Hickory Public Schools

	School CLOSED on February 9, 2012 for HPS Students This Thursday, February 9, 2012, will be a Professional Development/Teacher Workday. School is closed to students on this day. A regular schedule will resume on Friday, February 10, 2012. (Attached link available in Spanish & Hmong).
	Part-time School Bus Driver Openings Catawba County Schools (serves Hickory Public Schools transportation)--has several part-time bus driver openings. Candidates must have a CDL license with a P&S endorsement and they must complete school bus driver training. Training will be offered March 12-14, 2012. Drivers must be at least 18 years old, holda valid driver's license for a minimum of six months, pass a physical examination as required by State Law, and pass qualifications as determined by NCDMV. If you are interested in applying, please contact Tim Beane: 828-322-6838
	HPS Announces Five Teachers Achieve National Board Certification! Five teachers with Hickory Public Schools recently achieved National Board Certification and they were recognized by the HPS Board of Education and HPS Superintendent, Dr. Walter Hart, during a board meeting this past January, 2012. The five teachers include Sarah Byrd, Lora Snider, Richard Holmes, Tyler Grove, and Kim Howell. National Board Certification is part of the growing education reform movement that is advancing student learning, improving teaching and making schools better. District and state officials—across the nation—know National Board Certified Teachers make a positive difference in student learning. They also know National Board Certified Teachers are powerful teacher leaders who help advance agendas for school improvement. (click title/link for more...)
	Hickory High Donation Campaign to Increase Library Collection! Reading and research on the high school level is certainly a fundamental foundation and approach to future development in education. With budget cuts from every direction, the Hickory High School library has fallen drastically behind in current resources for the student population. The HHS average age of books in the library collection is from 1983, while the NC Department of Public Instruction has a minimal goal of 1996. By comparison, the average age of the collection for the five high schools in Catawba County is 2001. To have an outstanding library collection, the average age is 2002. The approximate cost to get the school’s library (media center) book collection up to the minimal standards for the NC DPI—is $89,000. It will take time—but the process needs to begin immediately. To get the books coming in, a short-term goal has been set for $20,000. The public may donate online: www.titlewish.com and type Hickory High School in the FIND YOUR SCHOOL bar. Click the “donate here."
	Thrifty Lion Benefits Students with Huge Sale! The Thrifty Lion Resale Store announces a huge sale for the entire month of February. All sales benefit the students of both Longview Elementary and Southwest Elementary Schools. The sale includes all adult and children’s clothing—with all items marked down to 75 percent off the already low prices. During February, the public can purchase an adult shirt for only 50 cents, pants for 75 cents and most children’s clothing items are marked 23-50 cents. Many of the items also comply with the dress code for Hickory Public Schools. Additionally, there’s a wide selection of new Hooker side chairs that have been reduced to $30 each. Donations are appreciated and accepted during the store’s hours of operation. The Thrifty Lion is located next to Longview Elementary School at 2505 1st Ave. SW in Hickory. The store is open on Thurday and Friday from 12 Noon to 5:00 PM and on Saturdays from 9 am – 2 PM.
	Governor Proclaims February Black History Month Governor Proclaims February Black History Month - Gov. Bev Perdue has proclaimed the month of February as Black History Month in recognition of the numerous outstanding accomplishments, past and present, that African Americans make to our state, nation and world. The national theme this year is “Black Women in American Culture and History.” Be sure to research archives of the great contributions from both African American women and men. (The thumbnail photo to the left: Rosa Parks (Most historians date the beginning of the modern civil rights movement in the United States to December 1, 1955. That was the day when an unknown seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. This brave woman, Rosa Parks, was arrested and fined for violating a city ordinance, but her lonely act of defiance began a movement that ended legal segregation in America, and made her an inspiration to freedom-loving people everywhere.)
	HPS Dropout Trend Represents Dramatic Improvement The number of students who dropped out of school in 2010-11 was at a record low for Hickory Public Schools, according to this week’s released reports from the State Board of Education. According to Superintendent of Hickory Public Schools, Dr. Walter Hart, the district’s dropout rate reveals a positive trend over recent years. “We are pleased to announce a continual decrease in our dropout rate as our 2010-2011 school year represents another drop in numbers. The HPS dropout rate decreased from 8.65 percent in 2007-2008 to 4.10 percent for 2010-2011,” said Dr. Hart. “While there is still work to be done, the scores clearly represent that Hickory Public Schools is making significant progress in addressing the issue of dropouts. This year’s report is a tribute to the hard work put forth by our teachers and staff in meeting the needs of all students.” (Click title/link above for full release.)
	HCAM AIRS on WHKY FIRST TALK RADIO! Be sure to click the title/link to listen to the latest updates about HCAM--Hickory Career & Arts Magnet High School! Hosted by Hal Row on WHKY's First Talk Radio, Principal David Coyne is joined by Mary Lee Tosky, business instructor and HCAM students, Taheran Lowe, senior and Heidi Aguilar, junior. They share some of the exciting development with the school's EIGHT academies--and the benefits of attending this growing magnet school.
	HCAM Student & Parent INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS! HCAM, a future focused and non-traditional high school, offers a career jump start for students throughout Catawba County and beyond. Students who are looking for a high school that personalizes education and training for their future careers should consider attending any of the upcoming informational meetings. The eight academies at HCAM include: Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Firefighter Technology, Graphic Design & Advertising, Forensics, Dance, Photography and Acting. Hickory Career and Arts Magnet High School (HCAM) will offer evening informational meetings for prospective students and their parents/guardians from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM at various community locations on the following dates: *SPECIAL KICK-OFF MEETING January 31 at HCAM with TOURS! For additional dates and times in February and March--at various locations, click the title/link above. For more information, call HCAM: 828-328-6738
	Kiwanis Donates Dictionaries to HPS Third Graders The Hickory Kiwanis Club recently donated 397 dictionaries plus a few extras for potential new students—to all third grade students in Hickory Public Schools. As a chapter with the Kiwanis International, a global organization of volunteers, Kiwanis is dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. According to Helen Devlin, a Hickory Kiwanian and faculty member at Hickory High School, the Dictionary Project has served as one of the organization’s featured projects for the past six years. “Our sole mission is to support children, and this opportunity provides another method to reach out to our local students,” she said. Devlin’s recent distribution of dictionaries, on behalf of the Hickory Kiwanis, started out at Viewmont Elementary School, where she arrived with boxes filled with dictionaries for every third grader. The enthusiastic students were anxious to write in their names—personalizing their new gifts. (Click title/link for more...)
	HPS 2012 Principal of the Year--Mrs. Helms--on WHKY RADIO! Mrs. Pam Helms. principal of Northview Middle School and the new 2012 HPS Principal of the Year--is interviewed by Hal Row, host of WHKY First Talk Radio. Click the above title/link to listen to the early morning interview on January 19, 2012. Congratulations Mrs. Helms!
	Noah Hewitt Wins County-wide MLK Essay Contest Noah Hewitt, a seventh grade student at Northview Middle School, is the winner of the Maiden Rosenwald Community Development Corporation’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest. The contest is open each year to students in grades six through eight, who attend either Hickory Public Schools, Catawba County Schools, or Newton-Conover City Schools. Noah Hewitt is the winner for the entire county. Noah’s essay entitled, “How Martin Luther King, Jr. Impacts My Life Today,” was written during the Christmas holiday—while he was home on vacation. “At first, I didn’t want to write the essay,” said Noah. “But my mom encouraged me, and my grandmother told me I needed to write the essay. She told me that this type of opportunity would never have been given to me years ago. So I knew that writing the essay was something I had to do. I like to write—but I never thought I would win,” said Noah. (Click title/link for more...)
	Northview Middle Student WINS Hickory Spelling Bee! Celeste Land, a sixth grade student at Northview Middle School, won the 2012 Spelling Bee for Hickory Public Schools on Thursday, January 12th. Celeste, 11 years old, competed against student winners representing third through eighth grade at their respective schools. The contest took place in the auditorium of Northview Middle School—which was filled with parents, siblings, teachers and other community supporters. The daughter of Michael and Menaka Land, Celeste says that she put in only two nights worth of studying—but made sure she felt confident with the 200-word practice list. Celeste shares that her love of reading is what helped her to win. “I read at least two books per week,” she said. Her favorite book is House Rules by Jodi Picoult, who also happens to be her favorite author. Celeste’s winning word was “dilemma,” a word that she says is used frequently in several of her favorite novels. (click title/link for more)
	REFLECTIONS Contest Announces 2011-12 HPS WINNERS! Students representing every grade with Hickory Public Schools recently competed in the annual Reflections Contest. A reception was held at the Hickory Museum of Art to announce the winners. Students competed in various categories including visual arts, music, dance choreography, literature and photography. The Reflections contest is sponsored by the HPS Parent Teacher Association and led each year by Sandi Fotheringham, coordinator, HPS partners in education/volunteer programs. Jennifer Dufour, parent volunteer, serves as the committee chair for the HPS Reflections, working with all schools in preparation for the district-wide contest. The 2011-2012 winners (click title/link) represent the district—and these winners will now compete against other entries throughout North Carolina. State awards will be announced in late winter. (Click title/link for winners and various photos.)
	Hickory High Red TORNADOES Score BIG! The girls' basketball team won its 18th straight league game last Friday--against South Caldwell 53-37 and took over first place in the conference race. The boys' basketball team also beat South Caldwell 85-47. Congrats to head coaches Barbara Helms and Shawn Johnson--and all the players! Way to go!