Hocker Grove Family Newsletter
August 21, 2023
SECTION 1: NEW/UPDATED INFORMATION THIS WEEK
School Picture Day
No money will need to be sent on picture day. Instead, picture proofs will be sent home with each student in a few weeks after we receive them from the picture company. Families will then have an opportunity to order their preferred picture packet online, or wait until picture retake day, October 25.
Back to School Night
The schedule is listed below. Families will start in their student's Eagle Hour classroom for 15 minutes. After an opening presentation in that room, you will have the opportunity to move to 1st hour and each subsequent hour. Presentations in each classroom will be brief. If you don't have time to get your questions answered, please feel free to follow up with the teacher at a later time.
Information for Car Riders: Drop-off/Pick-up
That being said, we think that we can make this process even better by asking all families to enter the car rider loop from the west-bound lanes of Johnson Dr (from I-35). This is the direction most families are coming from anyway, but eliminating the handful of cars that enter the car rider loop from the east-bound lanes will improve the flow of traffic into the loop. We are taking this week to get the messaging out to families and will implement this change starting August 28.
We continue to look for ways to make the process of arrival and dismissal go even smoother, inlcuding working with the Shawnee Police Department and the City of Shawnee to improve the exit onto Johnson Dr. As a reminder, when exiting our parking lot, during arrival and dismissal times, families are asked to make a right turn only onto Johnson.
Important Upcoming Dates
August 22 HG Back to School Night, 6:00-7:45 pm
August 24 School Picture Day (Science Classes)
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
Join the HG PTA
· 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
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.
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