Hernandez Happenings
Hernandez Middle School an IB Middle Years School
April 20, 2020
Message from Dr. Ephlin, Principal
Dear Parents,
I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. As you know your student will not be returning to school this school year. When I heard this news on Friday my heart broke for all of our students. I will miss seeing our Bulldogs and saying goodbye for the summer. Not being able to be there for them academically, socially, and emotionally is heartbreaking for me and every Hernandez teacher.
While we may not be with your student physically we are still with them virtually. I have had many questions regarding at-home learning and wanted to answer a few today.
Does my student have to do the at-home learning?
In a word YES. If a student does not do the at-home learning assignments they will receive an I for the six weeks and will receive an I for the semester. An I= incomplete and does not satisfy promotion requirements.
When does my student receive work from their teachers?
All slide decks are available on google classroom Sunday at 12:00pm.
When is work due?
Work is due every Sunday (of the following week assigned) at 11:59pm
I thought there were no more grades, so why does my student need to do the work?
There are no more numeric grades. We are providing students with feedback and assigning them the following "grade" P, F, or M. P=proficient, M=missing, and F=not proficient. A grade of P or F means the student turned something in for the teacher to provide feedback. A grade of M means the student did not turn in anything. If a student receives an F on an assignment they may reach out to the teacher for help and turn it in again.
What if my student received an M?
An M means Missing and means your student did not turn in an assignment for that teachers class. They need to turn in their assignment as soon as possible. My recommendation is to reach out to the teacher for assistance.
Will my student have an assignment in all 8 classes?
Yes, your student will have a graded assignment in all 8 classes.
When will my students grades be in HAC?
Teachers are updating grades weekly. You should be able to see your students weekly grade for the previous week's at-home learning by Wednesday. You will either see a P, F, or M. If you have questions regarding your child's grade please email the teacher.
My student is struggling with the work how can they get help?
Please email the teacher. The teacher can set up a google chat or respond via email to the student to provide assistance.
Other Questions
When can my student pick up the things they left in their locker?
The district is coming up with a plan to safely have students enter the building and pick up left items. As soon as there is a safe plan to do this I will communicate.
My student has library books how can we turn them in?
The district is coming up with a plan to safely have students enter the building and turn in items. As soon as there is a safe plan to do this I will communicate.
I ordered a yearbook when can I pick it up?
We will have a yearbook distribution day. I will communicate this information as soon as yearbooks arrive on campus.
I know this is a difficult time for our families and we want to make sure you have all the resources you need. Here is the direct contact information for staff who can reach out to you immediately for support with curriculum, student learning needs, mental health care, counseling resources, daily schedule and routines assistance or anything else you need.
Brenda Cohen, counselor M-Z and Spanish Speaking: brenda_cohen@roundrockisd.org
Richard Swords, counselor A-L: richard_swords@roundrockisd.org
Daisy Guerrero, parent liaison: daisy_guerrero@roundrockisd.org
Kate Galinat, parent liaison: kate_galinat@roundrockisd.org
Larissa Ortiz, 6th grade assistant principal: larissa_ortiz@roundrockisd.org
Yvette Bradford, 7th grade assistant principal: yvette_bradford@roundrockisd.org
Stephen Teal, 8th grade assistant principal: stephen_teal@roundrockisd.org
Dr. Patricia Ephlin, principal: Patricia_Ephlin@roundrockisd.org
Thank you for your support,
Dr. Patricia Ephlin
Principal
Counseling Information
It is essential to take care of our mental and emotional health during these uncertain times. The Hernandez Middle School counselors are available to provide mental and behavioral health support for students, parents, and staff members. Please visit our counseling website where you will find additional information and resources that may be helpful→ Counselor's Corner ,
An email was sent last week to all our students and we wanted to share it with you in case you did not have an opportunity to read it-
Dear Hernandez Bulldogs,
These are challenging times for everyone so the Hernandez counseling department wanted to inform you that we are here for you. Mr. Swords and Ms. Cohen are available to help answer your questions in regards to personal and academic concerns, and social/emotional needs. We want to let you know that we are thinking about all of the Hernandez students, and we are ready to help you through this challenging time.
Please reach out to us by email (see below) if you need our assistance, and/or click on this link → RRISD Learning Hub for counseling and behavioral health services support (located on the upper right hand corner of the Hub).
Please take care and practice self care!!
Mr. Swords (all grade level, A-L) email:
Richard_swords@roundrockisd.org
Ms. Cohen (all grade level, M-Z) email:
Yearbook Info
You still have a chance to buy a 2019-2020 yearbook! Click on the following link and set up an account https://tr5.treering.com/create-account/101544111878305
You will be able to personalize two pages of this year's yearbook FREE OF CHARGE!
Please PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO ORDER DEADLINES
4/15 or earlier: Before Deadline - All orders placed with free shipping
4/16 - 5/6: After Deadline Ship to School - Parent/student will have to pay for shipping ($2.99/book) and books are shipped to the school. *Pick-up from school this year will be different than past years, so we encourage you to order by the 4/15 deadline and ship to your home address*
5/7 and later: After Deadline Ship to Home - Parent/student will have to pay for shipping ($2.99/book) and books are shipped to their home.
5/13: Delivery Date - The latest date all books that include free shipping will arrive at Hernandez.
One of the easiest ways to spot a box of TreeRing yearbooks is to look for our TreeRing packaging tape. It looks like this:
Teachers and Staff During Shelter in Place
Ms. Vasquez
Ms. Cruz
Ms. Whitaker
Mr. Ancelet, Ms. West and Ms. Zielnicki
Ms. Bermudez
Dr. Ephlin
Mr. Cooper
Mr. Teal
Hernandez Middle School
Email: hernandez_newsletter@roundrockisd.org
Website: hernandez.roundrockisd.org
Location: 1901 Sunrise Road, Round Rock, TX, USA
Phone: 512-424-8800
Facebook: www.facebook.com/@rrisd.hernandez
Twitter: @HernandezMiddleSchool