Hocker Grove Back to School News
August 12, 2023
SECTION 1: NEW/UPDATED INFORMATION THIS WEEK
First Days of School
SMSD’s Use of Cell Phone/Personal Electronic Devices Guidelines
SMSD is committed to providing highly effective and consistent learning spaces across the district. The personal use of cell phones and other electronic devices that are not district-issued is prohibited unless explicitly permitted by school staff. Medical exemptions may be applied. Initial violations will fall under the Discipline Matrix as a Level 1 offense. Subsequent violations will result in progressive disciplinary action.
Personal Electronic Devices includes, but is not limited to, headphones, earbuds, smart watches, tablets, gaming systems and phones.
Cell Phones and electronic devices may only be used during passing period and lunch time with the following limitations:
Any content accessed during school hours must be school appropriate and follow all expectations listed in the student handbook.
Phones need to be in a silent mode at all times. Headphone devices must be used when listening to music. One ear of the headphone must be free from the ear to allow for the student to hear announcements and instructions.
Photos and videos may not be taken during school hours.
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures (See Image Below)
Our bus loop has moved to the southeast corner of our campus . We believe this will make our entire campus safer by separating our bus riders from the walkers and car riders.
Car Riders
What used to be our bus loop has now been fully connected to the car rider line on the west side of our building. If you are dropping your student off and/or picking them up via car, please note the entry point (red lines) off Johnson Dr. Cars will be able to double stack in the line indicated by red lines. Pick up and drop off should both take place on the west side of the building. At the end of the red lines on the map, drivers will be asked to zipper merge down to a single line, exiting back onto Johnson Dr. by turning right (Westbound). Left turns are not permitted during drop off and pickup times.
While we believe it is safest for car riders to be picked up on campus, some families choose to park just off campus on side streets or in the parking lot of Shawnee United Methodist Church just West of our campus to avoid traffic.
Walkers
Students walking to and from school should use the side walks and cross walks at stop lights. In order to keep students from having to cross traffic from the car rider lanes, we are encouraging students to avoid walking on the sidewalk directly in front of the school. This will impact walkers that live east and northeast of Hocker Grove, but those students can use 57th St., which runs on the north side of our property.
Hocker Grove Athletics
If your student is wanting to participate in any athletic activities this year, they must have all forms from the Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation (PPE) completed and submitted to the front office before they can attend practice. Visit the SMSD athletics/activities website to find/download the required forms.
https://www.smsd.org/about/departments/athletics-student-activities/required-athletic-forms
Here are a couple of dates worth noting:
- Volleyball tryouts start August 16th (3:50pm-5:30pm)
- Cross Country first practice is August 17th (3:50pm– 5:15pm)- Parent meeting immediately after practice
Additional sports offered at Hocker Grove later this year include:
- Wrestling
- Girls Basketball
- Boys Basketball
- Girls Soccer
- Boys Soccer.
Some Important Dates for the First Months of School
August 14 Office Open for Fee Payment Makeup 8:00 am-4:00 pm
August 15 First Day of School for Seventh Graders Only, 8:45 am- 3:45 pm
August 16 Classes for all students 7th and 8th grade, 8:45 am- 3:45 pm
August 16 First Volleyball Practice 3:50-5:30pm
August 17 First Cross Country Practice 3:50-5:15pm
August 22 HG Back to School Night, 6:00-7:45 pm
September 4 No School- Labor Day
September 14 First Late Start Day, School Starts at 9:19 am
September 15 No School- Professional Learning
Section 2: Previously Announced but Still Relevant Information
Changes for 2023-24
There are several changes coming to Hocker Grove for 23-24 school year of which we want to make you aware.
- The first new item involves student backpacks being placed in lockers throughout the day. Upon arrival, students will be able to stow their backpacks in their hall locker before the school day begins. Backpacks will not be allowed in hallways during the school day for a number of reasons, the most important of which include safety and security. In place of backpacks we will allow students to carry small personal items to class
- Related to the first change, we will be allowing students to carry small fabric pouches, i.e. fanny packs, for personal items (personal hygiene products, wallet, etc.) to class. The fabric pouch should not be large enough to be considered a backpack/sling bag.
- Construction updates- Changes to our car rider loop, bus loop and student hallway flow due to construction happening. More information will be shared in a future newsletter as we know more about completion timelines, but for now, we'll be making some changes in these areas that we think will make a very positive difference. You can see pictures of the progress on our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages.
What School Supplies Will My Student Need?
What About Bus Services?
Those students who reside over 2.5 miles away from Hocker Grove will be allowed to ride the bus for free. Students living closer to our building can also ride for a fee. If you have questions regarding bus service, please call DS Busing at 913-384-1190. All riders must be registered prior riding the bus for the first time. Families can sign up for text alerts and find bus routes and times on the district website: https://www.smsd.org/families/transportation
Is There a PTA at Hocker Grove?
· Fund Teacher Grants Applications for materials not provided by the SMSD
· Provide support for school field trips
· Assist with events for student and family activities
· Host Staff Appreciation Events for our AMAZING faculty and staff
There is no wrong or right way to be involved – anything you can give, whether it’s time or money, will support your child’s potential. We invite you to join because we can do more together than apart. It only takes 5 minutes: https://hgms.new.memberhub.store/store
What Are School Hours?
Earliest Students may arrive to school 8:20am
Office opens 8:20am
School begins 8:45am
School is dismissed 3:45pm
Building closed. 4:05pm
Students still in building after 4:05pm must be involved in a supervised school activity.
Middle school students will not be allowed to be on school property prior to 8:20 am unless they have prior approval of a staff member. School personnel are not available for supervision until 8:20 am. At the end of the day, all students are expected to be off of school property by 4:05 pm unless attending a tutoring session or other school sponsored activity. Limiting student access to middle school property to the hours of 8:20 am to 4:05 pm will help ensure the safety and security of the students. Parents will need to make arrangements on a regular basis to have their student arrive and depart within these designated times. Students will not be allowed to congregate or wait outside of the buildings, as these are unsupervised areas.
Late Start Continues for 23-24 School Year
In an effort to provide time for teacher collaboration for improved teaching and learning, Hocker Grove and all SMSD secondary schools will continue late starts this year. Beginning September 14, 2023, each Thursday morning will be an optional late start for students. Here is the breakdown:
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Eagle Hour - our homeroom period (mascot hour) will not take place Thursdays from 9/14/23 through 4/4/24, and school will begin with 1st hour at 9:19 a.m. Teachers will meet in collaborative teams from 8:05 - 9:05 a.m. each Thursday.
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Students may still arrive at the normal time to be supervised by staff from 8:20 - 9:10 a.m. until released to go to 1st hour at 9:10 a.m.
Breakfast will still be served for students that want to take advantage of that option at school.
Buses will continue to run at the exact same time as they do on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. Your student will show up at normal time (8:20 - 8:35 a.m.) if they choose to take the bus on Thursdays.
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Although not required, your student has the option of taking advantage of a late start each week because the school day will technically begin at 9:19 a.m. each Thursday.
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A tentative weekly schedule is pictured below:
Hocker Grove Middle School
Email: ChrisKase@smsd.org
Website: hockergrove.smsd.org
Location: 10400 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-0200
Facebook: facebook.com/HockerGroveMiddleSchool
Twitter: @HockerGroveMS