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Tonight’s Informational Session for prospective HHS students titled ‘Why HHS?’ has been postponed due to inclement weather.  The session will now be held on Monday, December 16^th at 6 pm in the HHS Auditorium.  

Do you have a child approaching high school age? Hamden High has A LOT to offer to Hamden children! On December 2, you are invited to come learn about many of the programs, services and opportunities HHS has available to Hamden students - you'll be impressed! 

Did you know that Hamden High has a program that enables students to earn an associate degree during high school?  Did you know that Hamden High offers more Advanced Placement courses than almost any public or private high school in Connecticut? Did you know that Hamden High is recognized nationally for its entrepreneur and culinary programs?

Learn more about these programs and others at our upcoming Public Information Session, December 16, 6:00PM in the HHS Auditorium (Merritt Parkway side of the building). Take a look at our Information Session flyer (Page 1 - which features our rigorous and engaging academic programs and Page 2 - which features information on extra curriculars/sports/arts).

There's something for everyone at Hamden High School! Go Green Dragons!

Good attendance is an essential part of a successful school experience. In order to achieve good attendance from our students, we need our families to be involved and do their best to help children attend school every day.

With this in mind, Hamden Public Schools has a new campaign to improve attendance. The campaign involves notifying parents periodically throughout the school year if their children have been absent more than 10% of school days. (10% is that State's definition of "chronically absent.")  Research tells us that students who are chronically absent have significantly less success in school and in life after finishing school.  

Near the end of December, there have been around 75-80 days of school - so if your child has missed seven or eight (or more) days of school, he/she is considered chronically absent. Although seven or eight days doesn't sound like much, the pattern of reduced attendance often continues throughout the year, and can add up to 18-20 or more days missed in an entire school year - which at the high school level, means a loss of credit.

Several times a year, letters will be sent to parents of all children who have exceeded the 10% absence threshold. The letters are being sent to increase family awareness of a possible attendance issue, and to emphasize the importance for families to ensure students attend school regularly.

We recognize that there are legitimate reasons students miss school: For example, if your child has the flu, home is the place to be - so if that is why your child missed multiple days so far this year, you don't need to be concerned with an absence letter. However, if the reasons for the absences were not as critical, please consider ways to improve your child's attendance.

We thank you for your collaboration in this and all other Hamden Public School efforts aimed to increase the success of our children.

Shepherd Glen 3rd graders got to Skype with Dr Hamachi, a Northwestern University chemistry researcher that works on making plastics and other materials easier to recycle. This virtual-interaction tied directly into our 3rd grader's science unit on chemical testing, where students will try to identify mystery powders and liquids using a variety of techniques, tools and senses.

Dr. Hamachi added her real-world experience and answered questions for the students. (Maybe 20 years from now, some of these 3rd grade students will be teleporting-in to speak with future Hamden students about their science careers!)

Coming up soon... Shepherd Glen Kindergarten students will use Skype to connect with a meteorologist, which will tie-in to their weather unit.