HMS Hiller Heads-Up

Growing an active community of strong minds and kind hearts.

I would like to thank all of you that were able to attend our Back To School nights. It feels good to open our doors and welcome you into our school. I hope these evenings provided you with the opportunity to put a face to teacher names and learn about the classroom experience for your student.

I encourage you to take a moment to read the message below, from our Library Media Specialist Wendy MacArthur. It pertains to an inappropriate novel that our students are talking about. As a parent, I am finding it increasingly more difficult to keep up to date on issues like this, so I would like to extend a thank you to Wendy for bringing this to our attention.

Matt

Hi Parents & Guardians -

Recently, a lot of students have been asking if I have (or can get) a book called Icebreaker, by Hannah Grace, in the library. The cover looked sweet, as did the Goodreads blurb. But, when I looked at professional reviews, I learned that this is not a middle school appropriate book. I read it over the weekend and discovered that It is a "romance" book that has graphic scenes with sexual content.

After doing more research, I also learned that there are many TikTok influencers who purposefully created and marketed content about this book for young teens. So, they may be asking for it without fully comprehending its content.

As a parent to a middle schooler, I wanted to inform you about this book. As a librarian, please know that this will not be in either the middle or the high school libraries. But, I have seen a few copies floating around the school.

I'd also like to make you aware that the second book in the series, Wildfire, is coming out soon.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Your Middle School Library Media Specialist,

Wendy MacArthur

• Day 1: Monday, September 18
• Day 2: Tuesday, September 19
• Day 3: Wednesday, September 20
• Day 4: Thursday, September 21
• Day 6: Friday, September 22

September 22

HMS Picture Day

September 25

No School - Yom Kippur

October 9

No School - Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day

October 20

Early Release Day - 12:00pm

Grade 6 Families,

Your student was given the Nature's Classroom information packet last Friday; hopefully you have received it. We will be hosting a virtual parent information session on Tuesday, September 26 from 6-7pm with the Nature's Classroom, Freedom, NH site director. The link for this event will be sent out on Monday, September 25th. This is an optional meeting to share with you more specific details about the trip; there will also be time for questions. It will be recorded and shared if you are unable to attend. On September 21st, students will participate in a similar meeting with the NC site director which will take place during the school day.

A few reminders:

1. Paperwork is due on September 29th.

2. Payment should be made through MySchoolBucks. Checks will be accepted. Payment is due by October 10th.

3. If you are interested in chaperoning, please return the interest sheet as soon as possible.

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Ann Benbenek

Hopkinton Middle School Picture Day - Friday, September 22nd

Picture Day will be held Friday, September 22nd. Parents can place orders on the Geskus Print Website using the following UNIQUE CODE: JEJ3LC38

We are happy to invite you to an International Night, an evening of cultural celebration, on Friday, October 20th at Hopkinton Middle School.

Attendees can look forward to an evening of food, music, and connection.

In addition to attending, students and families are also invited to host a table representing the culture of a country to which they have a connection. Your table may present this connection through food, music, and/or art. Interested hosts will be connected with families representing the same country in order to coordinate food and musical performances.

Please complete the short form linked here by Wednesday, September 20th to indicate your interest.

You may contact sixth grade teacher Lauren McDonough with any questions.

Dismissal Form

Absentee/Tardy Form

HMS Nurse's Office

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HMS Student & Parent Handbook

Hopkinton SEPAC