![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/u/backgrounds/custom_bg-62fe833e7154906fbfed8131-dba1aad9250c.jpg)
HMS Connection
![HMS Connection](https://cdn.smore.com/u/56f3/cf7ed800c563908fd574892d5ff53ac2.jpg)
Week of September 18, 2023
HMS News
Greetings from HMS!
As you can see from the length of this newsletter, there is much going an here at HMS even at this early point in the year!
We hope you find this issue for the HMS Connection helpful and informative!
Have a great week!
HMS Activity Fee and After School Activities
With the start of late bus service, HMS will also be beginning the many after school activities, programs, and clubs that make our school such a vibrant place. Each day our Daily Notices highlight what is scheduled after dismissal, and each week we will begin adding our Week-At-A-Glance document to the HMS Connection. Additionally, we will share a directory of our clubs and activities along with contact information, meeting times, and general descriptions of what students can expect if they should choose to participate.
Clubs include . . .
- Lego Robotics
- PAW (Poets, Artists, and Writers)
- Adventure Club
- Ski Club
- Ambassador Club
- Art Club
- Cooking Club
- HMS GSA Group
- Coding Club
- Yearbook
- Future Cities
- Various Intramural Offerings
- World Language Club
- Grade Six Homework Club
- Grade Seven and Eight Homework Club
- And many, many, more!
There is no long-term commitment, and students can join at any point throughout the year.
These activities and clubs are supported through our HMS Activity Fee. As a reminder, all families are asked to pay this fee each year. These funds help to defray costs associated with after-school clubs and activities.
You can complete this process by clicking here to find the Unipay site.
Please enter “Hingham School Department” where prompted for "City/Town/Department", select “MS Activity Fee” and complete the required fields.
Should you prefer to pay by check, you can complete the attached form and return it to the HMS office.
This fee is separate from the PTO dues.
If you need assistance with this or any other school related fees, please do not hesitate to reach out to either a school administrator, a school counselor, or any faculty member you feel comfortable with.
Thank you!
School Lunch
Did you know that all students are now entitled to free lunch at school? The state’s budget allocated funding for free universal meals for all school in Massachusetts. Thus, students will be provided again this year one free meal in the morning and another for lunch. The state’s budget made the change to universal free lunch programming permanent!
Picking Up Early?
Please be sure to send a note in with your child if you will be dismissing early. When students provide notes they are given a dismissal pass in the LMC first thing in the morning. This will allow them to come right down to the office at the appropriate time. If they do not have a pass we need to call to interrupt the class and you end up waiting longer. Thank you for your cooperation - this will help our office run smoothly.
Dropping off a forgotten item? Please use the table in our lobby!
No need to come into the office! (Although we always love to see you!)
Chromebook Insurance Plans
Chromebook Annual Insurance is being offered this year through WorthAve Group. Insurance plans are not required, however they are highly recommended.
Please note, insurance purchased last year does not cover this coming school year. A new insurance plan needs to be purchased for coverage this year.
All claims will be filed by HMS Technology, on your behalf.
The plan offers unlimited claims and no deductibles.
The plan cost is $27 for each device for one year which is cheaper than the cost to replace the most common problem we see, a broken LCD screen ($32 cost of the part).
Enrollment for insurance plans is open 9/6/23 - 10/1/23.
Please go to this link for more details: https://hinghamschools.org/hingham-middle-school/files/2023/08/Chromebook-Insurance-2023-24.pdf
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Condon at ccondon@hinghamschools.org
Wondering what's going on at HMS each day?
Forms, Forms, Forms!
"Back to school" means homework for everyone, not just the students! We ask that if you have not yet done so, please complete the health form, which was previously sent home.
Additionally, you should soon receive a Contact Verification form in the mail. We ask that you please review this information and update as needed. If no changes are required, please indicate that. All forms should be returned to the students' homeroom teachers
Finally, we ask that you and your middle schooler read and review both the Bus Safety Rules and the Food Allergy notification attached to this news letter.
Thank you!
Grade Eight Washington DC Trip
Grade eight parents and students, please join us on October 2nd at 7:00 PM in the HMS auditorium for an informational meeting regarding this year's trip to DC. This meeting is designed to answer questions related to our trip planned from May 1 through May 3.
On hand will be a representative from Grand Classroom, school administrators, and the Grade Eight Class Advisors.
Please plan to attend.
How Do We Get to Know Our Students in September???
Mrs. Gustafson has a "tea party" with her sixth graders . . .
While Mrs. Sullivan asks her eighth graders to write poems . . .
. . . And Mrs. Giordani asks students to think about what makes a good math student, Ms. Ciulla uses giant Jenga as an ice-breaker in health, and in science Mrs. Cassidy's students sculpt with play dough to tell others something about themselves!
We're happy to know you all a little better!
Dropping off or picking up at arrival or dismissal?
Please give our student vans plenty of space to unload safely!
Keeping an Eye on Our Wellness
Youth mental health is a topic of utmost importance, and we believe that by working together, we can create a supportive environment where our children can thrive.
As we start the new school year, we want to remind you of the invaluable resources available to our community.
Aspire Health Alliance To Make an appointment 617.847.1914 In a Crisis 800.528.4890
Quincy Family Resource Center 617.481.7227
Plymouth Family Resource Center 774.283.6531 aarcuri@baystatecs.org
South Shore Coalition of Independent Therapists Find a licensed mental health provider near you
The Baker Center for Children and Families 617.232.8390
Boston Child Study Center 617.800.9610
In addition, Care Solace offers mental health care coordination services and can help connect you and your child with appropriate community-based providers. Whether it's counseling, therapy, or other mental health services, Care Solace can assist you in finding the support your family may need.
To access Care Solace's coordination services, simply reach out using the following options:
Call 888-515-0595: Their multilingual helpline is staffed 24/7/365.
Visit www.caresolace.com/hinghamschools: On their website, you can explore mental health providers independently or click "Book Appointment" for personalized assistance through video chat, email, or phone.
By joining hands and working together as a community, we can provide a nurturing and inclusive environment that supports the mental health and well-being of our youth. Let's continue to prioritize their emotional growth, and together, we can create a brighter future for our children.
Thank you for being caring and involved parents and guardians in the Hingham Public Schools. Your dedication to supporting our youth is truly commendable.
Late Buses
HMS is happy to share that our late bus service has begun! Late buses typically leave the middle school around 3:15, and follow routes that differ from those that run at 2:00. Please review the attached list and be sure students know which bus they should plan to take when staying after.
Late buses run Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. There are no late buses on Wednesdays.
Please note that late buses are for students who remain after school for school related activities, such as extra help with a teacher, a school sponsored club or activity, intramural sports, etc. All other student should exit the building promptly at 2:00 PM.
There's a fine art to using a graduated cylinder, and these Pirates can tell you all about it! They were even able to make "rainbows" in them!
Add a Bit of DRAMA to Your Life!
Add Drama 7 or Drama 8 to your day to spice up your schedule! Replace that Directed Study with a chance to be on stage! We cover a wide range of performance styles, backstage roles, theatrical design, and lots of improv games! If you're planning to audition for our musical this year, it's a great way to brush up for your audition. See your Guidance counselor to add DRAMA! Hope to see you shining onstage soon!
Mrs. Fish
Coming Events
Bus Safety Drills - 9/18/2023
On Monday, September 18, all students will participate in a bus safety drill just prior to dismissal. Students will review safety procedures and practice a bus evacuation. Walkers and students who are picked up will be assigned to a bus in order to take part. Students should dress appropriately for this exercise. We expect to dismiss students at their usual time once the drill has been completed.
Early Release - 9/20/2023
HMS will dismiss at 11:00 this coming Wednesday, September 20 in order for our faculty to participate in professional development activities. Please plan accordingly.
Open House - 9/28/2023
The HMS Open House is planned for the evening of Thursday, September 28. More details regarding times and programs will follow, but please save the date.
Picture Re-Takes
Students who missed picture day or would like to have them retaken can do so on October 19 from 2:00 to 4:00 in the cafeteria.
PTO News
HMS PTO Meeting
We will hold our first meeting of the 2023 - 2024 school year on Wednesday, September 20, at 7:00 PM via Zoom. We hope that this time and format will allow for greater access and participation for all interested in learning more about our organization and what we can do to help enhance the middle school experience for our students and their teachers.
We hope you can join us!
Join Our Zoom Meeting!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89182583709?pwd=Nk13aGFKVXRySFRhc0puNlJVc1dMQT09
Meeting ID: 891 8258 3709
Passcode: 277980
HMS School Council Elections
As we begin the new school year, we have an open position for a parent representative on the
HMS School Council.
There are three School Council Representatives at HMS, each with a two-year term. The School Council is responsible for developing an annual school improvement plan. Meetings are held monthly with HMS administration, our three parent representatives, teacher representatives, a community representative, and our school committee liaison.
Currently, we have one opening for School Council Parent representative to serve alongside Katie Carolan and Scott McDaniel, both starting the second year of their terms.
If you are interested in this position, please send an email to katty.austin@gmail.com by
Thursday, September 21st . Please include a short description of what experience you will bring
to the role. Please note, your bio submission will be sent out with the School Council ballot.
A Google form will be distributed by Principal Smith on Monday, September 25th for HMS
parents to submit their vote for the candidate they feel will best represent them for the 2023-
2025 school years.
Please contact Katty Austin at katty.austin@gmail.com with any questions.
Thank you,
Katty Austin & Crystal Sullivan
PTO Co-Presidents
Student Social Events
Each year our amazing PTO plans and organizes a number of after-school events for our students. We have several planned for the coming weeks. All require tickets in advance and are open to HMS students only. Please watch for more information on the following . . .
- October 20, 2:00 PM - Grade Six Fall Fest
- October 20, 7:00 PM - Grade Eight Campfire (at PRS back field)
- October 27, 7:00 PM - Grade Seven Halloween Social
We hope to see many of our students there!