HMS Connection

A Message from Mr. Smith

Greetings from HMS!

This last week saw our first Principal's Coffee and PTO meeting of the year, and while the turn out may have been smaller than hoped for, the conversation and collaboration that took place were excellent. This morning was a great opportunity for people to get answers to questions on a wide variety of topics and to offer their perspective and input to both the school administration and the PTO.

I'm hopeful that as the year moves on you have a chance to join us to learn more about our school and help us be the best that we can be durian one of these meetings

Hingham Middle School is a community and you are an important part of it, so please, come join us and get involved!

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. For your convenience, we have attached an order form to this newsletter.

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.

Bus Reminder

All students should be riding their assigned bus only. If students need to travel together they should plan on staying after school and taking the late bus!

Bullying Prevention

HMS is dedicated to addressing and stopping any incidents of bullying that impact our students. In addition to social skills lessons and school-wide assemblies focused on this issue, students should also be aware of their ability to anonymously report instances of bullying. If they feel they have been the target of bullying, or have witnessed what they believe to be bullying, they can report it to a building administrator by clicking here. All reports will be investigated once received.

Thank you for helping to keep our school the best place it can be!

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

Pumpkin Carving - Final Notice

Would your child like to learn how to carve a pumpkin like a pro and make creations like the one shown here?

On Thursday October 27th from 2:00 - 4:00 Mrs. Flaherty will teach a small group of students the techniques and skills needed to carve pumpkins into works of art. Students need to sign up in room 305 as space is limited. Students will also need to bring a pumpkin big enough to carve that day and schedule a ride home at 4:00.

It's sure to be a "spook-tacular" time!

PTO Updates

Did you know that the HMS PTO has a website where you can find all sorts of useful information about this important organization and the many ways that you can get involved?

You can find them at https://hmspto.myhalix.io/pages/home

Check back often to stay up to date!

Save the Date!

We are thrilled to announce our first post-Covid parent education presentation. Joanna Dutra will be presenting Building Better Relationships, followed by an open forum, on November 16th. Joanna is a middle school parent and motivational speaker. Read more about her at thecreativeconfidant.com.

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.

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!

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!

October 24 - HMS School Council Meeting at 2:30

October 28 - Grade Seven Halloween Social. 7:00 - 8:30

November 2 - One Book, One School Celebration

Early Release; 11:00 AM Dismissal

November 10 - Veterans Day Ceremony

November 11- Veterans Day (No School)

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!!!

Pizza with BSA Troop 4

Hingham Boy Scout Troop 4 is inviting anyone interested in Scouting to join its Troop meeting this Monday, October 24 at 7:30 pm for pizza, games and conversation. Learn more about Troop 4 at www.Troop4Hingham.com and Scouting in general at https://youtu.be/8osxymPFFY4.

All 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th graders are welcome! Prior Cub Scouting experience not required.

When: Monday, October 24 at 7:30 pm

Where: St. Paul’s school gymnasium

RSVP by Oct 24: t4hingham.sm.turnak@gmail.com

Night Sky Observation

All Families Welcome!

Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Time: 6:00 pm

Members of the South Shore Astronomical Society will give a brief presentation in the Distance Learning Theater, followed by a telescopic viewing of the moon, planets and stars on the athletic fields.

Please dress warmly for the outdoor portion of this event. Rain date is TBD. Contact Tim Ciolkosz (tciolkosz@hinghamschools.org) with any questions. Hosted by South Shore Astronomical Society

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/