The Weekly Highlander 2025-2026

Dear Highlander Families:

Registration and orientation activities are NEXT WEEK, and we are so excited to see you back on campus. Detailed information and schedules can be found in this newsletter. There are items for purchase at registration. Please bring cash or checks to buy yearbooks and spirit wear.

Prior to attending registration, please complete Data Confirmation in Aeries using this LINK. Your confirmation helps us balance classes and plan for a smooth registration process and successful first days of school. If your student will not be returning to Hewes, please contact our front office to arrange withdrawal and return any school-issued devices. We appreciate your support in completing this important step.

Please note the NEW Bell Schedule for the 2025-2026 school year. All start times will remain the same at 8:15 am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and at 9:15 am on Wednesdays. What will change by just a few minutes are the dismissal times for every bell schedule, including minimum days. Please take a few minutes to review and become familiar with the dismissal times for this school year.

Please stay connected to Hewes by checking our website and following us on Instagram @heweshighlanders for the latest information and news.

Sahra Tanikawa, Principal

Families will be able to view student schedules in Aeries beginning Wednesday, August 6th at 4:00 PM. On the first day of school, Wednesday, August 13th, students will start their day in homeroom, where they will receive a printed copy of their schedule and a school map to help them navigate campus. Staff and WEB Leaders will be available to assist students in finding their classes throughout the day.

Please note that electives are currently very full, and we are unable to accommodate schedule changes or requests for specific teachers or class periods.

Thank you for your understanding and support—we are looking forward to a fantastic school year!

All the supplies your child will need for school will be provided by their classroom teacher. However, we understand that some students prefer to have their own materials to use throughout the day. Below are optional recommended supply lists by grade level.

Please note: You are NOT required to purchase any items—the school will provide all necessary supplies. These suggestions are simply for families who wish to send their child with personal supplies.

All students who ride an E-Vehicle, such as an E-Scooter or E-Bike, are required to take a safety class in order to ride to school. Both parent and student are required to attend this hour-long safety training. At the completion of the training, students will be able to purchase their permit to place on their E-Vehicle, allowing them to park in the bike rack at Hewes. Students are only required to attend the course once during middle school. If your student participated in the course last year and has a permit, no further action is required. We will meet with all E-Vehicle students (new and returning) at the start of the year to review safety expectations on the Hewes Campus. If you need to attend a class, the first one will be at Utt Middle School on August 6th at 5:30 pm. The next class will be at Hewes Middle School on Tuesday, August 26, at 5:30 pm. Additional dates can be found on the flyer attached. Families only need to attend one of the sessions.

Registration is a time for your student to come to campus to get the things they will need to start the school year. Students will have their yearbook and ID photo taken, and families will be able to purchase spiritware, a yearbook, and join PTA. Students in 6th grade will also be able to purchase their PE clothing. Students new to Tustin Unified will also head to the library to pick up their iPad so that they are ready for the first day of school. Families MUST complete Data Confirmation in Aeries to participate in registration.

Students should come on their scheduled day/time based on their grade level. Families are welcome to attend; the entire process should take around 30 minutes, and once all stations are complete, you are welcome to leave campus. Many families come at the start of the registration window, which can result in a wait time in line. We appreciate your patience in the registration process.

REGISTRATION SCHEDULE

• Tuesday, August 5 - 7th grade registration 9 am -12 pm
• Tuesday, August 5 - 8th grade registration 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• Wednesday, August 6 - 6th grade registration 9 am - 12 pm

**If your family/student can't make it to registration, do not worry. Make-up photos will be taken in your student's PE class on the first day of school, and iPads will be distributed via PE during the first 3 days of classes. It is important if you can't attend registration to complete Data Confirmation in Aeries so we know that you plan to attend Hewes in the fall.

We are so excited to welcome new students and families to Hewes. To help make this process smooth and stress-free for everyone, we have planned orientation activities to help students know what to expect and be ready to go when school starts. Orientation and registration are two different activities. All students, new and returning, participate in registration. NEW students participate in orientation activities.

All 6th-grade students will be personally invited to participate in WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) orientation on Wednesday, August 7th, from 8 am to 2 pm. We have 60+ fabulous 8th graders who are the leaders for this amazing day of activities, fun, and learning for your student. Our goal is that your child comes home comfortable with the campus, knows what to expect on the first day, and is EXCITED to start school.

WEB Orientation is for the students. We ask that parents drop off their child at the Activity Center at 8 am and plan to pick up their student at 2 pm. Students should bring a snack and a water bottle; a pizza lunch will be provided for every student attending. Parents are invited to stay for a 6th Grade Parent Welcome Meeting at 8:30 am, administration and counseling will provide key information to guide your start to the school year.

Students in 7th & 8th grade who are new to Hewes Middle School will have the opportunity for a school tour on Wednesday, August 6th at 1 pm. The counseling and administration team will meet in front of the Activity Center at 12:45 pm with tours to begin at 1 pm. We will have student schedules so that as we tour the campus, students will know the location of each of their classes. We want to answer your questions and help students feel comfortable, excited, and ready for the first day of classes.

ORIENTATION SCHEDULE

• Wednesday, August 6 - 1 pm tours for NEW 7th & 8th Grade Students
• Thursday, August 7 - WEB Orientation for 6th grade students 8 am - 2 pm
• Thursday, August 7 - 6th grade parent meeting @ 8:30 am

**If your family/student can't make it to orientation, do not stress. On the first day of school, all students will report to homeroom, where they will be given a paper copy of their schedule. During the first hour of school, everyone will have time to look at their schedule and a school map to make sure they know where to go for the rest of the school day. Our staff is wonderful and caring and will work to make your child feel welcome at Hewes. It is important if you can't attend, you complete Data Confirmation in Aeries so we know that you plan to attend Hewes in the fall.

You might be asking yourself, "Who is Mrs. Banuk?" If you were at Hewes last year, you already know her as Ms. Swain! She recently got married, so be sure to congratulate her when you see her on campus.

• Registration information
• Tuesday, August 5 - 7th grade registration 9 am -12 pm
• Tuesday, August 5 - 8th grade registration 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• Wednesday, August 6 - 6th grade registration 9 am - 12 pm
• Kona Ice on campus 10:30 am -12:30 pm
• Orientation Information
• Wednesday, August 6 - 1 pm tours for NEW 7th & 8th Grade Students
• Thursday, August 7 - WEB Orientation for 6th grade students 8 am - 2 pm
• Thursday, August 7 - 6th grade parent meeting @ 8:30 am
• Wednesday, August 6 - E-Vehicle Safety Training at Utt Middle School - 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
• Wednesday, August 13 - First Day of School - School Starts at 9:15 am
• Thursday, August 21 - Back to School Night 6 pm - 7:30 pm
• Tuesday, August 26 - E-Vehicle Safety Presentation - Hewes Activity Center - 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
• Tuesday, August 26 - 7pm - PTA General Meeting - In person and Zoom
• Friday, August 29 - Minimum Day - Student Dismissal at 12:37 pm
• Monday, September 1 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day Holiday
• Friday, September 5 - 2:45 pm - 4pm - Back to School Dance
• Friday, September 5 - Last Day to purchase a yearbook for $70 - prices go up to $75 on the 6th

Nondiscrimination/Harrassment

The Board of Education desires to provide a safe school environment that allows all students equal access and opportunities in the District’s academic, extracurricular, and other educational support programs, services, and activities. The Board prohibits, at any District school or school activity, unlawful discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, intimidation, and bullying, targeted at any student by anyone, based on the student's actual race or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, immigration status, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or genetic information, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics

Website: https://hewes.tustin.k12.ca.us/

Location: 13232 Hewes Avenue, Santa Ana, CA, USA

Instagram: @heweshighlanders

FaceBook: Hewes Middle School

Phone: (714) 730-7348