HMS Connection

A Message from Mr. Smith

Greetings from HMS!

I am so impressed with the kindness and generosity of our HMS Community! While there are many examples of this to be found on a daily basis, the work done this past week by our HMS Ambassador club really stands!

On Friday, October, 28, the Ambassador Club sponsored a "pink day" to raise awareness and funds to support those dealing with breast cancer. Anyone who happened to be at HMS would have been struck by the sea of pink in our school! Beyond that, in just a few short hours, the Ambassador Club was able to collect over $2,980.00, which will be donated to Ellie's Fund, an organization supporting individuals going through treatment for breast cancer.

Thank you so much for your support of this important cause and your amazing spirit!

Expansion of HMS School Council & Second Call For Parent Representative

With the support of the HMS School Council, Mr. Smith has decided to expand the Council to add two more representatives: one parent and one teacher. The teachers have elected Jennifer Driscoll to serve with Brett Johnson as their representatives. Parents interested in serving on the Council for both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 school years should email a short bio and description of what experience they will bring to the role to PTO President Karen Daly (dalykare@gmail.com) before Friday 11/4.

Please see the PTO section below for additional details on the election and dates of upcoming meetings.

Students transform pumpkins into works of art with the help of grade eight science teacher, Mrs. Flaherty!

A Message for Grade Seven Students and Families

Hello, 7th Grade Parents/Guardians,

Our names are Shayna Duncan and Kaitlin McDougall. We are the 7th-grade class advisors. We look forward to an exciting year with your 7th grader.

To foster a sense of community and develop school spirit throughout Hingham Middle School, each student in 7th grade is asked to purchase a t-shirt that signifies our theme for the school year, "Count me in". The back of the shirt will have a combination of the three 7th-grade teams; the sharks, barracudas, and pirates. The shirts will be worn for various grade-specific events (field trips, Spirit Week, etc.).

We are asking each student to purchase at least one shirt as part of this school-wide initiative. The shirt is $15.

All the proceeds from the shirts purchased will be contributed to your student's class fund to help support and supplement grade-wide activities throughout the year. All funds raised remain with the class through 8th Grade and ultimately support the end of 8th Grade Festivities.

Please fill out this form and hand in payment by November 2, 2022, for your seventh grader: https://forms.gle/st7bK71d7wKStMPx7

Your student can drop off the cash or check as follows:

Pirates: Mrs. Duncan (217)

Barracudas: Mrs. Corriveau (202)

Sharks: Mrs. McDougall (208)

Checks should be made out to the Town of Hingham.

Please put your payment in an envelope labeled with your 7th grader's first and last name and team name. For example: John Smith, Pirates

If you have any questions, please do not respond to this email but instead contact either advisor.

If the cost of the team shirt is currently an economic hardship, please contact any HMS staff member with whom you feel comfortable communicating and financial aid will be provided to ensure all students receive a shirt. In addition, if you would like to sponsor a student that is unable to purchase a shirt due to economic hardship please let Mrs. Duncan or Mrs. McDougall know.

Our emails are sduncan@hinghamschools.org and kmcdougall@hinghamschools.org

Best,

Shayna Duncan and Kaitlin McDougall

7th Grade Class Advisors

One Book, One School

On Wednesday, November 2, HMS will welcome author Varsha Bajaj to our school as the culminating event for this year's One Book, One School program. During her visit, Ms. Bajaj will speak with students about her novel, Count Me In, some of the major themes of the novel, and discuss the writing process. Additionally, students who would like to have their copy of the novel personalized will have an opportunity to do so.

Homework Free Night!

HMS would like to be sure families are aware that we will "pause" homework assignments for the evening of Tuesday, November 1, in order to make it easier for people to attend Town Meeting. We will have no assignments due on Wednesday, November 2. However, students may be given assignments to be turned in or completed by Thursday, November 3.

Activity Fee

As a reminder, families are asked to pay an "Activity Fee" at HMS each year. These funds help to defray costs associated with after-school clubs and activities. You can complete this process by clicking here.

You can also use the attached form, if you prefer to pay by check.

If you need assistance with this or any other school related fees, please do not hesitate to reach out to either a school administrator, a school counselor, or any faculty member you feel comfortable with.

Calling All Veterans!

HMS is proud to announce its first Veterans Day Assembly & Breakfast! Under the leadership of 8th grade teacher Jennifer Driscoll and her US History & Civics students, this event will take place on November 10th at 8:30 am. If you are a Veteran, or know a Veteran (family, friend, neighbor), please fill out the form below to register for the event. Due to space constrictions, this event is limited to Veterans and students. Veterans will be treated to breakfast following the assembly.

If you would like to contribute to this event, please Venmo @HMSPTO-1103 and note “Veterans Day”. (See additional information below.) Funds donated will be used to purchase consumable products and decorations needed for the breakfast and event.

If you are, or know a veteran who would like to participate, please complete the Veterans Day Registration form

PTO Updates

Thank you so much to all of our parents/caregivers who volunteered or donated items to make our class parties successful. We cannot do it without you! Can you believe we are entering November? There is more in store for this month, for both our students and parents! As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback (dalykare@gmail.com).

HMS School Council Seeking Additional Parent Representative

As noted above, parents interested in serving on the HMS School Council for both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 school years should email a short bio and description of what experience they will bring to the role to PTO President Karen Daly (dalykare@gmail.com) before Friday 11/4. (Please note: your original emailed submission will appear as is on the online ballot.)

Given that this is the second call for candidates this year, voting will conclude at end of day on Thursday 11/10, and the winner will be announced in the 11/11 Connection. The new parent representative will join current parent representatives Laura Accettella (llaccettella@me.com) and Katie Carolan (kkcarolan7@gmail.com) at the 11/17 district-wide training (6pm) and 11/28 School Council meeting (2:30pm). A full list of meeting dates can be found here: https://hinghamschools.org/hingham-middle-school/about/hms-school-council/

Want to Become More Involved at HMS?

The PTO Board currently has an opening for Secretary. If interested, please email Karen Daly at dalykare@gmail.com.

Parent Presentation

We are so excited we are able to have Joanna Dutra coming to speak to our parents and caregivers. If you have ever met Joanna or heard her speak, you already know how wonderful she is! If you haven’t, please don’t miss this free presentation. Joanna will be leading a lively discussion on ways we can communicate and connect better in our community. Our interpersonal skills took a big hit during the pandemic, she will be highlighting some methods for re-engaging with one other which will also help our kids. To register for this event, please fill out our Google Form.

Joanna Dutra Presentation

Help Us Reach Our Goal! Please Pay Your PTO Dues

Did you know that the HMS PTO funds many events and activities throughout the school year for students, families and teachers, and they do it all without any school-based fundraisers??? That's right! Cultural enrichment performances, parent education presentations, teacher mini-grants, staff appreciation, financial support to families, and much, much more are all funded through the collection of PTO dues. This means we never ask students and families to sell cookie dough, wrapping paper, or participate in any other type of fundraising activities. But we need your help! We cannot do what we do without the generous donations from our school families. To date, we have had about 40% of families contribute. If you haven’t paid your dues yet, and are able to, please Venmo $45 per family to @HMSPTO-1103 or deliver cash or check (made out to HMS PTO) to the Main Office. Please indicate HMS PTO Dues in the note or memo.

We thank you in advance for your consideration and support!

Cultural Enrichment: Brazilian Beats

The Brazilian Beats, an ensemble of drummers and dancers, will be performing for our students on November 21. This event is being cosponsored by the Hingham Music Parents Association. We are so grateful to have their support!

HMS Veterans Day Event - Donations Needed!

As mentioned above, the HMS PTO is helping to support the efforts being made by Hingham Middle School to honor our Veterans this November. On November 10th, local veterans will be invited to the middle school where their service will be celebrated during an assembly in our auditorium and after, treated to a delicious breakfast in our cafeteria. We are asking for any contributions that you are able to make in order to help make this event a success. If you would like to donate, please VENMO HMSPTO-1103 and note "Veterans Day"

Thank you for helping us honor these very important members of our community!

SEPAC Liaison

Did you know we have an HMS PTO SEPAC liaison? If you have any comments or comments, please email Stephanie Gertz at stephjlg@aol.com.

PTO Secretary Needed

Want to be more involved at HMS? The PTO Board currently has an opening for Secretary. If interested, please email Karen Daly at dalykare@gmail.com.

November 2 - One Book, One School Celebration

Early Release; 11:00 AM Dismissal

November 10 - Veterans Day Ceremony

November 11- Veterans Day (No School)

November 16 - PTO Parent Education Program with Joanna Dutra, 7:00 PM at HMS

November 21 - Brazilian Beats Cultural Enrichment

November 23 - Early Release Day; 10:30 Dismissal

November 24 through 27 - Thanksgiving Recess

Week-at-a-Glance and After School Opportunities

There are many wonderful activities that students can join after school each day. In most cases, there is no long term commitment, and anyone can join at any point during the school year.

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.

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

Hingham Unity Council Events

The Hingham Unity Council is happy to share information about two exciting upcoming events.

First, there will be a Hispanic Heritage Celebration at the Hingham Farmers’ Market (sponsored by the Hingham and South Shore Unity Councils) on Saturday, November 5 from 10:00 AM until 12:00. Details here: https://hinghamunity.org/event/hispanic-heritage-celebration-at-the-hingham-farmers-market/

Additionally, you are invited to participate in Community Read & Virtual Conversation with Hingham resident and award-winning author Jared Walker about his book “How to Make a Slave and Other Essays”: Thursday, November 9 at 7:00pm via Zoom. Please note the new date for this event.

Details and registration here: https://hinghamunity.org/event/jerald-walker-conversation/