Hawthorne Brook Happenings

Dear Hawthorne Brook Families,

Your child(ren) are officially half way through the first term of the year. If your child is a fifth grader, congratulations- they have reached a new milestone. If your child is an eighth grader, they are that much closer to high school, a milestone that may feel a bit more bittersweet.

If this week reminded me of anything, it is that communities are at their best when everyone works together to support all students. Those of you who have visited my office know that I keep a not-quite-life-size cardboard cutout of my own children tucked near a bookcase. This cardboard cutout reminds me everyday that the students I serve are somebody's children; I do my best to treat them as I would my own kids.

Thank you to those of you who have reached out to offer messages of support. As we begin the second half of the first term, we will continue to emphasize kindness, respect, and the importance of creating a safe, welcoming environment where every student feels they belong. I encourage you to continue these conversations at home, reinforcing the importance of treating others with empathy, dignity, and respect.

Thank you for being part of our community. Together, we can ensure that “you belong here” is more than a message we share each morning- it is something every student experiences each day.

Warmly,

Chantele Olmstead & Jason White

HBMS Cross Country team had its first away meet of the season yesterday, competing against Nissitissit and Ayer-Shirley in a tri-meet! On the boys’ side, Wyatt once again ran an incredible race, finishing 2nd overall with a time of 12:11! Ryan placed 7th and George took 9th. Harken, Leonardo, and Elijahalso had strong performances in yesterday's meet.

On the girls’ side, Estelle once again dominated the competition, taking 1st place for the THIRD meet in a row with a time of 13:40! Greta Milligan finished 14th, followed by Addison in 19th. Grace, Giulianna, Astrid, and Evelyn also finished strong! The course was extremely challenging but every runner showed incredible grit and determination to complete it. Congratulations to all our runners for their outstanding effort and determination!

Attention 5th grade parents and guardians:

5th grade vision screenings are scheduled to occur at school in October. Please make sure your child brings their glasses, if they have them. IF you do not want your child to participate, please send me an email or send in a note to opt-out your child from this screening.

Attention 7th grade parents and guardians:

7th grade hearing, vision, BMI screenings, and SBIRT screenings will occur at school in October . IF you do not want your child to participate, please send me an email or send in a note to opt-out your child from this screening.

Here is a link to the gym lost and found! If your child has had gym recently, please check it out.

Some of our 7th graders took the opportunity to design a fabric square that will be sent to be a part of the MyAmerica project. Their squares will help to make a giant flag that will be displayed in Boston (and other locations). They could display their hopes and dreams for their futures, birthday messages for America or what being a part of America means to them today.

https://www.myamerica2026.org/

If you have had a hard time accessing your Aspen account, please email aspen@nmrsd.org for assistance logging in.

If you are sending in a note for your child to get a bus pass, please be sure it is sent in by noon time on Friday. Passes may not be issued if the note is not received by 12 PM.

Bus routes are posted here on the district website. Please reach out if you have any questions!

Here is a link to the 26-27 calendar.

The Lions International Peace Poster Contest gives students the opportunity to use their creativity to share their vision of peace with the world. This year’s theme is “Harmony in Humanity.”

Students who are 11, 12, or 13 years old as of November 15 are eligible to participate through HBMS and the Townsend Lions Club. Students will create an original piece of artwork showing what “Harmony in Humanity” means to them. Deadline is October 15th!

Please see Mrs. Rheault if you want a poster kit, or email crheault@nmrsd.org with any questions

A few important rules:

• Artwork must be 13" × 20" to 20" × 24" (The kit includes this size paper)

• No words, letters, or numbers may appear on the front of the poster

• Artwork must be original student work — AI-generated artwork is not permitted

• Artwork must be 2D with no glued, stapled, or attached objects

• Paint, pencils, crayons, charcoal, and other flexible materials may be used

• Posters may not be folded, framed, laminated, or mounted

• Deadline for your poster is October 15th, submit your work to Mrs.Rheault.

This is a great opportunity for students to express their creativity, share their ideas about peace, and have their artwork recognized beyond HBMS!

School Committee updated the district cell phone policy, in accordance with a law that is making its way through the Massachusetts legislature. Cell phones/smartwatches/smartglasses are to be off and away for the day. Any student found with a personal device will have the device turned in to the main office. If this happens more than once, families will be asked to pick up the devices. The full text of the policy can be found here.

The Townsend VFW holds a Patriot Pen essay contest every fall. HBMS has had several winners in the past! If your child is interested in entering, please refer to this folder of information. Essays are due on October 30th.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) created an MCAS Family Portal which allows caregivers to be able to access information about their child’s participation in MCAS Testing. Information was sent out this summer to families whose children participated in the MCAS testing. This platform replaces the hard copy MCAS results that have been traditionally sent to you in previous years with your child’s MCAS results. The final MCAS results are now available in the MCAS Family Portal and you should be able to access the platform to download individual student reports.

If you have not created an account yet, follow the steps below:

• your student’s registration code (you can find your student’s code in the North Middlesex ASPEN family portal - in the Family top tab, Details side tab for each student. The MCAS Registration Code field is in the bottom right corner of the page); and

• your student’s date of birth.

If you have any questions or need help, please contact your student’s school main office. We are here to support you.

Is your student looking for an opportunity to play before school starts? Check out this Morning Gym opportunity!

We will be offering the 6th Grade Nature's Classroom field trip June 1-4, 2027 and Mrs. Rheault will be the trip coordinator (crheault@nmrsd.org). We will have a virtual parent meeting October 21 at 6pm to discuss the trip.
Google Meet joining info:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/keu-xuon-ymz
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 678-626-7793‬ PIN: ‪597 579 399‬#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/keu-xuon-ymz?pin=6894311264260

The annual 8th grade trip to Washington DC will take place April 13-16th 2027. There will be a virtual parent information night on October 14th from 6-7pm.

At this meeting we will discuss costs, registration process and logistics of the trip. If you have any questions prior to the parent meeting please email Mrs. Rheault (crheault@nmrsd.org) the Washington Field Trip Coordinator.

Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/tty-myki-mdu
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 602-899-2843‬ PIN: ‪378 728 431‬#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/tty-myki-mdu?pin=7196261548663

October 12, 2026- No School: Indigenous Peoples' Day

Email: colmstead@nmrsd.org & jwhite@nmrsd.org
Website: http://hbms.nmrsd.org/
Location: 64 Brookline Street, Townsend, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 597-6914

Fax: (978) 597-0354
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HawthorneBrookMiddleSchool/