HMS Connection

Welcome Back!

Hello HMS Community!

There has been a flurry of activity at HMS over the last few weeks as we prepare for the students' return, and we can hardly wait to see them.

While this newsletter will answer most questions students and families have, the start of the school year always brings a certain level of "uncertainty". Please know that our entire faculty is ready to help each and every one of our students as they adjust to life at HMS.

As the last days become the last hours, I need to take the time to thank all the people who were here over the summer getting things ready to go. Our custodians, who make the building look brand-new every year. Our secretaries who prepare all of the back-to-school paperwork and answer the phones all summer long when questions arise. Our school counselors who work to make sure every student has everything in place for their return. And our teachers, who can never really stay away for the whole summer. They are here for professional development programs, setting up their classrooms, and doing everything to make this the best year ever.

I hope you enjoy these last days of summer vacation, and look forward to seeing you next Tuesday.

Mr. Smith

First Day Facts - All you need to know as walk through the door!

• Arrival Procedures - For the First Day and all year long!
• Attached you will find a map of the HMS property to assist you during the morning drop-off. Please help us to keep all students safe by following these traffic patterns every day.
• Grade 6 students will enter Hingham Middle School using the main entrance and proceed directly to their homeroom.
• Grade 7 students will enter Hingham Middle School using the gymnasium entrance and then proceed down the back hallway, passing the cafeteria, and up the back staircase by the woodshop.
• Grade 8 students will enter through the side doors closest to the athletic fields and use the main staircase.

Please be aware that there will be voting in the HMS gym on Tuesday, September 6. This will not impact arrivals or dismissals, but may result in additional parking lot traffic.

• Student Schedules
• Students will be given the most up-to-date version of their schedule during homeroom on Tuesday, but they are strongly encouraged to check it on X2 this weekend, as some changes have been made to improve class size.

• Lockers and Lunch Times
• Students will be given this information during their A block classes. In some rare instances, an old locker number may appear in the student portal on X2. Please disregard this. We are currently updating this field.

Paraeducators

We are happy to welcome several new Paraeducators to our HMS community, but we are still in need of a few! If you know of anyone who may be interested, please ask them to contact Alison Janulewicz (ajanulewicz@hinghamschools.org) or apply via Schoolspring.com.

A Message from the HMS PTO

Hello HMS Parents,

As we begin our new school year, we have an open position for a parent representative on the

HMS School Council.

There are two School Council Representatives at HMS, each with a two-year term. The School

Council is responsible for developing an annual school improvement plan. Meetings are held

monthly with HMS administration, our two parent representatives, a teacher representative, a

community representative and our school committee liaison. Currently, we have one opening

for school council representative to serve alongside Laura Accettella, who is starting the second

year of her term.

If you are interested in this position, please send an email to HMSPTOnews@gmail.com by

Friday, September 16th. Please include a short description of what experience you will bring to

the role.

A vote will be distributed the following week via Google Forms and every HMS Parent will have

the opportunity to vote for the candidate they feel will best represent them for the 2022-2024

school years.

Please contact Karen Daly at dalykare@gmail.com with any questions.

Thank you,

Karen Daly (Co-President - HMS PTO)

Brian Sweeney (Co-President - HMS PTO)

Food Services News

Please see the attached newsletter from our Food Services department. It contains important information about our meal programs and what students need to know about participating. Please contact director Kim Smyth (ksmyth@hinghamschools.org) with any questions.

School Pictures

School Pictures are scheduled to be taken after dismissal on Wednesday, September 7th, beginning at 3:00 PM. Students should go home and return to school for their pictures. Please plan to have your middle schooler attend during their scheduled time.

Open House

The HMS Open House is planned for the evening of Thursday, September 29. More details regarding times and programs will follow, but please save the date.

Chromebooks

As you may be aware, all students at HMS are issued a Chromebook to be used for school and school-related assignments. Our grade six students, as well as all students new to HMS will be given a Chromebook by their homeroom teachers. Students will be asked to use their school-issued Chromebooks when completing assignments and research in class next year. Students should be prepared with their HMS Chromebook just as they would a textbook or a pencil. We ask that personal devices be left at home. If students bring a personal device to class, they will be asked to put it away, just like a cell phone. We are investing in technology to better engage our students and support our teachers. Thank you for your cooperation If you have any questions please contact an administrator.

Also, please be reminded that Chromebook insurance protection plans are now available for HMS issued Chromebook devices. This insurance plan, through Securranty.com, is not required but highly recommended, and is only available to HMS students.

Enrollment is now open and includes . . .

• 1 year full protection for $27 per device
• Unlimited claims
• All claims processed and handled by HMS Technology Coordinator.

• Enrollment is open to all HMS students, including those in grades seven and eight.

Any non-warranty repairs are the responsibility of the students (for example, cracked screens, liquid spills, physical damage to any part of the device) unless a protection plan has been purchased. The current cost to replace the LCD screen is $32.95 and a complete Chromebook replacement costs $242 (this includes the cost of the Google license).

Please note, students should not put stickers or otherwise "customize" their Chromebooks, as they are the property of the HPS. They should be treated similar to a textbook. We will not be providing cases this year.

Please see the attached flyer for more details about the plan and a link to purchase.

Any questions can be directed to the Technology Director, Caryn Condon (ccondon@hinghamschools.org)

Hingham Sports Partnership Youth Cross Country

The Hingham Sports Partnership is excited to announce that Youth XC registration is now LIVE!

https://hsp-youth-track.sportngin.com/register/form/304735575

They will be holding 8 sessions at HHS Track, from 4:30-5:30, Weds 9/14 - Weds 11/2.

The cost is $75 per participant for the season which includes a Youth Track T-shirt.

As always, please feel free to reach out to the HSP with any questions.

Judy Walsh

Ken Warshaw

Co-Chairs Youth XC and Track Program

You are also welcome to text or call also 781-789-6952

hinghamyouthtrack@gmail.com

Please note that this is not an HMS organization. Contact the representatives listed above for more information.

Hingham CARES Events

The Hingham CARES organization is sponsoring the following events:

TUE, 9/27 @ 7PM

Hingham Middle School auditorium

TEENS AND MARIJUANA

Keynote speech by Laura Stack on the risks of today's marijuana on the developing teen brain.

Laura will be signing her book after her speech.

Hingham CARES and Duxbury FACTS are co-sponsors of this FREE event.

Seats can be reserved here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-risks-of-todays-marijuana-with-laura-stack-tickets-407517093597

WED, 9/28 @ 11AM

Hingham Town Hall

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MODERN DAY MARIJUANA

Panel discussion on various aspects of modern marijuana

Panelists include: Laura Stack, DA Tim Cruz, Dr. Todd Kerensky of South Shore Health and Jack Richman who is a Drug Recognition Expert with the Hingham Police Department