The Buccaneer Bulletin
Back-to-School Principal Newsletter - August 4, 2023
ATENCIÓN! Si Hablas Español (or another language)
- Para traducir este boletín, busque el logotipo de accesibilidad en blanco y negro (que se muestra aquí) y haga clic en "translate". Desde allí, puede seleccionar otro idioma.
- To translate this newsletter, find the black and white accessibility logo (pictured here) and click "translate". From there, you can select another language.
Buccaneer Families,
Here at HBMS, we are P.R.O.U.D. to embrace the following principals to guide our learning and relationships:
P - Productive
R - Respectful
O - Outstanding
U - Unified
D - Daring
We will be going over many things at the beginning of the year with your student, but the most important is that they feel valued, supported, and encouraged during their time with us at HBMS. Relationships matter most and in order to be successful, every child must know how much we care about their success.
We look forward to seeing you all soon. Stay tuned for more weekly updates and enjoy these last few weeks of summer.
Go Bucs!
Sincerely,
Laura Keogh, Principal
Tatiana Chavez
Clark Fredrickson
Brian Gill
Surita Scholla
Dana Page
Kendall Sealy
Coming Up at the Bend...
8/10: Student schedules go live in Skyward
8/11: Buc Games from 8:30-11 am8/11: Round Up from 1:30-4:30 pm
8/14: Open House from 4:30-6 pm
8/16: 1st Day of School
Buc Games
- Click here to register your 6th grade student for Buc Games.
- This is a special event for our incoming 6th grade students only!
- This is a social event for students to meet new friends and get a sneak peek at the campus before school starts.
- Students will tour the campus, play team building games, learn how to open a lock, and much more!
- Front doors will open at 8:15 am for drop off. Pick up is at 11 am from the front porch.
- This is a student-only event. Parents are welcome to drop off and pick up only for this event. Parents and students are both welcome to attend Round Up later in the afternoon.
Round Up
- This event was formerly known as "Buc Bash".
- All students and families are welcome to attend this event.
- Students and families may tour the building, walk their classes, and so much more!
- Regarding student schedules, please know that our counselors are still hard at work finalizing schedules and leveling classes. Official schedules will be posted in Skyward and available on the evening of August 10th.
- Meet your HBMS PTO and add your name to the volunteer list.
- Purchase school spirit wear.
- Visit with representatives from Food and Nutrition Services, Transportation, etc.
- This is an important day for kids and parents to familiarize themselves with the building and meet the administration.
- Bring "bulk item" school supplies that are to be donated to the school at this time.
- This is not a meet-the-teacher event. Teachers will be working hard in their classrooms to prepare for school to start the following week.
6th Grade: 1:30-2:30 pm
7th Grade: 2:30-3:30 pm
8th Grade: 3:30-4:30 pm
Open House for Families
- Out of consideration for families who cannot attend Round Up, we will host an Open House of families on the evening of August 14th.
- Families can walk around the school on a self-guided tour.
- Walk your student's schedule and locate his/her locker if in 6th grade.
- Student schedules will be available in Skyward. Printed copies of schedules will not be provided.
- Staff will not be available during this time. It is simply an opportunity for families and students to walk schedules and tour the campus.
LOCKERS
- This year, only 6th grade students will be automatically assigned a locker and combination in Skyward.
- If you are a parent of a 6th grade student, locker information will go live when schedules do on the evening of August 10th.
- 7th and 8th Grade students will be assigned a locker by request only. Historically, a very small percentage of our older students use a locker, so this will be by request only.
- If your 7th or 8th grade student would like to be assigned a locker, please use this Form to request one.
- There will also be a station set up at Round Up to request a locker that day.
- If you have further questions, please contact Assistant Principal Clark Fredrickson.
Beginning of the Year Packet, Additional Forms Now Available in Skyward Family Access
Please note, returning students are automatically enrolled for the coming year. Please follow the directions below, based on whether you have a returning or new student.
If you are the parent/guardian of a RETURNING STUDENT:
Please complete the following Beginning of Year Packet which includes:
- Student Demographic Verification
- Student Handbook Acknowledgement
- Student Directory Information Notice (FERPA)
- Chromebook Acceptance Form
- Additional Forms Acknowledgement
Please complete the following forms, if applicable:
- Emergency Contact Additions and Updates
- Address Update
- Food & Nutrition Services (must be completed annually)
- Bus Registration (must be completed annually)
- Default Dismissal Manager (for elementary students only)
- Texas Migrant Education Program
- Student Health Information
All forms are available in Skyward Family Access. Should you need assistance with your account, please contact the Lake Travis ISD HelpDesk at skyward@ltisdschools.org.
Athletics/PE
Athletic Clothing
Boys/girls in athletics will pick up their athletic clothing at Round Up that they ordered online before the end of school. If you are unable to attend Buccaneer Round Up, you will receive your clothing on the first day of school.
PE/Pre-Athletics Clothing
PE/Pre-Athletics clothing will not be handed out at Round Up. The PE/Pre-Athletics uniform store IS OPEN and will close on Sunday, August 20th at midnight. This is the only opportunity to order clothing! Parents should have received email communication from Coach Kuehler and all information can be found on the website. If you need financial assistance please fill out this form by August 20th - Financial Assistance Form.
PE and Pre-Athletics Uniform Store
Athletics Parent Meeting
Tuesday, August 8th at 6 pm in the Big Gym.
Chromebook Distribution
Incoming 6th Graders and New Students 7th and 8th
These students will will receive their Chromebooks and power cords during the first few days of school. They will not be expected to have a computer at school before these are issued.
Returning 7th & 8th Graders
These students will keep their District-Issued Chromebook over the summer and will be expected to bring these with them in August for the 2023-2024 school year.
View the LTISD Chromebook Handbook here. We highly recommend purchasing the LTShield Chromebook protection plan.
If you have any further questions regarding technology support, feel free to reach out directly to any of the following:
Technology Helpdesk: helpdesk@ltisdschools.org or call 512-533-6565
School Hours
- Office Hours: 8:20 am-4:20 pm
- 8:20 am - Students may enter building
- 8:50 am - Classes begin
- 4:10 pm - Students are dismissed
- View the 2023-2024 LTISD Instructional Calendar here
LTISD Bus Information
Bus routes for the 2023-2024 school year will be available in Transfinder, an independent web-based boundary and routing system closer to the start of school. Please note, some routes and pick-up and drop-off times have been adjusted from the previous school year. More information will be released directly from the transportation department regarding routes at a later date.
Also, did you know that you can receive alerts regarding arrival times, delays and other updates regarding our transportation services? To do so, be sure to create an account in our SMART tag Parent Portal.
If your child will be riding the bus this school year and you have yet to enroll in transportation services, you may request services by selecting the 'Bus Registration Form’ in Skyward Family Access. Additionally, if your contact information is not updated in Skyward Family Access, our Transportation Department will not be able to correctly identify your child’s bus route. Be sure to visit the Transportation Department web page for additional resources.
We are thrilled to be able to offer transportation daily for all students outside of a 2 mile radius. We look forward to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for students who will be riding our school buses this year!
Attendance
We will provide an exceptional educational experience for your child, but he/she must be here on time and stay all day for us to do so. The entire school day is needed to deliver the full instructional program.
Arrive before 8:50 and stay until 4:10 every day. If your student is arriving late or leaving early, they may only do so through the Main Office.
NEW UPDATE - ENTERING FUTURE ABSENCES!
We are excited to announce a new way to report future student absences for our secondary campuses. Parents can now enter future absences into Skyward Family Access. This short video will provide you with instructions on how to enter an absence for your child. Once you log into Skyward Family Access, select the “Attendance” tile to enter an absence.
Documentation such as doctors notes for absences can also be uploaded through Skyward. To do this, please log into Skyward Family Access and select the tile labeled “Attendance Documents Upload”. This form will allow you to upload supporting documentation for absences.
Any absences or early release requests submitted for the same day will be accepted prior to 2:00 pm through Skyward. Students will not be released after 3:40 pm until dismissal at 4:10 pm. All supporting documentation must be received within 3 days after the student returns to school.
Please email hbmsattendance@ltisdschools.org with any questions or information regarding your student's absences.
Health Information
Prescription and Non-Prescription Drugs
- Must be dropped off and picked up by a parent/guardian in the health office.
- Must be in the original container, unexpired.
- Parent or guardian must complete and sign the “Request for Medication Administration” form, found HERE (Spanish version)
- Physician signature required for: prescription given more than 10 school days; nonprescription given more than 5 consecutive days or at a higher than manufacturer-recommended dose.
- Must remain in the health office, not with the student (except for asthma medication and epi-pens with written permission signed by the physician…Spanish version).
- Texas Law requires all students to be current with their immunizations or have an up-to-date exemption form on file with the school nurse prior to the first day of school. These records must be in the nurse’s office by August 10th to ensure your student will receive their schedule of classes. Any student whose immunization records are incomplete or who does not have an exemption on file with the school nurse will not be allowed to attend classes on the first day of school.
- Entry into 7th grade requires proof that your student has received the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines.
- All new students enrolling must complete registration with all required documents and immunizations. This must be submitted before the first day of school. Nurse Meyerhofer will contact you for any missing immunizations.
Special Health Conditions
- If your child has a severe allergy, asthma (Parent Forms), other chronic medical condition, or requires medication at school please notify Nurse Meyerhofer, so she can create a plan before school begins.
- Immunization records and emergency care plans may be faxed to 512-533-6414, or scanned and attached to email at meyerhofers@ltisdschools.org.
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Morning Drop Off
CAR RIDER DROP OFF
- All HBMS students (grades 6-8) are to be dropped off at the Main Entrance in the front of the school illustrated by the Green route on the map ONE LANE ONLY (near curb).
- Parents, as you curb at the front entrance, please pull as far forward as possible in order to allow as many vehicles into the front loop at one time.
- Please, DO NOT drop your student off in the faculty and visitor parking lot. HBMS does not have staff available in the morning to monitor the crosswalk for safety.
- Please have students be ready to exit the car prior to stopping.
- Pull as far forward as you can to allow for multiple simultaneous car drop-offs.
- All car riders should be dropped off from the car rider lane only.
- The car loops are one way at all times, both morning and afternoon.
Thank you for your cooperation in this process and keeping students safe in the morning.
Afternoon Dismissal
There are 4 dismissal options:
- Car Riders
- Bus Riders
- Walkers/Bike Riders
Car Riders
- All car riders must be picked up at the main front entrance.
- Cars will be directed into BOTH LANES of the loading zone for afternoon dismissal.
- Pull as far forward as you can to allow for multiple simultaneous pick-ups.
- The car zones are designated as “Inner” and “Outer”, and will fill in simultaneously, but be released one at a time by supervising staff members.
- Students are to watch for their car and move down the sidewalk anticipating where they will stop, loading cars only when all cars stop.
- The first group of cars is usually released at about 4:14pm.
Bus Riders
- ONLY buses pick up at the back of the school building.
- Please do not enter the bus lane at the back of the school.
- Bus riders will exit the back doors of the main hallway.
- Buses will transport ONLY eligible riders with SMART tags ready upon entry.
Walkers/Bike Riders
- Exit out of the back doors immediately. Do not go to the front porch.
- Please be aware of cars and buses, as there is no crossing guard.
Cafeteria Account
- Online meal pre-payments can take up to 24 hours to process.
- The My School Bucks service charges a convenience fee of $2.75 for online credit card deposits up to $240.00 (as of 7/16/2021).
- The overall convenience fee for the max credit card deposit is 1%.
- Free pre-payments are accepted in cash or check at your campus café.
- For proper account credit, cash or check pre-payments must be in a labeled envelope with student ID# and full name. Checks should be made payable to "LTISD."
- If you deposit money at your school café, the money is immediately available for students at the campus only. It is available district-wide the following business day.
- Students will not be allowed to purchase snacks or a la carte items without a positive balance in their lunch account.
- Chick-Fil-A sandwiches will be served once a week. Students must have a positive balance in their account in order to purchase this item.
- You may sign up for My School Bucks or download the free app to utilize transaction history and other features.
- It is suggested that all students have an account with a few days’ credit on it in case lunches or money are misplaced or forgotten.
- Student balances from the previous year will be rolled over to the new school year.
- For our online menus and prices, please visit Nutrislice or download the Nutrislice app.
- The Federal Lunch Program Forms are available online.
- Please visit MySchoolBucks Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- For more information, call 512-533-6037 or email foodservice@ltisdschools.org
Dress Code & Items That Do Not Belong in School
District Dress Code Prohibits the Following:
- Exposed undergarments, chest, midriff, or buttocks
- Crop tops, strapless tops, halter tops, backless tops, and shirts with spaghetti straps
- Shorts, skirts, or dresses that expose any undergarments or private areas of the body
- Clothing advertising tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, violence, or material that is offensive
- Spandex or form-fitting attire that does not cover buttocks
- Pajamas or other bedtime attire (unless for a "dress up day" approved by principal)
- Hats inside the building (unless for a "dress up day" approved by principal)
Items That Do Not Belong at School:
- Weapons, including pocket knives
- Tobacco, tobacco products, and electronic cigarettes
- Drugs, alcohol, or drug paraphernalia
- Skateboards, rollerblades, or shoes with wheels
Wearing school-issued Smart Tag ID card on a lanyard is an expected part of the dress code. Students must wear their ID card over the front of their clothing (not on their backpack) and must have this to purchase lunch, check out library books and get assistance at the Tech Depot. This is critical to the safety and security of our building. All staff and students must wear their IDs during the school day. We appreciate your assistance reminding your students of this important requirement. Should they lose their badge or need a replacement, these can be purchased at the front desk anytime during the school day or before school.
For a more detailed list, see the LTISD Secondary Student/Parent Handbook.
SMART Tag: Student ID Badges Required for All Secondary Students
All students now receive an ID badge upon return to in-person learning on campus. Secondary students will be required to wear their ID badge throughout the school day in accordance with the LTISD Secondary Student/Parent Handbook.
Please help remind your students to wear their badge each day to school. They will be directed to the front office upon arrival if they forget, but this takes time out of their instructional day which impacts learning. We appreciate your support in reminding students of these new requirements!
Aside from student identification, the badge will also support automation and increase the efficiency of key services in a contact-less manner including bus ridership, elementary dismissal, library book and technology device checkout, school meals, and our Extended Care after school program. Only the student’s photo, name and associated barcode will be printed on the ID badge. No other information will be stored on the badge, nor will badges be used to track a student’s location.
The SMART tag system also offers a secure Parent Portal where parents and guardians can manage notifications and alerts regarding transportation services and student dismissal changes. To access an existing SMART tag account, or to register a new account, visit the SMART tag Parent Portal.
Visitors & Deliveries
It is our priority to keep students and staff safe and focused on high quality education. Therefore, we respectfully require that all visitors sign-in at the office upon entering through the front doors and wear a visitor’s badge while in the building. The badge verifies that you have checked in the office, presented proper identification and made clear the purpose for your visit. In addition, you must have a pre-scheduled meeting with your child's teacher in order to have a parent-teacher conference.
For the first two weeks of school, we will not have visitors for lunch. This allows students time to adjust to school procedures as well as build relationships with classmates.
Deliveries of forgotten items to students should be limited, so that important instructional time is not interrupted. Parents needing to drop off a lunch or other school items to their child will be able to do so by dropping the labeled item(s) in the Main Office. Items will be delivered to the students as soon as possible. We do not allow lunch deliveries from outside vendors (Grub Hub, Uber Eats, Door Dash etc.).
Summer Reading Lists
HBMS Leadership Team
Principal
6th Grade
Assistant Principal: Tatiana Chavez
Counselor: Surita Scholla
7th Grade
Assistant Principal: Clark Fredrickson
Counselor: Dana Page
8th Grade
Assistant Principal: Brian Gill
Counselor: Kendall Sealy
Miss a Newsletter?
Please note that The Buccaneer Bulletin is sent to the email addresses you have listed in Skyward Family Access. If you are not receiving weekly newsletters, please verify that your information is correct in Skyward or reach out to our registrar, Tami Gonzalez, at gonzalezt@ltisdschools.org for further assistance.
Hudson Bend Middle School
Website: ltisdschools.org/HBMS
Location: 15600 Lariat Trail, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-533-6400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools
Twitter: @HudsonBendMS