September 1, 2025
Nathan Hale Students and Families:
Welcome to the 2025-26 school year!
On behalf of the Nathan Hale High School Staff and Administration, we hope you had an enjoyable summer and are looking forward to another outstanding year at Nathan Hale High School. We are excited to be reconnecting as an entire school community with our first day of school
Class Schedules
As a reminder, student class schedules are accessible on the Skyward information system if you have submitted your online registration; however, we will begin the day tomorrow with Advisory homeroom at 7:47 am where students will receive a copy of their most updated class schedule. Advisory homeroom lists will be posted in the Commons and cafeteria by grade level for students to locate their classroom, along with a locker location map. If your student has a schedule issue, there will be an opportunity to request an appointment with a counselor and they will meet with them during the first few days of school. Schedule changes will only be made per the district add/drop guidelines. However, if they do not have a complete schedule (7 classes), counselors will meet with them throughout the first day of school to get this rectified.
Class textbooks will be distributed during classes the first week of school. There is no specific class materials lists. Students should come prepared with general class supplies (i.e.-notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, binders, calculator, etc…) and will learn about any specific supplies during the first week of school.
As for technology, chromebooks will once again be made available for student use with distribution tomorrow to those whose parents completed the technology agreement form. Any student still in possession of a school issued chromebook from last school year should
Locks & Lockers
New this year, all students will receive a “FREE” mandatory Hale issued lock (green in color to use for hallway locker all high school years) for all freshmen or if you are an upperclassman and do not currently have one.
- We are stressing that all students use their hall locker to store their school materials and personal belongings throughout the school day, including their cell phone as they are to be turned off and stored away all day except for use in the cafeteria during their assigned lunch period.
- Anyone needing a lock can tell their Advisory teacher tomorrow and Administration will deliver them to students throughout the first week of school.
Arrival to School (Pick-up & Drop-off)
- The building opens at 6:45 am each morning for students to access the breakfast program (need to enter student ID S# to receive free breakfast and/or lunch-both are free again this year), to get help from a teacher (need a pass prior), attend a club or organization, or if needed, to be dropped off early due to family circumstances. Students should not arrive early unless necessary.
- Students can be dropped off or enter if driving them self / riding a bus, at one of two locations where they will be greeted and supervised by school personnel:
- The west-side Commons entrance located off of 117th Street (drop off area is marked in west parking lot- separate from the bus drop off lane) to talk or study in the auditorium.
- The north-side of school off Lincoln Ave. at the outside cafeteria entrance for breakfast (need to enter student ID S# to receive free breakfast).
- Students will be released from these two designated areas at 7:35 am each day to proceed to their locker and first hour class.
- Students should be picked up at the end of the day (3 pm) at the west-side Commons entrance off of 117th Street using the designated pick-up lane in the parking lot. This is where the buses drop-off and pick-up as well. The lane closest to the building is ONLY for buses. New this year, the north-side Lincoln Ave. location is NOT for pick-up as this creates congestion for bus dismissal. All student pick-ups will be directed to the west-side of the building.
School Safety & Security / Late Arrival / Early Dismissal Process
- All doors are locked at 7:47 AM with all students/visitors entering the main Lincoln Ave. entrance for check-in and buzzed in for safety and security purposes after that time.
- All exterior doors are alarmed at the beginning of the school day (7:47 am) and should only be used for exit or entrance with a class/teacher/coach during school hours or at the end of the school day (3 pm) dismissal time.
- At no time should doors be propped open, opened for anyone, or utilized without teacher/coach supervision. If this occurs, disciplinary action will be taken per our District Code of Conduct.
- If a student arrives late after 7:47 am, they should be dropped off at or walk around to the Lincoln Ave. main entrance to school, where they will check-in, scan their Student ID/enter their name into the Ident-A-Kid pass/visitor system to receive a tardy late pass to class and get buzzed into the building for added security.
- Students should only exit from the Lincoln Ave. main entrance for any reason (i.e.-early dismissal: Dr. appointment, Senior Privilege Option, work release, etc….) to sign out and receive their early dismissal pass as this is an added school safety/security measure as well. Yes, students may need to walk around the building to their car if parked in the back of school.
- As for our adult visitors, they need to check-in at the main Lincoln Ave. entrance as well. They will be asked to scan in a valid Wisconsin ID/driver’s license to conduct a brief background check, upon which a photo ID visitor pass is created and then escorted to their meeting location.
It is our intent that these security protocols help ensure the safety of all on our school campus. We appreciate your support in its implementation.
Cell Phone Expectations 2025-26
As part of the WAWM Board approved Rights & Responsibilities Handbook for Students and Parents, cell phones are not permitted during the regular school day with the exception of lunch period (in the designated lunch location) based on each school’s implementation plan.
Below is Nathan Hale’s implementation plan for parent and student review and reference:
- Cell phones must be powered off, stored away (locker, backpack, or pocket), and not in hand during the school day (7:47 AM - 3:00 PM). Charging of phones in classrooms is prohibited as it implies the device is in use.
- Cell phones must not be in use in classrooms, hallways, restrooms, locker rooms, or other private areas. Cell phones may only be used in the cafeteria during a student’s designated lunch period.
- Other personal communication devices (i.e. iPads, laptops, etc.) must not be in use in hallways, restrooms, locker rooms, or other private areas. Other personal communication devices may only be used in the classroom under the direction of a teacher or in the cafeteria during the student’s designated lunch period.
- Headphones or earbuds must be removed upon entering the classroom and may only be used during class if explicitly directed by the teacher and aligned with the Student Technology Acceptable Use and Safety Policy (7540.03).
If violation of any of the above expectations is observed by a Nathan Hale staff member, the phone will be requested/confiscated with student name and turned into the main office, followed by the communication and pick-up procedures below:
1st Time- Cell phone turned into main office with student picked-up at the end of the day.
2nd Time- Cell phone turned into main office, teacher contacts home, and student picked-up at the end of the day.
3rd Time- Cell phone turned into main office, admin/office contacts home, and parent must pick-up cell phone.
4th Time and Beyond- Cell phone turned into the main office, admin/office contacts home, parent pick-up of cell phone, Code of Conduct consequence, and tech plan developed.
* Refusal to comply with staff request for name and/or cell phone for confiscation will lead to an In-school Suspension (ISS) and continued refusal to an administrator an Out of School Suspension (OSS) consequence per the Code of Conduct under “Disruptive & Uncooperative Behaviors” and a level 4 response including, a parent meeting and tech plan (turn in cell phone and pick-up each day). We are just looking for cooperation by everyone as we implement this WAWM Board / school expectation.
Similar to last year, if you need to get your student a message, like back in the day, please call the main office and we will get them the message or they can come to the office to make a call or text. They will also be able to check messages and respond during their lunch.
In reflecting on our cell phone expectation implementation last year, no cell phones created a much better culture and climate with no classroom distractions, no access to video negative behaviors, post to instagram, tik-tok, etc….ultimately creating a more focused teaching/learning environment. It is our hope that a similar impact continues this year as well.
Once again, it takes all of us working together to make sure that our school campus is a place that is safe and conducive to learn for ALL students and staff. If you have questions regarding any of the above expectations or protocols, please reach out to me directly.
Important Dates and Home Sporting Events (planning ahead)
Tuesday, September 2-First Day of School @ 7:47 am
JV/Varsity Girls’ Tennis vs. Pius @ 4:00 pm
Wednesday, September 3-JV/Varsity Girls’ Tennis vs. Chesterton Academy @ 4:00 pm
JV/Varsity Boys’ Soccer vs. Shorewood @ 4:30/6:30pm
Varsity Boys’ Volleyball vs. Hmong American Peace Academy @ 6:30 pm
Thursday, September 4-JV/Varsity Girls’ Tennis vs. Menomonee Fall @ 4:00 pm
Friday, September 5-Boys’ & Girls Cross Country Invite-Greenfield Park @ 4:00 pm
Varsity Football vs. Germantown @ 7:00 pm
Wednesday, September 10-Open House program for parents 6:00-8:00 pm
Friday, September 19-Homecoming Varsity Football vs. Brookfield East @ 7:00 pm
Saturday, September 20-Homecoming Dance from 7:30-10:30 pm -Hale main gym
Once again, welcome to the new school year and all the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. We look forward to seeing you and your student at these upcoming events.
Go Huskies!
Matthew M. Lesar, Principal