Week of 10/28/2018

Quote of the Week:

Happy Sunday and what a weekend it was in the city of Athens! Go Dawgs! Hopefully everyone enjoyed the time away from school and the weekend. Tomorrow is Monday and we are back at it at Hilsman 2.0. 

Congratulations to our Hilsman Middle FFA students for competing at the National FFA Agriscience Fair. Students placed 1st in the state contest in April, moved on to the top 12 in August and winners were announced yesterday in Indianapolis, Indiana. They were coached by the SPECTACULAR Mrs. Rene Martin! Mrs. Martin works hard and gives her all to help our students. A big thank you to Mrs. Martin and the parents that accompanied our team on this trip! It was well worth it! Hilsman Middle School continues to make our community proud!

Emma McElhannon and Ella Barkdoll placed 1st in the NATION with their animal science project on the amount of protein in horse feed! 

Ella Johnson and Tory Ratajczak placed 2nd in the nation in the Social Science category with their project on dog food preference and data on overfeeding and underfeeding dogs in the Athens, GA area.

This week several shifts will happen in our school. Mr. Mosely will join the 8th grade team as a Science teacher, Mrs. Fox will join Mr. Watkins and Ms. Rhorbach in 6th grade Science and Mrs. Skinner will return to teach the high school Science courses. We are also excited to welcome Mr. Brandon Brock (6th grade ELA) and Ms. Lauren Wood (7th grade ELA) to our Panther Pact! Our teams are almost complete!

Lastly, I would like for our Panther Pact to welcome Mr. Fabian Jones to the Panther Nation! Mr. Jones will be joining Mr. Forker and I as an Assistant Principal. Mr. Jones met the students Thursday morning! We are so excited to have him join our team.

WE NEED YOU!

Parents,

We are in need of 1 parent and 2 community members to represent on our Local School Governance Team. I have received information from 2 parents expressing their willingness to serve! We meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month. This group helps to govern HMS and weighs in on important school level decisions that support the learning of our students. Please consider and contact me if you are interested!

We are also seeking parents to represent HMS on the CCSD Parent Advisory Board. This group meets once a month on Mondays at 6. This groups helps to weigh in on district level decisions and represent our school community. If you are interested, please contact me ASAP.

Pinking it Out

On October 31, 2018, the Panther Nation will host a Pink Out at HMS. Everyone will wear pink to culminate the ending of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We want to show a little extra love and support to our community members who have survived, currently experiencing, or have lost a loved one to breast cancer. A continental breakfast will be provided to members of our community from 8:00-8:45! Please help spread the word to our community!

Fresh Vegetables at HMS

We are going to have a produce market on Thursday, November 1st. Ms. Martin's Agriculture Science students are going to help out and we will be set up near the car rider line.

Produce Flyer

Available Resources

Dear Parents and Guardians, We would like to offer some resources for students taking high school classes in 8th grade. Georgia Virtual Schools has a sister site that is free. The modules teach the standards consistent with the classes offered. Below is the information and procedures for using the site. Go to http://www.gavirtuallearning.org/resources/sharedlandingpage.aspx At the top right, click on Resources. On the left side of the page, you will see the Subject options. Click on the subject, and the class options will appear below in the Courses section. For High School Science, choose Physical Science. For High School Spanish, Click on World Language under Subject and Spanish I under courses. For High School Math, Click on GSE Algebra 1 and/ or GSE Analytic Geometry

Binder Check Information

Dress Down Day for October's Binder Check will be November 5!

Grade Level Blogs

The parents spoke and we listened! Every grade level now has a blog that will be shared every week. Here is where you can find grade level specific information! Thank you to the teachers for making this possible! They ROCK!

6th Grade: hilsman6.blogspot.com

7th Grade: www.hilsman7.blogspot.com

8th Grade: http://hilsman8.blogspot.com/ 

Week at a Glance:

Monday

PSP

21st Century

Tuesday

PSP 

21st Century

FFA Meeting 4-6

Wednesday-Hilsman Goes Pink
Students are permitted to wear jeans and a pink shirt or any pink accessories for Breast Cancer Awareness

21st Century

Ag Class SAE Checkpoint 1 hour/1picture

Thursday

21st Century

Friday-Spirit Shirt and uniform bottoms

Week of October 21, 2018

Quote of the Week:


Good afternoon Panther Nation!

Wow! What a turn out for Parent/Teacher Conferences. Thank you for coming to support your scholar(s) last week. Our students did a phenomenal job communicating their glows and grows as many of them led their own conference. We still have a few conferences to conduct but I am sure that we are really close to our goal of 100%. If you have not scheduled or attended your child's conference, please contact their homeroom teacher this week.

There were so many students that performed well the first quarter of the year. Congratulations to all of the students that remained in good academic standing and that had perfect attendance. I would also like to shout CONGRATULATIONS to the parents/guardians too! Thank you for getting your scholar(s) to school on time and holding them accountable for their learning! It feels great to know that the village is working together to do what is in the best interest of our students.

This is a reminder that there will be no school this Friday due to our Fall Break! Enjoy your time and cheers to a great week!

Principal Tolbert

Announcements:

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 "Life Is Your Journey. Travel Drug Free." Students can anticipate daily announcements, lessons from their teachers, and informational tables set up at lunch. We will also continue our trend of having dress up days. Tuesday, October 23rd: Mix It Up at Lunch Day. This is an international campaign that encourages students to identify, question, and cross social boundaries. Help students unmask their inner superheroes and encourage them to team up with their peers. Dress like a superhero to put an end to drugs. Students must still wear uniform bottoms. For more information, visit tolerance.org/mix-it-up.

WE NEED YOU!

Parents,

We are in need of 1 parent and 2 community members to represent on our Local School Governance Team. I have received information from 2 parents expressing their willingness to serve! We meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month. This group helps to govern HMS and weighs in on important school level decisions that support the learning of our students. Please consider and contact me if you are interested!

We are also seeking parents to represent HMS on the CCSD Parent Advisory Board. This group meets once a month on Mondays at 6. This groups helps to weigh in on district level decisions and represent our school community. If you are interested, please contact me ASAP.

Pinking it Out

On October 31, 2018, the Panther Nation would like to host a Pink Out at HMS. Everyone will wear pink to culminate the ending of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We want to show a little extra love and support to our community members who have survived, currently experiencing, or have lost a loved one to breast cancer. A continental breakfast will be provided to members of our community from 8:00-8:45!


Field Days

Fall is in the air and we are ready for grade level field days this week! Please read your grade level's blog for more information! Students will be allowed to dress in athletic attire for their grade level's field day! Parents you are welcome to come and join in the fun! We are in need of volunteers. If you are available, please contact Ms.Barnett at 706-548-7281.


Available Resources

Dear Parents and Guardians, We would like to offer some resources for students taking high school classes in 8th grade. Georgia Virtual Schools has a sister site that is free. The modules teach the standards consistent with the classes offered. Below is the information and procedures for using the site. Go to http://www.gavirtuallearning.org/resources/sharedlandingpage.aspx At the top right, click on Resources. On the left side of the page, you will see the Subject options. Click on the subject, and the class options will appear below in the Courses section. For High School Science, choose Physical Science. For High School Spanish, Click on World Language under Subject and Spanish I under courses. For High School Math, Click on GSE Algebra 1 and/ or GSE Analytic Geometry

Grade Level Blogs

The parents spoke and we listened! Every grade level now has a blog that will be shared every week. Here is where you can find grade level specific information! Thank you to the teachers for making this possible! They ROCK!


6th Grade: hilsman6.blogspot.com

7th Grade: www.hilsman7.blogspot.com

8th Grade: http://hilsman8.blogspot.com/ 


Week at a Glance:

Monday
PSP
21st Century

Tuesday
PSP 
21st Century
8th Grade Field Day

Wednesday
21st Century
7th Grade Field Day

Thursday
21st Century
6th Grade Field Day

Friday-Fall Break! NO SCHOOL

Week of 10/14/18

Quote of the Week: 



Happy Sunday Panther Nation!

I am looking forward to an awesome week! The weather is beautiful and this week, Wednesday-Friday, we will be visited by many of you as we welcome you in for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Students will be released early from school this Wednesday-Friday at 1:30 p.m. Please make sure that you have transportation arranged for your scholar. There will be no PSP and no 21st Century for October 15-19th. It is our goal to have 100% of our parents participate in their scheduled conferences. If you have not received notification of your time, you will know no later than tomorrow! 

Panther Nation, we are working hard to model appropriate behaviors for our students. As we teach them how to manage their behaviors and remain aware of other's feelings, the staff of HMS have committed to being the example for our students. As a community, we must model and hold each other accountable for setting the tone for our scholars. It is important that we model respect for each other as we are engaging in difficult conversations about students' academic and behavioral progress. I challenge everyone in our community to be their best so that our students will be their BEST! 

As mentioned in my previous communication with parents we have had several changes to occur on our staff. Mr. Mundy, Mr. McCann, Ms. Buffington-Martin, Ms. N. Myers, and Mrs. Blair will not be returning to Hilsman. We are in the process of hiring a new Chorus and Spanish teacher; however, a recommendation to hire for both ELA positions have been made to the BOE. We will host a Parent Information Session in the upcoming two weeks to address any parent concerns. The Administration Team will host conferences for Mr. Mundy's class and we will be in touch with those needed on tomorrow.

Our new building is well on its way up! I know it is too early to speak of moving but we are on scheduled to enter the new HMS as early as mid August! We are keeping our fingers cross that the weather will remain great so that the construction will continue to move! 

Tomorrow is College/Career Day! Please have your child wear their favorite college shirt or dress up for a career of their choice. Our goal is to have 100% participation. Data collected last month revealed that 68% of our school community participated in our College/Career Monday! Let's strive for greater tomorrow!

I look forward to seeing you all this week!

Principal Tolbert

Announcements

21st Century will not meet after school October 15-18 due to Parent Conferences. The morning 21st Century Program from 7:00-8:00 am will be available. 21st Century will host Lights on After School on Thursday, October 25 from 5:00-6:00 pm. If you are interested in the program, you may stop by and check out the programming that is offered.

Arrival to School

Attention all car riders! When you arrive to drop your child(ren) off in the morning, please keep moving past the green cones. Please do not stop at the cafeteria. This causes a traffic back up and frustration for others as they are waiting for students to exit the car. Adults are present to help direct your path. Thank you in advance for your help!

Uniforms

We are noticing an increase in students arriving to school out of uniform. This is the expectations and is clearly outlined in the Uniform Expectations. Students who violate the rule will receive a consequence. Please ensure that your child is dressed in the appropriate attire for HMS. If you need assistance or would like to donate uniforms, please contact Ms. Barnett at 706-546-7721.

Cell Phones

This is a reminder that cell phones are not permitted from 8:25-3:45. If students must contact parents during the day, they are permitted to use the school phones. If students violate the  rule they will receive a consequence up to and including confiscating the phone.

Week at a Glance

No After-school PSP or 21st Century this week!

Monday

College and Career T-Shirt Day

All staff and students are encouraged to wear a college or career t-shirt with uniform bottoms. Please make sure college or career is visible; solid colors are not permitted.


Tuesday


Wednesday-Early Release 1:30


Thursday-Early Release 1:30


Friday-Early Release 1:30

Week of October 7, 2018

Quote of the Week:



Happy Sunday Panther Nation!

Thank you for coming out to the band concert last week! Mrs. Camp did an amazing job of directing our talented students. They were awesome and the sound was pleasing to the ear. Our Hispanic Heritage Celebration was just as great. It was good to see our families fellowship with each other while they enjoyed the festivities. We had a blast! Stay tuned to more opportunities to come out and mingle with our members of the Panther Nation! 

The moment that we have all been waiting for is quickly approaching! Fall Parent/Teacher Conference Time! Conferences will be held October 17-19, 2018. Students will be released at 1:30 p.m. to allow time for these important meetings with your child’s teacher. Wednesday, October 17th is when we will host evening conferences.

You will be invited to come to school for a conference with your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s progress. The conference will last from 20 to 30 minutes. Please take advantage of this time to discuss your child's performance in the classroom and on assessments. Feel free to use this opportunity to address concerns you may have. We want to have 100% participation! We can do it!

Here is to a great week! 

Principal Tolbert

Announcements

News from Nurse Chambers

Your CCSD nurses are holding a community health night on Tuesday, October 16th at Oglethorpe Elementary School from 6-8 p.m. We will have multiple members of the health community present making presentations and giving out info for a healthy lifestyle. There will be food and door prizes and so much more! ALL are welcome!

21st Century and PSP News

21st Century and PSP will not meet after school during the week of Parent Conferences - October 15-19. Only the morning program will be available during that week.

News from the Counselors

The Clarke County School District takes seriously the personal/social and physical safety of our students. In order to proactively address concerns of depression and child/adolescent suicide, the district is providing a student suicide prevention lesson as part of the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Prevention Program. The Counseling Department at Hilsman will be delivering the Signs of Suicide (SOS) lesson through classrooms for 6th grade students during the week of November 12, 2018. Letters will be sent home with 6th grade students on October 8, 2018, and contain more detailed information about SOS. If you DO NOT wish for your child to participate in the SOS lesson at school, please sign the letter and return it to the Counseling Department by October 12, 2018. If you have any questions or concerns about this program, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Moore or Ms. Callahan, School Counselors.

Panther Nation Time

Good for fit (Zumba time at Hilsman) Friday October 19 at 6 pm Babysitting for children 4 and under Ticket: school supplies or suggested donation $2 student/$3 adult

Congratulations 2017-2018 Green Teachers! 3 Hilsman teachers taught a combined total of 56 lessons that were classified by Athens-Clarke County Government as "Green Lessons." Hilsman's Green Teachers are: Audrey Hughes Renee Smith Martin Erin Seymour The 3 teachers will receive a prize and a certificate, plus our school will receive a Green School sign for the exterior of our building.


Week at a Glance


Monday
PSP 
21st Century

Tuesday
Georgia National Fair in Perry ,Ga (students will need to meet Mrs. Martin at Hilsman 2.0 at 6:00 am)
PSP
21st Century

Wednesday
21st Century

Thursday
21st Century

C-Team Football Cedar Shoals vs. Clarke Central Date: Thursday, October-11-2018 Time: 5:00 p.m. Location: Cedar Shoals High School

Friday
21st Century