Hillsboro High School

Now is a great time to remind you that we are still collecting new & unwrapped toys at all of our district buildings. Each holiday gift will be given to children of all ages. Drop-off bins are waiting for your donation until December 12th.

Here is a reminder about AMI Days vs. Snow Days as we prepare for all scenarios moving forward. Each day, we will let students, staff and parents know what the expectation is during inclement weather.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We want to inform you that the district will continue to utilize Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) days, which allow students to continue their learning from home in the event of a school closure due to inclement weather. This plan enables the district to stay "open" while ensuring student learning continues, without the need to make up lost hours up to 36 hours (6 school days).

What is an AMI Day?

AMI days are designated days when students learn from home due to unforeseen closures, like snow days. On these days, students are expected to complete assignments and teachers will provide support and be available via email, ClassDojo, or other electronic means. This differs from a traditional snow day, where no assignments are required and teachers are not expected to be available.

Traditional Snow Days vs. AMI Days

For the 2025-2026 school year, our calendar includes a total of 171 student attendance days. The district will clearly communicate if a closure will be a traditional snow day or an AMI day through local media and all school communication channels.

● Traditional Snow Day: No assignments are required, and teachers are not available. These are “no school” days.

● AMI Day: Students complete assignments at home, and teachers are available electronically for questions.

What Does This Mean for Students?

On AMI days, students will receive assignments that can be completed at home, either digitally or on paper. Attendance on AMI days is based on the completion of these assignments. Assignments must be turned in upon completion or when students return to school. Students who do not complete assignments will be marked absent. Infinite Campus attendance will be updated the Sunday after each AMI day.

Next Steps and Communication

The district will continue to provide detailed instructions and updates as needed. Our goal is to ensure learning continues smoothly, even during unexpected weather events. The flexibility of AMI days helps us maintain our school calendar while prioritizing the safety of our students and staff.

Sincerely,

Melissa Hildebrand- Associate Superintendent

Some of our talented art students participated in the Twin City Art Contest this past Sunday and Cassidy Hoehne WON BEST IN SHOW! 🤩 This is the highest award - she won $200! 🏆 We also had several students receive honorable mentions: -Christopher Winchester -Ayla Wilkinson -Jacki Kohler -Cyrus Johnson -Claire Gaston (not pictured)

Congrats to our November Students of the Month and Level Up recipients! 🤎

Congrats to Gina Dale, our November Staff of the Month! The character word this month was Respectful. 🤎 Those who nominated her said: “Gina is definitely someone who actively listens to students, values their opinions, and treats each individual with dignity.” “There has never been a time that I have witnessed Ms. Dale have a negative interaction with a student. She is positive, upbeat, and respectful with her students. When visiting her class, her students are engaged and interacting in a positive manner. This speaks to the level of respect that has been established between Ms. Dale and her students.”

The HHS Drama Department presents "As You Like It" again this Saturday at 7:00pm and this Sunday at 2:30pm. 🎭 Come and see this Shakespeare comedy for a mere $5 for students and $10 for adults! Tickets are sold at the box office one hour before the show. 🎟️ Photos by yearbook student, Riley Bagi 📸

REMINDER:
The Hillsboro R-3 School District will be closed Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

This extended break provides families the opportunity to spend valuable time together, catch up with loved ones, and safely travel to holiday destinations ahead of Thanksgiving Day.

District leaders encourage students, staff, and families to take this time to rest, reflect, and enjoy the season with gratitude. Classes will resume on Monday, November 30.

The Hillsboro R-3 School District wishes all families in the community a safe and joyful Thanksgiving holiday.

The Hillsboro R-3 School District is actively recruiting for three critical support roles that contribute to school success every day: paraprofessionals, bus drivers, and custodians. These positions provide excellent opportunities for individuals who want to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students and in the community.

Link to all jobs available in the Hillsboro R-3 District: https://www.applitrack.com/hsdr3/onlineapp/default.aspx

Paraprofessionals
Paraprofessionals at Hillsboro R-3 work directly alongside classroom teachers and support the learning journey of students across multiple grade levels. Responsibilities include assisting with instruction, supervising lunch or recess duties, helping small groups of students, preparing materials, and supporting one-on-one needs. Salary range is $17.00-$21.00 per hour depending on education and years experience.

Candidates benefit from a role that is dynamic and student-focused, offering the chance to foster positive learning experiences and student growth. Previous postings show pay rates varying by experience and assignments, and the district offers full benefits in many cases. Applications are submitted via the district employment portal under the “Support Staff” category.

Bus Drivers
The school district’s transportation department is looking for dedicated individuals to serve as bus drivers — an opportunity to be a visible and trusted presence in students’ daily lives. According to the district’s job announcement, pay ranges from $18.50 to $27.25 per hour depending on experience, and no prior bus driving experience is required as paid training is provided.


Bus drivers at Hillsboro R-3 are responsible for safely transporting students to and from school and approved activities, maintaining vehicle inspections and logs, and contributing to a safe school-transportation system.

This position offers competitive compensation, entry-level training, and a chance to serve the community in a meaningful way — ensuring students arrive safely, ready to learn.

Custodians
Custodial staff play a vital role in creating a safe, clean, and efficient environment where students and staff can thrive. At Hillsboro R-3, custodians maintain school facilities year-round, performing duties such as floor care, disinfecting restrooms and drinking fountains, cleaning windows and classrooms, and supporting building events.

The district offers full-time, 12-month opportunities with benefits, with starting pay ranging from approximately $15.00 to $22.75 per hour, depending on experience. For candidates who enjoy being active, completing hands-on work, and contributing to a positive learning environment, a custodial role at Hillsboro R-3 offers job stability and the chance to support students behind the scenes.

These support roles represent meaningful ways to join the district’s mission: “Together, we educate and inspire the learners of today and the learners of tomorrow.”

We honored our Veterans today at the High School with a breakfast and an assembly. We are grateful for your service! 💙🇺🇸

The HHS Drama department is presenting Shakespeare's "As You Like It" on: -Nov 15th at 8pm -Nov 16th at 2:30pm -Nov 22nd at 7pm -Nov 23rd at 2:30pm It's a silly romp through the forest featuring wrestling, clowns, disguises, and political intrigue! 🌳🎭

Hillsboro High School Principal Mark Groner has announced his plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2025–2026 school year, marking the end of an extraordinary 30-year career in education.

Mr. Groner has served as principal of Hillsboro High School since 2020, following more than 15 years as assistant principal and activities director. Before moving into administration, he was a social studies teacher and basketball coach, dedicating nearly his entire career to the Hillsboro R-3 School District.

Throughout his time in education, Mr. Groner has been recognized for his leadership, mentorship, and steady presence, leaving a lasting impact on the district and the countless students, staff, and families he has served.

“Few individuals have given as much of themselves to our students as Mark Groner over the nearly three decades he worked at the high school,” said Hillsboro R-3 School District Superintendent, Dr. Jon Isaacson. “His leadership, care, and consistent commitment have made a lasting impact on Hillsboro High School and our district. While we will miss him in his role, we know his influence will continue and his heart will always remain with Hillsboro students.”

The Hillsboro R-3 School District has posted the principal position and is in the process of selecting the best candidate to succeed Mr. Groner. The district anticipates hiring his successor at the December School Board meeting.

Mr. Groner’s retirement will officially conclude at the end of the 2025–2026 school year.

No school on Tuesday, November 11
In honor of Veterans Day, we take time to reflect, remember, and thank all who have served our country.

#HawkPride #ThankYouVeterans

Congrats to our October Students of the Month and Level Up recipients! 🧡

Happy Halloween from the High School Staff! Each department dressed up in costume👻 Congrats to the Counseling Department for winning the contest! 💗

The Hillsboro Primary School’s annual Holiday Bazaar Craft Fair will bring festive fun to the community on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Hillsboro Primary School, 101 Leon Hall Parkway.

This year’s event will include a special visit from Santa Claus, giving families the opportunity to take photos with Santa while enjoying the holiday shopping experience.

The Holiday Bazaar is a family-friendly community event, featuring a wide variety of local artisans and small businesses. Acceptable items include crafts, artwork, antiques, Christmas ornaments, home sales products, and other handmade or retail goods. Vendors selling or promoting alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or other prohibited products will not be accepted.

The Holiday Bazaar will also host the HawkPack Food Drive, collecting donations to support local families within the Hillsboro R-3 School District. Food items such as canned ravioli, Beefaroni, SpaghettiO’s, tuna and chicken packets, and canned Vienna sausages can be dropped off in front of the Primary Library throughout the event.

For more information, contact Hillsboro Primary School at (636) 789-0050.

Please utilize and share this list of Food Banks and other resources for families who might need assistance. https://mofamilyresources.findhelp.com/

Congrats to Donna McGhee, our October Staff of the Month! The character word this month was Caring. 🧡

Hillsboro High School would like to thank the Twin City Area Optimist Club for providing our students with hoodies, hats, and gloves to stay warm this winter!

Hillsboro to Host District Quarterfinal Football Game on Halloween Night

HILLSBORO, Mo., — The Hillsboro Hawks will host the Sikeston Bulldogs in a Class 4, District 1 MSHSAA Quarterfinal football game on Friday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. at Hillsboro High School.

This marks the start of postseason play for the Hawks, who will take the field under the Friday night lights in front of what is expected to be a large home crowd.

Tickets for the game are $5 per person for all spectators ages 6 and older. Cash only will be accepted at the entrance gates. No digital tickets will be sold for this event.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early and help create a spirited atmosphere as the Hawks look to advance in the Class 4 state playoffs.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Hillsboro High School, located at 123 Leon Hall Parkway, Hillsboro, MO 63050.