"Progress isn't always evident at first glance. While quick wins might boost morale, enduring success demands sustained effort and commitment. Remember, genuine growth often operates silently behind the scenes."
-Luke Joyce 

Dear HKMS Families,

With a blanket of snow covering the fields, farms, and forests of Easton, it is difficult to observe the growth that is happing just below the surface.  What is true of flora for farmers is often true of students for educators.  My friends who teach at the elementary level often proudly declare they "plant the seeds" while high school and college educators are busy "reaping the fruit" of the whole education system. Much of the growth we see at the end a school career is not as easy to observe in during the middle school years.  

Being at the midpoint of the year is also a reflection point for all educators.  We often write mid-year reflections, synthesize and analyze five-months of student data, and report to our superiors about how our students are growing and how we are progressing on our professional goals.  As I meet with teachers and review their data, I am blown away by how much growth is occurring.  Sure we are not planting seeds and the fruit is not ready to be picked but we are seeing growth, it's just growth occurring under the surface.  I believe a world-class middle school should be focused on strengthening the roots.    Much like the crops, trees, and flowers that will soon emerge from the frost, which need the "long middle" between planting and harvesting to solidify their roots, so too will our students need the time and nutrients to solidify their foundation. 

With the coming week off, I challenge you to look "under the surface" and see your child's roots growing strong. Use this newsletter, look at the topics being covered in the "Classroom Peeks" section (this week and weeks past) and ask your child to show you how to convert fractions to decimals to percents, to use the quadratic equation, or read a piece of their writing to you. Listen to them play a song, or check out a piece of their art, or debate a topic they are learning in social studies. You will be impressed.  They are growing, it's just under the surface and takes a bit of work to reveal.  In the blink of an eye, they will be off harvesting the rewards of a great education, so now is the time to help us strengthen those roots.

What a week it was at HKMS! Air cannon championships, a snow day, a Valentine's Day pink out, and all the Swifties here tell me Taylor's boyfriend won some big game! 

Wishing you and your family a wonderful week off together!

Sincerely,

Steven Clapp, Ed.D.

Extra-Curricular Activities