Heritage Middle General Mail Call
July 2020
Welcome Back, Generals!!!!
Generals,
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year!! We are so excited to see our 7th and 8th graders again and to meet our new 6th graders! The first day of school will be August 24th for in-person and online learners. Remember that regardless of whether you chose in-person classes or full distance learning this semester, you are still an HMS student and can contact HMS at any time if you have questions! Please read over the following information very carefully for some tips to help you get ready for an awesome school year!
Hybrid Schedule Attendance Days:
Last Name A-J: Go to school on Monday and Tuesday
Last Name K-Z: Go to school on Thursday and Friday
Open House: See informational flyer below for dates and details.
Google Meet for Incoming 6th Graders:
- There will be two Google Meets with administrators for 6th grade students.
- Wednesday, July 29th at 11:00 am: https://meet.google.com/prn-hasj-dtg
- Thursday, July 30th at 2:00 pm: https://meet.google.com/gpz-cqew-btp
- If your incoming 6th grader has questions or did not have the opportunity to participate in our spring virtual tours, please encourage them to attend.
- We understand that some students may feel anxious about starting a new school without participating in an in-person tour and want to answer as many questions as possible to help make the first day easier.
- 6th grade teachers will tour the building with small groups as part of their first day of school activities.
Arrival/Dismissal/School Hours:
- The building opens at 7:00 am.
- Breakfast will be served from 7:00-7:50.
- Students will report to the gyms when they arrive to school (or after eating breakfast in the cafeteria) and remain there until 7:30.
- At 7:30, all students in the gyms will be dismissed in groups to go to homeroom classes until school begins at 8:00. This process will help us maintain social distancing and avoid large gatherings.
- Students arriving after 8:00 am are tardy.
- Dismissal time is 3:20.
- If you plan to pick your student up in the car rider line, please have the tag provided at open house displayed in your front window.
Covid-19 Safety Guidelines:
- We will practice social distancing whenever possible during the day at HMS.
- Class transitions times will be staggered.
- Lunch will be served in multiple locations to limit the number of students in the dining hall.
- Students are required to have a mask or face covering with them each day. Masks will be required when on buses, during hall transitions, and in classes where numbers do not allow for social distancing.
- Classrooms, restrooms, and hallways will be regularly cleaned throughout the day using a strict sanitation process. CCPS has provided a cleaning technician for each school whose only responsibility is to sanitize high traffic areas and touch points throughout the day.
- Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the building and in each classroom, although we encourage students to have a personal supply as well.
- Bottle filling stations have been installed in each hall. Students are encouraged to bring a plastic water bottle to utilize our bottle fillers each day.
Visitors:
- Nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities involving external groups or organizations will be strictly limited.
- All visitors will be required to wear face coverings and will be subject to temperature checks.
- Parent meetings will be scheduled through Google Meets whenever possible.
Lockers/Backpacks:
- To facilitate safer class transitions and reduce congestion in the hallways, lockers will not be available for rent this year.
- The locker rental fee has been removed from the supply fees.
- Students will be allowed to bring a regular size backpack (no duffle bags) or small drawstring bag with them throughout the day.
- Please limit the items your student brings each day as much as possible.
Chromebooks:
- Full distance learners will pick up Chromebooks and chargers during the August 4th drive-through open house.
- In-person learners will be given a Chromebook on the first day of school.
- In-person learners will take the Chromebook to and from school each day.
- If your child is attending school on campus, they will also bring a charger home the first day. Please have them leave this at home and charge their Chromebook each night before returning to school.
- Optional: If you would like to purchase a case for your child's Chromebook, they are HP G4EE 11" Chromebooks. This is not required.
Cell Phones: Student cell phones must be turned off and remain in backpacks all day long.
Supply Lists: Supply lists are linked below. We understand that some items may be difficult to find so please do not worry if you can't get something before school starts. Students who chose digital learning may not need all supplies. Please use your discretion as to what you think your child needs.
Field Trips: As of right now, no field trips are scheduled for the school year. This will be re-evaluated throughout the year and we will communicate any changes to this policy.
I know many of you are concerned about the re-opening of schools. Please know that our faculty and staff are working diligently to do everything we can to keep your child safe while in our care. Please do not hesitate to email me in you have any questions.
Thank you and GO GENERALS!
Melissa Butler
HMS Principal
Upcoming Open House Information for ALL Students (Distance Learning and In-Person)
Resources and Important Documents
A Mask will be a mandatory item for all students (students will be asked to wear them in on buses, in hallways, and in classrooms where social distancing is not possible).
Lunch Account Information
Our dining hall staff will be available during the drive through open house to accept lunch payments and answer questions.
If you would like to set up an online account to pay for your student’s lunch charges online, please log on to this website: www.K12PaymentCenter.com. With this account, you will not only be able to pay online, but you can view your child’s purchasing history and set low balance reminders to notify you by email or text.
If you would like to apply for free and reduced price meals, meal applications are available for your convenience at www.LunchApplication.com; or, for a paper application, you can contact our cafeteria bookkeeper or call the School Nutrition Program (SNP) office at (706) 965-2414.
Athletic Tryouts/Practice Dates
Football
All 6th, 7th, and 8th grade HMS students who would like to participate in football are required to attend a meeting on July 30th at the HMS football stadium. Because of the current restrictions, we will be conducting three separate meetings:
8th grade- 6:00-6:45 pm
7th grade- 7:00-7:45 pm
6th grade - 8:00-8:45 pm
Practice will begin on Monday, August 3rd. We must know the exact number of athletes who will be attending our August 3rd practice, so if you plan on playing for HMS this season, please make plans now to attend our July 30th meeting. For questions about football, please email Coach Edwards: medwards.hms@catoosa.k12.ga.us.
Softball
Softball tryouts will be August 5th and 6th at 3:30. Please contact Coach Woodard at kwoodard.hms@catoosa.k12.ga.us if you have additional questions.
Cross Country
Cross country tryouts are August 12th and 13th at 3:30. Voluntary conditioning practices will take place at the Chickamauga Park rec field from 6:30-8:00 pm on July 23rd, 28th, and 30th. Please contact Coach Crowder at dcrowder.hms@catoosa.k12.ga.us.
Dance
Dance tryouts will take place in early August. Date to be announced soon. Please contact Coach Morgan at kmorgan.hms@catoosa.k12.ga.us.
Volleyball
Information regarding volleyball coming soon. Tryouts will take place in early August.
HMS Counselor Contact Information
Our counselors are available for you and your child if you need assistance (for both distance and traditional learners). Students may email counselors or fill out a form in the HMS Counseling Google Classroom.
Ms. Rachel Reid (Student Last Names A-L)- rreid.hms@catoosa.k12.ga.us
Mrs. Shaneka Hunt (Student Last Names K-Z) - shunt.hms@catoosa.k12.ga.us
Heritage Middle School
Email: mbutler@catoosa.k12.ga.us
Website: www.heritagegenerals.com
Location: 4005 Poplar Springs Road, Ringgold, GA, USA
Phone: 7069373568
Twitter: @GoGenerals2005