📚 Attendance Matters: Let's Start Each Day Strong!
Dear Highschool/Sports Families,
We want to ensure every student has the best opportunity to succeed, and it all starts with being here and ready to learn each day!
🕐 Important School Hours
School Day: 8:00 AM - 4:12 PM
Arrival Time: Please arrive by 7:50 AM to be in first period on time
Breakfast: Available starting at 7:15 AM for early arrivals
📋 How Attendance Works
On Time = Success! Students need to be in their classroom when the bell rings at 8:00 AM.
Running Late? Students arriving after 8:00 AM should check in at the main office for a tardy slip before heading to class.
After 10 Minutes: Students will be marked absent for that class period.
🎯 Why Punctuality Matters
Academic Success: Every minute of instruction counts
Life Skills: Punctuality is a valuable habit for future success
Activity Eligibility: Consistent attendance is required for sports and extracurricular participation
Building Responsibility: Being on time shows respect for learning and classmates
📞 Attendance Reminders
3 tardies = 1 lunch detention (also counts as 1 absence)
5 tardies = 2 lunch detentions
10 tardies = Parent conference to create a success plan
💡 Tips for Success
Set multiple alarms and prepare the night before
Allow extra time for traffic, weather, or unexpected delays
Take advantage of our breakfast program if you're an early riser!
📖 Important Notice
This attendance policy is detailed in both our Student Handbook and Athletic Handbook. Student handbooks will be sent home today - please review them with your child and keep them for reference throughout the school year. Please sign and send back the receipt of handbook page as soon as possible.
Questions? Contact our main office at 406-673-3120 or email jcochran@hlpschools.k12.mt.us.
Together, we can help every student develop the habits that lead to lifelong success!
Dear Highschool/Sports Families,
We want to ensure every student has the best opportunity to succeed, and it all starts with being here and ready to learn each day!
🕐 Important School Hours
School Day: 8:00 AM - 4:12 PM
Arrival Time: Please arrive by 7:50 AM to be in first period on time
Breakfast: Available starting at 7:15 AM for early arrivals
📋 How Attendance Works
On Time = Success! Students need to be in their classroom when the bell rings at 8:00 AM.
Running Late? Students arriving after 8:00 AM should check in at the main office for a tardy slip before heading to class.
After 10 Minutes: Students will be marked absent for that class period.
🎯 Why Punctuality Matters
Academic Success: Every minute of instruction counts
Life Skills: Punctuality is a valuable habit for future success
Activity Eligibility: Consistent attendance is required for sports and extracurricular participation
Building Responsibility: Being on time shows respect for learning and classmates
📞 Attendance Reminders
3 tardies = 1 lunch detention (also counts as 1 absence)
5 tardies = 2 lunch detentions
10 tardies = Parent conference to create a success plan
💡 Tips for Success
Set multiple alarms and prepare the night before
Allow extra time for traffic, weather, or unexpected delays
Take advantage of our breakfast program if you're an early riser!
📖 Important Notice
This attendance policy is detailed in both our Student Handbook and Athletic Handbook. Student handbooks will be sent home today - please review them with your child and keep them for reference throughout the school year. Please sign and send back the receipt of handbook page as soon as possible.
Questions? Contact our main office at 406-673-3120 or email jcochran@hlpschools.k12.mt.us.
Together, we can help every student develop the habits that lead to lifelong success!
🏃♀️ PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT 🏃♂️
HAYS LODGEPOLE SCHOOLS ANNUAL CROSS COUNTRY MEET
**TODAY - Little People's Canyon**
**⏰ SCHEDULE:**
- **2:00 PM** - Walk-through begins
- **3:00 PM** - Girls Junior High race
- **3:30 PM** - Boys Junior High race
- **4:00 PM** - High School Girls race
- **4:45 PM** - High School Boys race
🚨 IMPORTANT TRAFFIC NOTICE 🚨
**TRAFFIC WILL BE SHUT DOWN through Little People's Canyon during races for runner safety.**
**If you need to be at the Cross Country meet location (Powwow Grounds), please arrive by 2:45 PM.**
⚠️ ARRIVE BY 2:45 PM ⚠️
**Come cheer on our Thunderbird runners!**
Thank you for your cooperation and support of our student athletes.
HAYS LODGEPOLE SCHOOLS ANNUAL CROSS COUNTRY MEET
**TODAY - Little People's Canyon**
**⏰ SCHEDULE:**
- **2:00 PM** - Walk-through begins
- **3:00 PM** - Girls Junior High race
- **3:30 PM** - Boys Junior High race
- **4:00 PM** - High School Girls race
- **4:45 PM** - High School Boys race
🚨 IMPORTANT TRAFFIC NOTICE 🚨
**TRAFFIC WILL BE SHUT DOWN through Little People's Canyon during races for runner safety.**
**If you need to be at the Cross Country meet location (Powwow Grounds), please arrive by 2:45 PM.**
⚠️ ARRIVE BY 2:45 PM ⚠️
**Come cheer on our Thunderbird runners!**
Thank you for your cooperation and support of our student athletes.
September 23, 2025
Dear Thunderbird Parents and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that this morning a yellow and orange toy squirt gun was brought onto the school bus and shown to other students. The bus attendant was immediately notified, and the toy was confiscated.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that no weapons of any kind are allowed on school property or school transportation—this includes toy guns, replica weapons, or play firearms of any kind.
Even when not real, these items can cause fear, confusion, and unnecessary alarm. Given the national climate surrounding school safety, it is essential that we maintain a secure and supportive environment where all students feel safe and respected.
We kindly ask for your help in speaking with your children about this important rule. Let them know that bringing any item that looks like a weapon—even as part of a game—is not acceptable and could lead to disciplinary action.
We appreciate your cooperation and ongoing support in helping us keep our schools safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school or the district office.
Together, we can ensure a safe and positive school year.
Warm regards,
Corey Barron, Superintendent
Hays Lodgepole School District
Dear Thunderbird Parents and Guardians,
I am writing to inform you that this morning a yellow and orange toy squirt gun was brought onto the school bus and shown to other students. The bus attendant was immediately notified, and the toy was confiscated.
The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that no weapons of any kind are allowed on school property or school transportation—this includes toy guns, replica weapons, or play firearms of any kind.
Even when not real, these items can cause fear, confusion, and unnecessary alarm. Given the national climate surrounding school safety, it is essential that we maintain a secure and supportive environment where all students feel safe and respected.
We kindly ask for your help in speaking with your children about this important rule. Let them know that bringing any item that looks like a weapon—even as part of a game—is not acceptable and could lead to disciplinary action.
We appreciate your cooperation and ongoing support in helping us keep our schools safe. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school or the district office.
Together, we can ensure a safe and positive school year.
Warm regards,
Corey Barron, Superintendent
Hays Lodgepole School District
Hello Thunderbirds,
Here is the weekly schedule. Full week of sports. Still looking for help with chains, gate and line judges. These are paid positions, please reach out. Have a wonderful week. Go Thunderbirds!
Here is the weekly schedule. Full week of sports. Still looking for help with chains, gate and line judges. These are paid positions, please reach out. Have a wonderful week. Go Thunderbirds!
Elementary Native American Spirit Week!
Elementary Native American Spirit Week!
Strategic Planning Session Rescheduled.
Hello Thunderbird Community,
Due to Homecoming activities, our Strategic Planning Session will be rescheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and will share the new date and time soon.
Thank you for your flexibility and continued commitment.
Best regards,
Hays Lodgepole School District
📣 You’re Invited!
Strategic Planning Session
📅 Tuesday, September 23
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Hays Lodgepole High School
Join us for a Strategic Planning Session as we work together to shape the future of Hays Lodgepole Schools. All are welcome to attend.
You ask What is Strategic Planning?
Strategic planning is a process schools use to set goals and create a shared vision for the future. It helps us identify what we value most, where we want to go, and the steps we need to take to get there. By bringing together staff, students, families, and community members, strategic planning ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and that our decisions reflect our shared priorities.
✨ Your voice matters!
✨ Share your ideas and vision.
✨ Help us build a plan that reflects our values and aspirations.
Let’s create the future of our schools, together.
-Hays Lodgepole School District
Strategic Planning Session
📅 Tuesday, September 23
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Hays Lodgepole High School
Join us for a Strategic Planning Session as we work together to shape the future of Hays Lodgepole Schools. All are welcome to attend.
You ask What is Strategic Planning?
Strategic planning is a process schools use to set goals and create a shared vision for the future. It helps us identify what we value most, where we want to go, and the steps we need to take to get there. By bringing together staff, students, families, and community members, strategic planning ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and that our decisions reflect our shared priorities.
✨ Your voice matters!
✨ Share your ideas and vision.
✨ Help us build a plan that reflects our values and aspirations.
Let’s create the future of our schools, together.
-Hays Lodgepole School District
Our front office at the High School is short staffed and if we miss a call to please call back or send an email. (406)673-3120 Sorry for the inconvenience and have a great day!
"Thursday Night Update: While tonight's High School Varsity football game is CANCELED, our Junior High team is still gearing up to face CJI at 5:00 PM! These young players have been working hard and deserve our support. Hope to see you there!- ! 🏈⭐"
ɔɔʔeeinʔiniitɔnaaʔ? Bɔʔɔ́ɔɔʔ Otí Nayáȟu hé
CAN YOU HEAR THE THUNDER?
50th HLP HOMECOMING
Spirit Week:
Monday Sept: 22nd Meme Monday
Tuesday Sept: 23: Twin Day Tuesday
Wednesday Sept 24th: White Lie Wednesday
Thursday Sept 25th: Jersey Thursday
After school activities.
Monday: Girls Flag Football Harlem 7:30
Pep rally 9:00
Tuesday: Alumni Volleyball 6:30 Gym
Bonfire with Alumni fire pit 9:00
Thursday: Dance Courtyard Homecoming Royality Crowned
Athletics:
Wednesday Cross Country Little Peoples Creek Canyon 3:00
Girls Flag Foot Ball 6:00 Pryor
Thursday girls Volleyball 3:00 and 4:00
Jr High Football 5:00HS Football 7:00
Homecoming Court introduction at half-time
Thursday Parade begins at 12:00
CAN YOU HEAR THE THUNDER?
50th HLP HOMECOMING
Spirit Week:
Monday Sept: 22nd Meme Monday
Tuesday Sept: 23: Twin Day Tuesday
Wednesday Sept 24th: White Lie Wednesday
Thursday Sept 25th: Jersey Thursday
After school activities.
Monday: Girls Flag Football Harlem 7:30
Pep rally 9:00
Tuesday: Alumni Volleyball 6:30 Gym
Bonfire with Alumni fire pit 9:00
Thursday: Dance Courtyard Homecoming Royality Crowned
Athletics:
Wednesday Cross Country Little Peoples Creek Canyon 3:00
Girls Flag Foot Ball 6:00 Pryor
Thursday girls Volleyball 3:00 and 4:00
Jr High Football 5:00HS Football 7:00
Homecoming Court introduction at half-time
Thursday Parade begins at 12:00
Parade Info: (map coming soon)
Parade colors- Purple, Yellow, Black and white
Theme: “Can you hear the Thunder?”
Line up at mission grade school parking lot.
Flags and grand marshals first with police escort, homecoming royalty next for each float 4 in total for the candidates, current school floats, seniors, juniors, sophomores, freshman, JH, Elem truck, then all alumni floats, horse back riders, local royalty( powwow) business ’, tribal programs, IMDG, fire dept, and other local people or entities.
GO THUNDERBIRDS!
"Friday Night Lights in Hays: A Football Tradition - The Origin Story"
Homecoming Events!
Thunderbird Weekly Schedule 9/15 to 9/20
Friendly Reminder!
Reminder! Meeting tomorrow
Dear families,
I am so excited that you can join us tomorrow to talk about our once-in-a-lifetime travel experience to Greece in Summer 2026! As a reminder, our meeting details are below. If you can no longer make it, please let me know!
Meeting details:
📅 Date: September 16
🕒 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: The School Boardroom
During the meeting, we will review all the details about this opportunity, including the itinerary, dates, the cost of this trip and EF’s risk-free enrollment period. I will also be opening enrollment at the meeting, so you will have the chance to be one of the first to sign up. If you haven’t already, feel free to browse EF’s website to get answers to common parent questions beforehand.
If you know someone else who should attend, please have them register using this link: https://rsvp.eftours.com/32nh9bu
See you tomorrow!
Jessica Cochran
Please note this is a non-school sponsored trip.
Dear families,
I am so excited that you can join us tomorrow to talk about our once-in-a-lifetime travel experience to Greece in Summer 2026! As a reminder, our meeting details are below. If you can no longer make it, please let me know!
Meeting details:
📅 Date: September 16
🕒 Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: The School Boardroom
During the meeting, we will review all the details about this opportunity, including the itinerary, dates, the cost of this trip and EF’s risk-free enrollment period. I will also be opening enrollment at the meeting, so you will have the chance to be one of the first to sign up. If you haven’t already, feel free to browse EF’s website to get answers to common parent questions beforehand.
If you know someone else who should attend, please have them register using this link: https://rsvp.eftours.com/32nh9bu
See you tomorrow!
Jessica Cochran
Please note this is a non-school sponsored trip.
there is no "flats" bus today due to a driver shortage. Bring the kids if they can and if not they will be excused.
Out of respect for the Kirkaldie family during this incredibly difficult time, the September 11th monthly school board meeting has also been rescheduled to next Thursday September 18th.
NOTICE
