SHMS Family Newsletter

Greetings Stuart-Hobson community,

While December always brings us the joy and excitement of the holidays and new year ahead it is also a hectic and busy month at school. Although they were in the lead coming into the gym, the 8th grade lost some points for poor sportsmanship so this month's Pep Assembly winners are the 6th graders. 6th graders are invited to dress down on Monday!

We had the opportunity to meet prospective families at Saturday's annual EdFest event and our current families will have the opportunity to learn about high school options at next weekend's EdFest event at Eastern High School. Additionally, we will host the community for four performances of the SHMS Drama Players' winter musical!

We hope to see everyone at school and out and about at these different events in the coming days. See below for our busy calendar and some other updates.

Let's have a great week together on purpose!

Warm regards,

Eric Fraser

Principal

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Monday

• 6th Grade Dress Down Day (Pep Assembly winners!)

Tuesday

• LSAT meeting (virtual), 6:30-8:00 PM

Wednesday

• SHMS Open House for Prospective Families (virtual), 6:00-7:30 PM
  

Thursday

• A great instructional day!

Friday

• SHMS Winter Musical - Opening Night!
  

Saturday

• EdFest (Grades 9-12), Eastern High School, 10:00-1:00 PM
• SHMS Winter Musical, 1:00 & 6:30 PM

Sunday

• SHMS Winter Musical, 3:00 PM

Upcoming Dates

• December 14, NJHS application packet deadline, 3:30 PM

• December 21, Pep Assembly!

• December 22-January 1, Winter Break, no school for students or teachers

• January 2, Professional Development Day for teachers & staff, no school for students

• January 3, Students return to school!

It was an exciting start to our winter sports season on Thursday as our basketball teams faced Johnson. Congratulations to our girls’ team for their 44-3 win! There will be a swim team interest meeting on Monday, December 4th at 4 p.m. in Room 109. Practices will start in January and the first meet will be in February. If your child has an interest in being on the Stuart-Hobson swim team, please have him/her/them meet Coach Lopez to learn more about it on Monday.

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.

1. Participation Packet

2. Universal Health Certificate (UHC). Students with certain medical conditions may also need to complete an Asthma Action Plan or an Anaphylaxis Action Plan

*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 Ms. Swann:

Boys’ Indoor Track Coach

Cheerleading

Swimming

Please see below for team specific QR codes and sites and direct any questions about athletics to our new Athletic Director, Ms. Dreka Swann, dreka.swann@k12.dc.gov

Updated calendars for DCPS are available at this link.

SY 2023-24 Calendar

All school meal menus can be found here and the middle and high school menus are here.

Thank you to the many volunteers and staff who helped prepare and staff our booth at EdFest on Saturday. Thank you Mr. Howard, Mr. Andrews, Mrs. Sanders (parent), AP Turner, Ms. Boccardi, Ms. Smith an a pair of SHMS 7th graders for your efforts to help us engage with future Panthers!

Thank you to AP Turner and the SHMS ELA-R department for organizing our Fall Family Literacy Night!

Thank you Ms. Hargrove for organizing our first AttenDANCE of the school year last week!

Thank you Mr. Harvey for helping to setup and facilitate Friday's pep assembly and congratulations to the 6th grade for winning a dress down day on Monday!

Get your tickets for the Stuart Hobson Drama Players' winter musical: The Addams Family! Come see the ghoulish characters who bring us a story of friendship through adversity.

December 8-10, 2023
Friday, Dec. 8, 6:30 PM
Saturday, Dec. 9, 1 PM & 6:30 PM
Sunday, Dec. 10, 3 PM

Buy your tickets here: tinyurl.com/sh-drama-players

About 60 Stuart Hobson students are working hard to put on this show – with lots of new 6th graders, many performers, a group of art students making the sets and props, and several students running backstage and tech. You won’t want to miss it!

Playbill ads are also for sale to support the Drama program (link to buy ads is on the ticket sales page).

While we were excited to kick-off the winter sports season last week and had our monthly pep assembly on Friday, we were also reminded of the need to work together to remind our students about the level of sportsmanship and positivity that we promote and project in our school community. On the whole, our experiences at recent sporting events and pep assemblies have been positive, however, we ask that everyone work to remind scholars of our expectations and why they are important to our reputation as individuals and a school community.

Below you will find some general expectations that we share with students at SHMS. More specifically, please remind students that the following behaviors are unacceptable at school events and during competitions with other schools, for competitors and spectators alike.

- Booing and jeering

- Taunting or antagonizing opposing players, fans, or staff/coaches

- Organizing disruptions or unsanctioned performances during scheduled events or competitions

During pep assemblies specifically, students are reminded that we all uphold the following expectations:

- Stay in your seat unless scheduled to perform or participate

- Do not cross the (base/side) line in front of assigned bleachers

- Remain in seats until prompted to leave/dismiss from the gym and walk out calmly

We remain confident that upholding these expectations will ensure that SHMS remains a place where students are known as scholar athletes and our community is one that is joyful and safe, even during intense competition. Thank you in advance for having conversations with our students about these expectations.

To maintain everyone's safety, maintain safe gym capacity, and align with other DCPS middle school's we maintain a policy that spectators under the age of 18, including SHMS students, must be accompanied by their parent/guardian. Unaccompanied students will not be allowed to attend indoor sporting events at SHMS or most other DCPS schools. Further, staff and other families cannot be responsible for supervising or escorting another student to any games/events.

Thank you all for adhering to this policy and helping us to maintain an environment that is safe and allows for an enjoyable experience for spectators and guests.

Families! Please share this information with your 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 January 12th.

Please see the linked study lists for 6th , 7th, and 8th grade spelling words to help your scholar prepare for our first round spelling bees which will occur during the week of January 16th.

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

The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education will host three town hall meetings next week to collect feedback about potential changes to the DCPS boundary and feeder patterns. Register here for the following dates:

• Tuesday, December 12, 6 – 8 p.m. at Anacostia High School

• Wednesday, December 13, 6 – 8 p.m. via Zoom

• Thursday, December 14, 12 – 2 p.m. via Zoom

The deadline for submitting the NJHS membership application has been extended. The new submission date is Thursday, December 14, 2023. It's not too late to apply, applications are available in the main office.

For more information, please see Counselor Williams tomicula.williams@k12.dc.gov

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

You can find previously released newsletters and information here.

The most current version of the Student & Family Handbook is linked on our website.

Immunizations help to keep students and school communities healthy and safe. DC law mandates that students show proof of required childhood immunizations to attend school. Beginning December 4, PK3, kindergarten, 7th, and 11th grade students who are not up to date with their vaccinations will be excluded from school. Click here to learn more.

As they explore and make sense of the world around them, we work hard to provide students safe and structured opportunities to discuss sensitive and unfamiliar topics. We use class curriculum instruction, small group conversations, and advisory lessons to provide students with opportunities to learn about boundaries, appropriate language, and how to navigate conversations about sensitive topics safely with their peers. Further, we often adjust the content or pacing of curriculum to respond to experiences students have in school or incidents that occur in our school community or current events. While we hope that this learning spills over into unsupervised time students' spend together so they can maintain one another's safety, we know that is not universally true and want to extend an opportunity for families to work with us here.

In an effort to collaborate with families to reinforce learning at home, we want to share some resources from the Anti-Defamation League's "Family Talk" series which aims to provide families with content and questions for having conversations with students at home. While the ADL site has tens of pages of content, we wanted to highlight some "Family Talk" topics that are particularly relevant for our students now.

"Race, Perception and Implicit Bias"

"What Bullying Is and Is Not"

"What Is Everyday Bias?"

"What is Heterosexism and What Can I Do About It?"

"Gender-Neutral Pronouns Make Headlines"

"Gun Violence and Mass Shootings"

We hope that you find these resources supportive of our efforts to help students navigate and process their experiences in school, maintain safe boundaries, and ensure a strong sense of belonging for everyone in our community.

Is your student preparing to transition to middle or high school? Are you looking for additional DCPS school options for the next step in their educational journey? Schools across DCPS are now hosting open houses to help families learn about all that DCPS has to offer. If you cannot make an open house, attend EdFEST in December to meet all your prospective schools at once! Click here to register.

Did you know all District residents who access healthcare services via DC Medicaid, Alliance, or the Immigrant Children’s Program must start renewing their health coverage again? Don’t miss out on important information- take time today to update your address, phone number, and email at districtdirect.dc.gov so the Department of Health Care Finance knows where to send your Medicaid renewal letter. If you need help, please call the Public Benefits Call Center at 202-727-5355.

¡Atención beneficiarios de Medicaid!

¿Sabía que todos los residentes del Distrito que acceden a los servicios de atención médica a través de DC Medicaid, Alliance o el Programa de Niños Inmigrantes (Immigrant Childrens’ Program) deben comenzar a renovar su cobertura de salud nuevamente? No se pierda información importante - tómese el tiempo hoy para actualizar su dirección, número de teléfono y correo electrónico en el sitio districtdirect.dc.gov para que el Departamento de finanzas de atención médica sepa a dónde enviar su carta de renovación de Medicaid. Si necesita ayuda, llame al Centro de llamadas de beneficios públicos al 202-727-5355.

As the holiday season quickly approaches, our OCU community partner Ms. K has put together some information regarding self-care for caregivers. Please see the flyer below and don't forget to check out Ms. K's virtual office!

We are seeking staff, student, and family volunteers to assist us during upcoming recruitment events. If you (or a student) are interested and available to assist with events and communication with prospective families during any of the events listed below, please complete this brief survey so we can keep in touch with you. Thanks!

Open House (in-person): Friday, November 3, 2:00-3:30 PM

EdFest (at Stadium Armory): Saturday, December 2, 10-2:00 PM

Open House (virtual): Wednesday, December 6, 6:00-7:30 PM

Open House (in-person): Tuesday, January 16, 6:00-7:30 PM

Open House (in-person): Tuesday, February 13, 6:00-7:30 PM

Open House (virtual): Friday, March 22, 9:00-10:30 AM

Please reach out to Principal Fraser with any questions. Thanks!

On Monday, December 18, WMATA will begin a two-week construction project on the Red Line that will make the line unavailable at Farragut North, Metro Center, and Gallery Place stations from Monday, December 18, through Saturday, December 30, with free shuttle buses replacing trains. In addition, Judiciary Square Station will be closed from Friday, December 22, through Sunday, December 24. While the Red Line is closed at these stations, service will continue to be available on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines on the lower level at Metro Center and Green and Yellow line service on the lower level at Gallery Place. Additional details are available here.

We need to hear from you!

Take the 2023 Equity & Inclusion Caregiver Survey Today

The CHCS Equity Team is seeking your input and thoughts about how equity and inclusion issues impact our school community.

Responses to this survey are anonymous. We are not collecting names or other personal identifying information. The Equity Team and school leaders will share a summary of results and use the information to develop and evaluate caregiver-led and school-based equity initiatives. As we undertake this work, it is crucial that we hear a wide variety of voices and viewpoints. For this reason, the survey will be open until November 30, 2023.

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. You can access using the QR code below and in the attached flyers. We appreciate your time and thank you in advance for your participation.

While social media and technology offer students new opportunities, they can also amplify the typical stresses of growing up. Families can help their children develop strong digital citizenship skills and stay safe online by taking the steps below.

• Make screen time social with young scholars by watching or playing together.

• Talk with your student about the difference between personal and public information.

• Together, explore the features on their devices and in their apps that can help them use technology more intentionally.

• Visit the DCPS Digital Citizenship Family Portal for more tips!

Welcome to the Stuart-Hobson Middle School Attendance Corner. My name is Ms. Hargrove, and I am the Attendance Counselor for Stuart-Hobson. At the Attendance Corner, I will provide updates that are important for parents & guardians concerning attendance matters.

Parents/Guardians, this is a friendly reminder about attendance notes. DCPS Policy states that a parent has 5 days to submit documentation for a student’s absence. You can submit handwritten, texted, or emailed documentation for a student’s absences to be excused.

Upcoming Attendance Incentives

On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Stuart-Hobson Middle School will celebrate Jeans & Jersey Day. Students can wear their favorite sports jersey & jeans. If you do not have a sports jersey, please feel free to wear your favorite SHMS T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Students are not permitted to wear tank-tops and sweatpants as substitutes for jeans and jerseys.

On Monday, November 20, 2023, SHMS will host our annual Fall Attend-Dance. In order to attend, a student must have no referrals, no tardies, and no absences from October 23,2023 until November 17, 2023. If you need further clarification on attendance matters, please contact Ms. Hargrove at 202-671-6010 or by email at Clara.Hargrove@k12.DC.Gov.

We are excited to share updates about some staffing adjustments and recent hires, all of which will improve administrative functions, operational excellence, and the instructional experience at our school. Please join me in congratulating and/or welcoming all of the following staff to a new position or the Stuart-Hobson community!

LaToya Clark, Teacher - 7th Grade ELA

Alexandra Munzing, Teacher - ELA (awaiting DCPS e-mail address)

Jar'Mel Taylor, Teacher - Health & Physical Education

Thaddeus Dukes, Behavior Tech

LaToya Eccles, Custodian

Mikia Satchell, Aide-Administrative

Dreka Swann, Assistant, Strategy and Logistics

We are still seeking a qualified School Psychologist so please spread the word if you know anyone who would be a great fit for our school community!

The flu season is upon us. As we brace ourselves for this weather, please remember to highly consider getting your students vaccinated for the flu. This should be done annually. There is also a spike in the new COVID-19 variant, and we need to actively listen to the news and monitor signs and symptoms.

Often, we misdiagnose ourselves based on how we feel but here is a simple guide to help us determine what we have based on the symptoms.

We are advising you to keep students home if they are displaying severe symptoms to avoid the spread of germs and illness in the school community.

During the fall of the 2023-24 school year, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education(OSSE), in partnership with public and public charter schools across the District of Columbia, will be administering the anonymous Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Should you wish that your child not complete the survey, please complete this online form

The YRBS is a tool designed to monitor health risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of mortality, morbidity and social problems among youth and adults in the US. The priority health[1]risk behaviors include: unintentional injuries and violence, sexual behaviors, alcohol and other drug use, tobacco use, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and inadequate physical activity. The data collection also monitors two health outcomes: obesity and oral health. Through the collection of reported data, the YRBS allows for local, national, and, at times, international attention on trends in youth sexual behavior within the United States, including critical health events and progress over time.

Information is enclosed and can be found at: www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/index.htm.The YRBS is a web-based survey for students in middle and high school, administered during one 45-minute class period. The survey is anonymous, so students’ responses will never be linked to their individual identity, and individual-level results will never be shared with the school. With this in mind, students should feel free to answer all questions to the best of their ability and with full anonymity. Due to the importance of the survey, student participation is strongly encouraged. That said, the survey is voluntary, meaning students are not penalized for non-participation; students can skip any questions they do not wish to answer; and they can stop participating at any point without penalty. Please see the fact sheet on page two for additional information about YRBS.

If your child plans to take the survey, no further action is needed. If you do NOT wish for your child to take the YRBS, please complete this online form by Sunday, October 15th. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask your child’s teachers or principal(s). You can also contact Rebecca Harnik via email at Rebecca.Harnik@dc.gov.

Sincerely,

Dr. Heidi Schumacher, MD

Assistant State Superintendent of Education

There is still space available for after school tutoring through our SYAA program. Please contact Counselor Williams directly tomicula.williams@k12.dc.gov. or use this link to register your scholar

https://tinyurl.com/SHMS-SYAA-SY23-24

In response to feedback from families requesting an easier online enrollment option, DCPS will launch a new process beginning in April 2024—and we need you! Complete the DCPS Family Online Enrollment Survey to help us most effectively launch this new online platform and ensure it works for our community. Visit enrolldcps.dc.gov to learn more about online enrollment.

Looking for ways to pay for home internet? Families may be eligible to receive discounted, high-speed internet through the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program. Eligibility is based on household income or participation in government assistance programs like SNAP or WIC. Apply at getinternet.gov.

Thank you to the students and families who joined us for the Title I Family meeting breakouts during Back to School Night. As mentioned then, if you would like to propose any revisions to our annual "School-Family-Scholar Compact" before we finalize it next month please take a few moments to review the draft and share any feedback using this form.

We will host a second Title I Family meeting later this school year to update everyone on the impact of this year's funding and plans so we can begin planning for next school year together. Thanks again for joining us on Thursday and we look forward to any feedback you might have.

Our recruitment and hiring processes are underway for the positions listed below. Please share this list of opportunities with colleagues and acquaintances who would be a great fit for our school community. In addition to applying to the DCPS pool of applicants by following the links below, interested candidates can express their interest in an opportunity by emailing our hiring team and/or Principal Fraser.

School Psychologist

Thanks everyone for spreading the word about these opportunities!

Powerful learning happens every day, but students must be in class to maximize their growth.

DCPS is committed to promoting a culture of strong attendance, and you can help! Visit attendanceworks.org for more ways to show up together so every student can thrive. The following attendance tips can help:

• Set a regular bedtime and morning routine;

• Lay out clothes and backpacks the night before;

• Create a back-up plan for commuting to school in the morning;

• Avoid scheduling appointments and trips during school hours;

• Reach out to your school for support with overcoming attendance barriers.

Reading Plus is going strong!

Parents, all students are expected to be working on their Reading Plus lessons.

Consistent usage on Reading Plus leads to gains on other tests that our on your child’s transcript.

Students should:

1. Complete at least four Reading Lessons a week

2. Earn at least an 80 on the lesson

NOTE: Reading Plus be done through logging on to CLEVER and searching for the site DREAMBOX.

Did you know all District residents who access healthcare services via DC Medicaid, Alliance, or the Immigrant Children’s Program must start renewing their health coverage again? Don’t miss out on important information- take time today to update your address, phone number, and email at districtdirect.dc.gov so the Department of Health Care Finance knows where to send your Medicaid renewal letter. If you need help, please call the Public Benefits Call Center at (202) 727-5355.

Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in NJHS activities. NJHS chapters are found in all 50 states, US Territories, and around the world. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

Five main purposes have guided chapters of NJHS from the beginning: to create enthusiasm for scholarship; to stimulate a desire to render service; to promote leadership; to encourage responsible citizenship; and to develop character in the students at secondary schools. These purposes also translate into the criteria used for membership selection in each local chapter.

Stuart-Hobson MS is proud to be a part of the NJHS and would love to have your scholar in grades 7 and 8 join us.

Candidacy Requirements:

• Attend the Interest Meeting
• Complete and submit the required Application Packet
• Meet the minimum GPA requirement of 3.75 (Term 1)
• Obtain approval from members of the Faculty Council.

SHMS NJHS SY 2023-2024 Key Dates

Interest Meeting

Thursday, November 9, 2023

3:30pm - 4:30pm

Auditorium

Pre-Registration is encouraged but not required.

https://tinyurl.com/SHMS-NJHS

Application Packet Submission Deadline:

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 by 3:30pm

No late applications will be accepted.

For more information, please contact Counselor Williams, tomicula.williams@k12.dc.gov

SHMS partners with GW University for students to receive free math tutoring 90 minutes per week​ through their Math Matters program. Programming is available to interested 6th and 7th graders!

​About Math Matters​

Based out of the Nashman Center at George Washington University, Math Matters collaborates with DCPS to provide high-impact math tutoring to middle school students in Washington, D.C.​ Math Matters recruits and trains GW undergraduate and graduate students to be effective mentors and tutors.

Tutoring Details​

- Tutors provide small group tutoring throughout the school year to groups of 3-4 students

- Students attend two days per week, 3:30-4:30pm​ (snack included)

- Tutoring curriculum is skill based, and is geared towards accelerating students towards grade level proficiency​

- Tutoring starts the week of September 18 for all students.

Sign Up

https://bit.ly/mathtutoringshms or the QR code ​below

Got questions? Reach out to Ms. Rosera at Bethany.Rosera@k12.dc.gov

Registration for after-school programming with our partner After-School All-Stars is open for the upcoming school year. We expect programming to run daily from 3:30-6:00. Spots are filled on a first-come, first served basis and ASAS is reserving 40 seats for 6th graders and 20 each for 7th and 8th grade. ASAS also manages any waitlists and requests for technical support.

Please reach out to Mr. Evroy Marrett with any questions or requests at evroy.marrett@afterschoolallstars.org

Stuart Hobson Mock Trial

Fridays 3:45-4:30
Sept. 22, 2023 - May, 2024

This is a great program for any student - introverts, extroverts, wanna-be lawyers, actors, writers, free thinkers, good-at-arguing-with-siblings, and everyone in between.

You can read about last year's final trial here.

Program Description

Over the course of the year, students will prepare to conduct a mock criminal trial, with students taking on roles as lawyers and witnesses. The program culminates in May 2024 with a full mock trial before a real judge in a real courtroom (and before an audience of family and friends).

During class, students will learn the nuts and bolts of trials and effective trial advoacy skills. We will also discuss the legal system, some current events that pertain to the law and careers in the law. The majority of class time will be spent preparing for the mock trial. Students will work in teams (the defense team or the prosecution team) to get their “case” ready for trial. Depending on their role, the students will write opening and closing arguments, as well as questions for direct and cross examinations of witnesses.

This class is taught by Kate Weisburd, a Stuart Hobson parent. She has taught this class before at Stuart, as well as for 5th graders at Ludlow Taylor. By day, Ms. Weisburd is a professor at George Washington Law School and previously worked as a trial attorney for many years. GW Law students also provide additional coaching as guest teachers.

The first class will be Friday, September 22, 2023.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to Ms. Weisburd at kweisburd@law.gwu.edu

Ready to join?

Interested students (or their guardians) should complete this form by September 8, 2023.

If there are more interested students than can be accommodated, a lottery will be used to select the final class list. Accepted students will be notified by email in mid-September.

FAQs:

Does my child have to have an interest in the law?

Absolutely not. It's great if they do, but it's equally great if they don't. This program is designed to expose students to what it's like to be a lawyer, but it's also a great chance to practice written and oral advocacy. Mock trial is also a great fit for students who like to perform and who might enjoy playing a witness.

What happens during class time?

Each class will be structured with a set lesson plan that includes lots of opportunity to practice advocacy skills. Over the course of the year, the students will work towards preparing for a final mock trial.

What is required of the students?

The most important requirement is that students attend class each week. Missing class every now and then is inevitable and fine. There will also be Fridays when class has to be canceled. But this is a full year commitment. There will also be very short and low-key homework assignments. In the spring, students will work on writing witness questions, as well as opening and closing statements.

Get involved with Debate! This year’s competitive topic is Income Inequality, and we would love to hear your voice!

We meet in Room 219 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 – 5:00.

See Mr. Plaisted (kip.plaisted@k12.dc.gov) for more information.

As the public health emergency is lifted, COVID-19 is now treated the same as any other communicable disease. We are sharing the following reminders for your reference:

1. COVID Testing: DCPS will not conduct COVID tests at school. COVID tests are not required to return to school this year.
2. COVID Contact Tracing: No contact tracing will occur.
3. Testing Positive for COVID:
1. Staff who test positive for COVID should alert their school leader and follow guidance from their health provider.
2. Students who test positive should follow up with their health provider for guidance and the family should alert the school of their absence (in accordance with normal absence reporting requirements).
4. Masks:
1. Mask wearing is optional, and schools should support individual decisions to mask for health reasons.
2. For individuals who test positive for COVID: A mask should be worn through the 10th day from a positive test or onset of COVID symptoms.
5. Notifications: No notifications (classroom, staff, or school-wide) will be sent for COVID positive cases.

Thank you to the new families who were able to join us in-person or virtually for our New Families Orientation sessions recently. If you are a new family, or just want a refresher about everything we do at Stuart-Hobson MS and key policies and procedures, please review this recording of the virtual session (please note that the orientation begins shortly after the 13 minute mark in the recording). Also, families can always find the most current resources and information about our school in this folder.

While families who attended were able to pick up their student's schedule and the summer mailing, those who were not able to join us should receive their student's schedule with the summer mailing sometime in soon.

Student schedules have been posted in Aspen and should be visible to anyone with an existing Aspen account after August 18th. Students or families without an account should soon receive an invitation to set one up by email (check your Junk folder). We will provide students with copies of their schedule during the first week of school as well.

Aspen Family Portal

Aspen Family Portal accounts should reflect the new school year on/after August 18th. Returning families should be able to access their account using their username and password from last school year. New families will receive an email from Aspen Family Portal when their family portal account is available to use.

The Portal allows you to keep up with progress in school - including grades, assignments, attendance, and more. The goal of DCPS' new digital portal is to create an open line of communication between home and school.

To Access the Portal:
1. Visit https://aspen.dcps.dc.gov
2. Make sure pop-up blocking is disabled for your browser
3. Your user name will be provided via email
4. Your temporary password will be provided via email
NOTE: Both user name and password are case sensitive
5. Click Log On to access the system. You will be prompted to fill out some information to change your password so that in the future you can click "I forgot my password" to receive a new password.

How to Navigate the Portal:
This flyer gives you the Parent Portal basics:

• What you need to know about the Parent Portal
• Lo que necesita saber sobre el Portal de Padres

We strongly recommend that families using iOS devices also download the "Grade Corner" app, which allows you to login to Aspen and monitor your student's grades and attendance in a streamlined app. The app was actually developed by an SHMS parent a few years ago.

If you have any questions about accessing Aspen or your student's grades or schedule please reach out to their counselor, Ms. Schimmerling or Ms. Williams, or grade level administrator, AP Hills - 6th, AP Taylor - 7th, or AP Turner - 8th.

Dear Families,

Happy Fall. My name is Nurse Anderson, and I am excited to be the new Nurse at Stuart-Hobson MS for SY 23-24. Periodically throughout the school year, I will be providing health updates and messages that concern our community and students.

For the month of September, our health corner focus will be Medication Distribution and Accommodations Related to Emergency Situations:

For medication distribution, it is imperative that you contact me or any designated school nurse at Stuart to drop off any medications and authorization forms for your children. See forms attached.

We cannot administer any medication without approval from your child's Physician and an authorization from you. The medication needs to have a pharmacy label and the medication must match the medication order.

While medication authorization forms are important part of your child’s health plan, we also encourage families to provide information if their child experiences Asthma, or Allergies. Please ensure that your student has an inhaler with an Asthma Action Plan at the school. The action plan can be submitted to the Main Office or myself. If the child is approved to self-administer, please remind them to always carry their inhaler. If they suffer from any allergies (food), an Epi-Pen is also needed with an Anaphylaxis Plan.

Last, the school will be conducting several emergency drills that range from fire to lockdown. We recognize that these events may trigger an emotional response. Also, some of these drills may require students to physically move from one location to another. If you think that your child/children may have any Physical disability or emotional unseen disability, please let the school/school nurse know, so that appropriate accommodations can be made for any possible evacuations, drills, etc.

The school nurse hours are Monday-Fridays 8:00 am-4:30 pm with a daily lunch. When the nurse is unavailable students may receive assistance from staff in the main office.

Nurse Anderson can be reached by calling the school or emailing her at sanders@childrensnational.org

To attend school, families are required to submit their student’s up-to-date immunization records by the first day. Vaccinations are critical for preventing illness and reducing the dangers that can come with being exposed to certain diseases. Click here for more information and forms, including the full list of required childhood immunizations. If you have not already submitted your child’s immunization records to your school, here is what you need to do now:

1. Make an appointment with your child’s doctor. DC offers resources to help find a health provider if you do not have health insurance. More resources can be found at pedsvax.dc.gov.
2. Have the doctor complete the DC Universal Health Certificate. Your health provider may also provide a different proof of immunization document or an exemption explanation.
   
3. Submit your immunization paperwork to your child’s school. You can drop it off or call the school’s main office if you have questions about how to submit your form.

OSSE and DC Health are pleased to announce recurring mobile vaccination clinics at three locations provided by KIDS’ Mobile Medical Clinic (KMMC)/Ronald McDonald Care Mobile (RMHC) (images & attachments). Students can receive their vaccinations at any of the three clinic locations, regardless of the student’s school. Students will be seen regardless of insurance status. Care comes with no direct cost to patients—families will never be billed for care.

For students to receive immunizations at a mobile clinic, parents/guardians should:

1. Be present with the student.
2. Complete registration and consent prior to arrival: forms.office.com/r/0VNUFSu4J5.
3. Fill out and bring the Screening Checklist Form (image and attachment below).
4. Make every effort to bring vaccine records or check with their school on what vaccinations the student needs.

Please direct mobile clinic questions to Kiersten Lally, Nurse Clinician for KMMC/RMHC at (202) 444-8888 or communitypediatrics20@medstar.net.

Other Vaccination Opportunities with Families

The best place for families to access required immunizations is through their medical provider. Expanded vaccination access opportunities include:

• School-Based Health Centers: Families with students ages 3 and older will be able to visit any school-based health center, regardless of where the student is enrolled, for a vaccination-only appointment.
• Pediatric Immunization Clinics: Daily vaccination opportunities conducted with community partners at sites throughout the District (See Pediatric Vaccination Opportunities Calendar, Attachment 3). Additional information on immunization requirements is available here.

All pediatric immunization clinics are free, though insured families should bring their insurance cards to their immunization appointments.

The following general school supply list will support your student in a successful start to the school year.

General School Supplies

• Headphones (microphone optional)
• Black or Blue Pens
• Pencils and Pencil Sharpener
• 2-4 Composition Books
• 2-4 Spiral Bound Notebooks
  
• Crayons, Color Markers, and Color Pencils
• Black Sharpie Marker
• Glue Sticks
• 3 ring binder(s) are recommended to help students organize for multiple classes

When planning to organize your student and their supplies, please remember that students will have 4 core classes (Math, Science, Social Studies, and ELA) and 2 electives (e.g. physical education, band, Spanish, etc.).

*Please contact school leadership or a member of the student support team for support with procuring school supplies*

Additional supplies may be required based on individual courses. These supply lists will be provided by teachers directly to their students/class.

The SHMS uniform policy is designed to maintain school pride and traditions while contributing to a safe and predictable school experience for students and families.

School uniforms or other apparel that identifies our school are required while on school property, field trips (before or after school day hours), while attending After-School All-Stars and school-approved activities after 3:30 PM, unless athletic, dance or other specific apparel is required by the coach/leader.

Uniforms include:

o Long or short-sleeved solid red polo shirt/t-shirt. SHMS logo optional. Any non-SHMS logo on uniform shirts or sweatshirts must be the size of a $1 bill (1 dollar) or smaller.

o Plain red, black, or white crewneck sweaters/sweatshirts (front zip, button up, or pullover) and vests. No hoods.

o Long sleeved, plain color, crew/V-neck shirts may be worn underneath uniform shirts.

o Khaki pants, skirts, shorts, worn at waist level. Khaki jumpers are also acceptable.

o Comfortable closed-toed shoes or sneakers covering the entire foot. Shoes and sneakers should lace-up or fit snugly. No sandals, slippers, or Crocs.

o Any clothing that identifies our school community by name or logo (e.g. Stuart-Hobson MS or the Capitol Hill Cluster School) may be worn in place of uniform components. This includes hoodies.

Dress Code

While students may wear some of the following to and from school, they are expected to avoid wearing all of the following during the school day, on trips, and in after-school activities:

• Hooded coats, shirts, and sweatshirts,

• Outerwear like jackets, fleeces, parkas, windbreakers, etc.,

• Hats and other head coverings (e.g. winter/baseball hats, ski masks, bonnets, goggles, scarves, etc.)

• Metal studs on headbands and other accessories

• Khaki-colored leggings/ tights (worn in place of Khaki pants).

• Small purses or fanny packs

Religious, medical, or other personal exemptions/exceptions to any of the above expectations should be made by parents/families and documented with the school culture and/or administrative teams prior to taking effect.

School uniforms may be purchased via Lands End, Target, Old Navy and other retailers. More information regarding our school uniform policy will be shared via our school handbook.

Uniform Non-Compliance

Students should comply with the uniform policy daily and will be recognized for compliance with LiveSchool points, eligibility for trips and other activities, and other rewards. Uniform policy violations can be documented in Live School. Some uniform deficiencies can be remedied by the support team but the loss of instructional time should be avoided when supporting students in complying with the policy. Incidents and patterns of infractions will be handled like other Tier 1 and 2 infractions.

We are excited that Stuart-Hobson Middle School is a CEP school again this year, meaning that all students will receive free school breakfast and lunch!

The DCPS Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) team is excited to invite our students back into the cafeteria for SY23-24! Help us ensure that students are ready for the first day of meal service. Please see the SY 23-24 Meal Charge Policy, and dietary accommodations process for this school year.

This school year, DCPS is partnering with Children’s National Hospital to support our students’ health and attendance through the Collaborative for Attendance Resources in Education and Health (CARE-H); CARE-H is now available in all DCPS schools. Through this program, parents or guardians can give permission to DCPS to securely share attendance information with their child’s doctor(s), nurse(s) and medical office staff. This information will help these healthcare professionals to provide special outreach and medical attention to children that might be missing school and their families.

With a goal of decreasing barriers to school success by providing students, school staff, and families with tools that promote academic and psychosocial growth and progress, DCPS has launched a new website dedicated to student mental health. For mental health resources including a provider directory, events calendar, and articles on mental health, special education, and parenting strategies, visit dcpsmentalhealth.org.

We encourage everyone to use the referral QR codes above to connect students with our school mental health team at any time throughout the year. Also, attached to the newsletter is a document outlining DCPS' approach to school mental health programs and support. If you have any questions please reach out to a school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or administrator.

Our social worker from partner One Common Unity, Ms. Kiersten Morris, has created a virtual office link for students and families. The virtual office includes information and resources for parents and students.

It can be accessed at: bit.ly/MsK

Thanks for checking it out!

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