• Welcome Message from Dr. Clapp

• Classroom Peeks

• HKMS Happenings

• Ways to get Involved

• and...Upcoming Events!

Dear HKMS Families,

The weather may not feel like it but the Spring crunch is on! So many events, trips, celebrations, assessments, and transitions are being planned and developed.  This time of year can be more stressful for students (and staff) than other times of the year as we try to wrap up our final units, navigate the state testing requirements, prepare for those final concerts and exams, and manage all the heightened excitement this time of year brings.  Manageable levels of stress and anxiety can be beneficial, in fact, without some level of stress our species would not have survived! Identifying unhealthy levels of stress and managing our anxiety when it does tick up a notch is important to model for our young adolescents.   Here are a few reminders about identifying and managing stress.  These work for adults and children alike. 

Managing stress is an essential life skill and you model it every day for your children. However, unhealthy stress levels cannot be managed using these tips or other at home remedies. As always, if you sense something is wrong, you are likely onto something.  I learned a long time ago to always trust parental instincts.  If so, please reach out to us as we have many resources and personnel who can help.  Also, our local crisis hotline is 211 and the national crisis care line is 877 which are staffed with professional caregivers 24/7.

This week was another terrific one! 8th-graders crushed the PSATs, students are studying some of the most interesting and challenging content of the year, and preparations for the upcoming art show and spring concerts are well underway.  Please check out the Classroom Peeks section for a glimpse at all of the fine teaching and learning that is evident all over school!  There are also numerous new Upcoming Events that have been finalized and new opportunities to Get Involved, please be sure to check out those sections before you head into an enjoyable, even if its a bit soggy, weekend! 

Sincerely,

Steve Clapp

Principal

Helen Keller Middle School

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

Grade 6

Mr. Bernardi's social scientists are learning about the Black Death of the late middle ages and comparing that pandemic to our experiences with COVID.  The big difference?  The mortality rate for COVID is about 3%, while the plague was 50%!

 Check out the cool infographics for more insights!

Grade 7

Grade 8

Mr. Macaluso spent time earlier this week helping students to develop a positive and motivated mindset for their PSAT assessment.  He talked through stress management techniques as well as how to manage their time and sustain effort.