About Us » Principal Message

Principal Message

Dear Newcastle High School Families,

 

It is my pleasure to welcome you all back to NHS for the 2024-2025 school year!  My name is Bryce Hoffman, and while I may be a recognizable face to some, I may not be to all, so I would like to introduce myself to you as your principal at Newcastle High School.  It is our goal that your student will attend a positive school environment in which they feel safe, supported, and cared for.  Additionally, myself and our teaching staff are preparing for a year in which we are focused both on student learning and student social/emotional health.  During this time, we will challenge your child to grow in alignment with their personal goals for the future. 

 

We offer a diverse academic program to students at NHS, and I encourage students to take advantage of this to explore and grow within their interests.  It is my belief that you get what you give, both in life and school.  I ask that you encourage your student to be on time, focus on learning throughout the school day, and advocate for themselves when they are struggling academically or emotionally. 

 

Students will continue to be scheduled for interventions or enrichments during E/R time. This will allow us to keep students accountable for attending their interventions and provide extended support to meet their needs.  If they are struggling, please reach out to see how we can work together to better utilize their time. 

 

During the past two school years we have observed increased academic dishonesty in relation to Artificial Intelligence used to complete schoolwork.  Simply put, if your student uses AI to complete work without teacher knowledge or permission it may be considered academic dishonesty.  This includes using this as a tool to edit without teacher permission or knowledge.  Please know that this will result in a zero for the assignment and potential lunch detention and in school suspension.  Artificial intelligence is a tool which will be available to students into adulthood and so learning to use this resource properly and appropriately will be important for students going forward. 

 

Weekly e-mails and posts to the high school Facebook page to inform all stakeholders of weekly activities and happenings at Newcastle High School will continue.  Please ensure your information is updated on Power School so you do not miss out.  If you are ever still unsure about activities or events schedules and timelines, please feel free to reach out to our team and we will make sure you have the information you need. 

 

Below is a list of important dates to help you plan:

  • Office Hours: 8:00 am to 3:30 pm
    • Your computer will not be checked out to you if you have not completed the online forms.
    • Monday, August 12th --- 12:00- 3:30 Senior & Junior Laptop & Locker Checkout
    • Tuesday, August 13th --- Sophomore Laptop & Freshmen Locker Checkout
    • Wednesday, August 14th --- Remaining Laptop & Locker Checkout 11:00-1:00 & 2:00-3:30 pm
    • Thursday, August 15th --- NHS Office closed from 8:00-1:00  for district-wide meetings
    • Friday, August 16th --- NHS Office closed from 1:30 to 3:30 for training

 

 

Freshmen Jump Start
Tuesday, August 20th --- Freshmen Jump Start
  • 8:10 am to 3:30 pm
  • Parents are welcome to attend from 8:10-8:40 when we cover graduation requirements, EWC information, and Hathaway requirements.
  • Student Lunch: Will be provided by NHS.
  • Meet your teachers, learn about the High School, and find and attend all of your Classes!
 
Fall Sports First Practice: Physical form completed and turned in prior to participating.
  • Monday, August 19th
  • Golf: Monday, August 12th
 
Fees to Know
  • Laptop Fee: $25.00
  • Meals are no longer able to be paid for through federal funding, so we wanted to let you know of the current breakfast and lunch prices for students.
  • Breakfast: Full = $2.25, Reduced = $.30
  • Lunch: Full = $3.00, Reduced = $.40
  • Class Fees:
    • PE Uniform Fee: $20.00, Metal Fabrication Fee: $25.00, Culinary Arts Fee: $20.00
  • Registration Information:
    • At the beginning of each year, all students must be registered online by going to our district website at wcsd1.org and selecting “Online Registration” at the top of the page. However, all students that are new to our district will need to come to the high school office to complete a paper registration beginning August 8th. 
    • Please note that if you have completed this process before, you do not need to make another new account; you can log-in using your same existing information. Once you log-in, you can then start to complete the necessary forms. 
    • If you are unable to complete the online registration at home, please stop by the high school office and we can provide a laptop for you to complete them on.   
    • The online registration process helps ensure that all your contact information is up to date prior to the start of a new year, and enables you to pay necessary fees online like our computer maintenance and usage fee or for PE uniforms. You can pay these fees in-person at the NHS office as well, but the sooner you complete the online registration process, the better.
    • Online forms need to be completed before the first day of school. Otherwise, you’ll begin without your student laptop.
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In closing, we are grateful to be working with your family and your child during their time at Newcastle High School.  We truly believe that this is a team effort, and that it takes participation from all of us to ensure your student has a successful and valuable experience at NHS.  If you ever have any questions, concerns, or ideas on how we could improve, please contact me.  We look forward to this partnership with you and your student as we work together to challenge them and stretch their minds.

Sincerely,

 

Bryce Hoffman – Principal