January 13, 2023
Dear HMS Parents and Guardians,
We hope this message finds you well and you are enjoying the start of the new year. Our students have been engaged with a variety of learning activities, ranging from perspective painting in Art to the Gilded Age in Social Studies to plotting volcanoes in Science (and much more). Pictured above is an explanation of one approach students take when considering books that they read; a book provides a mirror or a window, or sometimes both, to the reader. We continue to be awed by all that our students accomplish each day. Thank you so much for sharing your student with us!
During our Faculty Learning this past Monday, teachers focused our work around how we strive to create a sense of belonging here at HMS. Our goal is to help all students feel as though they belong not only in our community, but more importantly, students have a sense of belonging within themselves. Brene Brown shares: “Belonging is being your authentic self and knowing that no matter what happens, you belong to you.”
In this update you will find information about the following topics:
Counselors’ Corner
HMS Winter Dance
PTO Update: Glow Run
Winter Athletics (Grades 7+8)
Dates to Date
HMS Update #12 will be sent on January 27, 2023. Please continue to reach out with any questions.
With Gratitude,
Mandy Lewis and Tom McDowell
HMS Administrative Team
___________________________
Counselors’ Corner
Now that the holidays have wound down and people are getting into the swing of the new year we thought it'd be helpful to remind folks of the importance of healthy sleep hygiene. Sleep is one of the most important factors that goes into being a healthy and well-functioning pre-teen/teen. Lack of sleep can result in moodiness, behavioral issues, lack of thinking ability, and poor academic and athletic performance.
How Much Sleep Does My Teen Need?
Children (6-12 years old) need 9-12 hours of sleep per night, and Teenagers (13-18 years old) need 8-10 hours of sleep per night. For more information please see the poster below.
___________________________
HMS Winter Dance
The HMS Winter Dance is Friday, January 20 from 6:30 - 8:00pm. We will be reviewing the following expectations with students next week, and we also know that you may want to speak with your student about the expectations as well. Our goal is to host dances that are fun and safe for all students. In order to help make that happen, the following expectations are put into place:
-Students attending the dance must arrive within 15 minutes of the start time. The dance on January 20th starts at 6:30pm, and all students attending must arrive by 6:45pm, unless prior arrangements have been made.
-To keep students safe, they will stay until the dance is over and be picked up by an adult or adult designee. If a student needs to be picked up before the end of the dance, a parental note and administrative permission is needed.
-All HMS student behavior expectations apply to the dance. Cell phone use is not permitted. The goal is for students to socialize in person with those who are at the dance. Students are encouraged to leave their cell phones at home. If a student needs to keep a cell phone with them, the phone must remain away in their coat pocket.
-Students will have no need for backpacks or water bottles. Please leave these at home. Cups for water will be provided.
___________________________
PTO Update: Glow Run
What is it: The Glow Run is a pledge-based fundraiser for the PTO in which students receive pledges for laps around the gym. They will complete 20-30 laps set to music orchestrated by a DJ/Host. Students are asked to log all pledges on Mybooster.com. Pledges can be a certain number of cents or dollars per lap or a flat amount regardless of laps completed. As a grade, students will earn prizes that can be used at school or at home (hover soccer balls, tie dye shoe laces, playground balls, super spike sets, etc.). Students can collect pledges (10) to have a silly string battle with a teacher or (12) to battle an administrator.
When: The event kicked off today with an introduction in each grade level. Pledges are gathered daily by students until the day of the GLOW RUN on Wednesday, January 25th.
Where: The Glow Run will take place in the HMS Gym during the school day on Wednesday, January 25th. Each grade will rotate into the gym for the run. There will be a track set up with lights, music, and glow items where the kids can run, dance, skip, or walk their laps with their friends.
___________________________
Winter Athletics (Grades 7+8)
Middle School Indoor Track and Swimming will begin after February Vacation and run through the month of March. Please be sure to register here. Please check Powerschool for your student's physical expiration date. A new proof of physical may be brought to the school, or faxed to 846-2329 attn: Zoe. Please give the athletic office a call with any questions - 846-2329.
___________________________
Dates to Date
January 13: Glow Run Kickoff
January 16: No school (in observance of Martin Luther King Day)
January 20: HMS Winter Dance 6:30-8pm
January 25: Glow Run (during the school day)
January 25: HMS Jazz Cafe 6:30-7:30pm
February 20-24: February vacation - no school