• Welcome Message from Dr. Clapp

• Classroom Peeks

• HKMS Happenings

• Ways to get Involved

• and...Upcoming Events!

Dear HKMS Families,

This week we celebrated and recognized two essential groups of professionals in our schools.  A recognition breakfast for our paraeducators was held on Thursday with a nice breakfast and gifts.  Our paraeducators often do the most personalized, intimate, and challenging tasks with some of our most involved students.  From lunch supervisors and library assistants to special education supports and administrative assistants, they work in every part of our school. They are confidants, coaches, cheerleaders, friends, and teachers to all of our students, and we literally could not operate our school without their contributions.  

This week we also celebrated assistant principals across our state and nation.  As a recovering AP myself, I can say there are few more challenging, stressful, or rewarding jobs than that of an assistant principal. Whether it is creating and implementing schedule changes, dealing with student misbehaviors, evaluation teachers' performances, or correcting the mistakes of the principal when he makes them, the work of an AP is never-ending and often under-recognized.  When its done right, it looks just like Annie Mohr.  I have had the privilege to work directly with nine APs in my career, none do the job as well as Mrs. Mohr.  If you've ever worked with her as part of our school climate committee, or if your child has spent time in her office, you know she is a gift to our students, staff, and parents.  She has redefined the role of AP to include grace, compassion, and curiosity. She never leaves a stone unturned, and never backs down from a difficult task.  Please join me in showing her and our paraeducators your appreciation! 

In "non-appreciation" news, we have some amazing events on the horizon for our students, here is a description of the events we have secured so far (there are more details in happenings and the upcoming events sections):

• The HKMS Career Fair (4/18): We have secured 30 professionals who will be coming into school the week after break to share their experiences, career path, and the role education played into their success. There is an amazing variety of careers and you can check out the list in the "happenings" section.

• Spaghetti Dinner and Art Show (5/12): Mrs. G is teaming up with the Eight Grade Class Council for the annual spaghetti dinner and art show! 

• Concerts (5/25 and 6/1): Mr. Dolecki's sixth, seventh, eighth, and jazz bands will be joined by Mrs. Gidley's Orchestra to fill the air with terrific middle school music on 5/25.  The Chorus will be at SSES's cafetorium on June 1 entertaining all with their new set of songs! 

• Grade Eight Evening Event (6/9): The Eight Grade Class Council t is still deciding between a dance (a pre-covid tradition) or a BBQ Bash (a la 2022).  While they deliberate, we have secured the date of June 9th and the event will run from 6:30 - 8:30.

• Moving "Up" Day (6/12): A new tradition started last year when we send students "up" to the next grade level to meet their teachers and learn about their next year at HKMS.  Our eighth graders will circle back to their sixth-grade teachers to reflect on their growth since being sixth-graders.

• Field Trips to the Easton Public Library (6/13 - 6/15): Students in each grade level will visiting EPL to sign up for library cards, get a tour of the facility, be introduced to a menu of summer library events, and of course, to check out some summer reading books! 

• Grade Eight Trip to Brownstone Adventure Park (6/15): HKMS eighth graders are heading to the best rock climbing, zip lining, and watersports venue in CT for a day of fun in the sun! 

• Field Day at the ECC (6/16): Field day at the ECC was so fun last year, we had to go back! Tons of food, games, inflatable bouncy things, a photo booth, mini golf, basketball, etc. for the whole school! It's almost too bad we only have a half day there! 

• The HKMS "Closing Ceremony" (6/16): On the evening of their last day of school, we will hold our outdoor ceremony celebrating all the learning, experiences, friendships, and fun our eighth graders have had in their Easton public school career! Note: If the weather is not hospitable to an outdoor ceremony, we will move to JBHS's auditorium.  If that happens tickets will be limited to 3 per student.  If we are outside, we have unlimited space. 

If you are still with me, thank you and enjoy the rest of this newsletter which shows off more terrific middle school teaching and learning. 

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday and vacation!

Sincerely,

Steve Clapp

Principal

Helen Keller Middle School

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

Grade 6

Our young scientists are creating their own experiments to compare and contrast different brands of the same product.

Grade 7

Grade 8

Mr. D's historians are taking advantage of the media center and Mrs. Gale's expertise as they research the causes of the Civil War!