Eagle Eye
HVMS E-Newsletter
HVMS Update - 1/8/2024
Hello, HVMS Family!
Thank you,
Hidden Valley Middle School
Helping Students Find Their Wings Since 1972
Our mission at Hidden Valley Middle School is to cultivate knowledge, to promote civic responsibility, to provide opportunities for the exploration of interests and abilities, to foster positive attitudes, and to develop essential skills necessary for all students to become productive citizens capable of thriving in the dynamic world of the twenty-first century.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Student-Led Conferences (SLCs)
Students at Hidden Valley Middle School have curated artifacts from content and elective courses throughout the year under the supervision of classroom and advisory teachers. On February 12th, sixth and seventh grade students will take part in our second year of Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) with their parents or guardians. Student-Led Conferences provide a unique opportunity for students to lead their own conference by highlighting their academic work and progression of Opportunity Ready skills. More information about conferences and sign-ups will be shared in our next newsletter.
SCA Food Drive
Congratulations to our SCA for leading the drive to collect 658 pounds of food to deliver to Feeding Southwest Virginia before the winter break. Great job, students!
Thank you, Piper!
A special thank you goes out to Piper Peay, an 8th grade student at HVMS who decided to complete an Eagle Scout Project that would benefit her school. She planned and built an outdoor seating area that is now available to teachers to use as an outdoor learning space!
Yearbook Information
Please use the following link to order 2023-2024 yearbooks through Josten's website:
School Store
Want to purchase some school spirit wear? Please visit the link below to shop at our school store. A portion of all proceeds comes back to the school!
CELEBRATIONS
SOAR Cards
Students can receive SOAR cards at HVMS by going above and beyond our school-wide expectations of being safe, organized, accountable, and respectful. Our entire matrix of school-wide expectations is posted to the right. We will be distributing SOAR cards to students and parents/guardians by email, and recipients will be entered into monthly drawings for prizes. The following students have received SOAR cards since our last newsletter:
6th
John Anderson
James Bumbry
Lyla Remines
Donny Smith
Marlee Vaughan
7th
Elena Martin
Kenly Wray
8th
Erin Baxley
Keeghan Canada
Mary Mercure
Geet Patel
Sara Settle
INSTRUCTION
Burton Center for Arts and Technology
Is your child interested in applying to the programs at the Burton Center for Arts & Technology for next year? For more information about their programs, visit the BCAT website at https://www.rcps.us/BCAT.
The application deadline is January 15, 2024! You can access the application online: https://bit.ly/BCATAPP
Roanoke Valley Governor's School
Is your child interested in applying to the Roanoke Valley Governor's School? Please click on the link to find out more information: https://www.rvgs.k12.va.us/Page/185
Dates for the required application meetings for 2024-2025 admissions are as follows:
- Tuesday, January 9th, 6:30 p.m. – Roanoke Valley Governor’s School
- Thursday, January 11th, 6:30 p.m. – Franklin County High School
- Tuesday, January 16th, 6:30 p.m. – Roanoke Valley Governor’s School
- Thursday, January 18th, 6:30 p.m. – Staunton River High School
- Tuesday, January 23rd, 6:30 p.m. – Roanoke Valley Governor’s School
RCPS Introduces Canvas as New Learning Management System, Replacing Blackboard
In support of the division’s C-Change Framework, the technology department is working with the department of instruction to improve the Learning Management System (LMS) in Roanoke County Public Schools for all teachers, students, and parents. The district LMS meets many of the core components of the C-Change Framework including Balance, Learning Culture, Professional Growth and Support Services. We have enjoyed a successful partnership with Blackboard over the past 21 years for our LMS needs. In recent years, we expanded Blackboard to include all grade levels PK-12. However, as the landscape of instructional technology changes, we continue to investigate systems that increase productivity, improve functionality, and foster “Opportunity Ready” skills for our students.
As a result of these changes, Canvas will be replacing Blackboard as the Learning Management System for all teachers and students in Roanoke County Public Schools for the 24-25 school year. We are piloting Canvas LMS for our district during this school year. Canvas LMS was launched for volunteering teachers on October 10th as part of a small-scale 1st semester pilot. So far, the successful pilot has confirmed that Canvas is more user friendly, offers a robust integration with our student database (Synergy), and provides additional opportunities for parent access. The pilot will grow to more teachers and students for 2nd semester classes. Our teachers are currently in training with Instructional Technology Resource Teachers to be ready for phase 2 of our Canvas pilot. Our technology and instruction departments are working to integrate Canvas with all necessary instructional tools required for our students.
The timeline for the Canvas deployment in Roanoke County Public Schools is as follows:
· October 2023 – first phase pilot for Canvas LMS
· January 3rd 2024 – second phase pilot for Canvas LMS
· January 17th 2024– RCPSOnline pilot for Canvas LMS
· April 2024 – All teachers will be trained and prepared in Canvas for the 24-25 school year
· May 2024 – RCPSOnline summer school using Canvas LMS
· June 2024 – Blackboard is officially out of service for RCPS
· August 2024 – Canvas LMS is in full production for everyone in RCPS
· 2024-2025 – Canvas training continues throughout the school year
We are excited to introduce Canvas to Roanoke County Public Schools. Our users should experience a more modern interface, improved features like gradebook pass back with Synergy, seamless integration with our Microsoft products, and invaluable LMS experiences that will transfer to most colleges and universities in Virginia.
Golden Apple Award
The Education Foundation Golden Apple Teacher of the Year program was created to recognize and honor teachers who have made an impact on their students, either academically or personally. Each year, teachers from across Roanoke County Public Schools are nominated by students, parents, co-workers and administrators to receive the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award, the highest award presented to a teacher by the Education Foundation. In addition, one teacher from the elementary, middle and high school levels will be presented the Red Apple Award; and one teacher who has taught less than 3 years will receive the Green Apple Award.
The award will be given to a teacher who has demonstrated accomplishments in the classroom and/or with individual student performance. Criteria is based on, but not limited to, effectiveness as a role model; making learning fun and exciting; mentoring students; and making an impact on students' lives.
Nominations for the 2024 Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award are due January 15. Nominations can be made online at https://www.rcps.us/goldenapple.
Just-in-Time Tutoring
Just-in-time tutoring provides students in grades 6-12 with an immediate online live tutor 24 hours per day/7 days per week. If a student is struggling with independent work, they can get immediate help to get them “unstuck,” even if they are at home late at night.
In addition to covering multiple subjects, just-in-time tutoring provides online help via chat and voice. Tutor.com also provides paper proofreading (12-hour turnaround time) and industry-leading Princeton Review ACT/SAT prep courses and materials. This levels the field for students who don’t have the same amount of parent support or financial resources at home.
Attendance Matters!
Please watch this brief video message about the importance of student attendance and how to avoid chronic absenteeism. Remember: Show Up 4 Success!
HVMS PTSO
Thank you, PTSO!
Thank you to our PTSO for providing a variety of chewing gum and mints for a fresh start to the new year!
Join Today!
Our PTSO is instrumental in providing support to our entire school community, and the success of the program depends on you! Dues are $5 per individual who is joining. 100% of our membership fees go directly to supporting our school.
Parents, students, teachers, and more are ALL welcome to join HVMS PTSO! Together we can make a difference: Join here!
Please click below to learn more about our HVMS PTSO:
TECHNOLOGY CORNER
Technology Issues
SCHOOL SAFETY
RCPS Ticketed Event Procedures
The following changes will be implemented beginning on January 2, 2024 to help provide a safe environment during all ticketed events at all RCPS secondary schools:
- Only clear bags allowed (exceptions will be made for small clutches 4.5”x6.5”, medical supplies, and diaper bags, which may be searched). Clear bags will be made available for purchase upon request to guests.
- No outside food or drinks allowed.
- All elementary and middle school age students must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- No re-entry for ticketed events (exception for events with all-day passes).
- These restrictions exclude players, participants, officials, and authorized individuals.
Event staff, with the support of school administrators, will enforce these procedures. Those violating these procedures may be denied entry or may be asked to leave school property.
SpeakUp
We encourage students to speak up to report bullying and other concerns. SpeakUp is a program where students can send a confidential email, text or phone call to share concerns about a classmate or school safety. Students can send an email to speakup@student.rcps.us, or they can call or text 540-595-0706. All reports are anonymous and will be quickly acted upon. Once a report is sent, school administrators are notified and resources can be deployed depending on the nature of the report.
ATHLETICS
General Information
6th, 7th, and 8th grade students are allowed to compete on the middle school athletic teams. All participating students must have a current VHSL sports physical dated on or after May 1, 2023. No student will be permitted to participate in tryouts or practice without a completed VHSL physical form on file. Additionally, all students must have health insurance if they want to participate.
Admission to athletic events is $5 for adults and $2 for school-age students. These funds are used to help offset the cost for officials, transportation to away games, and team equipment.
HVMS Wrestling
HVMS Track
HVMS is hiring track coaches for the upcoming season. If you are interested in coaching, please contact the HVMS athletic director at hriganti@rcps.us.
HVMS Spring Sports Open Gyms/Open Fields
Please view the open gym/open field dates for baseball, softball, and girls' soccer. Dates for boys' soccer open fields/open gyms have not been scheduled yet.
All athletes must have a VHSL physical dated after May 1, 2023 on file with the HVMS athletic director to participate in open gyms/open fields, practices, and tryouts. For questions, please contact the HVMS athletic director at hriganti@rcps.us.
HVMS Baseball
HVMS Softball
HVMS Girls' Soccer
UPCOMING EVENTS
January 8-12
Tuesday, January 9: Reading Growth Assessment (English 6-8)
- Students should get a good night's rest, eat breakfast in the morning, and bring a charged laptop and charger to school!
Friday, January 12: Report Cards Sent Home
Looking Ahead
Monday, January 15: Schools Closed (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day)
Thursday, January 25: Science Fair Night at HVMS (6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.)
Friday, January 31: 3-hour Early Dismissal
Monday, February 5: 3rd 9 Weeks Midpoint
Tuesday, February 6: Math Growth Assessment (Math 6-8)
Monday, February 12: Schools Closed (Student-Led Conferences & Parent/Teacher Conference Day)
Tuesday, March 5: Schools Closed (Presidential Primary)
Friday, March 8: NAEP Testing for selected 8th grade students
Monday, March 11: Teacher Workday (schools closed)
Monday, March 25 - Friday, March 29: Schools Closed (Spring Break)
Wednesday, April 17: 3-hour Early Dismissal
Friday, April 19: 4th 9 Weeks Midpoint
Tuesday, May 21: 3-hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, May 22: 3-hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, May 23: Last Day of School (3-hour early dismissal)
HELPFUL LINKS
ABOUT US
Website: http://www.rcps.us/hvms
Location: 4902 Hidden Valley School Road, Roanoke, VA, USA
Phone: (540) 772-7570
Facebook: facebook.com/HVMSConnect/