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Eagle Eye
HVMS E-Newsletter
HVMS Update - 3/18/2024
Hello, HVMS Family!
Thank you,
Hidden Valley Middle School
Helping Students Find Their Wings Since 1972
Our mission at Hidden Valley Middle School is to cultivate knowledge, to promote civic responsibility, to provide opportunities for the exploration of interests and abilities, to foster positive attitudes, and to develop essential skills necessary for all students to become productive citizens capable of thriving in the dynamic world of the twenty-first century.
Message from the Principal
What's it like being a middle schooler today?
The Association for Middle Level Education has opened entries for its "2024 Middle School Student Sound Off" as part of Middle Level Education Month. For this contest, students are encouraged to tap into their creativity and help the adults in their lives better understand what it's like to be a middle school student today.
Students can talk about any aspect of their middle school experiences, and they can consider these prompts for inspiration:
- Being a middle schooler is like…
- I feel happiest when…
- I feel safest at school when…
- I wish the adults in my life better understood…
- Something that really matters to me is…
- One of the biggest challenges or opportunities of being a middle schooler today is…
Students can submit their entries in any format that appeals to them personally (art, a photograph, an essay, a poem, a video, a song, a podcast, etc.). Students will need parent/guardian permission to submit an entry, and they also need the support of a teacher at HVMS. I encourage any student who is interested in participating in this contest to start working on an entry. Submissions are due by April 5, and I would love to see our students' creativity shine through this contest! Please see the link below for more information:
https://www.amle.org/middle-level-education-month/
Dr. Christopher Benson
Principal
SCHOOL INFORMATION
State of Roanoke County Public Schools
The Roanoke County School Board is proud to release “Opportunity Ready 2023,” a video review of the state of Roanoke County Public Schools for 2023. Produced by Roanoke Valley Television (RVTV), Opportunity Ready 2023 features updates from all five members of the Roanoke County School Board, along with appearances from key administration leaders.
8th Grade Dance
The SCA is hosting an 8th Grade Dance this year on Friday, May 10 from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Tickets will go on sale the week of May 6, and we hope all of our HVMS 8th graders can attend!
CELEBRATIONS
Delegate Obenshain Visits HVMS
Delegate Obenshain, a former Hidden Valley Middle student himself, created and delivered 2nd 9 weeks honor roll certificates to HVMS students this past Friday. He visited Mrs. Bell's Algebra class to hand deliver some certificates and got a picture with the group. Thank you to Delegate Obenshain for taking time to recognize our students and for visiting our school!
2024 Western Virginia Regional Science Fair
Congratulations to the following students who placed in the 2024 Western Virginia Regional Science Fair on March 16, 2024. Thank you for representing HVMS so well and demonstrating your strong commitment to scientific inquiry!
Middle School Category Awards:
1st Place (Middle School Life Sciences/Environmental Science): Ion Concentrations in Roanoke and Salem Virginia Municipal Water Sources
- Amelia Karolyi
- Katherine Karolyi
- Teacher Sponsor: Elizabeth Tyree
1st Place (Middle School Materials Science): The Effect of Temperature on the Performance of Different Circuits
- Yehor Belko
- Teacher Sponsor: Ron Coleman
2nd Place (Middle School Chemistry): Investigating the Glucose Content of Various Fruits and Vegetables When Made into a Smoothie
- Zara Bhowansingh
- Teacher Sponsor: Lyndsey O'Brien
3rd Place (Middle School Life Sciences/Environmental Science): Yeast: A Balloon Experiment
- Hope Thomas
- Teacher Sponsor: Elizabeth Tyree
Special Awards:
Carole Massart Award (for the most promising or innovative biological sciences project)
- Hope Thomas
Virginia Lakes and Water Association Award
- Amelia Karolyi and Katherine Karolyi
Eagles of the Month
HVMS has begun recognizing eight students from each grade level each month to be our Eagles of the Month. Hidden Valley Middle School Eagles of the Month display outstanding behavior both inside and outside the classroom by consistently meeting HVMS SOAR expectations of being safe, organized, accountable, and respectful. Eagles of the Month demonstrate opportunity ready skills including communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and citizenship. These students exhibit a positive attitude toward their peers, school, and community, and they maintain a focus on continuous improvement.
Our Eagles of the Month for February are listed below!
Caught SOARing
The students below have been awarded a SOAR card for being safe, organized, accountable, and/or respectful in the building. Thank you for your positive contributions to Hidden Valley Middle School!
INSTRUCTION
HVMS Choir
Congratulations to our HVMS 7th and 8th grade choirs on their superior ratings at their choral assessment! Our 6th grade students also performed for comments only and did an excellent job.
Just-in-Time Tutoring
Just-in-time tutoring provides students in grades 6-12 with an immediate online live tutor 24 hours per day/7 days per week. If a student is struggling with independent work, they can get immediate help to get them “unstuck,” even if they are at home late at night.
In addition to covering multiple subjects, just-in-time tutoring provides online help via chat and voice. Tutor.com also provides paper proofreading (12-hour turnaround time) and industry-leading Princeton Review ACT/SAT prep courses and materials. This levels the field for students who don’t have the same amount of parent support or financial resources at home.
Just-in-Time Tutoring Fast Facts
Attendance Matters!
HVMS PTSO
Join Today!
Our PTSO is instrumental in providing support to our entire school community, and the success of the program depends on you! Dues are $5 per individual who is joining. 100% of our membership fees go directly to supporting our school.
Parents, students, teachers, and more are ALL welcome to join HVMS PTSO! Together we can make a difference: Join here!
Please click below to learn more about our HVMS PTSO:
TECHNOLOGY CORNER
Technology Issues
SCHOOL SAFETY
SpeakUp
We encourage students to speak up to report bullying and other concerns. SpeakUp is a program where students can send a confidential email, text or phone call to share concerns about a classmate or school safety. Students can send an email to speakup@student.rcps.us, or they can call or text 540-595-0706. All reports are anonymous and will be quickly acted upon. Once a report is sent, school administrators are notified and resources can be deployed depending on the nature of the report.
ATHLETICS
General Information
6th, 7th, and 8th grade students are allowed to compete on the middle school athletic teams. All participating students must have a current VHSL sports physical dated on or after May 1, 2023. No student will be permitted to participate in tryouts or practice without a completed VHSL physical form on file. Additionally, all students must have health insurance if they want to participate.
Spring Sports Schedules
Please consider attending our spring sporting events! Admission to athletic events is $5 for adults and $2 for school-age students. These funds are used to help offset the cost for officials, transportation to away games, and team equipment.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 18-22
Friday, March 22: Report Cards Sent Home
Looking Ahead
Monday, April 8: Spring Picture Day
Wednesday, April 17: 3-hour Early Dismissal
Friday, April 19: 4th 9 Weeks Midpoint
Friday, May 10: 8th Grade Dance (7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.)
Monday, May 20: 8th Grade Awards/Promotion Ceremony (9:00 a.m.)
Tuesday, May 21:
- 8th Grade Field Trip (Group 1)
- 3-hour Early Dismissal
Wednesday, May 22:
- 8th Grade Field Trip (Group 2)
- 3-hour Early Dismissal
Thursday, May 23:
- 8th Grade Field Day
- Last Day of School (3-hour early dismissal)
HELPFUL LINKS
ABOUT US
Website: http://www.rcps.us/hvms
Location: 4902 Hidden Valley School Road, Roanoke, VA, USA
Phone: (540) 772-7570
Facebook: facebook.com/HVMSConnect/