Weekly Announcements

03.19.21

Friday Update

Happy Friday. As I write this, I am feeling relieved that we have had no positive cases (as of this afternoon) at HHS and happy that we will have our full complement of students on Monday. The entire school community should be pleased that we can continue to provide exceptional educational experiences to all of our students, both in-person and remotely.

Please remain vigilant in adhering to the protocols. I will be reminding the students of this next week and thanking them for all they have done.

I would like to share an update from our assistant superintendent, Ms. Robin Steiner, that was shared with all staff:

Hello everyone:

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for your effort at containing the virus in our SAU 70 schools.  You have done an amazing job!  I know I certainly feel tremendous hope given the declining numbers of COVID cases, and the move to vaccinate so many groups in our two states, including school staff.  Although I am hopeful, I still feel we must maintain our vigilance with regard to the virus and continue our current practices of masking, maintaining six feet of social distancing, handwashing, cleaning and avoiding travel.  This will help us move into the spring and allow our schools to remain open with in person instruction. 

Vermont Guidance – Includes all Residents of Vermont

Vermont residents must still follow the Vermont guidance.  The Health Department advises against any non-essential travel, even within Vermont.  All travel to and from Vermont requires quarantine for 14 days.  You can end your quarantine early if you haven't had any symptoms of COVID-19, get a test on or after day 7, get a negative test result, still do not have symptoms,  and continue to monitor yourself for symptoms for the full 14 days.  The only exceptions are essential travel (for personal safety, health care, care of others, food, beverage or medicine, work, parental shared custody, students who commute to attend schools) or for those who have been fully vaccinated for 14 days.  Students who travel will need to quarantine. 

New Hampshire Guidance – Includes all Residents of New Hampshire

Having said that, NH has updated its travel and quarantine guidance.  Domestic travel within the U.S. outside of New England no longer requires quarantine upon return to NH.  The CDC recommends that you do not travel at this time.  We strongly recommend students and staff continue to follow the CDC's travel guidance and to quarantine for 3 to 5 days, get a PCR test after 3-5 days of ending travel, and limit public interactions.  Students and staff should return to school following a negative PCR test.  Following these guidelines will be in the best interest of our students and staff and will help us to keep schools open to in person learning.  I have attached the CDC guidance below.  Residents need to continue to self-quarantine for 10 days still after any international travel or travel by cruise ship.  The exception to international or cruise travel involves persons who are 14 days or more beyond completion of COVID-19 vaccination or are within 90 days of COVID infection, do not need to be quarantined unless they are symptomatic upon or within 14 days of return. 

Also, persons who are 14 days or more beyond completion of COVID-19 vaccination or are within 90 days of having the COVID infection no longer need to quarantine.  

This is in effect for NH residents only and does not apply to Vermont residents. 

Having said that, and in order to keep our schools open:

• we recommend against non-essential travel for the remainder of the school year 
• we wish to discourage travel to reduce infections and potentially introduce more variants of the disease into our community
• our students and some staff are not yet vaccinated  
• we wish to avoid clusters in schools that would potentially cause us to go remote.

Also, we will be following new recommendations regarding close contacts.  Instead of having those quarantining as close contacts tested immediately, testing will now take place on day 7.  

Finally, the new VINI website in NH seems to be working well in allowing staff working in NH schools to sign up for vaccines.  Staff in VT have been able to sign up for vaccines under the VT system too.  We have close to 400 staff members signed up for the clinic at DHMC on 3/27.  If you have been able to sign up for a vaccine earlier in either state, there is no longer a need to notify me.

As always, please feel free to email if you have any COVID related questions.  I will do my best to answer these.  Rules in both states seemed to be changing much more quickly now, so I will keep you posted as I learn about new rules.

Message from the Associate Principals

Our district is committed to maintaining a safe healthy environment for students so they are able to learn and thrive. We have been made aware of kids posting comments about each other and naming students publicly. This concerns us as such actions can be interpreted in many ways- which is why the practice should be avoided if possible. If you are concerned about your child having been named in a post to the extent that it is interfering with their ability to attend to their work or causing them to not want to come to school, we want to learn of it. We do not want to be the internet police by any means, but we do want all students to feel supported to the best of our ability. Thank you for supporting our efforts to keep the students safe.

Julie Stevenson and Deb Beaupre, Associate Principals

Athletics - Spring Registration - Last Chance to Register

Registration for spring sports will close on Monday, March 22.

Here is the link to register - Register for spring sports on Family ID.  All students must be registered on FamilyID prior to the deadline to participate.

If you have questions, please contact Megan Sobel, Athletic Director or call the Athletics Department at 643-0655.

COVID-19 Spring Note: 

At this time, Hanover High School will plan on offering the usual spring sports programs as allowed per state and NHIAA guidelines. Given the ever-changing nature of our world at this time, we will adapt and adjust as necessary.  Athletics is an integral part of the high school experience for many students and we are committed to keeping our students active and connected in the safest way possible.

Due to COVID-19 and facility restrictions, some teams may run in a modified manner or need to make cuts.  There is a possibility that some programs may be cancelled, however we plan to offer as many options as possible given the current limitations. 

The NHIAA has approved official tryouts/practices to begin on March 29, 2021 for all spring sports.  Competitions can begin April 12, 2021 for all sports. All programs will have COVID protocols in place including masks at all times.  

Yearbook Orders

Online yearbook orders are open. Go to Picaboo to place your order and pay online. Or you can place your order by sending in a check for $65 payable to Hanover High School to Jessica Eakin (in the library). Last chance to order is May 1st. 

Senior Parents! 

The yearbook has several features specifically for seniors:

• Parent Ads: Go to Picaboo to purchase and design your parent ad. Parent ads go at the end of the yearbook and are a message you send to your child or to the class of 2021. Learn about purchasing and designing your ad. Last chance to make an ad is April 16th. 

Win a Pizza Party or Cupcakes for Your Advisory!!!

She’s the First at Hanover High is holding a raffle! She’s the First is a nonprofit organization that supports girls education in developing countries. Enter the raffle to win a party for your advisory! There will be two winning advisories - one will win cupcakes of your choice and the other will win a pizza party. Your advisory can purchase as many tickets as you would like. Each raffle ticket is $15 dollars, so team up with your advisory group to support a good cause and get ready to partaaayyyyy!

To purchase a ticket, have your advisor gather the money and fill out this google form. Money will be collected on Friday, March 26th during advisory. We will contact the winners shortly after.

Footlighters Winter Show Premieres This Weekend!

Saturday, March 20, beginning at midnight (tonight!) you will be able stream the Footlighters winter production, This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing, by Finegan Kruckemeyer. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Re2eGdP1JhY

A fable about love, loss, journey and return, it is appropriate for all ages. Our covid-friendly adaptation was made with permission from the playwright. 

We will broadcast it again on March 27 & 28, and then it will be made unavailable in accordance with our contract with the playwright so save the date and bookmark the YouTube link!

Food Drive for the Upper Valley Haven

Youth-in-Action is hosting a food and supply drive for the Upper Valley Haven. Food insecurity in the Upper Valley has increased during the pandemic. Food needs are constant. The Upper Valley Haven is committed to providing reliable access to healthy groceries once/month. (Along with fresh veggies and bread as needed. Monday March 22 - April 9, we hope to collect at least 692 items for the Haven. That represents just one item for each HHS student. Please help us reach our goal. Tables for collection will be set up in the Atrium.

Personal Items

• Shampoo
• Body wash
• Baby wipes
• Dental floss
• Deodorant

Other Needs

• Rain gear
• Toilet paper
• Gift cards to Walmart
• Can openers

Always needed

• Peanut butter
• Shelf stable milk
• Tuna
• Pasta of all kinds
• Canned vegetables
• Pasta sauce
• Soups or broths
• Canned tomatoes
• Macaroni & cheese
• Canned fruit

Health Careers Institute at Dartmouth

The Health Careers Institute at Dartmouth is offered for high school students who have expressed an interest in working in health care or want to know more about clinical and non-clinical health careers. Students entering grades 10, 11, and 12 who want to learn about careers and important issues and topics in healthcare today, are encouraged to apply.

The 2021 Institute will be offered virtually from June 28 through July 2 and will be open to New Hampshire students ONLY. The number of students accepted to the program will be limited and the application process highly competitive. Tuition for the program is $300 and there are limited scholarships available based on financial need and availability of scholarship funds. The deadline to apply is April 23.

Our website has been updated with information about the virtual program  – you will also find the online application access, required recommendation form, scholarship application, and a sponsorship form.