Tiger Times
Family Newsletter for HCMS Students, August 3, 2023
First week of school!
We are excited to welcome our students on Tuesday! We have orientation for 6th and 7th graders on Monday, Aug 7. Sixth grade is from 9-11 and seventh grade is from 1-3. Below is information you need for a successful start. Students will pick up thier district-issued computer at orientation.
The first day of school is Tuesday, Aug 8. Sixth graders will receive tours of the building and there will be lots of helpers supporting students during class changes. Usually within a day or two students have learned their patterns as they travel from class to class.
This welcome back newsletter has the nuts and bolts of the first days of school. If you have lingering questions after reading through this, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
You can expect a text/email like this one weekly, arriving to you around 5pm each Sunday.
The first day of school is August 8th!
HCMS School Hours are 8:35-3:35
Dropoff for Car riders begins at 7:45am. Carline for pickup begins at 3:00pm
Student Schedules
The main thing students need to know for the first day of school is their homeroom teacher. We have mailed a post card to all families with their homeroom teacher's name and room number.
At orientation, students will go to their homeroom to receive a copy of their schedule, update records and new schoolyear forms, meet teachers, get a bus pass and receive their school issued computer.
Additionally, students will be handed schedules in homeroom on the first day of school. There will be TONS OF HELP from staff and student ambassadors to ensure our students learn how to navigate the building.
Where to go for: Arrival, Dismissal, Tardies, Check-outs
To ensure we have the utmost safety at HCMS, we have consulted with law enforcement and safety personnel on our safe arrival and dismissal procedures. We will have staff in place in the morning and afternoon helping to direct traffic so everyone learns the flow of the campus. While our 7th grade families have experience with this, we recognize that 50% of our families are new to HCMS. Please be patient with us and with each other as we learn traffic flow during the first days of school.
Drop off begins at 7:45. The dropoff location is the SOUTH door, which is the side closest to the bypass--the first entrance on the right when you are coming from the bypass. We will have directional signs and staff in place to help you get to the right place.
Pickup location for car riders is also the south door.
The front door (at the flagpole) is the dropoff location for tardies (after 8:35) and for early checkouts. It is also the door for all visitors and if you have a meeting to attend at the school. All visitors must show ID (drivers license) to enter the building. We cannot make any exceptions to this rule.
Because we have limited space on campus and are close enough to the bypass to cause a backup, the car line at dismissal will open at 3PM. Before then access will be closed except to the front door for parents checking out their child. Checkout stops at 3:15 to minimize disruption at the end of the day.
Bus Rider information
Bus information will be handed out at orientation so you know your bus stop and pickup time.
If you have moved since last school year, you will need to go to the Enrollment Center to update your address and request your bus there.
We will have bus representatives at orientation to answer any questions you have about times and routes.
Dress code
Lunch and water
Students may bring lunch to school if you prefer. We have some items that students can buy, such as drinks and chips so they may wish to bring a dollar or two to school. We will sell ice cream at lunch, too. We do not deliver lunches to students that are dropped off after arrival. We understand there will be the occasional time a student forgets his/her lunch and we will accommodate that, but you can also be rest assured that a free lunch is available for your child.
We are fortunate to have water bottle filling stations around the school, as well as water fountains. If your child carries a refillable water bottle they will be able to fill up throughout the day.
Sixth grade requirements
Main Contacts--Who do you call if you have an issue?
Main Office Phone Number: (706)876-4660 (you can be transferred to anyone from this number)
Lauri Johnson, Principal: (706) 876- 4686
Nurse: (706) 876-4660 #3
Athletic Director, Frank Pinson: (706) 876-4660 #6
Assistant Principals:
· Brandon Headrick, 7th grade: (706) 876-4682
· Heather Lawson, 6th grade: (706) 876-4684
· Fabiola Miranda, student discipline and connections: (706) 876-4685
Attendance Office: (706) 876-4660 #7-Report tardies, absences, and medication needs.
Business Office: (706) 876-4679 Administrative questions and school business.
Bus/immunization and address questions: (706) 876-4666
Counseling Office: Questions concerning records or schedules, and personal issues.
Last Name A-G: Joycelyn Richards (706)876-4671
Last Name H-Pa: Erin Swinney (706) 876-4670
Last Name Pe-Z: Jennifer Simmons (706)876-4677Hammond Creek Middle School
Email: lauri.johnson@dalton.k12.ga.us
Website: https://hcms.daltonpublicschools.com/
Location: 330 Pleasant Grove Drive Northeast, Dalton, GA, USA
Phone: (706)876-4660
Facebook: facebook.com/HCMS.Tigers