September is Attendance Awareness Month. Regular, on-time attendance is essential to students’ education. Too many absences - excused or unexcused - can keep students from succeeding in school and in life. Did you know that missing just two days of school per month means a student loses 10% of their instruction for the school year? Learn more about the importance of attendance, download an attendance tracker, and see support strategies on our website. Of course, attendance does not take priority over your health! If you are too sick for school, please stay home and access your school work remotely until you are feeling better.
Our featured event was our all staff kick-off on Tuesday, August 29th - our first in seven years! More than 2,000 HSD staff members converged on the Liberty High School gym for the kick-off where Superintendent Reiman used the metaphor of Leonardo DaVinci’s cantilever bridge to demonstrate how staff are “planks in students’ bridge” to success, and highlighted five former W.L. Henry Elementary School students who have gone on to do great things. The event was punctuated by student performances and inspiring messages of the power of our collective efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of each and every one of our students. Visit our website to see the video that closed out the presentation, highlighting words of appreciation from our 2023 graduates, and see pictures from the event. 
The first day of school for students in grades 1-6, 7 and 9 is Tuesday, September 5th. Students in grades K, 8, and 10-12 will join them on Wednesday, September 6th. On every Wednesday, including September 6th, schools follow an “academic seminar” schedule. For students in elementary school, this means their school day ends 30 minutes earlier than normal; for students in middle and high school, this means their school day begins 30 minutes later than normal. 
Hot News is produced and emailed to HSD families and staff each week school is in session. Please add the address to your “safe sender” list to make sure you always receive the latest issue. Please also bookmark our district website: hsd.k12.or.us to stay informed about what’s happening in our district and schools.