Hastings Happenings - March 14, 2024 (Updated)

March 14, 2024

Hastings High School Olympics Strengthen School Spirit & Student Connection

On Friday, March 8, the halls of Hastings High School were transformed into a bustling arena for the Annual Olympic Games. A tradition unlike any other, the Olympics brought students and staff together for a day of friendly competition, comradery, and school spirit.

Led by English Teacher Peter Scotch, Hillside's Physical Education Teacher Bob McCann, and their Advisor Steven Lopez, Student Union (S.U.) representatives spent months planning events that would appeal to students’ varying interests.

"The students were really the creative geniuses behind it all," said Scotch, who began the Olympics tradition with McCann in 2019, when they were both Student Union Advisors. Throughout the years, the schoolwide event has taken many forms. This year it was the students who led the charge, basing the concept on camp games and putting forth their best efforts to make it inclusive, engaging and fun.

“For months leading up to it, we met every Wednesday morning with the students,” Scotch said. “Their perspective was extremely valuable. They came up with the games and determined through interaction with the different grades what kids would be most interested in.”

S.U. President, Barney Smith, and Vice President, Erik Ghalib, gave the run-of-show to their fellow Yellow Jackets a week before the main event. The first-ever "Olympics Breakout," as the two S.U. leaders called it, provided students and staff with information about what the Olympics would entail. After introducing the six Spirit Captains that would “bring the hype” to each grade, Smith and Ghalib shared the full list of activities, instructing students to choose three and then secure their spots. Staff members even signed up and were given score sheets and guidelines on how to run the events.

The day of the Olympics, students had a half day of classes before making their way to the Cochran Gym for the Opening Ceremony. The band played the Olympics Fanfare & Theme, the freshman and seniors went up against the sophomores and juniors in a tug of war, and roars of excitement reverberated from the bleachers. Students broke off to their stations afterwards. Spirit captains circled the halls, wearing festive attire with their grade’s designated colors, and carrying Bluetooth speakers that vibrated with lifting beats. Each grade had an assigned hallway, which they decorated with streamers and signs. From volleyball and ping pong to Mario Kart and karaoke, in and out of rooms the students rotated.

Perhaps the most exciting was the Closing Ceremony, where representatives from each grade performed in a Lip Sync Competition. They were judged by several staff members (Scott Wynne, Alison O’Leary, Joseph Callagy, Sarah Walters, Victoria Kelter) on their choreography, lip sync ability, and energy/vibe. Separately, the students presented their ceiling tile designs. Yes, that’s right. Each group was given a ceiling tile to decorate, removed directly from the school’s ceiling, and judged on their creativity and execution. Now and in future years, the students' newly-designed tiles will be placed back in the ceiling to commemorate the Olympics.

Click here for video recordings of the Olympics Breakout Assembly and the Lip Sync Competition.

“As seniors, it’s an amazing note to leave off on,” said Smith. “We’ve always wanted to bring the grades together for the Olympics, and our goal was to really amp up school spirit. As evidenced by all the excitement, I think that goal was fully accomplished.”

After the results were tallied, seniors came in first place, sophomores in second, juniors in third, and freshman, fourth. Regardless of the final score, everyone was a winner that day.

“It was so wonderful to see how carefree the students were,” said Scotch.

“And to see students being accepted,” McCann added.

“What was really special was that when you walked into each of the rooms, no matter the grade, no one was divided,” Ghalib said. “It makes us grateful to be in a school district that allows for and encourages something like this, and we hope that it endures for years to come.”

Lesson on Music Icon Prince Teaches Third Graders the Importance of Individuality

Hillside Elementary School’s third graders recently completed a lesson on African American musician and fashion icon, Prince. Recognized as a music legend, Prince was celebrated for breaking cultural norms with his musical talents, redefining the image of a rockstar.

Using the book Prince from author Maria Isabel Sanchez Vagara’s series “Little People, Big Dreams”, students learned about Prince’s influences, music, and how he expressed his own individuality, highlighted by his decision to change his name to a symbol that represented his personality and beliefs. Inspired by Prince's uniqueness, students were asked to design their own symbols representing their individual qualities.

“The project aimed to encourage self-expression and celebrate diversity, allowing each student to explore and showcase their unique characteristics through art,” said Music Teacher Katherine Concra. "It fostered a deeper appreciation for both Prince's legacy and the importance of embracing one's individuality."

Click here to view all the students' projects.

The Hastings Theatre Program Presents Fifth Grade's Mary Poppins Jr. - Tomorrow, 3/15 & Saturday, 3/16

Tomorrow evening, Friday, March 15, and Saturday evening, March 16, Farragut Middle School’s fifth graders will perform their musical production Mary Poppins Jr.

Jane and Michael have sent many a nanny packing before Mary Poppins arrives on their doorstep. Using a combination of magic and common sense, she must teach the family members how to value each other again. Mary Poppins takes the children on an adventure, but Jane and Michael aren't the only ones upon whom she has a profound effect. Even adults can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it."

Come out and watch the district’s talented students perform an all-time favorite! Scan the QR code in the flier to purchase tickets in advance.

Click here for the Stage Program and Director's Note.

High Schoolers Attend World's Largest Summit on Anti-Semitism

Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator Dr. Jenice Mateo-Toledo and Social Studies Department Chairperson Gregory Smith recently took a group of high schoolers to the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) Never is Now Summit, the world's largest summit on anti-semitism and hate.

Founded in 1913, ADL's mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.

The Portrait in Action

Welcome back to the Portrait in Action, featuring examples of students and staff throughout the district embodying the Hastings Commitment and the Portrait of a Hastings Learner's Attributes, Goals, and Action Steps.

In Christina Hatjygeorge’s and Tammie Cecere’s kindergarten class, students were INQUISITIVE when they interviewed Principal Amy Cazes about her job.

In Tasnim Nagrath’s kindergarten class, students are COLLABORATIVE, EMPOWERED, and INQUISITIVE as they begin their reading journeys and help each other sound out words.

In Faye Barenfeld's Project Lead the Way (PLTW) high school Engineering class, students worked on a project called "Imagine the Future." In groups, they were INQUISITIVE in their examination of the mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of various materials. They were INVENTIVE, as they brainstormed a list of problems that the material could solve, and designed sketches of their concepts. One student designed a skateboard made from sustainable bamboo.