HMS October Newsletter
2021-2022
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
Parent Teacher Conferences are October 12th and 14th!
We've hit the 6 week mark in our first trimester and that means it is time for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Earlier in the week we sent out a communication that explained our conference format and how to sign up. I am sharing the link again so that you can sign up for the conference format and time that best works for you. We look forward to connecting with you either In-Person on October 12th or Virtually on October 14th.
HMS 21-22 Fall Conference Info/Sign Up
Thanks for taking a look at our October Newsletter!! Go Bronchos!!
Eric Curl
HMS Principal
Picture Retake/Makeup Day is October 14th!
You can Access Order Forms via the link or have your student stop outside the Main Office and take one from the kiosk.
Virtual Resource Fair for families with disabilities
HAS is happy to announce that we will be hosting the MORC Road Show (resource fair) on Wednesday, November 10. We were hoping to hold this event in person, but MORC and the vendors are still not offering this due to COVID at this time. It will be held virtually. If the Spring looks better, we will host again this year- but in person.
The pre-registration link for the families is included in the flyer. Families must pre-register to join. There is no cost.
Holly Area Community Coalition "Choices" program is back!
The Holly Area Community Coalition is pleased to be able to offer the Choices Program. This program runs right after school until 4 pm and focuses on social emotional, character building, and decision making skills. The Choices program starts October 12th and meets every Tuesday and Thursday. Please take a look at the flyer and registration form to find out more!!
If you are interested in having your child participate, please complete the registration form (linked below) and return to Holly Area Community Coalition 920 Baird St. or the student office. More registration forms can also be found in the student office.
Free Homework Help for Families
Access the flyer with the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dOS_5UKaa_2o3I3H2nYM4JnsURmr4r3F/view?usp=sharing
Counselor's Corner
We have loved having our students back at HMS this year!! We also know that the transition back to a more traditional school year may have some bumps in the road. If your child has any topics you'd like us to connect with them on, please reach out.
Take a look below at some October Activities to promote an optimistic mindset!
Mrs. Godoshian & Mr. Mattingly
A - L contact Mr. Mattingly, mark.mattingly@hask12.org
M - Z contact Mrs. Godoshian, kristin.godoshian@hask12.org
Leader in Me Habit of the Month - Be Proactive!
You're in Charge: I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions. I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking.
The more we can keep the line moving the quicker we can get you onto the rest of your day :)
Thanks for your help in making this a safe and efficient process!!
Students should remain in their cars until 7:20am. School access will begin at 7:25am.
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. Cars parked/stopped in various areas creates an unsafe situation for our students.
Thanks for your help in making this a safe and efficient process for all!!
Attendance Line
Parents if your student will be absent from school, please call the attendance line at:
248-328-3426
Students - If you are out of school for the day due to illness, etc. please login to Schoology if and when it is possible so you can access that day's lessons and do not fall behind.
Are you picking your child up early for a scheduled appointment?
- 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. This year you will come to our buzzer/camera system and our secretary will ask for you to show your ID. Once confirmed we will send our student out to you. 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 to the front door 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 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.
Order your 2021-2022 Yearbook!!
HMS Handbook Reminders
As a friendly reminder to our families, we want to share a few of the Student Handbook issues we are addressing on a consistent basis with students. Students are aware of our expectations as we've communicated these to them through a variety of methods.
CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES
- At HMS electronic communication devices (such as cell phones) must be turned off (and not turned on at any time during the school day including passing time and lunch time unless under the direct supervision of HMS Staff) and stored in a locker once a student enters the building. In no case, will any personal communication device be allowed that provides for a wireless, unfiltered connection to the Internet. Cell phones found on the person or turned on during the school day will be turned into the front office. If the student persists and the device is confiscated more than once, it will only be released to a parent/guardian/designee. Failure to comply is insubordination and could be subject to disciplinary action.
STUDENT DRESS CODE
- Any apparel that is disruptive, distracting, unsanitary or unsafe is prohibited. Parents should consider the dress code when purchasing school apparel.
- 1. Items that cover the head or obstruct the face/eyes of a student may not be worn in school (hats, bandanas, hoods, inappropriate head-coverings, sunglasses, etc.) unless there is a documented medical/religious reason.
- 2. All shirts/dresses/tops must have a width of three fingers between the neck and shoulder, full side seams, and cover the midriff. Shirts/dresses/tops that do not meet these criteria are not acceptable unless worn over an acceptable clothing item (e.g. long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt, etc.).
- 3. Students are not to wear clothing with inappropriate slogans, including those that appear to promote the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence, vulgar language and/or obscene behavior. This includes clothing with anti-religious, anti-racial, or sexually harassing images or statements.
- 4. All shorts/skirts/dresses should be an appropriate length for the school setting. Appropriate length may mean: longer than fingertip length, mid-thigh, or other criteria. Shorts/skirts/dresses that are deemed inappropriate are not acceptable unless worn over an acceptable clothing item (e.g. leggings, pants, etc.)
- 5. No clothing or accessories worn by students should contain items that could pose a safety hazard (e.g. chains, spikes, etc.) The judgment of the building staff & administration will be final in determining inappropriate dress.
Halloween Costumes @ HMS
On Friday, October 29th, students can wear Halloween costumes to school. Please be sure that all students continue to follow our District Mask policy and wear their COVID-19 masks. Halloween masks are not allowed.
If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Street.
HMS Tardy Policy
Starting next week (10/11/21), any new tardy's a student may earn will fall under our Tardy Policy:
An unexcused tardy is defined as “not being in the classroom when the bell begins to ring.”
One-Three (1-3) tardies under ten minutes to the same class will result in a student receiving a warning by their teacher.
Three (3) tardies to the same class = an unexcused absence.
Four (4) tardies to the same class = a 45 minute after-school detention.
Five (5) tardies to the same class = a 45 minute after-school detention and a Parent Meeting.
Six (6) or more tardies: Habitually tardy students are in violation of the Holly Schools truancy policy and shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary consequences, community service, in school suspension and/or out of suspension, or Saturday School experience.
Arriving 10 or more minutes late to a class is an absence.
Leaving a class 10 or more minutes early is an absence.
Visitors
Food Service Information!
Even though this food service is free for all students, HAS still needs all parents to complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application. If you haven't yet submitted this please do! If you need any assistance please contact Patti Burgess. Thank you!!
Scheduling a Meeting at HMS
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. If you arrive without a scheduled meeting we will take down your information and set up a future meeting date/time for you.
Please remember that once you are buzzed into the building, 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.
Drop Box
Parents - please use the secure drop box located next to our buzzer/camera system outside the school for dropping off items to your student. Please be sure to label the item!
Press the buzzer to let our secretary, Mrs. Curtis, know what you have, and then place it in the drop box. Mrs. Curtis will come out and get the items to distribute them to your student.
You can leave items such as:
Athletic gear
Textbooks/homework
Lunch/money (we'll come out and get it from you)
If you are dropping off a Chromebook, please notify the secretary as it should not be placed in the drop box.
Thank you!
We Need Awesome People Like You!!
Interested in supporting the future of our community? Do you want a job the presents you with new opportunities each day? Looking for a job that gives you flexibility? Then check us out!!
Please visit our district website if you are interested in being a bus driver, substitute teacher, food services, or part of the custodial staff.
Here at HMS we are in need of a Noon Supervisor. We'd love to have you support our kids in one of their favorite parts of the day, LUNCH!! If interested, please check out the details here.
HMS Student C.A.R.E
At HMS, we will continue to promote C.A.R.E, Civility And Respect Everywhere. Each week we'll be recognizing students who have demonstrated this throughout our school day. We will be promoting kindness, courtesy in behavior and speech, as well as positive regard for our school community.
If your child is participating in athletics, they must have a sports physical on file in our office and parents are required to register your student athlete in Final Forms.
- Winter 1 season begins the last week of October and it includes Girls Volleyball and Wrestling.
- Winter 2 season begins in January and will include Boys Basketball, Competitive Cheer, and Coed Swimming.
Parent Lighthouse Team
WE NEED YOU!! WE ARE IN NEED OF PARENTS TO LEAD OUR PLT!
The Parent Lighthouse Team meets the first Monday of each month. For meeting times and other PLT information please visit our site to find out how we are working to support our students and school! If you have other questions please email patricia.burgess@hask12.org.
Important Links
Upcoming Events
10/6 - Count Day
10/12 - In-Person Parent Teacher conferences (4-7pm)
10/14 - Virtual Parent Teacher conferences (4-7pm)
10/14 - Picture retake day
10/22 - Half Day dismissal at 10:58am
11/2 - No School - PD Day
TBA - New Student Breakfast for all HMS students new to the HAS District
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