HMS Connection

A Message from Mr. Smith - Our School Report Card

Greetings from HMS!

Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects, the school’s report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. A link to our school’s report card is available at https://reportcards.doe.mass.edu/2022/01310410 .

The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more.

Report cards are designed to be useful tools for everyone connected to our school. Families can use the information to have meaningful conversations with us about what the school is doing well and where there is room for improvement. Community and education leaders can use the information to better understand how to support students and our school.

You will notice on our report card that we continue to perform well on state-wide assessments, with the majority of our students either meeting or exceeding expectations in all areas. To improve student performance in our school, we are working to expand our tiered systems of support for students in the areas of both mathematics and English/language arts.

We encourage you to become involved in helping us improve our school. We see parents as critical partners in the success of our students and school, and we are grateful for your continued support.

Finally, if your child attends a school that receives federal Title I funds, you also have the right to request the following information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers:

• Whether your child’s teacher is licensed in the grade levels and subject areas they teach,

• Whether your child’s teacher is teaching under an emergency license or waiver,

• The college degree and major of your child’s teacher, and

• Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

If you have questions about our school’s report card, would like to become involved in school improvement activities, or would like to request information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher, please contact me by either phone or email. To see our district’s report card or to search for other schools’ report cards, visit reportcards.doe.mass.edu.

Sincerely,

Derek Smith

Principal

Hingham Middle School

This was one of the questions posed to students on Wednesday when HMS was visited by motivational speaker, Anthony Valentine. Thanks to funding from the district’s METCO grant, Anthony was able to visit and talk to students about the importance of resilience, the need to care for one another, and the lasting impact they can have on our school and community. Students have also been invited to share their thoughts and feedback on both the presentation and our school, and we look forward to hearing what they have to say!

Starting this week, the World Language classes are taking part in a schoolwide Musical March Madness, known as Locura de marzo for Spanish language music and Manie Musicale for French language music. The students are excited to predict which artist and song will be the winner in April's final match up.

Voting will take place in class on Wednesdays and Fridays up through April 14.

HMS celebrates our Fall and Winter PE All-Stars!

Great job!

Please click here to find a survey for parents, guardians and caregivers that will help inform the district's on-going equity work. The survey will take approximately 10-minutes to complete and is based on the RECIII framework, a tool that addresses the diverse needs of students with an emphasis on school climate and culture. Your input is appreciated.

Barracuda students demonstrated Punnett square knowledge and creativity in the Superhero Genetics project. They selected two superheroes, combined their traits, and created a new character. They created movie scripts, comic books, movie posters and action figures to display the final product!

BARRACUDABOWL, SHARKBOWL, and PIRATEBOWL will all take place on Friday March 17!

Each 7th grade team is now organized into smaller teams of four that are preparing for their Trivia Championship. Each grade 7 team will crown a Trivia Champion and a Costume Champion!

Don't be surprised to see your grade 7 student rummaging through old Halloween costumes, brushing up on facts from grade 6 and 7, and getting ready for what will be a great day of fun and facts! Teams of 4 will be planning both in and out of school over the next 2 weeks!

"Fun Friday" activities with Ms. Cassidy's English class.

Before the break, students were asked to engage in impromptu acting scenes from

Tom Sawyer.

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/

The Seventh and Eighth Chorus students were recently visited by their counterparts from Hingham High School. Don't forget about this excellent choice when it comes time to select classes both here and at the high school!

HMS World Cultures Night

In the spirit of the 2022 One Book, One School selection, Count Me In, we are planning our first "World Cultures Night."

Please RSVP here if you plan to join us on March 16.

Thank you for your help and support. We are looking forward to a wonderful event!

In Health class we are finishing up our mental health unit this week. Kids have created their own anxiety and depression informational pamphlets and we are finishing the week with our suicide prevention lesson (parents were emailed before break). Please take this opportunity to talk with your child about these very important topics.

Were you unable to attend our Program of Studies Presentation? Did you miss some important information? Not to worry! The slides are available for review below.

Please reach out with any questions.

Hingham Middle School is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and nurturing environment in which all students feel welcome and have the opportunity to learn. To help us achieve that goal, we ask that students and families keep is informed if they know of anything that might interfere with that.

If you need to report any instances of what you believe to be bullying, please click here to do so. This can be done anonymously if you so choose.

Thank you!

PTO UPDATE

Want to help make positive change at HMS?

Please step up to join the amazing members on our Board! As you've already heard, the HMS PTO currently has an opening for the position of Co-President for the remainder of this school year, and 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.

Please get in touch if you’d like to be a member of this very important part of Hingham Middle School.

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

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

March 11 - Ski Trip to Pat's Peak

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!!!

The Hingham Public Library has some great programs for middle-schoolers coming up! We hope you can join us for one or both!

Event 1:

One Up Games Presents: The History of Nintendo

Saturday, March 4, 2023 1:00-4:00 PM

Calling all gamers! History of Nintendo brings a walkable/playable museum to the library! Players will be able to learn how Nintendo started and see how the iconic console evolved to where it is today. All Nintendo systems from NES to Switch are available to play throughout the exhibit on old-school CRT TVs. At the end of the exhibit, players will have the chance to play all the OG Nintendo games on Switch emulators. Registration is required, please register on our website, www.hinghamlibrary.org/TeenEvents, call the Children's Desk at 781-741-1405 x1403, or email us at hijuv@ocln.org

Event 2:

First Aid with Dr. Katie McBrine

Saturday, March 11, 2023 2:30-3:30 PM

Learn first aid with local pediatrician, Dr. Katie McBrine! This class will teach basic first aid and each participant will build a mini first aid kit they get to keep. They will also learn and practice how to suture a fake wound! Registration is required, please register for this event on our website, www.hinghamlibrary.org/TeenEvents, call the Children's Desk at 781-741-1405 x1403, or email us at hijuv@ocln.org.

Interested in filmmaking?

Here is a great opportunity to learn more from the professionals!