Haliburton Highlands Secondary School
Midterm Reports
Midterms will be emailed out on Tuesday November 12. If you have questions about your child’s progress, please reach out to their teachers. If you did not receive the midterm or would like a paper copy please let our computer operator, Stephanie Armstrong, know. ([email protected])
Remembrance Day Assembly
The Assembly happened today during period 1 & 2 (Monday November 11). Thank you to Mr. Longo, Mrs. Mardus, Mrs. Borgdorff and Ms. Carr along with their classes and clubs for all the work you did in preparing for this assembly.
Learning Hub is OPEN:
Whether you want a quiet place to work or help from an educator, the hub offers both! The Hub is open every lunchtime and every night after school until 3:45.
It is also open Thursday’s after school until 4:30 for homework completion, enrichment, and extra help.
2023/24 Undergraduate awards
The Undergraduate Awards will be given out in a ceremony during the day on November 21. These awards were earned last school year. The award recipients and donors will be shared with families after the ceremony.
Thank you to the many community donors who have been very generous in supporting our Scholarship Program. For information on the awards we will be presenting click this link → Undergraduate Awards
Also on our website you can find information about our other Scholarship Programs including the Graduate Awards and Bursary Program.
Upcoming HHSS Excursions:
A Dramatic Detour in December!
A wonderful opportunity for students with an interest in Drama and theatre. Speak to Mrs Mardus or email her at [email protected] for more information and to sign up for the trip!
What: Drama trip for students in ADA 3M/4M. It is also open to students who have earned/are earning a credit in Drama, or are members of the Drama Club
Where: Oakville (Sheridan College) and Toronto (Royal Alexandra Theatre)
When: December 16-18, 2024 (2 overnights) (*only two days of school missed)
Cost: $340
Highlights of the trip will be:
- Attending the Mirvish production of Come From Away
- Meeting one of the professional actors in the show!
- Participating in a Regional STAR Fest student theatre festival at Sheridan College (hosted by the Theatre Arts Education Association)
- A catered dinner together
- Visiting Sheridan College and learning about its theatre performance and tech programs
French Market Trip
HHSS French students are invited to attend a Festive French Culture trip on Friday, December 13.
We will be visiting the Winter Village (Marché de Noël de Toronto) in the Distillery District, where students will take part in a French scavenger hunt; then we will attend a performance by Cirque du Soleil, called “Twas the Night”. Students will be provided with permission forms and details.
Europe Trip
There are still a few spots available for the Europe Trip. Please talk to Mrs. Searle if you want information.
Raising Money to help with Excursion/Trip costs:
European Christmas Dinner and Market
Students attending the Europe trip next semester are hosting a “European Christmas Market and Dinner” fundraiser on Tuesday, December 10.
Market:
- Open from 5-8pm
- Vendor tables are available for $20
- If you are interested in being a Vendor please contact Rebeka Borgdorff
- Everyone is welcome to come and browse
Dinner at 7:00pm
Traditional Turkey Christmas dinner with the addition of items from the 4 countries we are traveling to
- French Onion Soup (France)
- Braised Red Cabbage (Germany)
- Trifle (England)
- Grittibanz (Swiss Christmas bread)
Tickets will be available for dinner on School Cash Online: $50/person
Email questions to [email protected] or [email protected]
Interact Club & Leadership Class Update:
The Interact Club and Leadership Class are happy to announce that October’s “We Scare Hunger” was a “horrifically” great success! Upon running various challenges and fundraisers over the month, we collected over 100 non-perishable food items and over $500 to donate to our local food banks! Thank you everyone!
Hitting the stage in November!
The Senior Drama Class presents
Circus Olympus
Directed by Veronica Beynon
Stage Managed by Kendra Korpela
The circus has come to town! Well … sort of. There’s no elephant on a bicycle, but there are the Greek Geeks and have they got a story or two to tell! More specifically, a myth or two: Persephone and the Underworld, Perseus and Medusa, Athena and Arachne, and don’t forget the Mythapalooza Slam Jam! Fans of Ancient Greek mythology and circuses alike will love this gleeful spectacle! All ages welcome!
Performances Thursday November 28, Friday November 29 and Saturday November 30 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $10 adults, $5 children and youth. Tickets are available at the door (cash only) and adult tickets available by School Cash Online (Open now for purchase)!
Safe and Well 2 Art Exhibition
Ms. Gervais’ 9/10 Art class invites you to join them at the opening for their exhibition Safe and Well 2 at the Rails End Gallery at 23 York Street, Haliburton.The opening is on Fri. Nov. 29 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm and the exhibition will run until Dec. 20.
The students, along with Mr. V’s grade 7 class at JDH (who have been mentored by some of our senior students) will share works in painting, drawing and mixed media exploring their ideas about what we need for healthy individuals and communities. All are welcome to visit the show!
Winter Sports & Extra Curriculars
Winter Sports are starting Now (or Soon)
Please talk to the staff coaches if you are interested it being part of the team and listen to the announcements:
- Junior Boys Basketball – Coaches Ernst & D’Ambrosio (community coach: Dan Lapierre)
- Senior Boys Basketball – Coaches Longo & Little (community coaches: Hunter Smith, Nick Thompson)
- Junior Girls Volleyball – Coaches Backus & Scheffee
- Senior Girls Volleyball – Coaches Gaffney & Steve Smith
- Nordic Skiing Co-ed – Coaches K. Gervais, Rieger & E. Smith
- Wrestling Co-ed – Coaches Fockler & P. Klose
Extracurriculars: Please listen for announcements and join at anytime
| HHSS Extracurricular | Info: (About, Dates, Times) | Staff member(s) |
| HHSS Drama Club | New members are always welcome! Workshops every Monday after school 3:15-4:30 pm. Work on big production starts in 2nd semester. Google Classroom code: 7zj4glm | Mrs. Borgdorff, Ms. Carr, Mrs. Mardus |
| Math/Homework Club | Thursday after school until 4:30. In the learning Hub Math club has many facets; homework help, studying support, quiet space, as well as math competitions for anyone interest (this is not a requirement to come ) | Math Department |
| Interact Club | Meets every Tuesday at lunch in room 5 | Mrs. Borgdorff, Ms. Carr, Mr. D’Ambrosio |
| Creative Cafe | Meets monthly in room 3 | Mrs. Borgdorff |
| Music Club | Looking for band members for Holiday Assembly! Google Classroom: gaaldjl Semester 2: Drop-ins start – Meet in the Music room at Lunchtime. | Mrs. Mardus |
| Choir | First semester, Thursday lunch 11:30-12:00. Meet in the music room. New members are welcome to prepare for the holiday assembly! | Mrs. Mardus |
| Chess club | No experience necessary. Listen for announcements. | Mr. Gaffney |
| Hawk’s Nest Fitness Centre | Monday → Thursday, 3:15 – 4:30 Tuesday & Thursday at Lunch Everyone is welcome – orientation is provided if you are new to the Hawk’s Nest | Many staff |
| Wellness Warriors | Listen to Announcements in November to join. | Ms.Nichole Fielder & Ms. David |
Students Signing Out – Reminders:
- For all school events and activities (sports, assemblies, etc…) students cannot be signed out to watch or opt out of participating in an event. If a student feels they can not participate in an event, please have them talk to their teacher or admin and we can make alternative arrangements.
- Students cannot be signed out of a class to “skip” a class or work in an alternative location. Students who need an alternative location should speak to their teacher or admin.
- When a student is signed out during the day, it is expected that they are being picked up by a parent/guardian and leave school property. In this case a bus home is not provided.
- When students have an appointment and they will be returning to school during the day, they are to check back into the office to be signed in
- Parents/Guardians: Please remember to call the office or send a note if your child is arriving to school late, leaving early, leaving or returning for an appointment or any other time they are being signed out or in from school. Thank you for your help with this.
Feed all Four Fund – Fundraiser
What is it?: Funded by donations, the Feed all Four Fund provides support for families who are struggling with food security, clothing, and/or other essential needs.
How can I help?: Wear a sport, club, or league jersey and donate a toonie, or more if you can, on November 29 for Jersey Day!
John Howard Society
John Howard Society offers educational workshops and programs to our students. They are facilitated individually or in small groups. Some of the programs they have done with our students are anger management, peers & influences, and healthy relationships.
They are now offering a “Safer Partying” Workshop. If students (or families for their kids) are interested in any of these programs, please contract Michelle Backus at HHSS ([email protected]) to sign up or get more info.
UPCOMING DATES
Dates for our events, sports, excursions & activities are on the HHSS calendar on our website
November 11: Remembrance Day Assembly
November 12: Midterm reports emailed home
November 21: 2023/24 Grade 9-11 Awards Assembly
November 22: PA Day
November 29: “Safe & Well” Art Exhibition opening at Rails End Gallery
November 29: Jersey Day – Feed All Four Fund Fundraiser
November 28 →30: Senior Drama Class presents Circus Olympus
December 10: European Christmas Market and Dinner fundraiser
January 23: Last Day of Classes
January 24 → 30: Exams
HHSS is on Facebook and Instagram if you want to follow us to get information and updates.
hss.tldsb.on.ca
705-457-2950
[email protected]
Student and Family Handbook (linked here)
Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
Pictures from the Past Month
Community Events
Youth Gym Nights
Haliburton Highlands Youth Unlimited is hosting Youth Gym Nights for Grade 6-12 students!
Supervised sports and games will be held one Friday a month at Haliburton Highlands Secondary School from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
October 18
November 15
December 13
January 24
For more information, contact [email protected]
