Mid-Summer Newsletter
Updates covering 6/18 - 7/22
Embedded Files
A Message from Dr. Clapp
Summer Reading and Math
HKMS Updates
"My Three Words"
Upcoming Events
Dear HKMS Families,
Happy Summer! I hope everyone is enjoying the more relaxed pace of summer, unplugging a bit and reconnecting with family, friends, and favorite summer time activates. While I have not gotten away yet, I've been busy with my daughter's summer swim meets and tennis matches. I've also been able to get out golfing and hiking, and of course, I'm getting ready for the upcoming school year! My family will be heading up to Maine at the end of the month for our annual Portland visit, which is my favorite place to "reset" for the new school year.
With the first day of school 36 days away, there is still a lot of summer left, but plenty of work to do before it arrives. Below you will find all the summer "to dos" for both students and parents. This includes summer reading, math, and health physicals for our 6th and 7th graders, We have the up-to-date back-to-school supply lists, for those who like to get ahead, and take advantage of CT's Tax Free Week which is August 18 - 24 this year. We've also included some updates from around the school and from some of your favorite faculty members.
This year we will be celebrating our 6oth year as Easton's Middle School! It was late August 1964 when HKMS first opened our doors for students in grades five - seven (grade eight was added later in September due to construction delays). This year we will look back at many of the innovative advances 1964 HKMS offered (like a full size gym in a school, the first in the area!) while we forge ahead blazing a new path of innovative advances for our amazing middle school students.
Part of our 6oth anniversary, and in the spirit of Dr. Keller, we have developed a theme for the year, which is, "The Power of Words." Throughout the year we will be raising awareness of how powerful our words are to harm or heal, to inspire or discourage. We will examine how our words can promote growth and encourage others to thrive while also learning how we can use our words to make our school community the most welcoming place for all. To kick off the year we want to inspire our students with messages from all of you (parents, staff, community members, current, future, and former students, everyone!), by creating our own "my three words" video. Mrs. Mohr has a message with all the details below the summer reading and math section. Please consider sending in a submission!
We will send out a more formal, "Welcome to the 2024-25 School Year" message in mid-August with all the information you need to know for the new school year including updated schedules, student handbook, new staff, and policy highlights all of which will help to ensure a smooth start to the school year.
As always, please stay in touch with any questions, concerns, or updates of your own. Mrs. Mohr, Mrs. Cahalan, Mrs. Rudy and I are busy at work in the main office should you need anything!
Sincerely,
Steve Clapp, Ed.D.
Summer Reading Links
Nutmeg nominees entering 7th & 8th graders choose from the 7 - 8 list, entering 6th graders can use 7-8 list or 4-6 list
Text Connections Graphic Organizer
Students complete ONE of the (n=1) graphic organizers
PLEASE NOTE:
To access any password protected site, students should log into their ER9 Google account from any home computer and use CLEVER to access the site.
To get to CLEVER, use the link above or navigate to “The Den” (student resources) on the top of The HKMS Website.
ATTENTION:
EASTON COMMUNITY LEADERS, HKMS PARENTS, HKMS STUDENTS, & HKMS STAFF
An All Call for Inspiring Words FROM our community FOR our community….
The theme of the 2024-2025 school year at HKMS will be “The Power of Words.” We want to kick off our school year with words of inspiration and support FROM our community FOR our community. The task is simple. Create an inspiring and supportive message for the HKMS community using ONLY 3 words, film it and email it to us!
Here are two quick videos explaining the “My Three Words” idea to give you a better sense of the task.
My Three Words on GMA-Video #1
This is an all call for submission from COMMUNITY LEADERS, PARENTS, STUDENTS and STAFF!
Your Mission:
Create a message of support and inspiration for the students and staff of HKMS for our new school year using JUST 3 WORDS.
Write the words on individual papers or other creative materials.
Make a video of yourself and/or your friends holding up the words.
Don’t say the words on your video, simply display them in your own creative way.
Email the video to Mrs. Mohr (amohr@er9.org).
We will use your carefully chosen 3 words of inspiration to kick off our school year and jumpstart our theme!
We will send sporadic email reminders requesting your submissions since we know that the summer is a busy time for all.
THANK YOU!!!
- Mrs. Annie Mohr, Assistant Principal
This fearsome foursome (Mrs. Rudy, Mr. Dolecki, Dr. Clapp, and Mr. Simonson) continued the Keller Golf Tournament tradition at Tashua Knolls in June. Mr. Simonson had the best score, but all were winners!
Our shiny gym looks amazing with a new finish coat!
The Mohr Family nailed their holiday card picture while on vacation in Stone Harbor, NJ.
Mrs. Terry and family at LBI this July.
Mrs. Rose in Vietnam for an educational program!
The Dolecki family just found out how close the first day of school is...or did their flight to Florida hit a bit of turbulence?
Mrs. Pellegrini's son threw a perfect game and led his team to win the State 11u Championship!
Mrs. Burke's and Mrs. Rose's classrooms are ready!
Mrs. Burke with her family in Ireland
Dr. Baca's room is all shiny and ready for the new school year!
Mrs. Augustine and her son hiking in Acadia, Maine.
Mr. Breyer completing his first 50K trail run
Profe Cerra and his daughter at the CT Science Center
Mrs. Gale holding a sloth in Roatan, Honduras.
On the right: Mr. Rogers cruising around Block Island
For our incoming sixth graders, Mrs. Mohr and Dr. Clapp will host some informal but very helpful open house events in mid-August. These are drop-in events, with no formal presentation or schedule. Students and families can drop in to see the 6th grade wing (the rest of the school is still being cleaned, waxed, and reset), try out opening some lockers, and get to know the Principal and Assistant Principal a bit better. There will be two informal open houses held as follows:
8/7/24 (1:00 - 2:00 p.m.)
8/15/24 (10:00- 11:00 a.m.)
On August 21st from 10:00 a.m. to noon our PTO will be sponsoring an open house for all incoming students, including our rising sixth graders as well students who are new to town or HKMS in grades six - eight. Students will be walked through their schedules and toured around campus by current students and staff. Parents and guardians can meet the admin team and asks any questions they may have. Light refreshments will be served for parents/guardians.
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