The two choir and band concerts were excellent.  A special thank you to Sheri Lieffring, Corrilla Clark, and Karen Breach.  Both the junior high and senior high performances were outstanding and very well attended by the public.  It was fun to see so many people support two very important programs in our school.

It's hard to believe our last day before the Christmas holiday break is here.  This school year seams to be flying by.  I hope all the families of the Hinckley-Finlayson school district have a safe, restful holiday break with lots of family and friend time.

I want to say thank you to the excellent staff at the high school.  Without you guys our school would not go.  Thank you for all the support so far this school year, I hope you have a restful and exciting Christmas vacation.

See you all next year!
Go Jags!

Mr. Masterson

Come out tonight to see the junior high choir and band concert.  The program begins at 7:30 tonight (Friday) in the Fine Arts Center here in the high school.  On Monday 12/19/11 the senior high band and choir concert takes place in the fine arts center as well, it also begins at 7:30pm. 

There is also the opportunity to see a home girls basketball game next Tuesday 12/20/11.  The JV game begins at 6pm and the varsity game starts at 7:30pm.  Come out and support the Lady Jag Basketball team before our holiday vacation.

Today we had our Senior Tea.  The food that was created by Ms. Katie Pollock's class was excellent and the seniors and staff enjoyed their time.  Thank you to Ms. Pollock for her time and hard work.

A final reminder, next week we only have school Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  We will be back to school on January 3rd, 2012. 

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Mr. Masterson

It's hard to believe that mid-quarters for second quarter come out this week. The school year is flying by and Christmas vacation is right around the corner.

I am happy to announce that tomorrow, December 13th, we are starting our targeted services program for 7th and 8th graders. Invitations have gone out twice for students qualified for this program. The students will get additional support in reading and math. The program will run from tomorrow through the end of the school year. The program will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00-5:30.

There is a lot of opportunity to support your Jags this week. Tuesday night there is a girls basketball game at home at 6pm. On Friday, at 11am, there is senior tea. There is also a junior high band/ choir concert at 7:30pm on Friday.

A reminder we only have three days of school next week.

As always if there are questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to call me at the high school.

Go Jags!
Mr. Masterson

Welcome Back

I hope all students and families had a good Thanksgiving break, had time to relax, enjoy family and friends, and get well rested.

Its hard to believe that December is here on Thursday.  December is a very busy month in the high school with winter sports contests beginning and the excitement of the holiday season.  Both the basketball teams, as well as the wrestling team have home games or matches in the next week.  Come out and support your Jags in their athletic contests.

There is a dance this Friday.  A no dance list is in effect.  Students, make sure you are not getting referrals and make sure all of your absences are excused if you plan on attending the dance.

If there are ever any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at school by phone, email, or by stopping by at any time.

Go Jags!
Mr. Masterson

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.  Have a good four day weekend, be safe, and enjoy time with family and friends.

I want to thank all the families for coming to conferences last Thursday evening and Friday morning.  Thursday night was very busy and we also had many families come to the Friday morning option for conferences as well.

Starting on December 1st, the high school will have Ala Carte Breakfast.  Students may purchase a
breakfast sandwich for $2.00 or a muffin for $1.50.  Breakfast will be served from 7:45am - 8:15am.

December is going to bring a busy time of year.  The high school students will begin registering for high school classes for the 2012-2013 school year, which will include current 6th graders.  Winter athletic contests are also beginning next Friday as well.

Have a great 4 day weekend!

Go Jags!

Mr. Masterson

Conference Reminder

I wanted to remind parents/ guardians again that we have conferences this week on both Thursday and Friday.  Thursday conferences will be in the gym and run from 5-9pm.  On Friday, conferences again will be in the gym and run from 8-11:45am.  Parents/ guardians please make sure you bring your students as the conferences are student led and you will star by meeting your student's advisory teacher and picking up the report cards.

I will be available throughout the entire high school conference times.  Feel free to stop me, say hi, or bring any concerns to me that I can address.

I feel conferences are very important for the students.  It allows the teacher, student, and parent/ guardians the opportunity to discuss the student's education and make sure all parties are on the same page moving forward.

Also at conferences all parents/ guardians will have the opportunity to fill out a technology survey.  By filling out this survey, you will be giving the school an idea of how to move forward with our school's technology plan.

Thank you, I look forward to seeing all of you on Thursday and Friday.
Go Jags!
Mr. Masterson

End of Quarter

Just a final reminder that the end of 1st quarter is tomorrow.  Students make sure you talk to your teachers and make sure you are caught up, and if you are not, make sure you ask your teachers if there is anything you can do to get caught up by the end of the school day.

A invitation to parents and community members to attend the fall play "Sarah, Plain & Tall."  Showings are both this Friday and Saturday at 7pm in the Fine Arts Center.  Please support the hard work these students have put in.

Another invitation to parents/ guardians that parent teacher conferences are next Thursday and Friday.  On Thursday, November 17th, conferences run from 5-9pm.  On Friday, November 18th, conferences run from 8-11:45am.  I hope all parents/ guardians take this opportunity to meet the individual teachers and discuss the classes.  Remember the conferences are student-led, so you will meet with each students Advisory teacher to begin the conferences.

Go Jags!
Mr. Masterson

Good luck to all the hunters this weekend.  Be safe and be smart while you are enjoying your time looking for that trophy deer.

A reminder that on Monday, November 7th, we do not have school in honor of Deer Day.

Another reminder that quarter one ends on Wednesday, November 9th.  Make sure students are getting all their missing work/ projects in and making sure they take any tests or quizzes that they may have missed.

Winter sports are right around the corner.  Make sure students get all their athletic forms in.  Practices start either the week of November 14th or 21st, depending on the sport.

Have a great weekend.

Mr. Masterson

I want to say congratulations to the Hinckley-Finlayson high school band and choir classes.  The band and choir concert last Friday was excellent.  All the groups who preformed did an excellent job and the event was well attended.  A special thank you to both Rick Olson and Sheir Lieffring, the band and choir directors, who did an excellent job getting their students ready for their performances.  Well done!

The end of the first quarter is only a week away.  Students, make sure you are getting up to date in all of your homework and make sure you are making up missed tests and quizzes.

Now that the fall sports season has come to a close.  We have the school play, "Sarah, Plain & Tall."  The play will take place on both November 11th and 12th in the fine arts center at 7pm.

Conferences are also right around the corner.  On November 17th the conferences begin at 5pm and on November 18th the conferences begin at 7:45am.

Also in November, winter sports will begin.  Depending on the sport, the winter sports seasons begin either Monday November 14th or Monday November 21st.   Make sure all forms are in before the beginning of your season.

A lot is happening in the high school.  As always, if there are any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to call, email, or stop by the high school office.

Go Jags!
Mr. Masterson

I want to start by congratulating the football team on their victory this past Tuesday against Rush City.  The team has greatly improved this season and now has a section 7AA semi-final game against Two Harbors high school.  If the team wins, they will advance to the section final game next Thursday at 7pm, at Public School Stadium in Duluth.  Good luck.

With November right around the corner, a lot of students and staff are thinking of deer hunting.  On Monday November 7th, there is no school in honor of deer hunting.  Good luck hunters.

Congrats to all the fall sports teams.  Winter sports and activities are right around the corner as is the fall play on November 11th and 12th.

Go Jags!
Mr. Masterson

Homecoming

Up to this point, it has been a great week.

Congratulations to "My Little Ponies."  This was the volleyball team that won the intramural volleyball tournament Monday evening as well as beating the staff Tuesday during school.

The rent-a-friend assembly was fun and a lot of kids got a personal escort for a school day.

I have been truly impressed with the amount of school spirit.  I have worked at now four different high schools, and today's pep assembly was the loudest one I have been to.

Good luck to the football team tonight as well as the volleyball team tomorrow in their tournament in Mora.

Students keep making this a great homecoming week, and keep making good decisions both at the football game and at the dance.

As always, if their are questions or comments, please feel free to call or stop by.

Mr. Masterson

Wow, I can't believe it is the last week of September already.  This month has gone by very fast.  I want to say thank you to the students for their excellent behavior to this point.  It has been a great start to the school year.

Congratulations to the football team for their victory last Friday night over Crosby-Ironton.  It sounds like it was a great game.  I hope we can continue the winning ways this Friday at Duluth Marshall.

Homecoming week is next week.  The plan for dress up days are:

Monday:  Blast to the Past
Tuesday:  Future Day
Wednesday:  Old Person Day
Thursday:  Fake an Injury Day
Friday:  School Spirit Day

Remember that the school policy on dress code is in effect during the entire week.  It should be a fun week.

Like always, if you have questions, stop in any time.

Mr. Masterson

First Week

I was amazed with how fast the first week of school went.  I want to thank the students for the great behavior.  It was an enjoyable week for me as well.

A reminder to students that they are no longer able to make schedule changes.

Our first student council meeting is going to be this Tuesday at 2:42 (during advisory).  We will begin making homecoming plans.

Two home games to attend this week.  The volleyball team has a home game Thursday beginning at 6pm versus Pine City.  The football team also has a home game this week, Friday at 7pm, versus Braham.  I hope many of you can make one or both of these contests.

I hope the second week of school runs as well as the first week.

Go Jags!

Mr. Masterson

September 1

I cannot believe it is September 1st already.  What happened to summer?  One more weekend to go and then the sounds of lockers shutting, kids moving to class, and pencils sharpening will be the norm again.

Congratulations to our Volleyball team.  They beat MLWR in 5 games this past Tuesday night.  It was very fun to be at my first Jaguar game as a home fan.

Unfortunately the football game scheduled for today was canceled.  Carlton did not have enough football players to have a team.  Now we look forward to the team beating Two Harbors next week.

Yesterday saw the 7th graders return to school for 7th grade orientation.  Students had an opportunity to get to all of their classes, meet their teachers, and try their lockers.  It will be a good transition to the high school for them.

It’s a busy week, but if you want, stop by and say hello.  September is here and the start of school is just around the corner.

Mr. Masterson

Schedules are Ready

Schedules are ready to be picked up for students in the high school.  Students can stop by from 7:30-3:30 any time this week.

New teachers are working hard at getting their classrooms ready and the rest of the teachers come back to work tomorrow.

Today there is a cross country meet.  Tomorrow night (Tuesday) is the first home volleyball game against MLWR at 6pm.  Thursday is the first home football game against Carlton at 7pm.  Come out and support your Jags!

August 26

New Teachers return to work today and Monday.  HFHS has a new nurse her name is, Jessica Fischer.  Ms. Fischer will also be working with students at both Hinckley and Finlayson elementary schools.


HFHS also has a new part time secretary.  Her name is Jennifer Olander.  Jennifer will be in a transition this year to full time and will, by the end of the year, have one of the secretary positions.


We also have a new para for our ALP program.  Valerie Kunze, will be working with Joel Evenson to develop and run our new ALP program.


I am very excited to have all of them on staff this school year.  I am looking forward to working with every one of them.


We have one more hire to make.  We will be hiring a new Lead Cook before school begins.


First home volleyball and football games are Tuesday and Thursday next week.  Come out and support your Jags!

August 22nd

I stopped and watched both the cross - country and football teams this morning.  Both teams were in the middle of their practices.  The runners were working hard on getting their final "kick" before they ended their race and trying not to get passed, as they were finishing.  The football team was working on some footwork drills as well as some tackling.  Both teams were working hard and I hope both teams have a lot of success this season.   I hope to stop by and watch volleyball this week as well.


Things in the office are certainly getting busy.  More and more teachers are coming in to prepare for the new school year.  Both the senior and 8th grade hallways should have new lockers in this week.


Stop by if you want to chat, check out the lockers, or have any concerns.  Schedules will be ready to pick up in the office on August 29th.

Again, I look forward to meeting all of you.

Brian Masterson, Principal

Summer Happenings

Things are beginning to get busy here at the high school.  Fall sports started today which means school is right around the corner.  The high school is looking great.  Teachers are beginning to make their way into the building and meetings are starting to take place.  It's a very exciting time of the year. 

I hope all of the students are enjoying their last few weeks of summer vacation and are looking forward to the start of the school year.

I can not wait to meet more students and staff.  I am very much looking forward to the start of the school year.