The Tartan
August 16, 2019
Created by: Sarah Hiner, eLearning Coach HMS
From the Desk of Dr. Barrentine
Just as you do, we want your child to be successful in school, and that means going beyond the basics. Excelling in academic classes is important, but students also need to know how to learn, to make good decisions, to handle strong emotions, and to get along with others.
Next week in Homeroom we'll begin the Second Step Middle School Program, which focuses on skills and concepts that are designed to help students both in and out of school. These include:
Mindsets and Goals: Students learn about ways to grow their brains and get smarter, along with research-based strategies for achieving goals and handling difficult situations.
Values and Friendships: Students learn to identify their personal values and use those values to make good decisions and build strong, positive relationships.
Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions: Students learn the positive role emotions play in their lives, how to handle unhelpful thoughts and strong emotions, and specific strategies for calming down.
Serious Peer Conflicts: Students learn how to identify and avoid serious conflicts, resolve conflicts that can't be avoided, think about other people's perspectives, and help stop bullying and harassment at school.
If you have any questions about the Second Step Middle School Program, please do not hesitate to contact me for more information. Thank you for supporting your child in learning the skills and concepts that lead to success in school and in life.
Washington D.C. Trip
If you have not registered for the Washington Dc Trip coming up this next March, there is still time to get on board. 60 people have already registered, but we want to take even more! We will be having a meeting for parents on Tuesday August 20 at 6 PM in the HMS Auditorium. We will be going over important information such as costs and fundraising. Please make every effort to attend. Once again, this meeting is only for those wishing to go, but have not registered yet.
Questions? See Ms. Cobb or Mr. Marlatt
Upcoming HIghland Middle School Athletic Events
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
- Football vs Marion 5:00pm
Saturday, August 24, 2019
- Cross Country @ Monroe Central Invitational 10:00am
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
- Volleyball vs Pendleton Heights 5:30pm
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
- Tennis @ Knightstown 5:00pm
- Football @ Yorktown 5:00pm
Thursday, August 29, 2019
- Co-ed Soccer vs LIbery Christian 5:00pm
Canvas Parent/Guardian Observer Account
Highland Counselors' Corner
Students do better in school when parents are involved. We encourage parents to create an account in PowerSchool Parent and also in Canvas so you can monitor your child’s progress. Plan one day each week to sit down together and go over grades and assignments. This helps to avoid any “surprises” at the end of the grading period.
Students also do better in school when they have a routine at home regarding their school-work. At the middle school level, students may not always have homework to turn in the next day, but they most certainly should have study time. They might need to make flash-cards for vocabulary words, memorize countries on a map, or read for at least 20 minutes. Instead of asking your child, “Do you have homework?”, perhaps saying “Tell me what you did in Language Arts today?” might help the communication between parent and child.
Most teachers will have students start on work during class to make sure students understand the assignment before leaving their classroom. If you see in PowerSchool that your child is starting to have missing assignments, parents most definitely should ask their child, “What are you doing in class when you’re supposed to be working?” Sometimes students finish their work, but forget to turn it in. Other times, unfortunately, students may go out of their way to give the teacher the impression they are working, but they are really not. Communication with your child and child’s teachers is critical at this point. All teachers can be reached by email through PowerSchool Parent and are here to help your child be successful.
Highland Middle School
Email: shiner@acsc.net
Website: www.hms.acsc.net
Location: 2108 E 200 North, Anderson, IN 46012
Phone: 7656412059
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hmsscots/
Twitter: @acschms