3/20/26 Secondary Bulletin
H-BC Secondary Families:
Great week to be a Patriot!
GOOD LUCK TO THE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM AT THE STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT!
Let’s be LOUD and PROUD and cheer on our boys! Go to Boys Basketball State Tournament to view the bracket. The first game is at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at the Target Center against Southland.
Please join us for the COMMUNITY PEP FEST AND SEND-OFF on March 25th at 10:30 AM in the Secondary School Gym
IMPORTANT - CALENDAR CHANGE:
In order to be able to support the Boys Basketball Team during their state run, the following changes will be made to the school calendar
March 23 - School will be in session (originally a staff development day)
March 26 and 27 - No School - Let’s see everyone in Minneapolis to support our boys!
April 6 - School will be in session (originally part of Easter Break)
End of Quarter 3
Today, March 20, 2026 is the end of the 3rd Quarter. We will send home Quarter 3 Report Cards on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The beginning of 4th quarter will be Monday, March 23, 2026.
MUSIC EXCELLENCE AT H-BC:
Congratulations to the student musicians that were selected to represent H-BC at the SWMBDA First and Second Year Honor Bands on April 11th! First Year Honor Band - Sylan, Oliver, Harper, Renda, Clara, and Vivi. Second Year Honor Band - Freya, Chris. Joshua, Benjamin, Ari, Berlynn, and Ben.
The HBC Band and Choir had a great day at Large Group Contest in Luverne on March 17! The Choir received an Excellent rating, and the Band received a Superior rating! Congratulations on a job well done!
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AT H-BC:
Congratulations to the HBC National Honor Society Inductees! This year's inductees are Katelyn Chesley (Mrs. Erickson), Hailey Moser (Kate Anderson), Ava Steinhoff (Mrs. Baker), Brynn Bakken (Mrs. Baker), Mya Erickson (Mrs. Baker), Ella Sammons (Mrs. Baker), Eduardo Wegener (Mr. Metzger), Gavin Voss (Mrs. Voss), Josh Ternus (Mr. DeBoer), Hadley Spath (Mrs. Erickson), Abigayl Olson (Mrs. Erickson), Abigail Harris (Ms. McGaffee), Sarah Prohl (Mrs. Comp), Claire Knobloch (Mr. Blosmo), and Isabel Wysong (Mr. Wiertzema). Each new member chose a staff member or mentor (name) to be a part of their induction who has made an impact on their journey.
Blood Drive AT H-BC for Community Blood Bank:
HBC Community - Please consider giving blood on Wednesday, April 15th from 9AM - Noon and 1:30 PM - 4 PM. We still have spots open. Please call 507-962-3240 option 2 to sign up - appointments preferred. 550 units of blood are needed every week to meet the needs of local hospitals. One pint of blood will save 3 patients' lives! Important to Note: Drink water or juice before and after donating, make sure to bring driver's license or photo ID, donors need to be 17 to donate (16 years of age can get a consent form to be signed by a parent to donate). This is an H-BC G.R.A.D. Student Council Event.
SPRING SPORTS
Golf Apparel is now available! The store closes at Midnight on Sunday, March 22. Get your golf gear today using this link! 2026 HBC Golf Apparel
Please see District March 2026 Newsletter below for district happenings.
(Repeat) MARCH DISTRICT NEWSLETTER: LINK
G.R.A.D. March Madness (New)
HBC Secondary Staff are on the lookout for students being goal-oriented, respectful, accountable and determined during March. There will be individual prizes and students will be competing against each grade level. Excited to see which grade level will be the GRAD champion! Students are competing for a Staff vs Students Basketball Game which is on Friday, April 10, 2026.
LOOKING AHEAD:
Friday, March 20, 2026 - End of Quarter 3
Monday, March 23, 2026 - MAKE-UP SCHOOL DAY (Note Change)
Monday, March 23, 2026 - Beginning of 4th Quarter
Thursday, March 26, 2026 - NO SCHOOL due to Boys Basketball State Tournament
Friday, March 27, 2026 - NO SCHOOL due to Boys Basketball State Tournament
Monday, April 6, 2026 - MAKE-UP SCHOOL DAY (Note Change)
Wednesday, April 15 - Chanhassen Jr/Sr Choir/Band trip
Thursday, April 16 - Teddy Roosevelt Show at HBC (Period 4) LINK
Friday, April 17 - 6th Grade Field Trip to St. Paul
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 - ACT for Juniors
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - MCA Reading Periods 1 & 2
Thursday, April 23, 2026 - MCA Reading Periods 1 & 2
Friday, April 24, 2026 - Early Release
Friday, April 24, 2026 - HBC Prom 7 PM
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - MCA Math Periods 1 & 2
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 - MCA Math Periods 1 & 2
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 - MCA Science Periods 1 & 2
Wednesday, May 6, 2026 - MCA Science Periods 1 & 2
Friday, April 24, 2026 - Early Release
Friday, April 24, 2026 - HBC Prom 7 PM
May 11 - 6-12 Band and Choir concert
ACT 2026 INFORMATION FOR JUNIORS
During the upcoming months, all juniors will be preparing for the ACT by completing the OntoCollege ACT Prep Course during ELA, Science & Math classes.
Here are some IMPORTANT DATES for your planning purposes. Both Practice-ACT & ACT are offered at HBC Secondary.
Throughout March - Students will prepare for ACT using John Baylor’s “On to College” Training at school & at home.
Throughout March - Juniors should complete an interest survey on ACT.org and pick 4 colleges to send their scores (Ms. Sandbulte will remind students of this.)
Tuesday, April 21st - ACT TEST DAY at HBC 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM! (Please ARRIVE EARLY - 7:50 AM!)
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Sandbulte - j.sandbulte@isd671.net
SPRING ASSESSMENTS COMING SOON
Spring Testing is an important time to check progress for our students. As we get closer to April, we will enter the Spring Assessment season. Below is our HBC Assessment Calendar. This will give you an idea when each assessment is scheduled for ACTs, MCAs and NWEAs.
Information for Families Regarding MCA Assessments – Spring 2026
HBC Families,
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) requires that statewide assessments be administered annually in reading, mathematics and science. These assessments provide the state, districts, and schools with a snapshot of student learning in relation to the Minnesota K–12 Academic Standards.
When will HBC students take the MCA tests, and which grades participate?
Reading MCA IV (Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10) - Wednesday, April 22 and Thursday, April 23, 2026
Math MCA III (Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11) - Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Science MCA IV (Grades 5, 8, and 10) - Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6, 2026
What are the MCA tests?
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCAs) are standards-based assessments in reading, mathematics, and science that measure student learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards. These assessments fulfill federal and state legislative requirements.
Why do we give these assessments?
MCA results provide valuable information to schools, districts, and MDE about how well students have learned the required concepts and skills. Educators use the results to guide instructional planning and evaluate curriculum effectiveness. Families can use the results as one measure of how their child is progressing in relation to grade-level standards. School- and district-level results are also used in federal and state accountability systems.
How are the MCA tests administered?
MCAs must be taken in person, even if a student is enrolled in an online program. Families of online learners should contact their school administrator for more information. Most students complete the MCA online, though some eligible students may take a paper version.
How can families help students prepare at home?
• Encourage your child to read at least 20 minutes daily (fiction or nonfiction).
• Support completion of math assignments and review errors on homework and assessments.
• Practice reading and interpreting graphs and tables.
• Watch science documentaries and discuss topics in physical, life, and earth/space science.
• Maintain healthy routines, including proper nutrition, consistent sleep, and limited tablet and social media use.
Thank you for partnering with HBC Public Schools!
Spring Sports & HBC Patriots App/Website (New)
Spring Sports (Track & Golf) are HERE, please make sure to look at the HBC Website or download the HBC App. You can also visit the RedRockConference website for the most accurate information for games/times/locations.
Please make sure to download the HBC Patriots App (details below) to get your student-athletes’ schedules. Thank you for supporting HBC Athletics!
AM BUS CHANGES--For morning bus changes please call or text the bus line--make sure to identify your student and the bus number they are riding: 507-962-3240.
Please reach out to me if you have any needs. Phone- 507-962-3240 or email a.kellenberger@isd671.net