Hidden River Newsletter
October 13th - 17th, 2025
Mid Quarter 1 Conferences: Join us for conferences to check your students progress so far this school year. Conferences info!!
- Tuesday, Oct. 14th from 4:00-7:00pm at Hidden River Middle School (7th & 8th grade ONLY, NO 6th grade teachers due to the APTT earlier this year)
After-school Sign-up Link HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfeyUOeBDXFuJV-e_wC0D26tGZcNDqO4U0L4J8bAk-v5hlDyw/viewform. More details below!!
School Climate Survey: We want to hear from YOU! Please take the SURVEY HERE to help us get feedback about our school climate and culture. Students and staff will also be asked to take a similar survey this week. We want to hear from all of our stakeholders!
Picture RETAKE Day is coming: Monday Oct 20th. Event Code: EVTX2NHGW. More info here!
Sporting Events: Any students wanting to watch games after school must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
HRMS Construction Update: Here is the monthly update for the Hidden River Middle School construction project, which can also be found on the project website on the right-hand sidebar
Hello Hidden River Families!
It is hard to believe we are already midway through quarter 1. Thanks for all who attended conferences last Thursday night. If you missed them or still hope to connect with more of your scholar's teachers, we have another night of conferences on Tuesday, October 14, from 4-7 pm.
I am always impressed with our family engagement at conferences, coffee with the principal and FSO meetings (Family Staff Organization). If you missed these, we have more coming up. While coffee with the principal is informal, our FSO meetings have agendas, and the September presentation is linked HERE! If you have any questions regarding our FSO meeting, please email me at teresa.vibar@spps.org. Our next FSO meeting is November 20!
As always, please reach out with questions or concerns! Partnering with families is critical to student academic success!
Sincerely,
Principal Vibar
We are excited to share our exciting lineup of after-school programs for the Fall 2025-2026 semester! These programs offer wonderful opportunities for your children to explore new interests, develop skills, and have fun outside of regular school hours (3:00-5:00pm on Mondays & Wednesdays).
Program Highlights:
- Yearbook
- Create lasting memories by joining our yearbook team
- Learn photography, layout design, and writing skills
- Boys of Hope
- Mentoring and leadership program for young men
- Focus on character development and community service
- Girls Taking Charge
- Empowerment program for young women
- Develop leadership skills and explore career opportunities
- Crochet Crew
- Learn the art of crochet in a fun, social setting
- Create beautiful handmade items
- Math Team
- Enhance problem-solving skills
- Participate in math competitions and challenges
- Debate Team
- Improve public speaking and critical thinking abilities
- Engage in friendly debates on various topics
- History Day Club
- Dive deep into historical research
- Create projects and presentations on fascinating historical topics
- Newspaper
- Contribute to our school's newspaper
- Develop journalistic skills and stay informed about school events
- Drama Club
- Express creativity through acting and performance
- Participate in school plays and productions
How to Enroll: To sign up for any of these exciting programs, simply scan the QR code provided in the Extended Day Learning brochure or CLICK HERE!!
We believe these after-school programs will enrich your student's educational experience and provide valuable opportunities for growth and discovery.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our Extended Day Learning coordinator Ms. Lopez at genesis.lopez@spps.org. We look forward to seeing your student participate and thrive in these fantastic programs!
Notes from Counselor Woodruff
October is National Bullying Prevention & Intervention Month with a key focus on Raising Awareness to the harmful effects of bullying and to Promote Kindness in school, in the community and online.
This month at Hidden River, School Counselors will host "Counselor Connections” through classroom visits, facilitating discussion about supports offered at school and Bully Prevention & Intervention lessons. During this time, students will learn more about when and where to seek support when they need it most. This includes Peer Relationships Concerns, Social Emotional Support, Academic Needs, where to replenish school supplies (for free) and overall, conversations around “What do I do when ___ …?” Counselors will host Counselor Connection classroom visits once per quarter with different topics and themes each quarter.
Useful links for students and families
SPPS Bullying Prevention & Intervention Policy
Hidden River Listening Locker - Bullying Report Form
Hidden River - Counselor Support Request
https://pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/
https://pacerteensagainstbullying.org/
Other Counseling Office News
The point of mid-terms is upon us which means that schedule change requests are officially CLOSED. Schedule Change Requests usually ends around the 4-week of school, giving students ample time to fully check their schedule for issues and immerse themselves in their classes. Requests made beyond the mid-term point will not be honored. For Students: Having trouble in class with a peer? Talk to your counselor. Class isn’t what you thought it was going to be? Talk to your counselor. You just don’t like the class? Guess what? It’s okay to talk to your counselor. Reaching out to the counselor is an important step towards improving whatever isn’t going well in class. We’re happy to help.
As scheduling or other questions arise, students and families can reach out to the school counselors at Hidden River.
- 6th grade Counselor: Ms. Woodruff, barbie.woodruff@spps.org or 651-744-2087
- 7th grade Counselor (Last Names A-L): Ms. Woodruff, barbie.woodruff@spps.org or 651-744-2087
- 7th grade Counselor (Last Names M-Z): Mr. Nigatu, ayoub.nigatu@spps.org or 651-293-8860, ext. 741041
- 8th grade Counselor: Mr. Nigatu, ayoub.nigatu@spps.org or 651-293-8860, ext. 741041
Great things blossom in middle school, and when it doesn’t, please allow a school counselor to help make it better.
Have a great day.
~Ms. Woodruff
French Immersion Global Studies - Mme R. Payia Yang
Students worked on their summative project by creating a map using the mapping and geographic skills they learned in the first unit. They also prepared for their first summative oral assessment, and students who are ready will be assessed next week.
French Immersion Minnesota Studies - Mme R. Payia Yang
This week, students selected a primary source to develop their critical thinking and analysis skills. The primary sources included newspapers, magazines, school yearbooks, and artifacts from the 1920s to the 1980s. Our French intern Annah (Strasbourg, France) also participated in this discovery and analysis by engaging students in French, both in speaking and writing.
Family-Staff Organization (FSO)
Next Tuesday, teachers will put in another very long day in the classroom and in conferences. FSO needs your help in thanking them, and we want to thank them with food! PLEASE drop off food, snacks, drinks in the office before 3 PM on Tuesday so that they can grab a quick bite to eat before families arrive. Any donation is welcome!!
The FSO (Family-Staff Organization) is inviting you to participate in the 2025-2026 Hidden River Directory! This directory will be published in a digital format only and provided to households who participate. Households who complete the form give the FSO permission to share contact information. This tool can be used to connect with other families in our school community. If you have a family-owned business, we'd love to highlight your business in the directory as well. Please complete this form by no later than October 20 2025. If you have questions or concerns, please contact HiddenRiverFSO@gmail.com. You can complete the online form by scanning the QR code in the included flyer or by clicking this link: Hidden River Directory Form.
