H-BC Secondary Families:
Great Start to the 4th Quarter! This past week, HBC Students & Staff heard from Marla Meyer, Class of ‘88, at our 3rd National Blue Ribbon Alumni Talks. Marla spoke about her school days at HBC, college & how she eventually worked her way to executive leadership at Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Sears and now the CEO of Girls Scouts - Dakota Horizon. You can see her Alumni Talks here. LINK
Congratulations to these student-athletes on their All-Conference Selection for the 24-25 Basketball Season! Well done!
LOOKING AHEAD:
Sunday, March 30, 2025 - Junior Parents Chili Cook-Off at Hills Legion (Info. Below)
Saturday, April 5, 2025 - SW MN Spelling Bee at Luverne PAC 9:00 AM
Monday, April 7, 2025 - Band/Choir Ensemble in Fulda (afternoon - all day)
Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - ACT for Juniors
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - MS Solo/Ensemble at HBC
Thursday, April 10, 2025 - National Severe Weather Drill Day
Saturday, April 12, 2025 - SWMBDA ½ Year Honor Band
Monday, April 14, 2025 - Performance of the Northeast Community College Jazz Machine 8:30-9:15 AM (Assembly) - Regular Schedule but will impact Period 1 & 2
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 - Blood Drive - Student Council Event
Friday, April 18, 2025 - No School (Spring Break)
Monday, April 21, 2025 - No School (Spring Break)
Wednesday & Thursday, April 23/24 - MCA Reading - Grades 6/7/8/10
Friday, April 25, 2025 - Early Release for Students (Staff Development Day)
Friday, April 25, 2025 - HBC Prom Grand March 6 PM
Sunday, April 27-30 - FFA State Convention
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 - MCA Math - Grades 6/7/8/11
Thursday, May 1 - Quarter 4 Midterm Grades Sent Home
Friday, May 2, 2025- 6th Grade to MN Capital & MN History Center
Tuesday, May 6-7, 2025 - MCA Science - Grades 8/10
Wednesday, May 7 - NBR-Alumni Talks (Assembly Schedule) - Matt Ebert Class of '97
Thursday, May 8 - 5th-12th Band Concert at HBC Secondary at 7 PM
Friday, May 9 - Senior Class Trip
Monday, May 12 - 6/7 Grade & HS Choir Concert at 7 PM
Sunday, May 18 - Baccalaureate Senior Service 2 PM
Monday, May 19 - Last Day for Seniors
Wednesday, May 21 -Last Day for Students
Friday, May 23 - Class of 2025 Commencement 7 PM
SPELLING BEE: Congratulations to all the H-BC 5th & 6th grade Spelling Bee participants!
Our Top 6 Spellers were: Ariella, Bryce, Josh, Addison W., Garpan & Hollis. The Runner-Up Champion: Garpan ; Grand Champion: Ariella. These top 6 spellers will advance to the SW MN Regional Spelling Bee in Luverne on April 5, 2025.
NEXT NBRS Alumni Talks - Community Welcome - National Blue Ribbon Series - Alumni Talks 2025 - Guest Speaker - Matt Ebert - Class of 1997 - Assistant United States District Attorney
Did you know that HBC Secondary was awarded the 2024 National Blue Ribbon School Award? As a celebration of our school, we are going to be inviting past HBC Alumni to talk to our HBC Secondary student body & community. Join us as Matt Ebert goes down memory lane and discusses the impact HBC, the HBC community and HBC teachers have had on his life journey. Please mark your calendars - Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 11 AM. March Alumni Talks - Matt Ebert from Class of ‘97.
Welcome Mr. Wrede - Middle School Math & 8th Grade Science Substitute Teacher for Ms. Bass
Hello HBC families! My name is Mr. Wrede. I've been teaching for about 9 years, with most of that time spent in fourth grade. However, I have always had a passion for teaching mathematics. In college I received a middle school math minor from Minnesota State - Mankato. A few years ago I had the opportunity to be the long-term substitute teacher for Mrs. Bass, and am looking forward to a similar role over the next few months. When I'm not teaching, I am pursuing music through songwriting, recording music, and performing for live audiences. I'm hoping to help these middle school students finish the school year strong!
REPEAT…OLD SECONDARY SCHOOL DEMOLITION: The demolition of the old Secondary School Site in Hills is a big event! PLEASE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE. Do not enter the construction zone! Surveillance cameras are in place recording all of the activity. Also, the fence that surrounds the building is for your safety. The Demolition Contractor is replenishing the pile of bricks from time to time. The pile is located on the SW corner of the old staff parking lot. Please do not cross the barriers the contractor has in place. Thank you.
The Hugo Goehle Gym is not available for any use until further notice. This is due to the demolition of the old secondary school and the renovations that are scheduled to be completed.
Spring Sports & HBC Patriots App/Website (New)
Spring Sports (Track & Golf) are HERE, please make sure to look at the HBC Website or download the HBC App. You can also visit the RedRockConference website for the most accurate information for games/times/locations.
Please make sure to download the HBC Patriots App (details below) to get your student-athletes’ schedules. Thank you for supporting HBC Athletics!
G.R.A.D. March Madness (New)
HBC Secondary Staff are on the lookout for students being goal-oriented, respectful, accountable and determined during March. There will be individual prizes and students will be competing against each grade level. Excited to see which grade level will be the GRAD champion! Students are competing for a Staff vs Students Basketball Game.
(Repeat) Mark Your Calendars - 2025 HBC Prom Information - April 25, 2025
ACT 2025 Information for Juniors
During the upcoming months, all juniors will be preparing for the ACT by completing the OntoCollege ACT Prep Course during ELA, Science & Math classes.
Here are some IMPORTANT DATES for your planning purposes. Both Pre-ACT & ACT are offered at HBC Secondary.
ACT - Tuesday, April 8, 2025 (8:00 - 12:30 PM)
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Kooima - j.kooima@isd671.net
Note: The ACT is Optional! Students are NOT required to take the ACT.
Go Patriots! Good luck Juniors!
Spring Assessments Coming Soon (New)
Spring Testing is an important time to check progress for our students. As we get closer to April, we will enter the Spring Assessment season. Please click this LINK to see our HBC Assessment Calendar. This will give you an idea when each assessment is scheduled for ACTs, MCAs and NWEAs.
Information for Families Regarding MCA III Assessments: (New)
MCA Statewide Assessments Dear Families,
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) requires that statewide assessments are annually administered in reading, mathematics, and science. They are designed to provide the state, districts, and schools with a snapshot of student learning of the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards.
When will HBC Students take the MCA Tests? What Grades will take the MCA Tests?
MCA Reading - (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th) - Wednesday, April 23rd and Thursday April 27, 2025
MCA Math - (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 11th) - Tuesday, April 29th and Wednesday, April 30th
MCA Science - (5th, 8th and 10th) - Tuesday, May 6th & Wednesday, May 7th
What are the MCA Tests? The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are reading, mathematics, and science standards-based assessments that measure student learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards. These assessments are used to meet federal and state legislative requirements. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet the MTAS eligibility requirements may take the MTAS instead.
Why do we give these assessments? MCA results provide valuable information for the school, district and MDE about how well students have learned concepts and skills from the academic standards. Educators and schools can use the results to plan instruction and evaluate their curriculum. Families can also use the results as one way to measure how students are doing on the content that is part of their daily instruction. School- and district-level test results are used in federal and state accountability measurements.
How are the MCA administered? The MCAs must be taken in person, even if your student is enrolled in an online program. For students temporarily learning online, they will take statewide assessments when they return to school. Your school can provide more specific information about the health and safety measures they are taking to ensure students and staff stay safe and healthy during test administration. Most students take the MCA online, but some eligible students take the assessment in a paper test book instead. For the MTAS, teachers work with each student individually using paper test materials.
📢 Junior Class Fundraiser Alert! 🍕🌶️ Get ready for a delicious way to support our Junior Class! 🎉 We’re spicing things up with a Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, March 30th, 2025 at Hills Legion - Hills, MN. 🔥 Chili Cook-Off Details: 📅 Date: Sunday, March 12th ⏰ Time: 12:00 – 2:00 PM Where: Hills Legion 🏆 Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place! Come hungry and taste some amazing chili while supporting our Junior Class! Let’s make this event a sizzling success! 🌟 📩 Contact Ms. Erickson (see flyers) for pizza orders or to enter the chili cook-off! 🍕🔥
KIDS NIGHT AT THE STAMPEDE: Saturday, April 12 is Kids Night at the Stampede. Students enrolled at H-BC, can get a free ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket. Details here: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/StampedeKidsNight25
Homework Club Started
Starting the week of January 6, 2025, students who need more support with having a quiet space to complete homework may be assigned to Homework Club. Homework Club is after school on Wednesday and Thursday from 3:20 - 3:45 and is supervised by a teacher. This quiet space will allow students who may need support to complete an assignment. Ms. Kooima, school counselor, will communicate with student/families about staying after school on Wednesday and/or Thursday. HW Club is for students who...
Need extra time to complete work
Have a tendency not to do work at home
Continue to stay on the DL because they have not made a plan/followed through with a plan to get off the DL
Weather/School Postponement/Early Dismissal/Cancellation Items: As we begin our winter weather season, the district will once again be utilizing the JMC student information system to notify individuals of school related weather postponements, early dismissals, e-learning days and school cancellations. Individuals that want/need to be notified will be communicated with one or more of the following methods: phone call, email or text message from the district informing them of any school related announcement.
If you miss a call from the school, we ask that you not call the school directly. First check your voicemail, because a message will most likely have been left sharing the information you missed. Please make sure all contact information is up to date in the JMC database. Individuals are able to login via the hbcpatriots.com website to make sure contact information is up to date, send an email or call either school’s office to assist.
E-LEARNING: The Hills-Beaver Creek School District may conduct up to five (5) E-learning days when school can not be in session for reasons such as inclement weather. Please see the following E-learning Procedure link for more information: LINK to 24-25 E-Learning Day
E-Learning Reminder - Students NEED to complete E-Learning Assignments. Students who do NOT participate or complete these assignments will be marked UNEXCUSED absence.
World Classroom 2026 NYC - Current 9th and 10th Graders
Dear Parents and Students,
If you missed last night's informational meeting for the New York City school trip for the Summer of 2026, it's not too late!
We have a great group of 26 students and parents already enrolled!
The $500 Early-Bird Scholarship pricing has been re-opened for a limited time.
Enroll today: Here is LINK for late registration. https://portal.worldclassrooms.com/signup/HillsMNNYC26
Don't miss out!
Mr. Andrew Kellenberger and Mrs. Heather Erickson
Deficiency List for Quarter 4 will start SOON!
As we emphasize the importance of academics and being well-rounded students, athletes and participants of co-curricular activities, please be reminded that we began our deficiency lists for Quarter 4.
Note: If your student failed Quarter 3, they will have 2 weeks to bring their grade up to passing (Friday, April 4, 2025). They should immediately go and speak to their teacher.
The Deficiency List / Academic Eligibility is located in Section 9 of the Secondary Student Handbook.
This slide explains the different levels of deficiencies. Parents and students will receive an emailed letter notifying them if their student is on the deficiency list. Please continue to support your student who may be struggling with completing school work.
The picture below shows the different levels of the Deficiency List.
Look at Student(s)’ Grades, Progress, Attendance, Lunch Bill, ETC on JMC App - Smart Phone
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AM BUS CHANGES--For morning bus changes please call or text the bus line--make sure to identify your student and the bus number they are riding: 507-962-3240 Ext. 4.
SECOND ENTREE PURCHASE: Students in grades K-5 may purchase a second entree with their meal. The entree is $2.75. If choosing a second entree, students may pay cash or the family lunch account will be charged. Students MUST write name on the Cafeteria Sheet if they want a second entree.
Please reach out to me if you have any needs. Phone- 507-962-3240 or email a.kellenberger@isd671.net