The Weekly Buzz
Hand Happenings April 28, 2024
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
MAY
2 - 8GR Musical, Cast A ~ 6:30 pm, HMS Auditorium
3 - 8GR Musical, Cast A ~ 6:30 pm, HMS Auditorium
6 - PTO Meeting ~ 5:45 pm, Room 245
7 - Chorus Concert ~ 6:30 pm, HMS Auditorium
9 & 10 - SCReady Assessment
15, 17 & 21 - SCReady Assessment
15 - Band Concert ~ 6:30 pm, HMS Auditorium
23 - Algebra I EOC
23 - Orchestra Concert ~ 6:30 PM, HMS Auditorium
27 - Memorial Day Holiday ~ All R1 district offices and school buildings closed
28 - 8GR Celebration
29 - 8GR Assembly & Dance
31 - Last Day/Early Release for Scholars
Please click the link for detailed all school events, https://www.richlandone.org/Page/72#calendar39/20240326/month
At Hand, We THRIVE, #WeareNOTAverage
Administrative Professionals Week - Members of the HMS Women's Justice League
Left to right: Persia Glover, Database Specialist; Carolyn Wilson, Administrative Assist to the Principal; Debbie Wood, receptionist; Leslie Walker, Bookkeeper; Sharon Missouri, Registrar; and Kaaren Rue, Attendance Coordinator.
HMS International Day 2024 - EPIC!!!
School Supplies & Laptop Chargers
Parents, we need your help to replenish our scholars' school supplies. Click the link to access grade level information or contact your child's teachers for specifics:
https://www.richlandone.org/Page/13722
Also, please help us by reminding your scholar to bring the laptop and charger to school EVERY DAY! If your child lost his/her charger, you must contact Ms. Jennifer Pickney, jennifer.pinckney@richlandone.org to purchase another one.
NOTE: We appreciate your help with replenishing all school supplies.
Partners in Learning - We NEED You
Parents you are our partners in learning, here are a few simple, yet important ways you can help:
- Provide a place and time at home for homework
- Check on assignments, homework and projects
- Talk each day with your child about his/her activities
- Promote literacy by reading to your child and by reading yourself
Thank you for helping us to engage our scholars' minds!
Test Taking Strategies
Parenting Literacy Tips - click the PDF to access this USEFUL information
After-School Performances & Athletic Events
Students attending any athletic events or after-school performances must show their school ID and be accompanied by a parent for the duration of the game and/or after-school performance. You will not be allowed to enter the game/after-school event otherwise.
Students must also be seated during the game, unless they are making a purchase at the canteen/using the restroom. There will be no congregating or hanging out or you will be asked to leave the stadium and/or gymnasium. Click the link for additional R1 athletic expectations, https://www.richlandone.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=34473&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=41220&
From the Desk of Kaaren Rue, Attendance Coordinator
Attendance Tips:
- Communication is KEY. If your student is absent, please send an email to kaaren.rue@richlandone.org. Parent notes and medical notes may be submitted via email. Parents may also complete the "Absence Form" located on the Hand website.
- Hand utilizes an "auto-dialer" system notifying parents of student absences. If you receive the auto dialer message (which states your child was absent for one or more periods) please use the message as your reminder to email Kaaren Rue regarding the absence. If you have questions about the message, please do the following:
- Check your parent portal to determine the class where the absence occurred.
- Email the teacher regarding the absence.
- Reach out to Kaaren Rue for additional help.
- If you have any questions regarding R1 Attendance Polices, please contact Ms. Rue for assistance.
Click the link to access the Absence Form, https://forms.office.com/r/9NmtLFLVaQ
Early Dismissal Reminder
From the Desk of Paulette Roberson, School Social Worker
From the Desk of Nurse Dorrity
DHEC COVID Update
SC DHEC has updated the school exclusion list for COVID effective 3-4-2024.
This means is the students/staff can return to school or work when they are 24 hours without a fever, and symptoms have improved after a positive test.
It is now treated like the common cold and does not require a 5-day quarantine.
https://scdhec.gov/health/child-teen-health/school-exclusion
Free Vaccine Clinic Flyers/Announcement
See the attached (below) to learn more about the free vaccine clinic.
Attention CURRENT 6th grade parents (rising 7th graders): Start scheduling your student's Tdap vaccine NOW. They will need it before enrolling for 7th grade, per SC State Law.
From the Desk of Ms. Pinckney - Word of the Week & Laptop EOY Info.
HMS 2023-'24 Bell Schedule & R1 Calendar
PTO
PTO Chair: Cassandra Eckstorm
PTO Administrator: LeShaun Mathis
Monthly Meetings: 1st Monday ~ 5:45 pm, Room 245, The Nest
PTO needs you. Click here to give us your contact info. This will allow us to keep you informed about meetings and events.
Shandon Cluster of Churches
Cluster Coordinator: Barbara Code
Cluster Administrator Dr. Devin Robinson
Monthly Meetings: 3rd Tuesday ~12 pm, Room 220
Please email Dr. Devin Robinson, Assistant Principal, devin.robinson@richlandone.org to learn more about meetings and our faith-based connections.
SIC Chair: Eulela Flemming
SIC Administrator: Brad Tillman
Monthly Meetings: 4th Thursday ~ 5:45 pm, face-to-face and hybrid.
Please email Mr. Brad Tillman, Assistant Principal, bradford.tillman@richlandone.org to learn more about meetings.
Announcements - School, Cluster & Community Engagement Opportunities
NJHS Community Service Toiletry for Tots Drive
The tenets of the NJHS are scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship and our Advisors ensure that our scholars have the opportunity to serve our community. Thank you for your support with this awesome community service project.
8GR Day Celebratory Events
R1 Summer SOAR Event
Summer Reading Skills Opportunity
Summer Reading Skills- is sponsored by Clemson Center for Corporate Learning and they have these classes in the NE area, click the pdf to learn more.
USC Summer Camps
Please click the link and scroll down to learn about USC's summer camp offerings.
Superintendent Witherspoon's Literacy Celebration
We are so PROUD of our scholars who met and/or exceeded the R1 literacy goal. They were celebrated and recognized for their accomplishments. Way to Go!!!
HMS Collective Behavioral Expectations - Laptops (will be a recurring message for remainder of the year)
At Hand, we have high expectations for our scholars, promoting wholistic growth and development and ensuring we foster Hornet P.R.I.D.E.
Personal Responsibility, Respect, Individual Readiness, Demonstrated Learning and Effective Behaviors.
Learning Intention (LI) - what our scholars should know behaviorally
Success Criteria (SC) - clear, measurable and attainable behavioral expectations for our scholars. We want to ensure that we consistently communicate our expectations both at school and home and by doing so together, we will go far!
Personal Responsibility
LI - I am learning to be a good scholar.
SC - I will know I am successful when I can/do:
- bring my school supplies to school everyday
- keep up with my laptop and charger (label)
- use the R1 issued laptop responsibly
Reflective Thought For The Week
Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts. ~ Winston Churchill
HMS Vision, Mission & Mantra
Our Vision
To help all students reach high levels of achievement in a safe, secure, and positive learning environment.
Our Mission
To empower all students for greater academic and social engagement while on their journey of readiness toward high school, college and career; and to provide exceptional service to help make life better for themselves, their families, communities, and all human kind.
Our Mantra
One Hand, One Voice, serving every child, every day.