Hanover High School Welcome 8/14/23

Welcome to Hawk Nation for the 2023-2024 school year! I am Matthew Mattos, Principal of Hanover High School, and we look forward to having you and your family become a part of our spirited school community. The faculty and staff of HHS are excited about your family’s involvement in all aspects of our high school experience this year. Academic achievement continues to be our number one priority. We are committed to elevated instruction and student learning for all, with the ultimate goal of a successful post-graduation plan for every child. Our expectation is that ALL students will align themselves with our HHS Mission Statement, Core Values & Beliefs, and Learning Expectations. Our hope is that every student embodies our HHS “Vision of the Graduate.”

In addition to high expectations for elevated academic achievement, I have a personal affinity for extracurricular activities. I will be encouraging every student at HHS to be connected to our school through membership in our extracurricular offerings, as I truly believe “A Connected Student is a Better Student!” We will encourage ALL students to be a part of our academic support programs, student events, clubs, and organizations. We truly feel that a student who participates in all that HHS has to offer will become an integral part of the enthusiastic, positive, and respectful climate that exists at Hanover High School.

As we begin the new school year, there are several items of interest. Please note the following important dates on your calendar. Also, please check the Athletics link on the high school website for the latest HHS Athletics information and calendar.

Student Leadership Luncheon

Monday, August 21^st, 12:00-1:00 pm

30 invited student leaders will attend a pizza luncheon with the Administration. In addition to preparing for the Freshmen Orientation, student leaders will also review the HPS Hazing and Bullying Policies to share with their peers. While practice for the Fall Athletic season will be underway on that day, coaches of selected leaders will be told that those members of the team attending the luncheon may miss, or be late for practice.

Freshman Orientation (Students Only)

Thursday, August 24^th, 1:00-2:30 pm

Freshman Orientation will begin in the auditorium on August 24^th, at 1:00 pm. Students will hear remarks from high school administration and the HHS student leaders. Following the presentation in the Auditorium, all freshmen will break for lunch in the cafe, then go to their assigned homeroom, followed by a guided tour of the building from student leaders.

Guidance Counselor Office Hours

Monday, August 28^th, and Tuesday, August 29^th, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Your child’s schedule will be available for review after 4:00 pm on August 22^nd. Guidance counselor assignments are listed below. Please visit the Guidance Department for more information about the upcoming school year.

If you have a conflict with your schedule, please contact Barbara Doherty, administrative assistant in the Guidance Department, at bdoherty@hanoverschools.org or by phone at 781-878-5450, ext. 7408, to make an appointment with your counselor.

First Day of School

Tuesday, September 5^th, 7:55 am, Promptly

This year, students are beginning school on Tuesday, September 5^th. The hours of the high school are from 7:55 am to 2:30 pm. Early release day hours are from 7:55 am to 12:30 pm. Students must always be in school before 7:55 am.

Seniors will report directly to the auditorium for a senior class meeting as soon as they enter the building. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors must be in their assigned homerooms by the 7:55 am bell. Throughout the morning, every grade level will be called to the auditorium for their respective class meeting to go over school policies, procedures, and expectations.

On the first day of school, students will be given various forms to be brought home, filled out, and signed by their parent(s)/guardian(s) and the student. It is strongly encouraged to have your child return these forms the next day in the homeroom so that the Main Office will have the most up-to-date and accurate family information. Most importantly, ALL students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) MUST sign off on having reviewed the HHS Student Handbook (specifically, the Attendance and Code of Conduct sections). The sign-off page will be included in the forms the students receive on the first day of school. Other forms included will be the HHS Media Release, Bullying and Hazing Policy, HPS Digital Technology Acceptable Use Policy, and third-party release. Please make sure that your child returns all the signed documents back to HHS.

Picture Day

Friday, September 22^nd

Friday, September 22^nd is Picture Day. All students should dress nicely, and all students are expected to get their photos taken. They will systematically be called down to the gym for these pictures. Please note that not only are these photos used for the Yearbook, but they will also be utilized for their student ID card.

Curriculum Night

Thursday, September 14^th, 6:00-8:00 pm

Curriculum Night will begin promptly at 6:00 pm and end at 8:00 pm. There will be a short presentation by the administration at 6:00 pm in the auditorium. Parents will follow their child’s “A” day schedule beginning at 6:30 pm.

SAT Registration and PSATs

The registration deadline for the October 7^th SAT is September 7^th. The registration deadline for the November 4^th SAT is October 5^th. Students may register for the SATs by going to collegeboard.org. These SATs are not offered at Hanover High School. The PSATs will be administered at Hanover High School for all juniors on Wednesday, October 11^th, during the school day. Registration cost is $18 for all junior students. Registration information will be sent out the first week of school.

Student Bus Transportation

For those families in need of bus transportation, HHS offers it on a fee basis. The fee for the year will be $300 per student, due on or before August 19^th. A completed HHS Transportation Form, along with a check for $300, made payable to the Hanover Public Schools, may be mailed or dropped off to the Main Office at HHS. Bus transportation routes will be created based on registration and will be posted on the HHS website during the last week of August. In cases of financial hardship, please email HPS Director of Finance and Operations, Michael Oates, at moates@hanoverschools.org. If you have any questions, please call Catie Leahy at 781-878-5450, ext 7404.

Student Parking

Students will need to fill out the Parking Registration Form and submit it to the Main Office on August 22^nd, 23^rd or 28^th between 7:00 am and 1:00 pm. Students must present their license and car registration at that time to receive an HHS parking tag. If a student is unable to come during these times, they may bring in a registration form during the first week of school. Please note that students with a parking tag can park in any parking space in the designated student parking lots.

Remember driving to school is a privilege, not a right. Therefore, please drive safely and obey the rules and regulations listed below:

• Students must park in a parking space. Students may not park in the Faculty parking lot located in the back of the school building or in the Maintenance Lot.
• Students must operate a motorized vehicle in a safe manner on school property. A speed limit of 5 miles per hour will be enforced on school grounds.
• Students must not be in the parking lots or in, on, or around an automobile during school hours without permission from the Principal or Assistant Principal.
• Students are subject to police ticketing for illegal parking.

Violations of this policy can result in the loss of parking privileges and disciplinary consequences in accordance with the Student Handbook.

We look forward to the start of this school year and working cooperatively with the families of our students to assist us with developing highly successful high school graduates!

On behalf of our entire staff, I want to thank you for your continued support of Hanover High School and welcome all of you back to Hawk Nation!

Let’s Go Hawks!

Matthew Mattos
Principal