HMS May/June Newsletter
2022-23
Holly Middle School
Haley Street, Assistant Principal
Mark Mattingly, Counselor (A-L)
Kristin Godoshian, Counselor (M-Z)
Phone: (248) 328-3400
Attendance Number: (248) 328-3426
Fax: (248) 328-3404
MAY/JUNE NOTE FROM MR. CURL
Hello HMS Families!
It is hard to believe that we are down to the last 5 weeks of the 22-23 school year! We are looking forward to ending our year strong and on a positive note!!
As we move towards the end of the year continue to encourage your child to build, strengthen, and reinforce successful school habits! Be proactive by finishing assignments on time and turning them in, synergize with teachers by taking advantage of retakes and feedback in order to re-submit assignments, and put first things first by reviewing/studying for upcoming tests or projects. These are all tried and true ways for students to be successful in school. These habits travel!! So whether your child is getting ready to transition to High School or move ahead to 7th or 8th grade, these habits will give them the ability to do, and be, their best!
A few important updates:
- Any students who have not yet finished their M-STEP tests will take part in make-up sessions over the next few weeks to complete these prior to the testing window closing on May 19th.
- Students will be taking their Math and ELA i-Ready diagnostics on May 11th and May 16th.
- Progress Reports are now posted to Skyward, please contact your child's teacher if you have any questions.
- Friday, June 9th, is the last day of school and is a 1/2 Day - HMS students are dismissed at 10:58am
Please continue to check your emails for communications from HMS.
“Remember no matter how fast you run, you can’t be the winner if you don’t finish.”
– Israelmore Ayivor
Let's use the last 5 weeks to finish the 22-23 year strong!!
Mr. Curl
Leader in Me Family Survey
The survey is voluntary (you will not need to provide your name or any other identifying information), but we do hope to get feedback from one member of your household. The survey takes about 12 minutes to complete and will ask you some questions about your child and about our school. If you have more than one child attending our school, you will be asked to think about the oldest child as you answer questions related to their growth.
HAS WILDLY IMPORTANT GOAL!!
Our WIG (Wildly Important Goal) this year is to Increase student positive attendance (less than 10 days absent) from 32% to 75% by June 2023.
While we are currently running behind our WIG, we continue to partner with our families to establish the habit of positive daily attendance! One of the issues we continue to see as a concern after the COVID-19 pandemic years is a decrease in daily attendance. There is no doubt that regular attendance at school can have a significant impact on academic achievement. When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects.
We want to work with you and your family to get your child to school. If there are concerns you have regarding your student, and challenges they may be experiencing, at school or outside of it, that may be impacting their attendance, please let us know how we can help. We are here to support them and your family! Please reach out to your child's counselor (Mr. Mattingly A-L or Mrs. Godoshian M-Z) or our Family School Liaison, Ms. Sinclair.
Deadline for picking up Medicine/Medical Supplies in the Main Office - June
**As a reminder, parents please be sure at the beginning of every school year that your child's medical status is updated and the proper documentation from the doctor is on file in the school office. All medical forms are on our website. - Thank you!!
CAREER DAY!!
The Annual HMS Career Day is Friday, May 5th! Thank you to Mrs. Godoshian and Mrs. Fettig for all of the hard work and time you put into making this an awesome day for our students!! A huge thank you to all of the presenters for sharing your work with our students!
We will share photos from the day on our Facebook Page!!!
8th grade Awards Ceremony
If you have any questions please call (248) 328-3400.
8th Grade "Clap Out"
Cedar Point Trip - June 8th!!
Stay eligible for the trip by keeping your grades up, getting to class on time, and staying out of trouble! Remember all athletic and tech fees MUST be paid in full!!
Our 6th graders will be heading to Holly Rec on June 8th to celebrate the school year!
6th Grade Class Council Earthday Project!
Class Council members will be cleaning out and renovating the courtyard outside of the IMC.
Families, we are here to help support your child!! If there are any topics you'd like us to connect with your child on, please reach out. We can also work with you to connect you to resources and supports in the community.
Mrs. Godoshian & Mr. Mattingly
A - L contact Mr. Mattingly, mark.mattingly@hask12.org
M - Z contact Mrs. Godoshian, kristin.godoshian@hask12.org
8th Grade Transition Visits
7th - 8th Grade Student Summer Experiences
Current 7th and 8th graders, Click here to find out more info on the OTSC summer experiences!
Planning for 2023-24 School Year!!
Please make sure you have all of your athletic fees paid before the end of the year! Parents can pay online using EFunds or pay in our front office.
* You won't be able to attend end-of-year field trips if you still owe money.
* Unpaid fees will carry over into next school year.
8th Graders, Do you want to play football next year at HHS?? Get Ready this Summer!!
HHS Football will be preparing for the Fall 2023 Season this Summer!
There will be a parent meeting on May 15th @ 6pm in the HHS Auditorium.
Click here for the flyer with the schedule.
There will be flyers outside the main office for students to pick up.
Please contact Coach Keenist if you have any questions: william.keenist@hask12.org
The Parent Lighthouse Team meets once a month. For meeting times and other PLT information please visit our site to find out how we are working to support our students and school! If you have other questions please email patricia.burgess@hask12.org.
Please reach out to our PLT via email for information on meetings, volunteering, and donations.
hollymiddleschoolplt@gmail.com
The next meeting 5/24/23
***THERE IS AN OPENING ON THE PLT BOARD. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE EMAIL PLT FOR MORE INFORMATION.***
Teacher Appreciation Week
HMS Parent Lighthouse Team started the week out with breakfast and continued with lunch on Wednesday and surprise gift bags on Friday!
We are very grateful to our PLT for all the goodies they provided to our staff this week!8th Grade Farewell Dance
Student Contract must be signed by 8th gr student and their parent/guardian.
If you would like to donate items for the dance click here for the Amazon wish list.
If you are interested in Volunteering, please see the Sign up Genius.
You will have to have a Volunteer Background check completed BEFORE you can chaperone.
For more information please reach out to PLT - hollymiddleschoolplt@gmail.com
***This event is for current HMS 8th graders only.***
This year's Theme is: Hollywood Movie Night
LAST DAY FOR PICKLE SALES!
CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICES
- At HMS electronic communication devices (such as cell phones) must be turned off (and not turned on at any time during the school day including passing time and lunch time unless under the direct supervision of HMS Staff) and stored in a locker once a student enters the building. In no case, will any personal communication device be allowed that provides for a wireless, unfiltered connection to the Internet. Cell phones found on the person or turned on during the school day will be turned into the front office. If the student persists and the device is confiscated more than once, it will only be released to a parent/guardian/designee. Failure to comply is insubordination and could be subject to disciplinary action.
STUDENT DRESS CODE
- Any apparel that is disruptive, distracting, unsanitary or unsafe is prohibited. Parents should consider the dress code when purchasing school apparel.
- 1. Items that cover the head or obstruct the face/eyes of a student may not be worn in school (hats, bandanas, hoods, inappropriate head-coverings, sunglasses, etc.) unless there is a documented medical/religious reason.
- 2. All shirts/dresses/tops must have a width of three fingers between the neck and shoulder, full side seams, and cover the midriff. Shirts/dresses/tops that do not meet these criteria are not acceptable unless worn over an acceptable clothing item (e.g. long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt, etc.).
- 3. Students are not to wear clothing with inappropriate slogans, including those that appear to promote the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence, vulgar language and/or obscene behavior. This includes clothing with anti-religious, anti-racial, or sexually harassing images or statements.
- 4. All shorts/skirts/dresses should be an appropriate length for the school setting. Appropriate length may mean: longer than fingertip length, mid-thigh, or other criteria. Shorts/skirts/dresses that are deemed inappropriate are not acceptable unless worn over an acceptable clothing item (e.g. leggings, pants, etc.)
- 5. No clothing or accessories worn by students should contain items that could pose a safety hazard (e.g. chains, spikes, etc.) The judgment of the building staff & administration will be final in determining inappropriate dress.
TARDY POLICY
An unexcused tardy is defined as “not being in the classroom when the bell begins to ring.”
One-Three (1-3) tardies under ten minutes to the same class will result in a student receiving a warning by their teacher.
Three (3) tardies to the same class = an unexcused absence.
Four (4) tardies to the same class = a 45 minute after-school detention.
Five (5) tardies to the same class = a 45 minute after-school detention and a Parent Meeting.
Six (6) or more tardies: Habitually tardy students are in violation of the Holly Schools truancy policy and shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary consequences, community service, in school suspension and/or out of suspension, or Saturday School experience.
Arriving 10 or more minutes late to a class is an absence.
Leaving a class 10 or more minutes early is an absence.
TECHNOLOGY USE GUIDELINES TAKING CARE OF YOUR DISTRICT PROVIDED MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE (MCD)
Students are responsible for the general care of the MCD they have been issued by the school.
MCD’s that are broken or fail to work properly must be reported.
If a student is off-site (at home, OTC, etc) , report the issue to the Oakland Schools Service Desk as soon as possible to see if the issue can be resolved remotely.
To submit a ticket with OS Help Desk:
Email : osservicedesk@oakland.k12.mi.us (Describe the issue and include student name and asset tag number)
Call: 248-209-2060
While a student is on-site (at their assigned building) the student should report the issue to their classroom teacher and they will be directed to their front office staff for assistance.
District-owned MCD’s should never be taken to an outside computer service for any type of repairs or maintenance.
Students should never leave their MCD unattended except locked in their locker.
MORNING DROP-OFF PROCESS
Officer Houck and Mr. Curl would like to remind everyone to pull all the way forward if there is open space ahead of you!!!
Thank you to everyone who is making our morning drop-off faster and more efficient, we appreciate you!
Please continue to pull up as far as you can when before stopping your car to drop off your student. If there is space in front of you, please pull ahead and make full use of the entire drop off lane. The more cars we can get into the drop-off lane the quicker everything goes.
Please take a look at the diagram below and pull all the way up to the "Star" if there is space.
ENTERING THE BUILDING
Students who are dropped off in the car line will be able to enter the building at 7:25 am, students should wait in their cars until 7:20 am. Buses will begin dismissal at 7:28 am students will enter through their Grade Level Entrance
When students enter the building, they will take their items to their lockers - all bags, coats, etc. need to be placed in their locker before going anywhere else in the building. Then, to build in student choices and opportunities to connect, students will have the following options:
- Students who want breakfast (it’s free for everyone!!) will go to and eat their breakfast in the cafeteria. Moving forward, all food will be kept in the cafeteria.
- Students can go to their 1st-hour class
- Students can walk laps with peers around the main office square
- 7:39 am - 4 min. bell, students need to begin going to 1st hour
- 7:43 am - 1 min. bell
- 7:44 am - class starts
***STUDENTS WHO ARE LATE TO SCHOOL WILL REPORT TO THE MAIN OFFICE TO SIGN IN AT THE STUDENT KIOSK. WE DO NOT REQUIRE A PHONE CALL OR AN ADULT TO WALK THEM IN WHEN THEY ARE LATE.***
HOW TO REQUEST A MEETING WITH A TEACHER OR ADMINISTRATOR
Please follow these steps if you are seeking to set up a meeting with staff at HMS:
- Contact the person you are seeking a meeting with via email/phone (you can also reach out directly to your child's counselor)
- Set up a mutually agreed upon time
- When arriving for your meeting, check in at the main office and the staff member will meet you there.
By following these steps we look to reduce the instances of families showing up to see a staff member only to find out that the staff member is not available to meet. Additionally, for the safety of our students all visitors must report to the main office to check in and should never directly go to a classroom to meet with a staff member.
STUDENT SIGN OUT PROCESS
We are working to limit the number of interruptions to the classrooms and your student's learning time. Please assist us by making appointments either before or after school. If the need arises for an appointment during school hours, please follow one of the two ways to pick-up your student.
- Option 1 - Send a note in with your student on the day of the appointment and have them bring it to the office with the time you are picking them up. Please include your signature. We will give your student a pass to come to the office 5 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time. This year you will come to our buzzer/camera system and our secretary will ask for you to show your ID. Once confirmed we will send our student out to you. If you have not arrived within 15 minutes of the scheduled time written on the note your student will be sent back to class. Then you will have to wait for us to call them back down to the office upon your arrival. It is the student's responsibility to turn in the note to the office and the pass to the teacher and to leave at the appropriate time.
- Option 2 - Come up to the building with your ID, ring the doorbell and we will call for your student to come down ready to leave for an appointment. Please be patient, this can take some time depending on which class your student is in, especially if it's lunchtime or the end of the day. The best option to avoid a long wait is to use Option 1. Send a note in the morning with your student.
- Please note that calling the office to have your child meet you outside will not be allowed. Also, please do not text or call your student to come to the office for an appointment. As our school policy states students are not allowed cell phone usage during the school day. This also includes your student calling/texting a parent from their cell phone when they are sick. Students need to come to the main office to make phone calls home if they are needing to go home due to illness.
ATTENDANCE LINE
Families if your child is going to be absent for the full day, remember to call them in on the automated Attendance Line at 248-328-3426. This number can be accessed anytime and is the only way your students absence will be recorded. It is also the most efficient to call that number directly.
The Middle School does not require a call if your student is only late to school. Just drop them off and they can sign themselves in on our student tardy kiosk in the office. Additionally, we do not require a phone call prior to early parent pick up. Just come up to the doors with your ID and ring the doorbell. We will call your child out at that time.
Students - If you are out of school for the day due to illness, etc. please login to Schoology if and when it is possible so you can access that day's lessons and do not fall behind.
DROPPING OFF STUDENT ITEMS IN THE ENTRYWAY
Parents - please use the mobile desk in the entryway to drop off any items that your student may need during the school day. Please be sure to label the item!
Press the intercom and our secretary will buzz you into our secure entryway. Once inside please use the materials on the table to label the item and leave it either on the desk or, if too large, on the floor by the desk. A staff member will be out to get the item and call your student down to pick up the item.
You can leave items such as:
Athletic gear
Lunch
Textbooks/homework
Chromebook/charger
Clothes, etc.
Thank you!
Free Breakfast!!
Breakfast is free for ALL HMS students this year!! Take advantage of this program and check out all of the great menu options here!!
Even though this food service is free for all students, HAS still needs all parents to complete the Free/Reduced Meal Application. If you haven't yet submitted this please do! If you need any assistance please contact Patti Burgess or call the food service department at 248-328-3036 Thank you!!
Upcoming Events
5/5 - Half Day - Dismissal at 10:58am
5/5 - Career Day
5/8 - 8th Gr Transition Visits to HHS/OTC (during school day)
5/11 - i-Ready Math Diagnostic
5/16 - i-Ready Reading Diagnostic
5/16 - HMS Band Concert 7pm @ HHS
- 5/24 - Spring Choir Concert 7pm @ HHS
- 5/24 - PLT meeting 6pm IMC
- 5/26- 5/29 - No School Memorial Break
- 5/31 - 8th Grade Exit Dance 6pm - 8pm
- 6/5 - 8th Grade Awards
- 6/6 - NJHS Induction Ceremony
6/8 - 6th Grade Whoa Zone
- 6/8 - Cedar Point Trip
- 6/9 - Last Day of School - Half Day
- 6/9 - 8th gr clap out ( See Details above )
Helpful Links
Free and Reduced Application (if completed by families that qualify, the Technology Protection Plan fee will be waived)
Technology Protection Plan Enrollment
Follow HMS on Social Media!
Website: http://www.hask12.org/schools/holly-middle-school/
Location: 14470 North Holly Road, Holly, MI, USA
Phone: 248 328 3400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Holly-Middle-School-Sherman-Campus-634705656664993/
Twitter: @HMSBronchos