HMMS Newsletter

Over the past two weeks, we’ve been testing our systems and making adjustments as students and staff settle into a nice rhythm. We were fortunate to enjoy beautiful weather for much of our first month together, which certainly helped set a positive tone.

This past week however, we tested our indoor recess system and are working to incorporate more student voice as we create engaging opportunities for students to connect during recess both inside and out. We also held our first fire drill of the year and received very positive feedback from the fire department on student behavior. Everyone was out of the building and accounted for in just under four minutes. After each drill, we gather staff feedback and reflect together to continue improving.

Our Open House had a fantastic turnout, and it was nice to connect with so many of you throughout the evening thank you again for coming out!

Students also had picture day this past week. If your photo didn’t turn out to be “refrigerator quality,” there will be a retake day soon (details will be sent out).

Our fall sports seasons are well underway, and as you’ll see in this newsletter, registration for winter sports is now open. Beyond athletics, there are so many exciting things happening at HMMS! We plan to host parent informational events throughout the year to share our work with you and will also be presenting updates at upcoming board meetings.

Thank you for taking the time to read the newsletter and enjoy the many pictures we’ve included!

Each year the Rowland Foundation awards up to six Rowland Fellowships to Vermont middle grade and secondary school teachers.The Rowland Foundation’s mission is “to invest in Vermont teachers to positively change the culture and climate of schools”. The Rowland Foundation awards a $125,000 grant to the school to support the work of the Rowland Fellow.

Becca will work to increase opportunities for hands-on learning across the curriculum for middle school students. With a background working as a farm-based educator, a STEM teacher, and a science teacher, Becca’s goal is to collaborate with the HMMS staff to support integrating creative hands-on learning strategies into classes. Throughout this fellowship Becca will work alongside a school-based team of staff members, and will visit other schools, attend conferences, and conduct research. Becca will also meet monthly to share school change strategies and resources with the 6 other 2025-2026 Rowland Fellows from around the state.

Pictured is 2024 Rowland Fellow and HHS teacher Melissa Wyman, HSD Curriculum Director Sarah Hisman, 2025 Rowland Fellow and HMS teacher Becca Osborne, and HMMS Principal Cody TanCreti at the Rowland Foundation annual dinner.

PLACE is a new class offered at HMMS this year. This course takes a place-based, hands-on approach to learning, where students engage in meaningful projects and explore our community through flexible, creative pathways.

Check out some pictures below from the first few weeks of their learning journey!

Team Polaris 8th graders had a great time at Cabin 66 in Etna, NH! This overnight was spent connecting the class and building leadership skills.

• Please sign up for 7/8 Winter Sports (Basketball), Winter track (practice only with high school team and 8th grade Ice Hockey (with high school team)

• November 19, 2025 HMMS Variety Show - HMMS Gym 7 - 9 PM

• November 21 & 22 2025 Select Students from Performing Arts to attend the District VI music festival in Brattleboro, VT.

• • Building Knowledge. Building Confidence. Building a Future.

  In Person at Kilton Library Community Room & Live on Google Meet

  Register once on Eventbrite to attend the full three-part series

  Eventbrite link

  The Special Needs Support Center is proud to present a three-part educational series created for parents and guardians who want to better understand guardianship, benefits, estate planning, and long-term support. Each session builds on the last, helping families prepare for the future with expert guidance in law, finance, and community support. We encourage participants to attend all three sessions to gain the full benefit of this comprehensive series.

  • Session 1: Guardianship, Alternatives, and Entitlement Programs

  • Wednesday, October 15, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

  • Understand guardianship and its alternatives while exploring essential entitlement programs: SSI, Medicaid, Medicare, Adult Family Care (AFC), Personal Care Assistance (PCA), SNAP benefits, Section 8 housing assistance (in flux), and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).Panelists: Alisha E.A. Cahall (Morneau Law), Kaitlyn Keating (Caffry & Keating), Kate Medeiros (Torch Family Capital)

  • Session 2: Estate Planning and Special Needs Trusts

  • Wednesday, November 5, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

  • Build on Session 1 by learning how to plan for the future with estate planning basics, Special Needs Trusts (1st and 3rd party), ABLE accounts, Roth IRA conversion strategies, and Charitable Remainder Trusts.Panelists: Alison Wells Sherman (Downs Rachlin Martin), Kaitlyn Keating (Caffry & Keating), Alisha E.A. Cahall (Morneau Law), Kate Medeiros (Torch Family Capital)

  
  

  • Session 3: Long-Term Services and Supported Housing

  • Wednesday, December 3, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

  • Conclude the series with a focus on long-term care and supported housing options available in our community.Panelists: Jim Caffry (Caffry & Keating), Hannah Schwartz (Riverflow Community), Sylvia Dow (Visions)

  • Complimentary childcare is available, please see additional questions section while registering

  
  

  Neurodiversity Podcast - Parenting Through the Chaos

  Raising kids and teens who struggle with emotional regulation can be tough. Parents must navigate the complexities of societal pressures, and it can lower self-esteem and cause self-doubt. Today we talk about some essential strategies to establish a warm, connected relationship with a challenging child. We try to help find the balance between talking less, and setting clear, aspirational expectations that are crucial for both parents and kids. Our guest is Dayna Abraham, author of the newly released book “Calm the Chaos,” and we’ll try to help quell your fear of the emotional rollercoaster that often accompanies raising a challenging child. This is a reprise of a conversation from an earlier episode.

  Dayna Abraham, bestselling author and National Board Certified Educator, is the founder of Lemon Lime Adventures, which provides resources to parents of neurodivergent kids, and helps them find peace, and meet their kids where they are. Dayna is a mother of three neurodivergent children, as well as being an ADHD adult herself, and brings an out-of-the-box perspective to parents raising kids in a modern world. Her work has been showcased in HuffPost, Scary Mommy, BuzzFeed, ADDitude Magazine, Parents Magazine and Lifehacker. She lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with her husband Jason, her kids, and two huge Newfoundland puppies.

  
  

Performing Arts Calendar signatures are still being collected. This was the tearoff portion of the take home calendar. Mr. Conerty and Ms. Chapman can send electronic copies if you have not yet seen this calendar. Do not hesitate to email either of them.

Cody TanCreti

Principal HMMS

tancretic@hartfordschools.net