Weekly Announcements
HHS Principal's Weekly, December 5, 2025
Important Dates
12/8- Civics Testing
12/8 and 12/9- Chorus Concert
12/22- Winter Break Starts!
From Our Admin
Hello All,
On November 18th, our School Board passed Policy JICJ: Unauthorized Use of Communication Devices. This policy is required and guided by state law and the plan is to roll out this policy by December 8th, Monday! In order to make this work, we need to partner with our students and parents.
The short version is….All personal internet capable and cell capable devices need to be out of sight from 8-3pm (2:05pm on Wednesday).
Please read the policy and the roll out plan below if you need more information. They’ll be reviewing this policy each year, so contact your representative with feedback.
Here are a few articles if you are wondering why lawmakers might want to work on these issues.
Article on increase in mental illness among teens due to phone use
A paper from one of the people who advocates for no phones in schools
So here we go!
Cell Phone Roll Out Plan:
The cell phone policy passed on November 18, we would like to put this into effect at HHS starting December 8th. This will allow us to roll this out to the staff on the December 3rd staff meeting. We would also like to roll this out to students on the Dec 4th Advisory.
What this looks like at HHS:
Purpose→ HHS is committed to providing a technology distraction free learning environment. In order to achieve this, all non district provided internet/cellular capable devices should not be visible in school.
Restrictions→ Restriction applies from 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM or 2:05 PM on Wednesdays on campus. This means that prohibited devices (listed explicitly in the policy below) may not be used or visible on campus. It is best practice for the devices to be turned off and put away in a bag or backpack while on campus.
During school hours, Co-curricular and extra curricular advisors must use non social media based apps to communicate with their students. Any school sponsored activity during the school day these restrictions apply. Any school sponsored activity outside of the school day will be subject to the rules established by the supervisor/advisor.
If digital devices are used to enhance student learning they must be provided by the district. At HHS personal communication devices cannot be used for academic purposes.
Exceptions→ If an IEP or 504 determines the need for a personal communication device this will be documented in their plan.
Consequences→
Any time a report is made to the APs, the adult must tell the student that they are going to report the name to the Main Office as requested.
Any time a phone is taken by an adult, it must be brought to the Main Office as soon as possible. If an adult is unable to bring the phone to the Main Office they should send it down with another adult or call the APs to come and get the phone.
First Offense: The adult will confiscate the phone or will ask the AP to get the phone. The student will need to report to the Main Office and speak to the AP before they can get their phone. This will be reported in incident reports.
Second Offense: The adult will confiscate the phone or will ask the AP to get the phone. The student will need to report to the Main Office and speak to the AP but may not get their phone until the end of the day. This will be reported in incident reports.
Third Offense: The adult will confiscate the phone or will ask the AP to get the phone. The student will need to report to the Main Office and speak to the AP. The AP will call the parent or guardian to pick up the phone. This will be reported in incident reports.
Fourth and future offenses: The adult will confiscate the phone or will ask the AP to get the phone. The student will need to report to the Main Office and speak to the AP. APs will determine if a student should be suspended or referred to counseling or mental health support. This will be reported in incident reports.
School News and Information
Need Host families
We are looking for host families for the second semester of this school year for two of our international scholarship exchange students . Both Iskra from Serbia and Emiliya from Uzbekistan are here on the FLEX scholarship exchange program, which places Eastern European students in the US for the year. Both of their current host families are traveling extensively in the winter and spring, but otherwise are having great experiences as host families.
Iskra is very interested in law and geography, and she'll be trying Nordic skiing with the high school this winter. She enjoys public speaking and competes with the debate club at HHS.
Emiliya is a keen community volunteer, having spent almost 80 hours volunteering to date! She loves her entrepreneurship class and how it gets her more comfortable with community outreach. She will also be trying Nordic skiing this winter.
If you are interested in hosting a scholarship student, whether one of these girls or in the future, please contact Kimberly Eckhardt kimberlye@pax.org .
Yearbook Ordering is Open!
The 2026 yearbook orders are open! Go to https://store.shopyearbook.
Seniors who want a portrait other than their ID photo can submit a photo either through Schoology or email one to jessicaeakin@
Parent Ads for Senior Parents
Senior parents have the option of creating a parent ad in the yearbook. Parent ads go at the end of the yearbook and are a message you send to your child or to the class of 2026. Go to Picaboo to purchase and design your parent ad or learn about purchasing and designing your ad.
The highly anticipated Hanover High Parents and Community Trivia Night is BACK
on January 31, 2026! Join the HHS Class of 2027 for the 2nd Annual Trivia Night, a fun and very social evening for adults, returning to the elegant Hanover Inn Ballroom; last year's inaugural event was a smash hit, selling out the ballroom with 200 enthusiastic contestants. . Reserve your tickets/tables and sign up here.
Council Report
Council met this week on Wednesday, December 3rd, with a shortened meeting due to the snow day.
First, the body voted to confirm its estimated budget for the school year to comply with new SAU policy that all funds be earmarked. The approximate Council Budget for 2025-2026 can be found here. Lastly, the body began discussing the Spring Carnival Budget, with the Student Activities Committee hoping to purchase higher quality materials this year and avoid breakage that forces Council to repurchase equipment every year.
As always, if you are interested, please attend Council to share your opinions on Wednesdays from 11:10-11:50 in the Music Room. The full agenda and minutes of Wednesday the 3rd’s meeting, when completed, will be found online here.
Martin Mosdal (Council Secretary)
Counseling Department Updates
The Mountain School Information Session, Tuesday, December 9 at lunch
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The Mountain School is an innovative semester-long experience for High School juniors located on a hilltop farm in Vershire, Vermont. A representative from the Mountain School Admissions Office will visit the Atrium next week to give an overview of the programs in advance of the February application deadline.
Join the United States Navy Information Session, Tuesday, December 9 at lunch
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Officer Benjamin Hughes will be representing the Navy Recruiting Orientation Unit (NORU) at a recruitment table in the Atrium next week.
CIEE Abroad Programs information Session, Thursday, December 11 at lunch
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CIEE will be visiting the HHS Counseling Conference Room to provide information about their high school and gap year study abroad programs. Meet and Global Head of School (and HHS alum) Jeff Bradley to learn about their opportunities!
Advanced Studies Program Information Session, Friday, December 12 at lunch
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ASP will be visiting the HHS Counseling Conference Room to provide information about their summer program for rising seniors. (This week’s visit has been rescheduled.)
CCSNH’s WorkReadyNH offers a free online class to prepare for college and career
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January 26-May 22, Monday–Friday, 1:00-2:00PM. Enroll here!
Early College Vermont: Spring and summer course registration is open at Community College of Vermont (CCV).
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The state of Vermont offers vouchers for 2 FREE college courses to students in grades 11 and 12. Enrollment for Community College of Vermont (CCV) spring and summer 2026 courses is now open. Below are the steps to register:
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Apply to CCV at this link if they have not yet taken a CCV class.
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Ask their school counselor to send their high school transcript to CCV.
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Create an account with Vermont Agency of Education if they do not have one.
Early College New Hampshire: Spring course registration is open.
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The Community College System of New Hampshire offers 2 FREE college courses per year to students in grades 10-12. Enrollment for spring 2026 courses is now open. Learn More about Early College offerings and registration.
Senior Family Events and Information
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Specific scholarships are available for Vermont and New Hampshire students. Scroll to page 3 of the class of 2026 financial aid information to learn how to apply!
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Check the College Scholarships page for upcoming deadlines.
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The FAFSA is open! Complete it as soon as your family is able! Here is the class of 2026 financial aid information that was emailed to all students and families earlier this fall, which includes information about the FAFSA and resources for help to complete it.
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Senior Family College Night earlier this fall provided families with an in-depth review of the college application process. Here are the slides we reviewed, and here is the full video recording.
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Paying for College Night was on October 16. Here is the full webinar recording. The Passcode is: mGy4v.5i
College Application How-to Materials
Important dates and deadlines for the college application process:
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To give HHS time to send the required application materials, seniors must add/move college(s) into the “Applying” column in SCOIR in advance of the application deadline. For each application deadline (left), seniors should put schools in the “Applying section by (right):
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Application Deadline |
Add to “Applying” in SCOIR by: |
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January 1 |
December 9 |
