SHMS Family Newsletter
January 12, 2025
Principal's Message
Greetings SHMS Community!
I am so proud of our students, families, and educators for persisting through the bumpy return to school in 2025. With the short week to start the year and the inclement weather interruption early this week school attendance could have suffered. For the most part, everyone has been showing up ready to work and that has allowed us to settle in and keep up with middle-of-year testing and instruction. Thank you everyone for making every effort to get here and make the most of every school day we have this month!
I am excited to showcase our school community during this Wednesday evening's virtual Open House for prospective families. Please spread the invitation to families you know who are planning or considering attending SHMS in future years.
In advance of the upcoming four-day weekend for students we will work to wrap up middle-of-year (MOY) testing in Math and English. When we return from the long weekend students will take their MOY tests in Science. We only have eight days of classes left before the end of the term and the halfway point in the school year. Thank you all for supporting students in finishing strong and please reach out to their teachers, counselors, or grade level administrator if you need clarity about any of their classes or expectations for work submission.
I am looking forward to another fantastic short week together with our students!
Warm regards,
Eric Fraser
Principal
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Calendars
Weekly Calendar & Upcoming Dates
Weekly Calendar
Monday, 1/13
- MOY ELA testing (ReadingPlus & MAP-R)
Tuesday, 1/14
- MOY Math testing (iReady/MAP)
- Swim Team Interest Meeting (rescheduled from January 7), 3:45 PM, Health Room (G-01)
- SHMS Girls Basketball vs. Excel Academy, 4:45 PM at Wheatley Education Campus
Wednesday, 1/15
- Make-up Picture Day
- Vision to Learn Eye Exams for Students
- MOY Math testing (iReady/MAP)
- Virtual Open House for Prospective Families, 6:00-7:30 PM
Thursday, 1/16
- MOY Math testing (iReady/MAP)
- SHMS Girls and Boys Basketball vs. Sousa at Sousa Middle Schools, Girls - 4:45 PM, Boys - 6 PM.
Friday, 1/17
- No school for students, professional development day for teachers
Upcoming Dates
- January 20, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day observed, schools closed
- January 21, High School Application Help Night, 5:00-7:00 PM
- January 21-24, MOY Science testing (MAP)
- January 22, PTA General Meeting (virtual), 6:30-7:30 PM
- January 24, Last instructional day of Term 2
- January 27, End of Term 2 Records-Keeping & PD day, no school for students
- January 28, First day of Term 3!
- January 28, High School Application Help Night, 5:00-7:00 PM
- January 29, SHMS hosts annual Cluster Game Night, 6:00-8:00 PM
- February 4, LSAT meeting, 6:30-8:00 PM
- February 5, Pupatella Pizza Night (8th Grade fundraiser), 4:00-7:30 PM
- February 5, NJHS Induction Ceremony, time TBD
- February 12, Open House for Prospective Families, 6:00-7:30 PM
- February 14, District Professional Development Day, no school for students
- February 17, Presidents Day observed, schools closed
News and Announcements
8th Grade Mock Interview and Application Nights
8th grade students and families applying for the My School DC Lottery for high schools are welcome to receive support in reviewing their high school essays and participating in mock interviews with members of the Stuart-Hobson Middle School community (including SHMS alumni and SHMS parents!)
Date(s): Tuesday, January 21, 2025 and Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Stuart-Hobson MS Library
Questions? Please contact the SHMS Counseling Team at jessica.schimmerling@k12.dc.gov or alexis.wilson@k12.dc.gov.
Stuart-Hobson Partnering with Vision to Learn for Free Vision Screenings, Eye Exams and Glasses for Students
Stuart-Hobson is partnering with Vision To Learn to provide free vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses to students during the school year. No out-of-pocket cost for families. Our screening date is Wednesday, January 15.
Easy Participation – Students will automatically receive a vision screening. If needed, a mobile vision clinic will conduct an eye exam, and glasses will be provided. No follow-up is required to participate.
Insurance and Billing – Services are billed to Medicaid if available, but families will not incur any additional costs. An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) may be sent, but no payment is needed.
Opt-Out Option – If you prefer your child to continue care with their current eye doctor, sign and return the attached opt-out form.
Glasses Only – If your child already has a valid prescription from the past year, Vision To Learn can help provide glasses. Please submit the prescription to the school coordinator by the specified deadline.
For questions, contact stuart-hobsonms@k12.dc.gov or visit www.visiontolearn.org.
Vision to Learn Letter to Families
Vision to Learn Eye Screening - Opt-Out Form (English)
Vision to Learn Eye Screening - Opt-Out Form (Spanish)
Stuart-Hobson Participating in National History Day: Panther Pride in Action!
Stuart-Hobson MS is once again participating in National History Day (NHD), a program that highlights the creativity, research, and academic excellence of our students. Last year, we were proud to send three times as many nominees to the national competition as any other school in the district.
National History Day provides an opportunity for students to learn and showcase their historical research skills and creativity. This year’s theme is Rights and Responsibilities and students have the freedom to choose any topic that ties back to the theme. They’ll conduct in-depth research using resources like libraries, archives, museums, and trusted online tools. Then, they’ll create projects in one of five categories:
- Exhibit (our most popular choice!)
- Documentary
- Performance
- Website
- Essay
Teachers are guiding students step-by-step, from selecting topics and crafting thesis statements to designing their final projects. After several weeks of dedicated in-class time, students will also have access to extra support during office hours, lunch, and zero period to refine their work.
Participation in NHD not only enhances academic skills but also builds confidence, creativity, and a sense of pride in students’ ability to share their voices and perspectives.
We are looking forward to another outstanding year of student work. Be sure to check out our link here for a deeper look into the process and highlights from last year’s competition.
Best of luck to all of our students on their projects and we are excited to continue our tradition of being among the best schools in the city and nation at this year's competitions!
Athletics
2024-2025 Athletics' Participation Packet
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.
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.
Food Services at Stuart-Hobson
Food Service Menus for this Week
Below please find food service menus for breakfast, breakfast grab and go, lunch and snack for this week!
Student Clubs & Extra-Curriculars
Supports for Students & Families
The Mental Health Team at SHMS facilitated the annual suicide prevention program, Signs of Suicide, with all students in the beginning of the school year and wants to continue to provide opportunities for parents and caregivers to learn about this important topic.
TRAILS, a suicide prevention organization, is offering a free training for caregivers and community members to learn about suicide awareness and prevention.
Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Caregivers and Communities, Thursday, February 6 from 4:30-6pm. Discussion will take place via Zoom: https://bit.ly/TRAILS_2-6_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
Counseling Team at Stuart-Hobson MS
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.
Stuart-Hobson Student Attendance
The Cluster is a strong community of families, and the PTA strengthens that community by working together to support our students and campuses. Joining the PTA is a great opportunity to learn more about our school, enrich the student experience, and meet new people. PTA dues help fund critical programs, as well as supplies for music, art, library, and athletics.
Stuart-Hobson Middle School
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
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