Team 8A

Welcome back to the 2025-2026 school year. We are excited to welcome you to Team 8A. We're looking forward to getting to know you and learning and growing together.

Front row (l to r): Cheryl Wojnarowski (Science), Shawna Dukes (Science and Social Studies), Alexis Filippo (Social Studies), Kaitlyn Martin (Honors ELA), Hallie Prokaski (ELA)

Back row (l to r): Sheryl O'Rourke (Math), Tara O'Hea (ELA), Ellen Phillips (Math), Dawn Gaertig (Math and Honors Math)

Below you will find teacher weekly updates. Please check this newsletter each week for important information.

Ms. Filippo/Ms. Dukes (Social Studies):

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”- Welcome back and here we go! Social Studies will kick off the year with creating “Identity/ Getting-to Know-You" Flags, they will break the ice amongst classmates and be a foundation that builds a positive classroom culture! Then, we will jump to North American Geography, students will specifically study the 50 States over the course of 2.5 weeks ending with a summative! For class students will need: pen/pencil, a highlighter, coloring supplies, laptop, charger, paper or notebook, folder or binder and assignment notebook.

Mrs. Wojnarowski/Ms. Dukes (Science):

Welcome to 8th grade science! This week we are focusing on some organizational strategies, group collaboration on classroom guidelines and getting to know each other. Next week we will continue getting to know each other with some group discussions and activities related to the world around us. Students will collaborate on some real-life problem-solving scenarios as we look at our first unit in Physics.

Ms. Prokaski (ELA):

Welcome to 8th grade ELA! This week we are focusing on classroom procedures and expectations, while getting to know each other. Next week, we will be talking about identity within ourselves with a project. Our library days are on Mondays. Students will need one folder, one notebook, charged laptops, their independent reading book, and writing utensils for ELA.

Mrs. Martin (Honors ELA):

Welcome to 8th grade Honors ELA! This week we focused on getting to know each other and building our class culture. Next week we will begin to consider our Quarter 1 Essential Question, “How do we know what is right? Why do people choose to do wrong?” Our library days are on Mondays. Students will need an independent reading book, pencil case with pencils and 4 highlighters, computer bag with charged computer and charger for ELA every single day.

Mrs. O’Hea (ELA): Welcome to 8th grade ELA! I am so happy and honored to be working with my students again this year. It was so nice to see so many of you at the meet and greet! This week, we focused on building our class culture by going over routines, playing games, and learning about our different learning styles. Next week we will begin to consider our Quarter 1 Essential Question, “Is there a difference between appearance and reality?” Our library days are on Fridays. Students will need to bring an independent reading book, pencil case with pencils and 4 highlighters, assignment book, and computer bag with charged computer and charger for ELA every day

Mrs. O'Rourke (Math):

Welcome to 8th Grade Math! In class on Thursday the 22nd and Friday the 23rd we completed getting to know each other activities and learned about 8th grade expectations. On Monday, August 26th, please make sure to have the following supplies at school: 1” binder, binder dividers, calculator, straight edge, pencils, hi-liters, and expo markers. We will begin our first unit of Linear Equations on Tuesday, August 27th. We will also practice adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers throughout the week.

Mrs. Phillips (Math):

Welcome to 8th Grade Math! This week we focused on getting to know each other and positive ways to collaborate in a math classroom. We also learned about classroom expectations and what we need to bring to class daily. For Monday, August 26th, please be sure to bring the following supplies to class: a binder, dividers, pencils, a calculator and highlighters. On Tuesday, August 27th we will begin our first unit on linear equations. We will also be reviewing the topics of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers.

Mrs. Gaertig (Math/Honors Math):

Welcome to Honors Math! I am looking forward to a great year with you. Please make sure to have the following supplies at school for Monday, August 26th: 1” binder & dividers, notebook paper, calculator, straight edge, pencils, hi-liters, expo markers, and your signed syllabus sheet. We will begin our first unit of Linear Functions on Tuesday, August 27th. We will also review the Pythagorean Theorem during our warm-ups for the next two weeks.

HCMS ENCORE

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year from your Encore Team!

We are looking forward to exploring with your child all that the Encore Department has to offer!

We are excited for a great school year!

Mrs. Bartolomeo (Spanish & STEM), Mrs. Caruso (STEM), Ms. Wavera (Spanish), Mrs. Rogers (Art), Mrs. Bulleri (Spanish), Mrs. Walton (Fine Arts & Adaptive STEM), Mr. Wonder (Music & Video Production), and Mrs. Zito (Music & Video Production).

Welcome to the 25-26 School Year PE Team.

We look forward to an amazing school year filled with a wide variety of sports and activities.

Our male PE teachers are Mr. Ford, Mr. Connolly, and Mr. Purpura

Our female PE teachers are Mrs. Rodgers, Mrs. Breen, and Mrs. Troka