HTMS Newsletter

Everyday Excellence in Academics, Athletics, and the Arts

Mission

The Mission of Trussville City Schools is to educate students using high standards in a safe, nurturing environment fostering academics and career competencies that prepare them to be productive citizens.

Get ready for a fun-filled afternoon at our Spring Fling on Friday, May 15!

Event Details

• Concessions: Drinks – $1-$2
• Candy & Snacks: $2-$3
• Frito’s Popsicles: $5
• Payment: Cash only

Water Balloon Fun

Students will have the opportunity to purchase water balloons during the event and throw them at selected teachers and administrators in a designated area.

Volunteers Needed

We are looking for parent volunteers to help make this event a success. Please scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up to volunteer.

We look forward to a great afternoon of fun for our students!

Spring Fling is almost here! Please review these important reminders for students and parents:

👕 T-Shirts
• Spring Fling t-shirts will be distributed in homeroom on Thursday.
• Students who have not prepaid for Spring Fling may purchase a limited number of extra shirts during lunch on Thursday at the lobby concession stand. Extra shirts are first come, first served.
• Students may NOT sign, alter, or cut their shirts in any way.

👟 What to Wear
• Flip flops are discouraged due to grass areas and activities throughout the event. Tennis shoes or water shoes like Tevas or Chacos are a great option.

• Students may wear a hat and are encouraged to put on sunscreen at home.
• Dress code still applies during Spring Fling. Please remember:

• Shorts and skirts must meet fist length requirements

🍿🥤 Snacks & Drinks
PTA will sell snacks and drinks throughout the event:
• Drinks: $1
• Candy/snacks: $2-$3
💵 Cash only

🎉 We can’t wait for a fun and safe Spring Fling!

📚 Summer Reading is here!

Students entering grades 6–8 should choose ONE book from their grade-level reading list to read over the summer. An in-class assessment will be given during the first week of school.

The full reading lists and details are available on the HTMS website: https://htms.tcsk12.us/students-and-families/academics/summer-reading-list

We want you to be one of the first people with the opportunity to ride with the Huskies!

The Trussville City Schools Foundation and the Trussville City Schools Athletic Foundation have partnered to create a Distinctive Car Tag through the state of Alabama that supports Trussville City Schools! We are giving away the first 1000 car tags completely free to you, and we want you to be one of the first 1000 to ride with the Huskies!

To sign up for a free tag at no cost to you, please complete this Google Form: https://forms.gle/DX8WHBNKh78nBM7k9

We have answers to frequently asked questions attached for you. If you have any other questions, please email ridewiththehuskies@gmail.com

1. What is the Trussville City Schools distinctive car tag?

It’s a specialty license plate that shows your support for both the Trussville City Schools Foundation and the Trussville City Schools Athletic Foundation.

2. Who benefits from the tag?

Both foundations benefit directly. Funds support educational programs, classroom needs, and athletic opportunities for students.

3. How much does the tag cost?

The first year is FREE for the first 1,000 people who sign up.After that, individuals have the option of paying $50 to renew their plate. This would be handled at the tag office.

4. How much money goes back to the schools?

From each tag purchased, $48.75 goes directly to support the two foundations.

5. Why is it important to be one of the first 1,000?

Reaching the first 1,000 commitments helps ensure the tag becomes available—and you’ll also get your first year free.

6. Do I have to pay anything up front?

No—there is no upfront cost to reserve your tag as part of the first 1,000. The only cost is upon renewal of your car tag.

7. When will I receive my tag?

Once the 1,000 commitment goal is met and production is approved, you will be emailed a voucher. Individuals will take the voucher to their tag office and pick up the license plate free of charge.

8. Where do I get my tag?

You will pick up your car tag from your local tag office. The Trussville Tag Office will have the tags available upon request.

9. Can I still get the tag after the first 1,000?

Yes! However, the free first-year offer only applies to the first 1,000 participants.

10. How do I sign up?

You can sign up through the official Google form provided by the school system or foundations.

11. Can businesses or organizations participate?

Absolutely! Anyone with an eligible vehicle can sign up and show their support.

12. Why should I participate?

It’s an easy way to give back, show school pride, and directly support students, teachers, and athletic programs in Trussville. Show everyone that you are riding with the Huskies.

Hey HTMS! The 2026 Pawprints Yearbook is here! We'll be passing them out during Spring Fling, so get ready!

Didn't buy one or unsure if you've purchased one? Check the lists on the way to the lunchroom - everyone's listed by grade levels/homerooms.

Need to buy one? AFTER we're finished passing out during the Yearbook rotation of Spring Fling, have your $50 ready (cash or check - made out to HTMS), and we can get you a copy! They'll be sold on a first-come, first-served basis!

Help raise money for Meads Miracles. Donate at least $3 on May 18th and wear your favorite school appropriate pajamas.

Hewitt-Trussville Middle School will celebrate our 8th grade students at the 8th Grade Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 9:30 AM in the HTMS Gymnasium.

Students will be recognized for a variety of achievements including academic honors, fine arts, leadership, and extracurricular excellence. Official invitations will be sent via email on May 15 to families of students being recognized.

We look forward to celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of our amazing 8th graders!

Come cheer on team red and team white in our second annual unified basketball game at HTMS! The cost is $5 at the door and this is an event you don't want to miss hosted by our PTO!

All medication that has been dropped off in the health room must be picked up by May 22, 2026.

Pickup Times:
• Monday–Friday
• 7:45 AM – 2:45 PM
• No appointment necessary

If you would like medication discarded instead of picked up, please call and notify the nurse. Any medication remaining at school after 5/22/26 will be destroyed in accordance with TCS policy.

🏈 HTHS Flag Football tryouts are coming up!

Tryouts will be held Thursday, May 14 from 3:00-4:30 PM at the Pavilion. Rising 7th-12th graders who are students in the Trussville City Schools system are eligible to try out.

Be sure to use the QR code to register, and contact Coach Cole Frederick with any questions!

After a nail biter of a season, the HTMS middle school team competed in the last race of the state championship series this weekend. At Tannehill on Saturday, they finished first as a team. The team won 4 of 6 races in the 2026 series and secured their 4th consecutive state championship yesterday.

RACE #6 TANNEHILL TOP TEN

8th Grade Boys: 8th- Logan O'Dell

8th Grade Girls: 2nd-Avery Fogg

7th Grade Girls: 2nd Adelaide Tribble

6th Grade Boys: 2nd-William Pendleton

6th Grade Girls: 1st-Elizabeth Garver, 7th Caroline Smith

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES TOP TEN

8th Grade Boys: 6th- Logan O'Dell

8th Grade Girls: 4th-Avery Fogg

7th Grade Girls: 2nd Adelaide Tribble

6th Grade Boys: 1st-William Pendleton

6th Grade Girls: 1st-Elizabeth Garver, 5th Caroline Smith

Any students interested in joining should plan to attend the parent meeting for 7th–12th grade on May 4 at 6:00 PM in the HTMS Auditorium.

📍 Tryouts for rising 9th graders will be held May 14–18 at Husky Stadium.

Be sure to check out the sign-up links on the graphic for both rising 7th–8th graders and rising 9th graders.

Middle School Sign Up link: https://forms.gle/8QcUH7FLPDwonLQR7

High School Sign Up link: https://forms.gle/8KCHHqz3JSkyMcxFA

For more information, contact Coach Michalke at matthew.michalke@tcsk12.us.

Evaluations for the HT Swim Team starting Soon

Any students interested in joining the HT Swim Team should plan to attend a parent meeting for 7th–12th grade students on May 7 at 6:00 PM at the Trussville Civic Center.

📍 Evaluations for new swimmers will be held April 27, April 30th and May 18-22 at the YMCA

Be sure to fill out the sign-up link on the graphic or below

Sign Up link: https://forms.gle/8QcUH7FLPDwonLQR7

For more information, contact Coach Cook at molly.cook@tcsk12.us.

🏀 Hewitt Basketball Tryouts are right around the corner!
7th grade tryouts will be held April 30 and May 1, 4, 6, & 8, and 8th grade tryouts will take place May 18–22. All sessions run from 3:30–5:00 PM. Be sure to complete the sign-up form and have all Dragonfly forms finished, including a current physical.
Questions? Contact Coach Argo at clint.argo@tcsk12.us

If you are interested in being a part of one of the top track and field programs in the state, we invite you to sign up for the upcoming season.

Our program competes at the highest level in Alabama:

• Indoor Season: Boys Team State Champions
• Outdoor Season: Boys State Runner-Up
• Girls Program: Top 3 Finishes in both Indoor & Outdoor
• With multiple individual and relay State Champions

We are looking for dedicated, coachable, and competitive student athletes who are ready to work and represent our program with pride.

Track & Field offers opportunities for all types of athletes, including:

• Sprinters
• Distance runners
• Jumpers
• Throwers

Important Expectations:

• Commitment to daily practice
• Strong work ethic and accountability
• Positive attitude and team-first mindset

If you are ready to compete and be part of something special, please complete the interest form below.

https://forms.gle/duwLfxFFRa4mggdz9

More information about workouts, expectations, and the upcoming season will be shared after sign-ups close.

Sharable link:

https://canva.link/ob8us68qc0adtkq

As we move through the semester, please take a moment to review our HTMS dress code expectations. Thank you for doing your part to show Husky Pride! 💙🐾

Click here to read the HTMS Daily Announcements

• Student cell phones should be locked in school lockers throughout the school day. They are not allowed to have them in class. If a student's phone is taken up by a teacher, a parent will have to pick it up from the front office. If smart watches are used as phones, they will be taken up as well.
• Students are not allowed to walk through halls with ear buds in ears.
• Backpacks, tote bags, etc. should be locked in lockers throughout the school day.
• Student Expectation for extra-curricular events: All students should be accompanied by an adult to extra-curricular events. If a student is dropped off a guardian will be contacted for the student to be picked up from the event.
• Please review the below TCS Parent and Student Handbook for Dress Code, Code of Conduct, and Additional Updates.

2025-2026 Parent and Student Handbook

The Alabama Department of Education has recently made some updates regarding medication at school. Please review the updated Parent/Prescriber Authorization Form (PPA) and our TCS Medication Guidelines. Changes to note include:

• All medications, prescription and over the counter (OTC), require a Parent/Prescriber Authorization Form (PPA) with a parent's signature. Prescription medications or any medications that are not FDA approved also require a prescriber signature as well as a parent's signature.

• The Parent/Prescriber Authorization Form (PPA) has been updated. Please use the updated form for any medication to be given at school. There will be a grace period for use of the previous version of the PPA for those who have already obtained signatures on that version. If you have already obtained a prescriber signature on the outdated version of the form for this school year, you do not need to resubmit a new form until your signed form expires.

• TCS school nurses will no longer be able to keep Over The Counter (OTC) medications at school for longer than a period of ten school days without a prescriber signature. OTC medications to be kept at school for ten school days or less do not require a prescriber signature.

• Start with contacting the teacher if the concern is class related. The teacher will be responsive, helpful, and understanding.
• If there are continuing concerns or if the concern is not class related, please contact the grade level counselor or an assistant principal.
• The counselor or assistant principal will consult Mr. Meads, HTMS Principal as needed. However, if for any reason the concern is not resolved by the counselor or assistant principal, please contact Mr. Meads.

Absences from School:

• Attention: Doctor's excuses may only be turned in by hard copy to the front office. Parent notes may be emailed.
• A parent excuse or doctor's excuse must be turned into the Main Office within 3 days of your student's absence.
• Students are allowed 6 parent notes for the school year; however, only 3 parent notes can used consecutively. Parent notes may be emailed or written. Please email!!
• Please email elizabeth.guice@tcsk12.us with any parent excuses or attendance questions.
• Please review TCS Parent and Student Handbook for all truancy information.

HTMS Tardy Policy:

Student attendance to all classes every day is critical to learning and overall student achievement. Unexcused Check-in's and Check-out's during the school day will be tracked along with tardies to all classes. When added together the following consequences will be assigned:

• Total of 3 - Student warning notice, along with an email sent to parents
• Total of 6 - Tardies to any class, unexcused check-ins or check-outs - 1 Day of ISD
• Total of 9 - Tardies to any class, unexcused check-ins or check-outs - 2 Days of ISD
• Total of 12 - Tardies to any class, unexcused check-ins or check-outs - Class II Offense and 3 Days of ISD

Totals will reset each 9 weeks!!

Morning Drop Off Reminders

• Do not drop students off in carline before 7:15. This is a huge safety concern! We do not have teachers on morning duty before then.
• Please pull all the way down in front of field house to drop off... do not stop in front of the gym.
• Do not pull around by the baseball fields to drop off.
• Remind your student that food must be eaten before morning drop off. No food is allowed in the gym. Students may go to the lunchroom for breakfast.
• Students should never be dropped off in the parking lot by the lunchroom (where buses drop off).
• If a student arrives at 7:55 or later, they need to report to the front office.
• Students will enter into the activity room from carline.

Afternoon Dismissal Reminders

• HTMS is not a walking campus for students. Some student-athletes might walk with their coach to the stadium or civic center, but they are under the supervision of a coach.
• Please encourage your student to look for their car while they are in carline to help keep it moving.
• Students should be picked up no later than 3:30 in the afternoon.

Why Circool? Circool ensures your kids are safe at school events. Have you ever noticed that during school events like plays, graduations, or other gatherings, there’s often little to no checking of who enters? Do you feel confident that everyone present should be there? That’s where Circool comes in.

How It Works:

• Event Invitations: School staff selects which classes are invited to an event. Only parents with children in those grades will receive an invitation.
• Parent Invitations: Parents can invite known family and friends to attend the event with them.
• Entry Verification: Only invited guests with tickets can enter the event. School staff will use Circool to scan a code on each guest’s phone as they enter, ensuring that every adult present should be there. Kids do not need tickets.

Circool helps us verify that everyone at the event is meant to be there, providing peace of mind for parents and staff alike.

Dates to Remember:

• 5/15: National Prader-Willi Syndrome Awareness Day
• 5/15: Spring Fling & Friday Freeze
• 5/16: CDG Awareness Day
• 5/18: Club Day
• 5/18: National Speech-Language Pathologist Day
• 5/19: 8th Grade Awards Day
• 5/20: Unified Basketball Game
• 5/21: Last Day of School - Dismissal at 12:00

Principal

Email: Jared.Meads@tcsk12.us
Website: https://htms.tcsk12.us/
Phone: 205-228-3700