HMS Connection
Week of April 8, 2024
HMS News
Solar Eclipse Resources for Families
As you may have heard, a total solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8th. A solar eclipse is an exciting and memorable event that can capture the public imagination and help students appreciate scientific phenomena and the wonders of the natural world in a personal way. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun. For a moment, the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun are perfectly aligned, and the Moon’s shadow blocks the Sun as seen from the Earth.
The path of the eclipse across North America will travel from Mexico, across the United States, and into Canada.
Massachusetts will not see a total eclipse, but weather permitting, will witness 93-95% of the sun eclipsed!!
The sky will darken as the moon covers the sun.
In Hingham, the eclipse will begin at 2:16 PM, reach its peak at 3:30 PM, and end at 4:39 PM.
Looking directly into the sun during a solar eclipse (or anytime) is unsafe. Looking through a camera lens, binoculars, or telescope can also be dangerous. It is safe to look directly at the Sun only through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses,” that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard requirements.
To ensure a safe and smooth dismissal, we are implementing the following:
Parents of walkers may choose to walk home with their children on April 8th, or may elect to drive their children home. Please let the school office know if you will change your child’s usual dismissal that day.
To minimize any unprotected views of the sun, students will remain inside the buildings after 2:00 pm, as the time frame for our area is approximately between 2:15 pm and 4:30 pm. There will be no outdoor recess that afternoon.
Some families may choose to dismiss early to view the event together. If your plans for regular dismissal will differ, please use your building's regular procedures and communication processes.
No outdoor after-school activities, including all sports, per the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) guidance, will take place during the time of the eclipse.
Hingham Middle School will not have after school activities or late buses on Monday.
All students will dismiss at 2:00.
Hingham Public Schools is not planning formal viewing events during the school day due to the eclipse coinciding with dismissal. However, several viewing events are scheduled in and around Hingham, including at the Hingham Public Library, which is hosting a Solar Eclipse Viewing Party.
Additional information and resources on the upcoming solar eclipse are in the attached HPS Solar Eclipse Information & Resources (April 2024) document.
DESE District Comprehensive Review (4/22-4/26/24)
This year, Hingham Public Schools has been selected by DESE to participate in a required comprehensive district review. For a full description of DESE’s comprehensive district review process, please see the attached overview letter.
As part of the review process, DESE representatives will be on site during the week of April 22-26th to conduct focus groups and classroom observations. DESE representatives will conduct a virtual parent/caregiver focus group on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from 6:30-7:30 pm to gather perspectives on communication with families, opportunities for family involvement and leadership, opportunities for students within the district, and more.
If you are interested in joining, please register ahead of time at the attached link.
HMS Needs YOU!!!
HMS continues to need Paraeducators to support our students. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please ask them to contact Alison Janulewicz (ajanulewicz@hinghamschools.org) or apply via Schoolspring.com. Full time hours are 7:30-2:00, Monday through Friday, but part time opportunities may also be available! Any and all help is appreciated.
National Poetry Month
March Madness meets National Poetry month in this exciting literary competition!
Students will read 16 poems in their English classes this month and vote for their favorites.
Who will make the Elite 8?
The Final Four?
The Favorite Poem?
English Teachers will update the brackets in the hall.
Stay tuned!
Author Talk – Table Talk Math
Save the date!
On Wednesday, May 8th, John Stevens, author of Table Talk Math, will join HPS parents and caregivers for a virtual author talk to discuss strategies for bringing math into everyday conversations at the dinner table and beyond.
Please register at the attached link. This event is sponsored by Title I funds.
Grade Eight Students recently hit the Oregon Trail in their Social Studies classes with their expert guide, Mrs. Driscoll
A Message from Hingham High School
The annual "Information Night for Eighth-Grade Parents" is scheduled for Tuesday, April 30th, at 7 PM in the HHS auditorium. The HPS Counseling Director, Athletic Director, HHS PTO president, and several current student leaders, will join Principal Swanson to present an introduction to life at the high school. We hope you can make it, but, for those unable to attend, HHS will post the slides on the school website the next day.
Coming Events
Save the Date
- April 5, 2024 - Term IV begins
- Override Forms Due
- April 9, 2024 - SEPAC Breakfast at HMS
- April 13 - 21, 2024 - April Break
PTO News
Community News
Hingham METCO Nubian Square Walking Tour
Hingham METCO Nubian Square Walking Tour
May 4 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
METCO headquarters 11 Roxbury St, Boston, MA, United States
HMS families, please join us as we walk to explore the history of Boston!
Meet at METCO headquarters, 11 Roxbury St, Boston, MA 02119.
Free lunch at METCO Headquarters to follow.
Hingham METCO students and their families and ALL Hingham resident students and families are encouraged to join us!
Kindly pre-register at https://hinghamunity.org/event/hingham-metco-nubian-square-walking-tour/
HEF Hi5's Are Back!
Back by popular demand, the Hingham Education Foundation is once again launching Hingham Hi5s, an easy and impactful way to thank our incredible HPS faculty and staff.
From teachers to bus drivers, food service workers to nurses…..Who has had a positive impact on your child?
Honor an HPS faculty, staff or administrator today by clicking the link below and submitting a quick and easy Hi5 nomination and $20 donation. HEF board members will then deliver a Hingham Hi5 token of appreciation with a note of gratitude to the honoree. There is no limit on the number of Hi5s that you can give!
Click here to give someone special a Hi5!
We are truly looking forward to this Hi5 launch. Please contact us at hi5@hinghameducation.org with any questions about this program.
Thank you,
Katie Keenan, Marie Vogel, Sandy Mastrullo and Susan McDonald, HEF Board Members
Hingham Education Foundation's Spring Event
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To purchase tickets to this event, click here.
Keep Hingham Clean!
Cleaner Greener Hingham Day is coming April 27, 2024 from 9am - 11am! Gather your friends and family and help us make this annual tradition a success. Sign up using this link to clean up one of the many beautiful spots in Hingham. Please note that the DPW will not be providing trash bags and gloves this year so please bring your own supplies. If you find any needles, do not put them in a trash bag as they are a potential hazard to anyone who handles the bag. If you find any needles, please place inside a water bottle, screw the top on and toss the bottle in the trash bag or bring needles to the Police Department for safe disposal in their sharps disposal bins. Once you have completed your cleanup, please email DPWAdmin@hingham-ma.gov to have your bagged trash picked up. And remember to post any photos on your school or Hingham Facebook pages using the hashtag #CleanerGreenerHinghamDay. Thank you for keeping our town clean!