Houston Middle School April News
Go Hawks!
Contact Information
Email: hms@matsuk12.us
Website: www.matsuk12.us/hms
Location: 12801 Hawk Lane, Big Lake, AK, United States
Phone: (907)-892-9500
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HMSHAWKPRIDE
Twitter: @HMSHAWKPRIDE
Principal Howard's Monthly Message
Welcome to April and the beginning of the 4th Quarter! The staff and students are hard at work making sure the last quarter of the school year is a successful one. There are lots of great things happening at Houston Middle School this month. We are definitely going to be busy right up until the last day of school. We wouldn't have it any other way!
Please take a few minutes to explore our April newsletter and find out what's happening in April. A few highlights include: Our 2nd Annual Chili Cook Off happening on April 6th, our first 6th Grade Orientation Night and our HMS Band will be traveling to local elementary schools the night of April 27th.
I hope everyone has a great April and as always, please feel free to visit or contact Houston Middle School when the need arises.
- Ben Howard
What Is Bullying?
So, what is bullying?
Bullying ?
"When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once, that's RUDE.
When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once, that's MEAN.
When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they keep doing it - even when you tell them to stop or show them that you're upset - that's BULLYING.
When someone tries to use their power (physical and/or emotional) to try to control the actions of another person - that's BULLYING."
Anti-Bullying Videos:
The attached videos are fictional scenarios created to see how people react to or intervene when witnessing bullying. I encourage families to watch these videos together and have discussions about how harmful bullying can be and brainstorm safe ways to counteract bullying.
Girl Getting Bullied Scenario
http://viewpure.com/PqU-hnowpZA?start=0&end=0
The Bullying Experiment
Historical Moments That Happened in the Month of April...
April 3, 1860 - In the American West, the Pony Express service began as the first rider departed St. Joseph, Missouri. For $5 an ounce, letters were delivered 2,000 miles to California within ten days. The famed Pony Express riders each rode from 75 to 100 miles before handing the letters off to the next rider. A total of 190 way stations were located about 15 miles apart. The service lasted less than two years, ending upon the completion of the overland telegraph.
April 6, 1917 - Following a vote by Congress approving a declaration of war, the U.S. entered World War I in Europe.
April 26, 1986 - At the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Ukraine, an explosion caused a meltdown of the nuclear fuel and spread a radioactive cloud into the atmosphere, eventually covering most of Europe. A 300-square-mile area around the plant was evacuated. Thirty one persons were reported to have died while an additional thousand cases of cancer from radiation were expected. The plant was then encased in a solid concrete tomb to prevent the release of further radiation.
Growth Mindset
-From mindsetonline.com/whatisit/about/
Difficulty = Learning
Big Ideas!
FAIL
HMS School-Wide Behavior Data
Please take a few minutes to look at the data and feel free to offer ideas or suggestions on how we can reduce the number of behavior incidents at HMS.
https://www.smore.com/guga5-fy17-hms-discipline-consequences
Behavior Referral Data:
https://www.smore.com/hgyxq-behavior-referral-data
Office Referral Data:
https://www.smore.com/8ts45-fy17-office-referral-data
R.O.C. Room Data:
https://www.smore.com/h2rtz-fy17-roc-room-data
Upcoming Dates
Performance Evaluation for Alaska's Schools (PEAKS)
Please make sure your child arrives to school on time. Testing will begin at 8:00 AM each day of testing. In addition, please communicate with the front office if a student needs to leave early during testing. Thanks for your cooperation.
Pastries for Parents
Spring Dance
sponsored by our wrestling team. If your child attends the dance, please make sure to pick him/her up promptly at 4:00 PM. Thank you for your cooperation.
Chili Cook Off
This is a Title I sponsored event.
Jazz Festival
Kids To College
Spring Track & Field
HMS Track & Field starts on Monday, 4/10/17 for grades 6th-8th. Please have completed paperwork for participation submitted to the office by Friday, 4/7/17. Go Hawks!
3rd Quarter Honor Roll/Attendance Assembly
HMS will host its 3rd Quarter Honor Roll/Attendance Assembly on Wednesday, 4/12/17 at the following times:
7th Grade @ 8:15 AM
6th Grade @ 9:10 AM
8th Grade @ 10:00 AM
Please come join us as we celebrate the academic success of HMS students.
MAP Testing Window Opens
Additional Resource Below:
A FAQ for parents/guardians outlining reasons why it's important for students to participate in the PEAKS assessment is below.
Mid-Term Grades Due
HMS Title I Planning Meeting
The HMS Title I Planning Committee is meeting on Wednesday, 4/19/17 from 7:30 AM - 11:00 AM. We are looking for a few parents to attend this meeting. The planning team will be discussing and planning ways to use the Title I funds for events for the next school year.
If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact the front office or Ms. Tanya Boehm @ 892-9523 or Tanya.Boehm@matsuk12.us.
Scholastic Notices
Did You Know?
April 18, 1775 - The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere and William Dawes occurred as the two men rode out of Boston about 10 p.m. to warn patriots at Lexington and Concord of the approaching British.
Fun Friday
HMS will host Fun Friday on Friday, 4/21/17 from 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM. Fun Friday is a chance to recognize students who stay caught up with the their school work and earn good grades.
Eligible students get to choose a fun activity to participate in during the last hour of the day. Ineligible students will be assigned to a study hall to have extra time to get caught up on their school work. We will run an alternate bell schedule on Fun Friday.
6th Grade Orientation
HMS Band: Elementary School Tours
HMS School Nurse News
The growth and development class for 6th graders is scheduled for Wednesday, April 12 during 8th period. All boys will be in the commons with Mr. Swick and all the girls will be in the library with Nurse Burger.
Informational letters and the exclusion forms were sent home with students on March 29. If you DO NOT want your student to participate, please sign the form and send it back by April 11th. You may also email me at johanna.burger@matsuk12.us or call me @ 892-9507 if you DO NOT want your student to participate. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me. Thank you!
- Nurse Burger
HMS Counselor's Corner
Weekly Progress Reports
Middle Years: Working Together for School Success
http://www.rfecustomer.com/Pubs/201704/483299_MY0417E.pdf?ID=2673