Welcome to Hawk Nation for the 2025-2026 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.

Please know that the 2025-2026 school year at HHS is an extremely important one, as we embark upon our NEASC Decennial Accreditation journey. NEASC stands for New England Association of Schools and Colleges and we will be hosting a Visiting Team from NEASC on November 16^th-19^th. These educational professionals from various New England schools will be evaluating HHS on our adherence to the 5 Standards for Accreditation. During this visit, NEASC will be in our hallways and classrooms speaking to students and staff about all of our teaching and learning practices. They even solicit parent input. If you would like to be a part of our NEASC Visit Committees, please let us know.

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.

Freshman Orientation

Students Only, Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm

Freshman Orientation will begin in the Auditorium on August 21^st 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 be able to “walk through” their entire daily schedule with student leaders on hand to help with directions. Freshmen will go to all of their classes in order to simulate a school day.

Guidance Counselor Office Hours

Monday, August 25^th and Tuesday, August 26^th, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm

Your child’s schedule will be available for review after 5:00 pm on August 21^st. Guidance Counselor assignments are listed below. Please visit the guidance department for more information on the upcoming school year. If you have a scheduling conflict, please email your guidance counselor directly for an appointment.

HHS Guidance Counselor Caseload

• A - Fly: Korri Byron, [email protected]
• Fol - McD: Samantha Patterson, [email protected]
• McG - Z: Janel Kost, [email protected]

First Day of School

Tuesday, September 2, 2025, 7:55 am, Promptly

This year, students are beginning school on Tuesday, September 2^nd. 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 their assigned classroom before 7:55 am.

Seniors will report directly to the auditorium for a Senior Class Assembly as soon as they enter the building. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors must be in their assigned homerooms (first two days of school only - students will report to their first period class on Thursday, September 4^th) by the 7:55 am bell. Throughout the morning, every grade level will be called to the auditorium for their respective class assembly to go over school policies, procedures, and expectations.

On the first day of school, students will be given some 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. Other forms will be provided online.

Laptops/Chromebooks

Student laptops have become a vital classroom resource, and it is our expectation that all students have a fully charged device and a charging cord with them every day. If a student has their own device, we encourage them to use it. For students who do not have a laptop, we have a limited supply of Chromebooks that can be loaned out for the year. If a student needs a loan, a parent/guardian should complete this form to start the process.

In addition, please print, read, and sign the contract. Your student should bring the completed contract to the HHS library to receive their device. If you are unable to print the contract, hard copies will be available in the library and main office on the first day of school. If you have any questions, please contact HHS librarian Sue McHugh at 781-878-5450 or email [email protected].

Curriculum and Expectations Night

Thursday, September 18, 2025, 6:00 pm to 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.

Picture Day

Friday, September 19, 2025

Friday, September 19^th 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. Parents/Guardians, please remind all students that hats, sunglasses, and any other props are not allowed during the photography sessions. These occurrences waste time during the allotted picture-taking.

• School Name: Hanover High School
• Picture Day Date: Friday, September 19, 2025
• Picture Day ID: EVTFTPKNK

Student Bus Transportation

The Halix Registration and payment portal is now open. If your student is riding the bus, they must register by Sunday, August 25, 2025, at 5:00 pm. The total number of bus riders and details regarding bus routes won't be fully known until all of the registrations are completed. For instructions on how to register your account, please view our Hanover Public Schools Fee Payment Platform Account Creation Guide.

Fee Structure

School Districts are required to transport students in grades K-6 living 2+ miles from school without cost to the family. Our registration system has also been designed to identify students who qualify for free or reduced lunch (that we presently have on record) and adjust fees accordingly. A confidential email address, and designated staff member, is available for any family who feels that they may qualify for relief from fees and the student(s) is not identified in the registration system. The email address is available in the payment portal.

• Students in grades 7 to 12: $250/student
• Students in grades K-6 living less than 2 miles from school: $250/student
• Students in grades K-6 living 2 miles or further from school: Free
• Family cap for 3+ bus riders: $625/family

The District is unable to prorate bus fees for part-time riders (e.g., families who may want AM or PM only or only certain days of the week). The total number of buses required (and paid for) is routed as if students are riding both ways on a daily basis. If a student is planning to ride the bus, the full fee is required.

Student Parking

For students in need of an HHS parking spot, please be aware that the fee is $100 to receive a parking tag. Payment can be made using the aforementioned Halix fee payment solution (Payment Portal). In addition, students need to fill out the Hanover High School Student Parking Form and submit it to the Main Office on August 19^th, 25^th, or 26^th between 7:00 am and 1:00 pm. Please see Nancy Foster in the HHS main office. 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 reserved Visitor parking spaces in front of the building, the Faculty parking lot located in the back of the school building, or in the HPS 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.

Student Schedules

Student schedules will be published on August 21^st at 5:00 pm. Please be aware that directions for making guidance appointments will accompany the schedules.

Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year!

We look forward to the start of this school year and working cooperatively with the families of our students to assist us in 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