The Compass Rose: 11/1

The Hingham Public Schools is developing a Portrait of a Learner, and we would love your input!

A Portrait of a Learner describes the skills and competencies that a community agrees its young people need to thrive in learning, work, and life.

This survey asks for your opinions about skills our students will need to succeed in their futures and what you consider to be the purpose of schools. Your feedback will help inform the development of the Portrait of a Learner. This is an initiative that can transform learning in our classrooms from preschool through senior year cultivating skills and mindsets across grade levels in a way that promotes deeper learning. Ultimately, the Portrait of a Learner will become a "north star" for our district, providing strategic direction for improvement, guiding our schools in ways to best prepare all students for success in college and their future careers.

You can complete the survey by this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Hingham-POL

Please remember that dogs must be on a leash at all times when on Hingham Public Schools fields or grounds. This policy ensures a safe environment for everyone to enjoy the space. Thank you for your cooperation!

Join Superintendent Kathryn (Katie) Roberts at the Hingham Farmers Market this weekend from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM to share your input on our Portrait of a Learner work.

Throughout November, our team will be highlighting the Please and Thank You Tool for students. The Please and Thank You Tool turns demands into requests and impositions into invitations. When we use please and thank you, we create an atmosphere of kindness and an invitation to help each other out. When adults use these words, children are more willing to participate whole-heartedly and without resistance.
Please see the overview and Home Connection activity below:

We know that making ends meet can be difficult for some families in our HPS community. Therefore, we want to let you know that there are individuals in each of our schools who are ready to provide information and assistance. Resources may be available to help families in times of financial
need, or other challenging situations. Our particular area of outreach at this time is for food support for the upcoming holidays.
Please don’t hesitate to contact administrators (jhawes@hinghamschools.org, adonovan@hinghamschools.org), the school nurse (cshanahan@hinghamschools.org), or counseling personnel (lmcclain@hinghamschools.org,galvarado@hinghamschools.org) here at East if you are in need of food support for the holidays. Rest assured that your request will be managed in a way that respects your rights for confidentiality.

Dr. Williams and her staff at Nantasket Eye Care in Hull are doing a drive for eyeglass donations at local schools. The response from the community has been excellent and it is hopeful each year will be better. The donated glasses are collected by the local Lions Chapter in Hull. Ultimately they are donated to people in need domestically and internationally by the Lions Club International and VOSH organizations (see below). There is always a shortage of youth eyewear. Please donate if you can; every pair of glasses helps!

The Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline is available 24/7 via phone, text, or chat with translation capabilities in over 200 languages. Call takers provide clinical triage for every caller. They have a conversation with the caller and assess for formal and informal supports. Staff at the BHHL will do their best to connect callers to resources in their community that meet their needs. They will warm transfer the caller and follow up within 14 days. You can learn more at www.masshelpline.com, or call or text today: 833-773-2445.

There are also 26 physical locations across the Commonwealth where folks can receive help for behavioral health or substance use needs. Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs) are hubs for timely, flexible, and individualized care both in crisis and routine situations. The expectation of the CBHC is to provide outpatients appointments within 14 days but many have open access same day appointments.

Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to us!
Jonathan Hawes, Principal: jhawes@hinghamschools.org
Dr. Amanda Donovan, Assistant Principal: adonovan@hinghamschools.org
Karen Mariani, Administrative Assistant: kmariani@hinghamschools.org

Elisa Nelson, Administrative Assistant: enelson@hinghamschools.org
Tel: (781) 741-1570