set their “office hours” and have posted all work/assignments through this platform.  Feel free to keep using email as that is usually the quickest way to correspond with each other.  As I help my own child navigate his on-line learning I am reminded, almost daily, that this is a struggle for students and parents.  If students are frustrated (or you for that matter), take time to go for a walk, throw a football, or just unplug.  Balance is everything right now.   

As we continue this historic journey together, I am thankful for the bonds we have strengthened with our educators, students, families, and staff.  I am also thankful for the new relationships we have formed as a result of this crisis.  Without all of you, we would not have been able to make this shift away from our traditional in-person learning environments to remote learning. 

As a community of learners, I also believe this is an opportunity to look deep within ourselves and utilize the resiliency that lives in all of us.  Despite our separation and setbacks, we have learned to thrive in new ways.  Your resiliency and effort through these times are truly inspiring.  They are also not without extreme effort from all of us.  With that in mind, take time to find moments of joy and peace in our daily lives, despite what is going on around us.  Our buildings may be closed however, learning and innovation are open for our students, educators, and staff.  We will work to fulfill our vision and mission for our students in this new environment.  I would like to personally take this opportunity to thank this community for its support of our schools. What a great place! I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Students' last day of remote learning instruction will be Thursday, May 14th.  As your child(ren) transitions into summer vacation, it is important for him or her to spend time reading, writing, and practicing math facts.  I wish all of you a safe and happy summer!  Even though we are on summer vacation, I encourage you to spend some academic time with your child each day so that they continue to grow educationally throughout the summer.  

Be Safe & Be Well,

Jared Thomsen

Elementary Principal

(308) 368-5572

jared.thomsen@hpspanthers.org 

Empowering students to reach their full potential.

“Educating Every Student, Every Day, Every Way”