Week of 10/30/2016

Quote of the Week: 

Good evening,

I apologize for the tardiness of the blog this week! I hope that you all enjoyed the three day weekend. Although the Dawgs lost, I thoroughly enjoyed the rest.  As we are approaching a busy week,  I want  to remind you that we are reiterating and reinforcing the academic and behavior expectations established at Hilsman. The last several weeks we experienced a rise in discipline referrals. Please remind your students to be respectful and kind to every adult and their peers. Also, be sure to get the school on time this week! Benchmarks will begin Tuesday.

Announcements: 

Benchmark News:

Monday - 1st Planning Benchmark Training with Forker

Tuesday - Benchmark ELA I - Testing Schedule

Wednesday - Benchmark Math - Testing Schedule

Thursday - Benchmark Make-up (Regular Schedule)

Friday - Benchmark Make-up (if necessary)

Happy Halloween

Remind families about Trick or Treat for UNICEF.  Please click the link below.

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 Trick or Treat for UNICEF 2016

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Update on Cookie Dough Fundraiser:

Thank you to the 30 students that participated in the fundraiser. In an effort to raise more funds to support our PBIS incentive program, we are extending the deadline for the fundraiser to November 17th. Parents, please attempt to have your child sale at least 2 buckets. If you met the first deadline, you will receive your orders between November 8th and 9th. The Dunk Show will still take place as well as the special performance by Ms. Tolbert and Mr. Forker. Please stay tuned for the date. If you need another order form, please contact the front office.


Monday: Happy Halloween-Remember to be safe and Trick-o-Treat for Unicef
A Day
PSP
21st Century



Tuesday: B Day
PSP
21st Century
Math Counts
ELA Benchmark




Wednesday: A Day
21st Century
Math Benchmark



Thursday: B Day
21st Century



Friday: Spirit Day! Wear your Hilsman Spirit shirt and khaki pants
A Day

Week of October 23, 2016

 Quote of the Week:  



Good afternoon parents,

I hope that all of you had an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful fall weather this weekend. Last Friday, I sent home a letter informing you of an incident that occurred at Hilsman. I am asking that you please speak to your children about the appropriate use of their devices and cyber etiquette. Technology is forever evolving but understanding the risks that are taken when it is used inappropriately will help us to avoid trouble. We will continue to monitor the use of technology with our students through LanSchool. Remember that students are not allowed to cell phones between the hours of 8:30-3:40. Please help us help your scholars by reminding them of the expectations.

Moving on to more exciting news! Thanks to Ms. Smith and her work with FFA, Hilsman is now known nationally. Our very own Zachary VanHessan placed 3rd in the National FFA Agriscience Fair. In addition, Raquel and Serenity got GOLD in the fair! Congratulations to all of our winners! We are some proud panthers!


Announcements:

Spirit Night:
Come out and join the PTO for Spirit Night this Monday at Menchie's and Your Pie from 5-9! 

 Basketball Try-outs

Boys Basketball Tryout: Monday, October 24th-October 27th (New Gym)

Moonlight Madness is November 11th. Pre-sale Tickets will be available starting October 24th - November 10th. 

Student events include: (First Come, First Serve, Paying events) 

• 3 Point Contest (12 participants)
• Knockout (20 participants)
• Relay Race (8 participants)

More information will be given out closer to the date. 

Red Ribbon Week:

WE ARE CELEBRATING RED RIBBON WEEK AT HILSMAN! This is the time each year when schools across the nation plan activities that promote alcohol and drug awareness and prevention. For more information, visit redribbon.org. The theme this year is YOLO. Be Drug Free. #YOUONLYLIVEONCE.

Here is what we have planned for the week:

Monday-District RED OUT Day. Wear a red shirt in support of Red Ribbon Week. Students must still wear uniform bottoms.

Tuesday-Sock it to drugs and wear crazy socks! The Healthy Brain Campaign will have a table set up at lunch to give you more information about drugs and making healthy choices.

Wednesday-Team up against drugs and wear a sports shirt! Students must still wear uniform bottoms. Sign the Red Ribbon Week Pledge at lunch and commit to being drug free.

Thursday-Put a lid on drugs and wear a hat! Let’s “Stomp Out Drugs” with a step team performance at lunch!

Also, we will have a DOOR DECORATING CONTEST this year with prizes for one homeroom per grade level! Get creative and send a positive message to your classmates. This contest starts on Monday and all doors should be completed by Thursday. Good luck!

Jag News

Thursday 10-27-16  Region Cross Country @ Unicoi State Park  TBD

Friday 10-28-16 Varsity Football vs. Johnson ( Sr. Night ) 7:30

GO JAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday:B Day

21st Century

PSP

Spirit Night at Your Pie and Menchie's

Tuesday: A Day

21st Century

PSP

Wednesday: B Day

21st Century

FrightFest 6-8

Thursday:A Day

Uniform Free Day! No rips or holes in jeans, no  leggings/jeggings, Students must follow CCSD's dress code or they will be asked to call home or go to ISS. Parents please ensure that students follow the code!

Friday: No School!!!!!!!

Week of October 16, 2016

Good afternoon parents,

I hope that you all had a terrific weekend. Thank you to all of the parents that came out for your conference. Our goal is to have 100%. If you have not had your conference, please contact your child's homeroom teacher ASAP. Hilsman was buzzing with good news all of last week. The students were excited about their progress and parents were overall pleased with the work of our staff. The staff was extremely pleased with all of the delicious treats provided by the PTO. The support that you all provide to the school is greatly appreciated by the staff! Below you will find the news and announcements for the week.

Announcements:

Cookie Dough Fundraiser: 

All cookie dough orders and money will be due to the school on October 19th! The orders should arrive at Hilsman on November 8th or 9th. Remember the house that sells the most orders will be given an extra 200 points plus receive a house party! More importantly, the Hawks Dunk Show will be performed at Hilsman for every student that sells 2 or more buckets of cookie dough. The show will feature a special performance by Ms. Tolbert and Mr. Forker. I promise you that this is an event that you don't want to miss!
This fundraiser will help support our PBIS program at Hilsman by allowing us to provide incentives to our students and staff! We need your support so start selling cookies!


Meals in the Middle

To CCSD’s Meals in the Middle

This collaboration between the four middle schools of Athens-Clarke County marks the first of a series of charity dinners, raising funds for important causes in the Athens community.

Students, staff and volunteers from all four middle schools will prepare, and serve a meal. We welcome you to join us, enjoy a delicious meal, and learn about the important work that we are doing in the schools and that IHN is doing in our community.  Our students gain culinary experience as well critical collaboration skills.   

The dinner will commence October 17^th at 6pm and will consist of an appetizer of grilled okra, a candied pecan & Asher Blue salad, an entrée of shrimp perloo with garden vegetables, and a delicious dessert.  The cost is $40 per person and all the money we raise goes to IHN.  Reservations are required and they are made by e-mailing Tad MacMillan at macmillt@clarke.k12.ga.us

This wonderful meal, prepared by all four schools, shall take place in the Clarke Middle School FCS room at 1235 Baxter Street.  

Our October meal benefits the Interfaith Hospitality Network.

(Thanks to Bertis Downs and Bob Carson for sponsoring this first meal.  ) 

Bus Driver Appreciation Week 

This week is Bus Driver Appreciation Week! Please help us thank our bus drivers for the hard work that they do every day! We love and appreciate our drivers at Hilsman.

Benchmarks: 

Parents, 
The administration of Benchmarks is quickly approaching. Please make sure your students are at school and on time! The schedule is listed below:

ELA 

                Nov 1. Tuesday

                Nov 2. Wednesday

Social Studies 

                Nov 3. Thursday

                Nov 4. ELA/SS Make up

Math

                Nov 9. Wednesday

Science

                Nov 10. Thursday

                Nov 11. Math and Science Make ups

Monday:  A Day

• 21st Century
• PSP

Tuesday: B Day

• PSP
• Cross Country- Athens-Oconee Championship at North Oconee High School at 4:25

Wednesday: A Day

Thursday: B Day

• Hilsman Chess Tournament 4:00-7:30
• Pledge Against Gun Violence Assembly 

Friday: A Day Hilsman goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Students will be allowed to wear a pink shirt and jeans. Students MUST wear a pink shirt in order to wear jeans. Jeans can not have any rips or holes. NO leggings or jeggings!

Week of 10/9/2016

Quote of the Week:

When someone asks why someone would ever become a TEACHER, remind them why it's worth it. Every job has it's ups and downs. But not every job can CHANGE A LIFE.

                                                                                                                     We are Teachers

Parents,

Thank you for your presence last week at the many events that were hosted on behalf of Hilsman! The Hispanic Heritage Night, football/volleyball game,  Parent Coffee, and the Band's Rock a thon were all well attended by staff, students, and parents! We had a blast and it was great to see so many smiles.  Below are a few pictures that captured our special moments.

This week will be just as busy. We are looking forward to seeing you. 


       

  

Announcements:

ARRG......... 

What ARRGG you reading?!?! Our Hilsman Fall Book Fair is this week during all school and parent conference times, so please stop by! Every student will have a chance to go to Book Fair with their ELA class and any other time during the week with a pass from their teacher.

PSP: 

PSP will not be held this week due to conferences.  Parents, please use this week to sign up for the Pathways to Success program. This  is  a free program that provides tutoring in Math and Language Arts. We have a lot of students that will benefit from the services. 

SOAR:Please come out and support!

http://www.active.com/athens-ga/running/distance-running-races/26th-special-olympics-annual-run-5k-a-k-a-soar-5k-2016?int=

21st Century:

Lights on Afterschool

When? 5:00- 6:00 PM on October 20, 2016 

Where? Hilsman Middle School Cafeteria

What? Parents of 21st Century students can come and see what their students have been doing in their classes. Parents who want to know more about the program can see what the classes offer for our students. 

Fundraiser: Cookie Dough

Calling all students and parents! We are in for a fundraiser of the school year. WE NEED YOU to help raise funds to support our Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) system. Our school is selling cookie dough. These funds will help support our school wide incentives for our new housing system that rewards our students and teachers for following our Positive Actions within Schools Expectations (PAWS). If every student sells 2 buckets of cookie dough, we can possibly raise over 5,000.00! Students that sell 2 buckets or more will be allowed to participate in the big assembly featuring the Hawks dunking show!  In addition, your principal has accepted a challenge that can only be viewed during the assembly!! Start selling now! We have less than a week left!

House Update:

Quarter 1 House Points will end on Friday October 14th at 1pm.  

Please encourage your students to be on their best behavior.

The House with the most merits will have a Quarter 1 House Party on Friday October 21st, during 7th Block!

Go Panthers!!

Trash to Hunger:

Parents and students:   The Trash Hunger Campaign is active now! Hilsman Middle School collects used health & beauty product containers, juice pouches, hand-held electronics, ink cartridges, and plastic cups.  The items are sold and the earnings are donated to UNICEF and the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia.  Recycle your trash and you can help people and the planet!  

Items for recycling can be brought in every Friday.  We'll also host a collection drive at the main entrance of the school during parent conferences and Fright Fest.

Conferences:

Parents remember that this is the week of conferences. We want 100% of our parents to come out and get informed about their child's academic status. I challenge you to get involved, we can not wait until the end of the year! Please call the school if you have not received your conference time or have obstacles that might get in the way of you attending the conferences. The number is 706-548-7281. 

Remember that we get out of school at 1:30 this Wednesday-Friday! Please make the proper transportation arrangements for your child to get home.

Benchmarks: 

Benchmarks will be administered November 1st-November 11th.

ELA 

                Nov 1. Tuesday

                Nov 2. Wednesday

Social Studies 

                Nov 3. Thursday

                Nov 4. ELA/SS Make up

Math

                Nov 9. Wednesday

Science

                Nov 10. Thursday

                Nov 11. Math and Science Make ups

Monday:B Day

No School!!!!!!!

No PSP this week!

Tuesday: A Day

Wednesday: Early Release Day - B Day
Late night conferences
Football game at 5:30 @ Clarke Central

Thursday: Early Release Day- A Day
Football game @ Clarke Central
No PSP

Friday: Early Release Day- B Day
Spirit Shirt and Khaki pants day!

Week of October 2, 2016

Good afternoon,

Here is the news for the week:

Quote of the Week: Education...is painful, continual and difficult work to be done in kindness, by watching, by warning,...  by praise, but above all -- by example.” -- John Ruskin

Announcements:

Due to the recent incidents at Hilsman, students are not allowed to carry book bags throughout the building. We are working to come up with a solution soon to address the many concerns regarding how students will carry their belongings in the building. I will be meeting with PTO and school leaders to gain more input as to how we can ensure the safety of our students as well how to lighten their load. At this time, I am asking the staff to allow additional locker breaks. Students will  be allowed to carry a laptop bag and purses (medium sized). Please be patient with us as we come up with a solution that will address both needs for the students.

• Principal's Coffee will be held Friday, October 7th at 9:00 am in the Media Center. Google classroom will be the topic of discussion.

• Can We Talk- The administrators will host two Can We Talks on October 12th. One will be held at 2:00 pm and the second one will be held at 6:00 pm. This is the week of Parent/Teacher Conferences.

• Parent/Teacher Conferences- Parents you should have received a letter as well as a request for a time to schedule your conference. We want to get 100% of our conferences completed this Fall. The conferences are critical as this is the time to address any academic concerns. In addition, we want to be sure that the right interventions are in place to close any academic gaps. Please be sure to attend. If you need a translator or have any barriers that may cause you not to participate, please contact Mrs. Joanne Griffith or Jamie Hogan.

• This is a reminder that October 12th-14th will be Early Release Days. Students will get out of school at 1:30 pm. Please make the proper transportation arrangements for your child.

• Cookie Dough Fundraiser:  As a school, we are selling cookie dough to raise funds for our PBIS incentive program. If every student sells two buckets of cookie dough, we could potentially raise over $5,000. This would be extremely beneficial to our program as we are working to create a fun, safe, and welcoming learning environment. Packets will be sent home Monday! Sell, Sell, Sell for two weeks!

• Hispanic Heritage Celebration: Please help us celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month this Thursday in the Cafeteria from 5:30 pm-7:00 pm. Dancing, food, and a gallery will be awaiting you! This is an even that you don't want to miss!

Monday: A Day

• Band Concert- 7:00
• 21st Century
• SAE Workday- 4:00 pm- 5:00 pm in Ms. Smith's room
• PSP

Tuesday: B Day

• 21st Century
• Horse Judging and Floriculture Practice
• PSP
• Meeting with PTO Officers
• Math Counts @ 7:15 am 

Wednesday: A Day

• 21st Century

Thursday: B Day

• 21st Century
• Horse Judging and Floriculture Practice
• C-Team Football vs. Franklin Co. 5:00
• Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Friday: A Day  Hilsman spirit shirt and khaki day

• Picture retakes- Students will  need to be in uniform if they are retaking their pictures.
• National Agriscience Fair Practice (students can come and interview participants for SAE hours)

Other News: JagNation

Tuesday 10-4-16  Volleyball Region @ Clarke Central vs. Loganville 5:30

Wednesday 10-5-16 Cross Country @ Wesleyan 4:00

Thursday 10-6-16 C-Team Football vs. Franklin Co. 5:00

             

                           JV Football vs. Buford 6:30

                           9th Football @ Buford 5:30

GO JAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!