SHMS Family Newsletter

Greetings SHMS Community!

Over the long weekend, the Stuart-Hobson team prepared the Term 1 progress report packet, which will be mailed out this week. This is the first of several packets families can expect throughout the year, containing comprehensive academic performance data for your student. Our instructional team uses this information to guide classroom lesson planning, pacing, and to develop individualized student interventions through small group activities and one-on-one support. For families, this data is invaluable for setting academic growth goals, reinforcing study and homework habits, and establishing routines that support regular school attendance.

If you have any questions or concerns about your student’s academic performance, please reach out to the grade-level advisors or assistant principals, contact information linked here, who are eager to support you.

Overview of the Term 1 Progress Report Packet Contents

1. Term 1 Progress Report:
   This report reflects your child’s academic performance for the first half of term 1. Please review the letter grades, any teacher comments, and attendance data (absences and tardies).
   
   
2. Reading Plus Initial Assessment Report
   This report details your child’s performance on the initial reading assessment. At the bottom, you'll find a summary of your child’s comprehension, vocabulary, silent reading fluency, stamina, and motivation performance. While the instructional recommendations are primarily for our instructional team, they can also help families develop home routines that support reading growth and mastery.
   
   
3. MAP Fall 2024 Family Report
   The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) is a computer-adaptive test that assesses your student’s academic performance and growth over time. MAP tests adjust the difficulty of each question based on your child’s responses—becoming more challenging after correct answers and easier after incorrect ones. This personalized testing experience helps pinpoint your child’s specific skill level, providing accurate insights into their strengths and areas for improvement.
   
   
4. 7th and 8th Grade Only – DC CAPE Score Reports
   OSSE has provided an excellent overview of the CAPE score reports, which is included in the mailing. While I won’t repeat the detailed information from the OSSE overview, I do want to emphasize that these test results are just one part of your student’s overall academic profile. We primarily use these scores to guide our instructional work, with a focus on student growth and academic mastery.

Once again, if you need any assistance in understanding or using this information to support your child’s academic progress, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Remember, you can always contact the front office at 202-671-6010 or email me directly at eric.fraser@k12.dc.gov for any other questions or needs.

Warm regards,

Eric Fraser

Principal

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Weekly Calendar

Monday, 10/14

• Indigenous Peoples' Day
  
  

Tuesday, 10/15

• Boys Soccer Game vs Kelly Miller @ Stuart-Hobson, 5 p.m.
  

Wednesday, 10/16

• Girls Volleyball Game vs Brookland MS @ Stuart Hobson, 6:30 p.m.

• National Honor Society Interest Meeting, 6-7pm - virtual - link: https://bit.ly/StuartHobsonNJHS
  

• Parent-Teacher Conferences (2 of 2), 4:00-7:00 PM (sign-up here)
  

Thursday, 10/17

• Girls Soccer Game vs. Ida B. Wells @ Stuart-Hobson, 4 p.m.
• Boys Soccer Game vs Cardozo HOME, 5 p.m.
  
• Cluster Event: Building Community in a Multi-Racial School (PTA sponsored dialogue & discussion), Watkins ES, 6:30-8:00 PM (doors at 6:00)

Friday, 10/18

• Girls Volleyball Game vs. Oyster Adams @ Deal Middle School, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, 10/19

• Cross Country Meet - Colmar Manor Park

Upcoming Dates

• October 28-November 1, Fall Spirit Week
• November 1, Picture Day!
• November 4, End of Term 1 Records-Keeping and Professional Development Day, no school for students
• November 5, Election Day, no school for students or teachers
• November 11, Veterans Day observed, schools closed
• November 27 - 29, Thanksgiving Break, schools closed

Due to growing concerns regarding safety and the increasing volume of food deliveries, Stuart-Hobson is reinforcing our ban on all food delivery services for students during the school day and during after-school activities. This policy applies to services such as Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash, and similar platforms.

Student safety is our school’s highest priority. Allowing unknown delivery drivers to enter the school premises poses a potential security risk. With heightened safety concerns, it is critical that we maintain strict control over who enters our school grounds. Further, the increasing number of food deliveries has become disruptive to the learning environment. Multiple daily deliveries create interruptions in the school’s operation and students’ focus, as well as logistical challenges for managing these orders.

Any food delivered via food delivery services to the school will be refused at the front office.

Parents are encouraged to ensure their children bring their lunches with them or having them access our school’s breakfast, lunch and supper programs, which are provided free to all students and follow federal nutritional guidelines.

Please note, families can continue to drop off forgotten lunches to the security desk after signing in, showing ID, and going through the security screening process.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping maintain a safe and efficient learning environment at Stuart-Hobson.

Families! Please share this information with your SHMS scholar:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year - time for the Scripps National Spelling Bee! The first round of our spelling bee is online. It will be a multiple-choice test that interested students take on a computer. Students will listen to a word and select the correct spelling. If you would like to participate, the first step is to register for the Scripps National Spelling Bee's online testing platform by visiting https://online-test.spellingbee.com You will need Stuart Hobson's zip code to register - 20002. The deadline to register is midnight December 2nd, 2024.

Please see the linked study lists for:

6th Grade Spelling Words

7th Grade Spelling Words

8th Grade Spelling Words

Please use these lists to help your scholar prepare for our first round spelling bees which will occur the week of 12/9/24.

Also, students can play spelling and vocabulary games with all 450 words from the 2025 School Spelling Bee Study List for free! More information is available on how to download this from the App Store and Google Play when you register.

The Final SHMS Bee will be in person this year, in early January.

Please reach out to Ms. Abou-Samra with any questions: Nancy.abou-samra1@k12.dc.gov

In partnership with WMATA, students ages 13+ will be able to transfer their physical Kids Ride Free card to their Apple Wallets. WMATA is coordinating brief information sessions next week for families interested in learning more on: Tuesday, October 15, 12-12:30 p.m.; Wednesday, October 16, 2-2:30 p.m.; and Thursday, October 23, 7-7:30 pm. For more information or to register, please sign up here.

Hello 7th and 8th grade families! Ms. Wilson and Ms. Schimmerling, Stuart-Hobson's School Counselors, are excited to introduce National Junior Honor Society for this school year. National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is an organization that recognizes middle school students who excel in scholarship, character, citizenship, leadership and service. Stuart-Hobson students who are eligible must be current 7th or 8th graders, and have a 3.5 GPA (based on final grades) for the prior school year (SY2023-2024). Applicants must complete the required application, and must demonstrate leadership skills, good character, and excellent school citizenship.

This years' application will open on October 21, 2024 and will be due on or before November 18, 2024. The link for this application is forthcoming.

The next interest meeting will occur virtually during the October 16 Parent-Teacher Conferences.

October 16, 2024: 6-7pm - virtual - link: https://bit.ly/StuartHobsonNJHS

Please reach out to Ms. Schimmerling (jessica.schimmerling@k12.dc.gov) or Ms. Wilson (alexis.wilson@k12.dc.gov) with any questions.

Girls’ Soccer Schedule:

Coaches Contact Info: molly.smith@k12.dc.gov

Practices are from 3:45 PM until 5 PM @ Stuart-Hobson Field

9/12*, 9/18**, 9/24, 10/3, 10/10, 10/15, 10/24

*may need to relocate to Stanton Park if boys game is still on

**Wednesday practice since there are 2 games this week (all other practices are on Tuesday/Thursday)

Game Schedule (All games start at 4pm)

10/17 vs. Ida B. Wells @ Stuart-Hobson

10/22 vs. Deal @ Deal

10/29 vs. Hardy @ Stuart-Hobson

Stuart Hobson MS Boys Soccer Schedule:

Coaches Contact Information: max.lempert2@k12.dc.gov

Games begin at 5pm

Practice 3:45-5pm

October 2024

Monday, 10-7: Practice

Tuesday, 10-8: Away Game vs Cardozo

Thursday, 10-10: Practice

Monday, 10-14: Practice

Tuesday, 10-15: Game vs Kelly Miller HOME

Thursday, 10-17: Game vs Cardozo HOME

Monday, 10-21: Practice

Tuesday, 10-22: Away Game vs Deal

Thursday, 10-24: Practice

Monday, 10-28: Practice

Tuesday, 10-29: Game vs Hardy HOME

2024 Archery Home/Practice Tournament Schedule

Practice Time: 3:30-5pm

Coaches Contact Information: maalston0563@gmail.com

Practice for third tournament (10/15 Away) will be on: 9/30,10/7, 10/9, 10/11

Practice for this tournament will be held on: 10/14,10/18

Tuesday 10/22/2024 4:00 pm @ Stuart-Hobson

Practice for this tournament will be held on: 10/25

Tuesday 10/29/2024 4:00 pm @ Stuart-Hobson

Practice for final two tournaments (11/7, 11/12 Away) will be held on: 10/31, 11/5, 11/11

Stuart-Hobson MS Cross Country Schedule

Coaches Contact Information:

Latavia.drakeford-allen@k12.dc.gov

Kwari.harvey@k12.dc.gov

David.taylor@k12.dc.gov

Practice Schedule 3:30-4:30 p.m.

9/16, 9/17, 9/25, 9/26, 9/30, 10/7, 10/15, 10/16, 10/17

Meet Schedule

Times: TBD

Location: Colmar Manor Park

10/2

10/19

Stuart Hobson MS Volleyball Schedule

Coaches Contact Information

Linda.green@k12.dc.gov

Rondorseyjr@gmail.com

Practice Schedule 4:30-6pm

9/13, 9/17, 9/19, 9/27, 10/1, 10/3, 10/4, 10/10, 10/15, 10/17

Game Schedule

10/16 6:30pm vs. Brookland MS HOME

10/18 5:30pm Away at Deal vs. Oyster Adams

10/21 5:30 Away at Johnson vs. Kramer MS

The 2024-2025 Athletics’ Participation packet has been released. All students must complete a participation packet every school year. Additionally, the medical forms must be completed within the prior 365 days. We encourage you to have your healthcare provider complete these forms before the school year and attach them to your participation packet. If your student’s UHC has been updated recently, you are encouraged to complete the participation packet as soon as possible.

English Participation Packet

Spanish Participation Packet

Universal Health Certificate (UHC).

Students with certain medical conditions may also need to complete an Asthma Action Plan or an Anaphylaxis Action Plan

Please note that it is not necessary to submit a new participation packet for each season. A complete packet includes the DCIAA forms filled out in their entirety along with a Universal Health Certificate that was completed within the last year. ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BEFORE PARTICIPATION.

SHMS Athletics is seeking to hire coaches for the following teams. Professional and coaching résumés can be sent directly to Coach Drakeford.

Coaching Openings:

Indoor Track (Winter), and Track and Field (Spring), Head and Assistant Coaches

Please direct any questions about athletics to our Athletic Director, Coach Drakeford, latavia.drakeford-allen@k12.dc.gov.

Below please find food service menus for breakfast and lunch for this week!

On Friday, October 18th, we will be taking a walking field trip to the DC Court of Appeals! If you're planning to join us, make sure to see Ms. Boccardi to pick up your permission slip. As part of the experience, each student will have the exciting opportunity to present a two-minute speech in court. Be sure to work on your speech and have it ready by the day of the trip! For those who need it, a speech template can be found here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/11As0ytoTV099ANX71DxNAnX-Z9cpEmLomva5_R47WHs/edit?usp=sharing)

The Mental Health Team at SHMS is wrapping up the annual suicide prevention program, Signs of Suicide, with all students. This has been an opportunity for students to learn about depression, warning signs of suicide, and how to help themselves or a friend. There are two opportunities with TRAILS, a suicide prevention organization, for caregivers and communities to learn about suicide awareness and prevention. The presentation offered is the same each day. See attached flyers for more information as well as the dates and registration links below.

Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Caregivers and Communities

• Wednesday, October 23 from 5:30-7pm. Discussion will take place via Zoom: https://bit.ly/TRAILS_10-23_training
• Thursday, November 7 from 6-7:30pm. Discussion will take place via Zoom: https://bit.ly/TRAILS_11-7_training

If you have any questions about the mental health services offered at SHMS, you can submit a referral to the Mental Health Team and a team member will be in touch with you: https://bit.ly/referralSHMS

Do you have questions about mental health and behavioral health services at Stuart-Hobson? Would you like to talk to one of the counseling staff about support services for your student? Submit a request via https://bit.ly/referralSHMS or contact SHMS Social Worker Bernadette Wittschen at bernadette.wittschen@k12.dc.gov.

The 2024 Renovators House Tour will be held on Sunday, October 20, from 12:00 to 5:00 PM. All proceeds benefit the Capitol Hill Cluster School, a public school in Washington, D.C. This event began in 2001 when three Capitol Hill mothers, looking for a way to support their children’s public school, came up with the idea of showcasing renovated homes in their historic neighborhood. Their goal was to highlight stories of transformation and change, and since its inception, more than 4,500 people have participated in the tour, raising over $200,000 for the school. These funds have supported essential initiatives, from new classroom technology to arts programs.

Each year, generous homeowners in the community open their doors, sharing their unique renovation stories. The tour never repeats the same renovation, offering fresh inspiration and ideas for those considering their own home projects. It’s also a wonderful way to spend a Sunday exploring Capitol Hill, enjoying beautifully transformed homes, and supporting a local public school’s growth.

Visit https://www.renovatorstour.org/about for more information and to purchase tickets.

**The information below is new or an updated version of something announced previously! **

You can find previously released newsletters and information here.

Email: stuart-hobsonms@k12.dc.gov
Website: www.stuart-hobson.org
Location: 410 E Street Northeast, Washington, DC, USA
Phone: 202-671-6010
Twitter: @StuartHobsonMS

Important Links

Aspen DCPS Student and Family Login

Attendance Excuse Template

Capitol Hill Cluster Website

DCPS School Calendar SY24-25

DCPS School Mental Health Resources
Stuart-Hobson Special Education and 504 Plans

Stuart-Hobson Communications Plan - SY2024-25
Stuart-Hobson Uniform Policy

Stuart-Hobson Food Service Breakfast-Lunch-Supper Menus
Stuart-Hobson Behavior Expectation Matrices
Stuart-Hobson Student and Family Handbook