The BULL'S EYE
Next week, our HMS Bulls are teaming up in the fight against breast cancer. This cause is especially meaningful to our school community, as breast cancer has impacted and continues to impact members of both our HMS and HHS staff. We invite our HMS families to join us in showing support, raising awareness, and contributing to this important cause if you are able. Together, we can make a difference. Be sure to check out the flyer below for details about our Spirit Week activities!
It is always our priority, but next week we'll highlight ways that we can work together to ensure student safety. As you know, drop off and pick up by car is strongly discouraged. Due to the limited access to our building and the volume of buses (53 most days), timely drop off and pick up at dismissal are extremely difficult. Neighbors continue to file complaints about parents trespassing on their property, making illegal U-turns and blocking the right of way in the roadway. For the safety of our students, our families and our staff, we ask that you allow your child to ride their assigned bus. If pick up by car is necessary, we request that you delay your arrival until 2:25 or later. Car riders are dismissed last and we have staff on duty to supervise until 2:45 pm. We hope that this slight time shift, will prevent traffic and safety issues in the afternoon.
As November approaches, we are excited to share our plans to celebrate the spirit of American Education Week throughout the school year! We recognize that our campus's limited parking makes it extremely challenging for visitors to participate during the school day. Instead, we invite families to join us for one of the many opportunities to engage with our students and enrich their experiences. Whether you wish to volunteer, share your career experience, participate in a family friendly event or support our school in another way, we welcome your involvement. If you have an idea for how you can share your talents or experiences with our students, please reach out. We look forward to partnering with you.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Moore-German
Principal
5th Grade Parent Open House
Third Annual HMS Career Day
Career Day is the highlight of American Education Week! We welcome parents as well as family and community members to share their careers with our middle schoolers. See the flyer and QR code below to sign up.
PTA Volunteers
Our amazing PTA offers opportunities for parents to engage with us during the fun filled activities they plan both during and after the school day ends. Coming up next, is our annual Fall Fest! Join us for one of the most anticipated events of the school year. Sign up here: FallFestVolunteers
Field Trip Chaperone Volunteers
With two field trips scheduled in November, this is a great time to consider volunteering! Get your volunteering training compete so you're ready. Not available in November, Team Leaders are planning field trip opportunities all year long. Look for grade level updates with specific sign up information in future newsletters.
Lunch Volunteers
We hope that if you're able, you'll choose to volunteer during lunch to see your child socializing with peers and give back to our community. Currently, the Signup Genius includes dates through June 2027 with expanded opportunities during American Education Week.
Don't forget to complete the BCPS Volunteer Training prior to any opportunity is selected.
America's Safe Schools Week 2026
America's Safe Schools Week is an opportunity for BCPS to reaffirm its commitment to maintaining safe, secure, and orderly environments for teaching, learning, and working. Through our continued partnership with the Baltimore County Police Department and the presence of School Resource Officers and Student Safety Assistants in our schools, our Standard Response Protocol, and strong relationships with state and local partners, among other initiatives, we are proud to underscore the safety of students and staff as a top priority.
Helpful links:
· I Love U Guys Standard Response Protocol
· Department of School Safety Webpage
National School Bus Safety Week
We are proud to recognize National School Bus Safety Week each year in the third week of October! This is a great opportunity for the Team BCPS community to review best practices to keep students safe on their journey to and from school.
Important resources:
· BusWhere App for Parents/Caregivers
· Transportation Status Webpage
Mark your calendars! On Thursday, November 5th, our 7th graders will visit Towson University for a fantastic day featuring interactive STEM learning and a Towson Women’s Basketball game against the Frostburg Bobcats. Permission and chaperone forms were distributed in homeroom today. Please submit the signed form and the $14.00 trip cost by cheque or cash by Monday, October 26th. We are looking for parent volunteers to chaperone this trip and would love to have you join us. Please make sure that you complete all parts of the BCPS Volunteer training which can be found at: https://www.bcps.org/cos/communications/FACE/b_c_p_s_volunteers
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out via talking points, schoology or email.
Allyson Bryson, Katie Comber and the 7th grade team
Our annual HMS Charleston Wrap Fundraiser will end on October 23. Please consider sharing with family and friends, near and far.
Funds raised help us to provide all the things that make middle school fun and make our Bulls want to be #HereForIt! Thank you for your support!
October's Bull Sticker
Athletics Fundraiser through Vertical Raise
HMS athletics is having a fundraiser to raise funds to enhance our athletics programs at HMS. Please check out this link to learn more or make a donation:
On October 21, NJHS will host a walk at school from 2:30-3:00 p.m. to raise money for the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC and support breast cancer research. All students are welcome to join us, and we encourage everyone to wear pink to school that day in support of the cause.
NJHS will be collecting donations for GMBC's breast cancer institute during lunch shifts and before the walk. Students do not have to donate to walk, but are encouraged to. You can also make a direct donation to GMBC using the link below.
Permission slips were due to counseling by October 15th, but if your student was absent that day, they can turn it in on Monday October 19th. The permission slip is attached for your convenience. Donations are welcome but not required. Please note that students participating in the walk must be picked up by 3:15 p.m. The rain date for the event is October 28.
Thank you for helping us support this important cause in our community.
The Roles Kids Play in Bullying
Kids involved in bullying can take on many roles. They might bully others, be bullied, or act as bystanders who can help or even encourage the behavior. Experts sometimes describe a “circle of bullying” to explain how kids can be involved in bullying in different ways, not just as those who bully or are bullied, but also as kids who support, witness, or try to stop it.
Kids Who Are Bystanders to Bullying
Even if a child is not directly involved in bullying, they can still play a role. Research estimates that witnesses are present in about 85% of bullying scenarios. These kids may contribute to the behavior, whether they mean to or not. However, they also have the power to step in and help stop it, so all students need to know what to do if they see bullying happen. Roles kids play when they witness bullying include:
- Kids who Assist: These children may not start or lead the bullying behavior, but they do participate in and help the child who is bullying.
- Kids who Reinforce: These children contribute to bullying by giving it a supportive audience. They will often laugh or show other signs of approval for those engaging in bullying, which may encourage the bullying to continue.
- Onlookers: These children watch the bullying but don’t get involved. They may not mean to cause harm, but staying silent or passive can still give the behavior an audience and make it more likely to continue. These kids often want to help, but don’t know how. Learn how to be "more than a bystander."
- Kids who Defend: These children actively comfort the child being bullied and may come to their defense when bullying happens. Studies show that when kids do step in to defend a peer, they can stop the bullying or prevent future instances. Kids can do this safely by questioning the behavior, using humor to redirect the conversation, or getting a trusted adult.
All those directly and indirectly involved in bullying, even those who are just onlookers, can be negatively impacted by it. Help is available. The 988 Lifeline is a free resource that provides judgment-free support for mental health struggles, emotional distress, or even if you just need someone to talk to. Support from parents, caregivers, and trusted adults can also help kids who are involved in bullied.
The HMS Monthly Math Challenge!
We are excited to announce that Ms. Stegmayer's Math Club, which meets every other Monday during advisory, is offering a monthly math contest. Students will learn how they can enter in their math classes and get a copy of the questions. Responses are due back by October 30th to Ms. Stegmayer. Math Club will then check the answers and students who have them all correct will earn a prize and all participants will be celebrated at our Bull Bashes! Let's showcase our students' mathematical thinking!
Friday, October 30 - End of Marking Period 1
Friday, October 30 - Fall Fest (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm). Students must be in school to attend.
Tuesday, November 3 - Election Day - School Closed
Thursday, November 12 - Marking Period 1 Report Cards posted in FOCUS (4:00 pm)
Wednesday, November 18 - 5th Grade Parent Open House
Friday, November 20 - Annual Career Day (7:30 - 11:00 AM). The Point Person is our Career Coach, Mr. Brian Muffoletto. He can be emailed at bmuffoletto@bcps.org.
Topic: “Operating Budget Hearings”
Wednesday, October 21, at 6:30 p.m.
BCPS headquarters/Greenwood, 6901 N. Charles St., Building E, Towson 21204
Contact Info
Principal
Hereford Middle School
712 Corbett Road, Monkton, MD 21111
443-809-7902
