Harding Herald
October 2026
Hello Harding Families,
Please scroll through this entire newsletter weekly so you can stay informed and see some of the amazing things our students and staff are doing every single day at Harding. Please also be sure to read important information regarding this school year.
This Harding Herald newsletter will be sent out to all HMS families on a monthly basis; you will also be able to find each newsletter on our school website.
Thank you for playing an active role in your child's education. GO RANGERS!
Sincerely,
Christopher Plush
christopher.plush@lakewoodcityschools.org
(216) 227-5787
X (formerly known as Twitter): @LkwdHarding
Main Office: (216) 529-4261
Attendance Line: (216) 529-4311
For student absences, tardies, early releases, etc.
Fax: (216) 529-4708
Principal, Christopher Plush
christopher.plush@lakewoodcityschools.org
Assistant Principal, Amanda Sears
amanda.sears@lakewoodcityschools.org
School Counselor, Lyndie Schuckert
melynda.schuckert@lakewoodcityschools.org
School Psychologist, Diane Moyer
- Walking and biking help students arrive at school alert and ready to learn. Whenever possible, Lakewood City Schools encourages students to walk or bike to school.
- If you drive your child to school, please watch for students walking and biking when entering and exiting school property.
- Please pull all the way up to the drop-off sign and avoid blocking sidewalks or crosswalks while waiting in the car line.
- The doors on Madison AND the main entrance off Woodward are open starting at 8:05 AM for students to enter the building.
- Students who arrive earlier than 8:05 AM should report to the designated area in the gym.
- Please do not park in marked no-parking areas near the school.
- These spaces improve visibility, making it easier for drivers to see students walking and biking.
- Traffic flows smoothly when everyone is courteous and patient. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and efficient process.
- In order to help with traffic and overall safety, there are now 2 designated turn lanes on Hilliard.
- Drivers are not permitted to turn left into the school parking lot from Hilliard between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM. This restriction helps reduce conflicts with students walking and biking to school.
- As a reminder, vehicles will not be permitted to turn into our parking lot from Hilliard between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
- Please also consider turning off your engine while waiting for your child. Reducing vehicle idling improves air quality and creates a healthier environment for everyone at school.
- I have attached pictures below to help make this as clear as possible.
Thank you for helping keep everyone safe here at Harding. Your attention to these guidelines is greatly appreciated!
Some points to keep in mind as we work every day to keep our students and families safe:
As daylight hours decrease, drivers should use extra caution and watch for students walking and biking in low-light conditions.
Students biking on sidewalks should dismount and walk their bike when sidewalks are crowded with walkers.
Volleyball: Harding vs. Garfield
Harding and Garfield squared off against one another in volleyball!
Harding Club Fair
Our students were so excited to sing up for a club of their choice during our club fair!
Dolly Day
We celebrated our first official "Dolly Parton Day" by wearing pink and plaid!
Sandy Hook Promise: It Starts with Hello
Students wore green, which is a visual symbol of unity, inclusivity, and solidarity with the Sandy Hook Promise's mission to prevent school violence and create safe, connected communities.
More Dolly Day Highlights
We celebrated our first official "Dolly Parton Day" by wearing pink and plaid!
Students Earn Sweet Treats
Students earn sweet treats for demonstrating outstanding attitude, effort, and achievement.
- Our after-school clubs are already underway, and it's not too late for students to join in on the fun and learning. To see a full list of our current and upcoming clubs, please check out the link below.
8th grade students will take the PSAT 8/9 on Tuesday, October 20. The PSAT 8/9 is a valuable opportunity for our eighth graders to identify their strengths and areas for growth in reading and math as they prepare for high school. Results help students set goals and teachers guide support while providing a starting point to measure future progress. Please encourage your child to take the assessment seriously and give their best effort!
- Wednesday, October 28, 5:00 PM-8:30 PM.
- Thursday, October 29 (NO SCHOOL), 1:00 PM-4:00 PM & 5:00 PM-8:30 PM.
- Friday, October 30 (NO SCHOOL), 8:00 AM-11:00 AM.
- Click on this Harding Middle School Conferences Link to schedule conferences.
- Using the link above, choose the teachers you would like to meet with and follow the directions, providing the basic information requested.
- Once submitted, you will receive an email with the subject header "Select Date/Time for Teacher Conference Now".
- Use the link included in this email to select open time slots for your conferences. You will then receive a confirmation email from PTCFast with your conference times.
- The first quarter ends on Friday, October 16; please keep this in mind when scheduling conferences for our Related Arts classes (Art, Health, PE, STEM) so you do not schedule conferences for a class your child no longer takes.
Picture retakes will occur during the school day on 11/6 in the LRC. Please reach out to the main office at (216) 529-4261 if you have further questions.
Click on this DC Registration Site to register and secure your first payment.
Harding’s Trip ID is JFGBBFRYMX
Instructions on how to register can be found by clicking on this Online Registration Packet
General trip information can be found by clicking on this General Trip Info. Doc.
Deposit #1: $237 due by October 30, 2026
Payment #2: $237 due by January 25, 2027
Final Payment: $239 due by March 12, 2027
This year, our teams restructured our Intervention and Enrichment period. Please see the below purpose and vision statements that were created.
Purpose Statement
Intervention & Enrichment (I&E) is a dedicated learning block designed to ensure students receive the support or challenge they need at the right time. Through targeted instruction, meaningful learning experiences, and the development of executive functioning skills, students build the knowledge, confidence, and independence needed to be successful in middle school and beyond.
This time is not a study hall, but a flexible, responsive learning experience that helps students grow academically and personally.
Vision Statement
We believe students deserve learning experiences that are responsive, relevant, and personalized. Our Intervention & Enrichment program provides "just-in-time" support to address immediate learning needs and opportunities that prepare students for future success. By reinforcing essential skills, strengthening executive functioning, and engaging students in meaningful enrichment, we empower learners to grow, achieve, and thrive.
“Support. Prepare. Extend.”
Academic skill support
Vocabulary development
Executive Functioning
Test-taking strategies
Supporting individual needs
H20 Highlights
H20 is officially underway!
H20 Highlights
H20 students chalk positive messages outside of Harding Middle School!
H20 Highlights
H20 is officially underway!
- Returning parents/guardians must update their student and family information for the new school year in the Infinite Campus parent portal.
- You should receive an email in early August with the necessary info to make your student updates. Need help logging in? Click here.
- Electric bikes and electric scooters must be parked outside based on fire safety recommendations from the Lakewood Fire Department.
- Please reach out to the main office if you are in need of a lock or helmet!
In order to maintain a safe, respectful, and distraction-free learning environment, personal electronic devices—including cell phones—must remain powered off and secured in student lockers during the school day. This includes all instructional periods, study halls, lunch, and any other time students are not specifically authorized to use a device. Students may not access their phones until after school unless given permission by a staff member for academic or safety purposes.
If a student is seen with a phone:
Offense #1:
- Warning is issued
- Student is directed to power off their phone and put it in their locker.
Offense #2:
- Student powers off and puts away the phone in their locker.
- The staff member contacts the student’s parent/guardian.
Offense #3:
- Student powers off and puts away the phone in their locker.
- An administrator contacts the parent/guardian and may assign a consequence.
Offense #4 and Beyond:
- Student powers off and puts away the phone in their locker.
- An administrator will implement progressive discipline in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
Please click on the below attachment to read our dress code.
Here is the Harding Student-Family Handbook, which can also be found on our school website.
What is the cost of meals?:
Due to rising food costs, supply line disruptions among other factors, the Board of Education this summer approved slight price increases for the 2026-2027 school year. View the new prices on this meal cost sheet for prices for at all District buildings.
How do I apply for free & reduced meals?
Beginning this school year, the Free/Reduced Price Application meal deposits will go through Infinite Campus via the Parent Portal. See link for instructions below:
Free/reduced meal application instructions
How do I deposit money in my student's account?
You can add money to your student's lunch account and view the balance via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. See link for instructions below:
Lunch deposit instructions
Where can I find out what's on the menu for the day?
The District uses an online menu program called My School Menus, which provides comprehensive information about our school meals, including nutrition content and allergy information. During the school year the link can be find on the Nutrition Services webpage.
