HMS October Newsletter
Let's Go, 2026 - 2027!!
Dear Hawk Family,
Welcome to October, Haysville Middle School families! As the autumn weather begins to settle in, we are already reaching a major milestone in our school year: the end of the first quarter is quickly approaching on Friday, October 9th. Please note that there will be no school for students on October 9th as our staff prepares for the transition into the second quarter.
We strongly value our partnership with you, and we invite you to join us for Parent-Teacher Conferences on Monday, October 12th and Wednesday, October 14th, from 3:15 PM to 7:45 PM at HMS. This is a wonderful opportunity to discuss your student’s progress, celebrate their achievements, and set goals for the rest of the semester.
As we kick off this next quarter, we ask for your help in supporting our school-wide focus on building strong executive functioning skills. You can partner with us by ensuring your student leaves home every day with two essential tools: their school ID and their student agenda. Daily organization and preparation are key steps in helping our students build independence, manage their time, and arrive ready to learn in every class. Having IDs at lunch time makes the lunch line checkout process go much quicker and that the correct student account is being debited.
Replacement IDs are $5 or 20 Hawk Bucks (can be used once a quarter) and replacement agendas are $10.00.
Finally, as a quick morning reminder:
School doors open at 7:10 AM. Upon arrival, students may head to the cafeteria for breakfast or go directly to their assigned morning locations:
8th Grade: Gym 3
7th Grade: Gym 2
6th Grade: Gym 1
Cold Weather Prep: As temperatures drop, please make sure your student dresses in warm layers for their morning commute. On days with extreme cold, we may open the doors slightly earlier to get students inside safely, but proper winter clothing remains essential.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to making HMS a great place to learn. We look forward to seeing you at conferences!
Mr. Craig, Mrs. Glover, and Mrs. Hansen
8th Grade Gear Up Homework Assistance
6th and 7th Grade Homework Help
Partnering for Success: Understanding USD 261 Attendance & State Policy
At Haysville Public Schools, we believe that regular school attendance is one of the most critical factors in student success. Every day of instruction helps build strong habits, foundational knowledge, and essential executive functioning skills. To help our families stay informed, we want to share an overview of USD 261 Attendance Policies (Board Policy JBD) and Kansas State Law (K.S.A. 72-3121).
Key Attendance Guidelines & Definitions
1. What Counts as an Excused Absence?
Under district policy, an absence is considered excused for the following reasons:
Personal illness or medical/health-related appointments
Serious illness or death in the immediate family
Obligatory religious observances
School-sponsored activities or pre-arranged absences approved by the principal
Special leave related to active-duty military deployment
2. The 10-Day Excessive Absence Rule
Parents may excuse up to ten (10) total absences per school year for personal illness or family reasons without medical documentation.
After 10 absences: Any subsequent absence will automatically be marked unexcused unless official documentation (such as a doctor's note or verification by the school nurse) is provided.
Note: Long-term illnesses (4+ consecutive days) or hospitalizations under a doctor's care are exempt from this limit.
3. State Truancy Laws (K.S.A. 72-3121)
Kansas law requires all enrolled students to attend school regularly. A student is considered truant (inexcusably absent) if they miss school without a valid, accepted excuse for:
3 consecutive school days, OR
5 school days in a semester, OR
7 school days in a single school year (whichever occurs first)
By law, if a student reaches any of these thresholds, the district is required to issue a written notice to parents and submit a report to the Department for Children and Families (DCF) or the County/District Attorney.
4. Chronic Absenteeism vs. Truancy
Truancy focuses solely on unexcused absences.
Chronic Absenteeism (as defined by the Kansas State Department of Education) refers to missing 10% or more of the school year for ANY reason—both excused and unexcused. Research shows that missing 10% of school time significantly impacts reading proficiency and high school graduation rates.
Planned Vacations
If your family is planning a trip during the school year, please remember:
Vacations must be pre-arranged with building administration at least 5 days in advance.
Days away will only be excused if the student remains within their 10-day allowable limit for the year.
Students must make arrangements with their teachers ahead of time to complete make-up work.
How You Can Help
Call in Absences Promptly: If your student must be absent, please notify the main office on the morning of the absence.
Provide Documentation: Always turn in notes from doctors, dentists, or therapy appointments to the office so those days are medically excused.
Monitor Progress: Keep track of your student’s attendance and grades anytime through the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
Thank you for your partnership in prioritizing daily attendance and supporting your student's academic journey!
6th & 7th Grade Homework Help
