Hidden River Newsletter
Week of September 25 - 29, 2023
Weekly Reminders
- SAVE THE DATES:
Mon., Sept 25th - No School (Staff Professional Development)
Tues., Sept. 26th - Picture Day
Thurs., Sept. 28th - First FSO meeting from 5:30-7:00 in the Library
Next Week:
Wed., Oct. 4th - Bike, Walk, Roll to school day
What's in the Newsletter?
- School Information
- Debate Team
- Classroom Updates
- Health Office Message
- Family Staff Organization
- Keep Connected 360
- Fall Sports - Schedules
- FLIPSIDE
- Community Opportunities
School Information
Picture Day: Lifetouch School Photography, known for capturing school pictures from K-12 nationwide, will take our school photos this year. For more information about Picture Day, check out the flyer provided or visit: https://schools.lifetouch.com/for-your-families/
School Name: Hidden River Middle School
Picture Day Date: Tuesday, September 26
Picture Day ID: EVTD9JGR8
Safety Drills: We will conduct the first set of safety drills for the 23-24 school year this coming week. Attached is a copy of the drill descriptions, if you would like to talk more with your student about school safety. Our staff took the first few weeks to review the information for each classroom. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Here is the schedule for the drills:
- Tuesday: Lockdown
- Wednesday: Evacuate
- Thursday: Secure
- Friday: Hold
Kleenex/Tissue Donations: If you are able, any tissue/Kleenex donations are needed and welcome. Please drop them off in the main office. Thank you!
The HRMS Debate Team is Back!
We are developing two teams again this year including a JV team (for experienced debaters) and a rookie team (for new debaters). Both teams will meet on Mondays beginning on November 6 from 3:15 to 5:00 pm, and competitions will begin at the end of January. We will be debating the topic of police reform this season.
Are you interested in signing up? Please see Ms. Bannon or Ms. Hart in room 2114 or email them at kathryn.bannon@spps.org or melissa.hart@spps.org to sign up. More information will be forthcoming as our practice season draws closer. Thank you!
Classroom Updates
Physical Education
- We will be participating outside until weather permits. Therefore, you may want a sweatshirt/jacket in your locker to bring to PE.
Health Office Message
Family Staff Organization (FSO)
Thanks to everyone who was able to make it to Coffee with the Principal last Wednesday. There were great discussions around how families are experiencing the beginning of the school year. Mark your calendars for next month's gathering on October 11 at 8:15 AM.
Please join us for the first FSO gathering of the year this Thursday, September 28 at 5:30 PM in the library. The topic will be enrichment opportunities available at HRMS such as Flipside, athletics, WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) and much more! We always try to make time for Q&A too. Childcare will be available, and if you need transportation to attend, please call the school at 651-293-8860 or email wendy.caucutt@spps.org. We really hope to see you there.
Keep Connected 360 Family Engagement
We are excited to share we will be offering resources and tips on how to stay connected with your middle school student. Keep Connected 360 is a pilot project we are starting at Hidden River this school year.
What is it?
Keep Connected offers families resources and learning to support them–offer ideas, activities, and experiences to help build strong family relationships.
Keep Connected helps to:
Deepen family relationships with each other in their everyday lives.
Enhance family communication and decision making, while also reducing parent-youth conflicts.
Create community among families.
Build trust with families so they deepen their connections with our school.
Things that will be offered through the school year are:
Staff training on family engagement
Two 7-week workshop for families- Will start in mid-October, if interested please contact, Wendy Caucutt, our Family Liaison - wendy.caucutt@spps.org
Talk starters will be sent regularly in Sunday’s newsletter for caregivers to use with facilitating conversations with their student.
Tips will be sent out regularly to school staff on simple things they can do to engage families.
Fall Sports - Sports Season Update and Practice Schedule
Dear Students and Families,
We wanted to inform you that the sign-up period for this sports season has now concluded, and the teams have been set. If you have already communicated with either the coach or the Athletic Director regarding payment for your sports physical, you are all set to join your respective team.
For those not participating in a fall sport, there are still three more seasons ahead for you to get involved that include Girls' Basketball, Boys' Basketball, Track & Field, Girls' Badminton, Girls' Softball and Boys' Baseball.
Here are some important details regarding practice:
- **Practice Schedule:**
- Days: Monday - Thursday
- Time: 3:00 PM - 4:45/5:00 PM
- **Practice Locations:**
- Volleyball and Flag Football: Hidden River
- Girls and Boys Soccer: Merrian Park Rec Center
Starting from October 9th, transportation home from practice will be available, but only for Flag Football and Volleyball. Unfortunately, this option won't be available for both soccer teams, as they practice at Merrian Park Rec Center.
Last week, athletes were given their schedules to take home. Additionally, you'll find the schedule for each respective sport attached to this email.
Should you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out to the coaches or myself:
- Lenell Binford (Volleyball) - lenell.binford@spps.org
- Max Winters (Boys Soccer) - mwinter@wesleyan.edu
- Mariella Ciccarelli (Girls Soccer) - mciccarelli@summitcompanies.com
- Quentin Wathum-Ocama (Flag Football) - quentin.wathum-ocama@spps.org
For any overarching inquiries or concerns, please feel free to contact me at daniel.wathum-ocama@spps.org.
Wishing everyone a successful and enjoyable season!
FLIPSIDE - After-School
Flipside Registration is OPEN! Registration due September 25th for guaranteed bussing on October 9th. Enrollment will stay open all session but will be 1-2 week lag to get transportation route after September 25th.
We are offering a variety of classes including STEP dance, DRUMLINE, INTRO TO GERMAN, MATH Team and so much more! Debate and History Day registration is coming soon!
Registrations link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYGZpEWYCJm6aVjpbcCTgLxEl12t2aTx0PUZTsnP7NMeMGpQ/closedform
Class descriptions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSHzyGpyzIq9joHXluf6WpxqAhi3oZ9tAzSIUDk2e3JL_v0Owv2yW_-7DnoxU0AnLKWN9T5akbMSR17/pub
Flipside is FREE after school programming running Monday through Thursday 3-5pm. Session 1 begins October 9th and runs through January 25th. Pleas reach out to the Flipside coordinator Teanna Rouillard if you have any questions at teanna.rouillard@spps.org.