September 16, 2022
Dear HMS Parents and Guardians,
We are so excited to share that we are engaged in the One Book, One School project this year. One Book, One School is a project that involves all students and staff reading the same book throughout this fall, culminating in a final book discussion with the author. For this year’s One Book, One School, we are reading Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj. The story centers around two narrators, both middle school students, who ultimately help to rally a community to reject racism. We look forward to sharing more information with you as the activities unfold and we prepare for a visit with the author in early November. We are grateful for the support of our PTO for funding this opportunity!
In this update you will find information about the following topics:
Picture Day
Student Needs and Safety
Covid Tests
Flu Vaccination Clinic
Volunteer Information
Technology Information
Fall MAP/MEA Assessment
PTO Information
HMS Update #4 will be sent on September 30, 2022. Please continue to reach out with any questions.
With Gratitude,
Mandy Lewis and Tom McDowell
HMS Administrative Team
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Picture Day
Fliers are being sent home with students today (September 16, 2022). HMS is scheduled for our picture day on Wednesday, September 28. Information may also be found at this website, using the unique school code: CG5K6C3B.
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Student Needs and Safety
Some of our HMS students are dealing with severe food allergies. Allergies can include a wide range of foods (e.g. tree nuts, milk, shellfish, poppy seeds). These students are learning how to become expert label readers and how to protect themselves from exposure to the foods and/or environmental factors that can make them ill.
Other HMS students have Type I Diabetes. These students have to be acutely aware of everything they eat and how to compensate for that food with self-administered insulin. They are learning to become experts at carb counting and figuring out their insulin dosage.
We ask that you support these students and their parents to feel safe at our school by checking in with your student’s teachers before sending food to school to be shared by classmates. The importance of providing healthy treats for students and/or encouraging the use of non-food treats for classroom celebrations cannot be overstated.
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Covid Tests
We have a supply of covid tests available for families that are left over from last spring; each package contains five tests. Starting on Monday, September 19, students may stop by the Main Office to pick up one package. Because we have limited supplies, this will be on a first come, first served basis.
Covid protocol review: If your child tests positive for Covid, they must stay home from school for 5 days. The day of the test is Day 0. They may return to school on Day 6 and wear a mask through Day 10. If your child's symptoms are moderate to severe, please contact your PCP. Siblings who are close contacts do not need to stay home or test.
If your child has symptoms, please test them in the morning before school. If their test is negative and they feel well enough to attend and participate in school, they do not need to stay home. To read Superintendent Dolloff’s back to school message about covid-related procedures, visit this website.
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Flu Vaccine Clinic
Flu and cold season will be upon us soon. HMS Flu Vaccine Clinic will be held on September 29th. See the linked document for more information.
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Volunteers
HMS is excited to welcome volunteers back into our school community in a variety of roles to enhance our student experience and support our staff. If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, we ask that you:
Review Yarmouth’s Covid Protocols for the 2022-2023 school year.
Fill out a volunteer registration form found on the school department website. The district requires you to complete this form each school year. This will also ensure your background check is up-to-date and add you to our email list!
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities, please reach out to Rebecca Spear, Director of Partners in Education/ District Volunteer Coordinator. Her email is: Rebecca_Spear@yarmouthschools.org.
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Technology Information
School laptops have been distributed this week, and students are now using their school-issued devices to engage with academic tasks. We wanted to share a few reminders from Common Sense Media for parents and guardians to be thinking about as they set or continue expectations for technology use at home.
Set limits. Establish screen-free zones and weekly screen-time amounts. Aim for a balance of activities throughout the week: reading, playing, spending time with family and friends, and so on. ~ from How Can I Help My Kids Develop Good Screen Time Habits?
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Fall MAP/MEA Assessment
HMS students will participate in the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) this October. The scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. MAP Growth tests are unique, as they adapt to your student’s responses to measure their skill level. The results provide a picture of what your student knows and is ready to learn. Similar to a height growth chart you may use at home, the MAP assessments are used to measure each student’s progress or growth in school, specifically in mathematics and reading. This is just a snapshot as we think about your student as a learner. Specific assessment schedules will be shared closer to the assessment administration.
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PTO Information
Linked here is a welcome back letter from our PTO.
Hannaford Gift Card Fundraiser Sign Up form - please consider participating in this essential fundraiser! We thank those of you that have participated over the years! Please print and return the completed form to start the process, the next load will be Oct 5.
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Dates to Date
Tuesday, September 20: 7th Grade Open House at 6pm
Wednesday, September 28: School Picture Day
Wednesday, September 28: 8th Grade Open House at 6:15pm
Thursday, September 29: Flu Vaccine Clinic
October 3-6: MAP Testing