The Buccaneer Beacon

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• Aug 10 - Buc Games (6th Grade) @ 8:30 am - 11:00 am
• Aug 10 - Buc Round-Up (7th and 8th Grade) @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
• Aug 10 - All Athletics Parent Meeting @ 6:00 pm
• Aug 12 - First Day of School
• Sept 2 - Curriculum Night @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
• Sept 3 - Picture Day
• Oct 22 - Picture Retakes

Dear 6th Grade Buc Families,

I am thrilled to welcome our new students to campus for Buc Games 2026! Buc Games will be held on Monday, August 10th. Buc Games is a fun orientation and welcome for our incoming 6th graders who are new to the campus. This is a drop-off event for 6th graders only. Parents may drop their kiddo off at the front of the school. Here is a quick snapshot of our fun-filled morning:

• 8:30 AM (Arrival): Doors open! Students will receive a fun "Meme Team" card at check-in to help them find their group and leaders in the cafeteria.

• 9:00 AM - 10:35 AM (Rotations & Tours): Students will rotate through Safe, Respectful, and Responsible stations. They will also tour the campus, find their yellow 6th Grade House, learn our rules (like no outside food deliveries!), and grab their Student ID badges.

• 10:45 AM (Schedule Walk): After a final assembly, students practice walking their actual schedules while our team helps them navigate the halls.

• 11:00 AM (Dismissal): We will conclude the morning and dismiss students out front for the car rider line.

We cannot wait to see their smiling faces and kick off a wonderful year!

We're excited to welcome our Buccaneers and their families to Hudson Bend Round-Up on Monday, August 10, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• This year, we're making Round-Up a come-and-go event, giving families the flexibility to arrive when it's most convenient and take their time walking their student's schedule.
• 6th Graders (who could not make Buc Games, or whose parents would like to walk their schedule), 7th Graders, and 8th Graders are welcome.
• We encourage students (or parents) to pull up their class schedule on their cell phone in Skyward. Students and parents can walk the campus to locate their classrooms and become familiar with the building. Along the way, families can stop by information tables to learn more about important campus resources, including:

• PTO membership and volunteer opportunities
• Free and reduced-price meal applications
• Skyward Parent assistance
• Transportation, technology, athletics, clubs, and other back-to-school information
• Please note that this event is designed as a self-guided campus tour. Teachers will not be available during Round-Up, as they will be busy preparing their classrooms and getting ready to welcome students on the first day of school.
• Round-Up is not a drop-off event. Parents are encouraged to attend with their student as they explore the campus and prepare for a great start to the school year.

We can't wait to welcome everyone back on August 10th. See you there, Buccaneers!

We would love for you to join us on one of our favorite evenings of the year, Curriculum Night! This year Curriculum Night will be held on Wednesday, September 2nd from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

• Front doors open at 5:15 pm
• The evening will kick off with some incredible performances by our talented Buccaneers, followed by a welcome from me as I share a little about our vision for Hudson Bend Middle School and what makes this such a special place to learn and grow.
• Next, you'll have the opportunity to experience a "day in the life" of your student by following their class schedule. You'll spend 10 minutes in each class getting to know your kiddo's teachers, learning about their classrooms, and hearing what students can expect this year.
• Between classes, you'll have 5-minute passing periods just like the students....Don't be tardy!!!🤪
• See the schedule of the evening below.

Curriculum Night is a great opportunity to connect with our teachers, learn more about your student's educational experience, and strengthen the partnership between school and home. It definitely "takes a village!" We can't wait to welcome you to Hudson Bend and look forward to seeing you there!

• 6th Graders - Chromebooks will be distributed during the week of August 17th
• Returning 7th & 8th Graders - Bring your Chromebooks day 1 (August 12th)
• New to HBMS 7th & 8th Graders - Students will be able to get their Chromebook on first day (August 12th)

Students will be able to reset their Chromebook passwords on August 7, after 4pm. Please follow these steps to ensure easy access:

• Parents will be sent a unique temporary password through Skyward on August 7 after 4pm
• Students will log into their Chromebook with the temporary password
• Incoming 6th graders will receive their Chromebooks the week of 8/17
• You will see a pop-up message asking you to create a new password. It MUST follow these rules or you will be locked out
• Must not be a password you have used before
• Must not contain the word "password", any part of your name, birthdate or student ID
• Must not be a series of numbers in sequential order
• Must be between 8-13 characters long
• Must contain an uppercase letter, lowercase letter, number and/or special character
• Write down your password so you don't forget it! You think you won't forget, but we all forget sometimes!😂😬

• Now log in to LT1 with your new password
• Go to Skyward to set up a new password (you can use the same one you just created)
• At the Skyward sign in page, select "forgot password"
• You will be asked to enter your full school email and hit submit
• Go to Gmail and find the email from Skyward
• Open the email and click on the link inside the message
• Enter your new password
• Go back to the sign-in page and now sign in with user name (just s+student ID, NOT your whole email) and the new password.

You can now access your schedule in Skyward!👏

Here is a map of our drop-off and pick-up procedures. A few safety reminders:

• Please be mindful and aware in the loading zones as kiddos cross between them.
• Please use the primary entrance when entering the parking lot. This makes the flow much smoother and quicker!
• Please adhere to the "No Parking" zones identified on the map!

It is our priority to keep students and staff safe and focused on high quality education. Therefore, we respectfully require that all visitors sign-in at the office upon entering through the front doors and wear a visitor’s badge while in the building.

• The badge verifies that you have checked in the office, presented proper identification and made clear the purpose for your visit. I
• n addition, you must have a pre-scheduled meeting with your child's teacher in order to have a parent-teacher conference.

For the first two weeks of school, we will not have visitors for lunch. This allows students time to adjust to school procedures as well as build relationships with classmates.

Deliveries of forgotten items to students should be limited, so that important instructional time is not interrupted.

• Parents needing to drop off a lunch or other school items to their child will be able to do so by dropping the labeled item(s) in the Main Office.
• Items will be delivered to the students as soon as possible.
• We do not allow lunch deliveries from outside vendors (Grub Hub, Uber Eats, Door Dash etc.).

Parents,

Meet "Bucky!" Bucky is a visual to our dress code policy here at HBMS. This gives an easy reference for the expectations of student dress code. A few important notes:

• Pajama pants are not allowed unless communicated by the school as being part of a specific dress-up day or PJ day.
• While no "fingertip" rule is still in effect, please make sure that shorts and skirts are at an appropriate length and cover the rear fully when moving or bending.
• Midriffs aren't allowed, and belly buttons or lower backs should not be visible either stationary or during movement.
• As shown on Bucky, best practices for coverage of garments is basically a "box" from the shoulders down to below the bottom/private area.

Several of our HBMS Choir kiddos (both past and present) performed for teachers and staff at our beginning of the year celebration! It was definitely a proud principal moment seeing all our Buccaneers up there!👏👏👏

Our very own Mrs. Rosen, who is our reigning LTISD secondary Teacher of the Year, was recognized at the Region 13 Teacher of the Year Luncheon this summer! We are very proud of her and so thankful she is a Buccaneer! Go Mrs. Rosen!!!!👏💪❤️🖤

Great news!!! Schedules will be released in Skyward on August 7, 2026 at 4pm!!👏👏👏👏😊

• Friendly reminder that schedule changes are not available
• While schedules will be available to view in Skyward on August 7th, students will receive an "official" printed copy of their schedule on the first day of school (8/12).
• Students will report to their first period class on the first day (8/12). That is where printed schedules will be handed out.
• Please be aware that GROW time schedules are still be finalized, so they may not be updated until the first day of school.

At Hudson Bend Middle School, every student has a daily 30-minute GROW Time built into their schedule. This dedicated block gives students the opportunity to take ownership of their learning and receive the support, or challenge, they need to be successful.

During GROW Time, students may:

• Complete homework or missing assignments
• Check grades and organize upcoming work
• Receive extra help or targeted interventions from teachers
• Participate in enrichment or extension activities that deepen their learning
• Build important academic and organizational skills

What is the Buc Lounge?

A place where any and all students are welcome to “shop” confidentially for free items they need.

What does the Buc Lounge include?

Food, personal care items, clothing, shoes, and school supplies.

Want to donate to the Buc Lounge to provide for our students who need it? Click the button below!🙂

**HOMEWORK HELP WILL BEGIN THE WEEK OF AUGUST 24TH**

Homework Help is a quiet work session facilitated by faculty members for students to get help with and complete class assignments. Please see the details below:

Homework Help AM

Days: Monday - Friday

Time: 7:20am - 8:20am

Location: Room 201 (across from the main gym)

*Before school Homework Help has a bilingual teacher available for support!*

Homework Help PM

Days: Monday - Thursday (not offered Friday afternoons)

Time: 4:15pm - 5:15pm

Location: Room 201 (across from the main gym)

Homework Help Expectations

• Personal smart devices are not allowed to be used during this time.
• School work only - no games or socializing
• Remain in Homework Help entirety of assigned time
• Leaving early requires teacher to speak with parent

Immunizations:

School immunization records must be up-to-date for students to attend school in the fall and receive their fall schedules. Updated records can be emailed to your school nurse. Please note, the school must have the original affidavit of exemption on file if you choose to not vaccinate your child.

Middle School Note: Entry into 7th grade requires proof that your 7th grader has received the Tdap and Meningococcal (MCV4) vaccines. Campus nurses do not automatically get records from your doctor after vaccination. You must request an immunization record from the doctor and submit it to your nurse via email, fax or mail. The immunization record must have a doctor's stamp or signature on it. Please submit your records as soon as possible. Please reach out to your campus nurse with any questions.

*Parents completing the Affidavit Exemption from School Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience must provide the original form to campus. Pictures of the form do not satisfy the state requirement. Please contact Wendy Everett, RN for any questions or concerns to prevent delays in obtaining schedules.

Nurse Everett

everettw@ltisdschools.org

512-533-6414

Here are a couple of important links that you may want to check out as the new school year draws closer.

• Parents of new students are highly encouraged to create a SMART tag Parent Portal account after routes are released on August 5th.

• Route information for the 2026-2027 School year is not yet available. Please check back on infofinder or the SMART Tag Parent App on August 5th, 2026 at the end of the day.

• You can download the SMART Tag Parent App on Android or iPhone. You will not be able to find your students until after routes are released on August 5th. I would wait until August 6th to create an account or link your students.

• If you are new to the district, you will be able to create a SMART Tag Parent Account on August 6th.

As we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year, we'd like to share important information about school meal pricing.

2026–2027 Meal Prices

• Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, student meal prices will increase by $0.10 across all campus levels. This adjustment helps offset rising food and operational costs while allowing us to continue providing high-quality, nutritious meals for our students.

• The updated meal prices are listed below:

Free & Reduced-Price Meal Benefits

• School meals are available at a free or reduced-price rate for students who qualify based on income eligibility guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Students approved for reduced-price meal benefits will continue to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost during the 2026–2027 school year.
• To receive meal benefits, students must select a complete (reimbursable) meal from an eligible serving line. Deluxe meals are not reimbursable meals and do not qualify for free or reduced-price meal benefits. Students wishing to purchase a deluxe meal must have sufficient funds available in their meal account.
• Please visit the Food & Nutrition Services website for additional information about menus, meal prices, or meal benefits,

If you have questions, please contact Food & Nutrition Services at foodservice@ltisdschools.org or 512-533-6037.

Hudson Bend Athletics Parent Meeting - Monday, August 10th @ 6:00 p.m.

• This meeting will be mandatory for all students enrolled in athletics for the upcoming school year.
• All athletics will meet in main gym.
• After introductions girls will move to cafeteria.
• This is for ALL Fall sports!!

When?

Monday, Aug 10, 2026, @ 6:00 p.m.

Where?

Hudson Bend Middle School, Lariat Trail, Austin, TX, USA

The athletic uniform store will reopen on July 31st! Be on the lookout for email communication! This second round of orders will not arrive until late September or early October. In the meantime your athlete will need to wear a grey shirt and black shorts during the athletic period and practices.

Required Paperwork:

• RankOne Login Page
• Athletic Physical/Medical History - all athletes must have yearly Athletic physical
  
• Extracurricular Code of Conduct
• Online forms (Rank One) must be completed prior to participating in athletics.
• Student Drug Testing - Fill out here
• Select "UIL Girls Sports" or "UIL Boys Sports"

All forms can be found on the HBMS Athletic Website

Everything is filled out and submitted through RankOne besides Drug Testing Enrollment. Once enrollment is filled out, coaches will manually update RankOne. You should receive an email receipt of filling out the drug testing form.

**Your child will show RED/Ineligible until coaches have updated Drug Testing!**

Cross Country – Practice begins the second day of school. No practice on the first day of school. Not every athlete will run in every meet but if they are showing up to practice they are guaranteed one meet.

• Practice calendar & times TBD in early August

Football – No tryouts. Every player will make one of the three teams. Practice begins the second day of school. No practice on the first day of school.

Tentative 2026 Football Practice Schedule

Football Equipment Information

7th grade practice – starts at 7:00 a.m. (players should arrive by 6:40)

8th grade practice – ends at 5:30 p.m.

Volleyball – There are tryouts and they start the second day of school.

Practice begins the second day of school. No practice on the first day of school.

Practice calendar & times TBD in early August

• Announcements for all other sports will be made during the school year.

Basketball Tryouts – late October/early November

Practice calendar & times TBD in September

Track – Late January

Practice calendar & times TBD in January

Golf, Tennis & Soccer Tryouts – after Spring Break...Mark your calendars

Practice calendar & times TBD in March

It definitely "takes a village," and our Hudson Bend Middle School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is the absolute heart of our school!❤️🏴‍☠️ The PTO is a fantastic group of parents, family members, staff, and teachers who work together to bring magic, academic enrichment, and pure fun to all of our students and campus.

From funding awesome programs and hosting unforgettable events to volunteering and showering our school with love, our PTO provides the extra sparkle that helps our Buccaneers truly thrive. Whether you have hours to give or just want to stay connected, there is a place for you here. Come be a part of the crew that makes HBMS an amazing place to learn and grow!👏👏👏

• Madison Morris - Admin Assistant
• April Loeb - Counselor
• Tana Wheeler - Campus Instructional Coach
• Kayla Toussaint - Art
• Annie Gordon - Theatre Arts
• Sarah Ingram - 6th Grade Math
• Laura Becker - SDC Teacher
• Tranel White - SDC Para
• Sally Henderson - 6th Grade Math
• Hillary Brown - SPED Math & Science
• Allison Monte - SPED Science
• Melissa Giambruno - Dyslexia Teacher
• Robyn Biondi - Receptionist
• Grace Reyna - 8th Grade Science
• Dylan McKenzie - 8th Grade math
• Chris Gaffney - ISS
• Cecilia Fierro - ESL Teacher

Every Thursday is theme Thursday here at HBMS! Each Thursday we encourage both students and staff to have a little fun and dress up in a specific theme. Here is a calendar of the themes for each Thursday this school year.😊

We have updated our signage around the building reflecting our core values (The Bend Basics) of Safe, Respectful, and Responsible. These are also the expectations for various areas of the building for our Buccaneers to follow.

We have been updating several areas on and around campus!! One thing you will learn about me is that I am all about team spirit and curb appeal. This is our "house" here at campus, and we want it to be a place that kiddos and families should be proud of! Some of the renovations underway are:

• Repainting all exterior "blue" items such as railings, gutters, etc. to a new "Mississippi Bronze" color. This completely modernizes the look of the building!
• Main gym floor redone with new logo and graphics
• Adding some team spirit to both gyms by painting the yellow, green, blue stripes around both gyms!! They will now be black, grey, and white to match our school colors! 👏👏👏

There are a few other renovations that I am working on and hope to have approved/finalized in the coming weeks. I'll share once they are finalized!👏👏👏

At Hudson Bend Middle School, we believe students should be recognized and celebrated for making positive choices. This year, we're creating a Buccaneer Game Room as a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) reward space where students can earn time through positive behavior, academic effort, responsibility, and by representing our school, teachers, and families with pride.

The Game Room will provide students with a fun, supervised space to celebrate their success while reinforcing the behaviors that help make Hudson Bend a great place to learn. It's another way we're working to build relationships, strengthen our school culture, and make school a place students are excited to be.

We're asking for the support of our amazing Hudson Bend community! If you have gently used items you'd be willing to donate, we'd love to put them to great use. We're looking for items such as:

• Board games
• Pop-A-Shot basketball games
• Foosball tables
• Air hockey tables
• Ping pong tables
• Xbox, PlayStation, Wii, Nintendo Switch, or other gaming consoles
• Flat-Panel TVs
• Video games
• Card games
• Puzzles
• Bean bag chairs
• Other fun game room items

If you'd like to donate an item or have questions, please contact the Hudson Bend Middle School front office.

Thank you for helping us recognize students who consistently Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. Together, we're building a school culture where doing the right thing is celebrated every day!

Our students aren't the only Buccaneers who deserve to be celebrated! Every day, our teachers go above and beyond to support, encourage, and inspire our students. Whether they're staying late to help a child, creating engaging lessons, or simply being a positive influence, our staff pours their hearts into Hudson Bend Middle School.

To show our appreciation, I've always had a Teacher Treasure Box. It is a fun way to recognize teachers for their hard work, dedication, and the countless ways they make a difference every day. Throughout the year, teachers will have opportunities to earn a visit to the Treasure Box as a small "thank you" for all they do.

We're asking for donations of the little things that teachers absolutely love, such as:

• Gift cards are always a favorite, especially in $5 or $10 amounts to places like Starbucks, Target, H-E-B, Kroger, Amazon, Sonic, Chick-fil-A, Dutch Bros, or other local favorites!
• Gel pens
• Glitter pens
• Sharpies
• Flair pens
• Post-it Notes
• Highlighters
• Dry erase markers
• Fun school supplies
• Desk accessories
• Snacks and treats
• And anything else that would brighten a teacher's day!

Every donation, either big or small, helps us recognize the incredible educators who make Hudson Bend such a special place. Thank you for partnering with us to celebrate the people who invest so much in our students each and every day!

Principal

Josh Hughes

Assistant Principals

6th Grade: Tatiana Chavez

7th Grade: Donald Roeder

8th Grade: Brian Gill

Counselors:

6th Grade A - J: Angela Carey

6th Grade K - Z: April Loeb

7th Grade (Entire Grade): April Loeb

8th Grade (Entire Grade): Angela Carey

Instructional Coach:

Tana Wheeler

Grade Level Leads

6th - Evan Lear

7th - Nicole Dann

8th - Debra Rosen

Department Heads

ELA - Hailey Wylie

Math - Dan Grey

Social Studies - Craig Holden

Science - Ruben Soliz

SPED - Laura Becker

Fine Arts - Laura Truett

Athletics - Megan Kuehler

CTE - Eryn Brocx

Librarian - Caitlin Robson