Mustang Update
Week of March 20 - 24, 2023
Start of 4th Quarter
Can you believe it? We are finally at the end of 3rd quarter and ready to start the 4th quarter. We hope that everyone has had a wonderful break and gotten some well deserved rest. 4th Quarter starts March 20 and we have a lot of work to do to close out the year.
When we get back from break, students will start choosing classes for next year. On March 6th HHP counselors hosted a Parent Night to let parents know about the changes to the schedule for next year. For those of you that were not able to attend the meeting, I have attached the presentation here. 7th/8th Grade Parent Night If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child's counselors.
H. H. Poole PTO will be hosting a Dance for all students on Friday, March 31. 6th grade students will have their own dance from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. 7th and 8th Grade students will attend their dance from 7:00 to 9:00pm.
H. H. Poole will be hosting our rising 6th graders on March 23. Students will get the opportunity to see the school and learn all about the new and exciting new courses offered at the middle school letter. Admin and Counselors will host the rising 6th grade parents that evening for an info night from 6:00 - 7:00pm. All rising 6th grade parents are invited.
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.
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.
Important Dates:
- March 20 - Start of 4th Quarter
- March 21 and 22 - 8th grade Writing SOL
PTO Dance Help - March 31
Please find below links to two SignUp Genius pages to help with the upcoming Spring Dance on March 31st.
Click here to sign up to volunteer at the dance itself: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E48ABA72DA7F49-hh1
Click here to sign up to donate supplies for the dance: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E48ABA72DA7F49-hh2
Any specific questions regarding the dance details can be directed to Joise Douglas, Chair of the Dance Committee. Thank you all for your continued support!
Best,
Lauren
PTO President
Shout Out!!
HHP Cheer Squad - Interest Survey
HHP is looking at bringing more school spirit to our school sports, by starting a Cheerleading squad for 2023-24 school year.
So are looking to see if we have a large interest in this endeavor. If you have a a student that has lots of energy and loves to dance and do some gymnastic jumps and kicks, we need you!!!
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