HMS February Newsletter
Feb. 2020
Holly Middle School
Haley Street, Assistant Principal
Mark Mattingly, Counselor (A-L)
Kristin Godoshian, Counselor (M-Z)
Phone: (248) 328-3400
Attendance Number: (248) 328-3426
Fax: (248) 328-3404
Scheduling Info. for 20-21 School Year!!
Current 6th Graders:
Feb 13th - 6th grade scheduling presentation in the cafeteria from 10:30- 11
Feb 20th- Scheduling sheets due to Science teachers
Feb 26th - Computer scheduling in Science classes
Current 7th Graders:
Feb 5th - 7th grade scheduling presentation in the cafeteria from 10:30-11
Feb 14th - Scheduling sheets due to Science teachers
Feb 20th- Computer scheduling in Science classes
Current 8th Graders:
February 7th - 8th grade scheduling presentation in the cafeteria 8:00 to 9am
February 14th- 8th grade scheduling sheets due to Science teacher
February 21st - Computer scheduling in science classes
Leader in Me Habit of the Month: Think First to Understand, Then to Be Understood
Communication is the most important skill in life. You spend years learning how to read and write, and years learning how to speak. But what about listening?
If you're like most people, you probably seek first to be understood; you want to get your point across. And in doing so, you may ignore the other person completely, pretend that you're listening, selectively hear only certain parts of the conversation or attentively focus on only the words being said, but miss the meaning entirely. (From franklincovey.com)
This month's habit is focused on the art of listening. This is an art that unfortunately, in today's society, there are too few examples of. From sports to politics (and everything in between) we are flooded with people focusing on getting their point across, giving their take, or picking 1-2 words someone else says and focusing their entire rebuttal on those, not the whole message. Often this advances a particular point of view but it does nothing to move the conversation ahead productively. To effectively create solutions and solve problems we have to adopt this habit.
Ask your child about how they "live" this habit. Maybe it's something that they can work on with their friends or a sibling. Maybe its a skill that they need to develop with you!! Has your teen (or pre-teen) told you you just don't get it? It's possible that this is their way of saying you're not listening to understand! It's certainly a habit that takes time to develop and one that all of us can be better at!
Jamfest on Friday, 2/7!!
Jamfest ends at 4pm, please make sure you have arranged to be picked up at that time!
Holly Robotics Night!!
Holly Area Schools is hosting a robotics night on Monday, February 24th, from 6-8 in the High School Commons. At the event, Howell will be joining us bringing their robots and members from their FLL (3rd-5th grade) and FTC (6th-8th grade) teams. In addition to having examples from Howell, our Holly high school team will also be joining sharing the robot they are currently building (which is why it is at the high school the robot is very heavy). At the event, students can enjoy the demos from different levels, obtain information about each level, take an interest survey, and enjoy refreshments. Check out the flyer
Reconciliation: Acknowledging Shared Humanity
Last month we discussed the five tenets of true and sustainable reconciliation: (1) acknowledging shared humanity, (2) establishing shared values, (3) empathetic understanding, (4) acknowledgement of responsibility, and (5) cooperation. This month we will focus specifically on acknowledging shared humanity, or humanizing and empathizing with “the other”. Oftentimes when we become consumed in a conflict with another individual, or group of people, we psychologically dehumanize them through a process known as othering. Othering is defined as the process of excluding a person, or persons, from belonging to you, your community, your tribe, etc. Psychologically this plays out in a particularly nefarious manner, since they do not belong to you, and they are not in communion with you, they do not deserve the same treatment and recognition as you. This process is often unconscious and viral, it can spread and mutate as a disease would, to other people, groups, nations, etc. We see othering’s effects in war, foreign policy, and even law, e.g. anti-Black racism, homophobia, Islamophobia, etc.; in a more micro sense, we see the same effects in our families, our communities, and our states. David Livingstone Smith, author of Less Than Human, says that dehumanization/othering is “the single most destructive event in human history” (p.14).
One way that we mitigate othering’s effect upon us and our “others” is through empathetic dialogue. Ultimately seeking to understand not only each other’s needs, wants, and hopes, but also recognizing and honoring their human right to exist. This does not necessarily mean that we might agree with each other regarding all aspects of our respective lives, but respecting each other’s way of life and acknowledging our shared humanity. David Livingstone Smith also acknowledges in Less Than Human that “We are all potential dehumanizers, just as we are all potential objects of dehumanization” (p.25). Through empathetic dialogue we recognize our shared humanity with our “others” and can ultimately find common ground through empathy.
SS
2020-21 8th Grade Washington DC Trip!!!
Freshman 2020-21!!! Parent orientation @ HHS Feb 13th from 6pm - 8pm!!!
HMS 6th Grade Orientation and Leadership Night!!! March 11th!!
DODGEBALL TOURNEMENT COMING IN MARCH! STAYED TUNED!
HOLLY GOES BLUE FOR AUTISM AWARENESS
5th Annual BLUE BASKETBALL GAMES & District Wide BLUE DAY
Friday, February 7th
The HOLLY VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAMS and LIFT PEER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM (HHS)are bringing AUTISM AWARENESS to HOLLY on February 7th with two back-to-back Girls and Boys Varsity “BLUE BASKETBALL GAMES”. With current polls indicating 1 in 68 children are affected by autism, the students at Holly High School are not only committed to raising AWARENESS but in increasing ACCEPTANCE and UNDERSTANDING.
To spread awareness even further, the students of LIFT (Learning In Friendship Together) reached out to local businesses in DOWNTOWN HOLLY and asked them to participate in a puzzle piece promotion and decorate their store fronts and windows blue as a way to show support for AUTISM AWARENESS, HOLLY AREA SCHOOLS, and all of our local FAMILIES affected by autism. The response is overwhelming with 42 businesses participating.
The students have planned multiple fund raising and awareness activities for the night of the BLUE BASKETBALL GAME, including Beat the Clock, Face Painting, Shirt and Autism Awareness wristband sales, Test Your Autism Knowledge Challenge, and an Autism Awareness Wall. All proceeds from the event will be given to HOLLY AREA SCHOOLS AUTISM PROGRAMS to provide meaningful activities and peer mentorship.
Library Help!
If you have already filed your background check forms go ahead and follow the link to sign up!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B4BACA62CAAF58-library
HMS Students C.A.R.E
HMS is continuing a student initiative called C.A.R.E. (Civility And Respect Everywhere). We will be acknowledging students each week from all three grades who demonstrate CIVILITY and RESPECT in our hallways, classrooms and cafeteria. We will be on the lookout for politeness, thoughtfulness and courtesy in student's behavior and speech to each other.
Holly Area Youth Assistance Can Help with School Related Fees
Attention Parents: If your child receives free or reduced school lunches, then Holly Area Youth Assistance can also help you with school supplies as well as any pay-to-play or extracurricular activity fees. You will need to fill out a School Supplies Application for the school supplies and a Skill Building Application for any extracurricular activities. Applications must be turned into the HAYA office no later than August 26th for school supplies requests. The HAYA office is only open Mondays and Tuesdays from 8AM to 4PM.
Applications can be picked up from any of the HAS school offices, the HAYA office or Holly Board of Education office. Find the applications on Facebook by searching Holly Area Youth Assistance and printing off the applications, or on the HAS school website https://www.hask12.org/community/holly-area-youth-assistance/.
HAYA Youth recognition
Please see the attached information about a new Youth Recognition Program.
Holly Area Youth can be recognized in one of the following categories:
- Exceptional service to others
- Achievement by an individual who has overcome personal challenges and/or set an example for others
- Heroism/outstanding humanitarian act
- Exceptional service by an individual within a club or organization
Completed nominations are due by March 1, 2020.
A recognition ceremony will be held at the HAYA Annual Meeting on April 16, 2020.
HAYA Recognition cover letterYouth Recognition Nomination Packet for HAYA 2020
Keep the Flu Away!!
Please read the letter from Superintendent Roper regarding Flu awareness. Here's an informative letter from Oakland County Health Dept.
The CDC recommended preventative actions
Vaping and E-Cigarettes
Join Student Lighthouse Team!!
HMS Talent Show!!
Parents are welcome to attend and there is no cost!!
HMS Student Agreements Spotlight
*Our first agreement at HMS is, Act with civility and respect toward myself, my classmates, and adults. Civility is demonstrated through politeness, kindness and can be demonstrated in our behavior and speech toward others. Some synonyms of civility include courtesy, pleasantry, good manners and graciousness.At HMS, we strive to live and honor each of our agreements. Join us as we endeavor to live with civility and respect everywhere.
SIGN OUT OPTION
We are working to limit the number of interruptions to the classrooms and your student's learning time. Please assist us by making appointments either before or after school. If the need arises for an appointment during school hours, please follow one of the two ways to pick-up your student.
- Option 1 - Send a note in with your student on the day of the appointment and have them bring it to the office with the time you are picking them up. Please include your signature. We will give your student a pass to come to the office 5 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time. You will need to come into the office to sign your student out. Always bring your ID. If you have not arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled time written on the note your student will be sent back to class. Then you will have to wait for us to call them back down to the office upon your arrival. It is the student's responsibility to turn in the note to the office and the pass to the teacher and to leave at the appropriate time.
- Option 2 - Come into the office with your ID and we will call for your student to come down ready to leave for an appointment. Please be patient, this can take some time depending on which class your student is in, especially if it's lunch time or the end of the day. The best option to avoid a long wait is to use Option 1. Send a note in the morning with your student.
- Please note that calling the office to have your child meet you outside will not be allowed. Also, please do not text or call your student to come to the office for an appointment. As our school policy states students are not allowed cell phone usage during the school day. This also includes your student calling/texting a parent from their cell phone when they are sick. Students need to come to the main office to make phone calls home if they are needing to go home due to illness.
Phone messages
Parents please be Proactive with your children by discussing after school arrangements, appointments, and after school transportation prior to their school day. We are trying to limit the number of interruptions to your students day for messages and changed plans. While we understand that emergencies come up and plans can change, the daily messages that come through the office can often times be pre-planned at home prior to school. Having a plan in place and adhering to it can eliminate any anxiety the student may feel in not knowing what to expect at the end of the day.
Sign Up for NHS Tutoring!!
Ski Club
Ski Club is scheduled for Tuesday's. However, please listen for announcements and track the weather in case we have to cancel. Students can use their discounted tickets on any weeknight but Tuesday's are when the HMS Ski Club will provide busing to Mt. Holly and be officially "hitting the slopes"!!
Summer Stem Camp for Middle Schoolers!!
How to request a meeting with a Teacher or Administrator
Please follow these steps if you are seeking to set up a meeting with staff at HMS:
- Contact the person you are seeking a meeting with via email/phone (you can also reach out directly to your child's counselor)
- Set up a mutually agreed upon time
- When arriving for your meeting, check in at the main office and the staff member will meet you there.
By following these steps we look to reduce the instances of families showing up to see a staff member only to find out that the staff member is not available to meet. Additionally, for the safety of our students all visitors must report to the main office to check in and should never directly go to a classroom to meet with a staff member.
HMS Clothes Closet
If your child is in need of some extra articles of clothing, we have a "Clothes Closet" here in the office of gently used clothing for them to have. Just contact your child's counselor. This is very discreet and confidential.
HMS Athletics
For the latest information about all of our MS Sports, please check our athletic site!
Parent Lighthouse Team
We have some big events coming up and would love to hear from you!! Also, if you're interested in volunteering in our building please email PLT. HMS is in need of volunteers to work in the library during lunch time.
If you have any questions please email hollyplhteam@gmail.com
Morning Drop-Off...
If you are dropping off students in the morning please pull all the way up in between the "Drop Off" signs. Our plan is to have cars let students out in "pods" of 6. We'd like to fit 3 cars in front of the crosswalk, then have those 3 cars and the 3 cars behind the crosswalk let students out. After students exit the next "pod" of 6 pulls up and follows suit!!
Thanks for your help in making this a safe and efficient process!!
Remember students may enter the building at 7:15am
Afternoon Pick-Up
Also, if you are using the parking lot to pick-up students at the end of the day instead of the car line due to loading large items (instruments, projects, sports gear, etc.), Please park in a designated spot. We have seen an increase in cars parked/stopped in various areas which creates an unsafe situation for our students.
Thanks for your help in making this a safe and efficient process for all!!
Free Breakfast!!
Breakfast is free for ALL HMS students every morning!! Take advantage of this program and check out all of the great menu options here!!
Important Dates
2/5 - 7th gr scheduling
2/7- Jamfest
2/7 - 8th gr scheduling
2/12 - Washington DC Trip for 2020-2021
2/13 - Freshman orientation @ HHS 6pm
2/14 - PJ Day
2/19 - Pre-Festival Band Concert
2/17-18 - Mid Winter Break
2/21- Talent Show
2/24 - Robotics night at HHS 6 -8 pm
2/28 - Hat Day
3/5 - Pre-Festival Choir Concert
3/11 - Leadership Night/6th Grade Orientation
Follow HMS on Social Media
Website: http://www.hask12.org/schools/holly-middle-school/
Location: 14470 North Holly Road, Holly, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 328 3400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Holly-Middle-School-Sherman-Campus-634705656664993/
Twitter: @HMSBronchos