Hosford Middle School
March 2, 2026
Congratulations Mathcounts Math Team!
Congratulations to the Hosford Middle School math team for an outstanding performance at the Saturday February 21 Regional MATHCOUNTS Competition! Our team demonstrated incredible problem-solving skills and teamwork, holding their own against some of the toughest competitors in the region. We are so proud of their hard work and can’t wait to see what they calculate next!
Hosford was represented by Sadie Brigham, Rio Hodge, Mason Koehler, Mikaiah Shakya, and Reid Spencer and the team was lead by Coach Max Calabro.
If you or your child might like to join next fall/winter, please contact Reid’s mom, Leslie, at leslieannburns@gmail.com.
Dear Families,
There is no school on Monday , March 2nd and a 9:30 am start on Tuesday, March 3rd.
Staffing is finalized and we will have some changes for next year. Unfortunately, we do have to say goodbye to a number of people. We thank Kate Coats, Kate Fleming, Elizabeth McCarthy and Melissa Sayler for their dedication to Hosford students. We will certainly miss them!
We also needed to reduce front office staff, Sara Albert, counselor, Cara Benny Leo, and art teacher, Emily Kaman.
Our SPED department will be reduced from 3 teachers to 2. Tanya Baley will be moving from special education teacher to english language development teacher.
Class size is expected to be between 31 and 36 in most classes. We will not be able to offer the cooking class that Ms. Coates was teaching, or the Jazz Band that we were hoping to add. We will be able to offer an additional creative writing course at 7th and 8th grade. If you have questions about courses or next year, please reach out.
Happy March!
Jill Liddle, Principal
Click below to open the Family Resource.
This resource tells what learning activities were assigned in each class. It is a great way to check on assignments with your child. Middle school is a time when students need help developing the routine of reflection and organizing materials. This resource is your support for those conversations.
The image below is a link. Click it to go to the resource.
Important Dates
March
March 2nd - NO SCHOOL (Training Day for some schools)
March 3rd - 9:30 am Start due to staff meeting
March 10th - Jefferson Dancers at Hosford MS 3 pm
March 10th - Lock Down Drill
March 11th - Early Release 1:45 pm
March 12th - 8th Grade Panoramic Picture & Portraits
March 23rd - 27th SPRING BREAK - No School
April
April 2nd - End of Quarter 3
April 3rd - NO SCHOOL - Grading Day
April 6th - NO SCHOOL - Planning Day for Teachers
April 14th - 9:30 am Start for Students due to staff meeting
April 22nd - Early Release 1:45 pm
June
June 9th - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
8th Grade Photos
Franklin HS Track
Season begins on March 9th at the Franklin HS track from 5:45-7 pm.
https://www.pilsports.org/youth-spring-sports/ - PIL spring sport information link
https://www.pilsports.org/practice-tryout-information/ - PIL practice information
https://www.pilsports.org/boundary-information-for-youth-sports/ - Boundary information
Queer Student Alliance
There will be no QSA in March before Spring Break. Next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 31st
ATTN 6th Grade Performers and Visual Artists
Looking for more 6th grade performers and visual artists to sign up for the annual Hosford Talent Show! Auditions will be held the week of March 9th and all talents are welcome! 6th graders perform in front of 6th graders only and it is an awesome and supportive environment. Sign up to show off your talents HERE!
Track for all of Hosford
As track season approaches, we understand that there are some students who attend Hosford who also live in the Franklin neighborhood. At the moment, the district's protocol is that all athletes must compete for their neighborhood cluster without exception. Mr. Kennedy and Ms. Eigo are working closely with PIL athletics to find common sense solutions to this issue, but at the moment the policy stands. If you are interested in registering for our track program and are impacted by this policy, please email Dunya Minoo at dminoo1@pps.net for more information.
Library Update
With reading day in advisory and active class visits, we're happy to say that library circulation is up 19% from this time last year! Thanks to all your students who are doing their best to find engaging books. We've had a new Adopt-A-Shelf in the library from 8th graders Navy L. & Sal R. They did such a good job selecting Hosford favorites, many of their books were checked out. Have your student talk to us in the library if they are interested in curating a shelf of their own.
While we're still getting new books for your students, we've also recently updated our wishlist to include some books lost throughout the year. Please check it out to see if you have one to donate or if you'd like to buy one to support the library. Our SchoolPay link is included as well. We appreciate all the support we get from families throughout the year.
Thank you!
Alex Mahrt & Kate Fleming
March 4th DINE OUT FUNDRAISER
Please submit baby photos for your 8th grade student!
Reminder: No Energy Drinks at School
Energy drinks are prohibited on campus.
All Smiles Oral Health @ Hosford MS
All Smiles Community Oral Health will be providing free dental screenings, sealants, and fluoride at Hosford the week of March 30, 2026. Healthy teeth are important to your child’s overall health.
- A dental screening is a quick look inside your child’s mouth to check the overall health of their teeth.
- Dental sealants are protective coatings put on the back teeth to prevent cavities.
- Fluoride is a vitamin that is brushed on the teeth to make teeth stronger and prevent cavities.
Click this link to sign the permission form for your child online. Each student who turns in a permission form will be entered into a $50 raffle drawing, even if you decline services! Paper copies of the consent form will also be sent home with students.
Understanding Standards-Based Grading
Are you trying to monitor your child's grades and missing assignments, but not sure what you are looking at? Do you need a guide for the new report card? Well check out the PDFs linked below. If it is clear as mud after reviewing these, reach out. We'll help you out in person.
Cookshop - Local Business Summer Camp
Cookshop Summer Camp
Cookshop is opening registration for 2026 summer camps on February 1st! Information and registration can be found at portlandcookshop.com. The camp will include lots of hands-on experience as well as food-inspired art. All camps will run Monday through Friday, from 9am to 3pm.
Here's the calendar:
Middle School Baking + Art Camp:
June 22 - 26
July 13 - 17
July 20 - 24
August 3 - 6
The Hosford PTSA needs more helpers. We are currently operating without a president and vice president among other board members. Please consider helping even if you want to do just a small one-time task. The PTSA is responsible for fundraising and distributing around $10,000 for teacher and staff needs every school year, as well as supporting events for students and staff. We could really use help with the following events and tasks:
- Communications help - admin for Facebook and/or Instagram (low volume posting for restaurant dine-outs and news)
- Staff Appreciation help - coordinate one or more snack events for staff; do something for Staff Appreciation Week in May; coordinate end-of-year staff party
- 8th Grade Oaks Park field trip help - help organize meal for the 8th graders at their end-of-year field trip in June
- 8th Grade Promotion help - help organize reception refreshments at 8th grade promotion in June
Open Positions:
- Member-at-Large
- Communications Chair
- Staff Appreciation Chair
- President
- Vice President
Please email ptsahosford@gmail with any questions. Thank you!
Outdoor School 6th Grade
Our dates for Outdoor School are here! Please mark your calendars for May19th - 22nd. Camp assignments and groups will be sent out by science teachers in mid-January.
Scholarships for Athletics
Logging Into Canvas @ Home
To log into Canvas at home, students need to sign into Google with their user name and password. Then, go to my.pps.net.