Parent Hawk Talk
September 21st - 25th
Direct From Dylla’s Desk
Hello, Hobby Families!
Today marks an important progress report checkpoint for our students. Progress reports will be sent home with students on Monday, and grades are also available through the Parent Portal.
I encourage you to take a few minutes to review your student’s progress and celebrate the areas where they are doing well. If your student is struggling in a class, now is a great time to make a plan for improvement. Tutoring is available in each content area and provides students with additional support, opportunities to ask questions, and time to complete missing assignments. Please encourage your student to take advantage of these opportunities.
We also want to hear from you!
Below you will find our Family Engagement Survey. It only takes a few minutes to complete, but your feedback is extremely valuable to us. The information you provide helps us better understand the needs of our families and plan events and opportunities that are meaningful and useful to you.
One of those opportunities is our upcoming Algebra Family Night. If your student is currently enrolled in Algebra, I encourage you to join us on Tuesday, September 22, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. We will share strategies you can use at home to support your student’s success in Algebra, along with important information about high school credit and what families need to know as students begin earning those credits in middle school.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us in your student’s education. Student success is a year-long process, and the partnership between our students, families, and teachers makes a tremendous difference.
Have a wonderful weekend, Hobby Families!
As always, your proud principal,
Greg Dylla
NEF Grant Winners!
Lekia Peters
Victoria Touchette
Savannah Buckley
From Hobby Magnet
6th Grade GT Pull-Out – September 2
❤️ HOSA Parent Information Meeting – September 24
Is your student interested in HOSA and learning more about health science competitions? Join us for our HOSA Parent Information Meeting on Thursday, September 24, at 6:00 PM. We’ll share information about HOSA, competitions, dues, and opportunities for students to compete at the state level.
🎉 Congratulations, Mrs. Touchette! 🎉
We are so excited to celebrate Mrs. Touchette for being selected as a NEF Grant Winner!
From Your Academic Dean
Happy Friday, Hawk Nation!
Thank you for partnering with us to support our students' daily success. Here is what’s happening on campus:
In the Classroom: Our teachers are driving active student engagement through independent practice, partner discussions, and group problem-solving. We are maximizing class time to ensure every student works with grade-level content and receives the exact support they need to grow.
Algebra Family Night (Sept. 22): Don't miss this special event! Our Algebra team will share critical course information along with an opportunity to ask questions. See you there!
Hobby Hangout (October 2): Fun Friday is on the horizon! Students may join us from 4-6 pm. See flyer for details.
We appreciate your ongoing support. Have a restful weekend!
Algebra Family Night
September 22 is our Algebra Family Night! The Algebra team is putting together an event filled with important information regarding the Algebra 1 course as well as hands on activities to support student learning. Come join us from 6:30-7:30!
Hobby Hangout: October 2nd
What is a Hobby Hangout?
Picture this: it’s Friday afternoon, your student is safe at school, laughing with friends, playing games, and just enjoying some good, old-fashioned fun. And you? You get an extra hour (or two) to run an errand, grab a coffee, or simply breathe.
Here’s how it works:
- When: Friday after school until 6:00 PM
- Cost: Just $5
- What’s included: Supervised fun, games, and a chance for your student to “hang out” with friends
- Extras: Snacks will be for sale—because hanging out is always better with treats!
And here’s the best part—every dollar goes right back to our kids:
- Stocking the SOaRR Store (where students spend their hard-earned SOaRR bucks)
- Funding Perfect Attendance celebrations
- Supporting our A–AB Honor Roll activities
So, for the price of a fancy coffee, your child gets an afternoon of fun (and snacks!), and you get a little extra time to yourself. That’s what we call a win-win, powered by Positive Purple Power!
We can’t wait to see your Hawks at the Hobby Hang Out!
From APO
Picture Day: October 2nd
Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day. Orders after Picture Day must be placed online on mylifetouch.com
Parent Helpers Wanted:
Help us make the Picture Day smooth and effortless. Contact the office if you’d like to volunteer at Picture Day.
Student Data Safety and Security:
As the only SOC 3 compliant partner in school photography, Lifetouch delivers unmatched protection for student and staff information - backed by third‑party verification and trusted by schools nationwide. Learn More.
From Your Counselors
We are excited to share that our latest classroom guidance curriculum on Interpersonal Effectiveness is underway, with a school-wide focus on conflict resolution. It was fantastic connecting with all of our 6th-grade Hawks this week, and we look forward to meeting with our 7th graders next week!
Grade-Level Highlights:
6th Grade: Navigating conflict. Family Connection: Ask your child to explain a constructive response to conflict or to explain how they can cool their emotions before responding to a conflict.
7th Grade (upcoming): Choosing respect over believing rumors.
8th Grade (upcoming): Using effective communication to set boundaries and build healthy relationships.
REMINDER:
We also would like to remind you that we are gathering parent referrals for our Fall Small Groups! These peer groups provide a supportive space for students to gain practical skills in areas such as (but not limited to) managing stress, organization/study habits, navigating friendships, improving confidence/self-esteem, processing grief, and goal-setting. Contact your child’s counselor if you’d like to learn more.
And finally… a bit of news to share. We would like to congratulate Ms. Castro as she has accepted a counseling position at Sotomayor High School! Though we know that Ms. Castro will miss her Hobby Hawks dearly, she is going to do great things with her new Wildcat family! Thank you for all of your service to Hobby, Ms. Castro!
PURPLE STAR CAMPUS DESIGNATION
We are proud to share that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has officially named Hobby Middle School a 2025–26 Purple Star Campus! This designation recognizes our school's exceptional commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families as they transition into our community. Thanks to this achievement, Hobby Middle School will retain its Purple Star Campus Designation through the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years. Thank you to our staff, students, and military families for making Hobby Middle School a welcoming place for all!
Thank you so much for your ongoing support, partnership, and encouragement as we build a great year for our students!
From The Library
📚 What’s Happening in the Library?
The library has been busy! Students continue to check out books, explore new genres, and practice library skills that help them become more independent and confident library users.
📖 Keep Reading!
Please continue encouraging students to keep at least one library book in their backpack so they always have something available to read. Graphic novels, manga, nonfiction, novels—it all counts! Our goal is to help students build reading stamina while also discovering books they genuinely enjoy.
📧 Overdue Book Emails — No Worries!
Parents, if you receive an email from the library about an overdue book, please don’t worry—your student is not in trouble! These emails are simply reminders to help students keep track of their library materials.
I truly appreciate the parents who have reached out because they are concerned about their student’s books. Thank you for helping our students be responsible library users!
If your student has already returned their book to the outdoor library book drop, they are good to go! I try to collect books from the drop box about every two days, so there may be a short delay before the book is checked in and disappears from their account.
🌅 Morning Library
The library is open for students in the mornings! Students who ride the bus and need additional time to get to the library can pick up a Bus Library Pass from the library.
Students should remember that the morning library is a quiet, respectful space for reading, checking out books, working, and starting the day positively.
💜 Library Club
Library Club has officially started! Members are learning library expectations and preparing to help with upcoming projects, displays, decorations, and other library activities throughout the year.
📚 Book Fair Is Coming!
Mark your calendars for October 16! Our Book Fair is getting closer, and we are excited to welcome students and families. More information about shopping times, payment options, and other Book Fair details will be shared soon.
Parents interested in volunteering during the Book Fair can reach out to the PTA for more information.
⭐ A Quick Reminder
Students are continuing to learn how to independently navigate the library, find books, understand call numbers, and make reading choices that are right for them. Please encourage your student to take care of their library books and return or renew them when needed.
Thank you for continuing to support the Hobby Middle School Library and our readers! 💜📚
From Your PTA
Family Engagement Opportunities
Save the dates
- September 22, 2026: Algebra family night
- October 14, 2026: Fall into learning.
From Your Hobby Yearbook
Upcoming Events
🐾 Top Cat Dance Intensive – October 3
Calling all dancers in grades 6–12! Join the Clark High School Top Cat Dance Team for a fun and exciting Dance Intensive designed to help students learn new combinations, freshen up their technique, and experience what it’s like to dance with the Top Cat Dance Team!
📅 Saturday, October 3 Clinic: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM 💃 What to Expect Students will have the opportunity to: Learn new dance combinations Work on and improve their dance technique Learn from the Clark Top Cat Dance Team Showcase what they learned at the end of the clinic 💰 Registration $35 – Online registration before October 3 Payment options include cash, card, or money order. 🏈 Special Halftime Performance Students in grades 6–8 will have the opportunity to perform at halftime with the Clark Top Cat Dance Team during the Clark vs. Madison football game at Farris Stadium! This is a great opportunity for students to learn, have fun, and experience a day with a high school dance team. 📧 Questions? For additional information, please contact: Lauren Rost
Showoffs: 12:00 PM
📍 Clark High School
$40 – Registration the day of the clinic
Lauren.Rost@nisd.net
Save the Date: Fall Into Learning!
When: Wednesday, October 14th
What: Join us for our annual Fall Into Learning family event! Our teachers and departments are currently hard at work planning hands-on activities and engaging experiences for the whole family. Mark your calendars—more details and event times will be shared soon!
Important Athletic Information
If your child is interested in trying out for a sport this year, and is enrolled in 7th or 8th grade athletics, there is mandatory paperwork that must be completed before they can be eligible to participate.
An athlete cannot try out for a sport before completing ALL UIL paperwork found on the parent portal. (link below)
STUDENTS NEW TO ATHLETICS:
All incoming students that did not have a medical physical last year MUST complete a medical physical and give a copy to the head coach on campus. The physical form can be printed from the parent portal, or from the links provided at the bottom of this information sheet. The medical history form must be completed online. Print the completed medical history and the physical form and take both of those papers with you to the doctor when you get your physical. Make a copy of the medical physical and turn it into the head coach. You do not need to turn in medical history, but must complete it online.
*Rank One Parent Portal Information/Instruction Sheet
*Asthma Action Plan (Required for students diagnosed with asthma.)
*2026-2027-rank-one-forms.pdf (154.52 KB)
*2026-2027-physical-form.pdf (403.86 KB)
26-27 Athletic Schedules
Parent Resources
Dress Code: Dress for Success!
Dress Code: Dress for Success School staff recognizes that parents bear the primary responsibility for setting standards for their children’s dress and grooming. However, because of health and safety factors, the influence of dress and grooming on students’ attitude and behavior, and because of the need to prevent disruptive influences and preserve the academic environment of the school, student dress and grooming are appropriate concerns of teachers and administrators. The district’s dress code is implemented (Section D); therefore, students will be expected to follow the guidelines set forth by the district. Dress code standards are extended to extra-curricular activities held on the campus. In an effort to promote a safe and positive school environment which is conducive to learning, students should wear appropriate clothing that will not cause disruptions in learning or safety. Inappropriate, indecent, suggestive or distracting clothing will not be allowed. *Final determination of acceptable dress code and grooming rests with the Principal or his/her designees.
Please Note
Part of supporting our students’ academic and social growth involves maintaining a disruption-free learning space. With that in mind, we want to gently remind our community about our campus dress code expectations—specifically regarding student hairstyles.
Starting this term, we will be fully aligning our campus practices with our NISD dress code policy:
Expectation: Hair must be neat, clean, and kept in a way that does not cause a distraction to the teaching and learning environment.