Hardin Family Update

Hardin Families,

My name is Stephanie Jewett and I am the building principal at Hardin Middle School. In this newsletter you will find an abundance of information regarding the return to school. Please take a moment to read through this with your student to make the transition back to school as easy as possible!

We are coming off an amazing year at Hardin: discipline has decreased 41% from 22-23 to 23-24, and our preliminary MAP data shows we have significant academic increases in a number of areas! Additionally, we have been able to recognize and reward our students for following behavior expectations through our PBIS motto: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible. We have also been able to reward and recognize students for academic and attendance achievement. We hope to continue this growth into the 24-25 school year!

Once the school year begins, I will communicate weekly using these newsletters. All pertinent and important information will be communicated this way, so please make sure to read the updates each week to stay in-the-know at Hardin! Lastly, please remember that Jump Start Day scheduled for August 1st is canceled.

We look forward to seeing your student in a few short weeks!

Stephanie Jewett

August 14: Hardin Open House from 6 - 7:30pm

• This is a traditional open house where teachers will be present for a "meet and greet" and students will have a chance to see their classrooms before school begins.
• Note: Parking at Hardin is limited! Additionally, I would suggest bringing only pertinent family members as the halls of Hardin can get very crowded during this event.

August 15: Family Festival at St. Charles High! Come see your Hardin Administrators at our famous snow cone booth!

August 16 & 19: Hardin is open from 8am - 3pm

• The building will be open for families to come walk their student's schedule, decorate and practice opening lockers, and become familiar with Hardin (please be aware, there will be areas of the building that are closed for renovations).
• Schedules will be available on PowerSchool, so please bring your device or a print out copy if you plan to walk your student's schedule. Hardin will not be providing paper copies.
• Note: These dates have been adjusted from the original dates based on construction in the building.

August 20: First Day of School!

August 30: Early Release Day, students are released at 11:20am

We have a number of construction projects going on this summer - some of which will continue into the school year:

• New floors (half the building is being completed this summer, the other half next summer)
• Gym floors refinished
• HVAC updates
• Kitchen remodel (will continue into the school year)
• Demolition of the art addition and construction of a new addition (on going)
• Work to be done on the drive in the back of Hardin and Blackhurst.

We will attempt to proceed as usual with school and events; however, changes and adjustments to the school day or events, may be necessary.

8th Grade

• Brian Kirton, Assistant Principal, bkirton@stcharlessd.org
• Bethany Bonetti, Counselor, bbonetti@stcharlessd.org

7th Grade

• Loretta Smith, Assistant Principal, losmith@stcharlessd.org
• Jen Locker, Counselor, jlocker@stcharlessd.org

SRO

• Officer Haislip, jhaislip@stcharlessd.org

Social Worker

• Katherine Banister kbanister@stcharlessd.org

RTI (Behavior) Specialist

• Brittany Sharkey, bsharkey@stcharlesssd.org

School Nurse

• Amanda Watts, awatts@stcharlessd.org

Support Staff

• Mary King, Principal's Secretary, mking@stcharlessd.org
• Alicia Tomicich-Wiley, Attendance Secretary, atomicichwiley@stcharlessd.org
• Tori Loomis, Assistant Principals Secretary, vloomis@stcharlessd.org
• Tina Leonard, Office Secretary, tleonard@stcharlessd.org
• Melissa Sontheimer, Registrar and Counseling Secretary msontheimer@stcharlessd.org

Please see this link for school supply lists.

• The building opens at 7am.
• Drivers of car riding students: please pull up as far as possible in the loading zone to avoid large back-ups on Elm. Officer Haislip and Mr. Kirton will be outside directing traffic.
• When students enter the building they will go to either the commons or the cafeteria. In both locations students are expected to find a seat and remain seated until a principal dismisses them. Dr. Jewett supervises the commons and Mrs. Smith supervises the cafeteria. Students in the cafeteria may also purchase breakfast if they choose.
• Students are released from those two locations by an administrator at 7:12am and are able to visit their lockers to store backpacks and other belongings. The only bag that will be allowed to be carried throughout the day is the school issued ChromeBook carrying case.
• Class begins at 7:20am; however, for the first few days we are understanding of students getting to know the building and learning where classes are. Remember - any adult in the building can help students find their classes!

• Every student will be assigned a locker with a combination lock attached to the locker (you do not need to provide a lock).
• Only one type of bag will be permitted to be carried throughout the day, and that is the ChromeBook carrying case which every child is assigned when they receive their ChromeBook. All other bags, purses, fanny packs, or man-purses must be stowed in their locker.
• There are 4 minutes of passing time between each class. During this time, students are expected to visit their locker if necessary and use the restroom (students will also have restroom passes to use during class).
• No hats or hoods are allowed in the building. Please see the attached Code of Conduct below for all rules and expectations.
• Students will not dress out for PE, nor will they be assigned a locker.
• Parents can keep track of student grades and progress on PowerSchool, and teachers use Google Classroom for assignments.
• Cell phones are not permitted during the school day!

Hardin Families,

Middle school is a tricky time for parents and students. Whether this is your first middle school student, or you are a veteran middle school parent, middle school does not seem to get easier. As I begin my 20th year as public school educator (9 as an administrator, 11 as a classroom teacher), I have seen many changes with students, technology, and advances in teacher practice. What has not changed in my 20 years, is the constant need for parent support and involvement. Middle school is a time where students crave independence, but it is not the time for complete independence. Students still need a lot of guidance, support, and advice from trusted adults. As we begin a new school year, I implore you all to lean in to your students. Be present and involved in their school and social lives, ask them questions (even if they don't want you to), check their grades, check their phones, email their teachers/counselors/principals if you have questions, DO THE MOST (as the kids say 🤣).

SUCCESS TAKES ALL OF US!

Dr. Stephanie Jewett

Dr. Stephanie Jewett

Principal, Hardin Middle School

1950 Elm Street

St. Charles, MO

sjewett@stcharlessd.org