Hero Happenings!
Hellstern Middle School Newsletter, Springdale, AR
August 2, 2024
Welcome to the "Hero Happenings!"
When school starts, this will be a weekly update. Typically the update comes out on Sunday. There are multiple ways to see the update. You can always find a link to the update on our webpage, and our Facebook page. You can have the update emailed to you, to sign up for this, use the link below. We also send the update through text to numbers listed as primary contacts in our student information system.
Please help your friends and neighbors that have Hellstern students GET CONNECTED! This newsletter is a MAJOR communication piece. You will find a school calendar updated weekly, information about events at our school, pictures and information celebrating our students, and PTO updates...just to name a few things!
Locker Day is Sunday! August 4th (1-3pm)
Parking on Sunday
Parents - you may park in the following places:
- the lot behind Hellstern, next to the HBHS tennis courts.
- the faculty parking lot on the East side of the building.
- the lot directly in front of the building
- the Storms Orthodontics parking lot
- in the circle turn around which is closest to the HBHS stadium
Please DO NOT park in our grassy areas.
Details for Locker Day
***Bring your child's ID number. This is his/her lunch number and it is also part of his/her email. The ID number starts with "1000". We will have teachers outside with your number, but if you already have it, this will help.***
It will be hot on Sunday, our goal is to get you inside the building as quickly as possible.
This is what you will do:
- Come to the front entrance and find your child's team on the posted lists, sorted by ID number OR find a a teacher in a yellow vest and ask him/her what team your child is on this year. We will post these lists at 4:30pm on Friday, so you can come early and check this list if you choose.
- Walk around the building to the side entrance for your team. We will have teachers posted outside so you know where to go.
- Once inside, you will check in at a table and receive a piece of paper with your child's information (team, advisor, locker number, etc.). This paper will also have instructions for what you can do while you are here.
PTO will be hosting two short meetings in the library. One parent can choose to attend (limited space). They will be sharing information at 1:30 & 2:15pm.
***If you can't make it on Sunday - don't worry!!! Team lists will be posted at the front of our building at 4:30pm on Friday, August 2nd. Your student will have plenty of time to practice using his/her locker during the first week of school. You will also have every opportunity to purchase what you may need or ask questions. We will not be able to accept visitors the week before school starts as teachers will be VERY busy preparing for our Heroes arrival!
Get a head start!
You can go ahead and complete the Free & Reduced Lunch form.
- Click this link for the 24-25 School Cafe website
- Click these links for the 24-25 printable paper applications (English, Spanish, Marshallese)
- The grace period ends on Monday, September 23
Immunization Information:
- Immunization deadline is Tuesday, October 1 - Students who miss this deadline will not be allowed to return to school until immunizations are scheduled
Complete your child's Acceptable Use Agreement (AUA).
Get Bus Route information:
- Check for bus route info starting August 5th; click on "Register Your Student for BusQuest"
School Supply Lists
7th grade students may have supplies needed for elective classes.
Medication Drop-Off
If you would like to drop-off medication for your child with our school nurse, you can do this on:
- Thursday, August 8th (12:30-3:30pm)
- Friday, August 9th (8-3pm)
If these times do not work, please email our Nurse, Laura Harkins (lboseman@sdale.org), to make an appointment.
To turn in medication, please note the following requirements:
- You need a doctor or provider order stating medication to be administered by the school.
- You must have the name, date of birth, medication name, route, dose, and time.
- Medication in original bottle matching prescription.
Cell Phones at Hellstern
Parents,
Learning is the priority at Hellstern. We want engaged learners that are not distracted by a device. At Hellstern, we have always held the expectation that phones are to be turned off and kept in a student's locker. A student is always welcome to request use of a phone, if he/she explains the need to our teachers. Students are also allowed to check phones at 3:30, once dismissal has started.
We have experienced an increase in distracted behaviors during class time when students have access to smart watches. Our recommendation is to leave earbuds/airpods, smart watches, and personal electronics at home. Every year, students lose these expensive devices. Wired headphones are on the school supply list for use in class. Our rules and procedures reflecting these beliefs are in our student handbook, which you will be receiving electronically.
Our goal is for students to be communicating with each other and with adults in face-to-face conversations. These skills are important for students in these critical "tween" years to practice and use daily.
Dress Code
A student’s appearance and dress should reflect an acceptable common standard in the interest of decency, cleanliness, safety, health, and learning.
The following guidelines should be followed:
All students are required to wear their team-specific (School ISSUED) lanyard and student ID at all times while on the HMS school campus.
Hats and hoodies pulled over head shall not be worn in the building.
All shirts must have a shoulder strap at least the width of the plastic ID case worn on lanyards (approximately 3 inches).
Shorts, skirts, dresses, and holes in jeans must be fingertip length. (No holes above fingertips)
Sleepwear is not permitted (pajama bottoms, houseshoes, etc.).
Clothing that reveals undergarments, a bare midriff or cleavage will not be permitted.
Clothing which by color, design or symbol is deemed suggestive, racist, violent, vulgar, or is interpreted as promoting tobacco, drug, or alcohol use, are not to be worn to school.
No student is to wear, carry, or display apparel deemed gang-related (“sagging” pants, head rags, bandanas, chains, spiked or studded jewelry), or exhibit behavior or gestures which symbolize gang membership.
A student’s appearance and dress shall not disrupt or contribute to disruption of the educational process or interfere with rights or opportunities of others to learn or teach.
From PTO
Join the PTO Facebook page to get updates from PTO.
PTO will be hosting two short meetings in the library on Locker Day (August 4th). One parent can choose to attend (limited space). They will be sharing information at 1:30 & 2:15pm.
Thank you to PTO for our new basketball goals!!!
Upcoming Dates
August
4 - Locker Day (1-3pm)
12 - Students first day back - school starts at 8:05am. We dismiss students at 3:30pm.
14 - Student early release day (every Wednesday) @ 2:10pm
20 - Band EXPRESS Lane (5:30pm) - If you ordered your instrument over the summer and had it delivered to the school, you can skip the parent meeting and go to the express lane to pick up your items. Afterwards, go to the band room to meet with a teacher for assigning your band locker.
20 - Band Rental Meeting (6pm) - If you missed the band parent meeting in May, this is for you.
21 - Deadline to have your band instrument at school or at least ordered. Deadline for band payments paid or payment plan communicated.
28 - Vision/Hearing Screening - 6th graders
28 - HMS Band Social at Lokomotion (6:30pm)
September
5 - Vision/Hearing Screenings
10 - School Board meeting
16 & 17 - Parent Teacher Student Conferences @ Hellstern
Hellstern Athletic Schedules
Football
8/29 - 5:30 - Fulbright - Home9/5 - 5:30 - SMS - Home
9/12 - 5:30 - Ramay - Away
9/19 - 5:30 - Kirksey - Away
9/26 - 5:30 - HTMS - Home
10/3 - 5:30 - Ramsey - Home
10/10 - 5:30 - Chaffin - Home
10/24 - 5:30 - Elmwood - Away
10/31 - 5:30 - Washington - Away
11/7 - 5:30 - KMS - Away
Cross-Country
9/3 - Gravette Night Run
9/7 - Shiloh Invitational
9/14 - Elkins Invitational
9/21 - Sugar Creek Showdown (Bentonville)
9/24 - Alma Invitational (Tuesday)
9/28 - Chile Pepper
10/3 - Greenwood (Thursday)
10/12 - Springdale Invitational
10/22 - 7th-8th Conference
10/29 - Mountie Classic (9th Conference)
Volleyball - All HOME games played at CJHS
8/26 - 4:30 - Elmwood - Home
8/27 - 4:30 - Kirksey - Away
9/4 - 4:30 - Fulbright - Away
9/7 - TBA - Spikefest Tourney - SWJH
9/9 - 4:30 - Chaffin - Home
9/10 - 4:30 - Oakdale - Away
9/16 - 4:30 - KMS - Home
9/17 - 4:30 - Lincoln - Home
9/23 - 4:30 - Darby - Away
9/24 - 4:30 - Woodland - Home
9/30 - 4:30 - HTMS - Home
10/1 - 4:30 - Grimsley - Home
10/7 - 4:30 - Lingle - Home
10/8 - 4:30 - Ramsay - Away
10/14 - 4:30 - SMS - Away
10/15 - 4:30 - Washington - Away
10/21 - 4:30 - Kimmons - Away
10/22 - 4:30 - Ramay - Home