Hello Parents and Students,
This is simply some information about the calendar and the feedback I received. There were a number of comments about graduation. We can't graduate students before the last day of school or we will lose some state funding money. Next year all of our graduation options will be on different days than Central Valley's graduation since they will graduate on the 16th or 23rd of May. They are starting earlier in August, that is why theirs would be different.
All the options currently have us done before Memorial Day. If we ever have school after Memorial Day, Memorial Day will always be a vacation day, that is State Law. State Law also mandates that we take off Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Good Friday.
Some parents encouraged me to think more about families than sports for our days off, the problem is that when we have school on days of state sports we often have large numbers of students not in school. The Friday of State Football, I think we had about seventy-five students at the high school gone, and that was without having a team playing in a game that day. The same thing happens on State Cross Country or State Wrestling Days.
I had a few comments that Christmas Break was too long, and others comment that they liked the length because it allowed them time to get everywhere and have time with their families. I had a few comments about Minnesota schools. Minnesota requires ten less student contact days than North Dakota law requires. That doesn't mean that schools in Minnesota don't go more than 165 days, but it provides them with more flexibility and the ability to begin after Labor Day and still get done close to Memorial Day, even if they take vacations through the year.
Attached are three options for you to look at and make comments on. The only difference between Option 2 and Option 3 is that Option 3 has graduation on June 6, 2027.
Option 1 has two full weeks at Christmas with three weekends. Option 2 starts a day early and gives that day back on January 4th and then has two less days at the beginning of the Christmas Break and gives those two days back towards the end of April.
The earlier parent survey had 62% of people that wanted some kind of a break at the end of April. Half of the parents wanted Christmas break to start on December 18th, 40% wanted it to start on the 22nd, and 10% wanted it to start on the 21st. 59% wanted to have State Cross Country off again, this coming year which we don't have to worry about because it lines up with Admin/Teacher's Convention. 8% wanted us to start school on August 19th, 15% wanted us to start on August 24th, 42% wanted it to start on August 26th, and 32% wanted it to start after Labor Day. 56% wanted more short breaks in the spring and 41% wanted a longer spring break. 59 people responded to the survey.
There is a place for comments at the end of the parent/student survey.
Here is a link to the calendars: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HNSBp5zIugL4eE_J7qFy_fpqzeT5F_Y4/view?usp=sharing
Here is a link to a survey that you can provide your response to the calendar ideas:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddLiR4G8f7NoIBHGpDdiNYj1cvXOuawwZA2Qc6iabxCm6u8g/viewform?usp=publish-editor
Thank you for your feedback,
Mr. Dryburgh
Hillsboro Public School will have an E Learning Day tomorrow, December 9th, 2025. I'm making the decision tonight so you can make your plans now. When I look at the weather forecast, I believe we could safely get your children to school but after 10:00 tomorrow morning it will become difficult to get them home again safely. There is uncertainty about if it will be snow or ice, but either way your children will be safer with you tomorrow. Thank you.
Dear Hillsboro Families,
December is always a busy—and joyful—time at Hillsboro High School! With the holidays fast approaching and the semester wrapping up on Friday, December 19th, our students and staff are working hard to finish strong. Winter sports are in full swing, and the energy around campus is contagious as we celebrate achievements in the classroom, on the mat, court, and rink, and on the stage.
This season reminds us how thankful we are for our community partnerships, the dedication of our teachers and students, and the joy this time of year brings to our school.
Important Dates to Remember:
• Wednesday, December 10th: Early Release at 1:45 at High School and 1:30 at Elementary School
• Wednesday, December 10th: All 9th, 10th, and 11th graders will travel to the Career Impact Academy in the morning leaving at 8:30 am to tour the building and see the opportunities available to them.
• Friday, December 12th: All food pantry items we have been collecting will be turned in. Please continue to bring those donations in!
• Thursday, December 18th: High School Band and Choir Concert. We hope you’ll join us for an evening of holiday music and student talent.
• Friday, December 19th: Last day of the semester.
• Friday, December 19th: Student Movie Day! Students will travel to River Cinema in East Grand Forks to watch Wicked 2. The cost is $9 per student, which includes a small popcorn and pop. Please send payment to school prior to the trip.
Thank you, parents and guardians, for your continued support in helping students stay accountable and engaged in their learning. Your partnership makes a difference every day, and we appreciate all you do to help our students succeed.
Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a restful winter break!
Dr. Carly Theis
Principal, Hillsboro High School
Hello,
I’d like to share an article and a document with you all in the December newsletter. The article talks about the importance of attendance in the primary grades and the impact it has on reading ability as the child grows older. We have a very healthy attendance rate at the elementary school and I believe families do an excellent job of getting kids to school every day. I am sharing the article simply as a reminder that good attendance leads to positive outcomes! The document I’m attaching after this newsletter page goes over our E-learning expectations at the school. It is very similar to last year. The document goes over some different options the school may use on a bad weather day. It also talks about the expectations for students and teachers on those days. Thank you for taking the time to read. Have an awesome month of December and Happy Holidays!
Important December dates:
10th- Early out, 1:35 Elementary Dismissal
11th- Elementary music program
12th- Last day to bring in food pantry donations
19th- Last day of school before break
Recess Rules for cold weather:
We go outside if the real feel is warmer than -10 F
Kids must have snow pants and boots to play in the snow
No throwing snow and ice
Please have warm coats, hats, and gloves!
Important contact information:
Elementary School phone number- (701) 636-4711
Brenda Muller email- Brenda.Muller@k12.nd.us
Spencer Ruebke email- Spencer.Ruebke@k12.nd.us
Thank you,
Spencer Ruebke
Attendance article: https://5il.co/3srsb
Link to newsletter: https://5il.co/3srsj
Emergency Weather Procedures: https://5il.co/3srsn
Mrs. Nagel’s class celebrated the holiday weekend by having a Friendsgiving Feast! While enjoying these delicious treats, they watched, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”.
