Mustang Update
Week of April 10 - 14, 2023
Testing Season Has Begun!
HHP students are well into the end of year testing season. Wednesday and Thursday, students took the Reading and Math Assessment (MAP Testing). These scores will be used to help teachers determine what remediation students need to help them next year as well as looking at how teachers can improve classroom instruction and identify specific skills students are missing or need additional time.
H. H. Poole will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting with parents to discuss ways to improve H. H. Poole. We invite all parents to meet with Mr. Bingham to ask questions or provide feedback to your experience at H. H. Poole as well as participate in a discussion on how to make H. H. Poole a better place for all of our students. Please join us on Thursday, April 13 starting at 7pm in the Library.
Next week our Mustangs will continue taking their end of year assessments. Wednesday, 4/12, our 8th graders will be participating in a state mandated field test. This assessment will help the state identify new items for the SOL tests. On Wednesday, 4/19, students taking a Foreign Language will be STAMP testing (STAndards-based Measurement of Proficiency). The STAMP test is only for 8th grade students who are taking a foreign language.
If you haven't noticed, HHP's PTO is awesome! They are running many programs to support our students here at H.H. Poole. If you are interested, we would love to have more parents join us to continue with these awesome programs. We would love to have you join our PTO Facebook Page. See below for the QR code to link to the page. The next PTO meeting is on Wednesday, April 12 at 7PM. Please join us.
Teacher Appreciation Week is coming - May 1 - 5. Please take a moment to thank you child's teachers. Administrators and PTO will be celebrating these amazing teachers throughout the week. Anything you can do to thank them, would be appreciated.
Important Dates:
- April 7 & 10 - Student/Teacher Holiday - No School
- April 11 - Track Meet @ Shirley Heim MS - 5:15 pm
- April 12 - SOL Field Test
- April 12 - Softball Game @ Stafford MS - 5:15pm
- April 12 - PTO Meeting - 7 pm in the Library
- April 13 - Bus Evacuation Drill - During Morning Arrival
- April 13 - Track Meet @ AG Wright MS - 5:15 pm
- April 13 - Town Hall Mtg. 7pm - In the Library
- April 17 - Softball Game @HHP vs. Dixon Smith MS - 5:15 pm
- April 19 - STAMP Testing for 8th Grade Foreign Language Students
- April 19 - Softball Game @ Drew MS - 5:15 pm
- April 20 - Track Meet @ Gayle MS - 5:15 pm
AM/PM Car Rider Lines
With the decrease in the number of cars coming into the school to drop off and pick up, we have decided to remove the requirement to turn right during the morning and afternoon drop off/pick up.
We will continue to have crossing guards monitor the situation and can post someone at these points if the need arises. Hopefully this will alleviate any frustrations and/or concerns parents have about picking up their students from the school. We appreciated parents working with us to minimize the traffic issues over the last two years.
If you see a problem, please contact Mr. Bingham as soon as possible to address the situation.
H .H. Poole STEAM Night
On Thursday, May 11th from 6:00-7:30 pm, HH Poole Middle School invites you to explore STEAM with us! There will be opportunities to play with cool STEAM products, a showcase of student work, resources from local STEAM businesses, and an exciting edible derby! Fun family activities for all ages will be offered.
Families- we are looking for volunteers to help support this night. Please complete this survey if you are able to help in any way- either via resources and information or on the night itself.
HH Poole's Lady Mustangs
H.H. Poole is proud of our Lady Mustangs. They had two very difficult softball games this week. The ladies persevered and almost took out AG Wright MS with a 4 to 5 loss on Monday. However, they had a tough loss to the Gayle Panthers
Our Lady Mustangs are continuing to grow and becoming the powerhouse we know they can become. GO MUSTANGS!!!
Let's Celebrate Our 8th Graders
H.H. Poole would like to celebrate the 'Seniors' of the school, our eighth graders, with a special spirit week April 17-20. One of our spirit days is to wear the colors or gear from their future high school. The amazing Athletic Booster Club at North Stafford has graciously agreed to make a special trip to HHP to deliver any spirit wear if you would like to order.
H. H. Poole Track
H. H. Poole Track Meets start on Tuesday, April 11 as they take on The Timberwolves or Shirley Hiem MS. We hope all of you can come and support our Mustangs as they travel to Shirly Heim. The match starts at 5:15 pm.
Calling All Rising 9th Graders
If you are an 8th grader attending North Stafford High School in the fall and are interested in joining the varsity dance team, tryouts will be held May 1, 2, and 3 4:30-6:30 at North Stafford. An updated VHSL physical is required to try out. See Ms. Garrison in room 115 for more information.
MAP Accelerator for Parents
For the remainder of the school year, your child will be using MAP Accelerator during FLEX (on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). MAP Accelerator is an instructional tool that provides a personalized learning pathway for every learner based on their results on the MAP Growth exam.
Click here are a few important things to know about MAP Accelerator:
FAMILY SAFETY WORKSHOP SERIES
Stafford County Public Schools, in partnership with the Stafford County Sheriff's Office and the Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department, presents a series of Family Safety Workshops for Stafford families. These workshops will cover critical safety and awareness education for parents, students, and community members. All workshop sessions are FREE and open to the public.
HHP Spring Pictures - Now Available
Thank you for a successful Spring Picture Day.
Spring Portraits are now available to view and order online! All orders will include free shipping for the next two weeks .
Please click the link and image below. Please remember, the online code is the Student ID Number.
National Jr. Honor Society
NJHS Meetings
- For the remainder of the school year, our group will hold meetings on the first Monday of each month:
- March 6th, April 3rd, and May 1st.
- All members are expected to attend meetings; we will hold both a morning (8:20-8:50 AM) and an afternoon (4:15-4:45 PM) session on each date. Each member should choose 1 session to attend.
- Members and their families should discuss which session will work best for their schedules before choosing when to attend.
- Please complete the Google Form to RSVP by the Thursday before each Monday meeting.
- Unfortunately, SCPS does not have activity buses for middle school, so families will need to coordinate transportation or provide permission for the student to walk to or from their chosen meeting time. If a member is not able to attend, they should still use the RSVP Form to let us know that as well.
Mrs. DeFiore, Ms. Fisher & Ms. Fleetwood
Mustang Shout-outs
Many times when our students accomplish extraordinary things outside of school, we are not aware of them. If your child has recently done something that you would like us to celebrate, please use this Google Form to let us know. Our school community would love to help recognize their accomplishments!
Some examples include:
- Community service
- Athletics recognitions
- Scouting awards
- Fine and performing arts recognitions
- Entrepreneurial activities
To submit a Mustang Shout Out please click here:
HHP PTO Meeting Reminder
Want to Reach out to the PTO?
Our PTO has a new Facebook page, Please reach out to them if you have any questions or would like to help with an event. They love volunteers.
Click on the QR Code to see their Facebook page.
Family Tech Tip
From phones and tablets to streaming movies and YouTube, tech and media are everywhere. Parents and caregivers love that kids can stay in contact while they explore their independence. But it's easy to overdo it when the phone never stops pinging and the next episode plays automatically. Families can keep media and tech use in check by following a few simple practices. See link below for some family tech tips on helping kids balance their media lives.
Click on Counseling Corner for More Information
SCPS Parent Teacher Resource Center (PTRC)
The Parent Teacher Resource Center (PTRC) is an information center for Stafford County families and others concerned with the care and education of children with disabilities. The center is open to all families in Stafford County, school staff, and the community with an emphasis on individuals who receive special education services or any family who suspects that their child may have a disability. The PTRC promotes partnerships between parents, educators, and the community.
The PTRC provides:
Support through listening and problem-solving with families
Interactive workshops and resources for families and educators
A lending library of books, videos, and audio tapes on topics relating to disabilities and special education
Individual help on IEPs, the special education process, and challenges that affect families of individuals with disabilities
Help for families and educators to locate local, state, and national resources
Contact the PTRC if you would like more information about joining the PTRC email list for local information, community resources, IEP (Individualized Education Program) information, transition from school to adult life, and building successful parent-school partnerships, and the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC).
The PTRC is open when SCPS schools are in session, 8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Feel free to call for an appointment outside of these hours.
610 Gayle Street, WA-11
Fredericksburg, VA 22405
(located at the back of the Gari Melcher’s Complex)
Telephone: 540.89 9.6000
Email: prc#staffordschools.net
Website: www.staffordschools.net/Page/13883
Facebook: Parent Resource Center- Stafford County Public Schools
Middle School Cell Phone Policy
In Stafford County Middle Schools, Cellular phones/electronic and wireless devices are permitted before and after school; however, students must power off such devices and stow them properly out of sight during the school day. Such devices are to remain off the entire school day unless teacher permission is given otherwise.
It is important that parents and students remember:
- Cell phones are not a part of the Stafford County Curriculum and are not permitted to be used during the day.
- Students should be reminded that if they are sick, they need to report to the nurses office. Please do not allow your child to text you to pick them up from school with out checking with the nurse.
- Students always have access to the front office to call home.
Attendance Information
ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL
Early Dismissal Information
If your student has an appointment and needs to be dismissed early, please write a note and have your student bring it to the front office first thing in the morning. In the note include the student name, date, time of dismissal, and who is picking up your student. We will give your student an Early Dismissal Pass for them to come to the front office when you need them to be. To pick up your student, come to the front office with your driver's license.
Early dismissals will not be processed after 3:15 pm.
Absent Notification
It is the responsibility of a parent/guardian to notify the school of any absences that occur. We may accept written notes or notification through the Online Report of Absence form located on the website or click here. Notice will be accepted up to five days after the absence.
Contact Information
Email: rbingham@staffordschools.net
Website: https://www.staffordschools.net/Domain/27
Location: 800 Eustace Road, Stafford, VA, USA
Phone: (540) 658-6190
Facebook: www.facebook.com/poolems/#
Twitter: @HHPMUSTANGS