The Buccaneer Bulletin
March 1, 2024
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Coming Up at the Bend...
Monday 3/4
- Fentanyl Awareness Assembly
- PTO P. Terry's Spirit Night 5pm to close
- Choir Pre-UIL
- Theater OAP Rehearsal
- District Track Meet Pre-Lims @LTHS
- FCA
- Band Pre-UIL
- District Track Meet Finals @LTHS
- Early Dismissal at 12:50pm
SPRING BREAK Monday 3/11- Friday 3/15
**Upcoming Exam Dates**
4/10 - ELA STAAR (Grades 6-8)
4/17 - Science STAAR (Grade 8)
4/18 - Social Studies STAAR (Grade 8)
4/24 - Math STAAR (Grades 6-8) & Algebra STAAR
5/20 - Final Exam Review Day
5/21-5/24 - Final Exams
Congratulations Orchestra!
Both HBMS JV and Varsity orchestras received perfect scores at the UIL concert and sight reading competition yesterday! Congratulations to these talented students on their hard work.
Leap Year Museum
Fentanyl Awareness Assembly - 3/4
Dear Parent of Lake Travis ISD Middle School Student,
My name is Stefanie Turner, and I am the founder of Texas Against Fentanyl ( www.txaf.org ). Per HB 3908 Texas Schools are required to provide fentanyl education to students in grades 6-12. This law was named after my son Tucker who lost his life to fentanyl poisoning in 2021. My son did not have an opportunity to learn of this poison, and neither did I. To help prevent any other loss of life I have poured my heart and soul into fighting for changes to help safeguard our students and parents with lifesaving awareness and education on this lethal poison.
I will be presenting to your middle school student the first week of March. I encourage you to talk to your child about this poison, as well as ask questions about what they learned and their thoughts on this topic. Below you will find key information that will be covered. However if you have any questions or feedback feel free to contact me directly at stefanie@txaf.org
The topics that will be discussed during the presentation are as follows:
Legislative efforts we explain.
House Bill HB3908, passed and was named “Tucker’s Law”
House Bill HB6, passed increasing penalties related to the sale and production of fentanyl, classifying it as a felony with a minimum 10 year sentence, with a 5 year minimum for possession of paraphernalia. In addition if you sell a lethal pill resulting in death you could face a murder charge punishable by 20 years to life.
We also include law enforcement to share overall and local statistics, find a few of them below…
There are over 300 deaths daily resulting from fentanyl-related incidents (a plane crash daily).
Fentanyl is the #1 killer of individuals under the age of 55.
Fentanyl does not discriminate on geography, age, or race.
99% of pills seized by the DEA in 2022 contained fentanyl and 70% contained a fatal dosage.
Since 2018, teen drug deaths have grown the fastest up 152% driven by fentanyl 356%.
Three times faster than the U.S. all ages growth rates.
The Department of Public Safety has reported that in 2023 there were enough seizures of fentanyl laced products to kill every American.
Travis County is the leading county in Texas in the number of fentanyl-related deaths!
Shockingly, 2022 statistical data from the Travis County Medical Examiner revealed a staggering 600% increase in overdose deaths between 2020 and 2022
We do a role play demonstrating fentanyl’s effect on brain receptors and how naloxone, the life saving opioid antagonist works.
In most cases one dose is not enough to save life, and naloxone does not harm you.
Students will hear a non graphic impact story from a community member. As well as learn from a law enforcement partner from our Central Texas Task Force what they are seeing on the front lines in the Austin area.
Downloadable fact sheets here - https://txaf.org/facts/
Available Educational Videos here – https://fentanyl.tv/video/counterfeits-kill-fentanyl-facts/
I do hope that you find this information valuable, and I look forward to driving awareness and education to your beautiful children. Please feel free to reach out for any questions.
Warmest Regards,
Stefanie Turner
Stefanie Turner is the founder of Texas Against Fentanyl, a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives through fentanyl awareness. Her life was forever changed after her 19 year-old son died after taking one illicit Percocet pill in September 2021. This tragic event challenged Stefanie to use her voice and passion to help bring awareness and attention to this epidemic that our nation is facing. Stefanie is extremely passionate, honest, and authentic as she bravely shares her son’s story with hopes of helping to prevent others from suffering the deadly effects of this dangerous drug that is devastating our communities.
The mission behind TXAF is to create awareness about fentanyl, provide resources, and support affected families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. TXAF also successfully fought and championed for HB 3908, Tuckers’s Law, requiring fentanyl education in all schools, and has partnered with a national educational publishing company to create an accredited curriculum written to Texas standards for grades 6-12. By continuing to educate, support, and help foster legislative changes, TXAF is committed to helping end the fentanyl epidemic.
Spirit Night This Monday
Spinal Screenings in March
March Mental Health Newsletter
Discover the secrets to Family Happiness! In March’s Family Mental Health Newsletter (English/Spanish), we delve into the profound insights from the Harvard Happiness Study and how they can transform your family's well-being. Learn how to nurture strong bonds, manage stress, and create a positive environment where happiness thrives. From teaching your kids the power of positivity to embracing change and resilience. Keep your family smiling by fostering happiness at home!
As always, check out the ParentGuidance.org resources where you can access free courses led by licensed therapists on more than 50 topics. Check out the course titled, Everyday Happiness. To access the course, simply navigate to ParentGuidance.org and click On-Demand Courses.
Mental Health Series - How to Motivate Your Child
Summer Enrichment Camp
LTISD Summer Enrichment Camp Registration Begins Monday, March 4th!
Half-Day and Full-Day Options: Robotics, STEM, Art, Drama, Academic, Sports and MORE!
Prek-12th Grade (grade level completing this school year)
For the Catalog, Locations and More Info Visit:
LTISD Career Fair Saturday 3/23
Staff Shout Outs!
Did an HBMS teacher or staff member do something outstanding for your child? Use the Form below to submit a staff shout out! This will be shared with our entire staff and printed to hang in our front office to highlight the great things teachers are doing. Thank you for helping me encourage our amazing HBMS staff!
Final Exam Schedule - May 2024
Spirit Wear
Did you miss out on Spirit Wear at Round Up? There is still time to buy it through the PTO WEBSITE in the Spirit Store!
Upcoming Spirit Nights
3/4 - P. Terry's (5pm to close)
Follow PTO on Socials
Visit hbms-pto.org for more information about how you can help the school through the PTO. Purchase spirit wear, sign up to volunteer, or check out upcoming events.
Don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram @hbmspto!
HBMS Leadership Team
While our campus leadership team works collaboratively with all students and teachers, the following information should help you reach the appropriate administrator or counselor for your child's grade level should a question or concern arise. We are committed to serving our students and appreciate the opportunity to work together with families to support our learners.
Principal
6th Grade
Assistant Principal: Tatiana Chavez
Counselor: Surita Scholla
7th Grade
Assistant Principal: Clark Fredrickson
Counselor: Dana Page
8th Grade
Assistant Principal: Brian Gill
Counselor: Kendall Sealy
Hudson Bend Middle School
Website: ltisdschools.org/HBMS
Location: 15600 Lariat Trail, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-533-6400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ltisdschools
Twitter: @HudsonBendMS