Miners in the Middle

It's Spirit Week at HMS, and I can't think of a better way to keep the excitement of a new school year going!

We have dress-up themes planned each day this week, and I hope our students will jump in, have fun, and show their Miner Pride. Middle school is about so much more than what happens in the classroom — it's also about making memories, getting involved, and being part of something bigger than yourself.

So let's see those dress-up themed outfits, cheer each other on, and start this year with some BIG Miner Spirit! 💙🤍

Have a great week, Miners!

— Mrs. Green, Principal

Over the next several weeks, we'll use this space to highlight a few important sections of our HMS Student Handbook. This week, we're starting with Dress Code — especially a few areas where we could use some help from students and families.

👚 Shirts & Tops: Shirts should provide appropriate coverage. Tops that expose the midriff, navel, chest, or back — either while standing normally or when arms are raised — are not permitted. This includes crop tops that do not provide appropriate coverage.

🩳 Shorts, Skirts & Dresses: As a general guideline, these garments should extend beyond the student's fingertips when standing upright with arms resting naturally at the sides.

🏃 Athletic Shorts & Sliders: Athletic-style shorts that do not meet the fingertip guideline may be permitted with principal approval when worn over compression shorts ("sliders") that extend at least to mid-thigh.

👖 Jeans & Pants: Holes, tears, or distressing above the fingertip guideline must have fabric underneath or otherwise provide the same appropriate coverage required for shorts.

Leggings: Leggings and other form-fitting garments may be worn when paired with a shirt or top that extends below the buttocks when the arms are raised.

With Spirit Week happening this week, we want everyone to have fun and participate — but Spirit Week outfits still need to follow our school dress code. Parents and guardians, thank you for helping students check their outfits before leaving home each morning!

Also, please remember to send your signed handbook acknowledgement form back with your child if you haven't already.

Good news! The boil order has been lifted, and our water bottle filling stations are once again available for student use.

Students who would like to have water with them during the school day should bring a clear water bottle from home and may refill it at our filling stations throughout the day.

Thank you to everyone for your patience and flexibility while we worked through the boil order!

Our New 8-Period Day

This year HMS has transitioned to an 8-period school day, giving our students additional opportunities for electives and coursework.

A few important changes for families to remember:

45-minute classes • 4-minute passing periods • Lunch at 12:10 PM • School dismisses at 3:20 PM

Students have done a great job adjusting to the new schedule during these first seven days!

🔐 Locker Practice, Please!

Our students are getting better with their lockers every day, but some are still mastering those combinations! Please help your student memorize their locker combination and practice opening a combination lock at home if possible.

Learning that right-left-right rhythm can save a lot of frustration — and a lot of time between classes!

• Morning Drop-Off – Campus opens at 7:30 AM. Students who do not ride the bus must be dropped off at the east entrance across from the Event Center.
  ❌ Do not park or drop off at the main Middle School entrance/parking lot in the morning—this area is reserved for bus routes only.
  
• Afternoon Pick-Up – Opposite of the morning: all pick-ups happen at the main Middle School entrance.
  
• Attendance Reminder - To be counted present for a class, a student must be in class for at least 30 minutes.
  
• Students more than 15 minutes late to a class (without checking into the office within that time) will be counted absent for that class.
  
• Students leaving more than 15 minutes before the dismissal bell will also be counted absent for that class.
  

Beginning-of-year benchmark testing will began last week and will continue this week.

These assessments are an important tool for our teachers. They help us see what students already know, identify areas where they may need additional support, and plan instruction based on the needs of the students sitting in our classrooms right now. We will also use this information throughout the year to measure student growth.

Benchmarks are not something students need to be anxious about, and we don't expect them to know everything they see. We do, however, need students to take them seriously and give their best effort.

Please help us by encouraging your student to:

• Get a good night's sleep
• Be at school and on time
• Take their time
• Read each question carefully
• Give their best effort — even when something is difficult

The more accurate the results are, the better information our teachers have to help each student grow!

At HMS, our expectations are simple:
Be Respectful.
Be Responsible.
Be Strong.
Be Safe.

These expectations apply throughout our building — in classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria, and at school activities. We ask our families to help us reinforce these expectations at home as we work together to create a school where ALL students can learn, grow, and feel like they belong.

Monday, August 24

• Spirit Week - see dress up themes posted above for each day
• NO SOFTBALL - No Pitt 8 Festival Games

Tuesday, August 25

• MS Softball hosts Atoka, 5pm

Wednesday, August 26

• HMS FCA — 7:35 AM in the Old Gym

Thursday, August 27

• MS Softball vs Talihina, TBD

Friday, August 28

• No MS Activities

Saturday, August 29

• MS & HS Cross Country at Okemah Cross Country Meet

Parents/Guardians: Stay connected to your student's progress!

Sylogist is an important tool for monitoring your student's grades and attendance throughout the school year. We strongly encourage every parent/guardian to have an active parent account and check it regularly.

If you do not have access to your account or need assistance logging in, please contact the Middle School office and we will be happy to help.