Hawk Headlines
Issue 2
Principal Message
We are continuing to refine our procedures regarding traffic. Morning drop off is actually running smoothly and will continue as is presently operating. Early drop off begins at 8:20 with students waiting in the cafeteria until 8:30. All drivers are asked to continue to follow the directions of staff, including pulling as far up as possible.
For the afternoon, we have two adjustments coming up that will start on November 1st. We are transitioning to a car ride app for the afternoon only that requires all afternoon riders to sign up using the Google Form from the link below. Once registered, each family will be assigned a number for our "Hawk Flight Line and receive four 8X11 cards with the assigned number. That card must be displayed on the dashboard as the driver enters the parking lot. A staff member will be entering numbers which will then be displayed in the auditorium where car riders will be waiting. Students will see their Flight Line number displayed on a big screen or on a link that they can see on their phones. It is critical that all students must know their Hawk Flight Line number to ensure a quick transition. We should be able to load 20 cars at a time. Initially, this may take some patience as we establish new routines and procedures. For carpools, the driver should display numbers for each family in the carpool. This new procedure should make our dismissal more organized, protect our students from the weather, and ultimately be more efficient.
Secondly, we are establishing a procedure to walk our students who ride with HHS staff or students over to the stadium to meet their rides. All families who require this arrangement should sign up using the link below. In the morning, students should still be dropped off at HMS. However, in the afternoon, all identified students will meet at the end of the PE hallway and be walked over with a staff member to the high school side entrance where the selected family member will pick up the children.
As you may have heard, there was a disturbing social media last month on Tik Tok that challenged children to vandalism or steal school restrooms. While that seems to be trending down, I encourage each and every family to discuss these types of challenges and encourage your students to honor their school and their teachers, and to rise up above the trends that they see on social media, as these actions would result in negative consequences. We are Hickory Middle School, and we will continue to work together to make our school safe, comfortable, and healthy for all!
CMSL Update
We are so excited to start our football season off on Wednesday at 5:30. The school division is encouraging online ticket sales through GoFan. This will eliminate the exchange of cash for ticket sales and be convenient for families. The school division is also offering an all-season student pass for $20. This gets students into any paid admission high school or middle school sporting event. It is a great deal and it is available through GoFan. Adult tickets are also available through GoFan with limited cash tickets available at the gate.
Gates will open at 5:00 for all guests with masks being encouraged. Also our concession stand will be open for cash sales. We look forward to cheering our football team and cheer squad on.
Hickory Middle Joins in the Hickory High School Homecoming Festivities
- Mystery Monday - Wear an outfit to represent your favorite mystery-solving crew - Scooby-Doo, Sherlock Holmes, Indiana Jones, etc.
- Tomorrowland Tuesday - Dress Like Your Future Self or Dress Like Your Futuristic and Out of this World
- World of Fantasy Wednesday - Dress As a Character From Your Favorite Fantasy World. E.g. Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Marvel Universe, DC Universe, Disney, etc.
- Try to Find Me Thursday - Dress in your camouflage or a character who is hard to find! Ideas: camouflage, Where's Waldo, Nemo, The Golden Snitch, Carmen San Diego, Max
- Find Your Spirit Friday - 6th grade - White, 7th grade- Teal, 8th grade - Black
Let's show our Hickory spirit!!!
Quick Tips for Parents
Parents are asked to submit notes through ParentVue within 4 days of the absences. CPS policy requires written notes for the absences to be excused.
Chesapeake Public Schools considers the following legitimate excuses:
Sickness of a student
Medical appointment
Severe illness or death in the family
Exposure to contagious disease
Religious holidays
Extenuating circumstances such as fire, accident
Extremely inclement weather
Please remember that despite the ongoing pandemic, there is still a compulsory attendance law in Virginia that legally requires all children between five years old and eighteen years old to attend school. Schools are legally bound to address unexcused absences at 5, 7, and 10 days with 10 days possibly being a referral to truancy court. We ask you to partner with us to get our children here to meet this law and more importantly to be successful at school.
Pick-up Procedures
- For 6th graders, it is necessary to get here by 3:00 P.M. as these children are in PE/Electives and have to travel a considerable distance to the front office.
- For all grades, to put your child on the call list in the afternoon, you must be here by 3:15 P.M. to ensure that your child is listed on the afternoon announcements.
- If there are prearranged plans with your child to pick him/her up after-school, they may meet you in the front.
- Note for safety reasons, children are not allowed to get off the bus once they get on it.
Cell Phones
- Just a reminder that cell phones should be off and in backpacks throughout the school day. We request that all parents and family members respect our students' learning time at school by not call or texting during the day.
Visitors
- Due to the health mitigation plan currently in place, our school office is limited to visitors with essential school business. Unfortunately, forgetting an item such as lunch or a Chromebook is not considered essential unless there are extenuating circumstances. When children forget their lunches, they may get one in the cafeteria free of charge. When they forget their Chromebooks, they may check one out for the day in the Media Center. Though highly discouraged, when an item absolutely must be brought to the child, the visitor should ring the doorbell and security will come to the door to take the item.
Misc. Tips
- Make sure your emergency pick-up list is up-to-date. Changes can be made through ParentVue. Call the office should you need assistance.
- Be sure to bring your ID with you when visiting or picking up a child.
Join the HMS PTSA
PTSA's October Treat for Staff
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
October - Bully Prevention and Disability History & Awareness Month
November - Native American Heritage Month/Family Engagement Month
10/5 - Hawks Softball at Joliff Middle School
10/6 - Hawks Football/Cheer host Crestwood Middle
10/7 - Hawks Softball hosts Oscar Smith Middle
10/11 - 10/15 - Homecoming Spirit Week
10/12 - Hawks Softball hosts Great Bridge Middle
10/13 - Hawks Football/Cheer at Deep Creek Middle
10/14 - Hawks Softball at Greenbrier Middle
10/19 Hawks Softball Semi-finals - TBD
10/20 - Hawks Football/Cheer at Joliff Middle - Western Branch High
10/21 - Softball Finals - TBD
10/27 - Hawks Football/Cheer host Oscar Smith Middle
11/2 - Virtual Learning Day
11/3 - Hawks Football/Cheer hosts Great Bridge Middle
11/10 - Hawks Football/Cheer at Greenbrier Middle - Indian River High
About HMS
Email: hmshawks@cpschools.com
Website: www.cpschools.com/hms
Location: 1997 Hawk Boulevard, Chesapeake, VA, USA
Phone: 757-421-0468
Twitter: @HickoryMS_Hawks