HMS Update
October Newsletter
Happy Fall!
It is hard to believe that one month ago we started school. As I walk the hallways, visit the classrooms, and get outside with the students I feel confident that our staff has effectively established the routines and norms that allow our students to grow, learn and thrive.
As we tell the students, each day we aim to get better and make HMS the ideal learning and teaching environment for all. Thank you for your patience, support and cooperation throughout the start of this school year.
Upcoming Dates:
October
4-8- Week of Respect
11- Teacher In-Service, No School
12-13- Start Strong Assessment
13-19- Book Fair
25-29- Red Ribbon Week
START STRONG ASSESSMENT
From the NJ DOE:
The Start Strong assessments are intentionally brief, designed to maximize instructional time and quickly provide critical data to teachers and school leaders. These assessments provide schools and districts the flexibility to address students’ unique needs at the beginning of the school year.
The Start Strong assessments:
• Can be administered in approximately 45-60 minutes;
• Will provide immediate results to educators through the assessment platform; and
• Will include the same accessibility features and accommodations as the NJSLA, including forms in Spanish and Text to Speech (TTS).
The Start Strong assessments utilize three performance levels (“Strong Support May Be Needed”; “Some Support May Be Needed”; and “Less Support May Be Needed”) to aid educators and families in making decisions about the types of supports that students may need. The reports will be available to educators immediately after students complete the assessment. The assessments are not meant to replace any preferred assessment strategies being used locally but can be used to complement existing efforts to gather standards-based data (local benchmarks, writing samples, assignments, homework, etc.) at the beginning of the school year.
For more information on the Start Strong assessment, including practice items, please go here.
Week of Respect
TikTok Trend
Obviously the challenges are highly inappropriate and we do not believe it will be a problem at HMS, but we felt it important to share with parents so they can discuss with their children as needed.
When addressing issues related to media, phones, and apps I often direct parents to the Common Sense Media website. It is a great resource to get up to speed on what our children are watching, reading, playing and using on their devices.
Common Sense Media's TikTok Guide
HMS Friendship List
Last call to sign your child up for a homeroom friendship list. By signing up you agree to share your contact information with all other interested parents from your child's homeroom. The final lists will be emailed out next week. This form will close on Friday at 3:00pm.
NJ Governor's Educator of the Year Nominations
We all agree that the last eighteen months have been an extraordinarily challenging experience for our parents, students and staff. What better way to acknowledge that teacher or support staff member who went "above and beyond" by filling out a GEOY nomination form.
GEOY Submission Form (unfortunately, recipients from the past five years are excluded)
2020- Mrs. Shepherd, Mrs. Neurohor
2019- Mrs. Bernardo, Mrs. Gaughan
2018- Mrs. Caputo
2017- Mrs. Curtis
2016- Mrs. Smulewicz
Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) Policy and Procedures
From the Nurse...
Please be sure to reference our district's COVID symptoms protocol, pictured below, if you are evaluating if your child can come to school.
TREEHABILITATE COMES TO 5TH GRADE
Welcome Ms. Moscato!
NOVEMBER SCHEDULE
November
1- Early Dismissal K-5 Teacher Conferences
2- No School
3- Early Dismissal K-5 Teacher Conferences (6-12 also has Early Dismissal)
4- No School
5- No School
8- Early Dismissal K-5 Teacher Conferences
9- Early Dismissal K-5 Teacher Conferences
24- Early Dismissal K-12
25- No School
26- No School