HAWK'S NEST
Newsletter, February 2023
Our Why
Greetings HMS Families,
If you remember back to my previous newsletter, I began with a section titled, Our Why. At HMS, we continue to focus and reflect daily on 'our why.' It is important to us that we continue to share 'our why' with students as well as our supportive community.
As we prepare to tackle the remainder of February and head into Spring Break, we want to thank you for sending us your best each and every day. Winter months can be a struggle for all; however, your students are working diligently, demonstrating grit, growth and grace. Keep your expectations high and celebrate every 'win.' Continue to empower and encourage your student to persist through obstacles, acknowledging that success and accomplishment is not earned in a moment, but over time.
Please enjoy reading more of your HMS educators' why!
Sincerely,
Kyley Gatz, Principal
My Why
I teach to make a difference in my students' lives and to make learning science fun! I make it a priority to connect positively with my students while at HMS but also after they leave.
~Brian Lillie, 8th Grade Science
My why is simply...because kids matter.
~Kim Krauter, School Counselor
I chose to become a teacher because I truly value education and the opportunities knowledge creates for individuals. I tell my students on a regular basis 'what we learn in 5th grade matters for the rest of our lives'. Everyday we are faced with learning skills and being challenged on material that we will use not just academically, but in daily life. I love being a teacher and seeing growth and progress through pushing students to the limit of productive struggle. It amazes me to see what my students are capable of and everyday I feel genuinely blessed to be in this profession.
~Danielle Hill, 5th Grade Math
My why comes from my high school social studies teacher, who was also my track coach. He would always focus on building students up and using outside the box strategies. I wanted to leave the same impact on students that he had on me and so many others in the classroom and on the track.
~Brady Mulligan, 6th Grade Social Studies
I enjoy learning and growing with students with special needs. It is rewarding to see them bring out their best qualities and see them be successful.
~Rachel Bloom, Special Education
WooHoo! Congrats, HMS Students & Staff!
Self-Care by Mrs. Castillo, District Social Worker
This time of year can be especially difficult for everyone, including students. Across the district, I am seeing students who are not feeling or acting themselves right now. Between shorter days of daylight and decreased outdoor time due to cold, kids may be struggling with behavior, sleep, or focus. Especially during winter months, it’s crucial to model and implement self-care to help boost you and your child’s mood. Trying various activities with your child for self-care will be able to support your child in finding what best fits their needs as an individual as well as for your family.
“Engaging in a self-care routine has been clinically proven to reduce or eliminate anxiety and depression, reduce stress, increase happiness, and more. It can help you adapt to changes, build strong relationships, and recover from setbacks. In a national survey, Americans cited benefits of self-care as: enhanced self-confidence (64%), increased productivity (67%), happiness (71%).” (www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org)
Some examples of self-care include:
- Doctor visits for routine health exams
- Practicing good sleep hygiene: turning off electronics and screens one hour before bed.
- Take a social media break.
- Art activities as a family: clay, painting, drawing, or coloring.
- Movement: Dance to a music video, GoNoodle, bundle up and take a walk, or play a sport together.
- Read together.
There are many different activities that help to “fill our cups” and make us feel better which will be different for every family and every child’s individual needs.
2nd Quarter Student Recognition Event @ Arrow Twin Movie Theatre
Eligible HMS students attended a trip to the movie theater, shortly after returning from winter break. In order to be eligible for this event, students must have:
*Earned a 70% or higher in all classes for 2nd quarter
*Demonstrated school-appropriate behavior by receiving no discipline referrals
*Received no unexcused absences
Please encourage your student(s) to strive for excellence! If you are interested in contributing to our quarterly events, please contact Mrs. Gatz at kgatz@usd415.org.
TESTING APPROACHING! ATTENDANCE IS KEY!
As we enter into the spring testing season, it is critical that your student is in attendance. Beginning in late March thru the first week of May, all students will be taking state assessments as well as district FastBridge assessments. Your student's teachers will communicate specific information regarding the testing dates through our Remind platform.
As a parent, how can I help?
*Ensure your child is at school.
*Communicate the importance of trying one's very best!
*Schedule routine expectations for sleep and use of devices.
*Provide a healthy evening meal along with a hearty breakfast.
*Praise positive behavior and hard work.
*Spend individual time with your student, modeling positive self-talk.
Positive Self-Affirmations by Mrs. Krauter, School Counselor
During my guidance lessons throughout the year, I work with all of the students on positive self-affirmations. Basically, saying nice things about yourself to yourself. Middle school is a weird time in all lives. I’ve truly never heard anyone say they would love to go back to their middle school years. Middle school is a time for so many changes. Bodies are changing, friendships and relationships are maturing, and students are developing new interests while trying to find where they fit into this world. It can all be a little overwhelming for a developing brain. Positive self-affirmations can make these days a little better!
When you say negative things to yourself or hear negative things about yourself, over time you start to believe them. The same is true for positive things. Over time the positive affirmations you say to yourself, will remap your brain into truly believing these positive statements. “Self-affirmation has been shown to have powerful effects – research suggests that it can minimize the anxiety, stress, and defensiveness associated with threats to our sense of self while keeping us open to the idea that there is room for improvement.” (https://www.psychologicalscience.org, 2012).
Here are some easy ways to help your students with positive affirmations from home:
Put a positive note somewhere for them to see in the morning before they begin their day. Mine is on my mirror. I look at it each day when getting ready.
Positive affirmation apps-
Thinkup-positive affirmations
Louise Hay Affirmation Meditations
grateful
Beginning and ending the day by having them state something positive. This can be something they are looking forward to, something that happened, etc.
Remind them that it doesn’t have to be something big as long as it is positive.
Updates of Athletic & Activity Results
Congrats to our HMS teams:
*7th Gr. Girls Basketball--Overall record of 12-4; 3rd place finish in the league
*8th Gr. Girls Basketball--Overall record of 15-1; League Champions
*Wrestling
Brenner Lowe--3rd place finish @ Silver Lake
Jerek Shoemaker--2nd place finish @ Silver Lake
Rafe Schuetz--1st place finish @ Silver Lake
*Science Olympiad: 4th Overall at Monticello Trails Invitational
USD 415 Board Recognition: Congrats, Theresa Williams, 5th Grade Science Teacher
Nurse News
It is that time of year that we see a variety of illnesses around our schools and community. As our bodies continue to rebuild our immune system to the common illnesses we saw before the pandemic including strep throat, stomach viruses, common cold viruses, and Influenza, the need for proper hand washing is ever so important. Reiteration at home of when and how to wash hands, proper ways to cover a cough or sneeze, and reminders to not share water bottles helps to instill simple hygiene habits while your child is at school. District policy states a student needs to remain home until 24 hours fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications (Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, etc.).
Please remember water fountains are no longer operational in our buildings. All students need to make sure they bring their water bottle to school each day. Water bottle filling stations are available in the schools for your student to refill as needed throughout the day. If a student continuously forgets to bring theirs, a reminder phone call home may happen.
Erin Winger, RN
HMS School Nurse
The mission of Hiawatha Middle School is to provide all students with life-long learning skills and opportunities for academic, personal, and social growth in a safe and orderly environment. The educational program is designed to enable students to become productive citizens in an ever-changing society.
Mrs. Kyley Gatz, Principal
Email: kgatz@usd415.org
Website: http://www.hiawathaschools.org/
Location: 307 South Morrill Avenue, Hiawatha, KS, USA
Phone: 785-742-4172