HMS Connection

A Message from Mr. Smith

Greetings from HMS!

As we prepare for our February break, I want to remind families that we will have our Program of Studies presentation for parents of current sixth and seventh grade students when we return. The presentation will take place on Thursday, March 2 at 7:00 PM in the HMS auditorium. At that time you'll learn about the course selection process, and have the chance to meet with representatives from various departments in order to ask questions.

If you are unable to join us that evening, the presentation will be made available for review on our school website.

Thanks and have a great vacation!

A huge “congratulations” to the Ambassador Club and a heartfelt “thank you” to the HMS community. Over the course of this last week, between merchandise sales and donations, the Ambassador Club will be making a sizable donation to the Maddie’s Promise organization. As of now, the collection count stands at over $6,400.00!!!

Maddie’s Promise is a locally based charitable organization that was begun in memory of Maddie McCoy, in order to continue “Maddie’s Promise” to help others.

How appropriate on National Random Acts of Kindness Day!

Thanks to all who helped out and donated.

Grade six students are getting in on the act! The "Duloc Dancers" are working on their moves for our spring production of Shrek!

During this week before break, students are watching a dramatic film on two high school students, one struggling with anxiety and the other depression. They are working on identifying the warning signs the characters are showing as well as the causes of their conditions. We are also looking at how they are both positively or negatively coping with it. Certainly important topics to discuss with your middle schooler.

On a lighter note, we are also engaging in a session of art therapy this week before vacation! You don't need to be an artist to enjoy art therapy.

On Wednesday, February 15 all students attended assemblies addressing the important role they play in dealing with bullying in schools. They were asked to consider whether they are an "upstander" or a "bystander" when they see something they know is wrong. Thanks to the Massachusetts Partnership for Youth for an excellent presentation!

For the past four weeks, students in grade seven Family and Consumer Sciences have been learning about kitchen safety and sanitation, kitchen tools and equipment, measurement and how to read and follow a recipe. Finally, the moment they have all been waiting for since September...they are COOKING! We begin our culinary adventures with a Quick Breads Unit that gives the students the opportunity to synthesize and apply all the knowledge and skills they have acquired and enjoy the fruits of their labor. First recipe - muffins!

As a reminder, Select Board member Liz Klein and School Committee Vice Chair Nes Correnti will be hosting joint office hours, making themselves available for community members to discuss and provide feedback on the budget proposal for this spring’s Town Meeting.

WHEN:

• Wednesday, March 1 from 7 – 8 p.m.

WHERE:

• East Hearing Room, located on the third floor of Hingham Town Hall, 210 Central St.
  

WHAT:

In Fiscal Year 2022, the Select Board and Advisory Committee signaled the need for an override in next year’s (Fiscal Year 2024) budget. The Town is currently facing an estimated $6.2 million deficit in the operating budget. Without an override, services must be cut to balance the town’s budget. In January and February, the Town Administrator and School Superintendent proposed reductions that, should an override vote not pass, match revenues to expenditures. This “office hours” session provides residents an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns about the balanced budget.

The Town of Hingham will propose an override for the upcoming operating budget. To pass, the override will require approval at both Annual Town Meeting on Monday, April 24, and on the ballot at the Town Election on Saturday, April 29.

Residents are encouraged to review the Town’s override page to learn more about the process, the Town’s projected needs, and more. Residents may also submit questions about the override to override@hingham-ma.gov.

Learn more about the Town of Hingham's proposed FY24 Override.

The school year is only 180 days long, but the memories can last a lifetime . . . if you have a yearbook!

Use the link below to purchase a yearbook!

Please contact Ms. Ciulla and Ms. Yindra with any questions.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1065913/Hingham-Middle-School/2023-Yearbook/2022083011334245075/CATALOG_SHOP/

Some amazing "heart" work from our 7th and 8th grader student! Happy Valentines Day!

Looking for something to do? Trying to become more cultured? Then join us for the All-Town Band concert at HHS on March 7 at 7:00 PM in the auditorium. If you can't make that night, you can come hear the All-Town Orchestra at HMS on March 9 at 7:00.

We can assure you that you'll be impressed with the talent on display during these performances.

Thanks to our HMS PTO for the wonderful welcome on Valentine's Day! What a great way to start the day!

Did you know that our HMS Handbook has been updated?

To review the new language around Student Discipline and Due Process, click here. The updated language begins on page 16.

PTO UPDATE

Want to help make positive change at HMS? Unfortunately, I am unable to continue as a co-president of our PTO. Please step up to join the amazing members on the Board. All of the remaining members have graduating 8th graders, so an entire new PTO Board is needed for next year. Volunteer now to be mentored by Brian, Deanna and Kate so you will be ready to go in the fall. I’m proud of the work I’ve done for the kids and the staff and you will be, too! Please get in touch if you’d like to be a member of this very important part of Hingham Middle School.

Have a safe and restful February break!

DUES

We are still well under our goal for the year. If you haven’t paid yours yet, please Venmo us today. ($45 to HMSPTO-1103) The dues go toward enriching education for our kids through things like mini grants and cultural enrichment. We also have a fantastic staff appreciation committee who show our support and gratitude to our teachers and staff.

Can’t remember if you’ve paid your dues this year? Review your Venmo history for a payment of $45 to HMSPTO-1103.

THANK YOU

A sincere thank you goes out to Teri Howard for donating her time and money to show our support for our teachers and staff by providing snacks and sweets on Valentine’s Day, and to Deanna Steele for sponsoring the yard sign to express our love to our entire staff! Staff morale could use a boost during this year’s budget discussions and Teri and Deanna helped to do that. Thank you, ladies!

MINI GRANTS

This year we had over $10,000 requested through our mini grant program. Unfortunately, we were unable to increase the $8,000 we had in our budget. Thank you to Danielle Messina for coordinating and running the mini grant process this year! Items that were approved include:

1. Bouncy Bands for desks which provide sensory input and help with focus and comfort.

2. Student Stand Up Desks to give students the opportunity to learn from a different position than sitting at a desk. Stand Up Desks help kids focus more and be less distracted (and distracting) while learning.

3. Flexible seating for the World Languages Department. Research shows that flexible seating improves student attention and participation, increases on-task behavior, decreases distracted movement in the classroom, and fosters problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

4. A Celestron Digital Microscope Viewer for 7th Grade Science.

5. A one-year subscription to “Sight Reading Factory”, a cloud-based service designed to improve musical sight reading skills.

6. Phonic Books: Magic Belt Series These books are decodable readers for students ages 8-14, that would be easily utilized within specialized reading groups. Students would be able to improve decoding and fluency with stories that would be more engaging and age appropriate.

7. Journal materials for the Poets, Arts and Writers (PAW) after school club. The project provides students with physical evidence of their creations- a place they can showcase their art and their writing. It inspires students to write beyond the classroom and to express themselves.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD

In addition to the budget meetings mentioned by Mr. Smith, we want to remind you that your vote is your voice! Save the date now for April’s Town Meeting and Election.

Elected Officials to Host 'Office Hours' for Feedback on Proposed Budget Override

Select Board member Liz Klein and School Committee Vice Chair Nes Correnti will be hosting joint office hours, making themselves available for community members to discuss and provide feedback on the budget proposal for this spring’s Town Meeting.

When: Wednesday, March 1 from 7 – 8 p.m.

Where: East Hearing Room, located on the third floor of Hingham Town Hall, 210 Central St.

See link for more information.

February 20 - 24 - Winter Break

March 1- Cultural Enrichment: Anthony Valentine

Early Release; 11:00 AM Dismissal

March 2 - HMS Program of Studies Night; 7:00 PM

March 7 - All-Town Band Concert, 7:00 PM at HHS

March 9 - All-Town Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM HMS

Week-at-a-Glance and After School Opportunities

Please take a look at the attached Week-at-a-Glance document to get an idea of what we have to offer next week, as well as our comprehensive list of activities, when they usually occur, and how to obtain additional information about them.

We also want to remind students and families that we provide late buses for students staying after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Please remember to pay your activity fee if your middle-schooler plans to take part in these programs.

We hope to see you after 2:00!!!

Hingham Maritime Center is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide "Boating For All". Our center allows for youth and adults to enjoy the watersports of rowing and sailing on the protected waters of Hingham Harbor. You don't have to choose sailing or rowing; you could give both a try. For example, our Intro to 420 sailing class 9:45 am-12:15 pm could be followed up with a 1:00 pm-2:15 pm youth rowing class. Whichever you choose, we can assure you there will be water-based fun involved. Too choppy to row? No wind for sailing? Our new paddleboards will ensure that we can play in even more conditions. Join us this summer and find out for yourself what a joy life on the water can be.