HMMS Newsletter

Over the past two weeks, I’ve had the exciting opportunity to both celebrate our staff and engage in meaningful planning for the future of HMMS.

First, I want to recognize and congratulate Rebecca Osborne on being awarded a prestigious Rowland Foundation Fellowship! Rebecca will be focusing her work over the next year on expanding place-based, hands-on learning across content areas and classrooms. This is a huge honor and a fantastic opportunity for both Rebecca and our school community.

I had the privilege of attending the Rowland dinner alongside Mrs. Hisman and Rebecca, where we celebrated this year’s recipients and learned from last year’s fellows. Just this past week, Rebecca and I participated in a working session in Rutland with other fellows and their principals. The day was filled with collaboration and vision-setting—it truly opened my eyes to the impact this work can have on our school. We left the session inspired and eager to get started.

In addition to celebrating achievements, we continue to focus on ending this school year strong while proactively planning for the next. I want to thank Rachel Guim and Nicole Bonnet for facilitating our recent 5th grade transition work. They helped collect valuable feedback from our teachers who visited 5th grade classrooms. We are now using that data to examine our own procedures and systems at HMMS.

Currently, teachers are reviewing their classroom practices to identify areas of consistency, share effective strategies that could benefit the whole school, and determine where we may need additional professional development or support. This reflective work is a key part of ensuring we are aligned and ready to welcome next year’s students with strong, supportive systems in place.

Be sure to check out the rest of the newsletter for more on what’s been happening here at HMMS

As many of you are aware, Sarah Hisman has accepted the position of Director of Curriculum for the Hartford School District. We are incredibly proud of Sarah and excited to continue working with her in this new role.

With this transition, the position of Associate Principal at HMMS has officially been posted. I want to take a moment to share a transparent overview of the hiring process with our community.

We have formed a hiring committee made up of staff and school community members. The committee met to establish shared priorities and to clearly identify the qualities and experience we are looking for in a candidate. We have reviewed all applications and are preparing to begin interviews next week.

The process will include initial interviews, followed by a check-in with the full committee to determine which candidates will move forward. For those who advance, there will be a second round of interviews along with opportunities to engage with students and staff members so that we can gather additional perspectives.

As we move through each phase of this process, I will continue to keep you updated. We are committed to finding a leader who shares our values, believes in the potential of middle school learners, and is ready to support the great work happening at HMMS.

• HMMS admin celebrated the start of Becca Osborne’s Rowland Fellowship at a welcome dinner two weekends ago. We heard of the hopes and desired outcomes from new Rowland fellows, and received updates from the 2024 cohort (which includes HHS’ Dr. Melissa Wyman)

• Wednesday, June 4th: 8th grade step up day in the afternoon

• 6/13 8th grade class trip.

• 8th Grade Graduation: Tuesday, June 17, 6:30 pm start

• BBQ after for students until 9:00!

• • 6/2 - Polaris Culminating Event 6-8pm

    6/3 - HMMS End of year concert 7:00 - 9:00 pm

    6/4 - Thursday - 8th grade step-up day

    6/5 - 6/6 - 🚃Field Trip: Polaris to Silver Lake

    6/6 - 🚃Field Trip: Atlas to Storr’s Pond/

    • “Staying Safe and Healthy Over the Summer” lunches with Hartford Parks and Recreation, Hartford Community Coalition, and HMMS prevention groups

    6/10 - Tuesday - Rising 6th - Meet your teacher night, 6:00 - 7:00 pm

    6/11 - 🚃Field Trip: Nebula

    6/11 - 6/12 - 🚃Field Trip: Eclipse to Storr’s Pond

    6/12 - Atlas Culminating Event 5:00 - 6:30 pm

    6/13 - 🚃Field Trip: 8th grade class trip -5TH grade Step up Day 10-1 *** Change to original Date!

    6/17 - 8th grade promotion ceremony (graduation) 6:30 start time: BBQ after

    6/18 - Wednesday - Early Release / LAST STUDENT DAY / Field Day *Tentative

    6/20 - HS Graduation

• Spring sports are under way! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the HMMS Athletic Director, Nichole Vielleux, at hmmsad@hartfordschools.net

2024-2025 Hartford Memorial Middle School Yearbook

This year’s yearbook is now open for sales! You can purchase a yearbook using the link below. 8th grade students will automatically receive a yearbook free of charge, and do not need to purchase one. This link is for any 6th or 7th grade students that would like to purchase a yearbook. Yearbooks cost $20, and will be distributed during the last week of school.

• Purchases made after May12th will be at an increased price in order to cover the cost of shipping, and will be sent directly to student addresses.

• If you have questions, or are in need of a scholarship-provided yearbook, please contact Erin Topolewski at topolewskie@hartfordschools.net.

• Additionally, if you would like to donate a yearbook for a kid who is unable to come up with the funds, you can purchase an extra book through the link and write “donation” in the box that asks for the student name. Thank you in advance for any donations!

Link to Yearbook Purchase:

https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/memorialmiddle25

Please check out the regularly updated Student Assistance Program newsletter, click here– SAP Newsletter for information on prevention, substance misuse, bullying and wellness

• Vaping in 2025: What’s Changed & What Parents Need to Know

• Host: Operation Parent

• Date: Recorded Webinar (from 2/19 event) | Watch

• Location: online

• Description: The face of vaping has changed significantly since they first emerged about a decade ago: vapes are bigger, stronger, and distributors have developed new methods to appeal to youth and evade FDA regulations. Join Dr. Weiner for an in-depth look at the evolving vaping landscape, the hidden risks to physical and mental health, and practical tips to help you have informed, impactful conversations with your child.

• Hartford Parks & Recreation is looking for ideas for the future possibilities of Lyman Point Park, including how to make it more accessible. If you have a chance, please fill out the survey

Please check out the Hartford Parks and Recreation offerings for the Summer and Fall: https://hartfordvt.myrec.com/info/default.aspx

• HACTC Summer Camps week of June 23-27, 2025 (both limited to first 12 applicants)

• Summer Tech Camp in the Morning - FLYER and APPLICATION

• Summer Computer Camp for girls and gender expansive youth - FLYER and APPLICATION

• NEW Resource for Parents!

Talking to Your Child About Vaping: A Guide for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers, is a free one-hour interactive online learning module designed to help parents, guardians, and caregivers talk to their child about vaping and nicotine in the best possible way. This course, which was created by the American Lung Association, is ideal for parents, guardians or caregivers of children ages 8 to 20, and parents, guardians, or caregivers of children who have a history of using tobacco and nicotine products.

Join the HMMS PTO!

The HMMS PTO is looking for new members for the 2025-2026 school year!

If you aren't familiar, the PTO and HMMS have built a wonderful partnership. This year alone, the PTO has helped organize and run many events for our staff and students. Some highlights include:

• Hosting Doughnuts and Cider in the fall to celebrate students and their commitment to our school-wide expectations.

• Organizing multiple staff appreciation events, providing breakfast, lunch, coffee, and more throughout the year.

• Supporting major events like the Marathon Dance.

• Meeting monthly with the Principal to discuss ways to further support the goal of belonging at HMMS.

I have seen firsthand the positive impact of this group, and I hope to see it continue and grow. However, they are in need of new members to carry on this important work.

If you are interested in being a part of the PTO next year, please reach out to HMMSVTPTO@gmail.com. We would love to have you join!

• The science classroom on Team Eclipse hatched 17 baby quail
• Seven HMMS students participated in the HACTC “Non-Traditional Trades” day on Wednesday, May 14–they had a great time getting to use blow torches, chainsaws, change tires and play with electrical circuits!
• Six HMMS prevention students presented about the importance of youth engagement and all the wonderful youth led prevention activities happening at the Annual Vermont Substance Use Treatment & Prevention conference, hosted by the Vermont Department of Health, here is the WCAX news clip. They did a GREAT job!! We are so proud of our youth leaders!
• Here is a link to their presentation: DSU SU Conference May 2025

Cody TanCreti

Principal HMMS

tancretic@hartfordschools.net