SMS E-NEWS
October 18, 2024
CALENDAR REMINDERS
October 22nd: Make-up Picture Day
October 28th - November 1st: Red Ribbon Week
October 29th: Band Concert
November 1st: SMS Community Fest
November 8th: Veterans Day Program
November 11th: Veterans Day (School and Offices Closed)
Don't Forget
PE NEWS
Beginning Monday October 7, 2024, all 7th and 8th grade students will be expected to dress out in the Simmons issued PE apparel. The uniform set is $17 and consists of an orange Simmons shirt and black gym shorts. Students who already have last year's uniform, as well as those who have purchased the uniform this year, do not need to buy another set.
If you have not purchased the set, it is not too late to purchase it. You may turn money into the bookkeeper in the front office. Please reference the syllabus that was posted in August about classroom expectations and participation. This syllabus was also discussed in class with students. We appreciate your support and cooperation as we strive to make this a fantastic year in PE at Simmons Middle School.
GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION
ATTENDANCE
Parents must write or submit a doctor's note, take a picture of it, and attach it to an email. The note must include your students legal first/last name and dates of absence to be excused.
Email all excuses to Simmons Attendance Office (smsattendance@hoover.k12.al.us).
Remember to submit an 2024-2025 Anticipated Absence Form
for planned vacations that occur during scheduled school days.
Students have 3 days after returning to school from an absence to bring/email an excuse. Email is preferred.
Parents are only allowed to write 9 notes for the school year.
Once a student reaches 5 unexcused absences, he/she will be placed on the district watch list. Please refer to the HCS attendance policy.
The following are excusable reasons ONLY:
illness
death in the immediate family
inclement weather
legal quarantine
emergency conditions as determined by the Principal/Designee or Superintendent/Designee
ANTICIPATED ABSENCE FORMS - If it is necessary for your student to be gone from school they must complete an 2024-2025 Anticipated Absence Form
and turn it in within 3 days of the absence. There is a section on the form to be completed and signed by the parent, then the student fills in his schedule and obtains the signatures of his teachers, and submits it to the grade level administrator for final approval. Approval is based on the student's grade averages and current attendance record. Please note: if the student only plans to be gone for part of a day, he or she needs to enter the time of checkout, and get the signatures of only the teachers whose classes they will miss. Please be aware that failure to complete this form and turn it in will result in loss of credit for work missed and made up.
NO DELIVERIES - Please make sure your student has all items needed for the school day and any after-school activities before leaving home. The Front Desk cannot accept deliveries for students.
CELL PHONE POLICY - Take a moment to look over our Cell Phone Policy as it has changed a little for this school year.
NO OUTSIDE FOOD ALLOWED ON CAMPUS - As a reminder, students are not allowed to bring food into school from restaurants. Thank you for your cooperation with this matter.
PARENT SQUARE -
Parent Square (PSQ) automatically translates the text for parents. The text language can be changed at any time by following these steps: Web Browser Directions: Log in to Parent Square. Click on your name in the top right corner. Click on "Language Settings" from the menu on the left side panel. Choose your language from the drop-down menu. Click "Save".
App Directions: Log in to the Parent Square (PSQ) App. Click the 3 lines icon in the top left corner. Click "Account" Click "Preferences"
Click "Language"
Click your preferred language
DIGITALLY SPEAKING -
FROM THE NURSE
Health Room News
Happy October...
Two (2) very important school health events are coming up this month...
1. On October 22nd the school nurse will be performing scoliosis screenings during the PE periods. Consent forms were sent home this week and are due back by Tuesday, October 15th. There is the option to consent or refuse this screening. Please see the form that was sent home for information about this important screening.
2. On October 29th, we will have our annual flu shot event for students at Simmons Middle School. Consent forms will be sent home next Tuesday. An electronic copy is attached below. The flu shot clinic is optional and students will only receive a flu shot if we have a completed and signed form turned in by the student.
HNH Flu Form English/Spanish.pdf
- All medications must be brought into the health room by an adult. If you would like your child to have Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or other over the counter medication, please bring it in in a new, unopened bottle/package. Over the counter medications do NOT require a physician signature. Prescription medications (ex: inhalers, Epi Pens), must have a medication form filled out with a doctor AND parent signature.
- If your student is sick (fever >100.0), please keep them home until they are fever free without the aid of a fever reducing medication for > 24 hours. Please let Nurse Epperson know if your child tests positive for flu, COVID, or Strep.
- Please email (nepperson@hoover.k12.al.us) or send a message through ParentSquare if you have any questions or concerns for the nurse.
-Nurse Epperson
PTO NEWS
- Date & Time: Any day between October 21-November 1, 2024 – in the comfort of your own home.
- Event Overview: Skip the hassle of getting dressed up and hiring a babysitter. Instead, spend quality time with your family at home, whether it’s playing games, watching a movie, or simply enjoying each other's company. In exchange, make a donation to the Foundation that reflects what you would have spent on a night out.
- The Impact: Every donation supports our teacher grant program, which funds innovative classroom projects and enrichment activities that go beyond the standard curriculum. By contributing, you’re investing in the future of our students and schools. We are setting our goal at $15,000!
What Your Gifts Can Do:
- $50 can send one fifth grade student to The Hovercraft Project
- $100 can sponsor two students for GEMS (Girls Engaged in Math and Science)
- $250 can be used for STEM experiments
- $500 funds 25% of a classroom grant
Counselor's Corner
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Students who complete 60 hours of verified community service will be recognized during Awards Day in May. Community service should be documented on an orange community service card. Community service cards are due to the grade level counselor by Wednesday, April 16th. Cards can be found in each grade level office or each Counselor's office.
From Officer Lopez
We believe it is important for children to develop good habits at an early age and to learn that school is important. Parents, please help us by having your child here on time. Every minute counts! This is a reminder that students not in their seats by 8:30 a.m will be counted tardy. Our academic schedule begins at 8:30 a.m., and therefore, we need all students and staff members ready to go at 8:30 a.m. The first bell rings at 08:25 a.m.. If your child arrives by carpool, they will need to be dropped off in the morning carpool area by 08:25 a.m.. Morning Carpool starts at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 8:25 a.m.. The morning carpool drop off doors will be closed at 8:25 a.m. and students arriving after that will need to be dropped off at the front of the school. If your student arrives after 8:30 a.m., they will need to be checked in at the front desk. Parents will not need to get down to check in their student(s). Students can stop by the front office to check in and get a tardy pass to class. Also, please be sure to only drop students off at the designated area. The only two approved locations are at the carpool lane (7:45-8:20) and the front of the school (after 8:25). For safety reasons, please do not drop off students by the road. Thank you for your support.
Simmons Spiritwear Sale!!
If you missed out on purchasing a tshirt at registration, we have extras for you! Please go to MySchoolFees - Cheer to purchase. All tshirts are $15! Your tshirt(s) will be delivered to your student's homebase teacher by the following day!
ATHLETICS
CROSS COUNTRY
Attention Hoover High, Bumpus Middle, and Simmons Middle students! We’re excited to announce that for just $85, you can purchase an athletic pass that gives you access to EVERY HOME SPORTING EVENT for the 2024-2025 school year! Whether you’re cheering for the Hoover Buccaneers or supporting the teams at Bumpus and Simmons, this pass is your ticket to all the action. Stay tuned for more details coming next week, and get ready to make the most of the school year with unlimited sports fun #SailsUp
HHS COLOR GUARD
The HHS Color Guard will be holding auditions for our Winter Competition Season the week of November 4th. We now have a 3rd group that is designed for 7th, 8th and beginner High School students as well as our JV and Varsity teams. No prior experience needed...just a willingness to learn and work hard as well as desire to perform! We will be having a MANDATORY PARENT MEETING on Tuesday, October 22nd at 6:30pm in the HHS Theatre (not PAC). Please see THIS VIDEO or THIS FLYER for more information about the program and auditions
HHS SOCCER
Interested in playing soccer? Click here to express your interest.
Go BUCS!
HCS TRANSPORTATION
Use this link http://edulog.hoover.k12.al.us/liveweb/webquery/ to check bus numbers and routes for the 2023-24 school year.
Substitute Teacher Applications
Substitute Teacher Information
If you are interested in applying as a substitute teacher for Hoover City Schools, complete the Alabama Department of Education’s Applicant Tracking Enterprise website and apply for the Substitute Teacher job posting. Substitute applications will be reviewed periodically based on need. If you would like to see all open positions at HCS, please click here. If you successfully complete your application, apply for the substitute teacher job posting, and are selected, you will be contacted by an HR representative and instructed to complete an HCS Substitute Employment Packet. The following are minimal requirements throughout the application process:
- Alabama State Department of Education online application with three current references
- Valid Alabama professional educator certificate or substitute teacher license
- Copy of driver's license and social security card
- A minimum of two years of college coursework
- ABI/FBI background clearance through Fieldprint (HR will provide additional instructions on how to complete this task)
- Substitute Teacher Orientation to review the HCS Substitute Teacher Handbook and Frontline Absence Management
- Substitute teachers are expected to work a minimum of 6 days per semester; three out of the 6 workdays should be Fridays
If you do not have a current Alabama teaching certificate or substitute license, you will be required to apply for a substitute license. HCS representatives will help you through this process, which typically takes two to four weeks. The initial cost to become a substitute teacher is approximately $85.00 (these costs are for the Alabama Substitute license and the Background clearance).
If you wish to check the status of your substitute license, go to the ALSDE Public Portal site.
The current substitute teacher pay rate is $120/day- A background check with a valid Substitute Teacher's License or an Alabama Professional Educator Certificate is required.
The current pay rate for an Instructional Support Aide (Exceptional Education Aide)/Secretary/Office Aide is $100/day- A background check with a valid Substitute Teacher's License or an Alabama Professional Educator Certificate is required.
If you have any questions regarding substitute teaching with HCS, please call 205-439-1000 and ask for the HR representative who manages substitute teachers.
SUBSTITUTE NURSE INFORMATION
Applicants interested in applying for a substitute nurse position should email the HCS District Nurse Julie Kent.
Minimal requirements include the following:
- Current Alabama Nursing License
- Copy of driver’s license and social security card
- College transcripts
- Background clearance through Fieldprint
- Alabama State Department of Education online application
- Current CPR certification
- Minimum of two years clinical experience; pediatrics preferred
Current Nurse Sub Pay Rate:
LPN - $120 a day
RN - $200 a day
AM/PM Bus Run - $60 per run
TRANSPORTATION SUBSTITUTE INFORMATION
If you are interested in becoming a substitute bus driver or bus aide, please contact the HCS Transportation department at 205-439-1120.
Substitute Bus Driver Pay Rate: $90 per day
Substitute Bus Aides: $60 per day
Equal Educational Opportunities
(Board policy, 6.6) No student will be unlawfully excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the Board on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, disability, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, immigrant or migrant status, non-English speaking ability, or homeless status. All career and technical education opportunities are offered to all students regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. The district also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
Mrs. Claire Jones-Moore, IDEA Coordinator
Mrs. Terri Coleman, 504 Coordinator
Mrs. Natasha Flowers, Title I Coordinator
Mrs. Natasha Flowers, Title II Coordinator
Mrs. Natasha Flowers, Title III Coordinator
Hoover City Schools
2810 Metropolitan Way
Hoover, AL 35243
(205) 439-1000
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
(Board policy, 5.14.1) The Board is an equal opportunity employer. Personnel actions and decisions will be made without regard to factors or considerations prohibited by federal or state law (as such laws may from time to time be amended), including but not limited to race, gender, gender identity, age, disability, national origin, citizenship, religious preference, pregnancy, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, sexual orientation, or other non-merit based factors. Subject to the limitations set forth in 4.6.2, the general complaint (grievance) policy (4.6.1) may be used to present any complaint alleging unlawful discrimination or harassment. Inquiries regarding compliance and complaint procedures can be directed to:
Mrs. Kristi Williams, Equal Opportunity Employment Coordinator
Hoover City Schools
2810 Metropolitan Way
Hoover, AL 35243
(205) 439-1000