Volume 36 Issue 1 - Hoffman Estates High School

8
Hawkeye View Summer 2008 Useful Tips
Quick tips to ensure your survival at Hoffman
Ariel Ropp
Staff Reporter
Despite the popular belief that all upperclassmen are
out to get freshmen, many students at Hoffman are happy to
answer questions or help you around the school. Honestly, they
won’t bite.
In the event that you do get lost or have a problem
finding something (heaven forbid), don’t be afraid to simply ask
someone for help. Most students, teachers, and staff members
are capable of pointing you in the right direction.
“Ask a lot of questions,” says Patti Bahnick, College
and Career Resource Center assistant. “The staff is here to assist
you in any way it can.”
While the staff is always here to help, it’s also important
that students educate themselves about the school and learn
how Hoffman operates.
“Know your I.D. number and the names of your teachers,”
says Val Doppke, Faculty Services. “It’ll make it much
easier for you [should you run into any problems].”
In order to further aid your survival at Hoffman, we
have compiled a list of where to go in certain situations. If all
else falls, ask the kind ladies in the Main Office what to do.
Academic Concerns - Student Services
Appeal/Grievance Procedures - Student Services
Attendance Issues (tardies, absences) - Attendance Office
Bus Info - Student Services
Club/Activity Information - Main Office
Driver’s Education - Driver’s Ed Office/Main Office
Free Lunch Program - Main Office
Purchase Gym Clothes/Lock - School Store
Harassment - Police Consultant
Locker Problems – Main Office
Lost and Found - Attendance Office
Make Up a Test - Test Makeup, Room 245
Medical Problems - Nurse’s Office
Money Lost (by vending machine) – Cafeteria Services
Replacing an ID - Main Office
Paying For Lost Books - Main Office
Picking Up a New ID - Attendance Office
Sports Information - Athletic Director’s Office
Summer School - Student Services
Theft - Police Consultant
Turning in Physicals/P.E. Excuses - Nurse’s Office
Work Permit - College/Career Center
Visitor’s Pass – Check-in at front desk
Do You Need a Schedule Change?
The staff in Student Services is very efficient; even so, you may
come across an error in your schedule. Of course, incoming
freshmen need to have the core classes in their schedule – some
type of science, English, and math, along with freshmen foundations.
Conflicts include having an extra foundations class when
you are only supposed to have one. Now that all classes are every
other day, if you have a class for only half the year, there is an error
in your schedule. For any scheduling conflicts, your schedule
can be changed. However, schedules will not be changed simply
for a student’s convenience. For example, if you want gym
fourth block instead of first so your hair won’t be messed up all
day, your counselors may not be as generous. Schedules will not
be changed to have one teacher instead of another. Remember, as
the counselors have about two thousand other students to accommodate,
changing schedules for preferences is not an easy task.
Changes for elective classes will not be made after the school
year begins. If there is an error in your schedule, feel free to stop
by Student Services to get it fixed. Changes will not be made
after the first three days of school.
Freshman year memories fresh in our minds
The first day of freshman year, I had mixed feelings about high
school. It felt like I was constantly reminded of how difficult high
school would be. But I believe that I made my freshman year count
by joining activities and keeping up my grades. I joined the tennis
team and the badminton team, playing at the varsity level for both
sports. Joining the athletics offered by Hoffman was a great opportunity
to meet people of the same skill level as me. Not only did
I meet people my age, but upperclassman as well. After looking at
the other clubs offered by Hoffman, I also ended up joining Forensics
(speech team), Theater Guides, Yearbook, Pals/Hope, and Math
Team. I was fully involved in all the clubs, always making sure to
show up at the meetings and participate in the sponsored events.
These clubs helped me because they taught me valuable skills such
as teamwork, perseverance, determination, and commitment.
-Amruta Bhatt, ‘11
There are a few things I remember that helped me a lot freshman
year. I had an older sister that was a senior, and that was
very beneficial to me. Not only did I have a ride to school
every morning, but I also had a little bit more insight coming
into high school. Having been around the school for the past
three years at her band concerts and basketball games, I felt a
little more confident coming in to a new school that was pretty
familiar. She was also very helpful with advice. I also felt a
lot better coming to Hoffman because of my involvement in
athletics. Having started practice a week before school started,
I came into school already having some new friends. It also
helped me to have this close circle of friends throughout freshman
year.
-Joe Winner, ‘10
Coming into Hoffman as a freshman, I knew a total of
about five people in the entire school. Joining the swim
team helped me to learn some new faces and make
some great new friends. On the first day of practice, I
remember thinking that all the other girls looked big
and intimidating and all somehow seemed to know each
other, even the other freshman! But as we had our little
team bonding session, I started talking to them and
loosened up a bit. Now, a lot of those girls are my best
friends. Joining sports and just getting involved in other
school activities helped me settle down as a freshman
and taught me a lot.
-Sayali Sakhardande, ‘10
My freshman year, I regret not
getting involved in more clubs.
However, even though I didn’t get
involved right away, I was able to
join different clubs later on in high
school. Sports, clubs, and activities
like theater are great ways to
meet new people, especially upper
classmen. I remember my first
day of freshman year; I was so
intimidated by all of the seniors
because they all looked so old.
I came to find that they really
weren’t as scary as they seemed. I
had a great time my freshman year,
especially at sporting events in the
Blue Crew section. I loved, and
still love, going to all the football
and basketball games to cheer on
the Hawks. Homecoming week is
always a lot of fun because of all
the themed spirit days. I always
have a great time dressing up for
each of the crazy days. My freshman
year was awesome, and each
year afterwards only seems to get
better and better.
-Julia Hamlin, ‘10
The Hawkeye View editorial staff stands on the ramp outside the new Hoffman entrance. From left: Alex Oda (‘10), Ariel
Ropp (‘09), Lexi Wozny (‘10), Julia Hamlin (‘10), Sayali Sakhardande (‘10), Joe Winner (‘10), Afsara Zaheed (‘10), Amita
Prabhu (’11), Sam Kubota (‘09), and Amruta Bhatt (‘11).
Photo by Raag Harshavat
The best things I remember about
freshmen year were joining Cross
Country and getting to know my
teachers. Cross Country gave me
opportunities to meet new people,
make some awesome memories,
and advance myself physically and
mentally. Time management was
a definite skill that I gained from
rigorous running, and it ended
up helping me organize myself
during sophomore year. Meeting
with teachers was also beneficial
to me in the long run. During my
sophomore year, I spoke to at least
seven different teachers for help
with my gifted project; some were
teachers I’d had before, others
were new. It was especially fun
working with teachers I’d gotten
to know during my freshman year.
Ultimately, I learned a lot about
topics I never considered, and
gained some new skills. Freshmen
year was incredible and built the
foundation for the rest of my high
school experience.
-Alex Oda, ‘10
When I was a freshman, I made the mistake of getting
involved in a bunch of clubs that I wasn’t passionate
about. Instead of choosing a few meaningful activities, I
joined everything. Even worse, I didn’t push myself to get
involved in the things I really enjoyed, like theater. I was
so intimidated by the upperclassmen that I didn’t even try
out for the musical. It wasn’t until my sophomore year that
I actually joined the activities I was interested in, such as
choir, musical, and speech team. Though I eventually found
my way, I still wish I had pushed myself more at the beginning
of high school. This experience taught me to be more
assertive and to not be afraid in pursuing my passions.
Overall, freshman year proved to be a worthwhile learning
experience, despite a few bumps in the road.
-Ariel Ropp, ‘09
My freshman year was fun-filled and full of surprises. The school
dances were the best part. On Homecoming night, the dance started
out as a disaster and ended up being a great night. My date asked me
to go with him a week before the dance. I was so excited; I actually
had a date! Then, two days later, he asked my best friend to be his
girlfriend! I still had to go with him because his girlfriend already
had a date. To make matters worse, he was more than an hour late to
pick me up on Homecoming night. Despite these setbacks, I still had
a killer time at the dance. I decided not to let my date ruin my night,
and I ended up dancing with all my friends and some new ones, too.
Afterwards, I went to Friday’s for dinner with a large group of friends.
In the end, I had a lot of fun. The experience taught me that if some
bad happens, just make the best of it.
-Mary Hacker, ‘10
Something that made my freshman year very memorable
was being on the Forensics speech team. I decided to
join because I liked acting and wanted more confidence
in public speaking. I remember being so nervous for
my first meet. At the end of my first day I was actually
surprised that I had survived and hadn’t done as badly
as I predicted. As the season continued, I began to enjoy
spending my Saturdays at different schools and having
a great time with my teammates. Surprisingly, it ended
up being a great experience. The most important thing I
learned is that there is a lot more to a sport or competitive
activity than winning; it’s about having fun, gaining
skills, and being part of a team. It was all the little things
I learned along the way that made Forensics one of the
most memorable parts of my freshman year.
-Amita Prabhu, ‘11