HMS UPDATE
November 20th, 2020
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
HMS Community,
As you may be aware, a decision was made to return the Sparta Township Public Schools to a primarily remote instructional model effective Monday, November 23, 2020, and continuing through January 15, 2020. We are committed to providing our students with the necessary social, emotional, and academic support as day-to-day schedules and platforms continue to change. Please see Mr. McQueeney's letter for additional information.
Students in Cohort A and Cohort B that participate in our alternating weeks hybrid instruction will now move to remote instruction. The district has made the decision for students in specialized education class programs to continue to receive instruction in-person daily, similar to September. These include all of our LLD (Learning and Language Disabilities) classes, MD (Multiple Disabilities) classes, and our Post Graduate class. Related services will continue to be provided either in person or virtually; this will be coordinated between the related service providers and the families.
At HMS, we will shift back to our virtual schedule, with the only major difference being that we will start a little bit later (see sample schedule below). While the school will be open next week, parents are strongly encouraged to pick up any supplies/resources (if a teacher emailed you to pick something up) as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday.
On a personal note, I want to thank the students and teachers at HMS for doing such a tremendous job with our never-done-before hybrid model. The students were helpful, kind and their enthusiasm for school helped inspire our entire learning community. Our teachers were patient, creative and always positive. In my morning announcements today I encouraged our students to stay focused and disciplined as we transition to the all-remote model. That includes:
-arriving to all classes on time
-having what you need to be ready to learn
-cameras on
-using tech@sparta.org for any chromebook issues
-using the agenda for assignments
-using post-its, phone alarms or Google Calendar reminders to alert you when you have a lesson or pull-out class/session (these alerts may need to be edited given we are going back to an earlier schedule)
I know we can do it!
Wishing the entire HMS community a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.
Proudly,
Doug Layman
Principal, HMS
973.957.1HMS
UPCOMING DATES:
11.23,24,30 and 12.1,2- Parent Conferences, please check the time of your meeting.
11.25- No afternoon instruction
-School Pictures Postponed
STPS K-5 PTO Fundraiser
HMS PTO is hosting a winter fundraiser with Alpine PTO and MAS PTO!
-Cookie and Gingerbread House Decorating Kits and Paint Your Own Cookies from Cupcake Cafe
-Pick up Friday 12/18 at HMS
-Peanut and Tree Nut Free **Gingerbead pieces are baked in a peanut/tree nut free facility but some candies may have been processed in a facility containing nuts.**
Sparta Elementary Schools PTO Fundraiser with Cupcake Cafe
Hanukkah kits are available for an earlier pick up 12/9-12/11 from 11am to 6pm at Cupcake Cafe.
HMS PHOTO ALBUM
SIMON SAYS RECESS
HMS FLUTES (5th working with 4th)
HMS CLARINETS (5th working with 4th)
DISMISSAL TIME
STAFF THANKSGIVING
THE TEAM THAT MAKES SNACK TIME HAPPEN
HMS SPECIALS CREW
My Most Favorite, Recommended, Can't Go Wrong Website for Parents
SPARTA COMMUNITY FLYERS
PREVIOUS BLACKBOARD EMAILS
SUGGESTION BOX
Where to find these on the HMS website
Helen Morgan School
Email: doug.layman@sparta.org
Website: www.sparta.org
Location: Sparta, NJ
Phone: 973.729.5770
Twitter: @bulldogblasts