Parent Hawk Talk

The school year has quickly shifted into high gear! I have had the opportunity to visit many classrooms, and I continue to be impressed by what I see. Students and teachers are engaged in meaningful conversations, and students are being challenged to think deeply and apply their learning.

In education, we call this “productive struggle.” Learning can be difficult at times, but those challenges help students grow. At Hobby, we support students by connecting new learning to what they already know, asking questions, and guiding them through the problem-solving process. Rather than simply providing answers, we help students develop the confidence and perseverance to work through challenges.

These daily interactions among students, their peers, and their teachers move our campus mission forward: ensuring that more students meet or exceed grade-level expectations and that every student grows academically by at least one year.

This week, we also began our FLEX program. FLEX takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays after third period and provides students with intervention, extension, or enrichment opportunities.

• Intervention provides targeted support to help students strengthen specific skills and reach grade-level standards.

• Extension offers students who are already meeting or exceeding grade-level expectations opportunities to deepen their understanding and apply their learning in new ways.

• Enrichment gives students additional opportunities to explore interests and participate in activities connected to electives, art, physical education, band, choir, orchestra, and other areas of the school day.

Many of Hobby’s academic gains over the past several years can be directly connected to our FLEX program. Providing targeted support during the school day is an essential part of helping every student achieve at higher levels.

If your child tells you they have been “flagged” for FLEX, please know that this is a positive part of our instructional process—not a punishment. It means we have identified a specific opportunity to provide the support or challenge your child needs to continue growing.

Have a Positive Purple Power weekend! We look forward to seeing everyone again on Monday.

Proud Principal of Hobby,

Greg Dylla

Praise, Promote, and Protect

Our 8th grade Magnet GT students had an opportunity to spend some time with our GT specialist this past Tuesday after Map testing. It was great to see the creativity and personalities as they adjusted to work with each other on the challenge. The 7th graders will meet next Tuesday after Map testing and 6th graders will be later this month.

We had our first HOSA meeting with a great turnout. It is not too late to join, please see your CTE teacher if you are still interested.

Our 7th grade Health Science students stepped into the hospital lab this week! Students demonstrated different leadership styles in healthcare, practicing how effective leaders communicate, make decisions, delegate responsibilities, and support their teams.

We are finishing up our third week of school, and our students and teachers are settling into great routines! Here is what is happening around campus and what you can expect in the coming weeks.

You may hear your student talk about their FLEX time period during the school day. FLEX is a dedicated block where teachers work with students in smaller groups to provide extra help on specific skills or to offer academic enrichment. If your student's teacher reaches out about their specific FLEX placement, they will share the exact learning goals your child will be working on.

This coming Tuesday (the first day of September), our students will take the Beginning-of-Year (BOY) Reading MAP assessment.

• What is MAP? MAP is a computer-adaptive test that helps us measure what your student already knows and where they are ready to learn next.

• How it works: The test adjusts to your child's learning level, asking questions that challenge them so we can get an accurate picture of their academic growth.

• How to help at home: Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep on Monday and arrives on time with a fully charged device!

We have incredible news to share about our Spanish 4 AP students from last school year!

• 100% of our students passed the AP exam with a score of 3 or higher!

• Hobby Middle School was the only middle school in the district to achieve a 100% pass rate!

A huge shoutout to Mr. Javier for his dedication and leadership in guiding these students to such remarkable success! We are so proud of our Hawks!

At Hobby, we believe writing is a powerful key to learning in every subject. Whether your Student is writing a science lab summary, explaining a math problem, or reflecting on historical events, they will be writing daily in all of their classes.

Our administrative team will be visiting classrooms regularly to celebrate student engagement, clear learning goals, and great writing in action!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our front office or your child's teachers.

Go Hawks! 🦅

IDs have been handed to every student on campus. These IDs are essential in maintaining a safe and secure environment. The IDs are color coded by grade level and allow us to quickly identify all students.

IDs have some perks on campus.

• Students can sit outside at lunch with an ID

• Quicker checkout at the library or in the lunch line.

• Receive school discounts at local stores when they have sales.

• Quicker check in and out on the bus

• Priority to visit the library in the morning

The counseling team will begin delivering their introductory “Howdy” lessons through Social Studies classes beginning Friday, September 3rd. We look forward to visiting with all of our Hobby Hawks and we are excited to share our role and how we can offer support as they navigate feelings, friendships and school success.

We are also gearing up to launch our Fall Small Groups! These peer groups provide a supportive space for students to gain practical skills in areas like managing stress, organization/study habits, navigating friendships, improving confidence/self-esteem, processing grief, and goal-setting. If you'd like your child to participate in a small group or would like more information, please reach out to your child's counselor.

1st Parent Cafecito of the 20206-2027 School Year Friday, September 11th

The library is in full swing! It has been great seeing so many students stopping by to check out books, read, work on assignments, and spend time in the library. As we settle into our routines, here are a few reminders and some exciting opportunities happening both at Hobby and in our local library community!

Students are welcome to visit the library before school!

Students who arrive early should get a library pass from the cafeteria by 7:50 AM.

🚌 Bus Riders: If your bus arrives after library passes have already been distributed in the cafeteria, don't worry! Come see me and ask for a Library Bus Pass. We know students cannot control when their bus arrives, and we still want our bus riders to have an opportunity to use the library in the morning.

Morning library is a space for students to:

📖 Read or check out books
📚 Find their next great read
✏️ Complete school assignments
😌 Start the morning in a quiet, positive space

To help keep mornings quiet, calm, and free from unnecessary distractions, library computer use before school is for school assignments only.

Games, entertainment, and other non-academic computer use are not permitted during morning library time.

This helps reduce noise and distractions while also making sure computers remain available for students who need them to complete schoolwork.

Help us keep the morning library a calm reading and academic space so everyone can enjoy it! 💛

It's almost time to find out who is coming to LibraryPalooza! 👀📚

The LibraryPalooza Author Reveal Party is August 30 and is open to students, parents, families, and staff!

This is our first look at the authors who will be attending the upcoming LibraryPalooza event—and you or your student may already be a fan of their work!

If your family loves books, authors, reading, or simply wants to see what LibraryPalooza is all about, come join in on the excitement as this year's author lineup is revealed.

I am also currently working to secure bus transportation for Hobby students to attend the upcoming LibraryPalooza event!

My goal is to make this incredible experience more accessible to our students and give our Hawks the opportunity to meet authors, celebrate books, and experience a larger reading community.

More information about transportation and the LibraryPalooza event will be shared once plans are finalized. Stay tuned! 📚🚌

Students should have at least one library book in their backpack and ready to read!

Graphic novels? ✔️
Manga? ✔️
Fantasy? ✔️
Mystery? ✔️
Nonfiction? ✔️
A giant chapter book that takes you a month to finish? ✔️

Reading is reading!

Having a book ready means students can take advantage of independent reading time, downtime, or those few extra minutes after completing an assignment.

The more we read, the stronger our reading stamina becomes! 📖💪

Library visits this year aren't just about checking out a book and heading back to class!

Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to practice reading stamina, short constructed responses (SCRs), reflection, research skills, and evidence-based writing through their library visits.

These quick activities will help students strengthen skills they use across their classes while still giving them plenty of time to explore the library and find books they actually want to read.

Did you know there are even MORE library opportunities available to our students after the school day ends?

Our friends at the Leon Valley Public Library have several programs and resources available for middle school students this fall!

The Tween Lounge is a space where tweens can relax, get creative, and spend time with friends after school.

Students can enjoy:

🎨 Simple crafts
🎮 Xbox games
🎲 Board games
🍿 Snacks
📚 Other activities

📅 Tuesday, September 22 at 4:30 PM

Leon Valley Public Library also offers students access to free Wi-Fi, DIY projects, audiobooks, e-books, and art activities.

Have a student who is 12 or older and interested in getting involved in the community?

Check out Teens Speak at the Leon Valley Public Library!

Teens Speak is designed to empower and uplift teenagers while helping them develop important skills and providing a space for self-expression. Students can participate in:

⭐ Volunteer opportunities and service hours
🎓 College and job readiness activities
❤️ Health and wellness activities
🗣️ Teamwork and public speaking practice
📚 Educational meetings
🎉 Library and community events
🌎 Outreach and cultural celebrations
💜 Fundraisers and other community activities

The program is open to students ages 12+.
📅 Next Teens Speak Meeting:
October 1 at 5:00 PM

📍 Want to Learn More?

Leon Valley Public Library
📍 6425 Evers Rd., Leon Valley, TX 78238
📞 (210) 684-0720
📱 Instagram: @leonvalleypubliclibrary

Keep an eye on Hawk Talk throughout the year! I'll continue sharing library programs, volunteer opportunities, reading events, and other resources happening in our community that our Hobby students and families can take advantage of.

We've had a great start to the school year, and I want to keep that positive energy going!

Whether students are here to discover their next favorite book, finish an assignment, practice their reading and writing skills, or simply find a quiet place to read, the library is here for them.

Keep a book in your backpack, follow our library expectations, and let's keep those pages turning, Hawks! 📚✨

Is your student interested in adventure, leadership, camping, and making new friends? Come learn more about Scouting America Troop 498 at their upcoming Open House!

📅 Monday, August 31

⏰ 7:00–8:30 PM

Families are invited to come meet the troop, learn about scouting, and discover the exciting adventures and opportunities available to scouts.

🏕️ Discover the Adventures!

Learn more about the activities, experiences, and opportunities Troop 498 has to offer.

📍 Location

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
4201 De Zavala Rd
San Antonio, TX 78249

Interested in attending? Please RSVP using the QR code on the flyer.

We hope to see you and your family there!

Join us for a special evening at the ballpark as the Hobby & Rawlinson Middle School Choirs perform the National Anthem at a San Antonio Missions baseball game!

📅 Friday, September 4th

⚾ San Antonio Missions Baseball Game

🎤 First Pitch: 7:05 PM

Come out and support our talented choir students as they take the field and perform the National Anthem before the game! Bring your family and friends and help us cheer them on as we celebrate this exciting opportunity.

🎟️ Tickets can be purchased here:

https://www.gofevo.com/event/Hobby2

We hope to see you there! Go Hawks! 💜💛

Calling all dancers in grades 6–12! Join the Clark High School Top Cat Dance Team for a fun and exciting Dance Intensive designed to help students learn new combinations, freshen up their technique, and experience what it’s like to dance with the Top Cat Dance Team!

📅 Saturday, October 3

Clinic: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Showoffs: 12:00 PM
📍 Clark High School

💃 What to Expect

Students will have the opportunity to:

• Learn new dance combinations

• Work on and improve their dance technique

• Learn from the Clark Top Cat Dance Team

• Showcase what they learned at the end of the clinic

💰 Registration

$35 – Online registration before October 3
$40 – Registration the day of the clinic

Payment options include cash, card, or money order.

🏈 Special Halftime Performance

Students in grades 6–8 will have the opportunity to perform at halftime with the Clark Top Cat Dance Team during the Clark vs. Madison football game at Farris Stadium!

This is a great opportunity for students to learn, have fun, and experience a day with a high school dance team.

📧 Questions?

For additional information, please contact:

Lauren Rost
Lauren.Rost@nisd.net

If your child is interested in trying out for a sport this year, and is enrolled in 7th or 8th grade athletics, there is mandatory paperwork that must be completed before they can be eligible to participate.

An athlete cannot try out for a sport before completing ALL UIL paperwork found on the parent portal. (link below)

STUDENTS NEW TO ATHLETICS:

All incoming students that did not have a medical physical last year MUST complete a medical physical and give a copy to the head coach on campus. The physical form can be printed from the parent portal, or from the links provided at the bottom of this information sheet. The medical history form must be completed online. Print the completed medical history and the physical form and take both of those papers with you to the doctor when you get your physical. Make a copy of the medical physical and turn it into the head coach. You do not need to turn in medical history, but must complete it online.

*Rank One Parent Portal Information/Instruction Sheet

*Asthma Action Plan (Required for students diagnosed with asthma.)

*2026-2027-rank-one-forms.pdf (154.52 KB)

*2026-2027-physical-form.pdf (403.86 KB)

School supply lists for the upcoming school year are available. To view your child's grade-level supply list, please click the link below:

Dress Code: Dress for Success School staff recognizes that parents bear the primary responsibility for setting standards for their children’s dress and grooming. However, because of health and safety factors, the influence of dress and grooming on students’ attitude and behavior, and because of the need to prevent disruptive influences and preserve the academic environment of the school, student dress and grooming are appropriate concerns of teachers and administrators. The district’s dress code is implemented (Section D); therefore, students will be expected to follow the guidelines set forth by the district. Dress code standards are extended to extra-curricular activities held on the campus. In an effort to promote a safe and positive school environment which is conducive to learning, students should wear appropriate clothing that will not cause disruptions in learning or safety. Inappropriate, indecent, suggestive or distracting clothing will not be allowed. *Final determination of acceptable dress code and grooming rests with the Principal or his/her designees.

Please Note

Part of supporting our students’ academic and social growth involves maintaining a disruption-free learning space. With that in mind, we want to gently remind our community about our campus dress code expectations—specifically regarding student hairstyles.

Starting this term, we will be fully aligning our campus practices with our NISD dress code policy:

Expectation: Hair must be neat, clean, and kept in a way that does not cause a distraction to the teaching and learning environment.