The Hawk's Nest News
August 2024 Edition
HMS Families,
On behalf of our faculty and staff, I would like to welcome you to the 2024 - 25 academic year. I am excited about having the students breathe life back into HMS after a relaxing summer! Our faculty and staff along with our amazing students, parents, and community stakeholders, allow for this school and district to be a great success and a hidden gem in our state.
We believe that strong collaboration between school and home is essential for fostering a positive learning environment, and we encourage you to actively participate in your child's education. If you ever have questions about your child's education, I would encourage you to reach out to your child’s teachers. In addition, I ask that parents review the student agenda book and behavioral guide with their children. This can be found on our corporation website or by using the link below.
Our dedicated team of teachers and staff has been working diligently over the summer to prepare for the new academic year. We have exciting plans and initiatives in place to promote academic growth, character development, and social-emotional well-being. We aim to provide a well-rounded education that empowers our students to become confident, compassionate, and capable individuals.
School begins on Wednesday, August 14 at 7:40 a.m. Breakfast is served starting at 7:25 a.m. Those students who are being dropped off should enter through door D, which opens at 7:30 a.m. Dismissal is at 2:30 pm, also at Door D. The map below shows the traffic route for pick-up and drop-off. Those students who are riding a bus will receive communication from our transportation department in the coming days, which could come as late as the day before school starts regarding pick-up and drop-off times (if you have questions, please contact our transportation director, Linda Harbit, at harbitl@hebronschools.k12.in.us).
Other important information is noted below including:
Online Registration Information
Grade 8 Courses
Universal Free Breakfast
MSD of Boone Township Attendance Policy
Electronic Device (Cell Phone, Smartwatches, etc) Policy
HMS Picture Day Information
Student in "Good Standing" Policy
Student Schedules
Our MS Open House
Free/Reduced Lunch Application
Elevate Students
1/2 Day Virtual Days Information
Inclement Weather Cancellation Information
Chromebook Insurance
MS Fall Sports Information
And much more! Please take time to read the newsletter below.
As we embark on this new journey together, I encourage you to stay connected with us through various channels of communication. Our school website, newsletters, and social media platforms will be regularly updated with important announcements, upcoming events, and resources to support your child's learning. We also value your feedback and encourage you to reach out to our school office or email us if you have any questions or suggestions.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. Together, let's make this academic year a remarkable one filled with meaningful learning experiences and cherished memories. We look forward to starting the 2024 - 25 academic year on Wednesday, August 14!
Until then, enjoy the last days of summer vacation 2024!
Matt Beahm
Principal
Hebron Middle School
MSD of Boone Township
Important Dates for Semester 1 (Subject to change):
Wednesday, August 14, 2024: 1st Day of Classes
Monday, September 2, 2024: Labor Day -- No Classes
Wednesday, September 25, 2024: 1/2 Virtual Day -- Dismissal at 11:10 am
Friday, October 11, 2024: End of Quarter 1
Tuesday, October 22, 2024: Student-Led Conferences -- 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm (No early release)
Thursday, October 24, 2024: Fall Recess -- No Classes
Friday, October 24, 2024: Fall Recess -- No Classes
Tuesday, November 5, 2024: 1/2 Virtual Day -- Dismissal at 11:10 am
Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29, 2024: Thanksgiving Recess -- No Classes
Thursday, December 20, 2024: End of Quarter 2 (1st Semester)
Monday, December 23, 2024 - Friday, January 3, 2025: Winter Recess -- No Classes
Monday, January 6, 2025: Classes Resume
2024 - 25 Online Registration
Online registration through your Harmony Family Access account was available on Monday, July 15. Please use your Harmony Family Access login and password to complete the registration process if you have not done so already.
Click here to access the Harmony 3 Family Access login webpage: https://harmony.hebronschools.k12.in.us/familyaccess.nsf/hello.xsp
If you have a new student in our district, you do not need to register online, as you registered in person. However, there are questions on Harmony that you will need to answer using the registration code sent to you by Mrs. Cavinder, our school secretary.
If you have any questions about registration or did not receive an email with registration information, please contact Lisa Gregorczyk at the information below.
Email: gregorczykl@hebronschools.k12.in.us
Phone: (219) 996 - 4771 + 131
8th Grade Courses
All our 8th grade students will be taking Earth Space Science and College and Careers during the academic day. These two course (along with Algebra 1) are HS credit bearing courses. The final semester grades will be a part of the high school transcript, will count towards high school GPA and class rank, along with all other HS graduation requirements. Families at the end of the year will have the opportunity to indicate they do not want one or all of the courses not to count toward their high school transcript, will count towards high school GPA and class rank, along with all other HS graduation requirements.
Per the MSD of Boone Township handbook:
In order to earn high school credit in middle school, the student must have a grade of C- or higher in the class each semester. The grade from this class will count in the student’s high school GPA, and will be used in determining class rank throughout the student’s high school career. Students earning less than a C- will have to retake the class.
Universal Free Breakfast
We are excited to announce that we will be offering ALL student a free universal breakfast for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Eating breakfast is crucial for students' educational success and well-being. Benefits include improved academic performance, better attendance and punctuality, stronger concentration/memory, positive behavior and mood, and even higher graduation rates. Research consistently shows that students who eat breakfast regularly perform better in school, maintain better health, and exhibit more positive behavior, underscoring the importance of starting the day with a nutritious meal. Breakfast for MS students will be served from 7:25 am until 7:35 am and students will be expected to be in class by 7:40 am. The beginning time for breakfast is subject to change depending on the number of students who opt for the universal free breakfast.
MSD of Boone Township Attendance Policy
In accordance with Indiana Code 20 - 33 - 2 - 14, which states "The governing body of each school corporation shall have a policy outlining the conditions for excused and unexcused absences. The policy must include the groups for excused absences. Any absence that results in a person not attending at least one hundred eight (180) days in a school year must be in accordance with the governing body's policy to qualify as an excused absence", the MSD of Boone Township has written and will enforce the following policy regarding attendance starting with the 2024 - 25 academic year. Additional attendance information will be available in the MSD of Boone Township Universal Handbook, which will be published on our school website
Updated Wireless Communication Devices Policy
To ensure a focused learning environment, all MSD of Boone Township students are required to turn off and store all wireless communication devices in their lockers throughout the school day. This includes cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, and any other electronic devices with two-way communication capabilities. Not included in this policy are school issued MSD of Boone Township devices and devices utilized to manage the student’s health care or as part of a student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan. This is in accordance with IC 20-26-5-40.7 and MSD of Boone Township School Board Policy 4307 (Wireless Devices Prohibition).
MSD of Boone Township School Board Policy: 4307 (Wireless Devices Prohibition)
Possessing and/or using a wireless electronic device which is portable and is capable of providing voice, messaging, or other data communications between two or more persons and includes cellular phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, digital cameras, and/or gaming devices in a manner which constitutes an interference with a school purpose or educational function, an invasion of privacy, or an act of academic dishonesty, or is profane, indecent, or obscene.
This rule is not violated when the student has:
a) been given permission from a teacher to or use a wireless device for educational purposes during instructional time;
b) to use a wireless device in an emergency or to manage the student’s health care; c) to use a wireless device as part of the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan.
In addition to being disciplined, students who use a wireless electronic device in a manner which violates this rule may have the device confiscated by school administration. Such a device will be returned to the parent.
Additional wireless communication device information will be available in the MSD of Boone Township Universal Handbook, which will be published on our school website.
"Student in Good Standing" Policy
In order for a student to be eligible to participate in or attend games, clubs, dances, extra-curricular activities, or any other school-sponsored events students, a student must be in "Good Standing". The "Student in Good Standing" policy can be found on our corporation website once it is published.
Students must adhere to the following:
• Attendance: Students must have no more than 2 unexcused absences and/or 3 tardies per nine-week grading period.
• Grades: Students must have no more than one F. This will be taken at the end of each nine weeks, previously completed nine weeks will count towards eligibility.
• Behavior: Students may not have more than one (1) discipline referral to the office per semester. Students may not have more than two (2) discipline referrals for any teacher per semester.
A student in good standing has full rights with respect to participation in activities of the school, academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular, subject to any restrictions which apply to all students. A student is not in good standing during the period of time he/she is under in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, or expulsion. A student not in good standing may have limited participation in any school activity, contest, practice, ceremony, dance, or trip, whether academic, co-curricular, or extracurricular, except as may be allowed by the principal and/or expulsion examiner. Also included are students with delinquent fees without a payment plan.
Student Schedules
Open House 2024
The date for our open house will be Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 4 - 7 pm. You can come (and leave) at any time during the three-hour span, as the options below will be discussed every twenty minutes. We will start and end each night with a grade-level discussion, at the times noted below.
Thursday, August 22, 2024:
Sessions regarding the topics below begin at 4:00 pm and run every 25 minutes (4:25 pm, 4:50 pm, 5:15 pm, 5:40 pm, 6:05 pm, and 6:30 pm)
Grade-level discussions will happen at 4:00 pm, 5:15 pm and 6:30 pm.
You and your child can come (and leave) at any time during the three-hour span, as the options below will be discussed every 25 minutes.
a) Harmony / Google Classroom
b) No Red Ink / Science World
c) Additional "Help" -- RTI, 4th Period, SRT Labs, Tutoring
d) Our Porter-Starke alliance (Student Support/Mental Health resources)
e) Career Class/21 Century Scholarship – 8th Grade session ONLY
f) Team time / HAWK Trips / Recess Rescuers
g) Extracurricular Activities (Sports / Clubs) / Eligibility
**Subject to change**
AND Fill out forms, such as...
a) Registration Forms (if not completed before open house)
b) Final Forms (for sports)
c) Chromebook Insurance
** Subject to change**
Parents and students will need to bring the student's Chromebook. If you have any questions, please reach out!
Elevate Students
We are excited to continue our partnership with Elevate Students, which helps "elevate students' character, self-esteem, academic success, and leadership abilities through curriculum and coaches" (http://elevatestudents.com/wp/). They will be helping to strengthen our already robust social-emotional curriculum in all grades. Elevate Students will be meeting in person with our each week, as we continue to promote positive values and prepare our students for the world outside these four walls.
2024 - 25 Household Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals
1/2 Day Virtual Days
Weather-Related Cancellations
School corporations are only allowed to have three (3) eLearning days for inclement weather days. For these reasons, the first three inclement weather cancellations will be made up in the normal way, asynchronously (eLearning). Any days after that results in the MSD of Boone Township canceling classes will be made up synchronously (live instruction via Google Meet). Students will be required to get online during specific times, join their teachers live via Google Meet and complete their learning. TENTATIVELY, the schedule of classes for synchronous learning is as follows:
1st Hour: 9:00 am - 9:25 am (25)
2nd Hour: 9:30 am - 9:55 am (25)
3rd Hour: 10:00 am - 10:25 am (25)
4th hour: 10:30 am - 10:55 am (25)
5th Hour: Will not meet
6th Hour: 11:00 am - 11:25 am (25)
7th Hour: Will not meet
8th Hour: 11:30 am - 11:55 am (25)
9th Hour: 12:00 pm - 12:25 pm (25)
HMS Drop-Off and Pick-Up
6th Grade Band Information
From Mr. Lee, our MS band teacher:
This is just a reminder that you should have made arrangements for your child to have a band instrument for the start of the school year. If you have already ordered an instrument from Quinlan and Fabish, those instruments will be delivered to the middle school prior to the first day of school. If you have not made arrangements for an instrument yet, you can call Quinlan and Fabish at 219-462-5086 and they can take your information over the phone or you can register online at www.qandf.com. If you would rather visit the store they are located in Valparaiso at 2601 Cumberland Drive. If your child has their own instrument, they should bring it on the first day of school. This is going to be a great year and I am excited about this year's beginning band! If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Lee at the email address below.
Email: leed@hebronschools.k12.in.us
Chromebook Insurance
The student and/or the student’s parent/guardian shall be responsible for compensating the school district for any losses, costs, or damages to the Chromebook. The student and/or the student's parent/guardian is liable for replacement costs resulting from intentional damage and/ or neglect as outlined in this document.
However, the parent/ guardian of the student may choose to purchase insurance for the device. This insurance policy covers accidental damage to the device and charger. The insurance is through Student Device Coverage and the cost for insurance is $27. This coverage is for the school year, with no deductible per claim. All claims will be filed through each school. The portal is now open and available until September 1, 2024. After that, insurance will not be able to be purchased for this academic year.
To purchase insurance, go to https://rocket.k12techrepairs.com/plan/msd-of-boone-township/5jDK9D
Please remember, if you opt to not purchase the insurance, you will be responsible for the full replacement cost of the device or individual parts replacement cost as shown in the image to the left (prices, as shown in the image to the left are subject to change as they have not been updated as of yet). Also, insurance is ONLY for the initial Chromebook the student is issued. Damages to a rental Chromebook are not covered.
If you have questions about Chromebook insurance, please contact our Media Specialist, Mrs. Misty Massena using the information below.
Locker Combination Practice Website
To open a locker at HMS, it's...
1. Turn clockwise (to the right) to the first number.
2. Turn counterclockwise (to the left) and pass the second number and then stop on the second number.
3. Turn clockwise (to the right) to the third number.
HMS Picture Day
HMS Attendance
Two-Hour Delay
Dress Code
Please be reminded of the MSD of Boone Township student dress code. The policy can be found on pages 55 and 56 in the Universal Student Handbook. I’ve also attached our policy below:
Parents/guardians must ensure that students come to school properly groomed and dressed. Proper attire is defined as clothing that is clean, modest, which does not create a health or safety hazard, and which is not distracting or demeaning to other students in the classroom.
School attire should conform to the following guidelines that are not intended to be all-inclusive. The administration reserves the right to use its discretion in determining the type of clothing appropriate for the school setting.
Students are to abide by the following:
• All students must wear soled shoes at all times. Elementary students are not allowed to wear high heels.
• Any clothing exposing the torso, such as ripped shirts, tops that are torn or meant to expose bare midriffs, barebacks, low necklines, as well as those that are strapless and see-through, are not permitted. Pants, skirts, and shorts must completely cover undergarments.
• Shorts and skirts must be long enough to enable stair-climbing, sitting, and participating in any school activity without the possibility of undergarment exposure.
• Clothing with unacceptable writing or pictures will not be allowed. This includes anything advertising drugs, tobacco, alcohol, vulgarities, nudity, sex, weapons, criminal activity, gang activity, or is contrary to the school’s mission.
• No wearing of hats or coats in the building without prior administrative permission. Hoodies are not to be worn on the head. No outerwear is allowed in the classroom unless extenuating circumstances dictate.
• Students are not to wear objects that could be used as weapons such as chains etc.
• Clothing must be in good repair
Hebron Middle School Athletics
Below is information about MS sports. A few of our teams will have a call-out meeting or their first start practice before school starts. If you have questions about a specific team, there is contact information for the coach (or varsity coach) listed. Other athletic questions can be directed to Todd Adamczyk, our athletic director -- adamczykt@hebronschools.k12.in.us.
MS Baseball (7th or 8th graders)
For questions, contact Coach Straka (Varsity and MS Coach) at strakaw@hebronschools.k12.in.us
MS Softball (6th, 7th, or 8th graders)
For questions, contact Coach Eriks (MS Coach and HHS JV Coach) at erikss@hebronschools.k12.in.us
MS Cross Country (6th, 7th, or 8th graders)
For questions, contact Coach A. Pastrick (MS Coach) at pastricka@hebronschools.k12.in.us
MS Girl's Volleyball (6th, 7th or 8th graders)
For questions, contact Coach Siwy (MS Coach) at siwyv@hebronschools.k12.in.us
Any athlete who wants to play a spring sport must have their IHSAA physical (linked below) on file with their Final Forms (linked below) filled out completely, including forms, parent signature, student signature, and the Final Forms fee paid, which can be paid in the MS office, not to incur the handling fee, if paid by credit card.
The links below will direct you to the Hebron Schools Athletic Website where you will find updated schedules, pictures, and news from the athletic department.
If you have athletic questions, please contact our athletic director, Mr. Todd Adamczyk at adamczykt@hebronschools.k12.in.us
Email: adamczykt@hebronschools.k12.in.us
Website: gohebronathletics.com
Phone: (219) 996-4771 + 133
Hawk Trip Criteria
Teachers at Hebron Middle School are trying to encourage our students to become actively involved in the entire life of the school and take advantage of the programs offered here at the middle school.
The middle school staff has adopted and slightly modified a program that incorporates five areas we want to emphasize as making a more complete or successful student: scholarship, citizenship, attendance, extracurricular activities, and service.
- Scholarship – Students get a point for having no grade below a C- each grading period. A student is automatically out if they earn 2 or more F’s for the quarter.
- Attendance – Perfect or near-perfect attendance (maximum of 2 absences per grading period or 2 tardies). Attendance is determined by school records and can be reviewed by school administration. A student is automatically out if they miss 6 or more days.
- Citizenship – Students will automatically earn their citizenship points unless they have received more than 1 one-hour detention. If a student earns a two-hour detention, they do not earn the citizenship point. A student is automatically out if they are suspended or expelled during the quarter the Hawk Trip is for.
- Extracurricular Activities – This category includes teams, clubs, and academic competitions at Hebron Middle School. ONLY school-sanctioned activities count for this program (exceptions will be allowed for exceptional circumstances granted by the team-time teacher). You are only allowed one point total, regardless of the number of activities you are involved in during a grading period
- Service -- REPLACEMENT POINT (as long as a student isn’t automatically out and they earn a service hour, they can replace the service hour with not earning a point for grades, attendance, citizenship, or extracurricular activity) -- this allows students to earn their way back into the Hawk Trip. If a student completes a community service activity and return a signed paper from the event organizer/individual for whom the service was completed, this will allow the student a replacement point for that quarter's Hawk Trip. This point may need to be confirmed by the staff.
The middle school staff has end-of-the-quarter activities and this year we’d like to make these activities extra special, one which our students earn. Students will have the opportunity to participate in all areas each grading period and will earn points in each category. Team Time teachers will use the form found on the back to tally points each grading period. If you have any questions, please talk with your child's Team Time teacher.
Extracurricular Grade Policy
Students who participate in extracurricular events (sports or clubs) must be in good standing. Those who participate in clubs or sports at Hebron Middle School will be subject to a grade check every two weeks, starting with midterms, two weeks after midterms, and at the end of the grading period. Students who have a failing grade will immediately become ineligible for the club/sport they’re participating in until the next grade check. This also applies to the end of each grading period. Students who have two or more failing grades at the end of a grading period will be ineligible for the next 9-week grading period.
Coaches/club supervisors reserve the right to remove athletes from practice and contests if their academic progress is unsatisfactory. Additionally, athletes/club members may be removed from a team/club due to poor academic performance.
Every student-athlete, manager, trainer, or support group member is subject to this rule. Those affected may attend practices during the period of ineligibility at the coach’s discretion.
Food Services Department
Email: cunninghamp@hebronschools.k12.in.us
Website:
NWI Buddy Bags
We will be continuing (the first delivery is tentatively planned for the week of September 9) our partnership with NWI No Child Hungry, which is a local, non-profit organization dedicated to fighting hunger in Northwest Indiana. This program, called Buddy Bags, provides enough food for a weekend's worth of meals. Buddy Bags are free of charge and available to any student enrolled at the MSD of Boone Township that may need them. At the end of each week (normally placed in their locker on Thursday after school hours), your student will receive a bag of non-perishable, single-serve, child-friendly food to bring home. The food bags will be handed out discreetly and in a caring manner. Your participation is anonymous to our organization. Only your child’s school will have your information.
We have made some changes to the menu. NWI No Child Hungry is happy to announce that we will have a rotating 4-week menu so that students can have a variety of meal items and not just the same foods every week.
If you are in need of this program, please fill out the Google Form that is linked below.
Google Form to Buddy Bag Program Sign-Up
Please contact Gretchen Mercer at the information below or if you'd like to monetarily support their organization.
Email: NWINoChildHungry@gmail.com
Website: www.nwinochildhungry.wixsite.com/mysite
Phone: 219-730-5928
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwinochildhungry/
Tip 411 -- Anonymous Tip Line
You can download the app through the app store on any Apple or Android device. The app is free to download. Search "Hebron Schools Tip Line" and you will see the icon to download. To send a tip, make sure you start with the key word "Hawks" and then write the description.
You may also simply text the tip using the number 847-411. Make sure to start the message with the key word "Hawks" when sending the text.
21st Century Scholars
It’s never too early to start planning for college and the 21st Century Scholars Program is available to offer help to Indiana residents who apply and qualify. Indiana 7th and 8th graders are welcome to apply, with the final deadline being June 30th of a student’s 8th-grade year. Those who do qualify for this program can be awarded up to four years of undergraduate college tuition to attend an eligible Indiana public or private college, university, or proprietary institution.
All you have to do to pursue this opportunity is to:
Create ScholarTrack accounts at ScholarTrack.IN.gov (you and your parents/guardians will both need your own accounts in order to complete the application process)
Apply online at Scholars.IN.gov/enroll before June 30th of your 8th-grade year. (If requested, our Middle School code is “6814” and the High School code is “6813”)
Fulfill the Scholars pledge to the State of Indiana.
Meet the guidelines for Indiana student financial aid.
Attend an eligible institution within two years of graduating from High School.
We encourage you to pursue this opportunity and wish you the best! If you have any questions or concerns regarding this program or filling out the application itself, feel free to call Mrs. Hunzelman at 996-4771, ext. 129, or get in touch with a Scholars representative using the contact information listed on their website.
https://scholars.in.gov/parents/enroll/
Website: https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars/students/middle-school/
Location: 101 W. Ohio Street, Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 888-528-4719
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearnMoreIN
Twitter: @learnmorein
Technology Department
Email: trulleyj@hebronschools.k12.in.us
Phone: (219) 996-4771 + 131
Help Wanted
The following positions at the MSD of Boone Township are available:
Food Service Associate
Bus Driver
Substitute Teachers
Substitute Bus Drivers
You can view these job postings on our website:
Open "Departments" - then "Employment / HR"
Location: 307 South Main Street, Hebron, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 996-4771 + 121
Hebron Middle School
2020 - 2021 HMS Motto: "Rise Above the Uncertainties of Tomorrow"
2021 - 2022 HMS Motto: "Work Hard. Dream Big. Never Give Up"
2022 - 2023 HMS Motto: "One step at a time but always forward"
2023 - 2024 HMS Motto: "Learning Today...Leading Tomorrow"
2024 - 2025 HMS Motto: "Every Accomplishment Starts with a Decision to Try"
Schools To Watch Original Designation: 2012
Redesignation I: 2015
Redesignation II: 2018
Redesignation III: 2022
Email: beahmm@hebronschools.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.hebronschools.k12.in.us/2/Home
Location: 307 South Main Street, Hebron, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 996-4771
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hebronmshawks
Twitter: @hebronmshawks