Greetings H.M.S.!!

Our Back-To-School Night was a huge success. Your classrooms were very welcoming. Our parents and students shared several positive comments. Congratulations to the new members of the Girl's Basketball Ball Team! Great Job!... to each student that participated in the try-outs.

On Monday, we will enter Week #4, and we look forward to having the Superintendent and Directors on our campus for their monthly meeting. As we prepare to dive into another week of teaching and learning, remember to plan for success. Begin to display student work, continue to collaborate and maintain an effective, engaging, and conducive educational environment.

Our 6th graders will conduct the morning announcements; the 7th graders did an excellent job last week. VGA Testing will begin on Tuesday.

Thank you all for being committed to the work of Henderson.

~Mr. A. Vernon, Principal

• September 9th - Cigna visits Henderson Middle School (10:00am-2:00pm)
  
• September 10th - 23rd - VGA Fall Testing - Reading & Math (Grades 6-8)
• September 11th - Raptor Training
• September 18th - School Leadership Meeting (3:45pm)
• September 25th - Vaccination Clinic (9:30am - 3:00pm) and Faculty Meeting (3:45pm)
• September 27th - Sickle Cell Awareness Day @ H.M.S. - Wear Red
• September 30th - Vector Solutions Safe Schools - Required Compliance Training Due (see link below)
• October 3rd - Holiday (School Closed)
• October 14th - RPS Professional Learning Day (Student Holiday)
• October 9th - Picture Day
• October 23rd - End of Quarter

The Reading & Math Virginia Growth Assessment (VGA) testing window will be from September 10th until September 23rd.

*Teachers are reminded to:

• Read Cell Phone Policy with Students
• Practice Testnav tools with students
• Review Middle School Examiner's Tool Kit
• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ohgjFK3pAmKVIM4NJi2GIxjbTIemd-HTSsCNy7CsE9E/edit?usp=sharing
  
• Read the Examiner's Manual
• https://www.doe.virginia.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/56221
  
• Review VGA Testing Slides (see below attachment)
• On testing days, Henderson will be in full Testing Mode
• Check-out testing materials - Media Center
• Take entire class to the restroom prior to the start of testing
• Post Testing Sign (located in testing crate) on your classroom door
• Communicate in Grade Level Chat
• No Hallway Movement
• Noise Level: Low
• Visit to the Nurse: Students in Grades 6th & 7th must be re-routed through the main office
• Adhere to ALL Testing Signage & Procedures
• Return all testing materials - Media Center (includes door testing signs and cell phone holders)

Use the link below to access the September Google Doc - Secondary Community Building Circles

Teachers should now have six (6) grades posted in their grade book for each student.

• Be sure....
• Classrooms are warm and inviting
• Greet every student with a smile
• Set a positive tone within your classroom and the building
• Complete Warrior Way Lesson Plans (Due Every Wednesday)
• STEM Moment Wednesdays - Stem moments must be included within lesson plans and conducted on Wednesdays
• Remember to take attendance daily and during each class period

Educators are encouraged to sign-up for the VDOE Teacher Direct Newsletter. It is filled with Instructional Tips/Updates, Professional Development Opportunities, SOL updates/reminders, and so much more.

A positive school culture & climate set the tone for our school while instilling our traditions, norms and routines. It is important to:

• Maintain Consistent Classroom Structure and Routines
• Establish Classroom Rules - They Should be Displayed & Reinforced.
• Use Positive Reinforcements, Build Relationships, Keep Students Actively Engaged, Communicate Clear Expectations, Celebrate Accomplishments, and Communicate with Parents
• Report to Work on Time
• Be Properly Prepared
• Sign-in to Raptor Daily (located in the main office)
• Dress Appropriately
• Professional Dress (Mon., Tues., & Thurs.)
• Wellness Wednesday - Comfortable Attire (Weds.)
• Casual Fridays - Henderson Gear (Fri.)
• Going to be Absence? - Create Absences using Smartfind (See link below)
• Complete Attendance "Daily"
• Keep an eye on the Attendance Bulletin
• Adhere to Duty & Door Assignments - Be at Your Classroom Door Daily
• Carry-Out Smooth Transitions

Monthly Student Assemblies will be held on the last Thursday of each month. They will be held during the chosen block of each grade level. The grade level lead name listed below will identify program participants for each month. More information to come.

• September 26th

• Hispanic Heritage Month

• Rodesney

• October 31st (Halloween!)

• Bullying Prevention Month

• Manning

• November 21st

• Native American Heritage Month

• Grimes

• December 19th - THEME TBD

• Holidays around the world?

• Dec 10 is Human Rights Day, or is that too heavy?

• Learn a Foreign Language Month

• Rodesney

• January 30th

• STEM Month

• Rodesney

• February 27th

• Black History Month

• Manning

• March 27th

• Women’s History Month

• Grimes

• April 24th

• Earth Day/Month

• Manning

• May 29th

• Mental Health Awareness Month

• Grimes

• Download the Raptor App to your cell phones or laptops
• If you are having issues signing in to Raptor in the main office. see Ms. Rozier
  

Congratulations to the New Members of the Girl's Basketball Team!!

If you have questions or need school club information, see Ms. Rozier in the main office

The Superintendent/Director's Meeting will take place in the Media Center on Monday, September 9th at 1:00pm. The library will be closed. All library traffic should be re-routed by way of the Expanded Core Hallway

• During the day, students should not be in the hallways at anytime without a pass.
• Passes should not be given to students after 3:00pm daily.
• After 3:00pm, students should not be in the hallways for any reason.
• Designated break locations need to be established for students that are "authorized" 5 minutes breaks. They should not be allowed to roam the hallways

This is a reminder that class transitions should be conducted smoothly, quietly and orderly. Students should not be left unattended or allowed to roam the hallways. Students should be corrected if banging on walls, windows, or doors. Teachers should be at their classroom doors to receive students in the morning, and when students are transitioning back from electives.

To maintain smooth transitions and overall safety, bathrooms will be locked 15 minutes at the start of and 15 minutes prior to the end of each class period. Teachers and staff are asked to adhere to this rule daily. Bathrooms should "not" be opened by teachers, only authorized staff.