Mustang Update
Week of February 27 - March 3, 2023
Spring Is Coming!
We have about two weeks left in the 3rd Quarter. Parents need to make sure that assignments are completed prior to March 9. If you have questions about your child's grades or any missing assignments, please reach out to your child's teacher or counselor to set up a meeting.
As we move into the last quarter of the school year, we will be conducting many end of year assessments. (SOL, MAP and class assessments) These assessments will indicate what students know and don't know. Many of them will be used to make decisions about placement in classes for next year. It is important that students show what they know and take all assessments seriously. Please discuss with your child the importance of doing their best on these assessments.
H. H. Poole is hosting parent night for rising 7th and 8th graders. It is important that we communicate changes to the schedule for next year and want to ensure all parents have the opportunity to ask questions. On March 6 rising 7th grade parents are invited to discuss these changes starting at 5:30 pm. We will meet with rising 8th grade parents starting at 7:00 pm. We hope you all can join us.
In an effort to manage student access to sites on the school networks, SCPS has blocked several sites that are not needed by students during the school day. TikTok, Facebook, Spotify, Instagram and identified gaming sites have been blocked. Students will not be able to access these sites using their Chromebooks or their personal devices while on the school server. We will continue to look for and block sites that are not deemed "educational" for student use.
HH Poole's Literary Magazine, The Poole Perspective, is looking for submissions. If you think your child would like to submit something they have written, a poem, an essay, or a short story, we would love to see it. Scan the QR code below for more information.
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, March 8th at 7PM. Please join us.
Important Dates:
- February 28 - Wrestling at DMS - 5:15pm
- March 1 - 3 - Softball Tryouts - 4:10 pm - 6:00pm
- March 6 - Rising 7th/8th Grade Parent Meeting - 5:30 pm and 7:00pm
- March 10 - End of 3rd Quarter
- March 10 - Teacher Workday - Schools Closed
- March 13 - 17 - Spring Break - All Schools Closed
- March 20 - Start of 4th Quarter
Mustang Shout Out!!!
Silease James - 6th grader
At the 2023 AAU 14 and Under Youth Indoor Nationals -Track and Field competition in Ypsilanti, Michigan on 2/17/2023, Silease achieved 2nd place in Shot Put for 12 year old girls. At the 2023 Boo Williams Sportsplex Queens & Kings Series in Hampton, Virginia, on 2/19/2023, Silease was awarded as Champion (1st place) for Shot Put for 11-12 year old girls with a personal record 35’6” throw.
Michael James, Jr. - 7th grader
At the 2023 AAU 14 and Under Youth Indoor Nationals -Track and Field competition in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on 2/17/2023, Michael achieved 1st place and is an All-American National Champion in Shot Put for 13 year old boys. At the 2023 Boo Williams Sportsplex Queens & Kings Series in Hampton, Virginia, on 2/19/2023, Michael was awarded as Champion (1st place) for Shot Put for 13-14 year old boys with a personal record 44’5” throw.
Socks and Gloves Drive
"Anchored 4 Life students are hosting a donation drive for socks & gloves to benefit the local homeless shelter.
They are asking for donations of new (in package or with tags) socks and gloves of all sizes from February 13 - March 3, 2023.
The donation box is in the Counseling Center. Let's fill up the box!"
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:
Stafford County Sheriff's Office - Basketball Game
The Stafford County Sheriff's office is hosting a DARE Basketball Game on March 9th at 6:30pm at Brooke Point High School. I was hoping you could include the flyer for it in the newsletter or in an email to all staff. We want as many people as we can get to attend as this is a community event. A bonus is you will get to see me attempt to play basketball!
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