Hastings Middle School Family Flier
February 25, 2024
Intramurals (Recess) Weather Guidelines
As the colder months are upon us, we want to share our guidelines for outdoor recess during the winter season. Outdoor recess is a great opportunity for students to get fresh air and stay active, but safety and comfort are our top priorities.
Generally, a temperature below 30 degrees Fahrenheit (factoring in wind chill) is considered too cold for outdoor recess. However, other weather conditions, such as rain or snow, may also affect this decision. When it is safe to go outside, we encourage students to dress appropriately for the weather. A coat or sweatshirt is essential for keeping warm during colder temperatures.
Please take a moment to remind your child to dress in layers and bring necessary outerwear to school each day. We appreciate your support in helping us ensure students are comfortable and safe while enjoying their time outdoors.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
UA Dance Club 2024
Dates: January 15 - February 19, 2025
Ron Clark and his dancers are back for another fun session of Dance Club! We can't wait to see the kids all dressed up and ready to learn a few new dance moves. Dance Club is a great opportunity for 7th and 8th graders from Jones and Hastings middle schools to get together with classmates while learning some important social skills. 7th Grade meets from 7:30-8:20. 8th grade meets at 8:30-9:20. The cost of Dance Club is $40 (plus a $2 processing fee) and proceeds stay with UA Class of 2029 and UA Class of 2030 to fund their class accounts. The classes use these accounts to pay for high school activities including graduation celebrations.
*Dance Club is a dressy occasion and we request kids dress up.
*If cost is an issue, please contact the principal at your school.
*Attendance at each session is not required, as we know kids have a lot of activities. Students can come to as many sessions as their schedule allows.
*Cancellations/refunds will be honored up until the first session meets.
REGISTRATION and PARENT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION:
2025 Parent Volunteers Dance Club
Parents, please sign up for one volunteer shift per family to allow as many parents as possible the opportunity to experience Dance Club. Please encourage dads to sign up too!
Questions about Dance Club? Please email us at uajuniordanceclub@gmail.com. We can't wait to see everyone at Dance Club 2025!
Online Academy Enrollment and Transfers (Grades 6-12)
Upper Arlington Schools currently offers an online learning opportunity for students in grades 6 through 12 through the UA Online Academy. The UA Online Academy provides a unique blend of online coursework, live virtual class meetings and periodic in-person interactions. Families will have the opportunity to enroll in the UA Online Academy for the upcoming semester.
To enroll in the UA Online Academy:
The enrollment window for the second semester is open from Monday, December 2nd through Monday, December 9th. If your student is ready to commit to participation in the Online Academy for the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year, please complete the UA Online Academy Enrollment Form. Please note that this will be a semester-long commitment through the end of the school year.
The deadline is Friday, December 9th at 7:00 am. If you have any questions, please contact mrjordan@uaschools.org or onlineacademy@uaschools.org.
The Hastings Drama Club presents...
Auditions for our winter musical Newsies Jr. are next week - Monday, Dec. 9 and Tuesday, Dec. 10. All interested students are welcome to join as a cast or crew member. Please join the Canvas page for all of the audition information.
1. Join the Newsies Jr. Canvas page HERE
2. Read through the handbook (modules)
3. Complete the Student Info form (modules)
Questions? Contact Dr. Monseur
HMS Club List
The list has been updated and is included above under "Helpful Links"!
Choice Books
In our literacy classes it is our main goal to get students to enjoy reading books. We feel that part of this process comes from being able to choose books they are interested in or passionate about. The majority of our reading is done in class, and not for homework; therefore their choice book(s) may not go home with them. We encourage you to have discussions with your child of what book topics they are allowed to read. We are asking that you monitor and approve their book choices. These may be books your child may select from the public library, HMS school library, or your home. A great website to help decide on text appropriateness is commonsensemedia.org. Thank you so much for your support! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact your child’s reading or language arts teacher.
OHYES!
Hastings will be participating in the Ohio Healthy Youth Environments Survey, or OHYES! on Thursday, December 12th. An email was sent to all families on Friday, November 15th that included answers some basic questions about the survey’s purpose, content, and administration. Below is some of the information included in that email. This is for grades 7 and 8 only.
What is the purpose of the survey?: Our school district is committed to offering every student the best chance for success. That may include support services for students facing depression, anxiety, bullying, or other challenges. To meet students’ needs, we must first understand what challenges they face.
How does my family and community benefit?: OHYES! results will help guide communities in creating and improving youth health programs in Ohio. The results will be shared with everyone, including families, faculty and students, and the public. State-level and county-level results will be available to the public at http://ohyes.ohio.gov/Results. District and school results will only be available to Superintendents and Principals with secured access.
Service Hours
If your child is looking for service hours, here is information from our PTO:
Students can earn service hours by assisting with concessions at the basketball games. 8th graders and older do not need to be accompanied by an adult. If your child is a 6th or 7th grader, you will need to volunteer with them.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4EA4A722ABFC1-52474393-hastings#/
Yearbook Photos Needed
As the fall sports season winds down, we want to capture the memories in our yearbook! If you have any pictures from the fall sports season, please email them to our yearbook advisor Allison Tomlin (atomlin@uaschools.org). Thank you!
6th grade is looking for leaders to join student council. If your student is interested, an application link was sent through their Canvas lunch page ( under announcements). It should also be in their emails. Deadline is Dec 8th by 3:30pm. Student council meets during the school day during lunch or enrichment and occasionally after school. Students represent t and lead the HMS class of 2031 and plan activities.
Signs of Suicide
As a reminder, Signs of Suicide will take place at Hastings on Monday, December 16th and Tuesday, December 17th. An email was sent out Monday, October 28th with an updated letter and new opt out link. Please reach out to Kelly Dainton or Penny Stires if you have any questions.
UPDATE: Parent/Guardian Presentation – “Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health”
****THIS EVENT HAS BEEN UPDATED****
Nationwide Children’s Hospital is offering a virtual session on “Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health” on December 11th at 12:00 pm for parents/guardians to learn more about risk factors, warning signs and the steps to take if you have a concern about your child.
Here is the zoom link you’ll need to enter the presentation on that day.
This presentation is suitable for parents of all grade levels! It includes a brief segment on the Signs of Suicide program that the 8th graders will be participating in this year.
If you'd like to learn more about the SOS program, please click here.
Thank you!
Global Education Feedback Opportunity for Students and Families in Grades 5-10
Upper Arlington Schools is proud to offer students the ability to travel abroad with their teachers and peers as part of our Global Education Program. As we begin to think about future opportunities within this program, we are inviting students and families currently in grades 5-10 to share some thoughts to inform our travel selections. Students in these grades will be eligible for school-sponsored global travel opportunities in the 2025-2026 school year. Parents/guardians may complete this survey. We invite parents/guardians to preview the student survey before asking your grade 5-10 student(s) to take it at home to share their feedback.
Below are links to both a parent/guardian survey and a student survey. The surveys will close on December 18 at 4 pm.
Helpful Links
Transportation Questions: schoolbusquestions@uaschools.org or call 614-487-6477
Upper Arlington Schools Lunch Information link: https://www.uaschools.org/NutritionalServices.aspx
PowerSchool Parent Portal: https://ps-uar.metasolutions.net/public/home.html
If you need assistance logging into PowerSchool, you may reach out to: familytechhelp@uaschools.org
Student Fees/SPS EZpay: https://www.spsezpay.com/upperarlington/login.aspx
