HMMS Newsletter

Hello Families,

Students will come together tonight for the Eclipse Team Student Activity Night from 6:00–8:00 PM in the gym.

We would like to recognize Kristen Chapman who was awarded the Vermont Music Educator Association District 6 “Music Educator of the Year! Kristen has been teaching at Hartford Memorial Middle School for 24 years. Kristen teaches Chorus, General Music, Glee Club, and Drama Club, and directs our annual musical production. She is deeply dedicated to her students and program and is a beacon for students who need a place to feel connected, included, and celebrated for their talents. Recently, Kristen launched the Rising Stars Summer Theater Program, creating musical theater opportunities for elementary-aged students. She also regularly volunteers in the greater Hartford community and with District VI, where she serves as treasurer and middle school chorus manager. Kristen is a compassionate, selfless educator, and a trusted friend and colleague—we are so proud of her. CONGRATS Kristen!

For families of 8th grade students, please be on the lookout for communication in the coming weeks related to high school transition events. Toward the end of the month, we will have a visit from Hartford High School students and the 9th grade counselor, who will provide our 8th graders with an overview of a day in the life of a HHS student. The high school team will visit multiple times, including a course sign-up day, during which materials will be sent home for your review and return.

Winter activities and our new enrichment opportunities have rolled out successfully, and we are excited to see students engaged in creative learning during the middle of the day. As we reach the halfway point of the school year, we are also focused on a reset around behavior and expectations, increasing hallway supervision, and continuing to hold high expectations for students to remain in class and actively engaged in learning.

Thank you, and please be sure to take a look at the newsletter.

• Feb 6th 6-8pm Eclipse Dance

• Tuesday, February 10th; OVX Statehouse Rally and visit with legislator

• February February 14th at 3 and 6:30 PM HHS auditorium - Donations at the door for our Drama Club Performance of The Ten Best Worst Things About Middle School

• Monday, February 16th DELAYED START–two hours (10:20am)

• Monday, February 23-Tuesday, March 3rd: FEBRUARY BREAK!!!

• Thursday, March 19th, EARLY RELEASE (12:30)

• Friday, March 20th, NO SCHOOL (student led teacher conferences)

• Friday, March 20th - 21st 7PM - 9AM Hartford Memorial Marathon Dance (HMMD)

• Monday, March 30th DELAYED START–two hours (10:20am)

• Monday, April 13th DELAYED START–two hours (10:20am)

• Monday, April 20th-Friday, April 24th: April Break!!

A 12 hour charity dance fundraiser. This dance marathon is intended to not only raise money for a local charity (determined by student council) but also build community throughout the school, connect the school to the larger community, and create a sense of belonging for the students of our community.

To learn more about, check out this slideshow! - Student Presentation Marathon Dance Introduction

We are selling merchandise! A percentage of the proceeds goes directly to the marathon dance, changing lives of those who will receive the funds! Consider purchasing a new sweatshirt, t-shirt, or more!

STORE LINK

Additionally, if you are interested in donating to the dance, scan the qr code found on our poster below to donate!

Most Fridays from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, the STEM room transforms into a laboratory where club members gather to research, learn, and conduct hands-on science experiments.

The club is led by SPARK @ Dartmouth, an outreach organization dedicated to expanding youth access to STEM education in the Upper Valley. For the past three years, SPARK has collaborated with HMMS to provide interactive, age-appropriate STEM opportunities specifically designed for girls. Each year the learning there is focused on a specific theme. This year our members are diving into the world of Cosmetic Chemistry. By exploring scientific concepts like polymers and pigment extraction, students have already successfully made their own Custom Nail Polish, Eye Shadows, and Blush

The year will culminate in an exciting entrepreneurial project. Club members will design, create, and market their own original products to the community. Keep an eye out for more information this Spring as the club members will be inviting community members to attend their final presentations and see (or purchase) the incredible products these young scientists have developed.

🧬A quick note on why this matters: Programs like these are vital because, while women make up nearly half of the total workforce, they represent only about 35% of the STEM workforce. By focusing on these groups early, the HMMS and Dartmouth partnership is helping bridge that gap!

Club Meetings - HMMS offers many amazing club and organization opportunities for stu

dents. Add the calendar, linked below, to your own calendar to see when clubs are meeting!

HMMS Clubs and Organizations Calendar

Assembly Schedule - HMMS Kicked off monthly assembly schedule on Monday January 12th. Each month focusing on different themes. See the list below:

Winter sports are underway at HMMS! ❄️🏀⛷️

We’d love to see our families and community come out and support our student-athletes. Your encouragement makes a big difference—hope to see you at a game soon!

ALSO!.....

Time to register for Spring sports! HMMS offers Spring Track for grades 6-8, as well as baseball and softball for grades 7-8. Please sign up now to ensure we have the right amount of equipment/coaches/uniforms!

Along with cold and snow, winter has also ushered in our “sick season” when we are seeing lots of illness in our building. Please take a moment to review our illness guidelines below:

Your child SHOULD NOT come to school with any of the following symptoms and will be sent home with:

• Fever: temperature of 100 degrees F or greater. Note: Your child MUST be fever-free for 24 hours without medication (i.e. ibuprofen, acetaminophen, Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, etc.) before he/she can return to school.

• Cough/Respiratory Illness: If your child has been prescribed an antibiotic for a cough or respiratory infection, he/she must be on the antibiotic for a full 24 hours before returning to school.

• Sore Throat: with fever and/or swollen glands in the neck (this should be evaluated by the child’s healthcare provider). NOTE: If your child is diagnosed with strep, he/she MUST be on antibiotics for a full 24 hours before returning to school.

• Eyes: thick mucus/pus draining from one or both eyes or “pink eye” (symptoms include white or yellow discharge, eyelids matted together after sleep, eye discomfort, and/or redness). Note: If diagnosed with pink eye, your child MUST be on antibiotic drops for a full 24 hours before returning to school.

• Vomiting: 1 or more times at home within the last 12 hour period. NOTE: Your child may be sent home from school after a single episode of vomiting if the nurse deems it in the best interest of the child and/or the rest of the school population. Your child MUST stay home until it has been 24 hours since they last vomited.

• Diarrhea: 1 or more times within the last 12 hour period. Your child MUST stay home until it has been 24 hours since their last episode of diarrhea.

• Rash: significant body rash accompanied by itching and/or fever

• Lice/Scabies: MUST be treated prior to returning to school

Your child CAN BE SENT to school with the following symptoms:

• Runny/stuffy nose and/or mild cough WITHOUT a fever

• Vague complaints of aches, pains, or fatigue WITHOUT a fever

• Ear infections WITHOUT a fever

• Sore throat with hoarse voice WITHOUT a fever

Students with potentially infectious symptoms (such as cough, sore throat, or copious nasal drainage) who are well enough to attend school may be asked to wear a mask in order to help limit the spread of the illness to others.

Please feel free to call or email me (walkers@hartfordschools.net) if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s health. Here’s hoping we can all remain healthy and enjoy our snowy wintertime!

Did you know that HMMS has a Student Assistance Provider (SAP)? An SAP is a counselor who helps students navigate any issues that may be interfering with their education–this could be mental health, substance misuse, bullying, family problems or issues with peers. This is a free and confidential service available to all students and families. Please check out the HMMS SAP website for more information

The Sensory Journey Summit: A neuroaffirming roadmap to skill building

"This summit brings together top global experts in neurodiversity-affirming care and child development. These aren't the voices telling you to try harder or be more patient—these are the people who'll help you understand what's really happening and how you can help."

Free January 12, 13, and 14

If you can’t attend but are interested, please check out the site or contact Michele at giarroccom@hartfordschools.net with questions.

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_48CrUPpqQNOZZ1dJUi-Z-Q?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=f9ac42a0-dfb0-4042-a745-4d94bde38fff#/registration

Executive Functioning course (free)

What is executive functioning? Executive functioning is an individual’s ability to organize thoughts and activities, prioritize tasks, manage time efficiently, and make decisions. In this full-day training you will learn many strategies and techniques that you can bring to your classroom or practice that you can utilize immediately with your student/child with executive functioning deficits.

This is a practical strategies seminar! First you will learn how to clearly define what the executive function skills are for the purpose of determining the most effective treatment interventions and to understand the development of the executive function skills and what is meant by the term “executive dysfunction”. You will learn dozens of functional, ready-to-use strategies for teaching students how to develop the executive function skills. Teach students to develop a “memory for the future”, to devise plans to achieve their goal, to use self-talk, to self-initiate, to transition to the next task of higher priority and to control their impulses and emotions to successfully complete a task. Improve a student’s awareness skills so that he/she can “read a room” then “stop, think and create” an appropriate-ate action plan and infer possible outcomes. Teach students to see and sense the passage of time, accurately estimate how long tasks will take, change or maintain their pace, and carry out routines and tasks within allotted time frames. Learn methods to improve a student’s ability to cognitively shift and to be flexible in processing and accessing information. Learn how to use the Get Ready * Do* Done Model to turn the core curriculum and lesson/treatment plans into powerful tools to teach students executive control skills. Fresh approaches to help students develop automatically for class routines and transitions.

Who should attend? This conference is open to anyone who wishes to attend. No prerequisites are required.

This Webinar will replay as a recording on Saturday, March 7, 2026 beginning at 10 am Central Time. This is not a recording that can be downloaded and replayed at your own pace. All registered attendees will receive a link to the live webinar and a link to the recording replay on Saturday. Full attendance will be taken during the replay and will still qualify you for a certificate of attendance and other professional development opportunities listed. "Live" Q&A feature with the speaker will not be available, however you will have the ability to use the "chat" feature to interact with other participants. Same registration process for both live webinar and the recording replay.

• I was luckily able to catch most ofour HMMS girls basketball game against Lebanon and yes, Hartford won 33-32, but what most impressed me was the heart I saw at play - players encouraging one another so obviously, offering a hand to opposing players who had fallen down, accepting ref. decisions with grace, all of it. –Patrick Lincoln, Dean of Students

• I've witnessed 99 Percent Great sportsmanship in all of the games.I have officiated at HMMS This season. I like the Energy and Heart and Enthusiasm I've seen Displayed.I Also Enjoy The Conversations and laughs with The kids The next day at school --Tim Leonard, HMMS Paraeducator & HMMS Referee

• One of the things I am super proud of is that our girls and boys welcomed all of the Hartland kids into their teams this year when Hartland wasn't able to host a team. They have been made to feel like part of the community, they love playing with us, and in the long run, this helps them to know they want to also come here for high school. Hartford kids are some of the most welcoming kids I have ever experienced. --Nicole Vielleux, HMMS Athletic Director

Cody TanCreti

Principal HMMS

tancretic@hartfordschools.net