SHMS Family Newsletter

Greetings SHMS Community!

We will sprint to the finish of the first term while having fun during Fall Spirit Week which kicks off tomorrow with Pajama Day ! Each day students have a chance to show their school pride and have fun by dressing up (see the flyer below for details about each day's theme). While participation is optional, it is also encouraged to help students strengthen their sense of community and belonging.

In addition to having fun during Sprit Week, students and teachers will be working hard to finish up assignments, projects, and assessments at the end of the term. Friday is the last instructional day of the term and Monday, November 4th is the official end of the term and deadline to submit any late, missing, or revised work to teachers in order to be included in students' marks for the quarter. Everyone can reference the DCPS Secondary Grading Policy (key changes for this school year shared again below) for clarity about expectations and rules for students and teachers. Families should work with teachers, counselors, and grade-level administrators to address any questions about outstanding work or grades so all students finish strong and with high marks.

In addition to the term transition that is about to get underway, our Fall athletics seasons are starting to wrap up while Winter sports get underway. Best of luck to our Girls Volleyball Team in their semifinal match against Hardy at on Monday afternoon! The game will be hosted by Deal Middle School and starts at 5:30 p.m. The team has been unstoppable, easily winning their first playoff game against Kramer. Please join me in celebrating our team and wishing them well in tomorrow's match!

Remember, you can always contact the front office at 202-671-6010 or email me directly at eric.fraser@k12.dc.gov for any other questions or needs.

Warm regards,

Eric Fraser

Principal

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Weekly Calendar

Monday, 10/28 - Day 1 of Spirit Week!

• Spirit Week - Pajama Party - Stay comfy and wear your PJs t o school!
• Girls Volleyball Game Semifinals against Hardy at Deal Middle School, 5:30 p.m. Go Panthers!

Tuesday, 10/29 - Day 2 of Spirit Week!

• Spirit Week - Nerds vs Athletes - Wear your favorite jersey or dress in your best nerdy attire.
• Girls Soccer Game vs. Hardy @ Stuart-Hobson 4 p.m.
• Boys Soccer Game vs. Hardy @ Stuart-Hobson 5 p.m.

Wednesday, 10/30 - Day 3 of Spirit Week!

• Spirit Week - Dress Like Your Teachers - Teachers dress like students and students dress like teachers.

Thursday, 10/31 - Day 4 of Spirit Week!

• Costume Contest - Prizes for the best costume!

Friday, 11/1 - Day 5 of Spirit Week!

• Spirit Week - Twin Day and Picture Day!

Upcoming Dates

• November 4, End of Term 1 Records-Keeping and Professional Development Day, no school for students
  
• November 5, Election Day, no school for students or teachers
• November 7, 8th Grade Family Night 6-7 p.m. (virtual)
• November 7 - 11 Double Good Fundraiser
• November 14, Fall Family Literary Night 6 - 7:30 p.m.
• November 11, Veterans Day observed, schools closed
• November 27 - 29, Thanksgiving Break, schools closed

To maintain a safe and focused learning environment, students are not allowed to bring Halloween candy to school. Any candy found during weapons abatement will be confiscated. We ask students to cooperate fully with staff to prevent unnecessary delays or disruptions.

This policy aims to minimize distractions and keep our classrooms focused on learning. Aligned with the Federal Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, we are committed to promoting healthy eating habits and reducing access to high-sugar foods on campus. This policy also helps maintain a clean environment and reduces the risk of allergic reactions among students.

Thank you to all students and families for supporting a productive and safe school atmosphere this Halloween season.

EdFEST, the District’s annual public-school fair will be here before we know it. Like last year, My School DC will host TWO events. 2024 EdFEST will take place on Saturday, December 7 for grades 9-12 AND on Saturday, December 14, for grades PK3-8. Both EdFESTs are great opportunities for secondary students in need of Community Service hours. My School DC needs volunteers for support with things like stuffing attendee bags, assisting with exhibitor load-in and load-out, assisting with check-in, assisting with directing attendees, and more! Training will be provided. If you know of a secondary student that is interested in volunteering for one or both 2024 EdFEST events, please complete this EdFEST 2024 Volunteer Registration Form by Friday, November 1

National Junior Honor Society Application

The application to join the SHMS National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) will open on Monday, October 21, 2024. The application deadline is Monday, November 18, 2024 by 3:30pm.

Please click the following link to be directed to the application: https://tinyurl.com/SHMSNJHS2425

Why join NJHS?

National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is an organization that recognizes middle school students who excel in scholarship, character, citizenship, leadership and service. Stuart-Hobson middle school students who are eligible must be current 7th or 8th graders AND have a minimum of a 3.5 cumulative GPA (calculated on final grades for the prior school year SY2024-2025). Applicants must complete the required application, and must demonstrate leadership skills, good character, and excellent school citizenship.

For questions, please contact either Ms. Schimmerling (jessica.schimmerling@k12.dc.gov) or Ms. Wilson (alexis.wilson@k12.dc.gov)

Every student deserves a world of possibilities! That's why DCPS developed a study abroad program. DCPS Study Broad ensures that our global citizens have access to global experiences, so that travel becomes the expectation rather than the exception for students. All DCPS 8th grade students who are studying a World Language are eligible for short-term study abroad programs on language immersion, cultural immersion, STEM, or service learning. DCPS Study Abroad trips are fully funded, including passport and visa fees, airfare, meals, supplies, and lodging. DCPS is going places! For more information and to apply, go to: https://www.dcpsglobaled.org/global-programs/dcps-study-abroad

Application Opens: October 15, 2024

Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 (11:59pm)

Families are invited to join a virtual study abroad information session at the dates/times below (links to join the virtual information sessions can be found on the DCPS Study Abroad website):

• Virtual Information Session 1: October 22, 2024 - 5:00pm to 6:00pm

• Virtual Information Session 2: October 29, 2024 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm

• Virtual Information Session 3: November 6, 2024 - 5:30pm to 6:30pm

Families! Please share this information with your SHMS 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 December 2nd, 2024.

Please see the linked study lists for:

6th Grade Spelling Words

7th Grade Spelling Words

8th Grade Spelling Words

Please use these lists to help your scholar prepare for our first round spelling bees which will occur the week of 12/9/24.

Also, students can play spelling and vocabulary games with all 450 words from the 2025 School Spelling Bee Study List for free! More information is available on how to download this from the App Store and Google Play when you register.

The Final SHMS Bee will be in person this year, in early January.

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

Girls’ Soccer Schedule:

Coaches Contact Info: molly.smith@k12.dc.gov

Practices are from 3:45 PM until 5 PM @ Stuart-Hobson Field

9/12*, 9/18**, 9/24, 10/3, 10/10, 10/15, 10/24

*may need to relocate to Stanton Park if boys game is still on

**Wednesday practice since there are 2 games this week (all other practices are on Tuesday/Thursday)

Game Schedule (All games start at 4pm)

10/29 vs. Hardy @ Stuart-Hobson

Stuart Hobson MS Boys Soccer Schedule:

Coaches Contact Information: max.lempert2@k12.dc.gov

Games begin at 5pm

Practice 3:45-5pm

October 2024

Monday, 10-28: Practice

Tuesday, 10-29: Game vs Hardy HOME

2024 Archery Home/Practice Tournament Schedule

Practice Time: 3:30-5pm

Coaches Contact Information: maalston0563@gmail.com

Practice for third tournament (10/15 Away) will be on: 9/30,10/7, 10/9, 10/11

Practice for this tournament will be held on: 10/14,10/18

Tuesday 10/22/2024 4:00 pm @ Stuart-Hobson

Practice for this tournament will be held on: 10/25

Tuesday 10/29/2024 4:00 pm @ Stuart-Hobson

Practice for final two tournaments (11/7, 11/12 Away) will be held on: 10/31, 11/5, 11/11

Stuart Hobson MS Volleyball Schedule

Coaches Contact Information

Linda.green@k12.dc.gov

Rondorseyjr@gmail.com

Practice Schedule 4:30-6pm

9/13, 9/17, 9/19, 9/27, 10/1, 10/3, 10/4, 10/10, 10/15, 10/17

Game Schedule

10/28 5:30 Away at Deal Middle School vs Hardy - Semifinal Game

The 2024-2025 Athletics’ Participation packet has been released. 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. If your student’s UHC has been updated recently, you are encouraged to complete the participation packet as soon as possible.

English Participation Packet

Spanish Participation Packet

Universal Health Certificate (UHC).

Students with certain medical conditions may also need to complete an Asthma Action Plan or an Anaphylaxis Action Plan

Please note that it is not necessary to submit a new participation packet for each season. A complete packet includes the DCIAA forms filled out in their entirety along with a Universal Health Certificate that was completed within the last year. 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 Coach Drakeford.

Coaching Openings:

Indoor Track (Winter), and Track and Field (Spring), Head and Assistant Coaches

Please direct any questions about athletics to our Athletic Director, Coach Drakeford, latavia.drakeford-allen@k12.dc.gov.

Below please find food service menus for breakfast and lunch for this week!

The Mental Health Team at SHMS is wrapping up the annual suicide prevention program, Signs of Suicide, with all students. This has been an opportunity for students to learn about depression, warning signs of suicide, and how to help themselves or a friend. There are two opportunities with TRAILS, a suicide prevention organization, for caregivers and communities to learn about suicide awareness and prevention. The presentation offered is the same each day. See attached flyers for more information as well as the dates and registration links below.

Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Caregivers and Communities

• Wednesday, October 23 from 5:30-7pm. Discussion will take place via Zoom: https://bit.ly/TRAILS_10-23_training
• Thursday, November 7 from 6-7:30pm. Discussion will take place via Zoom: https://bit.ly/TRAILS_11-7_training

If you have any questions about the mental health services offered at SHMS, you can submit a referral to the Mental Health Team and a team member will be in touch with you: https://bit.ly/referralSHMS

Do you have questions about mental health and behavioral health services at Stuart-Hobson? Would you like to talk to one of the counseling staff about support services for your student? Submit a request via https://bit.ly/referralSHMS or contact SHMS Social Worker Bernadette Wittschen at bernadette.wittschen@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.

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

Important Links

Aspen DCPS Student and Family Login

Attendance Excuse Template

Capitol Hill Cluster Website

DCPS School Calendar SY24-25

DCPS School Mental Health Resources
Stuart-Hobson Special Education and 504 Plans

Stuart-Hobson Communications Plan - SY2024-25
Stuart-Hobson Uniform Policy

Stuart-Hobson Food Service Breakfast-Lunch-Supper Menus
Stuart-Hobson Behavior Expectation Matrices
Stuart-Hobson Student and Family Handbook