Hume-Fogg Weekly News – August 12, 2009

Welcome Back!

Each week during the school year, the Hume-Fogg PTO provides this on-line summary of upcoming happenings and news of interest to Hume-Fogg families. Information comes from H-F’s administration, teachers, parents, students, SGA and PTO committee chairs. If you have something you would like included in the Weekly News, please e-mail it to hfanews@evrits.com by 5:30 each Friday for inclusion in the coming week’s edition.

Visit Hume-Fogg’s website at: http://www.humefogghs.mnps.org/Page130.aspx

Upcoming Events

• Underclass Picture Day for 9th, 10th & 11th grade students – Thursday, Aug. 20
• New Parent Mixer – all parents of incoming freshmen or transfer students invited. At the Downtown Library (park in Library parking; the library will validate your parking ticket), Sunday, Aug. 23, 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Hume-Fogg ranked 28th among nation’s public high schools
Hume-Fogg was recognized by Newsweek magazine in June as the 28th ranked public high school in the nation. This marked the 2nd consecutive year that H-F has ranked among the nation’s top 30 public high schools, which reflects the talent and hard work of our students and faculty.

New school hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The new start time is due to changes in MTA bus service, and these daily hours apply to all Metro magnet schools for the 2009-10 school year. Please not that the Nance Landport at 6th and Demonbreun has closed permanently due to the construction of the new downtown convention center, which requires that all MTA transfers be made at the new MTA transfer facility downtown at 400 Charlotte Ave. (between 4th and 5th, next to TPAC).

All students should have received their schedules in the mail!
If you haven’t received your schedule, contact the Guidance Office. Please review your classes carefully. All students have a full schedule even if a period is not showing on your schedule (this means that you have a class with one of the new teachers). That class will appear on the copy of the schedule you will receive on Friday, Aug. 14. If there was a scheduling conflict with your initial course requests, one of your alternate class selections was chosen. If there is a problem with the courses noted on your schedule, you may fill out a Schedule Change Request Form, which can be found outside of the Counseling Office. Until you receive a changed schedule, you must follow your assigned schedule.

Hume-Fogg opts out of SSA for 2009-10 forward
Hume-Fogg has reverted to the MNPS dress code in place before Standard School Attire was implemented two years ago. Here is a list of all schools opting out of SSA: http://mnps.org/Page55122.aspx

Volunteers needed to unstuff First-Day Packets August 17-21!
Students will return their First Day Folders starting Monday, Aug. 17, and parents are needed to help sort the returned school forms so that they can be distributed to the proper teachers, staff and PTO volunteers. It’s an easy job, and the company is always good. Volunteers are needed
each day next week, 8 a.m. to noon. Join other parents any or all days from Monday, Aug. 17, through Friday, Aug. 21, in the conference room adjacent to the main office. We need the most help the first few days. If you can stay until noon, that’s ideal, but volunteers are welcome for any amount of time. Parking will be its usual challenge, but there may be places in front of school after drop-off.

Audition for ensemble roles in Beauty and the Beast after school on Thursday, Aug. 20
Attention all 9th grade students and new 10-12 grade students! There will be an additional audition for ensemble roles in the fall musical, Beauty and the Beast, on Thursday, Aug. 20, at 3:10 p.m. in room 116. All students auditioning must sing one minute of a prepared song. A piano accompanist will be provided as well as a CD player for accompaniment tracks. For more information contact Mr. Bruce at daron.bruce@mnps.org.

Join the Ice Hockey team
If you are interested in playing Ice Hockey for Hume Fogg, contact Gina Caudill by email ginacaudill@comcast.net or call me at 615-293-1955. Boy and girls in all grades are welcome to join the team. If you skate, have played in-line hockey, or have a desire to learn how to play hockey, you’re encouraged to sign up. We have a great coaching staff

Join the Golf Team
Interested in joining the Hume-Fogg Golf team? Contact Coach Hubbard at: angela.hubbard@mnps.org

Join the Chess
Team Like playing chess? Want to play better? You’re invited to join the Chess Team, an after-school program that offers professional chess instruction at less than $5 per lesson. Pay your dues by Sept. 3 to Mr. Cash, and you can attend any Thursday during the school year that is convenient for you. The dues are $150 per year, and if you can, please add an extra $50 to help cover scholarships. Make the check out to The Chess Team. The Chess Team meets every Thursday, 3-4:15 p.m. in Mr. Cash’s room, starting Aug. 20. Todd Andrews, Tennessee State Chess Champion, 1998, 1999, 2005-2007, will offer instruction. Look for the flyer in the first day packet for more information. Scholarships are available. For more information about this great after-school program, email Heidi Welch, welchart4@gmail.com.

2006 graduate Jeremy Douchin selected as a 2009 Udall Scholar
The Morris K. Udall Foundation has selected Hume-Fogg graduate and Vanderbilt University student Jeremy Doochin as 2009 Udall Scholars. The foundation awarded scholarships to 80 sophomores and juniors from 66 colleges and universities. Each scholarship provides up to $5,000 for one year. Doochin is a rising senior at Vanderbilt and is one of three students from Tennessee universities awarded scholarships this year. For a full listing of the scholars, visit www.udall.gov. The scholars assembled Aug. 5-9 in Tucson, Arizona, to receive their awards and meet policymakers and community leaders in environmental fields, tribal health care, and governance. The 2009 class of Udall Scholars was selected from among 515 candidates nominated by 233 colleges and universities.

Students admitted free to Act 1’s “Mikado”
High School and younger aged students enjoy free admission to ACT 1 Theater at Wednesday and Thursday evening performances, and at Sunday matinees, available seating permitting. Their current production is Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, playing through Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Darkhorse Theater, 4610 Charlotte Avenue. Additional season information is available on their website www.act1online.com

Casting call for “The Lion in Winter” at Act 1
ACT 1 will be casting The Lion in Winter (production dates November 13-28) in late September. There are two late teen male roles available in this production. Audition information should be posted on their website within the next few weeks.

Class of 2009 starts colleges with over $12 million in scholarship money!

Thanks for supporting Hume-Fogg