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HMS Connection
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Week of March 27, 2023
HMS News
Greetings from HMS
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
- Aristotle
Bravo! Encore!
This week HMS saw the culmination of months of hard work and perseverance on the part of students, faculty, and families as the curtain finally rose on the HMS spring musical production of Shrek. While what happens on stage during show nights is always truly impressive, the real magic can be found in what takes place beforehand and backstage. Productions such as this one are true examples of what we can accomplish if we work together towards a common goal, support one another, and are willing to go the extra mile. The fact is, it doesn’t matter how gifted our actors are, how incredible the set pieces look, or how great the music is, unless you have all of the elements and people working together. Any one part without the others just isn't the same.
On that note, a heartfelt thank you and job well-done goes out to our Director, Mrs. Fish, our Musical Director, Mr. Landis, our Assistant director, Mrs. Jenkins, and our producer, Ms. McCulloch, who brought this musical to life. Not to mention the teachers in the ensemble number, the students both on and backstage, and the families who ran lines with students, calmed nerves, and got people to and from rehearsals day after day. You all made this show more than a school play; it was a celebration of what it means to be a community.
(And we’re already excited to see what they do next year!)
Project 351 - Cradles to Crayons Collection
Hingham Middle School has an awesome opportunity to help children in need in our state! In coordination with Project 351 (which is a leadership group for 8th graders across Massachusetts), HMS will be holding a kids’ clothing drive for the Cradles to Crayons organization from Monday, March 20 through Friday, March 31.
Please drop off donations (sizes: infant to adult medium) in the bins in the lobby outside the main office.
Please donate new and like-new clothes and double-check for holes, stains, or rips to make sure that every child can be confident in their outfits.
About 1 in every 3 kids in Massachusetts will experience clothing insecurity at some point in their lives. Let’s join together to help reduce that number and get clothing to children in need.
What about that shirt that your grandmother got you for your birthday that you haven’t worn because it’s three sizes too small? Donate it!
Those pajamas from your aunt that you never wear because they have Hello Kitty on them? Donate!
Go through your closet and see what you can give because every item counts! Thank you so much for your participation!
Nora Christofferson, 8th grade
Community Interviews for Executive Director of Student Services - Meet the Candidates!
Hingham Public Schools is pleased to announce three finalists for the position of Executive Director of Student Services.
The three finalists are:
Paul Bottome Ed.D
Danielle Wetmore M.E.d
Alpha Sanford M.E.d
Community members will have the opportunity to meet with each of the candidates and ask questions. The meetings will be held virtually via ZOOM.
Please complete this form to receive links to the community interviews for all three candidates.
Here is the meeting schedule:
Candidate #1 Paul Bottome
Date: Tuesday, March 28th
Time: 7:30-8:30 PM
Candidate #2 Danielle Wetmore
Date: Wednesday, March 29th
Time: 7:30-8:30 PM
Candidate #3 Alpha Sanford
Date: Thursday, March 30th
Time: 6:00-7:00 PM
Sewing Things Up in Family and Consumer Science
Sixth-grade students in Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences classes are putting the finishing touches on their hand-sewn monkey pillows. Throughout the term, they have learned about cutting and pinning patterns, tying different types of knots, threading needles, separating embroidery thread, and finally...stitching their masterpieces together! Hand sewing requires manual dexterity, focus and an abundance of patience and these students have definitely risen to the challenge!
Grade Eight DC Trip
Attention all parents of 8th Grade students traveling to Washington DC. An email has been sent including a link to a form for you to complete prior to April 7. This form provides you with necessary trip information as well as provides the trip nurses and admin team with information to ensure the safety of your child on the trip.
The link can also be found here:
https://forms.gle/wdbq6nHnR551e8iG7
In addition, there will be a mandatory meeting for travelers and parents at 7pm on Thursday, April 13 in the Middle School auditorium to go over travel arrangements and last minute details. Please plan to attend.
Youth Risk Behavior Survey for Grade Seven Students
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) will be administered to all seventh grade students at Hingham Middle School on April 5, 2023 during their World Geography classes. This survey, which is administered every year, is an anonymous questionnaire that asks students a wide variety of questions about health behaviors, including diet, exercise, drug and alcohol use, sex education, mental health, violence and safety. The YRBS is designed by the CDC and is also used by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to collect health data statewide.
The survey is instrumental in shaping health, physical education and counseling curricula and helps the district design programs that meet our students’ unique needs. Data collection is also a requirement when applying for grants that would enable the district to obtain funds to support these important curriculum areas. Survey results help us to monitor the programs that are implemented, and we can compare local results to other districts and the state as a whole.
The YRBS is a voluntary survey in which parents have the right to exempt their child. To preview the survey click on this link: YRBS HMS 2023
If you would like to exempt your child from taking the survey, please submit the request to Mr. Smith no later than April 3, 2023 by emailing dsmith@hinghamschools.org
Yearbooks on Sale Now!
The school year is only 180 days long, but the memories can last a lifetime . . . if you have a yearbook!
Use the link below to purchase a yearbook!
Please contact Ms. Ciulla and Ms. Yindra with any questions.
Collecting for Catie's Closet
In addition to supporting Cradles to Crayons, we also have students who are working to support Catie's Closet.
From March 20 through April 3, we invite you to donate clothing and toiletries to a great cause- Catie's Closet. Catie's Closet transforms unused areas inside schools into safe, welcoming spaces where students in grades preK-12 can discreetly shop, free of charge, for clothing, toiletries, and other necessities. Catie's Closet serves schools where 50% of the student body lives in poverty and endures challenges such as homelessness, foster care and refugee transitions, mental and emotional health struggles, and isolation. By providing free, in-school access to clothing and basic necessities, Catie's Closet builds student confidence and improves school attendance. Bins for donating items will be located inside the front doors of HMS. Please click the attached flyer for needed items and more information.
And some seventh-grade students on the Pirate team stayed after school to make their models of plant and animal cells.
It was a Cell-o-bration!
HMS Program of Studies and Course Selection Reminders - Override Notice
As a reminder, course recommendations have been posted for students and parents to review.
The course selection window is now closed
Any HMS student (grades six, seven, and eight) who wishes to override a teacher recommendation MUST complete and submit the Hingham Middle School Parental Request for Recommendation Override form found on our school website under "Resources". This form must be completed by April 6, 2023. You can find the override form for all middle school students by clicking here.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this process.
Week-at-a-Glance and After School Opportunities
Please take a look at the attached Week-at-a-Glance document to get an idea of what we have to offer next week, as well as our comprehensive list of activities, when they usually occur, and how to obtain additional information about them.
We also want to remind students and families that we provide late buses for students staying after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Please remember to pay your activity fee if your middle-schooler plans to take part in these programs.
We hope to see you after 2:00!!!
Important Dates
March 22 - Shrek: The Musical, 7:00 PM
March 23 - Shrek: The Musical, 7:00 PM
March 27 - School Council Meeting, 2:30 PM
March 28 - Executive Director Community Interview via Zoom, 7:30 - 8:30 (Candidate Paul Bottome)
March 29 - Executive Director Community Interview via Zoom, 7:30 - 8:30 (Candidate Danielle Wetmore)
March 30 - Coffee and Conversation with the Principal, 7:45 AM
- PTO Meeting, 8:30 AM
- Executive Director Community Interview via Zoom, 6:00 - 7:00 (Candidate Alpha Sanford)
PTO News
Meeting Notice!
Our next PTO meeting will be held on Thursday, March 30 at 8:30 AM in the HMS cafeteria. We hope you can join us to learn more about what we have planned for the remainder of the school year and how you can get involved.
Prior to the meeting, Mr. Smith will host Coffee and Conversation starting at 7:45.
We hope you can join us!
SEPAC News
Preparing for Middle School - Special Education Services
The transition from elementary to middle school can be overwhelming and intimidating for students and parents alike. It can often feel like there are many "unknowns" and more questions than answers. The reality is that the dedicated educators at both the elementary and secondary level work together to make sure our students have everything they need in place in order for them to have the opportunity to be successful.
If you'd like to learn more about HMS and what special education looks like here, please join SEPAC on Tuesday, March 28, at 6:30 PM in the Distance Learning Theater for a forum for parents of students currently in grade five.
This is the best way to get accurate answers to your special education questions related to the transition from fifth to sixth grade.
We hope to see you there!
Community News
Set Sail with Hingham Maritime
Hingham Maritime Center is a non-profit organization that seeks to provide "Boating For All". Our center allows for youth and adults to enjoy the watersports of rowing and sailing on the protected waters of Hingham Harbor. You don't have to choose sailing or rowing; you could give both a try. For example, our Intro to 420 sailing class 9:45 am-12:15 pm could be followed up with a 1:00pm-2:15pm youth rowing class. Whichever you choose, we can assure you there will be water-based fun involved. Too choppy to row? No wind for sailing? Our new paddleboards will ensure that we can play in even more conditions. Join us this summer and find out for yourself what a joy life on the water can be.