Happy December, HMS!

Our iReady Winter Diagnostic Testing begins tomorrow! These tests are significant indicators of your student's growth and proficiency within both the math and literacy fields. Please reiterate to your students that they should be doing the best that they can on the tests and to avoid rushing! We are excited to incentivize and celebrate the success of our students in the following ways:

Individual Incentive

Any students who complete their Winter iReady without a yellow or red rush flag and meet 75% of their expected growth goal set by iReady will be entered into a raffle for an HMS prize! Please take some time to review the iReady Testing Schedule.

Grade Level Incentive

The grade level with the overall highest growth percentage will receive a grade level pizza party courtesy of the D300 Board of Education.

Thank you for your continued support in bringing the best out in our kids!

HMS History Club and Social Studies Department would like to invite HMS families to a night of holiday celebration!

Please join us on Wednesday, December 11th from 6 until 7:30 beginning in the cafeteria.

The night will consist of two 45 minute sessions:

• an escape room activity in which you will learn about how the holidays are celebrated around the world in different cultures

• a time to review projects that reflect the holidays from a historical perspective (the WW1 Christmas Truce, Holiday celebrations in the colonies, Holiday Cards through time), sample some holiday treats, and shop at the HMS Book Fair

Please join us in supporting our newly founded History Club and learn a bit more about this holiday season!

Please complete the attached google form by Tuesday 12/10 if you are planning to participate AND/OR if you are willing to supply a holiday treat special to your family or cultural tradition!

Contact Tammy Hamrick (tammy.hamrick@d300.org) with questions.

HMS will be hosting our annual Scholastic Book Fair from December 9th through December 13th in the library! Please follow this link to preview the available items from Scholastic. Students can pay with "ewallet" (through Scholastic), a physical check, credit card, Apple Pay, and cash (no $50 or $100 bills will be accepted).

We are proud of our HMS students for following their PAWS in Quarter 1 and Quarter 2! To celebrate this, on 12/20 students will participate in Winterfest where they will engage in a variety of activities that include STEM, team building and giving back to the community. We need your help to help make this possible. We are asking for donations to help make this day special for our students. All donations need to be brought in by December 17th. Below is a link to sign up for any items you are able to donate. Please contact Alvina Stover alvina.stover@d300.org with any questions.Please review the available slots below and click on the link to sign up. Winterfest Donation Link.

Thank you!

As we close out the semester, we wanted to stress the importance of student attendance. Chronic absenteeism has direct correlations with academic achievement so we want to ensure that our students are present to receive the support and instruction to reach their full potential. Thank you for your continued support!