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Courtesy of Dr. Audra Fowler's HMS Family Digest
"I AM A HARPETH MIDDLE CHAMPION. I KNOW WHAT I STAND FOR. I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!" HAPPY SUMMER!!!
Hello HMS Champions! We hope you are having THE BEST SUMMER! We want to give you a heads up about events coming at the end of summer and starting the school year! Also, this is the weekly SMORE with ALL OF THE THINGS EVERY WEEK! Parents & students, always check here for info! The calendar for the first semester is at the bottom! Happy scrolling! Blessings!
-Dr. Fowler and A.P. Layne
WE NEED MORE 6-8TH GIRL SOCCER PLAYERS!
WANT TO BE A PART OF THE HMS CHEER TEAM?
We are looking to add 2-3 new members to the team to fill a few vacancies! Email Coach Buchanan (Melanie.buchanan@ccstn.org) for special tryout information!
NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION!
Any new student needs to register with Attendance Clerk, Katie Pacifici, by sending her an email to set up an appointment for the first week of August! katie.pacifici@ccstn.org .
ALSO, if your student is coming from Pegram or Kingston Elementary, they are NOT NEW and DO NOT need to register. ;)
A NOTE FROM PARENT POSSE
With the 2023-2024 school year quickly approaching, we can’t wait to get connected with you! You’ve heard the saying, “it takes a village.” Well, we feel we have one of the very best in the best community around. If you’d like to get plugged in, reach out to hmsparentposse@gmail.com to keep up to date with the latest updates.
-Captain Katie Jones and Co-captain Brandi Edwards
MONEY!
CLASSROOM FEE/DONATION $55!
Classroom fee/donation of $55 covers your lock, agenda, and other classroom items for the year! Revtrak will open in August, but checks and cash are acceptable! Thank you!
Our "Invest In Your Child" account supports our General fund to pay for HMS' monthly supplies, positive incentives for the kiddos, OR you can donate to the staff fund, just write "staff."
Don't forget about our ongoing HMS SWAG STORE online!
SHOP AT PUBLIX? DID YOU KNOW EVERY TIME YOU SHOP THERE, A PORTION OF YOUR PURCHASE COULD GO BACK TO THE SCHOOL?!
For Publix:
Join Club Publix and log into your account at publix.com
In your ClubPublix profile, select My Publix Partner to choose Harpeth Middle School.
Pay with the Publix app or enter your phone number at checkout and Publix will donate a portion of your eligible purchase to our school!
See how much our school has earned and learn more at publix.com/partners
SPORTS!
SAFETY!
GOFAN & CASH FOR GAME TICKETS! Fans can purchase tickets online by using GoFan. There is no tobacco or drugs at games/on campus. Also, only service animals allowed. Thank you!
WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING CASH AT THE GATE, TOO! If you have any questions that are sports related email our Athletic Director, melanie.buchanan@ccstn.org
SAFETY POLICY UPDATE:
HMS Families – we adopted a few new procedures regarding visitors at the school. Thank you for your cooperation with these new procedures as we take every precaution we can to keep students safe.
If you come to the school during school hours, you will be asked to show your ID to the camera at the door and be prepared to answer these questions:
What is your first and last name?
What is the purpose of your visit?
What is the student’s first and last name?
If you are checking your child out of school, you will be asked to wait outside while we bring your child to you.
If you would like to have a meeting with a teacher or administration, please call or email ahead of time to set up a meeting.
Families are still welcome to have lunch with students. We ask that you let our front office know that you are coming beforehand and that you do not show up unexpectedly. We cannot let visitors eat with students in the cafeteria unless you let us know to be expecting you. You are welcome to call the morning you plan on visiting to give us a heads up.
We also ask that you let our front office know if you are having something delivered to your child. We will not accept deliveries that we do not know about beforehand.
SAFETY REMINDERS:
As always, we are committed to our children & staff's safety. We take it very serious, and we ask that you do too. A few items of importance: Please have your student memorize an emergency contact. When you do come through the doors of HMS, we ask that you never hold the door open for anyone else behind you to enter unless we have spoken with them as well. Thank you for your cooperation. We love our students & staff and are committed to keeping all safe.
FOOD!
The cafeteria is currently updating the menu and gearing up for a great year with awesome food!
EATING WITH YOUR STUDENT!
You can eat with your student on designated days; however, please do not bring in outside food. Thank you!
BOX TOPS! NO LONGER CLIPPING; NOW SCANNING!
CLIP: Traditional Box Tops clips are being phased out of production, but you can still send unexpired clips to school. Every valid Box Tops clip is worth 10¢.
SCAN: If you see this label, do not send it to school. Use the new Box Tops app to scan your store receipt within 14 days of purchase. The app will find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school’s earnings online.
ACADEMICS!
A reminder to try your best, students. Parents please check in with students weekly about assignments to turn in, and check skyward. Parents, if you need your Skyward information, please email michel.morrow@ccstn.org
Our awesome Academic Specialist, Mrs. Morrow, made a link on our website to all of the standards by grade level so you can accurately understand what your child is having success with or needs help in! Email michel.morrow@ccstn.org if you get stuck!
HMS STANCE ON GRADING AND FEEDBACK:
At HMS we believe grades are used for communication about where our students are with their learning. Our teachers give feedback which is vital and often more beneficial than an actual "number grade" because this guides students to understand what they are learning or not.
We are at the perfect time to continue to shift our numerical grade focused culture (which sends students into anxiety stricken panic attacks at times) into one that is more determined for students to LEARN the content. A numerical grade should reflect this learning and help students realize where they are with learning the standards, but often it deters them from trying to learn the content because so much pressure is riding on what grade they received.
However, please note, in the process of learning, there is a struggle and students make mistakes. They won't always master the standard immediately. This is okay! Mistakes are literal proof that a child is learning. This is why teachers reteach and retest. Did you know that when direct feedback is given to a student versus a 65 (or any number) on their paper, research shows that students (adults included) are more motivated to go back, correct, and learn the concept? Not only that, the students RETAIN the information.
All of that to say, our progress reports have numerical grades but also have written feedback on where your student is for right now in their learning. Class assignments this entire school year could have more feedback and less numerical grades as well. As a parent, you will know more about where your child is in their learning. We ask that you help us in this shift and when you talk with your students about school, ask "what are you learning?" instead of "what are your grades?" Somehow, we have a huge disconnect in our culture, not just here at HMS, that many students just want a grade, rather than to learn something. This will not serve our students well going forward, nor will it help our society.
Here at HMS, a numerical grade should represent the level of learning; it's for communication.
If all of this is clear as mud, just let me know and we will talk :)
Dr. A.W. Fowler
RANDOM!
REMINDER-CAR RIDERS:
Everyone picking up a student must come through the carrider line. You cannot park near the school and ask students to walk to the car. We do not have a crossing guard or anyone to monitor them getting into the correct car safely. Please help us out, thanks!
A REMINDER ABOUT SEARCHING:
Students are subject to be searched if there is suspicion of having items that should not be on campus. This is how we protect our students from unwanted items coming in our building.
REMINDER FOR UPCOMING 7TH GRADERS FROM NURSE DEBBIE!
All rising 7th grade students are required to have the Tdap booster upon entering 7th grade. Please note that there is one acceptable TN Certificate of Immunization form that must be turned into your child's school. This form can be obtained from your child's pediatrician or the health department. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Nurse Debbie at the school, 615-952-2293 or via email at debbie.blanchard@ccst.org. If you would like to email a copy of the shot record, please have it scanned and emailed as pictures of documents don't print properly.
BECOME A SUB!
Looking for a way to help our school? Become a substitute teacher through ESS!
ESS Benefits include:
Be on your child’s schedule and present in their school
Free entry to sporting events in Cheatham County with proof of ESS badge
Eligible for local discounts as part of the Cheatham Advantage Program
Eligible for nationwide discounts as part of ESS Discount Program
Eligible for Medical and Dental Benefits
You only need 4 free days per month to sub or we have positions available daily if you prefer full time work.
You will need to complete the application here: https://jobs.willsubplus.com/
Contact Carly Moore with any questions. cmoore@ess.com 615.210.3621
23-24 CALENDAR! SEMESTER 1!
July 22-Ark School Supply Giveaway
July 28- Stuff the Bus at Dollar General 9am-12pm
July 30- HMS Beautification Day! 1:30-3:30pm
Aug 3- 5th grade Open House, 6-7pm (presentation starting at 6pm-DO NOT bring school supplies)
Aug 7- 1st day of school! Early dismissal 10:45am (DO bring school supplies)- Grade level chats with Admin starting at 8:15am
Aug 8- 1st full of day of school! 6th-8th grade Open House, 6-7pm (presentation starting at 6pm) 5-6pm 7th grade LBL parent meeting and Band parent meeting.
Aug 10- Fast Pass Auction on Facebook!
Aug 11- Fast Pass 1 begins!
Aug 11-PBIS/Fall sports Pep Rally!
Aug 14- Color Run fundraiser begins!
Aug 18- Color $ turn in 1- announce winner!
Aug 23- Color $ turn in 2- announce winner!
Aug 29- Color $ turn in 3- announce winner!
Sept 4- Labor Day- No School
Sept 8- Color $ turn in 4! Color Winner 4!
Sept 8- 4.5 wk PBIS Reward Day & Progress Reports!
Sept 19-Cyber safety/Hidden in Plain sight night-6pm! & National IT Professional Day!
Sept 22- 11:45 Dismissal & COLOR RUN with FOOD DAY!!
Sept 18-22- HMS Spirit Week!
October-ROLL THE ARK with Toilet Paper-contest! Oct 2-26th!
Oct 5- Fast Pass Auction 2!
Oct 6-Fast Pass 1 ends!
Oct 9-13- Fall Break! No School!
Oct 16- Fast Pass 2 begins!
Oct 16-20- School Bus Safety Week! Thank a bus driver!
Oct 20- Report cards go home for 1st 9wks & HHS Homecoming! Food Day! 1st 9wk PBIS Reward Day!
Oct 23-27- RED RIBBON WEEK!
Oct 26- Free Family Movie night in the HMS front yard! Starts at dark.
Oct 27- 5th grade dance 3-5:30pm
Oct 27- Announce TP winner!
November- Can Drive Competition for the Ark! Nov. 1st-16th!
Nov 1- Parent/Teacher Conference Day- No Students
Nov 7- School Psychologist Day! Thank Dr. Edwards!
Nov 9- Thanksgiving lunch, Veterans Day Performance & The Blessed Bash! After school, 3-5pm
Nov 10- Veterans Day Observance- No School- Thank a Veteran or write them a letter!
Nov 13- World Kindness Day! Wear a cardigan or sweater like Mr. Rogers!
Nov 16- Steam/Soup/Silent Auction night! 6pm! (Students display STEAM, we eat free soup, & enjoy the silent auction and parent Ryan Larkins is singing again!)
Nov 17- FOOD DAY! & Progress Reports!
Nov 22-24- Thanksgiving Break!
December- Chorus & Band visit KSES & PFAMS to perform. Dates/Time to be determined.
Dec 1- 11:45 dismissal- CTE presentation for 8th graders at HMS & FOOD DAY!
Dec 5th-20th- 12 days of Holiday Cheer!
Dec 14- Fast Pass Auction 3!
Dec 15- Fast Pass 2 ends!
Dec 14-20- Coin Combat/Human Sundae
Dec 15- Fast Pass 2 ends (Jan 9 Fast Pass 3 begins!)
Dec 21-10:45 dismissal- Pep Rally w/Human Sundae & Spring sports
Dec 22-Jan 8- Winter Break! (Staff reports back Jan 8- Students report back on Jan 9)
STAY IN TOUCH!
Stay in touch on Instagram: @harpethmiddleschool
Twitter: @HMSIndians
Facebook: HMSIndians
FAX #: 615.952.4723
audra.fowler@ccstn.org
615-952-2293
MOTTO & MISSION OF HMS FOR OUR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS:
Encourage, Inspire, and Uplift our students and faculty professionally, academically, and personally. We are Harpeth Middle Champions. We know what we stand for. We will never give up.
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