Covering the week of 10/14 - 10/17
Embedded Files
A Message from Dr. Clapp and Mrs. Mohr
Classroom Peeks
HKMS Happenings
Get Involved!
Community Clicks
Upcoming Events
Dear HKMS Families,
Last weekend's storm system shut down some of the few schools that were open on Columbus Day. Those closures reminded us to clarify our weather-delayed plans and procedures. Below you will see our most common schedule adjustments (early dismissal and delayed opening). There are also some frequently asked questions (FAQs) that come up, so we've written those up as well. While I hope there is no weather that impedes our work, it is best to be prepared. If after reviewing these materials, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
School Closure FAQs
How will we be informed of a change to the school schedule? All changes to the planned school schedule will be communicated via ParentSquare (which also sends out an email and text notification).
If the day we last had school was an "A-Day," then we have a snow day; is it a "B-Day" when we return? We do NOT skip the letter day when we have a snow day. If the day that we have off for snow was supposed to be an A day, then it will be an A day on the day we return to school.
What if there are assignments that are due on the snow day, when are those now due? Assignments due on a snow day are expected to be completed and handed in the very next school day. If it is an online assignment on Google Classroom, students should still submit the assignments that are due via Google Classroom.
What if we have a test scheduled a few days after the snow day, if we miss a day does the test get pushed back a day? Not necessarily. Students should still plan to take the assessment the day they return to school after the snow day or on the originally planned date.
Delayed Opening FAQs
Why would we have a delayed opening? If inclement weather has impacted the road conditions overnight or in the early morning hours, the superintendent will call a delayed opening in order to give town crews extra time to clear the roads before buses and high school drivers head in to school.
What classes meet or are skipped on a delayed opening? All classes will meet. The times for each period are shortened to accommodate the later arrival.
Do we still have lunch? Yes, lunch is still served on delayed opening days.
Do extracurricular clubs and activities meet when we have a delayed opening? All before school clubs and activities are canceled when there is a delayed opening.
How are class assignments, tests/quizzes, and projects effected? This is very class and assignment dependent. Students should still plan to complete work and/or prepare for assessments by the original due dates, unless the teacher announcements change in Google Classroom.
Early Dismissal FAQs
Why would we have an early dismissal from school? We have pre-scheduled early release days for professional learning. These are already listed on the school calendar. In case of forecasted inclement weather during the afternoon hours, the superintendent may call an early dismissal so that buses can get students home prior to road conditions being impacted by the weather.
Are classes skipped/missed on these days? Like the late start, we have shortened periods so all classes can still meet, provided we know its an ED before school starts. If we have an unplanned early dismissal (called after we start school), and we cannot move into our modified schedule, classes typically held later in the day may be cut.
Do we still have lunch? Lunch is still served on early dismissal days, unless we have an unusually early dismissal (i.e., before 11:00).
Do extracurricular clubs and activities meet when we have an early dismissals? All after school activities and clubs are canceled if there is an early dismissal.
As discussed at open house, for each week we will highlight one skill that will give your child a competitive advantage in school and beyond. These are skills we are working on in school, but will really only flourish if also worked on at home. Each skill will include a rationale and some ideas on how you can promote it at home. This week's skill is:
Asking Good Questions
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” – Albert Einstein
Rationale:
Questions connect newly learned facts
Research show curious students outperform peers in academic performance, emotional intelligence, and measures of creativity. This is not because they know more, but because wondering about the world makes them more open to new information.
Asking questions enhances critical thinking, improves retention, and boosts confidence by actively engaging learners in the learning process.
Questions fosters curiosity, helps clarify doubts, encourages self-directed learning, and leads to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of a subject.
Source: Center for Teaching Innovation, Cornell University
What you can do to promote:
Model your own curiosity! When your child asks a question, show your own interest by asking them follow-up questions in return. For example, "Why do you think that happened?" or "How does that make you feel?"
React positively to questions. Acknowledge and appreciate your child's curiosity, even when it feels overwhelming. Avoid dismissing or ignoring their questions to show that their curiosity is valued.
Turn their questions into learning opportunities: When a child asks "why," you can respond with, "That's a great question! What do you think the answer is?" This empowers them to find their own answers and think critically.
Veteran's Day Is Coming!
Each year we are honored to host Veteran's Day events with over a dozen heroes here at HKMS. This year that event will occur on Monday, November 10th (the day before Veteran's Day) from 7:30 -10:30 a.m. We take great pride in welcoming veterans from among our family and friends. If you or a family member is a Veteran or active member of the US Military, we would love to honor their service as the HKMS event. Please send Steve or Annie an email letting us know and we will reach out and coordinate their attendance.
To help "give back" to our military heroes we are once again partnering with the "300 Boodle Brigade." The Boodle Brigade is a group of West Point parents who organize and ship comfort items to active duty solders stationed overseas during the holiday season. Last year we were able to send over 40 care packages out! Dr. Baca and our Peer Leaders are organizing the donations and packaging, see their flyer below with suggested donations. If you can't make a donation, but would like to sponsor a box, each one costs about $30 to ship. You can send a check into the HKMS Students Activity Fund and we will make sure your donation helps to subsidize the shipping costs (in the note please indicate "300 Boodles Brigade").
Well, there sure were a lot of good questions coming from students this week at HKMS. Check out this week's newsletter to get all caught up!
Hoping you have a fantastic weekend!
Sincerely,
Steve Clapp, Ed.D. & Annie Mohr
Principal Assistant Principal
Much like silent sustained reading's impact on reading comprehension, journaling has a huge impact on students' writing skills. Mrs. Burke's students regularly practice journaling with interesting prompts like this one:
In Spanish class, students are translating numbers from Spanish to English!
In ILA, the 40 Book challenge is well underway as all seventh graders read and summarize at least 40 books this school year. Their journals are being filled with their own summaries and book covers.
In Spanish class, Profe is helping students to discuss future events and apply their new learning of the simple future tense.
In social studies, students are creating original presentations about global issues to help raise awareness among their classmates. Their presentations are next week!
As 8th grade students launched into the dystopian unit in ILA, they started by creating their own ideal worlds. They then compared their utopian elements to see what themes emerged.
Math isn't all numbers and symbols! In fact, mathematical vocabulary is vital for students to understand as the work becomes more complex. Mr. Rountos' students are quizzing each other on important algebraic terms.
Orchestra students are getting organized with a materials check-in then diving into scale competitions and sight reading practice.
Mrs. Kovlakas has taken over in health! She set the tone for her portion of the trimester on day one and inquired about topics of interest for students that she could add into activities during this second half of trimester 1.
We are honored to have VFW Post 10059 coming back to HKMS on Monday, November 10th to help us recognize and celebrate Veterans Day! Veterans will be in classes all morning sharing their stories, how military service has guided their lives, and answering students' questions about military service.
Our Peer Leaders Club is partnering with the "300 Boodle Brigade" (a West Point parent group) to collect, package, and send care packages to active duty solders stationed oversees. See their donation list in this section.
Collections will start this week and end on Veterans Day. Please consider sending in any of the suggested items, or "sponsoring a box." The packages cost $30 each to ship. To sponsor a box, please send a check into the HKMS Students Activity Fund and we will make sure your donation helps to subsidize the shipping costs (in the note please indicate "300 Boodles Brigade").
Please do not send any perishable food items, alcohol (even wipes or sanitizer), tobacco, items that use batteries, nail polish, perfumes, or adult oriented materials.
More Information about the 300 Boodle Brigade
What has been lost, now has been found! The HKMS Lost and Found is BURSTING with sweatshirts, water-bottles, binders, lunchboxes, and other items. We plan to donate these items on October 31st. See the images below. It is best to encourage your child to find their own item, but you can also feel free to come inspect the pile and re-adopt your child's items any day before 11:15 am or after 12:45pm. Please come to the door and ring the bell. We will have you check into the main office then will walk you to the lost and found. Just make sure to come at a time when lunch is NOT in session.
Extracurricular Clubs and Activities!
This Gantt Chart shows our extracurricular timeline for the school year. If the month is colored in (i.e., not white) the activity is running that month. The color of the cell represents a day of the week and time. For example, Volleyball in dark yellow runs Wednesdays from January - March from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. The musical is the most unique activity as it will be running from November - February in some combination of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (depending on rehearsal group). Which is why the musical cells are a gradient of orange, yellow, and green. All current clubs and activities also have a flyer below this chart with more details about time, location, and advisor.
HALLOWEEN at HKMS
Halloween is quickly approaching and we want everyone to enjoy the day while also learning and being able to do everything they would on a normal school day. If a student chooses to participate by dressing up, please follow the guidelines in this section. Students should be able to do all the things they normally would, including fully participating in PE while still in their costume. Costumes like inflatables, over the head masks, and those that may be unsafe, inappropriate, or distracting to others are not allowed. There is no dressing up (or applying makeup, etc.) allowed once you get to school, you must come and stay in your costume for the day.
Additionally, bringing in or distributing candy or other "treats" in school is prohibited by our school wellness policy; items in violation of this policy will be confiscated.
Despite the holiday, we are a school of learning first. Anything that interferes with our learning will be confiscated.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
SEPTA!
Easton's Special Education Parent Teacher Association
SEPTA 2024-2025 Year end.pdf
The Easton Learning Foundation!
Founded in 2004, the Easton Learning Foundation (ELF) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching Easton’s commitment to quality education. To that end, the Foundation strives to secure financial and human resources for innovative educational projects and programs by:
Building community-wide support for the benefit of our schools
Partnering with the District to help achieve their vision
Funding educational initiatives and programs that fall outside the school budget, like the cafeteria furniture seen below!
October is Fire Safety Month!
Easton Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Director Schuyler Sherwood wants us all to be aware of the dangers of Lithium Ion Batteries. Marshal Sherwood will be coming to HKMS' health classes to explain the dangers and what we can do to be safer as these batteries become more entwined in our lives. Check out his message and the materials he shared with us!
FPW25_Tear Off Flyer.pdfHow should I dispose of lithium (1).docxFamily Flyer LI Batteries.pdfBuy Charge Recyle FPW.pdfTake Charge Fact Sheet.pdfLithium Ion Battery Press.docx
Page updated
Report abuse