HBMS Warrior Parent Update
Week of August 17, 2020
Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year
It is finally time, tomorrow is the start of the school year. The Hodges Bend staff has been hard at work preparing for your child to join them tomorrow in their virtual classes. Students start their first period at 9:00 am. You are able to see your child's schedule in either Skyward or Schoology. Please make sure to watch the video below to help guide your child in accessing their virtual classes Monday morning.
There may be some minor glitches, we ask that you remain patient as we move all 78,000+ FBISD students to an online platform. Our campus is closed to visitors, but we will be answering our phones and trying to answer as many questions as possible. The district is aware that many students are having technology issues and they have provided us with some solutions. If your child has not been able to log onto their account, please see below for information on passwords and connectivity. We ask that you provide us with grace and patience, as this is new for us, too.
In this newsletter, I have left many of the items from my previous newsletter, because there may be new readers and the information is still relevant. I have indicated new topics with the "new" graphic and put them at the top of the newsletter. We started our Parent Technology sessions and have had good feedback. If you're able, join one of our classes, to help you navigate the online platforms.
There has been a change to our grading practice for Term 1, which runs until October 9. With the launch of online learning and trying to support students with learning the technology platforms and this new way of doing school, we are going to adjust the minimum number of grades for the first grading period. During the first grading period the teachers will be responsible for obtaining at least (3) Major Grades and (6) Daily Grades, for a total of 9 grades. This change is only for Term 1.
I hope that you enjoy the final day of summer and are ready to help your child engage in online learning. Starting the year virtually is something none of us expected to do, but we're committed to providing your child the best education possible and offer the supports needed to help us have a successful launch and school year. Your cooperation and support is greatly appreciated. I look forward to partnering with you this year.
Remember students, Be Kind, Help a Classmate and make a new friend today. And remember, you are a Warrior Doing Great Things for All People!
Stay safe Warriors, we look forward to "seeing" you online on Monday at 9:00 am.
Ms. Cortez
HBMS Principal
HBMS Administrative Team
Welcome to the Bend!! We're excited to work with your Warriors this year!
back: Ms. Phillips (Dean of Instruction), Ms. Brooks (Associate Principal)
FBISD Technology Call Center Open Sunday!
** WE ARE OPEN THIS WEEKEND (8/15 & 8/16)!!! ALL DEVICE DEPOT LOCATIONS AND CALL CENTERS WILL BE OPEN (hours below) THIS WEEKEND. OUR GOAL IS TO SERVE AS MANY STUDENTS AS POSSIBLE BEFORE START OF SCHOOL.
HOURS OF OPERATION ON SUNDAY, 8/16:
Ø Sunday: 1pm to 5pm
CALL CENTERS OPEN THIS WEEKNED:
Ø Student Support Call Center, contact number: 281-634-0826 (For students & parents)
DEVICE DEPOTS OPEN THIS WEEKEND:
- Austin High School, 3434 Pheasant Creek Drive | Sugar Land, TX 77498
- Dulles High School, 550 Dulles Avenue | Sugar Land, TX 77478
- Elkins High School, 7007 Knights Court | Missouri City, TX 77459
- High Tower High School, 3333 Hurricane Lane | Missouri City, TX 77459
- Travis High School, 11111 Harlem Road | Richmond, TX 77406
- Clements High School, 4200 Elkins Road | Sugar Land , TX 77479
First Day Questions
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We are committed to supporting our families as we reimagine the educational learning experience at Hodges Bend MS. The first day of school is this Monday, August 17, but it will look different, and we recognize that with this new way of learning things may not always go as planned.
We know that there may be questions you will have regarding online learning as school starts. In order to support our families and address these concerns, we will have numerous staff members ready to answer your questions. We ask that you call our main line at 281-634-3000. We will have several people directing calls to other staff members who can help you with specific questions. Please be advised that you may need to leave a message or be kept on hold, but we will be working feverishly to get your questions answered.
For now, if your student is experiencing issues with their student password, please visit www.fortbendisd.com/studentpassword for instructions. This video is a helpful tool to prepare you and your child for online learning in Teams, Schoology, and Skyward. A Technology Resources page is also available for more information.
Thank you for your continued support and grace as we prepare for a successful start of the 2020-21 school year.
Sincerely,
Rachel Cortez
Principal
Preguntas del primer dia
Queridos padres/tutores,
Nos comprometemos a apoyar a nuestras familias mientras volvemos a imaginar la experiencia de aprendizaje educativo en la Hodges Bend. Este lunes 17 de agosto será el primer día de clases, pero se verá diferente, y reconocemos que con esta nueva forma de aprender las cosas no siempre salen como se anticipaba.
Por ahora, si su estudiante tiene problemas con su contraseña de estudiante, por favor visite www.fortbendisd.com/studentpassword para instrucciones. Este video es una herramienta útil para prepararlo a usted y a su hijo para el aprendizaje en línea en Teams, Schoology y Skyward. La página Technology Resources también está disponible para más información.
Gracias por su continuo apoyo y paciencia al prepararnos para un exitoso comienzo del año escolar 2020-21.
Sinceramente,
Rachel Cortez
Principal
Password Help
Parents can now access student password in Skyward. The parent can log into Skyward and look in family access to see the student’s password.
iPad Device Distribution
Phase II of our iPad Distribution will begin on Wednesday, August 19 at 12:30. Please see below for dates and times.
Parents must complete the online Family Access forms, including the Lending Library Agreement and VILS (Verizon Innovated Learning School) forms. Please park in the teacher parking lot and enter the building with a face covering. Temperatures will be taken at the door prior to entry.
Wednesday, August 19, 12:30 - 3:30
Thursday, August 20, 12:30 - 3:30
Friday, August 21, 12:30 - 3:30
Renaissance Star 360 Assessments
As you may already know, our school uses Renaissance Star 360 Assessments to help teachers understand what students know and what they are ready to learn next. Typically, these assessments are given throughout the school year to monitor student progress and are administered in the school setting.
Part of our normal testing plan includes a fall, beginning of the year assessment. After careful consideration, knowing the value of this data to make informed instructional decisions for your child, we will be administering the assessment during our Synchronous/Warrior Advisory period (online with HBMS staff) on Friday, August 21.
Each campus was allowed to decide how this assessment will be administered to students, either during virtual learning, or at home. We believe it is best not to put this additional burden on you and decided our staff will be responsible for administering the assessment. Please speak to your child about doing their best on this assessment, so that we can properly gauge his/her knowledge and develop instructional plans for their success. Thank you for your support.
Immunizations
Texas school vaccination rules are in effect for the 2020-2021 school year regardless of whether the education is received via virtual learning or on campus. Students should be up-to-date, in the process of receiving vaccines or have a valid exemption on file when school starts.
We have been contacting the families of those students lacking their required immunizations. While your child is involved in online instruction, please make arrangements to obtain the needed immunizations.
Students not in compliance with immunization rules will not be allowed to attend in-person classes on campus when it's time for us to return to school in person.
In the meantime, we want to support all the online learning we can to ensure our students are learning and growing academically.
Face Masks for Sale
https://fortbendisd.revtrak.net/Middle-School/Hodges-Bend-MS/hbms-general/#/v/hbms-face-mask
Once orders close at midnight on August 22nd, our vendor will begin producing the masks and once ready, they will be sent to the HBMS campus. At that point, we will notify all buyers to come by campus to pick up. We thank you for your support.
Fall Open House
Online Learning Schedule
During the first week of school, students will meet with each of their seven period teachers on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. This special schedule is just for the first week of school, so that students and teachers can become familiar with each other, their class schedule, and the synchronous learning format. On Thursday and Friday, they will alternate meeting with their teachers for a longer period of time. On Friday, students will meet with their Advisory/Homeroom teacher from 1:30 - 2:30. Remember that attendance is mandatory in all synchronous class periods.
During Asynchronous Learning, students will work independently on any work they need to complete. They do not meet online with any teacher during this time.
Please see the schedule below:
Online Learning Schedule
Week 2 and Thereafter - Beginning Monday, August 24
Please see below for our Student Online Learning Schedule:
Important Change to Grab and Go Meals
Fort Bend ISD will continue offering Grab and Go Meals for the 2020-21 school year, beginning on the first day of school, however there are some important changes to the program.
Starting on August 17, curbside breakfast and lunch meals will be available to FBISD students only, and will be offered at the student’s current meal status, either Free, Reduced, or Paid. Pick up meal times will remain the same: the breakfast time frame is from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students that pick up breakfast between 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. will continue to receive both breakfast and lunch.
Families will need to have students’ ID numbers to pick up meals, but students do not need to be present. Student ID badges with barcodes can also be scanned to expedite service.
HBMS will offer curbside meal pickup beginning Monday, August 17.
For More Information: https://www.fortbendisd.com/freemeals
Child Nutrition Information
Families will need to create an account online to apply for Meal Benefits and to make payments to their student’s account. ALL Meal Applications will be done through SchoolCafe.com/FBISD. Due to the pandemic, our office will not be open for paper applicants.
Families can email MealApps@fortbendisd.com for further assistance with applications if they’re unable to fill one out online.
Optional Parent Technology Trainings
UIL Physical Information
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and Fort Bend ISD have released updated guidelines for participation in District-sponsored athletics programs for the 2020-2021 school year. These new steps will ensure a safe enrichment environment for all students, teachers and staff.
In order for any male or female 7th or 8th grade student to participate in any UIL sport, they must have a physical on file. Please see below for the FBISD Policy.
- 7th grade students will be required to obtain a physical
- Any "new" student to the district in 8th grade will need to provide their previous physical or obtain a new one
- Student athletes with valid physicals from the 2019-2020 school year will only need to complete the online medical history and other required electronic forms.
click here for more information: FBISD Physical Info
At Home Learning Kits
We will be establishing a curbside pick up day for these to be given to students, along with a school planner. This will occur the week of August 24th. Keep on eye on the newsletter for dates to be announced.
Overdue Library Books
Please use the job aide below to check if your child has an outstanding book that needs to be returned. We thank you for your support of our HBMS Library.
Hodges Bend Middle School
Website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/hbms
Location: 16510 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX, USA
Phone: 281-634-3000
Twitter: @HBMS_Warriors