Dear Hereford Middle School Community,

We've had an exciting week! On Tuesday evening, we inducted our 6th and 8th grade students into the National Junior Honor Society. On Thursday, our 8th graders enjoyed their field trip to Bunker Hill and the annual 8th Grade Crab Feast. Today, our PTA sponsored the Kona Ice Trucks, and all students were able to enjoy Kona Ice outside or inside during their lunch period. Scroll down to see some photos from all of the events this week.

As we prepare for next week, our Student Council is sponsoring a Spirit Week. The themes are listed in a post below and they are especially fun on the last two half days of school. Shrek Jr, the Musical begins this evening with shows through Sunday. Good luck to all students who are involved in this production. If you haven't purchased tickets yet, the link can be found below. It's fun for the whole family! On Thursday, June 12th, our 8th graders have an eventful day planned for them beginning with the Awards Ceremony. The livestream link will be emailed to all parents of 8th grade students by the end of the school day on Monday. They will finish out their day, enjoying time with friends and signing yearbooks. Students in grades 6 and 7 will receive their yearbooks on Friday and will have time to enjoy them with friends during Advisory. Our final Bull's Eye newsletter for the 25-26 school year will be emailed on Friday, June 13th so please look for important end of year announcements at that time.

Given the media coverage and communication from BCPS regarding the challenging fiscal year ahead, I wanted to share some relevant information. Although our initial staffing allocation remained virtually unchanged from the prior year, recently our staffing was reduced by half of a teaching position. This reduction will have minimal impact on our school and no impact on the programs and services we offer for our students. The employee who is impacted by this reduction has been hired for next school year and hasn’t yet met the students, parents and staff. I’d also like to mention that the reduction is appropriate based on our current enrollment projection.

As part of our annual staffing review process, allocation formulas are reviewed and applied to schools to ensure equitable and effective staffing across the district. Staffing reductions are only made when current staffing levels do not meet criteria outlined by the established formulas. Reductions in staffing are not the result of budget cuts. However, due to the current budget constraints, we must adhere strictly to the established staffing formulas. If staffing beyond the formula is necessary, an additional review and approval process will be conducted to evaluate and support the request. This annual process is a collaborative effort involving Human Resources, Department of Schools, Special Education, and Student Support Services, ensuring that staffing decisions are informed, equitable, and aligned with student needs.

We look forward to our final full of week of school and all of the excitement it brings! Have a great weekend!

Warm Regards,

Mrs. Moore-German, Principal

The greatest teacher

Is one who lifts their students

And watches them soar!

As of June16th, five of our beloved teachers will ride off into the sunset and into a world of new beginnings. What amazing careers they have had!

Mr. Bennett’s favorite memory from teaching was when a squirrel ran through the band during an outdoor rehearsal. He is grateful to have had the opportunity to help students achieve music they thought was impossible for them to perform. His future plans are to travel and spend time with family. He is planning on a trip to Scotland to explore his MacLeod family roots and hike the Appalachian Trail.

• Ms. Fieden says there are too many memories to call just one of them her favorite. She will miss her colleagues and students’ enthusiasm and excitement for learning. She leaves HMS looking forward to being a consulting teacher for Goucher’s Master of Education program.

Ms. Kohlenstein will miss her daily interactions with students – the stories, the spontaneous jokes, and sense of pride and accomplishment she feels inside when they enjoy a lesson. She has a busy summer planned with her daughter’s upcoming wedding. She is looking forward to having time to travel during her retirement.

Maestra Velda will miss her “sisters” in the World Language Department. She will miss the look of surprise on her student’s faces when they realize that by using cognates they could read in Spanish. She looks forward to sipping on some fruity drinks on the beach and traveling.

Ms. Yearick’s favorite memory was when students were finally able to take off their masks and she could see their smiling faces after COVID. This group holds a very special place in her heart (they are our current 8th graders!). She plans on enjoying her summers off and working for the archdiocese teaching 5th-8th grade math!

Congratulations to all of you on your retirement! We appreciate your many years of dedication and look forward to seeing what new adventures await you.

We were thrilled to welcome our feeder elementary school students to HMS this week! The 5th graders were greeted by members of the Educators Rising Club and had the chance to hear from a student panel about life as a middle school student. They also had the opportunity to ask questions and get firsthand insights into the HMS experience. Meanwhile, the 5th graders learned about the many clubs and extracurricular activities available to them and enjoyed a guided tour of the school. It was a fantastic week of connection, curiosity, and excitement for the journey ahead!

The NJHS Induction Ceremony was held on Tuesday, June 3rd at the Hereford High Auditorium.

Thank you to our outgoing NJHS Officers for a job well done!

Cassidy Kim, Ana Laura Tosi, Sam Lerner and Clara Schreiber-Stahl

Thank you to former HMS students and current HHS NHS students Briana Myers and Lexi Compton

for your inspiring message!

Congratulations to all our inductees!

*Shara Abadi *Caelyn Flanders *Abigail Milam

*James Allison *Henry Foster *Wesley Mulholland

*Blythe Becker *Alex Galinsky *Evie Mulholland

*Lillian Begunich *Paige Gallup *Ella Norman *Raquel Okai

*Brenna Bell *Nathan Galotta *Juliette Parsons

*Ressa Benzak *Bryce Glazer *Royce Rathbone

*Naomi Berlett *Lillian Gray *Shannon Read

*Luke Biggs *Hannah Gray *Hadley Reinke

*Madison Bishop *Savannah Greaver *Audrey Rohm

*Lillian Blizzard-Abad *Josephine Grote *Angelina Sagalovsky

*Peyton Blizzard-Abad *Maggie Guba *Avery Saunders

*Abigail Blymire *Ryne Homa *Adam Schleigh

*Ian Bralove *Sophia House *Helena Schmidt

*Taylor Brusak *Giuliana Huntington *Camryn Schmitt

*Oliver Buzby *Kimiya Irani *Tia Sera-Brawley

*Colton Cathell *Isabelle Jasper *Alexa Sestokas *Lyla Shupert

*Grace Chapman *Elliott Jones *Claire Smith

*Saranya Choksi *Owen Kaplan *Laney Smith

*Ashlyn Collins *Katherine Klinefelter *Elena Sproul

*Elijah Cvach *Ella Knicley *Rhett Stoltz

*Rowan Dailey *John Knop *Luma Towson

*Harper Davis *Kate Knuth *Mark Tyrrell

*Sarah Dempsey *Grayson Kourtsounis *Evan Webster

*Pierce Ebling *Annabelle Krepp *Mia Wenzel

*Harper Eckman *Sean Kuczak *Samuel Wodka

*Jack Eddy *Nolan Kuda *Ava Yankolonis

*Olivia Ellingsworth *Maddox Lehman *Brody Yankolonis

*Ivy Eskridge *Damien McGarry *Jacob Zeender

*Ella Ewell *Luke Medoff

On Wednesday, our students and staff worked to remove weeds from our front flower beds. This not only enhances our curb appeal but also reduces the competition for our plants and shrubs to get the resources they need like water, sunlight and nutrients. Thank you to our environmentally conscious youth leaders as well as Mr. Friend, Ms. Raulerson and Ms. Zanetti for your service to our school community!

On Wednesday, the PTA treated our staff to ice cream floats! It got warm enough outside for everyone to enjoy this cool treat! Today, the PTA treated all students and staff to Kona Ice to celebrate the end of the school year. Thank you to the parent volunteers who came out to help supervise. We appreciate your time!

Summer Office Hours begin June 17th through August 15th.

As we look ahead to the upcoming school year, we are excited to invite you to be a part of our school community by volunteering! Volunteers play a vital role in creating a positive and enriching experience for our students. Whether you can lend a hand before school, during lunch, after school, or at other school-based events, we welcome your support! Please complete this application by Monday, June 16, 2025, to express interest in volunteering in our schools for the 2025-2026 school year.

Volunteer Opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Before School: Assist with student arrivals, help ensure smooth transitions and provide general support.
• During Lunch: Help supervise students in the cafeteria, assist with lunchtime activities, or provide guidance to ensure students are comfortable and safe.
• After School: Support student dismissal, assist with after-school programs, or help with tutoring or extracurricular activities.
• And much more!

The process to become a BCPS volunteer is simple and convenient and can be found on the BCPS Volunteer webpage:

1. Complete the Online Volunteer Application: Visit our volunteer page to fill out the application form: BCPS Volunteer Application.
2. Complete Online Volunteer Orientation (starting July 1) to receive a training certificate.

After July 1, you will receive information on next steps.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back, support our students, and strengthen the school community. We are grateful for all the time and energy our volunteers invest in making BCPS a fantastic place for learning. If volunteer opportunities in your school are filled for the upcoming school year, please strongly consider volunteering in a neighboring school. We look forward to having you join our team of dedicated BCPS volunteers.

As we begin to collect BCPS issued devices on Monday, June 9th, we remind all students to remove any stickers from the outside bumper. If the device has a bumper and a sticker has been adhered to the device beneath the bumper, see Mr. Thomas or Mr. Putnam for assistance in removing the bumper.

As a reminder, damaged device fines are the financial responsibility of the student and their family when that damage is avoidable. If you have received notification of a damaged device fine, please make arrangements to fulfill this obligation prior to the end of the school year.

Students with outstanding device fees will face in-school consequences until all financial obligations are settled. Students may be prohibited from participating in school events such as field trips, 8th grade celebrations and end of year grade level activities. All 8th grade fines should be paid no later than Wednesday, June 11th, unless a payment arrangement has been established. You may pay with cash or check (made payable to Baltimore County Public Schools) at the main office. Many parents and guardians find it easier to pay online via My School Bucks. This is not the same account used for lunch meals. To pay a device fine with My School Bucks, please follow these directions.

Hereford Middle School invites current 5th, 6th and 7th grade students to take part in our Summer 2025 Reading Incentive Program! Check out the flyer below for more information about the assignment! Consider checking a book out from the HMS library or the Public Library. If you're looking for book suggestions, check out the Black-Eyed Susan Nominees!

We are fortunate to be able to offer our students the opportunity to utilize the iXL platform over the summer for skill practice and acceleration! Students who complete the organizer by August 29th will be invited to attend our Bull Bash and will be eligible for prizes! Please see the instructions below. Students with questions should ask their math, ELA, science, social studies or Spanish teacher.

• Several free websites offer interactive math fact practice for students at home, including XtraMath, MathFactLab, 99Math, Math Drills, and Reflex. These platforms utilize various methods like timed drills, games, and personalized learning to help students master basic math facts.
• www.IXL.com IXL allows students to do free practice problems every day. Current HMS students will have access all summer using their content login information.
• www.khanacademy.com Khan Academy
• https://mathigon.org/ Mathigon

• Returning 7th and 8th should keep their WL notes and refer to them over the summer.
• Listen to music in French or Spanish
• Use the Duolingo app
• Put language subtitles on during your favorite movie
• Practice Spanish skills in iXL

• If a vacation is planned, have the students research about the place they are going by finding articles and reading information about it.
• Set time together to read about current events in the news.
• Choose books and/or audiobooks on topics of their own interest.
• Read directions for recipes or building/creating something.
• Set a family reading "theme" night during the summer and all read about that topic together
• Set up a cozy "Reading Corner" in your home with lots of various reading materials (books, magazines, articles, etc...)
• Read to a younger brother, sister, cousin, friend, dog, etc...
• Encourage reading outdoors, such as at a park, by the pool, the beach, etc...
• Have audio books available to listen to in the car, etc... while traveling.
• Play games such as Boggle, Scrabble, etc... to build vocabulary.

BCPL Summer Reading Program: https://www.bcpl.info/youth/summer-reading

Marking period 4 report cards will be available in the Focus portal on June 16th after 4 PM. Parents may request a paper or emailed copy by contacting Mrs. Terri Francis at tfrancis@bcps.org.

Honor Roll and Perfect Attendance recognition for 8th grade students will be provided at the Awards Ceremony on June 12th. Students in grade 6 and 7 will receive their honor roll and perfect attendance awards in homeroom on Monday, June 16th, the last day of school.

Did you forget to order a yearbook? No worries! With TreeRing, it's never too late. You can still go to the link below and order a school yearbook. The only difference is that the yearbook will be delivered to your home, rather than the school. Pre-purchased yearbooks will be distributed to our 8th graders on Thursday, June 12th and to the 6th and 7th graders on Friday, June 13th. See a preview below of the cover of the 24-25 HMS yearbook!

Our students Take the Bull by the Horns and are #HereForIt!

Students with perfect attendance for the month of May received their limited-edition bull sticker along with a certificate on Wednesday, June 4th. A copy of the June Attendance Calendar is attached below. We're looking for perfect attendance!

With just one week to go, our students are focused on upcoming assessments and culminating activities. Thank you to our school community for your commitment to education. Together we can make these last few weeks successful and memorable for all of our students. #AttendanceEveryDay

All 8th grade students were invited to attend a Fall Sport at HHS are invited to an information meeting on Monday, June 2nd during Advisory. The fall sports include Allied Soccer, Girls & Boys Soccer, Field Hockey, Football, Girls & Boys Golf, Cheer, Badminton, Volleyball, and Cross Country. See the attached letter for more information.

June 12, 2025 8th Recognition Ceremony

June 13, 2025 Schools close 3 Hours Early

June 16, 2025 Last Day of School - Close 3 Hours Early

Our Student Council is sponsoring and End of the School Year Spirit Week to add some extra fun to the last 6 days of school. I hear that Mr. Splash may make an appearance at HMS on Friday, June 13th to add to our summer fun celebration!

On June 12th, at the 8th Grade Recognition Ceremony, our 8th graders will be receiving their awards and certificates followed by the much-anticipated annual slideshow. The event will be livestreamed/recorded, and a link will be provided for families to view the slideshow. The ceremony will begin at 7:50 am and end at approximately 9:35 am (for students). The livestream will end after the ceremony when students view the slideshow presentation. The livestream link will be emailed to 8th grade families on Monday, June 9th!

This year, each student will receive a completion certificate with award seals attached representing department awards as well as club and extracurricular activity awards. Students with perfect attendance in MP 4 will receive a certificate just as they have for each of the preceding marking periods this year. The five highest-earning student service-learning hours recipients will receive an additional certificate. Students meeting the criteria for the President’s Award for Academic Excellence (3.5 GPA and Proficient as measured by MCAP) and for the President’s Award for Academic Achievement (3.5 GPA) will receive a certificate from the US Department of Education to honor their accomplishments.

Be sure to review the summer reading expectations for Hereford High School below.

Thank you to all of the parents and staff who helped make our Bunker Hill trip and Crab Feast a huge success! The weather was beautiful and the students learned about their local watershed. During lunch, they were able to eat crabs and snacks provided by our very generous PTA. The whole event was a the perfect bon voyage to our outgoing Eighth graders. You will be greatly missed!

Please encourage your students to check for any novels that have been forgotten at home from this year! Teachers are sending emails to parents of students who need to return a book so be on the lookout for that. Thank you from the ELA department!

Over the past few weeks I have had the pleasure of working with a 6th grade parent and educator so I thought I would ask her to share her thoughts on books, reading, and the change from elementary school to middle school. She has some amazing thoughts and ideas that I could not have said better had I tried.

“As a parent, I’ve noticed how quickly middle school shifts into high gear—earlier mornings, longer school days, more homework, and a calendar that fills up quickly. Our kids are growing more independent, which is exciting… but it also means we have to be more intentional about the habits we want to hold on to.

What’s one habit we’ve chosen to keep front and center in our home? Reading. Reading isn’t just for tests or homework—it’s a life skill. It builds our kids’ knowledge, imagination, empathy, and confidence. Here’s why our family is making reading a priority, even in the middle school years:

1. At home, our kids get to read what they want—not just what’s assigned. And that freedom matters. It helps them fall in love with learning and feel more in control of their own interests and ideas.

2. At home, our kids get to read what they want—not just what’s assigned. And that freedom matters. It helps them fall in love with learning and feel more in control of their own interests and ideas.

3. We’ve learned not to stress about what they’re reading. Remember- All Reading Counts! Magazines, comics, audiobooks, articles—it all helps build the habit of reading. The important thing is that they’re reading for enjoyment, not just assignments.

4. We’ve learned not to stress about what they’re reading. Remember- All Reading Counts! Magazines, comics, audiobooks, articles—it all helps build the habit of reading. The important thing is that they’re reading for enjoyment, not just assignments."

Happy reading,

A Fellow Middle School Parent

Matt Pin would like to forget: war torn Vietnam, bombs that fell like dead crows, and the terrible secret he left behind. But now that he is living with a caring adoptive family in the United States, he finds himself forced to confront his past. And that means choosing between silence and candor, blame and forgiveness, fear and freedom. By turns harrowing, dreamlike, sad, and triumphant, this searing debut novel, written in lucid verse, reveals an unforgettable perspective on the lasting impact of war and the healing power of love.

From fixing the class computer to repairing old radios, twelve-year-old Iris is a tech genius. But she's the only deaf person in her school, so people often treat her like she's not very smart. If you've ever felt like no one was listening to you, then you know how hard that can be.

When she learns about Blue 55, a real whale who is unable to speak to other whales, Iris understands how he must feel. Then she has an idea: she should invent a way to "sing" to him! But he's three thousand miles away. How will she play her song for him?

To help prepare for your Geometry Final, we are holding after school study sessions on Wednesday, June 4th after school until 3:15pm. If interested, please bring a note that states that you will be staying after school for the final review session. Please report to D4 (Mrs. Stegmayer’s Room) and be sure to have a ride prepared to pick you up at 3:15pm.

If you have any questions, please see your math teacher,

Mrs. Stegmayer and Mr. Riordan (Mrs. Sinopoli)

To help prepare for your Algebra 1 Final, we are holding after school study sessions available to all Algebra 1 students on Wednesday, June 4th after school until 3:15pm. If interested, please bring a note that states that you will be staying after school for the final review session. Please report to D6 (Mrs. Sinopoli’s Room) and be sure to have a ride prepared to pick you up at 3:15pm.

If you have any questions, please see your math teacher,

Mrs. Stegmayer, Mrs. Wagaman, Ms. Dempsey, Mrs. George, and Mr. Riordan (Mrs. Sinopoli)

Last week was a great week for the Music Department! Three full nights of HMS students displaying their musical talents in instruments and voice! Last week, we featured the chorus and band. This week we share news about our orchestra.

Last Friday we wrapped up our Spring concert series with performances by our 6th, 7th, 8th, and Chamber Orchestras. Performances by all groups were astounding, and even made you jump. Not like Kris Kross, but as in horror movie scared, during the 8th grade performance, “Curse of the Rosin Eating Zombies from Outer Space.” Ava Linz has certainly perfected the scream and may have a future on a horror movie sound stage. Each orchestra captivated the audience with the highlight of the night being a combined performance of the 8th grade and Chamber orchestras version of “High Hopes!” Our best wishes to our 8th grade performers and “high hopes” to their future endeavors as they move on to high school.

And, as we move into the summer, the band and orchestra teachers want to remind you to either return your instrument OR complete the Summer Instrument Contract. See your music teacher if you have any questions or need a contract!

Dear Parents, Families, and Guardians,

As we begin to close out the 2024–2025 school year, our hearts are full of gratitude and joy. What an incredible year it has been! Together—with your unwavering support, partnership, and encouragement—we’ve witnessed our students grow in ways that go far beyond the classroom.

Thanks to your collaboration, our students have not only made meaningful strides toward mastering their IEP goals but also achieved personal milestones that have filled us all with pride. Whether it was learning a new skill, gaining confidence, making new friends, or discovering a love for learning, every step forward was a victory worth celebrating.

We know that the journey isn’t always easy. There are challenges, tough days, and moments of uncertainty. But there is also laughter, resilience, perseverance—and above all, hope. And because of you, our students continue to rise, thrive, and shine.

This year was a beautiful reminder that when we work together as a team, we can do BIG things. Thank you for trusting us, supporting us, and walking alongside us. Your dedication makes all the difference.

With heartfelt appreciation and excitement for what lies ahead,

The HMS Special Education Team

Dear HMS Families,

If your child has qualified for Extended School Year (ESY) services through their Individualized Education Program (IEP), as determined by the IEP team, this message is for you!

An letter regarding extended school year was sent home with your child the first week of May. This notice outlines the specific services your child is eligible to receive and the duration of the program during the summer break.

To assist us in planning and providing the best support for your child, we kindly ask that you review the letter and confirm your child’s attendance by returning the letter signed.

If you have any questions about the ESY program, the services being offered, or if you need another copy of the letter, please do not hesitate to contact us!

We look forward to supporting your child’s continued growth and learning during the summer months.

Warm regards,

Dani (Bell) Bigelow
IEP Chair

dbell3@bcps.org

Michelle Benson
Special Education Department Chair
mbenson2@bcps.org

Kindergarten Parent Group - Virtual Monday

June 9, 2025 10 to 11 a.m.

https://meet.google.com/ofw-ezsn-eti

Rethinking Behaviors in Autism

Presented by Behind Behaviors

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Workshop Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/r/QL6iW1uYQH

Women, Infants, Children (WIC)

Farmers Market

Monday, July 7, 2025

7702 Dunmanway, Dundalk, MD 21222

Monday, July 14, 2025

Eastern Family Resource Center

9150 Franklin Square Dr., Rosedale, MD 21237

Monday, July 28, 2025

Southwest Area Park

Georgia Avenue & Klunck Drive, Lansdowne, MD 21227

Check out the Hereford Middle School website! https://herefordms.bcps.org/ We continually update our website so that it serves as valuable resource for our school community. There you'll find past editions of the Bull's Eye, our principal's weekly newsletter, an updated staff directory, links to important and useful information and so much more! We look forward to the redesign of our website which will make for a more user-friendly experience.

Mrs. Moore-German

Principal

Hereford Middle School

712 Corbett Road, Monkton, MD 21111

443-809-7902

cmooregerman@bcps.org

Hereford Middle School is committed to providing a safe and supportive community in which students celebrate diversity, demonstrate integrity and develop mutual respect and responsibility in order to pursue academic excellence.

Hereford Middle School empowers every learner, every day through rigorous, diverse, educational experiences to become productive global citizens.