Hanson Middle School
Dear Families,
They say February is the shortest month, but it is a month filled with exciting events and important observances!
As we settle into the second half of the year, I want to express my gratitude for your continued partnership. It is the support of this community that allows our students to truly shine.
January set a high bar for us. We were incredibly proud to see our student ambassador, Ben McDonough, attend Project 351’s Launch Day over MLK Day weekend, joining a statewide movement of service and leadership. On the court, the energy was unmatched as we hosted our very first Unified Basketball game. Seeing our athletes and partners compete with such heart was a true highlight of the season!
As we move into February, our focus turns to celebrating Black History Month, Kindness Week, getting ready for Super Bowl Sunday, and taking a well-earned breath to recharge for the spring.
This newsletter is packed with specific dates and resources to help your child thrive. Please take a few minutes to read through the updates and mark your calendars. We look forward to a wonderful month ahead!
Sincerely,
Josh Belvis
Breakfast:
As always, breakfast is available daily. Our cafeteria staff always have several options available for pickup in the cafeteria. Breakfast and lunch are still free for all students.
Morning Drop-Off and Tardies:
During the winter, we typically see an increase in the number of students being dropped off. If you are driving your child to school, please be sure that they arrive on time, taking the morning traffic into account. Students arriving after 7:40 will be marked late. A school consequence will be issued following a students 5th tardy in a quarter. We have "reset" the tardy clock now that we are in a new quarter!
Student safety is always a top priority. Please exercise caution as it can be difficult to see around other vehicles. Be sure not to pass school buses or vans when their red lights are flashing, as doing so jeopardizes safety and is unlawful and subject to fines. Please be careful to not block buses when turning into the pick-up/drop-off area, as their visibility as they round the corner by the auditorium is poor in the best of conditions. For morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, please have students enter and exit vehicles at the curb in front of the school, not in the left-hand lane or in the staff parking lots.
Grade 8 Parents:
The lottery for South Shore Tech will be held on Thursday, February 5th, at 2:45. If your student applied by the deadline, please keep an eye out for more information from South Shore Tech.
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Grade 8 teachers have recommended Honors and Academic levels for Grade 9 academic classes at W-H. Please keep an eye out on Friday, February 6th, for a School Status message from WHRHS which will share information about your child's recommended levels, selection of elective classes, and other important information.
Innovation Career Pathways offers high school students an opportunity to focus on Healthcare & Social Assistance or Business & Finance as they complete their graduation requirements. Applications for current Grade 8 students will be open from Monday, February 2nd, through Friday, March 6th. All information, along with the application link, is available on this website: Panther Pathways. There are 25 spots available in each pathway. If more than 25 students apply, selection will be done through a lottery process. If you have any questions, please reach out to Madi Storey at Madeline.Storey@whrsd.org or 781-618-7020 ext.7444 or Courtney Selig at Courtney.Selig@whrsd.org or 781-618-7020 x7455.
On Thursday, February 12th, from 6:00-8:00 PM, WHRHS counselors and administrators will host a scheduling and curriculum night. This will be held in the auditorium at W-H Regional High School and will be an opportunity for parents of current 8th graders to learn more about courses and programs offered at the high school and the process of scheduling courses.
On March 4th, high school counselors and students will come to HMS for an assembly with our 8th graders to talk about scheduling, Innovation Career Pathways, clubs, sports, activities, and the overall high school experience.
If you have questions about scheduling or transitioning to the high school, please contact our Director of Guidance, Courtney Selig, at Courtney.Selig@whrsd.org or 781-618-7020 x7455 or me at Jan.Hobin@whrsd.org or 781-618-7575.
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Recently, twelve of our 8th grade students were invited to apply for spots at this summer's Advanced Studies and Leadership Program. ASLP is a highly selective program that focuses on STEM subjects. Congratulations to Penny Arsenault, Evelyn Cipolla, Emanuel Da Silva, Cam Ernest, Aidan MacCallum,Ben McDonough, Thomas McGrath, Olivia Minicucci, Cailin Smith, Lilly Sowers,George Trongone, and Olivia Woodward for being this year's nominees!
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If your child has turned 14 years old and is interested in working, please see the link below for the "Employment Permit Application" as well as "Laws Regulating Minors' Work Hours and Occupation Restrictions".
https://www.mass.gov/doc/youth-employment-permit-process/download
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Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 Parents
On Friday, February 13th, all of our students will attend an assembly entitled "Amazing Hero Art". We've hosted Rob Surette a couple of other times through the years and he really puts on a fantastic show! You may have noticed the paintings from Rob's last visit here which are hanging in the HMS hallways (ex. Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Theresa.) You can learn more about Rob Surette and his work at www.amazingheroart.com.
ILLNESSES:
- Please continue to be cautious and keep sick children home. If your child is experiencing more than one symptom such as cough, sore throat, congestion, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or fatigue, they should stay home and be seen by their pediatrician as needed.
- As always, if your child has a fever of 100 or higher, they need to stay home until they are fever free for 24 hours without taking any fever-reducing medicine.
- If your child has a Gastrointestinal Illness (vomiting and/or diarrhea) - they should stay home until 24 hours after vomiting and/or diarrhea has resolved, they are showing improvement, and they feel well enough to participate in school.
ABSENCES:
- Please remember to call the absence sick line (781-618-7375) or the nurse directly to report your student absent and be sure to include the reason for the absence for any illnesses as this does help me to track what is circulating among the students. I will be following up with phone calls home as needed regarding illnesses and absences.
- If your child does see their doctor for an illness, please ask for a doctor's note for their absence(s) from school so your child’s absence can be marked as excused.
MANDATED SCREENINGS:
- Scoliosis screenings will be taking place during the month of March. The PE teachers help me with this screening during gym classes. I will be sending home notification letters prior to starting these screenings.
HEALTH UPDATES:
- As we are now mid way through the school year, I would like to remind parent/guardian(s) to please contact me with any NEW health conditions/concerns that we should be aware of at school.
INJURIES/RESTRICTIONS:
- If your child has sustained an injury, we must have a note from the doctor stating the child’s physical limitations/restrictions, including a gym excuse note and order for the use of assistive devices such as crutches or a wheelchair
Thank you and as always please contact me with any questions or concerns.
Lisa Godbout, M.Ed., BSN, RN
781-618-7575
Fax: 844-440-2316
On Saturday, January 17, eighth grader Ben McDonough represented Hanson Middle School as our 2026 Project 351 Ambassador. Ben joined over 300 peers from across the Commonwealth, all selected by their teachers for their kindness, compassion, and commitment to service.
The day was packed with leadership development, featuring guest speakers like Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. Putting leadership into action, Ben spent the afternoon volunteering at Cradles to Crayons, where he worked to sort and organize essential clothing for families in need. We are incredibly proud to have Ben representing HMS and look forward to the positive impact he will continue to make this year!
