HMMS Happenings!
August 22, 2023
I hope this latest installment of HMMS Happenings finds you well and enjoying the final days of summer break! We are getting close to opening day, but still have plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine!
This week will be a busy one in our building, as Franklin hosts new teacher orientation and we see more and more teachers return to check in and set up their classrooms. We will also have locker try-outs on Thursday, Aug 24, for our 6th graders and new students!
Team placements and homerooms have been finalized and will be made available for viewing on Aspen later this afternoon (after 2pm). See below for more information regarding student placement, schedules and Aspen.
Included in this newsletter are some additional reminders to help you prepare for next week:
-Reminders about Lockers, Backpacks, Chromebooks & Cell Phones
-Supply List Links
-Bus Registration
-Health Office Updates
-Summer Reading & Math Information
I will send one more HMMS Happenings Newsletter
with information to help with Opening Day.
Our first day of school for students is Wednesday, August 30th!
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to someone in the main office.
HMMS Office: 508-541-6230
Ms. Motte, HMMS Principal: motter@franklinps.net phone ext. 2816
Mr. Jeffers, HMMS Assistant Principal: jeffers@franklinps.net phone ext. 2846
Mrs. MacDonald, HMMS Secretary: macdonaldam@franklinps.net phone ext. 2869
Sincerely,
Ms. Motte
Principal
Reminder: Student Placement & Aspen
Student Placement & Homeroom Teacher
Student placement and schedules for the 2023-2024 school year will be published and viewable in Aspen beginning this afternoon (after 2pm). We will send a separate email message to students and families once this has happened with instructions to access your child's schedule and placement information. Students should make note of their HOMEROOM TEACHER on their schedule for the first day of school. All students will find their homeroom teacher upon entering the HMMS auditorium on August 30th.Aspen Information
All students have Aspen student accounts created for them. Parents/guardians can also request a separate family Aspen account. Families and students should check to make sure their accounts are active in order to view team placement and schedules. To request a password reset for your existing Aspen account or to create a new family account, please complete this form.
The link for Franklin's Aspen portal is:
Reminder: Locker Tryouts Aug 24
Stop by HMMS during one of the following locker tryout times:
Thursday, August 24th - 10:00am - 11:00am
Thursday, August 24th - 5:00pm - 6:00pm
While students will not be practicing their own individual locker, many have found it helpful to at least go through the process of opening one. Additionally, this will give students an opportunity to walk our 6th grade hallway (and maybe even peek into a classroom or two!) prior to the first day of school.
Cluster/Team Information for 2023-2024
Please see the cluster/team configurations below for our Academic Teams. This will be helpful to refer to when viewing your child's schedule in Aspen. Your child will find out more about their teachers and the significance of their team name in the opening weeks of school!
Grade 6 - Team Thunder
Mrs. Allie Devine, ELA
Mrs. Diane Stadelbauer, Math
Mrs. Amy Foster, Science
Mr. Joe Corey, Social Studies
Mr. Erik Lawson, Special Education Teacher
Ms. Abby Guardado, ESP
Grade 6 - Team Lightning
Ms. Kayla Flaherty, ELA & Social Studies
Mr. Joseph Arsenault, Math & Science
Ms. Lauren Goode, Special Education Teacher
Mr. Shawn O'Neil, ESP
Grade 7 - Team Weihenmayer
Mrs. Kim Nadreau, ELA
Mrs. Samantha Redmond, Math
Mrs. Mallori Polucha, Science
Mr. Jim d’Entremont, Social Studies
Ms. Leisa Winrich, Special Education Teacher
Ms. Marybeth Byrne, Special Education ESP
Grades 7 & 8 -The Eagles
Mr. Bill Costanza, ELA
Mrs. Beth Ackley, Math
Mrs. Jacqui Carroll, Science
Mr. Sean Nelligan, Social Studies
Ms. Sarah Crafford, Special Education Teacher
Mrs. Joanne Cardoso, Special Education ESP
Grade 8 - The Lions
Mrs. Jill Whetstone, ELA
Mrs. Lauren O’Malley, Math
Mrs. Liza Sommers, Science
Mr. Rob Vacca, Social Studies
Ms. Abby Viles, Special Education Teacher
Mrs. Laura Duhamel, Special Education ESP
Grades 6-8 REACH
Mrs. Jayme Caruso, Special Education Teacher (ELA/SS)
Mrs. Heidi Loiselle, Special Education Teacher (Math/Sci)
Mrs. Leslee Differ, REACH Counselor
Ms. Meaghan Davis, REACH ESP
Ms. Michelle Frawley, REACH ESP
Mr. Mike O'Neil, REACH ESP
Mr. Ryan Connors, REACH ESP
Reminders for 2023-2024: Lockers, Backpacks, Chromebooks, Cell Phones
Below are some reminders and updates for the 2023-2024 school year.
Lockers & Backpacks
All grade levels will return to using lockers for the 2023-2024 school year. Students will no longer be allowed to carry their backpacks during the school day. Students will store their supplies, backpacks, coats, lunches and other school materials in their lockers. Locker breaks will be set by each team at the start of the school year.
At HMMS given the size and number of lockers available in our hallways, students will share lockers with one "locker buddy". This locker buddy will be someone from their homeroom and will be assigned on the first day of school.
Chromebooks:
7th and 8th Grade - Students should bring their charged device to school daily, beginning August 30th. Seventh and eighth grade students kept their school issued Chromebooks and chargers over the summer. Any new students will be issued a device on 8/30 during homeroom.
6th Grade - Sixth graders will receive a school issued Chromebook and charger on the first day of school, August 30th.
Cell Phones & Smart Devices: All student cell phones and smart devices will be stored in their locked locker during the school day. With teacher permission, students can take out these devices to contact home or to use during class. Students may also use school phones, with teacher permission, when needed to contact home. Students are encouraged to set afternoon plans prior to the the start of each school day to minimize the need to use their phones during the day.
Health Office Updates
Medication Orders for 2023-2024
Medication order forms need to be completed by both the physician and parent for medications to be administered for the 2023-2024 school year. Information regarding medication processes and paperwork be found by clicking here. Please arrange for your child’s physician to complete these forms during the summer. They must be dated on or after July 1, 2023. Medication orders need to be renewed every school year.
Medication Drop Off
The HMMS nurse's office will be open on Monday, August 28, from 12:00-2:00 pm for medication and paperwork drop off.
Weekend Backpack Program
Franklin Public Schools has partnered with the Franklin Food Pantry to provide food to students who might benefit from this support. Together, we will gather, package and provide bags of food for students during the school year to take home over the weekend. Students who participate in this program are kept confidential and shared only with appropriate school personnel. Names are not shared with food pantry personnel.
The packaged food will be sent home with students weekly, and this will continue through the end of the school year. This is a free program for all participating families. The bags will contain a variety of child friendly foods. Some examples are granola bars, oatmeal, spaghettios, shelf stable milk and crackers. The bags will be distributed to students in a discreet and caring manner.
If you are interested in receiving the Weekend Bag or have questions about the program, please contact our health office.
Stephanie Leeber, MSN, RN.
Oak Street/Horace Mann Nurse
Phone (508) 541-7890 Ext. 2640
Fax (508) 613-1506
Carrie Kalemkerides, LPN
Oak Street/Horace Mann Nurse
Phone (508) 541-6230 ext. 2639
Fax (508) 613-1506
2023-2024 Bus Information
https://www.franklinps.net/district/transportation
Bus Passes
This week bus passes will be available for pickup at HMMS. However, please keep in mind that the office will be extremely busy as we welcome teachers back and prepare for the first day of school. Bus Passes not picked up will be distributed to students on their first day of school.
Supply Lists
If families need any assistance in purchasing a backpack or school supplies for your child please contact Ms. Motte motter@franklinps.net or Mr. Jeffers jeffersk@franklinps.net.
SUMMER READING & MATH INFORMATION
Please see the information below regarding summer math and summer reading requirements for our middle school students.
SUMMER READING
- Franklin Middle School students are required to read at least two books this summer.
- Use this log to record the books you read and return to your ELA teacher in the fall.
- Students will share one of their summer reading books in the fall. This is a great way to connect with new teachers and peers!
- We recommend that students take brief notes on their favorite title to keep their memory fresh.
- Review the attached Summer Reading Recommendation List for a list of great titles.
SUMMER MATH
Franklin Middle School students are also required to participate in a summer math review program. Please refer to the letter that corresponds to the grade level your child will be entering in the fall.
Incoming 6th grade students have a practice packet to complete (solution key include in link). Incoming 7th and 8th grade students will use Delta Math to complete their summer work.
Important Dates to Remember...
August
- Tue Aug 22 - Team Placement Information released on Aspen
- Thu Aug 24 - Locker Tryouts (for new students) 10:00am -11:00am & 5:00pm-6:00pm
- Aug 28 & 29 - Teachers Return to School (PD Days).
- Wed Aug 30 - First Day of School for Students!
September
- Fri Sep 1 - No School, Labor Day Weekend
- Mon Sep 5 - No School, Labor Day
- Thu Sep 14 - Fall Picture Day
- Mon Sep 25 - No School, Yom Kippur
- Tue, Sep 26 - Early Release Day for Students, dismissal at 10:45am
October
- Oct 4-6 - Grade 6 YMCA Field Trip (more info to come...)
- Mon Oct 9 - No School, Indigenous People Day
- Thu Oct 12 - HMMS Open House, Back to School Night! 6:00-8:00pm
- Thu Oct 26 - Fall Picture Retakes
- Wed Oct 18 - Early Release Day for Students, dismissal at 10:45am
About HMMS
508-541-6230 ext 2816
Mr. Jeffers' contact information
508-541-6230 ext 2846
Email: name@franklinps.net
Website: https://www.franklinps.net/horacemann
Location: 224 Oak Street, Franklin, MA, USA
Phone: 508-541-6230
Twitter: @HMMSLightning