HMS Connection

A Message from Mr. Smith

Program of Studies Nights- HMS and HHS

Greetings from HMS.

Save the date!

You are invited to join us on Thursday, March 2 at 7:00 PM for the HMS Program of Studies presentation for parents and caregivers of current sixth and seventh graders. During this presentation you will learn about the course selection process, how to navigate Aspen, and what choices are available to your middle schooler for next year. There will also be representatives from the various departments on hand to answer any questions you may have.

If you are unable to join us, slides from the presentation will be made available on the HMS website.

Also, as announced previously in the weekly HMS newsletter, parents of current eighth graders are invited to HHS for our annual "Program of Studies Night" on Monday 2/13 at 7:30 PM.

Please note the time change from 7 PM to 7:30 PM. We moved the event back a half hour to accommodate those who wish to attend the 6 PM budget hearing at Town Hall.

The program will begin with a presentation about course selection in the HHS auditorium. After that, our department directors and coordinators will be available to answer questions in the cafeteria. Student volunteers will also be on hand to provide tours of the building.

We hope you can make it!

Please be reminded that there will be a public hearing at Town Hall on Monday, February 13 at 6:00 PM with the School Committee. Join in person or via Zoom to hear the most up-to-date information on the school budget and the potential impact that may be felt at HMS. The meeting will be held in the Central Meeting room on the second floor, or can be joined through Zoom (Dial-in number: 1-929-205-6099, Meeting ID: 862 2849 4238, Passcode: 646010

Website: https://zoom.us/join).

As a reminder, some of the current reductions being considered for HMS include, but are not limited to:

• Elimination of STEM Electives for grades seven and eight
• Elimination of Math Tutors
• Reduction of Art electives for grades seven and eight
• Elimination of a school guidance counselor
• Elimination of the school librarian
• Elimination of all after school clubs an activities
• Elimination of the late buses
• Reduction of Reading and Literacy supports

We hope you are able to join this and future meetings in order for your voice to be heard.

On Friday, February 17 the Ambassador Club invites all students and teachers to wear their purple as part of their fundraising efforts for Maddie's Promise. Donations will be collected throughout the day. In addition, there will be a table at lunch all next week with Maddie's Promise merchandise (including bracelets, T-Shirts, prints from drawings by Maddie, and more) available for purchase. All proceeds will go to support Maddie's Promise and the great work they do!

Back in October, the Ambassador Club was able to raise $3000 for support of cancer patients in just one day. Let’s see if we can top that next week!

In the last few minutes of Chorus on Wellness Wednesday, Mr. Landis and his students play Songl.io, a type of 'name that tune' game. Students must choose songs with positive or inspirational messages and then guess each other's choices. Points are scored and musical fun is had by all!

The eighth grade Family and Consumer Science students recently completed their cooking unit. As a culminating activity, they baked cakes, made frosting, and decorated them all from scratch. Here are a few delicious looking samples.

Recently our grade eight STEM students were investigating a "mystery mixture" (contained in the blue vials in the picture on the left.) They observed what happened when known mixtures reacted with water and used that information to draw conclusions about what the mystery mixture was likely to be. Ask your STEM student what they discovered.

In seventh grade, STEM students were asked to categorize diseases into different pathogen categories: bacteria, viruses, protists, fungi, and parasites. They are learning about different pathogens and will soon be using their knowledge to solve a disease outbreak case!

The Adventure Club is open to ALL students at HMS and runs trips throughout the year. The club allows students to meet new people and connect with friends while enjoying a variety of activities and field trips after school. Space is limited on each trip, so students should be sure to sign up early! Each trip is priced individually.

In order to stay up to date with upcoming trips, students should join the Google Classroom site with code 3yvxsmu. Parents can check our Adventure Club Website: https://sduncan756.wixsite.com/hms-adventure-club.

This year's trips have included kayaking, indoor rock climbing, a trampoline park, and most recently, Level 99, an indoor challenge park. We still have many great things in store for the remainder of the year, so please check us out!

If you have any questions, please reach out to sduncan@hinghamschools.org or cgiordani@hinghamschools.org

Don't let the serious looks on their faces fool you! That's the look of intense focus.

These eighth graders are having a great time learning about the role of the Chorus in Greek drama. Here they are seen practicing moving in unison.

All sixth-grade students have read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park this year. After learning about the lack of water in South Sudan and how women and young girls must spend almost all of their days walking to get dirty, contaminated water for their families, the they began to fundraise money to build a well. In 2016 Hingham Middle School students raised $15,000 to build a well in South Sudan and we are 23% of the way towards building a second well!

A huge shout-out to the Vikings who have raised over $2,450 of the total $3,501. Click here for a direct link to HMS’s fundraising page. Be on the lookout for more fundraising opportunities!

The first all-cast rehearsal for Shrek took place this week. We can't wait to see the final product!

One more week until February break! Valentine’s Day is a great time to reinforce our credo: Always Be Kind. Also, please advise your kids that if they see a classmate struggling, or hear or see something they believe could be harmful, that they report to you or to an adult at school. We need to take care of each other. As always, feel free to reach out at any time. (dalykare@gmail.com).

STAY INFORMED IN THE BUDGET PROCESS

Let your voice be heard!

This week, the School Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday, 2/13 at 6 pm, before they vote on the school budget. There is strength in numbers so please attend in person or at Town Hall. Zoom information will be posted on the Town website and HMS social media pages.

On Thursday, 2/16 at 7 pm, the School Committee will present the budget to both the Select Board and the Advisory Committee. Zoom information can be found at the pages listed above.

DUES

So far this year we have granted $8000 in mini grants for our staff; funded the Brazilian Beats concert, in partnership with HMPA; hosted many teacher appreciation events; and donated to various assemblies and needs throughout HPS. We would love to do more! Currently only 42% of families have paid. In order for us to do more for our teachers and students, as well as our entire Hingham community, please make your dues payment now. Dues are $45/family and payable via cash or check (made out to HMS PTO) delivered to the main office or via Venmo (@HMSPTO-1103). Thank you!

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

February 13 - School Budget Public Hearing; 6:00 PM, Town Hall

February 15 - Student Assemblies: Are You a Bystander or an Upstander?

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

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!!!

HMS School Store Fundraiser

STORE CLOSING!!!

Orders Due by 2/10/2023

Please be aware that there are minimums required for some items, so if we are unable to meet those numbers, we may need to issue refunds to those of you who have already previously ordered.

All proceeds go to the HMS school fund, which means more fun and activities for our students!

We will be taking orders until Friday, Feb 10th.

Below is the link to the flyer & form, which you can also find next to the case near our main staircase (see photo). You may drop your form & check off in the mailbox or hand it into Ms. Ciulla or Ms. Yindra.

Thank you for your support!

Harbor Mall Store

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 9:45am-12:15pm could be followed up with a 1:00pm-2:15pm 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.