Hello Golden Bear Country,
I hope you're enjoying a restful and joyful summer, and that all of our students are safe and well. Although school is still a couple of weeks away, the administrative team, along with some of our amazing staff, have been working hard to prepare for the return of our students.
We are especially excited to welcome our newest Golden Bear families to this incredible community!
This summer, we were proud to host both summer school and the county-wide summer graduation. I’d like to give a special shout-out to the nine Hammond Golden Bears who walked across the stage last Thursday. These members of the Class of 2025 have demonstrated incredible hard work, grit, and perseverance. I am so proud of each of them for pushing through challenges and achieving their goals. This is the kind of legacy that lasts. YOU DID IT!!!
At Hammond High, we believe that every student can learn and find academic success. But we also know that success takes a team effort—and that includes you. Parents and guardians are the most essential part of your child’s support system. This year, we encourage open and consistent communication between home and school to best support our students. We need you!
Our motto at Hammond High is "Where People Are Important." Our school theme this year is BE. BREAK. SHOW. We'll share more about the meaning behind that theme at upcoming events listed below, but know this: we want every student, staff member, family, and community stakeholder to feel seen, valued, and important. Because you are.
PARENTS/GUARDIANS
PLEASE JOIN THE HAMMOND HS BOOSTERS
We are working on building our parent opportunities for involvement. We are looking for your participation to help support our students, teachers, and programs. Our main parent group is the Boosters program and we need every parent to be part of this amazing group of individuals. Please consider signing up and purchasing a Boosters membership today. Please visit the Hammond HS Boosters website to join. Please feel free to come join us for the first Boosters meeting of the 2025-26 school year. Please meet us in the Hammond High School Media Center at 7 pm on Monday, August 11th. We hope to see you there.
This year we are really going to count on our Hammond Boosters program. We will have information shared at Back to School Night and you will have an opportunity to join and be part of a Parent/Guardian group that is first in line to help and support our most important commodity — Our Students! This year we are looking for record breaking numbers to join and be a force for our kids.
BEARENT UNIVERSITY
We at Hammond want to work particularly hard on building the space and the place for parents to be involved in their child’s educational journey. This year we are also going to kick off our BEARent University. This program will be split in two parts. 1) BEARenting 101 (focuses on learning how to navigate the Hammond and HCPSS systems, how to request a full conference for all your student’s classes, how to support your child’s schoolwork at home, etc.), and 2) BEARent Empowerment (focuses on local resources available for services or seminars to educate you on topics relevant to personal growth and stability. (Ie. fixing your credit, financial literacy, purchasing a home, outstanding financial opportunities for HCPSS students). Because these sessions will be throughout the school year, I would love to get your feedback. If you have some ideas of what topics we need to cover to best serve your needs, it could assist us in securing our local guest early and getting all of our sessions aligned. Please consider taking this survey. Click here for the survey.
Updates and Upcoming Events
As we prepare for the start of the school year, please take a moment to review the following important information to help kick off a successful year!
🔹 Fall Sports Tryouts
Fall sports begin next week. Please be sure to check out the Fall Sports Tryout informations to get the proper paperwork and the pertinent information for a successful tryout & Download the 2025 Fall Tryout Schedule.pdf for all tryout times. Good Luck to all of our Golden Bears trying out for Fall Sports!
🔹 Update Your Student’s Family File
The Family File must be updated annually.
Please log in to HCPSS Connect to update your child’s emergency contact information.
Important: Students with incomplete Family Files will not be permitted to attend field trips, the Homecoming dance, Prom. Please try to get this done today .
🔹 Class Schedules
Student class schedules will be available via Synergy between August 8th-15th. This will be a preview as our wonderful counselors are working hard to ensure students have a full schedule with no holes, and schedules are being updated with regards to summer school changes. Full student schedules with teachers, rooms and periods will be released on August 20th! This is the day before our new students orientation so please have your students log into HCPSS Connect and save/print/record their schedules — including teacher’s names, periods, and room numbers. Hard copies will not be printed for all students; however, staff will be on hand to assist with schedules as needed.
On August 25th, all students will receive a hard copy of their schedule in their 1st period class. Students should log on to HCPSS Connect over the weekend and either print their schedule or write down at least their 1st period course and room number. Students will not be permitted to use their cell phones to view schedules on the first day.
Please note, HCPSS Connect is the best place to view student’s schedules as it includes the periods and room numbers. Canvas syncs with Synergy overnight, so there may be a delay in seeing any schedule changes reflected.
Students and parent/guardians requesting a schedule change should email their student’s counselor directly. Include the request and reasons. Counselors will respond as quickly as possible, but please be patient as this will take time and space is limited. Schedule change requests for missing classes or graduation requirements will be prioritized.
🔹 Bus Routes
Bus pickup/drop off information (times and bus stop locations) will be available prior to the first day of school. Please use this link to find your child’s bus. Stay tuned!
🔹 Cell Phone Policy
The Cell Phone Policy will remain in effect for the 2025–26 school year.
Please review Policy 8080 - Responsible Use of Technology, Digital Tools and Social Media with your child. Cell phones and personal devices will not be permitted during school hours (7:50a - 2:35p). These devices should not be used, seen, or heard. Please help develop a daily plan of where your child will store their powered off cell phones during the school day. I want to reassure you, if you need to connect with your child in an emergency, please call the front office, (410) 313-7615 and we will be glad to assist.
Save the Date:
August 21, 2025
- New Student Orientation
For 9th graders and students new to HaHS
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Community Kickoff
For HaHS students, cluster families, and the community
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Back to School Night (BTSN)
For Parents/Guardians
6:30 PM
August 24, 2025 (Yes, Sunday)
- Student Walk-through
For Any Hammond Student
Golden Bears may come into the building to practice walking their schedule. No rooms will be open, just an opportunity to feel confident walking the halls on Monday morning and figuring out their best route to each class. Just show up, practice and leave whenever they are done.
5:00PM - 6:30 PM
We can only achieve by working together, as one strong, united community. My staff and I are very excited to see our Golden Bear students and families. Let’s make it a fantastic school year! TOGETHER!
GO BEARS!
~Mrs. Reid