Week of 3/12/2017

Hey, Hey, Hey!

It has been a wonderful Spring Break! I hope that all of you rested, unplugged, had fun, and enjoyed your family. My break was AWESOME as I enjoyed the Western Caribbean without my computer. The time has come for us to gather back at Hilsman Middle School! We are on a fast track to the end of the year. This mean that we must stay focused and finish our race to the top. As we begin to gear up for conferences and testing, we must keep in mind the importance of holding each other accountable for the learning of all of the students. As principal, I must continue to have high expectations, motivate, create a safe environment, communicate effectively, and listen. As parents, you must continue to expect rigorous instruction, a safe environment, support, and hold your children accountable for learning. The students must continue to be respectful, follow all school expectations, and learn. Lastly, teachers must continue to deliver high quality instruction, hold students accountable, expect respect, communicate, and motivate the students. If we all commit to doing our part, we will end the year successfully. Remember, it does not matter how we started out, it is how we finish that matters the most! 

Quote of the Week:




Announcements:

• As a school community, we invite every parent in the building to observe and volunteer. It is appreciated and encouraged. However, please remember that we must protect the instructional time. When you are visiting, it is important to remember that it is not time to conference with the teacher. They are expected to be delivering instruction. In addition, please remember not to become confrontational with the students. We want and need your help but we must be careful not to interrupt the school environment. 

• Outside food is not allowed in the cafeteria. If you are coming to enjoy lunch with your child(ren), please be prepared to eat in an alternate location. 

• School begins at 8:25 am. Students can arrive to school as early as 7:45 am. Please make every effort to ensure that students are present at school every day on time. When they miss school, they miss out, and we miss them!  

• Parent conferences will begin next week. You should have received an appointment request as well as a letter from the Superintendent. Our goal is to have 100% of our  parents attend conferences. If you are in need of transportation or is facing other barriers, please contact Mrs. Griffith for assistance. We are also working to schedule conferences in the Nellie B area. Be on the look out for more information regarding the date and time.

• Tomorrow is Spring Picture Day!! Students are allowed to be out of uniform but MUST abide by the district's dress code. NO strapless or spaghetti strapped shirts/dresses, NO leggings/jeggings, and NO open toe shoes. If students do not abide by the dress code, they will be instructed to call home for a change of clothes or placed in ISS for the day.

Congratulations to all of the students that participated in the Regional Social Studies Fair.The students did a fantastic job in the interviews at the GCSS Regional Social Studies Fair in Gainesville.

Melchiah Adams, Chloe Howard, and Coriander McGreevy from Hilsman placed 2nd.

Ashton Bryant, Isabella Gonzalez, Knox Huff, Zollie Mattox, Benjamin Michael, Kellie Newsome, William Olmstead, and Hadiza Sara should also be proud of making it to the regional fair!

Congratulations to our 7th and 8th grade bands!  Straight superior ratings AND all A's in their performance!  Two judges even found Mrs.Camp afterwards to tell her that Hilsman was the best 7th grade band they had ever heard!  Hats off to Mrs. Camp and our students! Your work is appreciated! One band one sound!

Energy Education Week in Athens-Clarke County will be observed March 25-31.

During the week, students will learn about resource and energy conservation in their Science and ELT classes.  The 6th grade will be treated to a special performance by Jack Golden's of "Water, Water, Everywhere" on March 28 at 1:30 pm.  

All Hilsman students, parents, staff, and supporters are encouraged to take the Energy Star Pledge.  Here is a link to the Pledge:  Hilsman Energy Star Pledge.  Our school goal is to collect 500 Energy Star Pledges.  

​Spring Book Fair is almost here! The book fair will be open during all school and parent conference times MArch 20th through March 24th. Make sure to stop in and support your Hilsman Media Center and find some GREAT books to read now and over the summer!"​

Week at a Glance

Monday: B Day

Spring Picture Day-No Uniform Day

21st Century

PSP

Tuesday: A Day

21 Century

PSP

MathCounts

Wednesday: B Day

21st Century

Thursday: A Day

21st Century

Friday: B Day

Week of 2/26/2017

Quote of the Week: 


Good evening,

Again,  thank you for your patience! Last week our Panther Nation showed great progress academically and behaviorally. As a result, we saw gains on the benchmark tests and earned a uniform free day. An email was sent to the students praising their efforts as well as reminding them to follow the expectations. We are still in need of games for the tables during lunch. If you have any board games that you would like to donate, we will gladly accept them for our students.  This week is going to be filled with activities and events as we are nearing a much needed Spring Break!

Please unplug and enjoy the break. WE did not distribute work packages but do want to encourage every student to read a book of their choice. When we return, it will be time for us to gear up for conferences and the administration of The Georgia Milestones. For those of you that have been sick, hopefully this time will give your body and mind an opportunity to rest and heal. Again enjoy your break and we will see you in a week!

Principal Tolbert


Announcements:

Yearbooks on sale for $22.00. They will be $24.00 after 2/28/2017. Students have been given an order form by their homeroom teacher or can get one from Ms. Nix. Orders can also be placed online. 

Spring Pictures will be on March 13, 2017. Spring pictures are pre-pay. 

Winter/ Spring teams and clubs will follow individual photos on March 13th. 

Hilsman Spirit Gear

Don't forget to purchase your Hilsman Spirit Gear from the front office! Hoodies are on sale for 20.00 and the Front Zip Pullovers are 25.00! 

Saturday School

Saturday School starts March 18th.  We will be preparing for the Georgia Milestone.

The hours are from 8:00am - 12:00pm. All grade levels are invited.  

Week at a Glance

Monday: A Day
21st Century
PSP
Head of House Meeting


Tuesday: B Day
21st Century
PSP
MathCounts



Wednesday: A Day (White out for Cedar) Students will be allowed to wear a white t-shirt or Cedar spirit wear with jeans to support the Jaquars in their race to a basketball championship. Go Jaquars! (Students must wear blue jeans with no holes or rips. Students are permitted to wear shorts or khaki pants as an alternative. No sweat pants.)

Cedar's Counselors visit HMS 8th grade classes

21st Century

Soccer Game 4:30 HMS v/s BHL @ BHL

Wilson's Tribute-There will be a school wide tribute in honor of Mr. Gilbert Wilson at 2:45.



Thursday: B Day
21st Century


Friday: A Day
House BB Tournament



Jaquar Nation News

Monday 2-27-17   Varsity Baseball vs. Monroe Area  5:55

                           JV Boys Soccer @ Johnson  5:00

Wednesday 3-1-17 VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL VS. LITHONIA  7:30

                            STATE TOURNAMENT ELITE 8! HERE AT CEDAR SHOALS

                             Varsity Baseball @ Meadowcreek  5:55

Thursday  3-2-17     JV Baseball vs. Hart Co. 5:30

                              JV Boys Soccer @ Flowery Branch  5:30

Friday 3-4-17           Varsity Baseball vs. Habersham Central  5:55

                               Varsity Soccer @ Flowery Branch  5:30/7:30

Saturday  3-5-17       JV Baseball @ Hart Co.  11:00      

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

Week of 2/19/2017

Quote of the week: 


Good evening,

Thank you for your patience regarding the blog! It has been a busy weekend!We are looking forward to a great week. Below you will find the announcements and events for the week.


Hoodies for Sale: We now have more Hilsman Hoodies for sale! They are in stock and ready for your scholar. They are $20.00. If you have a child that is interested in a zip up pull over, we have these on for sale for 25.00! Please see Mrs. Postero!


Saturday School

The Georgia Milestone Preparation Program begins Saturday, March 18th from 8:00 am-12:00 pm for 4 consecutive Saturdays.  Applications were sent home Friday with students during 7th period. There is an application deadline!  This Saturday School Program will be engaging and help our students tremendously as we gear up to demolish the Georgia Milestone in all areas. Please get your child signed up!

FFA Announcements

February 19-25: NATIONAL FFA WEEK!

Each day a question will be asked on the Hilsman FFA Instagram and Facebook. The person to answer the question first (through direct message) will receive a prize!

FFA Carnation Sale- Tuesday and Wednesday 1 for $2 and 3 for $5! For sale during all lunches! If you want to send your student one please contact Ms. Smith at smithj2@clarke.k12.ga.us

Track- There will be no track practice until further notice. 

Yearbooks on sale for $22.00. They will be $24.00 after 2/28/2017. Students have been given an order form by their homeroom teacher or can get one from Ms. Nix. Orders can also be placed online. 

Spring Pictures will be on March 13, 2017. Spring pictures are pre-pay. 

Winter/ Spring teams and clubs will follow individual photos on March 13th

Benchmark Information

2/21 - Tuesday - ELA (afternoon make ups)

2/22 - Wednesday - ELA Make Ups

2/23 - Thursday - Social Studies (afternoon make ups)

24 - Friday - All Make Ups

Monday- Out of School


Tuesday- A Day

21st Century
Math Counts
PSP
Soccer Game- Hilsman v/s CMS @ CMS @ 4:30
FFA Meeting: Movie Night 4:00-6:00. FFA Parent meeting 5:30-6:00 in Ms. Smith's room. 


Wednesday- B Day

21st Century
8th Grade trip to Cedar

Food Science Agriscience Fair Practice 7:30am.

FFA Teacher Appreciation Day- Snacks will be provided for teachers in the lounge.

7:40-8:10 AM- Breakfast for FFA Members in Ms. Smith's room.

Thursday-A Day

4:00 -5:00 Help with FFA Carnation Fundraiser flower prep
FAA Members Only- Jeans and FFA Shirt



Friday-B Day

 FFA Carnations delivered during 7th period. 

Week of 2/12/2017

Quote of the week: 


Good afternoon,

I want to start the blog off this week with a HUGE thank you for every parent that came out to listen and help with the concerns at Hilsman. Great things are already happening as a result of your voices. Again, it takes a community to raise a successful school and I appreciate the community that I serve on a daily basis. Please do not forget to get your volunteer forms in to me ASAP.  This week will be just as busy as we are preparing to administer benchmark exams. Please make sure that you have encouraged your child to review and complete the packets that were sent home in every major content area. It is our goal to prepare our students. The better prepared they are, the better they will perform.

There will be a Valentine's Day Dance this Tuesday from 6-8. Please support the 8th grade teachers effort to raise money for their field trip to Washington, D. C. We are also asking for donations of snacks to sell during the dance.  Please consider donating chips, canned sodas, and candy. Students are asked to wear red but it is casual attire. We are looking forward to a great time.

Lastly, please continue to encourage your child to show respect and kindness at all times. We want a school where every kid feels accepted, loved, and important. Again, thank you for your voices and help! It is a pleasure to serve as the principal of Hilsman.

Ms. U. Tolbert

Announcement:

Attendance: Parents please remember that school starts at 8:25. We have a significant number of students that are arriving late to school or absent are absent from school. Remember when you miss school, you miss out!

SMILE 

Yearbooks on sale for $22.00. They will be $24.00 after 2/28/2017. Students have been given an order form by their homeroom teacher or can get one from Ms. Nix. Orders can also be placed online. 

Spring Pictures will be on March 13, 2017. Spring pictures are pre-pay. 

Winter/ Spring teams and clubs will follow individual photos on March 13th. 

Saturday School Update:

Saturday School starts March 18th.  We will be preparing for the Georgia Milestone.

The hours are from 8:00 - 12:00, All Grade levels are invited.  

Applications will go out Monday, February 13th.  They are due back by March 2, 2017 to the homeroom teacher.

Percentage Night

Percent Night at Chick-Fil-A on Wednesday, February 15th, from 5-8PM. Must say Hilsman prior to ordering food. Proceeds will go to Academic Team.

7th Grade Tutoring

Seventh grade students are invited to stay after school each Thursday from 4:00 to 5:00 to make up work and receive remediation..  Parents are requested to give me a day's notice, and students must be picked up at 5:00 p.m.

Benchmark Schedule

Feb/Winter Benchmarks Daily Schedule Below

2/14- Tuesday -  Science (afternoon make ups)

  2/15 - Wednesday -  Science - Make Ups

2/16 - Thursday - Math (afternoon make ups)

   2/17 Friday - Math and Science - Make ups

2/21 - Tuesday - ELA (afternoon make ups)

2/22 - Wednesday - ELA Make Ups

2/23 - Thursday - Social Studies (afternoon make ups)

24 - Friday - All Make Ups

Week at a Glance:

Monday-B Day

PSP

21st Century

Nursery Landscape and Agriscience Fair Small Group Practice 4-5

Tuesday- A Day

PSP

21st Century

MathCounts

Valentine's Day Dance 6-8

Soccer Game- FFA Concessions Workers 4-6

Wednesday- B Day

21st Century

Thursday- A Day

21 Century

Agriscience Fair Small Group Practice 4-5 - Officer Meeting 4-4:30

Friday- B Day

Sunday: UGA vs LSU Basketball Game (FFA members going meet at Stegman Collesium at 1:30)

Jaq Nation News

Monday 2-13-17 Varsity Soccer vs. Providence Christian Academy 5:00/7:00

Tuesday 2-14-17 Varsity Soccer vs. Greene Co. 5:30/7:30

                          JV Baseball vs. Salem  5:30

Wednesday 2-15-17 JV Boys Soccer vs. Buford  5:30

Thursday 2-16-17  Varsity Baseball vs. Oglethorpe Co. 5:55

                            JV Baseball @ Salem  5:55

Friday 2-17-17  Varsity Soccer vs. E. Hall  5:30/7:30

Saturday 2-18-17  Varsity Baseball @ E Jackson 1:00

                           STATE TOURNAMENT BASKETBALL  TBD

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

Week of 2/4/2017

Quote of the Week:

 Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.  President Barak Obama

Parents,

Thank you for your patience as I have worked to craft an email to respond to many of your concerns as it relates to what is going on at Hilsman. During the last two weeks we have experienced a rise in discipline infractions. Students are blatantly engaging in disrespectful behaviors and violating the expectations. As a result we have had to implement changes to transitions, lunches, No Flex Zone rule, and incentives in order to ensure the safety and learning environment of all of our students. This is a school wide concern that may be attributed to the laser focus on making students take responsibility for their behavior and academics. We realize that not all students are engaging in inappropriate and unsafe behavior. It is not the intention of the changes to be punitive however to provide consistency and accountability.  The teachers are working hard to provide instruction that is engaging and academically challenging. We have made adjustments through the use of different learning strategies to meet the needs of every student. We want to ensure that all of our students are properly prepared for the next level and are mastering standards.  There is one crucial component missing to helping to solve the issues that we are facing at Hilsman and that is you, the parent. We need your input, ideas, and help if we are going to successfully end the year. I am requesting a meeting with parents at every grade level to do a mid-year check up. My goal in this meeting is to develop a plan with parental input to address grade level concerns as it relates to discipline and academics. PLEASE make every effort to attend the meetings. I strongly believe in the old proverb, "it takes a village to raise a child." It takes a community to create a successful school. I look forward to seeing you all next week.

In addition, we have been impacted by the flu and other illnesses at Hilsman. It appears that we have all been SICK. Although attendance is important, you are encouraged to keep your child(ren) at home if they are sick. Please ensure that they have been fever and vomit free for at least 24 hours before returning to school. Our custodians are working to keep our school sanitized and clean. Thanks to all of you that contributed supplies to help keep our  students and staff well.

Lastly, I am asking that you keep our families in your thoughts. There are many families that are experiencing financial and health challenges. We are a family at Hilsman and family support each other.

Principal Tolbert


Announcements:

Band News 

10 band students will attend the District 14 Honor Band Clinic on Friday and Saturday.  Congratulations to:

Lily Gehner

Will Fang

Ben Michael

Lorelai Crook

Sakteh Chaluvadi

Dennis Maganda

Nazier Mills

Aubrey Crook

Alex Holland

Enock Maganda

  Valentines Day Dance   

February 14, 2016 

6:00 pm-8:00 pm

Hilsman Middle School

Please encourage your child to attend as all funds will be used to support the 8th grade field trip to Washington, D.C.

Mark Your Calendar for

“Rising 9th Grade Parent Night!”

at Cedar Shoals High School

When: Thursday February 9th, 2016 at 6:00pm

Where: Cedar Shoals High School Auditorium

Cedar Shoals High School would like to extend an early welcome to all 8th grade families! We are excited your students will be joining us in a few short months and we are eager to share important information with parents. You will receive information on:

• Elements for a successful transition to high school
• Freshman Academy Summer Transition Camp
• Class/schedule information
• PTSA membership & volunteer opportunities

News from Mrs. Hughes

 2017 Earth Day T-Shirt Order Form

​

Youth and adult sizes are $8 each.  

2X-5X shirts are $12 each.

The sleeve will be customized with our school and team name along with a recycle symbol.

Building Committee   

Hilsman is ready to take on the challenge of designing a new building. However, the design is not simply about the building but to look at what is important to the learning of our students and how it should be reflected in the building. Again, we need your help. If you would like to serve on this committee, please email Ms. Tolbert at tolbertu@clarke.k12.ga.us by Friday, February 10, 2017. As you can see from the article in the Athens Banner Herald, there are some great ideas being discussed that will positively impact our students and community.

Benchmark Review Packets

Students received a paper copy of a review packet for ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Please take time and have your child complete the packets. It may appear to be a little overwhelming however, if students study the content, they will be better prepared for the Benchmark assessments. Teachers are reviewing and reteaching daily. If they have any questions, please see the teachers or contact Mrs. Hogan. Please help us to help our scholars take ownership of their learning and perform well!

Week at a Glance:

Monday: A Day
PSP 
21st Century
FFA Nursery Landscape Practice

Creed Practice during ELT.

Advisement

Tuesday: B Day
MathCounts 7:15
8:00-8:25 and 4:00-4:30 Agriculture Makeup Work Day in Ms. Smith's Room. 

FFA  Nursery Landscape Practice 4:00-5:00

7th Grade Parent Meeting 6:30

Wednesday: A Day
Creed Practice During ELT.
6th Grade Parent Meeting 6:30


Thursday: B Day
FFA Creed Area Contest Madison County High School.

8th Grade Parent Meeting 6:30

Friday: A Day
MathCounts Tournament at Athens Tech
FFA Permission Slips Due for UGA Basketball Game

SAE Workday 4:00-5:00 with Ms. Erin Seymour 

Jaguar News!!!!

Monday 2-6-17  JV Soccer vs. West Hall 5:30/7:00

Tuesday 2-7-17 Region 8-AAAAA Basketball Tournament @ Cedar Shoals  TBD

                        Varsity Soccer Scrimmage @ Jefferson  5:30/7:30

Wednesday 2-8-17  Varsity Girls Basketball 1st Round Tournament Game @ 

                             Flowery Branch vs. Loganville or Clarke Central  4:30

Thursday 2-9-17  Baseball Scrimmage vs. Monsignor Donovan  6:00

Friday 2-10-17    Region 8-AAAAA Basketball Semi-Finals @ CSHS  TBD

Saturday 2-11-10 Region 8-AAAAA Basketball Finals @ CSHS  TBD

***AS TOURNAMENT INFORMATION BECOMES FINAL IT WILL BE POSTED.

GO JAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1