Principal's Memo
March 11-15, 2024
A Message from Dr. Harris
Henderson Family,
I know that you have probably heard your child fussing about having to do Reading Plus. I apologize for not doing a good enough job of explaining what it is, and why we require students to do it. I am seeking your support in encouraging your child to do it, and to do it well. Please see below for more information.
What is Reading Plus?
Reading Plus is an adaptive literacy solution that improves fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, stamina, and motivation. It is used to provide remediation and acceleration for our students based on their reading level.
Why we push Reading Plus?
We view reading as something that must be practiced in order to get better. In other words, just like it is important to invest in a hitting or pitching coach for a baseball player to become better, it is just as important to practice reading in order for your child to become successful. If students do not practice their reading, then it lessens their chances of becoming or remaining a good reader. This is especially important because our state tests (all subjects and not just the ELA) are very rigorous. In order to be successful on state tests, it is important for students to read on or above grade level.
Your child has to complete two 15 minute passages per week along with vocabulary practice. Reading Plus should only take about 1 hour per week during class time, if your child commits to getting it done in a timely manner. Also, students must pass each test with 80% or higher in order for them to show growth.
Reward System for Reading
- students earn 1 coin for every 80% or higher they make on a passage
- students can purchase candy (price varies) or slushy (4 coins per cup) with the coins
- Slushy for classes with the highest pass rate
- Nacho Day for students who have met their goal. Last month, we celebrated over 300 students, which is just below 50% of our students.
***This is funded by Pajama Days and other fundraiser activities. If you would like to sponsor this initiative, please email me at suzan.harris@bcssk12.org. My goal is to expand this reward system to our math remediation/acceleration day as well.
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The Week at a Glance
Monday, March 11
- Reading Plus Day in ELA
Tuesday, March 12
- Student of the Month Recognition
- Baseball vs. Pike County
- Volleyball vs. Rock Springs
Wednesday, March 13
- 8th Grade Field Trip to Shakespeare Tavern
- Tiger Time Day
- Baseball @Upson Lee
- Soccer vs. Pike County
- Band State Evaluation
Thursday, March 14
- Track Quad 2 Meet
- Volleyball vs. Luella
- Band State Evaluation
Friday, March 15
- End of 3rd Quarter
- KhanMappers Day in Math
- Baseball @Monroe
- Soccer vs. Jones County
- Band State Evaluation
Announcements
Counselor's Corner
Welcome back from a much-needed week off! We hope your break was fantastic.
The HMS School Counselors are here for you! Please contact us by clicking the COUNSELOR link in ClassLink. 🥰
We want you here every single day- EVERY DAY OF SCHOOL MATTERS!
Our goal for student attendance is that 95% of our students are present each day.
Attendance Data- February 26-March 1
6th grade- 93.49% present
7th grade- 94.13% present (oh yeah- whoop!! whoop!!)
8th grade- 93.94% present
Students continued to complete the YOUSCIENCE assessment this week. You Science provides career guidance using artificial intelligence to uncover student aptitudes and then connects these aptitudes to careers and educational pathways designed to help students find relevance in school and confidence beyond graduation from high school. Results will be in soon!
Take care/Be safe/Looking forward to seeing you more in 2024!
Mrs. Rankin and Dr. Leggett
National Suicide Hotline 1.800.273.8255
Georgia Crisis and Access Line 1.800.715.4225
GA Child Abuse/Reporting 1.855.GACHILD (422.4453)
Sports Update
HMS Athletic Update March 2024
HMS Athletic Update
March 2024
Henderson Middle School is in the Middle Georgia Middle School Athletic League. The league consists of Clifton Ridge, Gray Station, Upson Lee, Pike County, Lamar County, Monroe County and Jasper County.
HMS Baseball- HMS baseball team hosted Monticello on Thursday 03/07 and it was a very competitive game. The game ended in unfamiliar fashion for baseball, a 6-6 tie. Next up for the Tigers will be at home on 03/12 vs. Pike County, on the road 03/13 @ Upson Lee and @ Monroe County on 03/15. The Tigers are currently 1-6-1 on the season.
HMS Soccer- HMS Soccer Teams traveled to Monroe County on Monday 3/4 and the girls were defeated 5-0 and the boys lost also 3-1. The teams hosted Lamar County on 03/06 and both games ended in a tie. The boys' score was 2-2 and the girls finished 1-1. The teams host Pike County on Friday 03/08 beginning at 5 pm. The teams will be on the road vs Jasper County 03/11, home on 03/13 vs. Pike County and home on 03/15 vs Jones County.
HMS Volleyball- HMS Volleyball teams hosted their very first Volleyball match at Henderson Middle School on Wednesday 03/05 vs. Ola. The Tiger VB teams were both defeated in two sets, our younger team lost 25-19 and 25-15 and the older team lost 25-10 and 25-6. The teams traveled to Rock Springs on Thursday 03/07 and the younger team lost 25-13 and 15-4, the older team lost 25-10 and 25-6. Next up for the HMS volleyball teams will be home on Tuesday 03/12 vs. Rock Springs and home on Thursday 03/14 vs. Luella.
HMS Track- The HMS Track Team hosted a track meet alongside Jackson High on Thursday 03/07 at the Butts County Athletic Complex.
HMS girl results include girls discuss- 1st place Aubrey Villar, Girls High Jump 2nd Place Skylar Grier, Girls 4 X 100 3rd place- Team A, Girls 100 meter 2nd place Skyler Arnold and 3rd place Skylar Grier, Girls 1600 meter 2nd place Jena Estes, girls 800 meter 1st place Jena Estes
HMS boy results include Boys Shot Put 3rd place Maddox Powell. Boys 4 X 100 meter 3rd place Team A, Boys 200 meter 3rd place Kaiden Respress
Overall Results:
1st place- Monroe County
2nd place- Jasper County
3rd place- Lamar County
4th place- Henderson Middle
The Tigers will host another track meet alongside Jackson High School next Thursday 03/14
Students,
Be sure to complete your weekly Reading Plus Lessons. You will earn a token for every lesson that you score 80% or higher on. Those tokens can be cashed during your Media Center Visits.
Happy Reading!
Alison Williams
Media Specialist
Parent Engagement
Please click on the links below to access the Parent Engagement Documents!
March 19, 2024 @ 5:30pm
This event is for current 5th graders/rising 6th graders to support the transition to HMS!
Parent Engagement
- If you are interested in being a member of the HMS School Council, please reach out to Ms. Marlowe.
- HMS would like to re-establish our PTO. If you would be interested in leading this exciting endeavor, please let Ms. Marlowe know, marlowee@bcssk12.org.
Emily Marlowe
Instructional Coach
Title I Parent Engagement Coordinator