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HMS Connection
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Week of October 23, 2023
A Message to Future HMS Students and Families
Greetings from HMS!
I wanted to take this opportunity reach out to our future students and families to say hello, and give you a "sneak peek" as to what you can expect when you come to HMS next year by sharing a copy of our weekly newsletter!
As you'll see in our HMS Connection (sent home each week) there are so many wonderful things going on here to help kids grow as students and individuals during their three years here.
In addition to this sample issue of the Connection, to help you get a better feel for our school, we would like to invite you to visit our building for our first ever Fall Open House on Sunday, November 5th (see the graphic below). During your visit you'll see classrooms, hear from students, and have a chance to join me, Mr. Smith, for an informal "Q and A" session.
We think you'll agree that HMS has something for everyone!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at dsmith@hinghamschools.org.
Thank you!
HMS News
As you can see from our Connection, our students and teachers are busy doing excellent things both in and out of the classroom. With challenging and engaging lessons during the school day, and enriching and rewarding opportunities after dismissal, we believe great things are happening every day at HMS!
Thanks for taking the time to read our newsletter, and we hope you enjoy learning more about your middle school!
The Ambassador Club is Tickled Pink!
The Ambassador Club will be hosting a "Wear Pink" Spirit Day on Friday, October 27, to raise money for breast cancer awareness month. Students should wear pink and bring in a small donation to their homeroom. All donations will go to the Ellie Fund to help provide services for breast cancer patients.
Last year, the Ambassadors were able to raise just under $3,000.00 in one day! Let's see if we can match that type of generosity again this year!
The Best Pumpkin Patch in Town! Join the HMS Art Club After School!
One Book, One School Day
As you already know, this year as part of our annual HMS One Book, One School initiative, all members of our school community read the book Linked by Gordon Korman over the summer.
As has been our practice for the last several years, in order to deepen our understanding of the central themes of the book, on Wednesday, November 1st, we will be dedicating our day to activities, lessons, and discussions around the themes of this novel. On that note, we are looking forward to welcoming Holocaust survivor, Marion Blumenthal Lazan, for a virtual presentation.
For more information about the One Book, One School selection, Linked, you may wish to review the attached family discussion guide previously shared with students on their summer reading note-taking templates.
For more information about Marion Lazan’s personal story and information about her memoir, Four Perfect Pebbles, please visit the attached author page. If you wish to order a copy of her memoir, information can be found in the accompanying attachment.
Important! Please Be Sure to Complete these Aspen Workflows As Soon As Possible!
Please log in to the Aspen Family Portal and proceed through the parent permissions workflow.
Find instructions for the workflow HERE.
If you have not set up your account or need help, please email aspenhelp@hinghamschools.org.
Helath Class News
Over the past week, Health Classes were visited by Officer Ramsey who spoke to them about the dangers of alcohol use and abuse. They also spent time studying both healthy and unhealthy relationships. Using examples from pop-culture, students created posters illustrating both healthy and unhealthy relationships, and analyzed why they would describe them that way.
Next up . . .The Teenage Brain!
Wondering what's going on at HMS each day?
Adventure Club Update
Our next trip is to Starland in Hanover on Thursday, November 9th from 2:00 - 5:30 pm. Permission slips can be found on our website: https://sduncan756.wixsite.com/hms-adventure-club/blank-1
The first 30 students to bring in the permission slip and fee DIRECTLY to Mrs. Duncan (217 - 7th grade) or Mrs. Giordani (206) will be able to join us!
Bon Appétit!
Recently, students in Madame Swearingen's grade seven French classes created and performed skits where the customers ordered food and drink, discussed prices, and paid the bill, while
The server was responsible for greeting customers, taking their order, delivering the meal and the check. All written and performed in French!
Super travail, les enfants!
Create Picture Perfect Pumpkins
Would your child like to learn how to carve a pumpkin and make creations like the ones below?
On Monday, October 30th from 2:00 - 4:00, Mrs. Flaherty will teach a small group of students the techniques to carve pumpkins into works of art.
Students need to sign up in advance in room 305 as space is limited. Students will also need to bring a pumpkin big enough to carve that day and schedule a ride home at 4:00 pm.
This activity is open to all grades!
Visit Quebec! Meeting Rescheduled!!!
There informational meeting regarding the Grade Eight Quebec trip has been rescheduled to Thursday, October 26 in the DLT for all eighth grade French students interested in going to Quebec March 7-10, 2024. Information will include access to the Quebec trip Google Classroom, forms necessary for the trip, and registration details.
Please reach out to Cory Ford (cford@hinghamschools.org) or Ariane Swearingen (aswearingen@hinghamschools.org) with any questions.
Calling All Veterans!
HMS is proud to announce its SECOND ANNUAL Veterans Day Assembly & Breakfast!
Under the leadership of eighth grade teacher, Jennifer Driscoll and her US History & Civics students, this event will take place on November 9th at 8:30 AM at HMS.
If you are a Veteran, or know a Veteran (family, friend, neighbor), please fill out the form below to register for the event. Due to space constrictions, this event is limited to Veterans and students. Veterans will be treated to breakfast following the assembly.
If you are, or know a veteran who would like to participate, please complete the form
Last week 25 students attended the first World Culture Club meeting of the year. They made churros and enjoyed authentic Mexican chocolate (hot cocoa). We also made decorations for Day of the Dead, which will be distributed to Spanish teachers for classroom decorations. Learn more about the World Culture Club in the video clip below.
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Homework Help!
- Our LMC is open from 2:00 to 3:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, offering a quiet place for students to get an independent start on their homework before they come home to you.
- We run a Homework Clubs for Sixth graders on Tuesdays and a separate one for seventh and eight graders on Thursdays. These clubs are run by teachers who are able to provide general assistance to students as needed.
- We want families to set reasonable expectations at home when it comes to homework. If a student has worked diligently for 20 minutes on an assignment, and you feel they have done all that they reasonable can, please have your child stop work on that assignment and send a message to the teacher letting them know. Students will not be penalized for incomplete work if this is the case, but the teacher must hear from a parent.
We hope this information is helpful to you and your family!
Grade Eight Washington DC Trip - Registration is Open!
Thanks to all who attended our follow-up informational session regarding the Grade Eight Washington DC Trip this past Monday.
If you were unable to attend, the slide show and registration information is available here:
https://trips.grandclassroom.com/Trip/Index/HinghamDC2024
Please note that the registration deadline is October 31, 2023.
In order to secure flights and hotels we need an accurate count as soon as possible, so please do not delay!
Please feel free to direct any questions to Mark McCulloch at mmcculloch@hinghamschools.org
Coming Events
Save the Date
- October 27 - PTO Grade Seven Halloween Social 7:00
- Ambassador Pink Day
- November 1 - One Book, One School Day
- Early Release 11:00 AM
- November 9 - Veteran's Day Ceremony and Breakfast
- November 10 - Veteran's Day Observed: No School
PTO News
Grade Seven PTO Halloween Social
Don't forget! The PTO Grade Seven Halloween Social is planned for next Friday, October 27. Details are below.
7th Grade Halloween Party
Friday, October 27th, 7:00-8:30pm
Hingham Middle School
$20 per student, paid in advance
Volunteer and donate items here
A reminder that payment for grade parties can be made via Venmo @HMSPTO-1103 or by sending cash/checks (made payable to HMS PTO) to the school main office. Please note your student's name with your payment.
Community News
Eyeglass Donations
Please consider donating older, used glasses to the Lions Club.
As a reminder, you can drop your old eyeglasses in the labeled box in the front entryway of HMS. All donated glasses are taken to the New England College of Optometry in Boston where they are cleaned, and repaired. Then they will be donated domestically and internationally by VOSH International (Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity) to people in need in conjunction with much needed eye examinations and eye care.
Water Bottles in Schools
The Select Board, in the spring of 2023, adopted a town-wide policy that restricted the procurement, sale, and distribution of single-use plastic water bottles as of September 1 in the schools and municipal buildings. Beginning for the 2023-2024 school year, the school’s Food Services will no longer sell single-use plastic water bottles. As we start the school year, students are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles to school that can be filled out at a water bubbler or a water-filling station. Facilities staff have been working to ensure all of the schools water bubblers and water filling stations are operational for the start of the school year.
Hingham Youth Wrestling, K-8th Grade
Learn how to wrestle, build strength, flexibility and balance, and most of all have fun.
No experience necessary, anyone can join.
Sessions start Nov. 29th - March, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and occasional Fridays from 5:30-7:00pm (K-3th Grade, 5:30PM-6:30PM and 4th -8th Grade, 5:30PM-7:00PM) at the HHS Wrestling Room.
If there are questions, please contact Ben Nastou at bennastou@gmail.com or Chris Papavasiliou at papaveev@gmail.com.