Middle School Newsletter

Join us for the

10th ANNUAL HOMECOMING CARNIVAL

WHEN: SEPT. 13, 2024

WHERE: MIDDLE SCHOOL FRONT YARD

TIME: 3:00pm – 6:00pm

Tickets available at all school offices

Tickets - 4 for $1.00

Inflatables, dunk tank, Back Load slide, Midway games,

Snow cones, cotton candy, PONY RIDES, ice cream truck, hot dog dinner and a food truck.

Monday 9th- Pajama Day

Tuesday 10th- Jersey Day

Wednesday 11th- USA/Olympic Day

Thursday 12th- Western Day

Friday 13th- White Out Day

Stop in to the Middle School Office to purchase a Harper Creek blanket. All proceeds go to student activities and staff morale.

Larger: $40.00 (60 X 70)

Small: $30.00 (50 X 60)

Cash or Check Only

Full Day Hours: 7:40-2:40

Early Release Hours: 7:40-1:30

Half Day Hours: 7:40-10:44

Attendance Line to report an absence: 269-441-4749

Picking up your student early? Call when your on your way and we can have them ready for you!

Late Arrivals/Tardies

• Late arrivals to school will still be considered tardy.
• Students arriving 9 minutes late to school or any hour will be marked absent from that hour.
• Students who leave with more then 9 minutes remaining will be marked absent from that hour.

It is important to have your student to school on time!

Whether it’s the excitement of starting a new grade or the anxiety of returning to a structured routine, this time of year can bring a mix of emotions. School attendance is extremely important. Research is clear that students who miss less than 10 days in a school year are more academically prepared and socially/emotionally developed. To help make the back to school transition as smooth as possible, we’ve compiled some tips and strategies to support everyone involved.

1. Establish a routine: Creating a consistent routine can ease the transition, reduce anxiety and improve focus.

2. Organize your space: A well-organized space helps create a productive environment.

3. Promote Healthy Habits: Balanced meals, regular exercise and sufficient sleep contribute to overall well-being and academic success.

4. Stay involved: Attend school events, monitor PowerSchool and offer encouragement. You can always reach out to your students' teachers through Blooms or email.

5. Reach out for support: If you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, don’t hesitate to reach out for support.

5th-8th Grade Counselor- Mrs. Schultz

5th/6th Grade Student Support- Mrs. Critchlow

7th/8th Grade Student Support- Mrs. Carr

If your student is in need of support please use the link above to sign up and the appropriate staff member will be in contact with your student.

When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once, that's

RUDE.

When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once, that's

MEAN.

When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they keep doing it, even when you tell them to stop or show them that you're upset, that's

BULLYING.

Bullying is intentionally aggressive behavior, repeats over time that involves an imbalance or power.

KEY ELEMENTS:

• Intent to harm
• A power imbalance
• Repeated acts of threats of aggressive behavior

Types of Bullying:

• Physical
• Verbal
• Relational
• Cyberbullying

The year has started off great. The kids have already completed their first project and are now learning about the 7 elements of art.

We started the year by creating art using our names. The students folded a square piece of paper into 8 similar iscosceles right triangles. They wrote their name on one of the triangles and then reflected their name into the remaining spaces (look at that... a little math in art). After reflecting their names into each of the spaces, the kids colored their design and gave their project a title.

I am so proud of of the students. They took their time and put in some really good effort creating beautiful pieces of art. The next time you are in the building, please take a moment to look at the art that will be proudly displayed in the building.

STARBASE is beginning for most 5th grade teams in September. Information about this wonderful opportunity has already been sent home. Dates for each team are listed below. Please make sure that the parent packet has been turned into your child's homeroom teacher!

Mr. Decker/Mrs. Dell: September 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, and October 7th

Mrs. Bartlett/Mrs. Chantrenne: September 12th, 19th, 26th, October 3rd, and 10th

Mrs. Andersen/Ms. Bryant: September 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th, and October 4th

Mrs. Davis/Ms. Koch: February dates to be determined

Our 6th graders will be attending Battle Creek Outdoor Education, Center Clear Lake Camp.

Students on a team with Mrs. Eddy, Mr. Crackel, Mrs. Herney and Mrs. Stanton will be attending camp on September 23rd-25th.

Students on a team with Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Crackel, Mrs. Gilbert, and Ms. Baldwin will be attending camp November 11th-13th.

Candy fundraiser ends September 16th and all money is due back to Mrs. Eddy on September 18th.

Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center

• Science is working on creating scientific models and understanding what details to include.
• ELA is building reading stamina and digging into Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Get ready for Greek gods and goddesses!
• Social Studies has spent time working through Civil Discourse and the 5 Map Elements.
• Math is working their way through ratios. Talk with your students about the storyline they are building.

The 7th grade is off to a great start for the 24-25 school year! We appreciate and thank you for your continual support in sending your students to school each and every day prepared to learn.

We are excited to announce that 7th grade students will have an opportunity to attend a field trip in mid-October to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. Students will be extending their learning outside the classroom at two exhibits - a Planetarium show “Stars of the Pharaohs,” and a permanent exhibit, “Mystery of the Mummy.”

HCMS Staff will be accompanying students on the entirety of the field trip and the students will return to the school in time for lunch. Additional specific details about this enriching experience will be sent home with students the week of September 16th.