September 8, 2008


Dear Falcon Students and Parents:

I am elated to report that our first few weeks of school have been awesome! I can’t remember a start of school that was more impressive than the 2008-2009 start. The students have been arriving well-prepared and with great attitudes…I can’t say enough about how exciting this is!

We have a few mottos this year: “Enter with Honor…Exit with Pride!” and
“Whatever it Takes! That’s The Hargrave Way.”

What is The Hargrave Way? It’s simple…it’s the way we do things at Hargrave that will make us a great school. It’s the expectations we have of ourselves and each other. The Hargrave staff is working hard to instill in our students what it means to be honorable in character, how taking PRIDE in our school can make us champions in all that we do, and how important it is to go the extra mile…whatever it takes….to get to the top and reach our individual, team, and campus goals. We want students to feel successful, to feel honorable, and to feel proud. We have raised our expectations in the classrooms, in the cafeteria, in the hallways, in every aspect of Hargrave High School. Those expectations are of ourselves every bit as much as of our students. We are teaching and practicing, “When there is a problem, look within yourself, first. Ask yourself, ‘What can I do differently to prevent this problem the next time?’”

As part of our journey to making Hargrave and Huffman ISD the very best, the district has implemented new K-12 curriculum this year. You may start to notice students doing more hands-on assignments, more challenging assignments, and talking about classroom activities. The teachers are very excited about it – it takes a little more time on their part to prepare each class, but, in the end, they feel it will be well worth it! As I walk the halls, I notice more student and teacher participation and activity in each classroom…this is a great thing!! You can help us by making sure your son/daughter stays caught up on homework, attends tutorials when needed, arrives each day well-rested and well-prepared, and has good attendance. Hargrave needs its parents!!

On another note, we will be having our first “Hargrave Pride Night” (Open House) on Monday, October 6, 2008, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. This is the Monday after our 1st 6-Week grading period ends. Student work will be displayed, and you will have a chance to meet teachers and HHS staff, make appointments for conferences, tour the building, among other things. We hope to see all parents participate – it will be a come-and-go setting, so you are welcome to arrive and leave at any time during the set hours.

Have a great month! Remember to check out our website for updated information at www.huffmanisd.net. I’ll write again in October. Until then, remember… this is the Year of the Falcon!

Your Proud Principal,
Shirley Hitt

Shirley Hitt