Tiger Weekly Update #18
Friday, January 10th, 2025
That’s a wrap! Spelling Bee season at HMS has officially come to an end with Logan Power as our school champion. This year’s bee was an exciting one, lasting 21 rounds. We had 25 spellers competing and they all did an outstanding job. Now Logan is bound for the Hudson County Spelling Bee on February 8th. Best of luck Logan! A special thank you to the HMS ELA teachers, Ms, Falcone, Dr. B and of course all of our spellers!
Academic Team
GSA
The HMS GSA kicked off the new year by creating lists of “More and Less” in our journals. Club members talked about, wrote about, and illustrated what they would like to do more of and less of in the new year. Then, students began brainstorming ideas for a Black History Month bulletin that we will put together for our first February meeting. At our next meeting, students will write short biographies about significant activists in the civil rights movement who will be featured on the bulletin.
Grade 6
This week in advisory, students explored the relationship between freedom and responsibility, discussing how having more freedom often requires greater responsibility. They then reflected on different habits of character, identifying areas where they excel and areas they’d like to improve. For example, some students shared that they are great at collaborating with others but want to work on taking more initiative. To wrap up, students created presentations on their reflections of their own habits of character and presented it to the class.
Grade 7
This month, seventh graders are focusing on the theme, "Tiger Responsibility" in their Tiger Advisory Dens. On Wednesday, students discussed some effective learning habits that contribute to responsibility. Then, students took some time to write down their Marking Period 2 grades in their journals, including teacher comments. Students reflected on their grades and created specific goals for themselves in the new year. At our next advisory meeting, seventh graders will take a close look at the HMS Code of Conduct, considering how responsible learning habits are reflected in our school guidelines.
Language Arts
This week, seventh graders read a biographical essay about Olympic gymnast, Simone Biles, titled, “No Dream Too High.” Students reviewed and practiced identifying central ideas in the text by annotating and writing one sentence summaries for each subsection. In a close reading, students considered the sacrifices Biles made to be a professional athlete and debated whether or not these sacrifices are worth the success and fame. Next week, seventh graders will focus on our core novel, Tangerine, by participating in a mock trial.
Language Arts
8th Grade ELA students continued reading The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. The focus of our discussions related to the power of knowledge and foreshadowing as Douglass learned to read and write in his story. Additionally, students worked to define vocabulary within the book to better comprehend the language. Later in the week, we read “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes and compared it to Tupac’s “Dear Mama” as both explore a mother’s attitude toward her son. In ILP, we defined and differentiated between the three types of irony: verbal, dramatic, and situational.
Pre-Algebra
This week in Pre-Algebra students continued their studies with linear equations. We learned how to write a linear equation given two points. Students learned how to describe the behavior of functions using distance and time. We used the models of trains and cars to describe when graphs are increasing and decreasing. Next we will put both of these topics together and learn how to graph functions given a description. Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!
Science
This week in 8th Grade Science we performed several experiments related to refraction of light through the following lenses: Single concave, square and a prism. We also discussed the nature of light and how it travels through various transparent mediums ( solid, liquid, gas and a vacuum. ) We covered the fact that the speed of light changes as it travels from one medium to another. On Friday we touched on Information Technology and that traditionally, the term didn’t only pertain to computers. Information technology originally meant any technology that was used to carry information. If a medium and a standard of symbols are agreed upon, any two parties can create a method and mode of communication. For example: Braille. We ended the week by having the students write their name in the dotted pattern of the braille alphabet.
Pre-AP Dance
During AP Dance classes, 6th grade students have been working on representing the characters of the story "Snow" using abstract movements. The 7th grade students are learning about the history and culture of Hip-Hop and they're creating their own Hip-Hop dance routine. Lastly, 8th grade students are learning folk dances such as Polka dance.
Furthermore, the students from mindfulness and movement class are continue working on underhand and overhand throwing.
SCHOOL LUNCH AND BREAKFAST PROGRAM
If you are not interested in applying for free or reduced lunch, we kindly ask that you submit a hardcopy of the free/reduced lunch application by filling out your child’s name on Step 1 and note anywhere on the application that you are not interested in applying for free/reduced lunch.
What is for Lunch?
We offer hot school lunch daily in our cafeteria through Chartwells, our district’s food provider. You do not need to order lunch in advance, however, you can preview the daily lunch menu using the following link and then clicking on Hoboken Middle School. Each day, we offer a vegetarian option. Lunch is $3.85 per day per child, however it is at no cost for all students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. https://hoboken.nutrislice.com/menus-eula
How can I pay for Lunch?
Please ensure that you made a My Meal Time. Use the link below for the instructions that will walk you through the process of making an account.
Is there School Breakfast Available?
Morning Breakfast is from 7:30-8:10 am in the cafeteria. Breakfast is $2.60 per child per day, unless your child qualifies for reduced or free breakfast/lunch, in which both breakfast and lunch will be at no cost for you. All children who would like breakfast should enter through the 4th Street Entrance. There will be staff at the door to greet you and your child. Additional staff members will escort your child to the cafeteria. There will be additional staff members supervising morning breakfast in the cafeteria. At 8:10 am, students will be escorted by our staff members to their designated homeroom location. In order to receive morning breakfast, please ensure that you have filled out the online lunch application when it is available as well as created an account.
Parents/Guardians/Caregivers:
Here is the link for parents to sign up for Oncourse Connect:
https://hoboken.oncourseconnect.com/login
I am also including the link that has FAQ's and videos to assist parents logging in:
https://www.hoboken.k12.nj.us/log-_in_options/on_course_connect_parent__student_login_portal
HMS Locker Schedule
Students are not permitted to utilize lockers between class periods. Backpacks, coats, cell phones, and sporting gear must remain in student lockers from 8:15am - 3:00pm.
Locker Schedule (6th)
8:15 arrival
11:18 Before 5th Period Lunch
12:03 After Period 5th Period Lunch
3:00 Dismissal
Locker Schedule (7th)
8:15 arrival
12:03 Before 6th Period Lunch
12:48 After Period 6th Period Lunch
3:00 Dismissal
Locker Schedule (8th)
8:15 arrival
12:51 Before 7th Period Lunch
1:33 After Period 7th Period Lunch
3:00 Dismissal
Most children today have a cellphone on hand and use it extensively to do homework, communicate with friends, and view social media platforms. It is almost unimaginable to think of a modern-day child who doesn’t take full advantage. These rapid advancements in technology have been proven to be a recent challenge. Below are two suggested cellphone monitoring services that include activity monitoring, location services, filtering, and screen time management. Though not offered through Hoboken Public Schools, these resources may be helpful in managing cell phone usage. Click on each link below below to be taken directly to the resource website.
Qustodio: The All-In-One Parental Control and Digital Wellbeing Solution