SHMS Family Newsletter
October 20, 2024
Principal's Message
Greetings SHMS Community!
We are just two weeks away from the end of Term 1, and it’s important for students to stay focused on submitting all assignments and preparing for any end-of-term assessments. Families, please be aware that the attendance team will continue reaching out regarding any unexcused absences to ensure our attendance records are 100% accurate and students are not missing any opportunities to learn as much as possible during the school day. Additionally, a member of our operations team may contact some families to update residency information as we prepare for the annual enrollment audit.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for parent-teacher conferences and who has connected with our grade level administrators and counselors to monitor their student's progress. If your student is ever at-risk to fail a course for a term their teacher will engage in crafting a Student Success/Support Plan (SSP). Once drafted, SSPs are sent home for family review and signature so please ask your student and their teacher about an SSP for any course where they might be off-track for success. Let’s make the most of the last 10 days of Term 1 so everyone finishes with high levels of success.
Remember, you can always contact the front office at 202-671-6010 or email me directly at eric.fraser@k12.dc.gov for any other questions or needs.
Warm regards,
Eric Fraser
Principal
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Calendars
Weekly Calendar & Upcoming Dates
Weekly Calendar
Monday, 10/21
The application to join the SHMS National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) will open. Please click the following link to be directed to the application: https://tinyurl.com/SHMSNJHS2425
Girls Volleyball Game vs Kramer MS, @ Johnson MS, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, 10/22
- Girls Soccer Game vs Deal @ Deal, 4 p.m.
- Boys Soccer Game vs Deal @ Deal, 5 p.m.
- Archery Tournament @ Stuart-Hobson, 4 p.m.
Wednesday, 10/23
- A great instructional day!
Thursday, 10/24
- A great instructional day!
Friday, 10/25
- Wear Purple! Take a Stand Against Bullying!
Upcoming Dates
- October 28-November 1, Fall Spirit Week!
- November 1, Picture Day!
- November 4, End of Term 1 Records-Keeping and Professional Development Day, no school for students
- November 5, Election Day, no school for students or teachers
- November 11, Veterans Day observed, schools closed
- November 27 - 29, Thanksgiving Break, schools closed
New Information and Important Updates
National Junior Honor Society Application Opens Monday, October 21, 2024
National Junior Honor Society Application
The application to join the SHMS National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) will open on Monday, October 21, 2024. The application deadline is Monday, November 18, 2024 by 3:30pm.
Please click the following link to be directed to the application: https://tinyurl.com/SHMSNJHS2425
Why join NJHS?
National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is an organization that recognizes middle school students who excel in scholarship, character, citizenship, leadership and service. Stuart-Hobson middle school students who are eligible must be current 7th or 8th graders AND have a minimum of a 3.5 cumulative GPA (calculated on final grades for the prior school year SY2024-2025). Applicants must complete the required application, and must demonstrate leadership skills, good character, and excellent school citizenship.
For questions, please contact either Ms. Schimmerling (jessica.schimmerling@k12.dc.gov) or Ms. Wilson (alexis.wilson@k12.dc.gov)
DCPS Study Abroad Program (Summer 2025)
Every student deserves a world of possibilities! That's why DCPS developed a study abroad program. DCPS Study Broad ensures that our global citizens have access to global experiences, so that travel becomes the expectation rather than the exception for students. All DCPS 8th grade students who are studying a World Language are eligible for short-term study abroad programs on language immersion, cultural immersion, STEM, or service learning. DCPS Study Abroad trips are fully funded, including passport and visa fees, airfare, meals, supplies, and lodging. DCPS is going places! For more information and to apply, go to: https://www.dcpsglobaled.org/global-programs/dcps-study-abroad
Application Opens: October 15, 2024
Application Deadline: November 15, 2024 (11:59pm)
Families are invited to join a virtual study abroad information session at the dates/times below (links to join the virtual information sessions can be found on the DCPS Study Abroad website):
Virtual Information Session 1: October 22, 2024 - 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Virtual Information Session 2: October 29, 2024 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm
Virtual Information Session 3: November 6, 2024 - 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Scripps National Spelling Bee Announcement
Families! Please share this information with your SHMS scholar:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year - time for the Scripps National Spelling Bee! The first round of our spelling bee is online. It will be a multiple-choice test that interested students take on a computer. Students will listen to a word and select the correct spelling. If you would like to participate, the first step is to register for the Scripps National Spelling Bee's online testing platform by visiting https://online-test.spellingbee.com You will need Stuart Hobson's zip code to register - 20002. The deadline to register is midnight December 2nd, 2024.
Please see the linked study lists for:
Please use these lists to help your scholar prepare for our first round spelling bees which will occur the week of 12/9/24.
Also, students can play spelling and vocabulary games with all 450 words from the 2025 School Spelling Bee Study List for free! More information is available on how to download this from the App Store and Google Play when you register.
The Final SHMS Bee will be in person this year, in early January.
Please reach out to Ms. Abou-Samra with any questions: Nancy.abou-samra1@k12.dc.gov
Athletics
Stuart Hobson Fall Sports Schedule and Coach Information
Girls’ Soccer Schedule:
Coaches Contact Info: molly.smith@k12.dc.gov
Practices are from 3:45 PM until 5 PM @ Stuart-Hobson Field
9/12*, 9/18**, 9/24, 10/3, 10/10, 10/15, 10/24
*may need to relocate to Stanton Park if boys game is still on
**Wednesday practice since there are 2 games this week (all other practices are on Tuesday/Thursday)
Game Schedule (All games start at 4pm)
10/22 vs. Deal @ Deal
10/29 vs. Hardy @ Stuart-Hobson
Stuart Hobson MS Boys Soccer Schedule:
Coaches Contact Information: max.lempert2@k12.dc.gov
Games begin at 5pm
Practice 3:45-5pm
October 2024
Monday, 10-21: Practice
Tuesday, 10-22: Away Game vs Deal
Thursday, 10-24: Practice
Monday, 10-28: Practice
Tuesday, 10-29: Game vs Hardy HOME
2024 Archery Home/Practice Tournament Schedule
Practice Time: 3:30-5pm
Coaches Contact Information: maalston0563@gmail.com
Practice for third tournament (10/15 Away) will be on: 9/30,10/7, 10/9, 10/11
Practice for this tournament will be held on: 10/14,10/18
Tuesday 10/22/2024 4:00 pm @ Stuart-Hobson
Practice for this tournament will be held on: 10/25
Tuesday 10/29/2024 4:00 pm @ Stuart-Hobson
Practice for final two tournaments (11/7, 11/12 Away) will be held on: 10/31, 11/5, 11/11
Stuart-Hobson MS Cross Country Schedule
Coaches Contact Information:
Latavia.drakeford-allen@k12.dc.gov
Practice Schedule 3:30-4:30 p.m.
9/16, 9/17, 9/25, 9/26, 9/30, 10/7, 10/15, 10/16, 10/17
Meet Schedule
Times: TBD
Location: Colmar Manor Park
10/2
10/19
Stuart Hobson MS Volleyball Schedule
Coaches Contact Information
Practice Schedule 4:30-6pm
9/13, 9/17, 9/19, 9/27, 10/1, 10/3, 10/4, 10/10, 10/15, 10/17
Game Schedule
10/21 5:30 Away at Johnson vs. Kramer MS
2024-2025 Athletics' Participation Packet
The 2024-2025 Athletics’ Participation packet has been released. All students must complete a participation packet every school year. Additionally, the medical forms must be completed within the prior 365 days. We encourage you to have your healthcare provider complete these forms before the school year and attach them to your participation packet. If your student’s UHC has been updated recently, you are encouraged to complete the participation packet as soon as possible.
Universal Health Certificate (UHC).
Students with certain medical conditions may also need to complete an Asthma Action Plan or an Anaphylaxis Action Plan
Please note that it is not necessary to submit a new participation packet for each season. A complete packet includes the DCIAA forms filled out in their entirety along with a Universal Health Certificate that was completed within the last year. ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BEFORE PARTICIPATION.
SHMS Athletics is seeking to hire coaches for the following teams. Professional and coaching résumés can be sent directly to Coach Drakeford.
Coaching Openings:
Indoor Track (Winter), and Track and Field (Spring), Head and Assistant Coaches
Please direct any questions about athletics to our Athletic Director, Coach Drakeford, latavia.drakeford-allen@k12.dc.gov.
Food Services at Stuart-Hobson
Food Service Menus for this Week
Below please find food service menus for breakfast and lunch for this week!
Student Clubs & Extra-Curriculars
Supports for Students & Families
Annual Suicide Prevention Program Update
The Mental Health Team at SHMS is wrapping up the annual suicide prevention program, Signs of Suicide, with all students. This has been an opportunity for students to learn about depression, warning signs of suicide, and how to help themselves or a friend. There are two opportunities with TRAILS, a suicide prevention organization, for caregivers and communities to learn about suicide awareness and prevention. The presentation offered is the same each day. See attached flyers for more information as well as the dates and registration links below.
Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Caregivers and Communities
- Wednesday, October 23 from 5:30-7pm. Discussion will take place via Zoom: https://bit.ly/TRAILS_10-23_training
- Thursday, November 7 from 6-7:30pm. Discussion will take place via Zoom: https://bit.ly/TRAILS_11-7_training
If you have any questions about the mental health services offered at SHMS, you can submit a referral to the Mental Health Team and a team member will be in touch with you: https://bit.ly/referralSHMS
Counseling Team at Stuart-Hobson MS
Do you have questions about mental health and behavioral health services at Stuart-Hobson? Would you like to talk to one of the counseling staff about support services for your student? Submit a request via https://bit.ly/referralSHMS or contact SHMS Social Worker Bernadette Wittschen at bernadette.wittschen@k12.dc.gov.
Stuart-Hobson Student Attendance
Previous Announcements & Resources
**The information below is new or an updated version of something announced previously! **
All Newsletters
You can find previously released newsletters and information here.
Stuart-Hobson Middle School
Email: stuart-hobsonms@k12.dc.gov
Website: www.stuart-hobson.org
Location: 410 E Street Northeast, Washington, DC, USA
Phone: 202-671-6010
Twitter: @StuartHobsonMS
Important Links
Aspen DCPS Student and Family Login
DCPS School Mental Health Resources
Stuart-Hobson Special Education and 504 Plans
Stuart-Hobson Communications Plan - SY2024-25
Stuart-Hobson Uniform Policy
Stuart-Hobson Food Service Breakfast-Lunch-Supper Menus
Stuart-Hobson Behavior Expectation Matrices
Stuart-Hobson Student and Family Handbook