Tiger Time

Dear HFMS Families,

The 2024-2025 school year is up and running and we are excited to be back in business. So far we are getting to know our students and learning about their distinctive abilities and needs. One thing about middle school for sure – it’s full of middle schoolers. That means there is a vast array of personalities, backgrounds and unique experiences suddenly all thrown together and yes, sometimes there are interpersonal differences. The staff of HFMS and I have taken a significant amount of time during these first few weeks to talk to our students about what to do when we are not getting along with others. The short answer is this – tell an adult! More specifically, tell an adult who works at HFMS. The full version would be to tell an adult who works at HFMS when the event occurs, and then tell your parent/guardian when you get home. I personally guarantee that if we are aware of issues between students as they occur that we will address them all in a timely manner.

Okay, so this next topic might be a little sensitive for some and it might even sound like I’m preaching a little so I will apologize up front. Social Media. There, I said it. So here’s the deal: middle school kids can’t handle social media, they just can’t. Unfortunately, when I get on social media I realize a lot of adults can’t handle it either but that’s a whole different story. The problem with social media is that it comes with an emotional weight that the overwhelmingly vast majority of our students simply cannot handle. Their bodies are still growing, their brains are still developing, and they are still trying to master emotional regulation. They’re not ready, and I have the experiences, conversations with families, and discipline data to back that sentiment up. At the end of the day it’s your decision as a parent and as a family and I respect that, but I do strongly suggest giving it careful consideration based on my experiences as an educator in the digital age. Thanks for listening.

In closing and as always, please do not ever hesitate to reach out to myself or our admin team if there are questions or concerns you have at anytime throughout the school year. Public education is best when we work together!

Have a great weekend!

Eric R. Vandell

Principal, HFMS

evandell@k12.wv.us

Immunizations will be accepted no later than September 13th (next Friday). Students without proper immunizations will not be permitted to attend school and will begin to accrue unexcused absences.

The HFMS Attendance goal for this school year is 95% attendance. The current attendance rate is 94.46%.

Being sure that your child is healthy and well enough to attend school can be confusing, especially when allergies and sniffles begin to appear. Students who are able to participate in normal school activities should attend, even if they have mild congestion or an upset stomach. These symptoms can be caused by every day issues such as allergies or stress, and missing school can amplify your students feelings of frustration or anxiety. Having sniffles, a sore throat, or cough can be considered "small sick" as students are still able to focus on their school work and complete normal daily tasks.

"Big sick," on the other hand is when your child should stay home. The infographic below can provide some guidance on when to keep your student at home.

Why join the PTO?

• Volunteering is fun, helpful, and rewarding. It allows your child to see the importance of education and you can share your skills and knowledge to benefit all of the children served.
• Get to know the teachers, staff, and families at the school. Make life-long friends and connections to those in the community.
  
• The PTO provides support to the school and administration through engagement and community building. Involvement in PTO creates a welcoming and caring environment for all.
  
• Research shows that children perform better when parents are engaged in education both at home and at school. Guardian Involvement increases overall student achievement.
  

Join our PTO by clicking here.