Weekly Announcements
HHS Principal's Weekly, April 21, 2023
From Our Principal
Hello All,
This week, the school community had an assembly to help inform students about migrant justice workers and issues they have been facing in the Vermont Dairy industry. This assembly is part of an effort we hope to continue to bring the world into our school and expose students to people and issues in our surrounding communities. This fall we hosted a Naturalization ceremony and our juniors and seniors were able to witness our newest Americans receive citizenship. My hope is we do two or three events like this each year.
The day before the Migrant Justice assembly, our students were given the chance in Circle (Curriculum here) to learn that there are migrants right here in VT and NH and that some of them work at dairy farms. Some of the workers were treated well and others were not. The students were able to see into a world that isn’t obvious in the Upper Valley. When the speakers arrived, more learning happened. The entire presentation was in Spanish first, then English. Students heard first-hand accounts of human rights violations that some of the speakers had experienced, and they saw others talk about their plight and explained the timing and success of the Milk WIth Dignity campaign concerning Ben and Jerry’s. Speakers also gave a brief primer on grassroots organizing; talked about the trials and tribulations of that project and how they were ultimately successful. They then described a current campaign for the MWD group and heard about their struggles and lack of success with this campaign. Following the assemblies, our Spanish students got to meet with the presenters and participate in Q and A session in Spanish. We witnessed students who are often quiet ask questions in Spanish.
One question young people often ask is, “how can I make any difference?” The students were presented with several concrete ways in which they could participate: speak up with social media, write letters, peacefully protest, or join the group at a larger peaceful rally at the corporate headquarters in Maine this summer. During the 11th and 12th grade assembly, I felt the way these options were presented could lead students to feel obligated to speak out on social media or to sign up to participate, and this was problematic for me. I want you and our 11th and 12th grade students to know we spoke to the presenters, and these options were presented differently during the 9th and 10th grade assembly. But even more so, I want all students to know that how and when you choose to speak out on issues is your choice. Our mission statement says that: all students are given the opportunity and encouragement to use their voices. While we hope you find something you are passionate about to speak out about, you are never obligated to use your voice. You can say no to posting on social media and no to someone on the street who wants you to sign a petition. The goal of this assembly was to expose you to the stories of people in our backyard and that a small group of people can make a difference. Our hope is to continue to expose you to issues and different perspectives that touch us all.
This will not be the last group of people who will address our students. We plan to host people who can help our students learn more about the world they live in. If you have ideas, let a teacher know or contact Admin. We will continue to work to make sure we are exposing students to people and ideas they may have never thought of, and we will strive to leave them the space to make their own decisions.
Julie Stevenson
School News and Information
This Is Not An HHS Sanctioned Event
There is a game played by HHS seniors which involves teams, water guns, laying in wait, and scoring points. It has had two names; Assassin and SquirtFest. It is a long held tradition for students here and they have been resistant to creating safer alternatives.
We want to be clear; we do not condone this game.
This game is in no way associated with the school itself. Students may not play the game on school grounds, cannot have the tools used in the game in the building and cannot play at school sanctioned events even if they are not at the school (ie sporting events).
Perhaps this could be a topic for your family this weekend; what are the potential dangers of this game and what can be done to create an alternative that is both safe and fun?
Hanover High School is hosting a college-fair style visit from fourteen Canadian Universities. The event will be held in the High School Atrium on Monday, May 1 from 5pm – 7pm.
Want to host an exchange student?
Hanover Rotary Club is seeking host families for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year. The Rotary exchange program is designed to have 3 families over the course of the school year, so your commitment would be for 3 months. If you're interested, please contact Jed Williamson: jedwmsn@mac.com
Attention seniors:
The 2023 Local Need Based Scholarship Application is now live. (You have also received this application via school email.) Although a majority of scholarships are determined with need in mind, a few awards include specific criteria that are not need based. By submitting this one application, you will automatically be considered for approximately 15 local scholarships. Due date Monday, May 1st, 3:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please see Tom Eberhardt.
Spring Webinar Series for College Bound Seniors and Families
Register for the Sunday April 30th webinar to run from 630-730. This live webinar, Next-Steps: Preparing For Your Future As An NCAA Student-Athlete, is for College-Bound Student-Athletes and their Families.
Free Saturday HVAC101 Classes Next Fall at MCC!
Taking HVAC101M in the Fall prepares students to continue with HVAC classes (also FREE) in the Spring or Summer! This is a great opportunity for any high school student age 16 years and older looking to explore HVAC as a possible career choice. HVAC101M is a three-credit college course that could propel an HVAC career or at least be used as an open elective toward any college degree. Don’t wait as classes fill up fast. Tools and textbooks are provided for students. Check out the HVAC Program videos!
Register today via the Program Video webpage linked above, or email the Early College Coordinator, Mr. Wheelock at mwheelock@ccsnh.edu or HVAC Program Chair, Mr. Curran at ecurran@ccsnh.edu
NH SAS (science) testing
will be held primarily during Chemistry classes on Monday April 24, Tuesday April 25, and Wednesday April 25. Students who are not currently enrolled in Chemistry will be able to join a testing group during another science class. Students who are not enrolled in a science class will be contacted to arrange a testing time and location. If you have any questions, contact Suzanne Lee-Ciambra at suzanneleeciambra@
A Youth Citizenship Program for Young Women
This program, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, provides an opportunity for rising senior girls to gain perspective on democracy and develop leadership and confidence. The program will be held June 25th – July 1st at St. Anselm College in Manchester. Participation is sponsored by the Local ALA, so there is no cost to students. More details are available in the attached brochure. For more information and to receive an application, contact the local ALA Chairman at susanpond67@gmail.com
American Legion 2023 Boys State – A Youth Leadership Program for Rising-Senior Boys
This program teaches leadership, good citizenship, and civic engagement in a learn-by-doing structure. The program will be held June 25 – June 30 at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. The only fee is a non-refundable $25 application fee. The tuition is paid for by the local American Legion Post. More information can be found here on this program flyer. Application deadline is May 26.
New England Board of Higher Education Tuition Break Program
provides significant tuition savings to residents of the six New England states when they enroll in out-of-state public colleges and universities within New England.
Tuition Break help is available. Register today!!
Women in Engineering Day at Dartmouth
Calling all female-identifying students in grades 7-11! Dartmouth's Society of Women Engineers will be hosting "Women in Engineering Day at Dartmouth" on Saturday, May 6, from 9:30 am - 2:00 pm at Thayer School of Engineering. The event will feature demos and interactive activities in various engineering disciplines, led by engineering undergraduates. Come learn what exciting opportunities science and engineering has to offer you!
For more information and to sign up, visit https://engineering.dartmouth.
The State of Vermont’s Early College program
allows Vermont high school seniors the opportunity to complete their last year of high school and their first year of college at the same time, earning free college credits that also count toward graduation from high school. Students enroll in a full-time course load during the fall and spring semesters while retaining the ability to participate in activities at their high school such as sports, clubs, and prom. Early College students must be ready to enroll in full-time, college-level coursework. Priority admission deadline May 1, 2023.
The McClure Free Degree Promise is a pathway to a free college degree for Vermonters who complete the CCV Early College program during their senior year of high school and then continue with full-time enrollment at CCV to complete the second year of their associate degree. More information about the McClure Free Degree Program is available on the Community College of Vermont website.
Artificial Intelligence Summer Program 2023 by Stanford Alumni
Inspirit AI is a 25-hour project-based AI program that introduces middle and high school students to fundamental AI concepts to build impactful projects across disciplines such as arts and humanities. This year we are excited to announce new projects such as Chatbots for Education, AI for Disaster-Aid, Hate Speech Prevention, and more. The program is taught by Stanford, MIT mentors and no CS experience is necessary. Applications for Summer are due April 30th
YOUTH-IN-ACTION
Bear wear sale April calendar May calendar Spring Yard Cleanup
The store is OPEN - shop the Hanover Bear Gear Sale We are so excited to offer official HHS Bear wear - something for every season. YIA benefits from every sale → so buy Bear wear and support the efforts of Youth-In-Action- celebrating 40 years of connecting our high school students with our community through volunteer service.
It’s not too late - sign up to help forty community members in Hanover and Norwich with spring yard cleanup. Sign up with friends for a fun day of helping our community - Sunday, April 23rd from 10-3.
We need help at three events in April and two extra events in May
April 22 - Food Drive for the Listen Food Shelf at Hanover CoOp 10:00-2:00
April 23 - Spring yard clean up
April 30 - Bike Rodeo at the Ray School 11:00-1:30
May 3rd - Red Cross Blood Drive held in the HHS Gymnasium
- provide a simple snack (granola bars, cracker sandwich, cookies)
- help donors sign in (from period 2 through period 7)
May 12th and 13th - help decorate for the Unified Prom
12th - right after school in the cafe
13th - 10-2 in the cafe and patio outside the cafe
And our regular events: 5th David’s House; 11th Games with Seniors; 17th Listen Dinner
Use this link for the YIA Student Leadership Committee Application (Due May 1, 2023) for the 23/24 school year. This is a great way to help the community and build leadership skills.
Jodi Lenning, Interim Director, Youth-In-Action @ HHS
Summer Jobs
Community members are looking for summer help with lawn and garden work.
Contact Jodi at Youth-In-Action@
Lilies for Sale
The HHS Environmental Club has 40 one gallon size orange day lilies for sale for $5 each. If you would like to buy any lilies, please email jeannie.kornfeld@dresden.us They will be available for pick up on Monday April 24th at the high school. Checks can be made out to Hanover High School with Environmental Club written on the memo.
Important Links
- HHS Cafe
- HHS Calendar
- District Transportation
- District Calendar
- Dresden Board Meetings On Demand
- BOARDDOCS: Remember to select “Dresden School Board” in upper right hand corner after you click “Public Access”
