Hawk Talk

We will transform the learning experience within our inclusive community.

Hello Hobby and Hobby Magnet Family,

This week, I shared a message with our teachers and staff that reflects on the importance of our work as educators. As parents, you are the "First Teachers" of our students, shaping their earliest understanding of the world and instilling the values they carry with them every day.

Because of that, I felt it was very appropriate to share this message with you. Together, we are partners in making Hobby Middle School the best it can be for our children.

This is what I wrote:

As we close out the week and prepare for a well-deserved three-day weekend, I find myself reflecting on the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and why we pause on Monday to honor his legacy. Dr. King was a beacon of hope, a voice for justice, and a champion for excellence in all walks of life. His message resonates deeply with the work we do every day at Hobby Middle School.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a conference where Nick Saban shared a story that has stuck with me ever since. I’ve adapted it a bit to fit our world here at Hobby:

“If you want to be happy for an hour, eat a steak. If you want to be happy for a day, play a round of golf. If you want to be happy for a week, take a cruise. If you want to be happy for a month, buy a new car. But if you want to be happy for a lifetime, ask yourself one question: If I didn’t show up to Hobby Middle School tomorrow, would anybody miss me?”

When the answer is yes, it means you’ve accomplished something significant and meaningful. You’ve created a lasting impact.

This idea of making a difference ties beautifully into Dr. King’s story about a shoeshine man in Montgomery, Alabama. This man took such pride in his craft that Dr. King himself sought him out, knowing that no one else would bring the same level of joy, care, and excellence to the task. Dr. King also said, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’”

The lesson is clear: greatness is not tied to what you do, but to how you do it. As educators, our work is no different. Our craft—whether teaching, mentoring, or supporting students—is our art. Striving for excellence, day in and day out, is how we create a lasting legacy, one that inspires students and transforms lives.

But let’s not forget that striving for excellence isn’t easy or automatic. It requires intention, persistence, and authenticity. Human nature often nudges us toward complacency, to simply get by. But the extraordinary—the kind of teaching that inspires, the kind of classrooms that ignite curiosity and confidence—comes only when we choose to rise above the ordinary.

As you head into this long weekend, I encourage you to reflect on your own impact. Think of the students, colleagues, and families whose lives are brighter because of the work you do. At Hobby Middle School, we have the opportunity to create something extraordinary every single day. Let’s keep that in our hearts and minds as we move forward together.

To close, I leave you with an excerpt from Dr. King’s Street Sweeper speech. Let it inspire us to embrace our calling with purpose and pride:

"If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well."

Together, let’s aim for greatness, not just in what we do, but in how we do it.

Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you for all you do to make Hobby Middle School extraordinary.

Continue to stay connected by checking out the Hobby Middle School Calendar , Web page, Hobby PTA on Facebook and Twitter (X)

As Always,

You Matter!

Praise, Promote & Protect.

Lawrence Carranco - Principal

Email: lawrence.carranco@nisd.net
Phone: 397-6310 office

"The Hobby SOUPer Bowl will be here before we know it! Please sign up to bring a soup and/or dessert for the Feb. 7th luncheon.

We are thrilled to announce an exciting and delicious event to celebrate our amazing teachers and staff—the Hobby Middle School “Spuperbowl”! This fun and flavorful competition will take place on Friday, February 7, 2025, just before the big game weekend.

Here’s how it works:

1. Calling All Parent Chefs! We need your help to make this event a success. We’re inviting parents to volunteer and prepare their best homemade soup for our teachers and staff to enjoy. This is your chance to showcase your culinary skills and compete for the top spots!

2. Teacher & Staff Judging: On the day of the event, our teachers and staff will sample the soups and cast their votes for their favorites. The top three soups will be crowned 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners and celebrated with prizes!

3. How to Participate: • Sign up in the link below to bring your soup. Plan to deliver your soup to the school in the morning on Friday, February 7. • Be sure to include a label with the soup’s name and contest so that we can return your crockpot.

This is a wonderful opportunity to show our appreciation for the incredible work our teachers and staff do every day, while also bringing our school community together for some friendly (and tasty) competition!

Thank you for helping make this event special. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 210-397-6300

Let’s make this “Spuperbowl” an event to remember!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4BAFAC2DABFE3-53056643-souper "

April 5th

9-12

All students will be expected to serve at the health fair in some capacity with more details to be discussed at a later date so we wanted to get this date on everyone's calendar. We invite Health Care vendors to share knowledge and visit with our community. We also will offer the students Sports physicals at a reduced price the day of. Last year we had yoga classes, therapy animals and a student work showcase along with numerous community vendors .

Please contact Mrs. Heye now so we can add you to the program if …………….

1. Your Health organization is interested in having a table at our fair?
2. Your organization or company would like to sponsor our student T-shirts?
3. T-shirt sponsors will have their company name displayed on the back of the shirts .

• 7th grade Magnet GT enrichment activity Jan 22nd PM classes.

• STEM night @ Cody Jan 23rd from 5:30-7:00 ( seeking 2-3 student volunteers)

• STEM night @ Lewis Jan 23rd from 5-6:30 ( seeking 2-3 student volunteers)

• STEM night @ Beard Jan 29th from 5-6:30 ( seeking 2-3 student volunteers)

• STEM night @ Ott Jan 30th from 5:30-6:45 ( seeking 2-3 student volunteers)

• HOSA mtg Feb 6th

• 7th Grade Field Trip to St. Phillips Feb 10th ( Turn in permission slips!)

• HOSA competition Feb 13th in conjunction with I Heart Learning Night @ Hobby

Jaime Heye

Director Magnet School

Hobby Health Science Magnet

210-397-6280

jaime.heye@nisd.net

Clark HS counselors visited with our students to complete their course selections for freshman year of high school. If your son/daughter applied for a magnet high school, acceptance letters will be sent out by Friday, January 31.

Note that Clark HS will send an important email in March with instructions and deadlines for any 9th grade course changes.

Positive Purple Power Week will kick off Tuesday, January 21, please join us as we dedicate the week to uplifting each other through confidence, positivity, connection and school pride by having your Hawk(s) participate in theme days and our campus wide challenges.

Students who made A & AB Honor Roll for the 2nd 9 weeks will be recognized during their lunch period on Friday, January 24th. Way to go Hawks!

Keep up to date with Hobby Counseling Department Happenings via our social media, "X" page @HobbyCounselors or have your student show you the counseling tile within schoology as there is wealth of information that will be posted here through the school year.

An excused absences is still considered an absence from school, but does not count towards perfect attendance since the child was not physically present. An excused absence helps towards the Compulsory Attendance Law.

https://www.nisd.net/schools/handbooks/district-policies#compulsory-attendance-law-all-levels

Exemptions to compulsory attendance- Bullet point 10

IMPORTANT ATHLETIC INFORMATION

If your child is interested in trying out for a sport, or is enrolled in 7th or 8th grade athletics, there is mandatory paperwork that must be completed before they can be eligible to participate.

An athlete cannot try out for a sport before completing ALL UIL paperwork found on the parent portal. (link below)

STUDENTS NEW TO ATHLETICS:

All incoming students who did not have a medical physical last year MUST complete a medical physical and give a copy to the head coach on campus. The physical form can be printed from the parent portal. The medical history form must be completed online. Print the completed medical history and the physical form and take both of those papers with you to the doctor when you get your physical. Make a copy of the medical physical and turn it into the head coach. You do not need to turn in medical history, but must complete it online.

*Rank One Parent Portal Information/Instruction Sheet

*Asthma Action Plan (Required for students diagnosed with asthma.)

Family Engagement Facts

Family Engagement = Student Success

Students whose families are engaged in their education are more likely to:

1. Earn higher grades and test scores
   
2. Have better attendance
3. Display more positive attitudes toward school
4. Behave better in and out of school
5. Have higher graduation rates
6. Enroll in post-secondary education

*Hello, Hobby Families! Just a friendly reminder to inform the school if you need to update your contact information (e.g., new cell number, change of address, or different e-mail address).

Resources/Upcoming Events

• *Please see flyers!

As we begin a new school year, we are excited to continue integrating technology into our classrooms with the use of Chromebooks. The Chromebooks are powerful tools that enhance learning, and they also come with responsibilities. Outlined below are the expectations for Chromebook use to ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all students at Hobby Middle School

Chromebook Expectations

1. Academic Use: Chromebooks are to be used primarily for educational purposes.

2. Daily Care and Maintenance: Students are required to bring their Chromebooks and chargers to school each day fully charged and ready to use. Devices should be stored safely in their backpacks when not in use. Students should avoid eating or drinking near their Chromebooks to prevent accidental damage. Decorations and stickers are not allowed to be added to the Chromebooks.

3. Digital Citizenship: We emphasize the importance of responsible online behavior. Students must adhere to the school’s acceptable use policy, which includes respecting privacy, avoiding inappropriate content, and practicing good digital etiquette.

4. Monitoring and Privacy: While the Chromebooks are provided for educational use, please be aware that the school’s IT department monitors all activity on these devices to ensure compliance with our usage policies. Our BARK alert system will alert us of misuse and the student may have their chromebook taken away.

Costs and Repairs

While the school provides Chromebooks, students and parents are responsible for maintaining the device in good working condition:

In case of theft, a replacement device may be issued only if a Police Report is filed and submitted with the campus Technology Support Specialist (TSS). Breakage and misuse of the device will result in payment from the parent or guardian:

Repair Costs:

Device replacement cost $272

Cracked Screen: $100

Missing keys: $25

Charger replacement $13

If a Chromebook is damaged or not working properly, students should report it immediately to their TSS, teacher, or the office as soon as possible.

If you are having issues with HAC please click here or contact stacey.reynosa@nisd.net

Email: lawrence.carranco@nisd.net
Website: nisd.net/hobby
Location: 11843 Vance Jackson Road, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-397-6300
Twitter: @ElCarranco1