Bronco Bits
August 29 2019
Principal's Message
Week two is wrapping up and we are in the full swing of things here at HMS. Thank you all for your help to ensure a smooth transition into 2019-2020. It was so great to see so many of you at Mini School Night on Tuesday. If I didn't get to meet you, I very much look forward to in the future.
Soon we will have many events starting up and I am so excited to see our students perform and compete in all that they do. I look forward to seeing you all as we watch our Broncos excel on the court, field, stage, etc. There is so much to celebrate here at HMS.
Each day the staff here at HMS strives to provide each student with the very best experience possible. Academics is a huge part of that, but we know our students are so much more than that. They are all unique individuals with a wide range of gifts, talents, and abilities. We will continually strive to nurture those gifts and talents so they may become the best they can possibly be.
We, as a staff, are so fortunate to serve this community. Your support and encouragement mean the world to us. As the year goes on don't hesitate to reach out if we can ever do anything to assist your family as we navigate this middle school journey together. We're here to serve.
I hope you all have an amazing holiday weekend! Be safe. We'll see you Tuesday morning.
Proud to be your principal,
Dr. James Whitfield
Picture Day
School pictures were today. Individual photographs will be available in approximately 2-3 weeks allowing you to view and purchase your portrait packages online. More info will come closer to that time.
Also, It appears that Dr. Whitfield's proof of once having a "smooth afro" did not send properly in last nights email. Enjoy :-)
The 411
ID badges
In the interest of school safety, all GCISD students are required to wear a visible ID badge each day. Replacement costs are as follows:
$1 - Plastic Holder
$5 - New ID Badge
$2 - New Lanyard
Nutrition
A reimbursable breakfast is offered at all schools for $1.45 paid and $0.30 reduced-priced. Breakfast times may vary slightly per campus, see below for advertised serving times:
Elementary schools: 7:15 a.m. - 7:35 a.m.
Middle schools: 7:30 a.m. - 8 a.m. with a second breakfast option per campus schedule
High schools: 7:50 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. with a second breakfast option per campus schedule
Save the Date: Medal of Honor Recognition
Several Medal of Honor recipients will be in attendance and recognized on Friday, September 13 when Colleyville Heritage football hosts Trinity at 7 p.m. at Mustang Panther Stadium. Organized by the Tribute to Valor Foundation, this promises to be a special evening for all involved. For more information, visit our website.
Parent Tech Academy is back for the 2019-2020 school year!
This year's first session will be over Apps Parents Need to Know. With the ever-changing world of technology and mobile apps, come hear what's new that you need to know as a parent.
September 4, 2019 from 6:15-7:30 p.m.
GCISD Professional Development Center
5800 Colleyville Blvd, Colleyville, TX 76034
Find more information online at www.gcisd.net/parenttech
or registration can be completed online here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdlTqo9Iq9pNj-OoJLCoYlJ49ck7wPvX90pEo2imYulK01mBw/viewform?usp=sf_link
Typing Club
GCISD students in grades 3-8 have access to a touch-typing app available through Classlink. Typing Club is a web-based program that teaches students how to build speed and accuracy while typing. Students in grades 3-8 should use this program during the school day and may also use it at home. Students can easily access Typing Club through Classlink.
Traffic Flow Info
The COLD will be here soon enough!
HMS Fall Social: Jeans & Jerseys
Join HMS for the Fall Social: Jeans & Jerseys on Friday, September 27th.
Tickets are $10 and include entry into the social and 3 concession tickets that can be redeemed for pizza, snacks, and/or drinks. Additional concession tickets will be available for purchase at $1 each.
Enjoy a DJ, dancing, inflatables, basketball, concessions and more!
Please purchase your tickets here: https://www.heritagemiddlepta.com/product-page/2019-spring-social-ticket or at lunch beginning 9/24/19.Please note, only current HMS students are allowed to attend the social. Siblings, cousins, neighbors, etc will be turned away at the door.
We also need your help to make this social a success and to continue having these fun socials for our kids. Please consider helping with prepay sales or at the event. All parents are welcome and it would be great to have a few dads each time frame to help with crowd control. All volunteers must complete a GCISD background check and be cleared prior to September 27th in order to volunteer. Sign up below!
It's TIME to JOIN the PTSA!
Two ways to JOIN...
- online: pay with credit/debit card (PayPal account not required)
- in person: send this form to school's main office. Place cash/check in envelope labeled HMS PTSA
HMS PTSA membership...
- is valid from August 1 to July 31, and must be renewed each year.
- supports student programs, staff appreciation activities, campus enhancements (like the new digital sign!), scholarships, and more
- includes parents, students, grandparents, community members! Sign everyone up!
Questions? Contact Rachael Abell- HMSmembership@broncoptsa.org
Washington DC Trip for Next Year - June 2020
Registration for the HMS trip to Washington DC for next summer is LIVE! Trip is open to HMS students in 7th and 8th grade during the 2019-2020 school year. Visit www.worldstrides.com/signup for details. Use Trip ID# 174661. Contact Coach Landau for more information.
HMS Volunteer Hours
Did you volunteer on behalf of HMS in May 2019?
Bronco Parents! Please log any HMS volunteer hours at www.heritagemiddlepta.com/volunteer
Click on "Log Volunteer Hours".
Time volunteering for ANY HMS activity (band, athletics, choir, drama, dance, cheer, PTA, etc) count! Log any hours done at home, school, or in the community.
We compete with the other GCISD schools each month for top volunteers! Help us win!
Counselors' Corner
Duke TIP
The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented youth. Duke TIP's talent searches serve as the entry point to academic benefits and programs for gifted and talented students in grades 4-12. HMS Counselors will be notifying students, September 6 for those 7th graders who qualify for the program. Parents will also be notified at that time. For more information, click here: https://tip.duke.edu/programs
Guidance
6th Grade Guidance - We completed our Counselor Introduction and Bullying/David's Law guidance lesson. Our next lesson will be on Goal Setting on October 7th (Girls) and 9th (Boys).
SOS
During the month of September, the HMS counselors will be leading guidance lessons from the S.O.S (Signs of Suicide) curriculum. This program will be shared with all GCISD middle and high school students and staff. Students will learn how to respond to a friend who may need extra support. One tool they will gain is the acronym ACT.
A: Acknowledge the problem
C: Care. Let the person know you care.
T: Tell a responsible adult.
Counselors will also discuss the difference between sadness and depression.
The Parent Screening will be August 29th at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM at the Administration Building.
6th Graders will have their lesson Tuesday, September 10.
7th Graders will have their lesson Thursday, September 12.
8th Graders will have their lesson Monday, September 16.
A parent letter was sent home. This needs to be returned by September 6th only if you do NOT want your child to participate in this guidance lesson. To view the Parent and Student videos and access an electronic copy of the letter, you can go to this website: https://www.gcisd.net/cms/one.aspx?portalId=96313&pageId=748694
If you have any further questions over this curriculum, please contact Sarah Burey, the Student Advocate Counselor.
Friends for Life
This is an anonymous way to make a report if a student sees or hears about anything that is concerning. To access information with the phone number, number to text, phone application, and website to make this report, you can go to our counseling website by clicking HERE.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you ever have any questions or concerns!
Thank you,
Chandra Manuel (A-K Counselor) - chandra.manuel@gcisd.net
Renae Garrett (L-Z Counselor) - joyce.garrett@gcisd.net
Sarah Burey (Student Advocate) - sarah.burey@gcisd.net
HMS Mission, Vision, and Core Beliefs
Mission
Heritage Middle School will empower all students to develop the knowledge and skills to be college and career ready in a global society.
Vision
Our school community will inspire a passion and sense of value for lifelong learning.
Core Beliefs
- Provide a safe and secure environment
- Maintain high expectations for all learners
- Build and maintain positive relationships
- Celebrate diversity
- Communicate and collaborate effectively
Doing Things The Bronco Way!
Website: http://hms.gcisd.net/
Location: 5300 Heritage Avenue, Colleyville, TX, United States
Phone: 817-305-4790
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Heritage-Middle-School-145970672210425/
Twitter: @HeritageBroncos