The Husky Howl
September 14-18, 2020; Semester I, Week 3
A NOTE FROM YOUR HUGHES MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
HMS Parents and Friends,
We are exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. Our plans, procedures, and processes are working...most of the time. Your children are following the plans, procedures, and processes...most of the time. Right now, we could not be more pleased with the first full week of instruction. Students are showing that they know what to do even though they would rather get closer together to visit, hug their friends, and show their smiling faces. But really, isn't that what we all want?
This week will bring a bit more normalcy to the middle school life. Our Lady Huskies will be playing their first volleyball games and our HMS Cross Country team will be running in their first meet. What a thrill! If you are interested in watching these games or the upcoming Husky football games, please take time to find more information in this newsletter about the current rules and conditions for attending athletic games.
In closing, we want to remind you how much we appreciate your continued patience as we continue to work out the kinks of our new normal. We know you have a choice in your child's education and today you are choosing Hughes Middle School. We celebrate your choice.
Until next time,
Your HMS Administrative Team
OUR HMS COUNSELING TEAM
Please let us introduce you to...Our AMAZING COUNSELING TEAM!
Each of these ladies have a background in making a difference in the lives of middle school students. HMS is fortunate to have all three of our counselors full time. While scheduling has become a big part of a middle school counselor's life, our team is most motivated when working with students. Students can depend on the team's expertise to be confidential, resourceful, and "over the top" nice!
Ms. McGinnis and Ms. Smith work diligently with students and families to ensure students' Section 504 accommodations are communicated and fulfilled by all teachers. They are committed to making sure those who "need to know" something, get the information. Parents can be assured they will follow up with what they say they will do...every time.
Ms. Nguyen joined the counseling team last year and made quite the impression on faculty, students, and parents with her sweet and gentle spirit in guiding students with individual needs. She, like all our counselors, is very dependable and easy to work with.
We appreciate everything these ladies do for our staff and our students. We are confident that when you are in need and call the Counseling Center, you will get what you need and more. Check out the Counseling Center Website below for more information.
JACKIE MCGINNIS
PRIMARY COUNSELOR/504 ADMINISTRATOR FOR
6TH GRADE: A-L
8TH GRADE A-Z
DANI SMITH
PRIMARY COUNSELOR/504 ADMINISTRATOR FOR
6TH GRADE M-Z
7TH GRADE A-Z
CAM NGUYEN
COMMUNITY IN OUR SCHOOLS/SOCIAL WORKER
ALL PARENTS, PLEASE NOTE: IT'S DECISION TIME IN BISD
"Why do we have to make the decision so early?"
Well, it is all about preparation of the building adjustments to keep all on-campus learners safe. Additionally, adjustments to teachers' class lists for the three different learning choices (on-campus, synchronous and asynchronous) for the purpose of attendance is crucial.
"Do I need to do anything if I want my child to stay in the current learning environment?"
NO! You do not need to do anything with this survey/form if you and your child are satisfied with the current learning environment.
DON'T FORGET
Synchronous learners must be on the ZOOM call within 10 minutes of the class starting to be counted present. Tardiness beyond 10 minutes interrupts the flow of teaching and learning taking place. If there is an emergency and you're child will be late they can complete the assignments and turn them in by 11:59PM the same day.
DAILY BELL SCHEDULE
THIS WEEK AT HMS
- Sunday, September 13 - National Grandparents Day
- Celebrate Freedom Week
- Monday, September 14 - Window opens for parents to make the "Instructional Choice" for their child; PICTURE DAY FOR ALL STUDENTS; BISD School Board Meeting - 5:30 Closed Session, 6:30 Open Session
- Wednesday, September 16 - Exhibition Cross Country Meet w/Kerr MS @ Centennial HS beginning at 5:00PM
- Thursday, September 17 - Constitution Day; 7th & 8th Grade Girls Volleyball vs Granbury MS at Home
- Saturday, September 19 - National Clean Up Day
FYI: VIRTUAL LEARNERS' PICTURE DAY
The current plan is for interested virtual learners to participate in school picture day on the MAKE UP Picture Day. This day has not been scheduled but information on this will be sent out as soon as it is available. We definitely want everyone's picture for the
HMS Yearbook.
This will be a YEAR TO REMEMBER!
NEXT WEEK AT HMS
MAP Testing for all learners - On-Campus and Virtual
Thursday, September 24: BISD Boot Bowl at AT&T Stadium
Saturday, September 26: Cross Country @CHS 12:00PM
NEAR FUTURE AT HMS
October 5 - November 6 - New Grading Period
October 12 - Student Holiday (Columbus Day)
October 14 - PSAT for all 8th Graders (a lot more information is coming)
October 26 - BISD School Board Meeting
NEW INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW
LIBRARY NEWS - News we've been wondering about.
Hello Everyone,
I know that many of you are wondering about how students can access books this year. As of right now, physical print books are not allowed to be checked out. So, there are two options at the moment:
Option 1: Utilize the Follett Catalog to check out digital ebooks accessible by this link: https://sites.google.com/bisdmail.net/hmslibrary/all-about-books Students will use their username and password, however, new students don't have access yet, but we hope they will real soon. It is possible that these books won't be accessible at some point because we are going to be utilizing this...
Option 2: Sora, accessible through this link https://soraapp.com/welcome/login/320269. BISD's digital collection is in the process of transferring to this platform, so the choices are limited, for now. I do not know when the transfer will be complete, but there are titles on Sora that are available to check out. When logging in, students should be prompted to use their Google login.
ATHLETIC TICKETS ARE ELECTRONIC
All home game tickets are online at https://www.burlesonisd.net/Page/3377. Due to COVID requirements, we must track attendance.
This week, volleyball game tickets will go on sale Sunday, September 13 at 6:00AM.
Up-to-date game schedules for all sports can be found here https://www.burlesonisd.net/Page/2845.
Currently, BISD will allow for 50% capacity at all games with parents of players having first access. Parents are asked to leave once their child 's game is over.
Every other row must remain open.
Families can sit in pods up to 10.
Each pod must be socially distanced at least 6' fro another other group/individual.
Masks are expected at all times unless eating or drinking.
Each school district is required to provide information about their ticket sales and capacity guidelines prior to each game. Please search for AWAY game information prior to your travel to all games.
BISD ESPORTS
BISD Esports is launching a “Digital League” with the Texas Scholastic Esports Federation (“TEXSEF”) to provide FREE gaming opportunities for all Secondary students. TEXSEF is the Texas affiliate of NASEF, the largest international non-profit esports organization focused solely on educator and student development in the esports space. NASEF provides gaming curriculum, webinars and seminars for educators, as well as the opportunity for students to play the top esports titles.
TEXSEF is partnering with the world champion Overwatch team, Team Envy, as well as North American champion esports teams, such as Complexity, MAVS Gaming, and FC Dallas, all of which happen to be located in the DFW Metroplex. As a result, BISD students will have opportunities to meet professional esports players, receive tips and mentoring from them, visit corporate headquarters, earn internships and scholarships, trophies, prizes, and much more!
Student Registration is open now at this LINK: https://forms.gle/rn3pqNUgrX5JoUrXA.
North Texas FIRST LEGO League (Robotics) Program
The North Texas FIRST LEGO League (Robotics) program now has a robotics sponsor. The League intends to proceed virtually starting in 2021 and will provide programs for 3 different age groups: Discover ages 4-6, Explore ages 6-10, Challenge 9-16. (Please note that the overlap in age range is intentional to allow students to play up if so desired.)
If we have students/parents/sponsors that would like to participate in this year’s BISD robotics program, they can signup at one of the following links. This year, BISD is partnering with the local chapter of the Air Force Association whose members will volunteer as coach mentors for campus teams as needed.
Challenge Students (Ages 9-16): https://forms.gle/xwKUsfeu6we9opuL7
Explore Students (Ages 6-10): https://forms.gle/jQZ5R18ARTAmZmuD9
LOST AND FOUND
There is a QUICK "expiration date" on all items this year so please CLAIM your items as soon as possible. To claim an item, click the link below and let us know we have found what you are missing OR send your child to the Counseling Center to retrieve the item. Thanks for your help.
CLICK LINKS TO STAY INFORMED
Hughes Huskies
Email: hmscomm@bisdmail.net
Website: https://www.burlesonisd.net/Domain/17
Location: 316 Southwest Thomas Street, Burleson, TX, USA
Phone: 817-245-0600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hughes-Middle-School-137476863287677/
Twitter: @HughesHuskies