2023-2024

Orientation Handbook

Staff

Administration Office : 417 - 523 - 8000

Principal:  Rob Kroll, rkroll@spsmail.org 

Assistant Principal: Cecil McBrayer - Freshman Academy, crmcbrayer@spsmail.org 

Assistant Principal: Josh Lollis - Sophomores/BECS Academy, jmlollis@spsmail.org

Assistant Principal: Robin Collins - Juniors/STEM Academy, rcollins@spsmail.org 

Assistant Principal & Athletics/Activities Coordinator:  Jaci Hill - Seniors, jnhill@spsmail.org 

Coordinator of Site Interventions: Rich Dameron, rdameron@spsmail.org 

Administrative Assistant:  Shay Young, seyoung@spsmail.org

Athletic & Asst. Principal Assistant: Terina Brown, tlbrown@spsmail.org 

Counseling Center: 417 - 523 - 8260

Ty Heinrichs: Freshman Academy, Foreign Exchange, & SPED, theinrichs@spsmail.org 

Dior Toynton: Sophomores/BECS Academy,  dntoynton@spsmail.org 

Courtney Miller: Juniors/STEM Academy, cmmiller@spsmail.org 

Kara Davis : Seniors, kcdavis@spsmail.org 

Counseling Secretary - Keelee Hessee, krhessee@spsmail.org   

College Advisor - Taylor Scott, taylorscott@spsmail.org   

Graduation Mentor - Linda Jones,  lljones@spsmail.org 

Attendance Secretary:

Tracy Hessee : Last Name A - K,  417- 523 - 8001

Jennifer Sampiertro-Zacher: Last Name L - Z,  417 - 523 - 8002

Support Staff:

Financial:  Tonya Drake , tdrake@spsmail.org 

Registrar:  Cindy Happel, clhappel@spsmail.org 

Nurse:  Julie Creed, jkcreed@spsmail.org 

A+ Coordinator:  Sheridan Turner, seturner@spsmail.org

Social Worker: Robson Dasilva, rdasilva@spsmail.org   

Librarians / Media Specialist:  

Kristen McFarland: kdmcfarland@spsmail.org 

Tatiana Stout: tnstout@spsmail.org 

Bell Schedule

School begins on AUGUST 22, 2023 which will be a Blue day.  HHS has alternating days that are blue and orange.  Blue days are hours 1, 3, 5, and 7. Orange days are hours 2, 4, 6, and 8.  If we miss school for any reason the blue and orange schedule does not change.

Student Parking/Drop-Off/Pick-up: Students will park in the HPER parking lot.  Students will not be allowed to enter the building until 7:40 a.m. The school day now ends at 3:10 p.m. Students may still be dropped off and picked up at the circle drive, which now has only one way in and one way out.

Breakfast In The Classroom

1. Breakfast distribution will begin at 7:45 am.
2. Students will receive their breakfast from a distribution location and bring them to the classroom.
3. Distribution locations will be: Classrooms, Student Center, Cafeteria (Bus Entrance), and the Science Wing.

Important Dates:

• Homecoming: September 8th, 2023
• SPS University/Open House: September 12th, 2023
• Fall Parent Teacher Conferences: October 26th, 2023
• Spring Parent Teacher Conferences: February 8th, 2023
• LPA Dance: February 16th, 2024

Lunch:

Lunch periods are scheduled during 5th and 6th periods each day.  Your student’s 5th and 6th block teachers will inform him/her of their lunch time.  

We discourage but do not prohibit parents from dropping off lunches.  However, students are prohibited from ordering food deliveries during the school day. (Additionally, parents may not send a food delivery from an outside vendor.) We also ask that parents provide food only for their students. Parents dropping off lunch must do so through the main office.  We do not allow students to go outside of the building to pick up lunch. Also, we do not interrupt classrooms with messages about lunch.

Students are encouraged to utilize our cafeteria for lunch.  Nutritious meals at reasonable prices are available each day.  You will have the opportunity to put money on your student’s lunch account at our Open House/SPS University on September 13th, 2022.

Free/Reduced Price Lunches:  Applications for free or reduced price meals must be submitted each year.  You can access that application on the SPS website.  SPS also sends a mailing each year with the application.

CHROMEBOOKS

Students are responsible for any damages that may occur to the device.  It is highly recommended that you purchase the damage waiver at https://one2onerisk.com 

Teachers will utilize a CANVAS course page where you will be able to view the course syllabus and student assignments.  Many resources that were previously textbooks or handouts are now only available online through CANVAS.

Springfield Public Schools students  who do not have Internet access at home may apply for a Kajeet hotspots. Please contact Hillcrest Librarian Media Specialists for this resource.

eSchool Home Access Center (HAC)

1. Go to SPS.org
2. Under Quick Links click  “Family Home Access Center”
3. Select “external” if on an outside computer or “Internal” if on a district computer
4. Enter your ID and Password

Student Portal Tips:

If this is the student’s first time accessing the student portal there will be two security questions that need to be answered. Also, after initial access is granted, passwords can be changed by hovering over your name in the top right corner & clicking on “ My Account”

• For Cumulative (semester) grades/progress:

• On the classes tab make sure report card run is set on “all runs” (drop down menu)
• Click “full view” in the top right corner to see cumulative assignments for each class and current course grade.
• Always click “ refresh view “ any time you change anything on a drop down menu.
• The grade tab is a report of quarter grade or mid- quarter progress.
• Online courses are not able to be viewed in this portal. View those courses on Canvas.

• To access schedule:

• Click on “schedule” in classes tab
• M1, M2, M3, M4 = all year course
• M1,M2 = first semester
• M3,M4 = second semester

Identification Badges

Students are REQUIRED to wear the current school year’s Identification Badge.  This is a safety protocol that students will be expected to follow at all times.  Students will receive one ID badge and one lanyard at no cost on the first day of school. Each day students are asked to display their badge upon entering the building (worn on a lanyard around their neck). If a student does not have their ID badge one will be ordered for them.  Students are charged $3 for a replacement badge and $2 for a lanyard.

Reason for this Policy: 

Hillcrest has over 1,100 students. To ensure student safety, ID badges for all students, staff and visitors provide an efficient method of identifying individuals in the building.  

Financial Office

• Parents may access the Financial Office during school hours: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM  
• During the school year students may access the Financial Office before or after school and during lunch only. Students will not be released during class to pay fines.
• You may pay fines and purchase parking permits and/or activity passes at the financial office with Mrs. Drake.  You may also view financial information and make payments online at https://www.sps.org/spsmyschoolbucks.
• Forms of payment include cash only unless payment is online.  
• What can be paid in the Finance Office:

• Fees:  Certain activities and functions require the collection of fees.  (For example, participation in MSHSAA activities and parking passes.)
• Fines: Not limited to but includes:  Damaged or lost Chromebook,  power cords, etc., lost textbooks, replacement ID badges and Lanyards, lost school uniforms for various teams.
• Ticket Sales:  School Dances and other extracurricular events. Fines must be paid before Dance tickets may be purchased. Students must be in attendance all day on the day of a dance. Absences for a doctor’s appointment or dental appointment must be approved in advance by the Administration. Students are required to provide appropriate documentation.
• School Breakfast and Lunch: Can only be paid in the cafeteria or the mealpayplus website.  

• Library fines need to be paid in the Library.   

HHS Attendance Policy

General Attendance

• All students will be “swept” when arriving during the first 15 minutes of each school day.
• Students who arrive after the first 15 minutes will need to check in at the attendance office and will also need to have their guardian call in to excuse their late arrival.
• If your student will be leaving early during the school day or will be absent all day, please call to notify the attendance office.
• A parent/guardian must notify the attendance office within 24 hours of the reason their student has been absent. Failure to do so may result in discipline.
• If a student leaves campus during the school day without checking out through the attendance office, they will be marked as Truant which may result in discipline. This also includes students who leave campus during lunch time.

Lunch Time

• HHS has a closed campus policy. During lunch time students must go to the cafeteria, or they will be marked as truant.
• No outside deliveries are allowed. Parents may drop off food for their students to grab as they go to class.

Extracurricular Activities & Attendance

• Any student participating in an extracurricular activity, needs to be present for the entire school day on the date of the activity. If the event is held on a weekend, the student needs to be present for the entire school day prior to the event.
• If your student has an appointment that cannot be rescheduled, they will need to have prior approval from the Athletic Director (Mrs. Hill) and also bring in a doctor’s note when checking in at the attendance office.
• The need for prior approval of absences includes all extracurricular activities. For example: athletic events, JROTC trips, Prom and school dances.
• New SPS High School Dance Policy: Students who wish to attend any school dances in SPS must meet attendance and behavioral requirements.

• 90% overall attendance (school-sponsored activities do not count as absences) by a determined date prior to the dance set by the high school site administration
• Must be in attendance the entire school day the day of the dance
• Must not be serving ISS or OSS on the day of the dance
• Major discipline infractions may result in non-admittance to the  school dance

• New SPS High School Final Exam Policy: Students who meet academic, attendance, and behavioral requirements may be exempt from final exams.

• 90% overall attendance (school-sponsored activities do not count as absences) per semester
• Received no ISS or OSS for the semester
• Passing the class with an 80% or greater prior to the final exam

• Exempt students may take the final to improve their grade in a class; in this case, the final grade cannot hurt the student’s overall grade

• Required to attend class during the final exam block and complete optional enrichment tasks provided

• Dual credit, AP, IB, and virtual classes are not eligible for final exemptions.

Independent Students/ 18 Year Olds

• Students are not allowed to call in their own absences, unless they are already an independent student.
• An “Independent Student” is someone who is 18 years of age and does not receive ANY financial assistance from their parent/guardian.
• Students who feel they should be an independent student will need to see Ms. Hessee in the counseling center to have their status updated.

• If you have any questions regarding the attendance policy, feel free to call the attendance office.

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Hillcrest High School A+ Program

The School District of Springfield R-XII encourages its students to further their education and training after they graduate from the district.  For that reason, the district will participate in the state A+ Scholarship Program to provide students an opportunity to attend postsecondary education at a low cost.  The district will follow the requirements as established by state law and regulation for the implementation and administration of its A+ Schools Program. The district shall designate an A+ Schools Program Coordinator at each A+ designated site, as required by law.

Program Goals

The School District of Springfield R-XII has established the following goals and performance standards:

1. All students graduate from high school.

• Springfield Public Schools will meet or exceed the state’s expectations in the areas of attendance and graduation as outlined in the district’s strategic plan.

2. All students complete a selection of high school studies that is challenging and for which         there are identified learning expectations.

• Measurable learner objectives are established and revised as necessary for each high school course.
• Activities designed to promote mastery of measurable objectives are in place for each course.
• Assessments with appropriate levels and systems for monitoring student achievement are in place.

3.  All  students proceed from high school graduation to college, postsecondary career-technical school or high-wage job with workplace skill development opportunities.

• A comprehensive guidance program (K-12) is implemented in the district.
• All 9th-12th grade students have a 4-year plan in place leading to postsecondary study or employment.
• Students, along with their parents/guardians, annually review the 4-year plan.  

Citizenship Component

An important component of the A+ Schools Program is the fostering of good citizenship in our district’s students. A student demonstrates good citizenship by complying with building, district and state standards. Students have not demonstrated good citizenship if, while in grades nine through twelve, they have:

1. Pled guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) to, received a suspended imposition of sentence or suspended execution of sentence, for, agreed to a deferred prosecution for, or have been convicted or found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony

2. Unlawfully used or possessed drugs and/or alcohol while in grades 9-12 as defined by district policy.

 Participation Agreement, Discipline and Appeal

All students wishing to participate in the A+ Schools Program must submit a completed A+ participation agreement.  If the coordinator determines that a student who has submitted a participation agreement has violated the terms of that agreement or district policy policies or procedures regarding A+ participation, the coordinator will notify the student in writing and may put the student on warning, probation, out of compliance or expel the student from the program.  The student or the student’s parents/guardians may appeal expulsions, in accordance with written district procedures.

Any student who is notified that he or she is out of compliance with the district’s or the state’s program citizenship and attendance standards may request a review of his or her program status by  preparing a written appeal, on the appropriate form, and filing it with the A+ office within ten calendar days after the date the student received notice that he or she was out of compliance.  An appeal may be filed by any student who has been determined to be out of compliance.  No appeals are allowed for grades in individual courses or grade point average.  All appeals must be finalized before June 30 of the senior’s graduation year.

An appeal team that generally consists of building and district leaders team will review all pertinent information and make a decision about the student’s status in the program.  The decision of the appeal team is final. The student and parent/guardians will be notified of the appeal conference.  Once a final decision is made by the appeal team, a written notice of the decision will be mailed to the parent/guardians and student within five school days following the date of the appeal conference.  

SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

A+ SCHOOLS Agreement

Rules and availability for the A+ Scholarship Program are subject to change under the rule making authority of The Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE). For a complete and updated list of High School and Post Graduate eligibility rules and regulations you can visit:

http://www.dhe.mo.gov/ppc/grants/aplusscholarship.php.

A+ PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

A+ qualifying graduate earns scholarships which may be used to attend participating public community colleges, vocational/technical schools, or certain private 2-year vocational/technical schools. A+ graduates may qualify for competitively awarded, privately funded first year and transfer scholarships or incentive scholarships from 4-year institutions. Springfield Public School graduates who meet all state-mandated A+ participation requirements may be eligible for these financial incentives provided state funds are appropriated by the legislature annually.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

 (Eligibility updates are provided annually or by request to students with a signed agreement on file.)

To qualify for A+ eligibility upon graduation from high school, students must meet the following criteria:

● Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

● Enter into a written agreement with your high school prior to graduation.

● Attend an A+ designated high school for 3 years prior to graduation. If a parent is a member of the military on active duty or has retired from the military and relocated to Missouri within one year of his or her retirement, the student is exempt from this requirement. However, the student must attend an A+ designated high school and meet all of the other high school eligibility requirements in the school year immediately preceding graduation.

● Graduate with an overall, GPA (grade point average) of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

● Have at least a 95% attendance record overall for grades nine through twelve (9-12).

● Perform at least 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring, of which 25% percent (12.5 hours) may include job shadowing. Hours must be completed prior to graduation. All hours must be pre-approved with the A+ office and meet building and district requirements.

● Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoid the unlawful use of drugs and/or alcohol while in grades 9-12 as defined by district policy.

● File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). (This may result in a zero award if a Pell grant is sufficient to cover all tuition and general fee charges.) The FAFSA must be completed before students can be awarded A+ scholarship funds.

● Meet one of the following college readiness indicators:

1.  Have achieved a score of Proficient or Advanced on the Algebra I end of course exam or a higher level DESE approved end-of-course- exam in the field of mathematics OR
2.  Meet other criteria as established annually by the MDHE.

POSTGRADUATE ELIGIBILITY

● A+ qualifiers may use their A+ Scholarship the summer semester immediately following high school graduation.

● Eligibility expires when the earliest of the following occurs:

• 48 months after the graduation date documented on your high school transcript (students providing service to any branch of the US armed forces can defer their eligibility - see MDHE website for deferment requirements)
• Students graduating from high school mid-year may be eligible for a spring award if their high school transcripts indicate the mid-year graduation date.
• Receipt of an associate’s degree
• Completion of 100% of the hours required for the program in which you are currently enrolled.

CITIZENSHIP GUIDELINES

Good Citizenship is defined by a student's behavior in compliance with building, district and state standards. Disciplinary infractions may result in a student being considered “under warning”, “on probation” or “out of compliance” with the A+ Programs Citizenship Requirement.

Communication of citizenship warnings, probations and out of compliance status will occur annually or by student/parent request for students with a signed A+ agreement on file. Students may appeal citizenship out of compliance building decisions with the SPS District A+ Appeals Committee. All appeals must be filed with the district 10 days before the first Monday in December and the first Monday in April. Citizenship appeal forms, protocol and requirements can be found on the building and district’s A+ webpages. Students transferring to an SPS high school, who are ineligible due to citizenship from a previous school, will also be considered ineligible at SPS.

ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES

In reviewing a student’s final attendance average, the entire attendance history (grades 9-12) is considered and is based on Monday through Friday attendance when school is in regular session. Any student appropriately counted for average daily attendance will be considered in attendance, whether physically present or not. Summer school attendance is NOT included. A senior who chooses to be an Early Leaver/Graduate may not have enough days of attendance accumulated to meet the 95% attendance requirement.

The A+ Program makes no distinction between Excused and Unexcused absences. All unexcused and many excused absences, including those which a parent or school official is aware of in advance, count against the student’s attendance average. A doctor’s note for an excused absence for colds, flu, strep, or other short-term illnesses does not automatically qualify a student to have that absence waived. The 95% vs. 100% requirement is meant to cover those routine visits and incidents.

The following absences DO NOT count against the student’s attendance average for A+ purposes: school-sponsored activities; pre-approved, documented college visits; SPS district-provided Homebound Instruction (a minimum of 10 consecutive days are required to apply for this); and SPS district-approved disability accommodation plans (504 plan).

Students may appeal attendance out of compliance (building) decisions with the (district) Site A+ Attendance Appeals Committee. All appeals must be filed with the building A+ Coordinator 10 days prior to the first Monday in December and the first Monday in April of the student's graduation year. Attendance appeal forms, protocol and requirements can be found on the building and district’s A+ webpages. Documentation from the appropriate agency is required for an A+ attendance appeal and should include specific dates, times and appropriate signatures.

• The following are examples of absences that could rule a student ineligible for an attendance appeal: elective, skip, truancy, and/or late absences.
• The following are examples of absences that could qualify a student for an attendance appeal: catastrophic illness/injury/event with student or immediate family. Immediate family includes all members of the student’s family who reside in the same location as the student and/or persons approved by the A+ Attendance Appeals Committee.

STUDENT AND PARENT/GUARDIAN A+ CONSENT

Signatures indicate that the student and parent/guardian(s) have reviewed and understand the Springfield R-12 School District A+ Schools Agreement. This informs them of the opportunities afforded by participation and/or eligibility in the program, the expected standards of behavior for the program, and the rules, requirements and regulations of the A+ Program. Signatures do NOT signify an obligation to participate in the A+ Schools Program or to use the A+ Scholarship funds. Signatures do NOT guarantee qualification for the A+ Scholarship.

Student Name (Last, First, Middle) - PRINT: ___________________________________________________

Student Signature: ____________________________________________Date: _______________

Parent Signature: _____________________________________________Date: _________________

Please return this signed form to the A+ office at your high school. Revised August 2018.

Athletics and Activities

Students are encouraged to get involved in athletics, activities, and clubs.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN MSHSAA ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES:

• Parents and Students must sign an electronic citizenship agreement. All other documents will now be filled out via e-School Home Access:

• MSHSAA health history/questionnaire (now a requirement)
• MSHSAA understanding of risk – Parent/Athlete
• MSHSAA concussion statement
• MSHSAA release to treat for injury (mainly for away contests)
• Mercy release to treat – for our trainers
• The Above forms must be done annually.

• A current physical form signed by a physician must be on file with the athletic administrative assistant, Terina Brown.  

• Per MSHSAA by-laws, physicals are now valid for 2 years. Check with the main office for any questions.

• Must meet MSHSAA’s GPA expectations and pass credit requirements.

Opening Home Games for Fall Sports:

• Football - Friday, August 25th, 2023
• Softball - Wednesday, August 30th, 2023
• Boys Soccer - Thursday, August 31st, 2023
• Volleyball - Thursday, September 7th, 2023

COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR HORNETS!

Academic Calendar (Blue & Orange Day):