
SHMS Family Newsletter
July 31, 2022
Principal's Message
Greetings Stuart-Hobson community,
I hope this finds everyone having a fun and sun-filled summer break! We are just under one month away from the first day of school and even closer to the return of our full faculty and staff. We are continuing to work hard to prepare for everyone's return and the upcoming school year.
I am happy to report that we have candidates hired or in the onboarding process for all of our teacher and staff vacancies! A big shout out to our hiring team for their ongoing efforts to recruit, review, and select candidates who are great matches for our school community and students!
One week from Tuesday we will welcome our rising 6th graders and other new students for our annual Panther Pride Academy (Summer Bridge) program. We look forward to meeting those students. and their family members on the 9th. If you have not already, please remember to sign-up your student before this coming Friday, August 5.
Families who are enrolled for next school year will receive information about signing up for After-School All-Stars (ASAS) tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM. We will send the registration link out via this distribution list and Blackboard. Please remember that ASAS only has 80 spaces available for the coming school year and will allocate them on a first come, first served basis. More information is below and please reach out to ASAS with any additional questions or requests.
While we hoped to share the upcoming school year's finished handbook with this newsletter, we are still ironing out some systems and details so will share it with the next edition, and well before school starts.
We hope you find the updates below helpful as you continue to enjoy your summer. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or requests during the next few weeks.
Warm regards,
Eric Fraser
Principal
Subscribe / Unsubscribe
You can add additional preferred e-mail addresses to the distribution list here.
As a reminder, all current and past newsletters are posted on our website for your reference.
You can unsubscribe by scrolling to the bottom of any newsletter and pressing 'Unsubscribe'
Calendars
Upcoming Dates: July & August
Upcoming Dates
- July 5 - August 5, DCPS Summer School, Acceleration, and Enrichment programs
- August 1, After-School All-Stars registration opens, 9:00 AM
- August 9-12, Panther Pride Academy for Rising 6th Graders and New Students, 9:00-4:30 PM
- August 9, 9:30 AM, 6th Grade Parent Orientation
- August 19 & 22-26, Pre-Service Week for Teachers and Staff
- August 23, School Year 2022-23 Family Orientation, 6:00-7:30 PM (virtual)
- August 29, First Day of School for Students
- September 14, SHMS Back to School Night (BTSN)
Athletics Schedule
***We are accepting athletic forms for SY2022 - 2023 and the Fall Sports listed below***
Participation Form: All students must complete a participation packet every school year. Additionally, the medical forms must be completed within the prior 365 days. We encourage you to have your healthcare provider complete these forms before the school year and attach them to your participation packet: MS/ES Participation Packet.
Click on the link below to submit the athletic forms online.
https://dcgov.seamlessdocs.com/f/0cnnnbhmck7h
Archery
Head Coach: Myron Alston
Email: maalston0563@gmail.com
Football
Head Coach: Stanley Stancil
Email: sstancil1@gmail.com
Cheerleading
Head Coach: TBA
Boys' Cross-Country
Head Coach: Taurus McGhee
Email: Taurus.mcghee@dc.gov
Girls' Cross-Country
Head Coach: Mark Smith
Email: Taurus.mcghee@dc.gov
Girls' Soccer
Head Coach: Dexter Batts
Email: Dexter.Batts@dc.gov
Boys' Soccer
Head Coach: TBA
Assistant Coach: Richard Strong
Email: Richard.Strong@k12.dc.gov
Volleyball
Head Coach: TBA
Questions? Know someone who is interested in one of our coaching positions? Please email our physical education teacher and Athletic Director, Mr. Strong, at richard.strong2@k12.dc.gov
Coaching Vacancies: SY 2022-23
Head Coach: Cheerleading (Fall Season)
Head Coach: Volleyball (Fall Season)
Head Coach: Girls Bowling (Winter Season)
Head Coach: Wrestling (Winter Season )
Head Coach: Co-Ed Lacrosse (Spring Season)
Interested candidates or volunteers should send a resume to Athletic Director Strong, Richard.Strong@k12.dc.gov
Shout Outs and Celebrations
Thank you Ms. Rosera and Mr. Broome for organizing our Summer Zearn Challenge and some in-person acceleration opportunities for students in July!
Thank you to our hiring team, Ms. Williams, Ms. Lee, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Smith, Ms. Rosera, and our assistant principals for many hours of service during this Spring and summer's hiring efforts! We are currently projected to be fully staffed because of your work!
Thank you to our summer team - Ms. Hargrove, Mr. Howard, Ms. Hilliard, Mr. Simmons, Mr. Henderson, Mr. King, Ms. Valdez, our custodians, and assistant principals for helping to prepare us for next year's opening. Additional shout outs to Ms. Kyer, Ms. Lee, Ms. Bonner, and Ms. Williams for helping with some additional projects around school this summer!
Use this form to shout out a staff member or team. Shout-outs will find their way into staff meetings, newsletters, and mailboxes. Thank you!
New Information and Important Updates
No Shots, No School!
We’re excited to welcome your child back for the new school year in just under 40 days. Please see this important update and reminder on the steps all families must take to attend school this year.
DC Public Schools works closely with DC Health to ensure the health and safety of our students, staff, and community. District law and regulations require all schools to ensure students are fully immunized to attend school, and we know that childhood immunizations are critical to keeping our community safe. Now is the time for families to schedule an annual wellness visit with your child’s doctor or attend a neighborhood or school-based vaccine clinic.
New for the 2022-2023 School Year, all students ages 12 and older are required to have the COVID-19 vaccine to attend school. If you need a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, visit your local COVID Center.
Put Vaccines on Your-Back-to-School List
To attend school, families are required to submit their student’s up-to-date immunization record by the first day of school. Vaccinations are critical for preventing disease and reducing the dangers that can come with being exposed to certain diseases. You can find a list of required immunizations for your child according to their age by viewing this helpful flyer from DC Health.
If you have not already submitted your child’s immunization records to your school, here is what you need to do now: 1. Make an appointment with your child’s doctor. DC offers resources to help you find a health provider if you do not have health insurance. 2. Have the doctor complete DC’s Universal Health Certificate, available here. Your health provider may also provide a different proof of immunization document or an exemption explanation.
3. Submit your immunization paperwork to your child’s school. You can drop it off at your school or call the school’s main office if you have questions about how to submit your form.
Where to Obtain a Vaccine
The best place for DC families to access childhood immunizations is at their primary medical provider. If a family does not have a health care provider for their child or has difficulty securing an appointment before the first day of school, they can select one from a list of pediatric locations, located in every ward. There are DCPS School Based Health Centers to consider on that list, and mobile units that will visit schools through August and September.
For more information on obtaining immunizations by the first day of school, visit dcpsreopenstrong.com/vaccines.
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping our schools and students safe.
Reminder: Panther Pride Academy for New Students!
During Panther Pride, students will begin building community and familiarize themselves with school staff and routines. We will practice opening lockers, transitioning from classes, practicing morning entry routines, literacy and math work, and having fun! This year, students will spend the mornings, 9:00-12:30 with school staff, and have the option of joining our after-care provider, After School All Stars (ASAS) for additional programming in the afternoons and all day on Friday, August 12th. Here's an easy version of the schedule to help you plan for your student:
9:00-12:00, Panther Pride Academy with SHMS teachers & staff
12:00-1:00, Lunch and recess with SHMS & ASAS staff
1:00-4:30, Enrichment with ASAS staff
*Note that Friday's program is 9:00-4:30 with ASAS staff
**A brief orientation for new families will take place on Tuesday, August 9 from 9:30-10:30 with Principal Fraser.
All events will take place here at SHMS and we hope you can sign up! If you or your student are unable to attend, know that we will cover much of the same material, practice, and learning during subsequent orientations for grade levels and the full school.
If you have any questions you can reach out to Counselor Williams, tomicula.williams@k12.dc.gov, AP Turner, katherine.turner@k12.dc.gov, or Principal Fraser, eric.fraser@k12.dc.gov
After-School All-Stars Panther Pride Academy Information & Registration
Happy Summer Stuart Families! We hope your summer break has gotten off to a great start. We’re After-School All-Stars, the primary afterschool provider at Stuart Hobson, focusing on high quality youth development programs.
In partnership with Stuart Hobson’s Summer Bridge opportunity, we’ll be offering a variety of fun activities from August 9 – 12. If you’re interested and want to ensure your child doesn’t miss out on these fun activities, use the link below to register.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Marrett at: evroy.marrett@afterschoolallstars.org.
We look forward to engaging your child(ren) during Summer Bridge week!
DC - 2022-2023 ASAS Registration - English (jotform.com)
After-School All-Stars—DC Chapter
Revised: School Supply List
The following general school supply list will support your student in a successful start to the school year.
General School Supplies
- Headphones (microphone optional)
- Black or Blue Pens
- Pencils and Pencil Sharpener
- 2-4 Composition Books
- 2-4 Spiral Bound Notebooks
- Crayons, Color Markers, and Color Pencils
- Black Sharpie Marker
- Scissors
- Glue Sticks
- 3 ring binder(s) are recommended to help students organize for multiple classes
When planning to organize your student and their supplies, please remember that students will have 4 core classes (Math, Science, Social Studies, and ELA) and 2 electives (e.g. physical education, band, Spanish, etc.).
*Please contact school leadership or a member of the student support team for support with procuring school supplies*
Additional supplies may be required based on individual courses. These supply lists will be provided by teachers directly to their students/class.
FINAL SY 2022-23 Uniform Policy
School uniforms are required while on school property, field trips (before or after school day hours), while attending After School All Stars and school-approved activities after 3:30 PM, unless athletic, dance or other specific apparel is required by the coach/leader.
Uniforms include:
- Long or short-sleeved solid red polo shirt/t-shirt. SHMS logo optional. Any non-SHMS logo on uniform shirts or sweatshirts must be the size of a $1 bill (1 dollar) or smaller
- Plain black cotton sweatshirts (front zip or pullover) and knit vests. No hoods.
- Khaki pants, skirts/shorts, worn at waist level.
- Comfortable closed-toed shoes or sneakers covering the entire foot. No sandals, slippers, or Crocs.
- Tops like crewneck t-shirts, sweaters, and sweatshirts (no hoods) that show school pride (e.g. SHMS or CHCS logos).
- Hoods over student's heads while inside school,
- Outerwear like jackets, fleeces, parkas, windbreakers, etc.,
- Metal studs on headbands and other accessories
- Khaki-colored leggings/ tights (worn in place of Khaki pants).
- Small purses or fanny packs
An SHMS logo is not required for any uniform attire. School uniforms may be purchased via Lands End, Target, Old Navy and other retailers. More information regarding our school uniform policy will be shared via our school handbook.
Enroll for The 2022-23 School Year Now!
Thank you for helping us move to more than 80% of our enrollment goal in the opening months of enrollment season! We aspire to enroll 100% of families for next school year by August 15th! See below for ways that you can help us hit that target!
The Stuart-Hobson Middle School team looks forward to welcoming your rising 6th, 7th and/or 8th grade student into our diverse and dynamic Capitol Hill Cluster School community. You can also learn more about our school by viewing our school's recorded Open House webinar.
Enrolling can be quick and easy for families, and we encourage you to enroll as soon as possible. For your convenience, visit this website to complete your enrollment online: dcpsenrollment. Families are also invited to complete enrollment by visiting our SHMS main office between 9:00 am-3:30 pm Monday through Friday.
We welcome all parents to make the school choice that best suits their child and family needs. If your student will not be joining our SHMS community, please contact the main office and inform our team of your student's new school. We will provide you with appropriate documentation to be removed from our school roster and mailing list.
We look forward to supporting our families through this enrollment season and welcome you to contact AP Turner with questions.
Analyzing maps in geography!
Stuart-Hobson Panthers
6th Graders Speaking for Social Justice!
Previous Announcements & Resources
**The information below is new or an updated version of something announced previously! **
All Newsletters
You can find previously released newsletters and information here.
The most current version of the Student & Family Handbook is linked on our website.
Policies & Daily Operations
Stay Connected At Stuart-Hobson!
There are many ways that you can stay connected with the PTA and other families at SHMS. Here are a few popular spaces in our community:
CAMPUS LISTSERVE
Families can sign up for individual campus listservs (Peabody, Watkins and/or Stuart-Hobson) through our school website. Our listservs are designed to be open forums for Cluster parents to connect with other Cluster families and stay updated on school-related issues.
https://www.capitolhillclusterschool.org/listservs
CAPITOL HILL CLUSTER SCHOOL WEBSITE
www.capitolhillclusterschool.org
The Cluster School website has general school information, school news including weekly newsletters and the school calendar with events for all three campuses.
SOCIAL MEDIA
INSTAGRAM: @capitolhillclusterschoolpta
Follow us on Instagram! Photos of our Cluster community including Peabody, Watkins and Stuart-Hobson events.
TWITTER: @CHCSPTA
Follow us on Twitter! The best way to see frequent posts and reminders of upcoming school events at all three campuses.
FACEBOOK: Capitol Hill Cluster School
Follow us on Facebook! General information and photos of recent and upcoming school events.
LINKEDIN: Capitol Hill Cluster School Parents Group
Join us on Linkedin! Network with other Peabody, Watkins and Stuart-Hobson parents. Lend your professional expertise to help the Cluster!
DCPS Summer Meals Start July 5th
Check Grades in the Aspen Family Portal
Returning families should be able to access their account using their username and password from last school year. New families will receive an email from Aspen Family Portal when their family portal account is available to use (check your junk and spam folders for the invitation), likely in late August or early September.
The Portal allows you to keep up with progress in school - including grades, assignments, attendance, and more. The goal of DCPS' new digital portal is to create an open line of communication between home and school.
To Access the Portal:
1. Visit https://aspen.dcps.dc.gov
2. Make sure pop-up blocking is disabled for your browser
3. Your user name will be provided via email
4. Your temporary password will be provided via email
NOTE: Both user name and password are case sensitive
5. Click Log On to access the system. You will be prompted to fill out some information to change your password so that in the future you can click "I forgot my password" to receive a new password.
How to Navigate the Portal:
This flyer gives you the Parent Portal basics:
- What you need to know about the Parent Portal
- Lo que necesita saber sobre el Portal de Padres
Also, we recommend that families download the Grade Corner app to their smartphones or other devices. This app was created by an SHMS parent, requires an Aspen login, and allows you to see all of your student's grades in one place. In addition to seeing report cards, it is a quick and easy tool for keeping tabs on your student's progress.
Panther Pride School Store: Additional SHMS Clothing & Gear!
Check out the clothing and gear that are available at our new school store!
Families, staff, and students will be able to buy customizable Stuart-Hobson Panther gear. You can find the latest name brands on your custom SHMS gear.
If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Howard, devin.howard2@k12.dc.gov
Supports for Students & Families
Mental Health Supports
Molly Smith, Social Worker, molly.smith@k12.dc.gov
Jessica Thompkins, Social Worker, jessica.thompkins@k12.dc.gov
Kimberly Harrington, DBH Social Worker, kimberly.harrington@dc.gov
Montrice Williams, CIS Social Worker, mwilliams@cisnationscapital.org
Jessica Schimmerling, Guidance Counselor, jessica.schimmerling@k12.dc.gov
Tomicula Willams, Guidance Counselor, tomicula.williams@k12.dc.gov
Kristin Dezen, kristin.dezen@k12.dc.gov
Stuart-Hobson Middle School
Email: eric.fraser@k12.dc.gov
Website: www.stuart-hobson.org
Location: 410 E Street Northeast, Washington, DC, USA
Phone: 202-671-6010
Twitter: @StuartHobsonMS