• Welcome Message from Dr. Clapp

• Classroom Peeks

• Counselor's Corner

• HKMS Happenings

• Ways to get Involved

• and...Upcoming Events!

Dear HKMS families,

Whatever your plans are for this weekend, I implore you to get over to see our school musical "13" with your kids.  Opening night was an amazing display of a community coming together and giving a brief moment for our students to really shine.  As I have heard her say many times, "theater is the ultimate team sport" (Director Christy McIntosh-Newsom) and that teamwork was on display last night.  With students running the lights, creating and changing the scenery, designing the playbill and promotion materials, helping with costume changes, and acting in multiple roles while working alongside numerous parent volunteers, from the PTO, to our staff producers, Dr. Baca and Mrs. Lazor, they all brought it together for a dazzling performance!  You won't get a better bang for your entertainment buck this weekend.  Check out the happenings section for pictures and ways to buy tickets in advance or at the door. 

I would like to send a special "shout out" to Penny Jacobus, parent of two of our eighth graders who has been a steadfast volunteer for the musical this and last year. Penny gives of her time, sweat, and resources without hesitation.  She is a professional lighting designer, who regularly works on Broadway, and has been here assisting the students in making the scenery, teaching them to work the lighting board, and helping to design costumes! She is a kind, dedicated and caring adult who has really connected with our students.  We are truly lucky to have such a valuable human who our students can look up to and learn from at every practice, rehearsal, and performance! Thank you Penny!

Below you will find a collection of pure middle school joy, full of hard work, terrific displays of teaching, learning, cooperation, and individual accomplishments!

I hope you enjoy this newsletter and your weekend as well! 

Sincerely,

Steve Clapp

Principal

Helen Keller Middle School

Find your strength, build upon it, and share it!

Grade 6

Mrs. Burke's young writers are reading passages and categorizing them by text structures.

Grade 7

Grade 8

Students in Mr. D'Agostino's social studies classes are presenting their culminating projects.  They have spent time these past few weeks grappling with the complicated events of Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion.  Their projects challenged them to synthesize the many perspectives, viewpoints and experiences of this time and reflect on the essential question, "Does might make right?"

You can't spell HEART without ART! Mrs. G is making sure the love is always in the Art room!

Garden Club Update! 

Mrs. Rose and her student gardeners will be creating a "pollinator pathway" garden with the assistance of Christine Cook and Jean Puchalski (pictured above) from the Easton Garden Club.  Students have conducted soil tests and this week we mapped out the garden site (see the flags above).  We could always use more gardeners!  If your child is interested, the garden club will start up at the end of March.  Stay tuned for more details!