
SHMS Family Newsletter
January 9, 2022
Principal's Message
Happy New Year Stuart-Hobson community,
I want to thank everyone for your many extra efforts to have a safe launch to school in 2022! Over the vacation you prepared to participate in DCPS' test-to-return initiative, worked with us to revisit other health and safety measures (e.g. Ask, Ask, Look), and supported revised routines and procedures at school (e.g. morning entry and indoor meals). Thank you for your flexibility and support!
While we only had one day of in-person practice this past week, we will use the upcoming week to continue with the test-to-return program and revisiting other routines and procedures with students. Students will be busy this month taking middle of year (MOY) tests in Math and literacy, producing major components of their National History Day (NHD) projects, and finishing up work by the end of Term 2 on January 26th.
Thanks in advance for your patience and feedback while we work to ensure a safe launch to school this calendar year. Let's have a great five-day week of classes!
Warm regards,
Eric Fraser
Principal
Calendars
Upcoming Dates: January 10-14
This Week:
'The 3-week DCPS meals menu can always be found here.
Monday
- A great instructional day!
- Middle of Year (MOY) Math testing (iReady/MAP) during classes
- 8th Grade Town Hall, 2:45-3:30 (virtual)
- January PTA General Meeting from 8:00pm-9:15pm on Zoom
Tuesday
- A great instructional day!
- Middle of Year (MOY) Math testing (iReady/MAP) during classes
- 6th Grade Town Hall, 2:45-3:30 (virtual)
- A great instructional day!
- Middle of Year (MOY) Math testing (iReady/MAP) during classes
- 7th Grade Town Hall, 2:45-3:30 (virtual)
Thursday
- A great instructional day!
Friday
- A great instructional day!
Upcoming Dates
- January 20, 2022, Open House for Prospective Families (virtual), 6:00-7:30 PM
- February 1, 2022, 11:59:59 PM MySchoolDC High School application closes.
- February 15, 2022, Open House for Prospective Families, 6:00-7:30 PM
Athletics Schedule
Students that are 12 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated or submit medical or religious exemption forms to be eligible to participate. If exemption is approved, a weekly negative COVID test must be submitted to remain eligible.
Cheerleading
Cheerleading tryouts - TBA
Head Coach: Joi Robins- joi.robins16@yahoo.com
Girls Bowling
Team Interest Meeting: TBA
Head Coach: Michelle Rumph- Michelle.Rumph@K12.dc.gov
Girls Basketball
*All games are closed contest. (No spectators)*
Monday: (Practice) 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Tuesday: (Game) Stuart-Hobson vs. Sousa @ Stuart-Hobson 4:45pm
Wednesday: ( Practice) 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Thursday: (Game ) Stuart-Hobson vs. McKinley Tech @ McKinley Tech 4:45pm
Head Coach: Troy Henderson - Troy.Henderson@k12.dc.gov
Boys Basketball
*All games are closed contest. (No spectators)*
Monday: (Practice) 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Tuesday: (Game) Stuart-Hobson vs. Sousa @ Stuart-Hobson 6:00pm
Wednesday: (Practice) 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Thursday: (Game) Stuart-Hobson vs. McKinley Tech @ McKinley Tech 6:00pm
Head Coach: Sylvester Robinson - Sylvester.Robinson@dc.gov
Co-Ed Swimming
Tuesday: (Practice) 4:00pm - 5:00pm @ Dunbar High School
Thursday: (Practice) 4:00pm - 5:00pm @ Dunbar High School
Head Coach: Leonard Booker - acebooker@yahoo.com
Indoor Track
TBA
Boys Head Coach- Taurus McGhee - taurus.mcghee@dc.gov
Girls Head Coach- Mark Smith- mark.smith3@k12.dc.gov
Ski Club
Interest meeting date - TBA
Club Sponsor- Michelle Rumph - Michelle.Rumph@k12.dc.gov
COMING SOON: SPRING SPORTS
Outdoor Track & Field
Baseball
Golf
Lacrosse
If you have any questions regarding student eligibility, medical clearance, or are interested in supporting Stuart- Hobson athletics. Please contact Richard Strong (Health/PE Teacher / Athletic Director ) at Richard.Strong@k12.dc.gov.
Click on the link below to submit athletic forms online.
https://www.thedciaa.com/participation-forms
COMING SOON: SPRING SPORTS
Outdoor Track & Field
Baseball
Golf
Lacrosse
Click on the link below to submit athletic forms online.
DCPS Calendar
Shout Outs and Celebrations
Thank you to everyone for your cooperation, feedback, and patience while we executed a very smooth Safe Return to Schools, including a massive testing operation. In addition to this safe return, we managed to pull-off a virtual Welcome Back Assembly with students where we reviewed some expectations for health and safety practices that students can follow to keep our community safe throughout the upcoming days and months. Thank you everyone for supporting our return to school!
New Information and Important Updates
**The information below is new or an updated version of something announced previously! **
Test To Return Continues This Week!
Please remind students that they should be completing the "Ask, Ask, Look" form daily to expedite a safe entry into the building. Please be sure that they are ready to show this to the nurses or other staff members upon arrival every day.
Additionally, 100% of students and staff in DCPS are mandated to "test-to-return" within 24 hours of their first day in the building. Many of our students and staff fulfilled this requirement last week before returning for in-person school on Thursday. Remember that if you did not do so on Wednesday and Thursday, you must take one of the rapid tests distributed by DCPS schools and inform us of your result before reporting for in-person school this week. We will continue checking student and staff results upon entry throughout the week. Please note that results can be shared in the methods previously communicated by DCPS, but the website for uploading results is no longer being used.
If you want to opt your student out of the test-to-return program you must submit a new opt-out waiver to the school. Students who opt-out will not be allowed to return for in-person school until 10 days after the return to school or after presenting a negative test result. Students who submit an opt-out waiver will be provided with access to asynchronous work this week. Waivers should be submitted to an administrator, school counselor, and/or Ms. Hargrove. Please note that you can continue to find comprehensive information about waivers, access to test kits, and other FAQs on the DCPS Safe Return to School website.
Thank you in advance for your continued patience this week during student entry as we will be working to continue ensuring a safe return to school for everyone!
Results from Weekly Asymptomatic Testing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends offering coronavirus (COVID-19) testing in schools. COVID-19 testing helps schools identify cases of COVID-19 quickly and reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections at school. For the 2021-22 school year, your student’s school is participating in a citywide COVID-19 school based testing program available to all DC public and public charter schools. our
Whenever your student participates in asymptomatic Covid-19 testing the results will be shared securely with the student’s parent/guardian (or the adult student directly), the appropriate school official(s), and DC Health. All testing is free.
Attachments linked below will give you information on the asymptomatic Covid-19 testing process and directions on how to view your child's test results and a contact number if you need support. Our AGENCY CODE is "StuHobMS". This agency code is case-sensitive. Feel free to contact AP Turner or our school's main office with any questions. Please note that we will not always inform you about whether or not your student participates on a given day but testing regularly takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Also, results are typically available within 24 hours and before school begins the following day.
Thank you for allowing your student to participate in asymptomatic testing. We want to remind everyone to get vaccinated to improve our ability to defeat Covid-19!
File attachments:
05_Process Flow Infographic w_out DOB w Bags (1).pdf
Patient portal login_k12.pdf
Call Center Flyer_with WGS.pdf
Spelling Bee!
We are thrilled to announce that the Stuart-Hobson Annual Spelling Bee is just around the corner. This year's competition will happen virtually. This is our timeline:
- Students will be asked in their 8th period class to complete a form indicating whether they would like to compete in this year's spelling bee by 1/11/22.
- Parents/caregivers will be contacted by email with instructions on how to register interested student participants for the test. Registrations must be completed by 1/17/22.
- Students will compete by grade level by taking an on-line multiple-choice test designed by the Scripps National Spelling Bee on 1/21/22. The top ten students from each grade level will advance to our Schoolwide Bee.
- These top 30 spellers will compete in our Schoolwide Bee on 1/27/22. (The format of this test will also be online and will require students to listen to a list of spelling words and type each one.)
- The top three spellers from this Schoolwide Bee will advance to the Cluster Spelling Bee (2/9/22) where they will compete against other students across the city.
Please encourage your student to participate. If spelling in front of a crowd usually makes your student nervous, this year's virtual format should be very reassuring! Students will be given a chance to sign up to participate in 8th period, during the week of 1/10/22. However, if as a caregiver, you would like to sign your child up to participate, feel free to e-mail me directly (nancy.abou-samra1@k12.dc.gov) with your child's first and last name and grade level. (You can "voluntell" them to participate this way.) Spelling words to practice can be found in this 2022 Spelling Bee folder.
DCIAA Athletic Events Update - No Spectators
Attention SHMS Families and Fans!
Thank you for your support of our student-athletes. Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases across the city and region, spectators will not be permitted at athletic programming at our school. We recognize that this is disappointing news for our families and supporters. The health and safety of our students remains our highest priority.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Analyzing maps in geography!
Stuart-Hobson Panthers
6th Graders Speaking for Social Justice!
Previous Announcements & Resources
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.
Chancellor's Reopening Update for Families
September 10, 2021
Dear DCPS Community,
Across DC Public Schools, it is exciting to see students are settling into their classes and new routines, building friendships, and connecting with their teachers. The well-being of our students and staff is our priority. We recognize that with our robust health and safety measures in place, this school year feels different for most students and families. We know families have questions, and we are committed to keeping you informed about our health and safety measures.
Today’s email covers:
- What happens when there is a COVID-19 positive case at your child’s school.
- What to do if your child feels unwell or tests positive for COVID-19.
What should I do if my child doesn’t feel well?
Each day, families should follow our daily symptoms checklist (often referred to as “Ask. Ask. Look.”) to monitor for any symptoms of COVID-19 before your student leaves for school. If your child is not feeling well or is showing any symptoms, they should stay home.
Your school can also provide information about the learning materials available for your student while they are unwell and can arrange for an at-home technology device to be available if you need one.
My child tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do?
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 cannot attend school in person and should isolate for at least 10 days and show improvement of symptoms, including no fever for 24 hours.
Please call your school to notify immediately if your child tests positive for COVID-19. We will need to know when your child was last in the school building so contact tracers can begin identifying anyone who may have been in close contact with your child. Your school can also provide information about the learning materials available for your student while they are quarantining and can arrange for an at-home technology device to be available if you need one.
How do I learn if someone tests positive for COVID-19 in my child’s class?
When we are notified about a positive COVID-19 case at school, trained contact tracers will determine if anyone is considered a close contact. Anyone who is identified as a close contact will be notified directly by the school.
After close contacts are identified and informed, families are notified via an email message from your school principal that someone tested positive for COVID-19 within their school and the date that the individual was last present in the building. If the person who tested positive was in your child’s classroom you will receive an additional notification from your school.
If someone at my child’s school tests positive for COVID-19, who is told to quarantine?
Contact tracers will work with the school and the individual who tested positive to identify anyone who is considered a close contact. If your student is considered a close contact, you will be contacted directly. Click here to read how DC Health defines a close contact in a school setting.
If your student is fully vaccinated, they will be notified that they are a close contact but are not required to quarantine unless they show symptoms. Fully vaccinated individuals who are in close contact with a COVID-19 individual are encouraged to get a test between 3 to 5 days of exposure.
What kind of COVID-19 testing is done at school for students?
There are two kinds of testing operations at DCPS schools.
If a child is showing symptoms of COVID-19, they will be escorted to the Health Isolation Room and administered an on-site COVID-19 test.
DCPS also has an opt-out, no-symptom (asymptomatic) testing program. This means we work to randomly test 10-20 percent of our students each week. This is a non-invasive saliva-based test.
All DCPS school-based testing is free for students.
Have more questions?
You can find the answers to more questions about how we inform a school community about COVID-19 public health notices at https://dcpsreopenstrong.com/health/response/.
We know there is nothing more important to you than the well-being of your child. We will continue to update you on our health and safety protocols and the steps we are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our schools.
Sincerely,
Lewis D. Ferebee, Ed.D.
Chancellor
IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR FAMILIES
Take the Shot, DC!
The science is clear: the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. DCPS highly encourages all eligible students and community members to get vaccinated. Go to vaccinate.dc.govto find information on the vaccination clinics happening across the city. DC students can get AirPods or a $51 gift card if they get their first shot at the Johnson, Sousa, or Brookland Middle School locations between now and September 30. Youth giveaway sites are open Tuesday – Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Routine Immunizations
Students must be in compliance with routine childhood immunization requirements by their 20th school day to attend in-person learning. To see a list of required immunizations, visit dchealth.dc.gov/immunizations, and you can schedule an appointment at vaccinate.dc.gov.
Student Breakfast and Lunch Adjustments for 2022
Breakfast - Students will continue to enter on 4th Street, beginning at 8:15. Students will be directed to the cafeteria for breakfast or to the gym for supervision until we bring students upstairs to prepare for their first period class at 8:45. We will have assigned spaces in each location for the different grade levels and will encourage all COVID safety guidelines (e.g. mask wearing, social distancing, etc.).
Lunch - We will return to the lunch and recess model that we used before the pandemic began. At the beginning of each lunch period the entire grade level will enter the cafeteria and sit in assigned locations (with classmates from the previous period). Once everyone is seated, half of the grade level will have a 20-minute recess outside (weather permitting) while the other half eats lunch in the cafeteria. Halfway through the period we will switch the recess and cafeteria groups. While students are in the cafeteria eating they will be able to spread out into available seating to maximize social distancing. Again, we will continue to encourage adherence to all COVID health and safety guidance (e.g. mask wearing when not eating, hand and respiratory hygiene, etc.)
We will communicate these plans to students during upcoming Town Halls and our Welcome Back Assemblies (scheduled before their lunch periods) on the first day of school in 2022.
Please reach out to your grade-level administrator with any questions about these planned changes.
Reminder: OSSE Annual Special Education Parent Survey
The District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent of Education's (OSSE) 2020-21 Special Education Parent Survey is open. This confidential survey is for families of students with disabilities who have individualized education programs (IEPs) and received special education services during SY 2020-21. OSSE reports a summary of the results to the US Department of Education as a part of DC’s Annual Performance Report. If your family is eligible, please use the online survey to share feedback by December 31, 2021.
As a reminder, if you have any questions about anything related to special education at SHMS you can contact AP Taylor or Ms. Lovelock.
Reminder: SHMS Lost & Found in Lobby
DCPS Attendance Policy Updates
This is a reminder about updates to DC Public Schools’ policy regarding unexcused absences related to COVID-19 and Virtual Learning Program for school year 2021-22. If your student has unexcused absences related to COVID-19 or Virtual Learning Program this school year, please review the information below to determine whether your student's absences are eligible to be excused. If you believe your student to be eligible, you must submit a note to your school’s Attendance Point of Contact (Ms. Hargrove) for absences to be excused.
COVID-19 Close Contact: You may now submit a note for an excused absence if your student was absent from school because the student, or a member of the student’s household, was determined to be a close contact of a person who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Students whose absences were not previously eligible for excusal for this reason can now have those absences excused.
Virtual Learning Program Expansion: If your student is approved for virtual learning under new requirements set by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), their previous absences related to COVID-19 can also be excused.
Please complete and submit the excuse note provided below if your child has been absent from school this school year due to one of the following reasons:
1. Your child or a member of your household was determined to be a close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19; or
2. Your child has recently been approved for the Virtual Learning Program and has had COVID-related absences between the start of school and November 30, 2021.
Notes must be submitted via email, text, or hand-delivery to your child’s school on or before December 17, 2021, so that your child’s absence can be recorded as excused. For the rest of this school year, please submit excuse notes to your school within five days of your child’s return to school from an absence.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact your school’s attendance Point of Contact, Ms. Hargrove.
National History Day Projects
Thanks again to our team and we cannot wait to see what our students ask, research, and create for this year's competition!
Term 2 ELA Class Novels in Sora
Here are the links for students and families to borrow a copy of the ELA anchor text for Term 2 in Sora:
6th Grade
Natalie Babbitt
7th Grade
Melba Patillo Beals
8th Grade
Laurie Halse Anderson
Attendance Corner
Attendance Corner:
Welcome to the Attendance Information Corner for Stuart-Hobson Middle School. My name is Ms. Hargrove and I will be providing attendance updates to families in this corner. Parents, it is crucial that you get your child to school on-time and attending all classes. Please take a moment and read the 80/20 rule below. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me and I will be able to discuss it with you.
80/20 Attendance Rule:
This rule states that a student must not miss more than 20% of their day to be marked present. If a student misses 2 classes in a day, that student has missed 20% of the day and will be marked absent without a valid excuse. Please do your best to have your student present and on-time for school. If your student has a valid excuse for being late, please provide documentation to Ms. Hargrove by email:Clara.Hargrove@k12.DC.Gov, by text: 202-494-9747 or by calling the main office at 202-671-6010. If you need additional information on DCPS Attendance Policies, please go to the see the attached website: https://dcps.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dcps/publication/attachments/Attendance-and-Truancy-Policy-SY%202021-22.pdf.
Attendance Celebration:
At Stuart-Hobson Middle School, we like to celebrate our students’ achievements for attendance. We will host a monthly attendance celebration for perfect and improved attendance by our students. Perfect attendance is described as no tardies or absences from classes for the month. I want to thank the students that had perfect attendance and participated in the Jeans & Jersey Day on November 1, 2021. Our next attendance incentive will be our Annual Perfect Attendance Pancake Celebration on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
SY 2021-22 Impact Aid Survey
The SY21-22 Impact Aid Survey will be available to schools and families in both paper and electronic format on Monday, November 1. Please see this webpage to access the survey electronically. All DCPS families are encouraged to complete one survey (paper or electronic) per child, not per household, to generate additional federal funds for DCPS. Thanks!
Check Grades in the Aspen Family Portal
Aspen Family Portal accounts have been available since the week of August 23rd. 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).
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!
Social distancing doesn't mean fashion gets thrown to the wind. Show your Panther pride during your next class, meeting, or virtual friend meet-up. Check out the clothing and gear that are available at our new school store!
Families, staff, and students will be able to buy custom 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
Policies & Daily Operations
COVID Policy Updates & Reminders
- Ask, Ask, Look (attached to newsletter) - It is imperative that students bring a completed copy of the Ask, Ask, Look protocol with them every morning to support a smooth and timely entry to school. Also, if your student does not pass the protocol at home you should not send them to school. Please reach out to the school if you are ever wondering whether or not your student is cleared for entry before leaving home.
- Devices - We have been loaning students and families devices while on quarantine. It is important that these devices return to school when students do. As we launch our 1:1 device plan in the coming weeks we will not be allocating devices to students who have signed a device out and not returned it or otherwise accounted for it. If you have questions, please contact Mr. Howard (devin.howard@k12.dc.gov)
- Reusable Water Bottles - Please send your student to school with a reusable water bottle, labeled clearly with their name, to minimize the demand for single-use plastic cups. In addition to being more environmentally friendly, a water bottle reduces the amount of instructional time that stuents miss to go out and get hydrated.
- Masking & Distancing - Please continue having conversations with you student about your expectations for how they will protect themselves and your family with appropriate mask- wearing (always over mouth and nose) and social distancing (as much as possible and especially when unmasked to eat/drink) throughout the school day.
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
Craft & Chat Club!
Craft and Chat started in Spring 2020 during distance learning and continued strong last school year. We are ready to start in-person and are excited for any and all students to join us! No art or craft experience necessary! Students are welcome to bring their own project but we will have art supplies available. This is an opportunity to slow down after the school day, be creative, and have community with others at Stuart-Hobson MS.
Craft and Chat will meet on Tuesdays from 3:45-4:30pm in classroom #G03 (Ms. Kensey’s room) starting Tuesday, 9/21/2021.
Any questions? Contact DBH Social Worker Kimberly Harrington (kimberly.harrington@dc.gov). See flyer above for more information.
Students can drop in as they can and we look forward to growing a joyful and creative community of students as the school year continues.
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