SHMS Family Newsletter

Greetings SHMS community!

As My School DC lottery and application results are released on Friday, we recognize that this can be an exciting and emotional time for our students and families. While the DC lottery application system is designed to give students the greatest chance of success at a school that meets their needs, we know it is not perfect.

Most students match with their first-choice and will experience the joy and excitement that comes with that, however, other students will not match with their top choice. As a school community, we want to celebrate successes while also supporting those students and families who may feel disappointed when results are released on Friday. We encourage you to talk with your child about how to respond to their lottery results ahead of time and how they can be mindful of their classmates’ feelings during this time. Here are a few guiding points to help:

• For students sharing their lottery and application results: Remind them to be thoughtful about how they discuss their match, recognizing that some friends may not have received their first choice. Encourage them to express excitement with kindness and sensitivity.
• For students who did not get their top choice: Validate their feelings and remind them that their school journey is still filled with endless opportunities for success and growth. Let them know that adjustments can take time and that they are supported no matter what.
• For all students: Emphasize empathy and inclusivity. Encourage them to check in on friends who may be feeling left out and to remind each other that friendships and success extend beyond a school placement.
  
  

I am grateful for the work that our school team has done to help students and families with the lottery and high school application process to this point and want to remind you that we are also here to support you through and after Friday's results are released. Please reach out to any of the same staff members who have helped this far if your child needs additional guidance or reassurance this week or afterward. Our goal is to foster a community where every student feels valued and encouraged, no matter their lottery and application outcome.

I know that the community spirit that was so joyful and student-centered at last night's PTA auction is the same one that will show up for our students when lottery results are released on Friday. Let's have a great week together and thank you all for your support and commitment to our students!

Eric Fraser

Principal

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Weekly Calendar

Monday, 3/24

• A great instructional day!

Tuesday, 3/25

• A great instructional day!

Wednesday, 3/26

• A great instructional day!

• A great instructional day!

Friday, 3/28

• MyschoolDC Lottery results released, SY25-26 Enrollment Begins
• 6th Grade Musical Theater Production: Madagascar, 6:30 p.m., doors open @ 6 p.m. Purchase tickets here.
  

Saturday, 3/29

• 6th Grade Musical Theater Production: Madagascar, 1 p.m. (ASL Interpreters Provided) and 6:30 p.m. Purchase tickets here.

Upcoming Dates

• March 28, Lottery results available, SY25-26 Enrollment Begins

• April 1, LSAT, 6:30-8:00 PM

• April 4, Last instructional day of Term 3

• April 4, Term 3 Pep Assembly, 2:30-3:30 PM

• April 7, End of Term 3 Records-Keeping and PD Day, no school for students

• April 14-15 & 17-18, Spring Recess, no school for students or teachers

• April 16, Emancipation Day observed, schools closed

Get ready for a wild adventure! The talented Stuart-Hobson Drama Troupe students have been rehearsing all winter to bring you Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr.!

Join Alex, Marty, and the whole gang as they move it, move it in this high-energy, fun-filled musical that’s sure to leave you dancing in your seat! Don’t miss out on the excitement—grab your tickets for Friday, March 28th at 6:30 PM or Saturday, March 29th at 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM.

Scan the QR code below or click here to get your tickets—this is one show you won’t want to miss!

We believe that student dress and overall appearance should reflect individuality while fostering a positive and productive learning environment. Our school uniform remains the standard and expectation, but with the warmer weather, we want to remind students of our dress code guidelines:

• Shoes must be worn at all times – flip-flops, sandals/slides, and slippers are not permitted.
• Shorts, skorts, and skirts must be longer than mid-thigh. While short shorts and skirts may be popular, they are not appropriate for a school setting. Students wearing clothing that does not meet the length requirement will be asked to change or cover up.
• The torso, including the midriff, must remain covered at all times.
• Tops must cover the shoulders – off-the-shoulder sweaters, sweatshirts, spaghetti straps, jerseys, sleeveless shirts, and tank tops are not allowed.
• Clothing that advertises or promotes illegal substances (alcohol, drugs, tobacco, etc.), illegal activities, alcohol establishments, profanity, sexual innuendos, or inappropriate messaging is not permitted.

We appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations, which contribute to students’ growth as learners, citizens, and young adults. Please speak with your student(s) about the dress code and keep these guidelines in mind when shopping for clothing or reviewing their daily attire.

Each Spring, DC Public Schools asks our families to complete the annual DCPS Panorama Family Survey, an anonymous survey that the school system uses to collect vital feedback for DCPS as a whole, and your student(s) school leadership, about your family's experiences within the schools.

Stuart-Hobson would be very grateful if you can take approximately 10 minutes to complete the DCPS Panorama Family Survey between February 24-March 28th. You can reach the survey here: https://dcsays.dc.gov/

All responses to the survey are 100% confidential, and there is no way to tie anything you write back to you or your child. If you have children in more than one DCPS schools, the survey will allow you to complete it more than once for each of the relevant schools. Thank you for your attention to this, and for your support for Stuart-Hobson!

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:

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, lunch and snack for this week!

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 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.

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