Talon Talk

Hello HMS Families and Welcome back!

It has been a wild start to the semester but we are all excited to have your students back in school to begin learning. We had a strong finish to last semester and are hoping to use that momentum to have a great start to this semester. January has been a hard month to plan for with all of the snow days, but we will be getting back in a routine and it is important to remember the growing pains our students will face when returning to school. It is difficult to spend so much time away from the building and then return and jump right into the next semester. Please join us in being patient with out students as we get back to a normal school routine.

Our winter activities are coming to a close this month with the final robotics competition (outside of state competition that we are hoping to participate in) and our basketball season is coming to a close after the conference tournament in Knob Noster. Once those things are over, track is the only spring sport available for our middle school. With the lack of sporting activities, it opens the door for our StuCo to provide several opportunities for our students to get together for dances this semester. There will be 3 dances this semester. We will have a Valentines Dance in February, Spring Dance in April, and End of the Year dance in May. Our first dance this semester is planned for February 23rd from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Let's have a great start to the semester! Go Eagles!

Explo: Lincoln C.; 6th Grade: Gunner N.; 7th Grade: Bella P.; 8th Grade: Callie C.

Explo: Jordan R.; 6th Grade: Clara C.; 7th Grade: Tristan A.; 8th Grade: Trevor S.

Explo: Chase C.; 6th Grade: Hayden W.; 7th Grade: Emily H.; 8th Grade: Haley W.

Explo: Gracelynn H.; 6th Grade: Izzy C.; 7th Grade: Seth C.; Not pictured 8th Grade: Brookelyn H.

Our school partners with Cornerstones of Care, an organization designed to support teachers, students, and families. We would like to share an opportunity that is available to our HMS parents. Read this information from Cornerstones of Care, who supports our school BIST program to see if this opportunity is right for you:

As part of ongoing support for families, your child’s school is offering a series of classes for parents and guardians through a partnership with the Behavior Intervention Support Team (BIST). These training sessions are designed to provide ways you can support your child’s developing academic and behavior skills, as well as increase consistency between home and school.

Our PTSO does a great job of supporting HMS! Check out these upcoming events and come support this organization!

Our Holden Eagles will be learning about Compassion in Advisory class as February’s character trait. Compassion is feeling sympathy and concern for the misfortunes of others. This is a character trait that is learned by observing others who model it and having conversations, helping children recognize others’ misfortunes and struggles.

Holden Middle School was also chosen to participate in the NAEP testing. February 1, fifty 8th graders were randomly selected to test in either Reading or Math. This test serves as “the nation’s report card” and compares states and students across the nation as well as the effectiveness of schools across America.

Students will also have lessons to celebrate Black History Month and learn about Suicide Prevention later in the month.

The spring semester is always a busy, busy time with lots of learning and lots of fun and memories made!

Meet our explo team! From back row left to right: Mrs. Lewis (Band), Mr. Keller (Health), Mr. Pritchard (PE), Mr. Craven (Ag); front row: Mrs. Ferguson (Art), Mrs. Doll (Choir), Mrs. Brewington (STEM)

Our explo department has a combined total of 92 years of experience! They hold degrees from the following schools: Evangel University, UCM, Mizzou, Northwest Missouri State, Kent State University, Central Methodist, Arkansas State, Suny State University, Hofstra. In the ultimate debated between Coke products and Pepsi products, Pepsi edged out a victory, but only barely! We have several that do not drink soda in this group!