
Hastings Middle School Family Flier
February 25, 2024

Hastings Middle School 2024-2025
October 21, 2024
Student Attendance Update
We are seeing an increase in students being picked up from school due to illness without seeing Nurse Fleege first. Unfortunately, students are texting their parent(s) during the day to come pick them up. Moving forward, if a student is signed out due to illness and they have not been evaluated by the school nurse (Nurse Fleege or substitute), their absence will be unexcused.
If your child calls/texts/emails you and says that they are ill and want to be picked up, please remind them that they are not to use their personal device during the school day and that they must go see the nurse. Again, we are unable to excuse a student absence due to illness if they have not been seen by our nurse.
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!
Retake & Absentee Picture Day - New Date
Retake and Absentee Picture Day has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 22 for any student that was absent on the first day's photography event as well as anyone requesting a retake picture. If a student would like a retake of their photo, they simply bring back their original package and hand it to the photographer when they get their photo taken. HR Imaging will reprint the same package for them using that new image.
Sometimes a student may not have a physical package to return if they ordered a digital download or if parents have viewed the first image online and were unhappy with the photo. These students will be photographed if they present themselves for a picture.
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Hastings Middle School would like to create a flag hallway in our school to honor all of our diverse families and nationalities!
If you're willing and able, please fill out the Google Form below and tell us about your family!
This form is confidential and is only being shared with the HMS DEI Liaison, Kelly Dainton. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to reach out by clicking Ms. Dainton's name above. We are always open to feedback to help foster a more inclusive school environment!
Upcoming Important Dates
October 22nd: Absentee & Retake Picture Day
October 23rd: 6th Grade Orchestra "Informance"
November 2nd - 3rd: Fall Drama Production
November 5th: No school for students
November 11th: Veteran's Day Program
November 12th: Fall Band Concerts
November 19th: Book Talk The Anxious Generation
November 27th - 29th: No school for students and staff
6th Grade
Lockers
Is your child still struggling opening their locker? Here are a few quick tutorials on how to open a locker.
7th Grade
A HUGE thank you to Mrs. Schroeder, Mrs. Joseph and our chaperones for a great trip to Pittsburgh! We hope the kids had fun!
7th Grade Vision Screenings
In accordance with Ohio Revised Code 3313.673, students in 7th grade will have vision screenings conducted at school. The nurse will begin these screenings in the month of October. Parents will be contacted only if your student does not pass, or if there are any vision concerns shared at this time by the student.
If you would like to opt your student out of this screening or have any questions, please contact our nurse by September 30 at: hastingshealthclinic@uaschools.org
8th Grade
Signs of Suicide
As part of our commitment to supporting the well-being of our students, Upper Arlington Schools is collaborating with Nationwide Children’s Hospital Center for Suicide Prevention and Research to provide the Signs of Suicide (SOS) program for students in grades 8 and 10. The goal of the SOS program is to prevent and reduce suicidal behavior by expanding the safety net for students experiencing mental and emotional distress.
Your child will have the opportunity to participate in a Signs of Suicide in-school presentation and training that will be led by middle school staff on December 16 and 17 at Hastings Middle School.
Students will be trained to recognize warning signs of suicide in a friend as well as an appropriate response. The training uses a video to help guide classroom discussions.
Students will also have the opportunity to take an electronic screening to assess for depression and suicide risk. The responses to the screening will be reviewed by counselors. If further assessment is recommended, parents/guardians will be contacted.
During the program, school counselors and mental health professionals as well as mental health professionals from Nationwide Children’s Hospital will be available if any student needs support.
Parents and guardians can preview the SOS program here.
A nationally known suicide prevention program, SOS meets the Ohio Department of Education’s criteria for House Bill 123, the Safety and Violence Education (SAVE) Students Act. The SOS program reduces the stigma of depression and lets students and adults know that they are capable of helping students in need of support. There is clear evidence that using a prevention program like SOS lowers the risk of a child making a suicide attempt and does not put the idea in a child’s mind.
The SOS program recognizes the importance of school staff, parents, and students receiving education on mental health and suicide prevention. Staff at the middle and high school receive training on mental health and suicide prevention, in connection with the SOS program. SOS Signs of Suicide for Parents is available for your review as well as Resources for Suicide Prevention - The Kids Mental Health Foundation.
If you have any questions about the SOS program, please feel free to contact Cathy Ely, Director of Well-being, Prevention and Intervention at cely@uaschools.org. If you do NOT wish for your child to participate in the SOS Prevention Program, please complete this Signs of Suicide Presentation Opt-out Request by Monday, November 4, 2024.
Warm regards,
Penny Stires
Principal
Hastings Middle School
Washington DC Trip
Dates: May 16, 2025 - May 19, 2025
Trip Code: HMS2514
Questions? Cathy Johnson (cjohnson@uaschools.org) or Evie Lay (elay@uaschools.org)
Counselor's Corner
HMS Book Talk
The Counselors are excited to announce this year's first book talk, featuring The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.
Thank you parents for your input on preferred time!
Due to feedback, our Book Talk will officially take place on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 from 6:00-7:30 pm.
This event will be held in person @ Hastings Middle School, in the media center, and our Mental Health Specialist, Alma Lovins, MSW, MA, LSW, will be joining us.
While we highly encourage you to read the book, please don’t feel any pressure if you cannot. You’ll still gain valuable insights from the discussions during the book talk.
Can't wait to see you there!
6th Grade: Tina Farbizo, tfarbizo@uaschools.org
7th Grade: Catherine Shapiro, cshapiro@uaschools.org
8th Grade: Kelly Dainton, kdainton@uaschools.org
District Updates
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
Facilities Master Planning Phase Two Community Kickoff
Nearly 10 years ago, the Upper Arlington community began working together to plan for the future of our schools, leading to a new high school and all new or renovated elementary schools. Now, it’s time to come together again — to determine the best path forward for the aging middle schools and Burbank Early Childhood School. Join us for the community kickoff to phase two of facilities master planning:
Tuesday, October 29 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Jones Middle School, 2100 Arlington Avenue
- Wednesday, October 30 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Graf Center, 2020 Builders Place
Family Support - Food Resource
For a second year, the district is partnering with the Tri-Village Packers (TVP), a group of community volunteers who work to reduce food insecurity in Upper Arlington. Families with UA students can register throughout October and early November to receive grocery items that supplement their pantries during the upcoming Thanksgiving break. This is not a Thanksgiving meal but support to offset food insecurity by providing breakfast and lunch items during the extended break from school.
PTO
Hello Hastings Community! Check out the updates below for what’s shakin’ with the Hastings PTO
WE ARE 93% TO OUR MEMBERSHIP GOAL - PLEASE CONTRIBUTE IF YOU CAN!! Only $400 away from our annual goal… Here’s the link to get started: https://hastingsmspto.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/174
VETERAN’S DAY is around the corner! Volunteer or donate now by following this Sign Up Genius - we need your help to make the day a success. Thank you in advance.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4EA4A722ABFC1-52341496-veterans#/
ELECTION DAY BAKE SALE is on 11/5 - we need your help!! Click on the link below to donate your time, baking talents, or financial help to secure this as the VERY BEST Bake Sale in town!!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48AEAC23A5FA7-52395382-hastings#/
SKI CLUB GEAR is here!! Throw on these cozy options for your apres ski needs - merchandise will be available in November, and we will schedule a pickup day at Hastings when we get the finish date. https://http-theawesome-com.printavo.com/merch/hastings-ski-club
The Tri-Village Packers (community volunteer group, TVP) are preparing to provide another round of food support for district families during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfE4iBQ0d4y3Tgzs_D3zemaLuHf9I8QNsu3Dcg1gp--aNtPZg/viewform
Who’s Ready for Hoops?!?! Our Concession Stand for the Basketball Season will start in November - sign up now to work a shift! Students can earn service hours for their time. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4EA4A722ABFC1-52474393-hastings
Our Spirit Wear Sale is in full effect - we have some great new items to show your Upper Arlington pride, and it’s not just for students - grab something for yourself while you’re at it! Check out this link and rep UA today! https://hastingsmspto.membershiptoolkit.com/store/14977
Come work the school store!! Check out the great social experiment, lunchtime at a middle school - work a shift at the school store! Volunteers needed during all lunch periods on Wednesday and Friday every week. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4AABA82DAAF49-46358601-hastings#/
If you can’t volunteer at the school store, support them by donating goods to be sold - check out this Amazon Wishlist and help out if you can! https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1BANH6EA6GJAN?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwY2xjawE-qdZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYYoErmftwP89Z563hfcGyHjxNMDfodzTgQmR0fKtdP2rcaeDIu-QsFMCg_aem_WRjA0RikO5eNEziSudOwuQ