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Eagle Eye
HVMS E-Newsletter
HVMS Update - 4/22/2024
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
"A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."
- Henry Adams
This past week, the Roanoke County Public Schools Education Foundation hosted its annual Golden Apple Awards Ceremony.
"The Education Foundation Golden Apple Teacher of the Year program was created to recognize and honor teachers who have made an impact on their students, either academically or personally. Each year, teachers from across Roanoke County Public Schools are nominated by students, parents, co-workers and administrators to receive the Golden Apple Teacher of the Year Award, the highest award presented to a teacher by the Education Foundation. In addition, one teacher from the elementary, middle and high school levels will be presented the Red Apple Award; and one teacher who has taught less than 3 years will receive the Green Apple Award."
I am incredibly proud to announce that our own Mr. Parries, 7th grade English teacher, was among the finalists out of more than 120 teachers who were nominated for this award. Congratulations to Mr. Parries on this achievement! The impact Mr. Parries makes each day certainly will continue to influence his students for the rest of their lives.
Principal
Second Assistant Principal - 2024-2025 School Year
We are excited to announce that Mr. Coleman, current science teacher at HVMS, will be our second assistant principal for the 2024-2025 school year! Mr. Coleman has been an integral member of the HVMS team for many years, and we are excited to see him take on this administrative role.
Opportunity Ready
Mae Kochenderfer demonstrated her Opportunity Ready skills on Saturday, April 6. She volunteered six hours of her time at the Lishy’s Gift gala that evening helping with their auction. This nonprofit organization serves young adult cancer patients in the Roanoke Valley.
We strive to help students become Opportunity Ready by developing skills in communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and citizenship.
If you have any photos of your students applying their Opportunity Ready skills in an activity outside of school, please email them to me (cbenson@rcps.us) to be included in a future newsletter!
SCHOOL INFORMATION
SOL Testing Dates
- April 30: Reading 6-8 SOL
- May 2: Math 6-8 SOL, Algebra, and Geometry
- May 7: Science 8 SOL
- May 9: Civics 8 SOL
- May 10: IRW (8th grade writing SOL)
- Some students will test on alternate days, and you will be contacted with those dates by the end of April if that is the case for your student.
Students should be well rested before their SOL test and eat a good breakfast. Please have students bring a charged laptop and charger with them to school. Students should not have stickers, sticky notes, or writing on their laptops. If you have trouble with the removal, please have your students visit the Laptop Depot at school for help.
We encourage good attendance on scheduled test days. Make-up testing causes students to miss some of their last few classes. We want them to be able to wrap up grades and enjoy end-of-year class activities and projects instead of doing make-up tests!
8th Grade Dance - Friday, May 10
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!
INSTRUCTION
Trout in the Classroom
The Trout in the Classroom Club was able to release 114 native brook trout back into the wild on their field trip earlier this month. Thank you to our students for taking the time to raise and release these trout, and thank you to Mrs. O'Brien, Mr. Coleman, and Mrs. Davis for sponsoring this club!
Solar Eclipse
Despite the overcast conditions, Mrs. O'Brien's science class was able to get outside to catch the beginning of the event earlier this month.
HVMS Spring Band Concert - April 23
BCAT Performance - April 25, 26 & 27
"If you could live forever, would you?"
Burton Center for Performing Arts presents: Tuck Everlasting
Performances will be held at Cave Spring High School on the following dates:
April 25th at 7:00 p.m.
April 26th at 7:00 p.m.
April 27th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are free for Roanoke County School employees who present their Roanoke County ID badge at the door. All other tickets are also available at the door and are cash only: $5 for students and $10 for adults.
Tuck Everlasting is a musical based off of the novel of the same title written by Natalie Babbitt. The show follows the story of a young girl named Winnie Foster, who encounters a boy named Jesse Tuck and learns the secrets of his family - a family that has managed to become immortal by accidentally drinking from a magical spring - a situation which leaves Winnie with an extremely important decision to make about her own life.
Filled with lots of unique and interesting characters and set to beautiful music and lyrics by Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen and a book written by Claudia Shear and Tim Federle, this is a story that you don't want to miss!
HVMS Spring Choir Concert - May 1
Academic and Career Plans (ACPs) - Current 8th Graders
Parents/Guardians of current 8th Grade Students: Soon, you will be receiving an email from MajorClarity giving you access to your child’s Academic and Career Plan (ACP). The ACP is a tentative plan of high school courses and student career interests. This plan does not serve as registration for the 2024-2025 school year. Rather, MajorClarity is a program designed to allow students an opportunity to explore career pathways and link pathways to courses and future career options.
After reviewing the ACP, please sign electronically and submit. If you receive the email from MajorClarity in error, please disregard. If you do not receive the email from MajorClarity, please contact your child’s counselor.
RCPS Online Academy Summer Courses (rising 9th grade students)
The Roanoke County Public Schools Online Academy is offering a small number of high school classes to rising 9th grade students this summer. Students must meet the prerequisite requirement for the course they're interested in taking. Students may take up to two classes this summer.
Courses begin June 3rd and run through July 12th. All courses require a face-to-face final assessment or an End-Of-Course SOL test. The assessments dates are currently set for July 10th, 11th and 12th.
There is a $400 fee for each course and payment must be made prior to registering your child for the course(s). Payments should be submitted to the HVMS bookkeeper (Mrs. Hinchee), and the course names should be listed in the memo line of the check. Once payment has been received, your child's school counselor will enroll them in the course. Refunds are not available after the course has begun. Additionally, if your child would like to repeat their current world language class, they may repeat it online with the requirement of some synchronous online instruction at no cost.
Students registering for these classes will be allowed to keep their school-issued laptop for the duration of the class.
Please contact your child's school counselor for more information!
Thank you,
Melinda Farley
(Students with last names A - K)
Maggie Long
(Students with last names L - Z)
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.
Attendance Matters!
HVMS PTSO
Faculty/Staff Lunch
Thank you to our PTSO for providing lunch for all staff members last week on the early dismissal day!
Appreciation Goodies
The PTSO will be putting together bags full of goodies for the teachers/staff at the end of the month. Please consider contributing by signing up below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0444A8A828A0FA7-48950902-hvms#/
All items should be dropped off at HVMS by Monday, April 29.
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
VHSL Sports Physicals
All students interested in participating in HVMS athletic open gyms, practices, or tryouts must have a valid VHSL physical on file with the HVMS athletic director. VHSL physicals dated after May 1, 2023 are valid through June 30, 2024. Starting July 1, 2024, all athletes must have a VHSL physical dated after May 1, 2024 to continue participating in HVMS athletics. 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.
Cheerleading
Hidden Valley Middle School open gym and tryout dates are scheduled! Athletes interested in attending an open gym or trying out for the 2024 HVMS Cheerleading team must have a valid VHSL physical on file with the HVMS athletic director.
Football
Hidden Valley Middle School will host several open fields in May. Athletes interested in participating in football during the 2024 season should attend! For questions, please contact Coach Phelps at dphelps@rcps.us.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 22 - 26
Tuesday, April 23: Band Concert (at HVHS - 7:00 p.m.)
Looking Ahead
Tuesday, April 30: Reading 6-8 SOL
Wednesday, May 1: Choir Concert (at HVHS - 7:00 p.m.)
Thursday, May 2: Math 6-8 SOL, Algebra, and Geometry SOLs
Tuesday, May 7: Science 8 SOL
Thursday, May 9: Civics 8 SOL
Friday, May 10:
- IRW (8th grade writing SOL)
- 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/