The BULL'S EYE

We know that days like today may feel like information overload—with this newsletter, the Focus weekly attendance report and the Schoology grade report arriving in your inbox. If you have about 17 minutes to spare, we encourage you to watch or listen to the TED Talk linked below. In her presentation, Cindi Williams shares a compelling message about how we monitor our children's academic progress. She challenges parents to ask one simple but transformative question: “Is my child on grade level in reading and in math?” Williams urges families to go beyond the grades and look closely at what assessment data reveals about how children are truly doing—not just academically, but in terms of readiness and growth. Her insights are a reminder that grades alone don’t tell the full story, and that informed, engaged parents are key to student success.

On Monday, September 29, students who participated in the Spring 2025 MCAP assessments in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science (MISA) and/or Social Studies will bring home their Individual Student Report (ISR). For your awareness, each ISR provides detailed information about your child’s performance on each assessment, including:

• Student Performance Level and Scale Score
• Average Scale Scores for the student’s school, local education agency (LEA), and the state
• Performance Level Percentages for students across Maryland

If your child participated in the administration of Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Alternate Assessments in Mathematics, ELA, and/or Science, the report displays the following information:

• Overall results with information on the performance category.
• Percentage of skills mastered for each tested area.
• Learning profile which reflects the essential elements tested and your child's mastery of each element.

These reports are an important tool for understanding your child’s academic progress and identifying areas of strength and growth. We encourage you to review the report carefully and reach out with any questions. We’ve included helpful guides below to support parents and caregivers in interpreting the MCAP Individual Student Reports (ISRs). These resources provide clear, detailed explanations to help you better understand your child’s performance and progress.

As you review the results, please keep in mind that the information contained in your child's report is only one measure of their achievement. At Hereford Middle School, as in all Baltimore County Public Schools, we use a variety of tools to assess and support student academic growth throughout the year. In addition to curriculum-based assessments (CBAs) in our core academic courses, we utilize the STAR assessment to monitor progress in reading and math. For our multilingual learners, we also administer the WIDA ACCESS assessment to measure English language development. These assessments help us better understand each student’s learning needs and guide our instructional decisions to ensure all students are making meaningful progress.

Like Cindi Williams, we encourage parents to be curious, delve into the ISR and reach out if you have questions.

Warm Regards,

Mrs. Moore-German

Principal

https://support.mdassessments.com/resources/reporting/SP25%20ELA%20Math%20Score%20Inter.%20Guide%20for%20Parents.pdf

https://support.mdassessments.com/resources/reporting/MCAP%20Spring%202025%20Social%20Studies%20Score%20Interpretation%20Guide%20for%20Parents_Approved.pdf

https://support.mdassessments.com/resources/reporting/SP25%20SCI%20Score%20Report%20Guide%20for%20Parents.pdf

For the safety of our students, please follow the updated parking and drop-off procedures for games and events at the stadium.

Parents are no longer permitted to drive up the stadium driveway to drop students off. Instead, please use the Student Lot near the tennis courts for drop-off. Students can then walk up the sidewalk to the stadium.

We have received reports of parents stopping on York Road—sometimes in the middle of the road—to let students out. This creates a serious safety risk and is not permitted.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep all students safe. Please review the attached parking plan for full details.

School pictures will be taken Monday, October 6, 2025, or Tuesday, October 7, 2025, during each student’s Social Studies class.

• B-Day Social Studies classes → Pictures on Monday, October 6

• A-Day Social Studies classes → Pictures on Tuesday, October 7

Make-up Picture Day is currently scheduled for Monday, December 1, 2025.

Thank you for your support in helping us make Picture Day run smoothly!

Earlier this week, we celebrated our students who completed the summer reading challenge, the IXL challenge and students who returned the signed attendance pledge during our lunchtime Bull Bash! This was a preview of our upcoming quarterly Bull Bash events where we will celebrate academics, attendance and character throughout the year. Congratulations to our students who received a commurative Bull sticker!

Our students received information in their ELA classes this week.

"Calling all creative Bulls!

It’s time for this year’s PTA Reflections Arts Competition! This year's theme is “I Belong”. What does belonging mean to you? Brainstorm on this theme and create your own original art in one of the categories: Literature, Visual Arts, Dance Choreography, Film Production, Music Composition, or Photography. Winners have the chance to advance to the county, state, and even national levels, and all who participate have the chance to earn prizes and special recognition.

Need more info? Check out the Reflections display in the library, see your Art or ELA teacher, or take home the flyer with all the information you need! All entries are due by Thursday, November 7th—so get creative and show us what “I Belong” means to you!"

The annual Charleston Wrap Fundraiser opens today! Fundraising packets will go home with students on Monday, September 29, 2025. You may click on the link or scan the QR code to begin shopping online. All funds raised go directly to support our students. All items are ordered online and ships direct to the customer. This fundraiser will end on October 31, 2025. Thank you for your continued support!

www.registercw.com

Today, we celebrated with this week's recipients of The Hereford Way pencils! Of those who received pencils for being respectful, responsible and kind, one student in each grade level was selected for a special prize. Our winners are:

Anything look familiar? We've collected quite a few lost items since school began. All items without names will be donated or discarded at the end of the month.

Last Monday, we began our Monday Advisory Clubs! Look for more pictures next week. Please see our list of requests for club supplies in this newsletter. Thank you to all who have already contributed!

Below, Lego Club with Mrs. Deen & Mrs. Wagaman

Replacement Chess Pieces

Chess Sets (Boards with Pieces)

Used Toaster Oven (for crafts not food)

Iron (for crafts)

Chunky Yarn (Lion Brand is easier for beginners)

Embroidery Floss

Pony Beads

Perler Beads

Shoe Boxes

Plastic Hangers

Legos

Hereford Has Heart is a schoolwide initiative at Hereford Middle School designed to promote respect, responsibility, and kindness. Students can be nominated for a Hereford Has Heart award as well as teachers. To nominate a teacher for a Hereford Has Heart award please complete this link.Hereford Has Heart - Teacher/Staff Edition

Hereford Middle School is excited to announce that Career Day will be held on Thursday, November 21st! This special event gives our students the opportunity to explore a wide variety of professions, hear real-world experiences, and begin thinking about their own future goals.

We are currently seeking guest speakers to join us as presenters. Speakers will share their career journey, insights, and advice with our middle school students in classroom sessions. It’s a wonderful way to inspire the next generation and help them see the many possibilities ahead!.

If you are interested in being a presenter, please let us know by completing this interest form: https://forms.office.com/r/i6J6cARXUk

Thank you for supporting our students—we can’t wait to make Career Day a meaningful and memorable experience!

Wear a Color for Character to celebrate BCPS Anti-Bullying Week the week of October 6th - Oct 10th

A color for students and staff to wear each day of the week has been suggested to represent character traits that all people should demonstrate.

You are encouraged to share photos on social media using #BCPSCares.

Below are some important resources to promote a positive relationship with media in your home.

• AAP Family Media Plan (interactive): AAP Media Plan https://www.healthychildren.org/English/fmp/Pages/MediaPlan.aspx

• APA Health Advisory on Adolescent Social Media Use https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use

• Common Sense: Family tech agreement templates: Family Tech Planners | https://www.commonsensemedia.org/family-tech-planners

There are just two more school days to attend before qualifying for the Bull Sticker! Stickers will be distributed in homeroom late next week. Certificates for perfect attendance will be awarded quarterly at the Bull Bash.

Please consider volunteering for a single day to provide our student with the opportunity to enjoy time outside (weather permitting). Volunteers must complete the application and earn a training certificate prior to volunteering in BCPS schools. We can't provide this opportunity without your help! Please see the links below.

- Sept 30th – Corn Maize Field Trip (regular school day with regular transportation to and from school - out of building from 9:15am-1:30pm for trip)

- Oct 14th – Officer Joe Dugan Assembly (Internet Safety) provided by the PTA

- Oct 16th – Grade Level Class Spirit Day - Wear your Class of '32 shirt

Field trip forms came home on Wednesday for our trip to the Maryland Zoo on Wednesday, October 15! Please ask your student to return them to their 1A teacher along with $15 cash or check. If you'd like to be a chaperone, please return the chaperone agreement form and complete the volunteer application in order to be considered. See the following for more information:

https://www.bcps.org/cos/communications/face/b_c_p_s_volunteers

🩺 Health Reminders from the Nurse’s Office

School is now in full swing and we want to remind families to help us keep our school community healthy and safe. Here are a few important health guidelines to follow:

🤒 Not Feeling Well? Please Keep Your Child Home If your child wakes up feeling unwell, please check their temperature before giving any medication. If they have a fever of 100°F or higher, diarrhea, or vomiting, they should stay home until symptoms have resolved for at least 24 hours without medication.

🌼 Allergy Season Is Here Seasonal allergies are already affecting many students. If your child suffers from allergies, please make sure they take their allergy medication at home before coming to school. This helps them stay comfortable and focused throughout the day.

💉 Flu Season Is Approaching The flu can spread quickly in school settings. We strongly encourage families to consider getting their child a flu shot to help protect them and others.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students healthy and learning!

Warm regards,
Nurse Starling (kstarling@bcps.org, 443-809-6868)
School Nurse

Many of our after school clubs have met for the first time. Students may still join and you can find information about our clubs and permission slips through the button at the bottom of the newsletter.

Did you know that some of our favorite books are making or have made their way onto movie screens? Reading the book first lets you imagine the characters and scenes in your own way—then you can see how the movie brings them to life. Recent favorites include The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, now a heart-warming animated adventure, and White Bird: A Wonder Story by R. J. Palacio, which expands on the world of Wonder. Fans of realistic fiction can look forward to From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks, is currently being developed for film, while fantasy lovers will be excited to hear that The Magician’s Nephew from C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia is headed to theaters soon. Stop by the library, pick up one of these titles, and join the fun of comparing “Book vs. Movie.”

Our newest edition to our HMS Ag program is an 8 week old English Lop bunny and she needs a name. Donate $1 to vote for her name! Proceeds benefit the Hereford Middle School FFA end of year awards and projects. Place your donation form and money in the buckets at the front door during homeroom or deliver them to Mrs. Raulerson in E-13. See the attached flyer for name options.

We are working with Hereford High School to provide a list of students who are willing to do math tutoring in the evenings and weekends. Please reach out to Ms. Purpura at apurpura2@bcps.org if you are interested in getting names for high school student math tutors.

Students in their art classes are continuing to create and paint their masks and make sign language posters that will be mailed to blind adults.

Steel Band auditions are October 1st in room E-8.

Chamber Orchestra Auditions are on October 7th in room E-6.

Sign-ups for these after school auditions can be done with with Ms. Scheetz and Ms. Johnson in their rooms.

Ms.Tiburzi's 8th grade classes participated in a scavenger hunt analyzing the primary sources in the Declaration of Independence.

7th grade Spanish students created amazing pinatas for Mexico's Independence Day. Sra. Blevins and Sra. Ruark are so impressed with the outcome!

Forgot your donation? It's not too late! Donate Today!

Donate to the HMS PTA HERE

Sign Up to Sell Tickets to Fall Fest! 6 Parents Needed Oct. 9 & 10:

Fall Fest Ticket Sales Volunteer Signup

Sign Up to Donate Needed Items to HMS In-School Clubs:

Donate to Student Clubs HERE

Sign Up to Volunteer at Lunch:

Sign Up For Lunch Helpers HERE

Sign Up to Donate to Halloween Staff Treat Day:

Sign Up for Halloween Treats HERE

Reflections National PTA Art Program Returns to HMS! Students are able to explore their creativity, exhibit their work in a schoolwide exposition, and be recognized for their artistic talents. See flyer sent home with your student or email reflections.hmspta@gmail.com for more information. Learn how your student can craft their entry here: Reflections Official Website

Join us on Tuesday, October 7th, from 4–8 PM for PTA Spirit Night at the Chipotle in Hunt Valley! 25% of all sales will be donated to our PTA.

• In-person orders: Show the event flyer at checkout. CLICK HERE: Chipotle flyer.pdf
• Online orders: Use code 9ANEDQD to make sure your purchase counts toward our total.

Thank you for supporting our PTA!

The BCPS Department of Special Education invites stakeholders to participate in a brief survey to help prioritize focus areas for the BCPS Special Education Staffing Plan for the 2026-2027 school year. This survey is available through December 1, 2025.

This information should be shared with all stakeholders. Please place it in your front office and share in your parent and community communications.

The Special Education Focus Area Survey link should be copied into your school and community communications, or you can print the QR code flyer for dissemination.

Staffing Plan Feedback Flyer

Questions regarding this information should be directed to the following individual(s):

Jason Karolkowski, Sr. Project Specialist jkarolkowski@bcps.org

Parents and caregivers can register online for free virtual workshops offered by the BCPS Department of Special Education.

Wednesday, October 8, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

"Considering an FBA: How to Partner with Your Child's School to Build a Behavior Intervention Plan"

Wednesday, October 8, from 6-7 p.m. "Potty Training"

Thursday, October 16, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

"LRE: Inclusive Practices for Students with Significant and Complex Instructional Needs"

Please use the following link for the month of October:

https://myemail.constantcontact.com/October-News---Resources.html?soid=1139260511191&aid=cxF4mwBVdVE

Have you attended a recent IEP team at HMS? Leave us feedback!

The Baltimore County Public Schools Department of Special

Education is committed to providing high-quality support to

our students, families, and schools.

As part of this effort, we would like to ask parents and

guardians to complete a brief Parent Satisfaction Survey at the

conclusion of each IEP meeting.

Your feedback is essential—it helps us understand how well we

are supporting your child’s educational journey and guides us

in making improvements to our services. All responses

are confidential and will be used to inform future support

provided to schools.

https://survey.k12insight.com/survey/form?k=SsTUYQXsTUPsPsPsP&lang=0

All students at HMS/BCPS will receive one quarter of Health during the school year. During this course, families have the option to opt their student out of 3-4 lessons about Family Life and Human Sexuality, in the Changes and Me unit. Please review the appropriate letter for your child’s grade. This letter provides you with the scope and sequence of the lessons in that unit. If you wish to opt your child out of these lessons, you must complete the form on FOCUS or return the paper portion to your student’s Health teacher. Please reach out to knawrocki@bcps.org with any further questions. This form must be completed by 9/26 for Quarter 1 Health students. The forms will come out each quarter, as students have Health class at different times throughout the year.

October 2, 2025 Schools Closed for Students

October 6-7, 2025 Fall Picture Days

October 17, 2025 School Closed for Students

October 31, 2025 First Marking Period Ends and Schools Close 2 Hours Early

November 17-21, 2025 American Education Week

November 21, 2025 Career Day

Please see the link below for the 2025-26 BCPS School Calendar, the A/B Day Calendar and the printable wall calendar for your convenience.

Board of Education meeting

Wednesday, September 24, at 6:30 p.m.

BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204

PTA Council of Baltimore County Fall Workshops and General Meeting

Thursday, September 25, at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

West Towson Elementary School, 6914 N. Charles St., Towson 21204

Citizens Advisory Committee for Gifted and Talented Education meeting

Tuesday, September 30, at 7 p.m.

Virtual meeting details

To learn more about what BCPS Parent University offers:

· Visit the website.

· Watch the latest "Parent University Show."

· Listen to the "In the Know" podcast.

· Register for a free virtual workshop.

· Stop by the Parentmobile at events across the county.

Sign up for the FACEtime newsletter.

Principal

Hereford Middle School

712 Corbett Road, Monkton, MD 21111

443-809-7902

cmooregerman@bcps.org

Hereford Middle School is committed to providing a safe and supportive community in which students celebrate diversity, demonstrate integrity and develop mutual respect and responsibility in order to pursue academic excellence.

Hereford Middle School empowers every learner, every day through rigorous, diverse, educational experiences to become productive global citizens.