Hall Happenings

I want to take a moment to share some updates and reflections from our Hall Middle School community. Basketball season is underway, and it’s been wonderful to see our students’ dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship on the court. Our Band, Art, Theatre, and Choir programs continue to impress, showcasing the incredible talents and hard work of our students.

As we approach the end of the semester, I want to highlight the importance of regular attendance. Each day in class provides valuable opportunities for learning and growth, and your continued support in ensuring your child is present and engaged is appreciated.

As winter break approaches, I encourage you to have conversations with your children about kindness and the joy of helping others. Even small acts of generosity can create a ripple effect of positivity in our community.

I’d also like to remind everyone that blankets, while great for staying cozy at home, are not permitted on campus. Please ensure your student dresses appropriately for school and the colder weather.

It's hard to believe the spring semester is just around the corner, but it's the perfect opportunity to start fresh, set new goals, and make this next chapter of the school year our best one yet!

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and support in making Hall a great place for our students to learn and grow. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Go Roos!

Sean Kenny

Principal

Hall Middle School

(817) 598-2822

Attendance is critical to your child’s success at HMS. Research shows that students who are present each day in school have higher success rates. Please make every effort to get your child to school each and every day. Contact our attendance clerk, Tracy Townsel , if your student must miss a day of school. If your child is sick at home or sees a doctor, please turn in a written note to the front office when they return to school.

At the middle school level, attendance is taken every class period and students are held accountable for attending each individual class and for being there on time.

Regular school attendance is essential. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s education. The student and parent should avoid unnecessary absences.

Two important state laws—one dealing with compulsory attendance and the other with how attendance affects the award of a student’s final grade or course credit—are discussed below.

Compulsory Attendance

Communication is required when a student is absent from school. Please phone or email the office if your child will be absent, as we truly value your communication. When the student returns, they must bring a note from a doctor in order to excuse the absence. Parent notes are no longer accepted as excused absences. Notes must be turned in within 3 days of the absence. Notes can be turned in to the front office or via email to ttownsel@weatherfordisd.com.

Attendance for Class

The State of Texas requires students to be present 90% of the school year. If a student is absent for more than the allotted days, excused or unexcused, they run the risk of not receiving class credit. The allotted days for the school year are 8 days for the first semester and 9 for the second semester.

Secondary Attendance

Attendance is taken every period at the secondary level. Picking up a student early/bringing them late could result in an absence for a period.

• Set a regular bedtime & morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and backpacks the night before.
• Avoid scheduling appointments and trips when school is in session.
• Don't let your child stay home unless they are truly sick because...
• Sometimes a stomachache or headache is a sign of anxiety, so...
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers and school counselors about ways to help.

October:

• Jozsef Szalay
• Danna Cobos Molina

November:

• Ty Green
• Janna Tan

Coming Soon...

December:

A little bit about the Optimist Award:

Hall Middle School staff members are responsible for nominating students for this award.

Once nominations are received, the staff votes on the winner.

The following criteria must be met by students who are nominated:

Citizenship

• Respect for peer group and adults
• Patriotism and leadership
• Loyalty to school and community
• Cooperative
• Working to the best of their ability
• Use of good judgment
• Trustworthiness

Behavior

• Good manners
• Promptness
• Politeness
• Good sportsmanship
• Initiative
• Positive and friendly attitude

DECEMBER

3- Roo Expo for 8th Grade, Ninth Grade Center, 5-7 PM

4- College/Career Spirit Day

5- Band Winter Concert, Durant Auditorium, 6:30 PM

5- Preliminary Spelling Bee Test

6- 8th Grade HS Course Selection Forms Due

7- Band Party, HMS Cafeteria, 6:30-8:00 PM

9-13 PTA Christmas Shop, open during all lunches

10-11 HS Counselors on campus to help 8th graders select courses for HS

13- School Dance, Hall MS Gym, 6-8 PM

19- End 3rd 6 Weeks

19- Early Dismissal

20- Staff Work Day (students no school)

23-Jan. 3- Winter Break (No School)

Coming soon...

JANUARY

6- Staff Work Day (students no school)

7- Professional Development Day (students no school)

8- Begin 4th 6 Weeks

15- College/Career Spirit Day

16- Spelling Bee, HMS Library, 9:30 AM

20- No School

*Keep reading below for more information about each event!

It's not too late to sign-up for UIL Academic Teams. If your child is interested in joining one of our teams, they can sign up in the library. Please click the button below to learn more about each event. You can also visit the UIL Academic website for more information. They will begin practice weekly the first week of November. Our teams will compete at the Middle School UIL Academic Meet at Hall MS with 6 other middle schools after school on February 26th and 27th.

If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Jester.

sjester@weatherfordisd.com

817-598-2822, ext. 3901

• If your student needs tutoring, please reach out to his/her teacher to get their tutoring schedule.
• There is an additional opportunity for students to work on late or missing work during lunch, in a quiet space with technology available.

Sometimes you just need a little extra help! Mrs. Gonzalez is offering Spanish tutorials, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 7:35 AM - 8:05 AM. Remember you MUST need a pass to come to the tutorials.

This year we are offering you the opportunity to celebrate your child's or a staff member's birthday with a personalized message on our marquee. For only $10 a day or $35 for the week, you will see a "Happy Birthday" message to your child or staff member on their birthday!! We are offering this to our families for the 24-25 school year. We also have shout-outs available for students and staff. If you are interested, be sure to complete the form below and bring payment to the front office (cash or check made payable to Hall Middle School). All requests and payments must be made 1 week prior to the date of request. No exceptions can or will be made.

Please contact Mrs. Crawford at lparriscrawford@weatherfordisd.com for any questions.

The Grizzard Regional Institute of Technology (GRIT) offers an innovative option for students from Weatherford ISD and surrounding districts to receive a high school diploma, an industry credential and/or an associate degree from Weatherford College at no cost. Come find out more at the Roo Expo on December 3rd at 5 PM and 6:30 PM at the Ninth Grade Center. Trista Stueart, the GRIT principal, will also be on campus November 19th to talk to our 8th graders about GRIT.

Students enter the GRIT pathway as 9th graders and select from the following fields of study:

• Auto Tech

• Cosmetology

• Cybersecurity

• Education & Training

• Health Science

• Welding

For more information on the GRIT program, contact tstueart@weatherfordisd.com

We understand the importance of mental health and the need for support during the school year. To make it easier for our students to access our counseling services, we have created an online form. If you or your child would like to speak with one of our counselors, please fill out the form linked below. Our counselors are here to help with any academic, social, or personal concerns. We encourage all students to take advantage of this resource whenever needed.

• Free and Reduced-Price Meals: Applications for 2024-2025 are available online or at the school/Child Nutrition Office.
• Eligibility: Based on income or program participation (SNAP, TANF, foster care, homeless, etc.).
• How to Apply: Fill out an application online (link below) or pick one up at the Weatherford ISD Child Nutrition Office located at 999 Sloan Street, Weatherford, TX 76086, or at your child’s school. Information needed: household info, income, and Social Security details.

• Beginner Band- Hall band shirt, jeans and tennis shoes
• Symphonic and Honor Bands- “Concert” attire (black dress pants, shoes and socks)

Tison and Hall band students will combine for an ugly sweater contest, hot chocolate, and a cookie decorating contest.

Thank a band booster member for helping with this party!

Parents, there will be a Sign-up Genius if you want to help chaperone.

Make sure you are on the WISD volunteer list.

In effort to remain in compliance with best nursing practices, beginning August 2024, administration of OVER-THE-COUNTER medication during the school day will require a parent/guardian signature and an order from a medical provider. This includes but is not limited to: ibuprofen, acetaminophen, oral or topical allergy medication, cough suppressant, or insect bite ointment.

All medication should be given outside of school hours if at all possible. If it is necessary for the student to have medication in order to remain in school, the appropriate request form should be completed and returned to the campus clinic. Forms may be obtained from the school.

Medication, prescription or non-prescription, will not be given without written parental/guardian permission and an order from a medical provider (non-expired prescription label is sufficient).

Most medication will be secured in a locked area in the campus clinic. Maintenance of adequate amounts of continuing medication is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian. First dose of any medication, prescription or non-prescription, must be given at home in case of an unexpected reaction.

Prescription medication requires that the parent/guardian complete the medication form. Prescription medication, including inhalers, must have the student’s name on the label and be a current prescription. You can obtain a current prescription bottle from your preferred pharmacy by requesting a "School Bottle".

Non-prescription medication must be in the original container, require parent/guardian permission, and a medical provider's order. Only FDA approved medications will be given. The medication usage should be reviewed by medical personnel and instructions given to the school to ensure safe administration of the medication and that the student is receiving proper medical care.

For both prescription and non-prescription medication, the medical provider's order must include the date, child’s name, name of medication, time, amount of dose, and parent/guardian signature.

Students may NOT carry or self-administer any medications at school. Exceptions to this regulation include the use of Epinephrine for anaphylaxis, Insulin for diabetes, and asthma inhalers. A medical providers signature for self administration will be necessary in these instances and will be kept on file in the clinic.

It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to take outdated/unused medication home. After notification, outdated/unused medication will be destroyed if not picked up. Parents are strongly encouraged to pick up the medication no longer being used. Students will not be given medication from the clinic to take home. Medications not picked up at the end of the school year will be properly destroyed according to nursing guidelines.

We are here for you if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for helping keep our students healthy and safe!

Kelsey Ward, RN

kward@weatherfordisd.com

Kirstin Mitchell, LVN

kmitchell@weatherfordisd.com

817-598-2822 x 3910

Our school telemedicine clinics are a partnership between Weatherford ISD and Parker County Hospital District Outreach Program to provide medical care onsite at each campus. Through the use of telemedicine and the MedPod Medical Cart, the healthcare needs of both staff and students can be met in a convenient setting with each campus nurse.

Please click the button below to register now or contact the HMS nurses with questions and instructions on how to enroll your student for KangaRoo Care.

8:05 AM – 3:45 PM

• Students will be allowed in the building at 7:35 each morning. Breakfast is served in the cafeteria until 8:00.
• Students will be supervised outside of the building until 4:05 each day. Please make arrangements to have your student picked up by that time.

Hall has four 33-minute lunch periods:

Lunch A: 11:41 - 12:14

Lunch B: 12:16 - 12:49

Lunch C: 12:51 - 1:24

Lunch D: 1:26 - 1:59

Lunch Procedures:

• Students may bring a lunch or purchase one in the cafeteria.
• We have four microwaves available for student use at lunch. Microwaves can be busy, so please consider this when planning your student's lunch.
• Parents/Guardians may drop off lunch for their students by coming into the front office.
• Parents/Guardians must inform their student that lunch is being dropped off, as front office staff will not be able to call students out of class to pick up their lunch.
• Students will need to come to the office to pick up their lunch.
• Reminder: For safety purposes, no delivery services are allowed. Only parents/guardians may deliver lunch to their student. Hall does not accept food delivery services such as Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc.
• Parents who wish to eat with their student will need to show a valid form of ID, get a visitor’s pass, and eat in a designated area in the cafeteria. We love to see you take time out of your day to spend it with your kiddo!

Free and reduced meals will be available to all who apply and qualify. All families are encouraged to apply for this program.

Parents may apply:

1. Online during the Verification of Enrollment process
2. Online by visiting Weatherfordisd.schoollunchapp.com
3. By completing a paper application (available in the front office)

Email: skenny@weatherfordisd.com
Website: https://hall-ms.weatherfordisd.com
Location: 823 S Bowie Dr, Weatherford, TX, USA
Phone: 817-598-2822