Contact Information
Orin Wear, Assistant Principal: 892-9503
Shelley Ax, Administrative Assistant: 892-9501
Amanda Nicoll, Office Secretary: 892-9504
Tanya Boehm, Safety Resource Officer: 892-9523
Johanna Burger, School Nurse: 892-9507
KB Holbrook, School Counselor: 892-9506
Kathy Aldeman, Registrar: 892-9505
Principal Howard's Monthly Message
Fall is here! What a great time of the year! The changing colors are making Houston and Big Lake spectacular places to live and work. As we head into October, many folks are finishing up chores to get ready for winter. The staff and students of Houston Middle School are also busy wrapping up activities and projects for the end of the first quarter. We have lots of news to share and some great activities planned for October. Please take a few minutes to read over October's Monthly News.
- Principal Howard
Swearing at Houston Middle School
There has been an increase in the number of times students and staff are hearing and reporting swearing in the hallways, in the lunchroom, and during open gym/recess. As a staff, we are discussing ways we can be proactive to address inappropriate language at school. Please help us by reminding your child or student about using appropriate language in school. Houston Middle School is an academic institution and there is no reason or place for swearing. Thank you for your support.
- Principal Howard
Pastries for Parents
The first Wednesday of each month Houston Middle School will host Pastries for Parents. Pastries for Parents is a time for parents and guardians to visit our school and enjoy pastries and coffee with their child. It's also a great time to visit with our teachers as well. October's Pastries for Parents will be on Wednesday, October 3rd. Please join us from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM for a chance to visit our school!
First Quarter Ends
The 1st Quarter ends on Wednesday, October 17th. Please help to make sure your child has all of his/her work and assignments turned in prior to the end of the 1st Quarter. It's important that students stay current and meet deadlines for assignments.
1st Quarter report cards will be sent home on Monday, October 22nd.
HMS will host a 1st Quarter Honor Roll assembly on Wednesday, November 7th during the school day. Exact times will be in our November Newsletter. (This is a date change from what is posted in the HMS Student Handbook)
iParent Assistance
If any parents or guardians need assistance accessing student information, including grades, please contact the HMS registrar, Kathy Aldeman at 892-9505. Help is available.
Holiday Dinner Planning Meeting
Houston Middle School will be holding its first Holiday Dinner Planning meeting on Monday, October 15th and Monday, October 29th @ 6:00 PM in the Library. Please join the meeting if you are interested in volunteering for our annual Holiday Dinner. We had a great turnout last year and want to keep the HMS tradition alive and well. Please contact Ms. Boehm @ 892-9523 for questions.
Attendance
In an effort to improve the attendance rate at HMS, attendance letters will be mailed home bi-weekly if your child has 5, 7, 15, or 20 absences. The letters are automatically populated even if parents or guardians call in and give a reason. Our school-wide attendance goal is 92%.
Red Ribbon Week
The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign. NFP provides drug awareness by sponsoring the annual National Red Ribbon Campaign™. Since its beginning in 1985, the Red Ribbon has touched the lives of millions of people around the world. In response to the murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena, angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America.
Red Ribbon Week will be from October 23rd to October 31st.
Combined Choir Concert
Houston Middle School will be hosting a Combined Choir Concert on Tuesday, October 23rd from 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM. We will welcome Big Lake Elementary, Meadow Lakes Elementary, and Houston High School. Each will sing their own songs and end with a combined song showcasing the talent and hard work of all the students.
Fall Dance
HMS will host a Fall Dance on October 31st from 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM sponsored by Ms. Young's class. This dance will be stupendous! Watch for signs with more info. Hope to see you there! Entrance to the Fall Dance is $5.00.
If you child attends the dance, please make sure to pick him/her promptly at 4:00 PM.
MSBSD X-Country Championship Race Results
Congratulations to the following x-country runners who placed in the MSBSD District Middle School X-Country Meet! Go Hawks.
Sam Stapley 4th place for 8th grade
Ben Glover 4th place for 6th grade
Charles Hanson 10th place for 8th grade
Carter Seime 6th place for 7th Grade grade
McCrae Vitek 11th place for 8th grade
Professional Development Day
Parent Teacher Conferences
Houston Middle School Parent - Teacher conferences will take place at the beginning of November. There is no school for students that day. We will have a schedule sent out through ConnectEd as the date gets closer.
After School Tutoring
HMS offers after school tutoring (funded by Title I) on Monday thru Thursday of each week from 2:15 PM - 4:00 PM. Please contact Ms. Young @ 892-9533 for questions. Permission slips to participate are located at the front office.
Student Government
President:
Zac Brown
Vice-President:
Kylee Norquist
Secretary:
Océan O’Connell
Treasurer:
Aden Burch
8th Grade Rep:
Jasper Ross
Josie Reintsma
7th Grade Rep:
Bailee Bombard
Tracilyn Wilcox
6th Grade Rep:
Lily Loaiza
Blue Yang
Representative on Special Assignment
Jerryn Gray
Save the Date!
Houston Middle School's Annual Holiday Dinner will be on Saturday, November 17th from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM in the Commons. Please save the date and join us for turkey, ham, and all the fixin's.
HMS Counselor's Corner
As we continue the school year, it's important for HMS to always consider the social and emotional well being of all our students. The video below has valuable insights from middle school students on common feelings and questions many ask themselves. The staff at HMS often ask how we can help support our students and how we can show them that there ideas and voices are important. Please know that the staff at HMS are open and welcome to ideas and suggestions on how we can help our students be successful. For questions or concerns, please call the counseling office at 892-9506.
- Mr. Holbrook, HMS Counselor
HERO
https://access.heropowered.com/
You must have your students ID number to register. If you get an error message please contact the office at 892-9500 for a parent/guardian access key.
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Student Leadership Student leadership skills are not only important for success in school, but they are also important for life-long success. | The Learning Pit The Learning Pit are predictable steps or stages everyone goes through when learning something new. | Substitute Teachers Please treat our guest teachers with respect and kindness. |
Student Leadership
The Learning Pit
Substitute Teachers
School Nurse News
Greetings From The School Nurse,
The flu is season is here and it's important for students and families to understand how the flu is spread and some ways to minimize how the flu is spread. Watch the video below to learn more about germs, how they are spread, and how to prevent spreading them. Remember, the easiest and most effective and way to prevent the spreading the flu is good hand washing.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Nurse Burger at 892-9507.
Free & Reduced Lunch
Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, as amended (ESEA) provides financial assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards. Oct 5, 2015
