The Buccaneer Bulletin

• Para traducir este boletín, busque el logotipo de accesibilidad en blanco y negro (que se muestra aquí) y haga clic en "translate". Desde allí, puede seleccionar otro idioma.
• To translate this newsletter, find the black and white accessibility logo (pictured here) and click "translate". From there, you can select another language.

1/15: Scripps Spelling Bee

1/15: Basketball v. Lake Travis

1/23: 7th & 8th Grade Glow Party! (dance)

1/29: Course Selection Parent Meeting for Current 6th & 7th graders at 6:30pm

• *detailed course selection information below*

STAAR Interim Testing *detailed information below*

1/21: ELA STAAR Interim (grades 6-8)

1/26-28: History STAAR Interim (grade 8)

1/28-30: Science STAAR Interim (grade 8)

2/3: Math STAAR & Algebra 1 Interim (grades 6-8)

2/4: ELA Field Test (grades 7-8)

What are Interims/is the RLA Field Test?

• STAAR Interim Assessments are online practice assessments aligned to Texas standards (TEKS) that help teachers monitor student progress during the year and students prepare for STAAR testing.

• These assessments provide a snapshot of student learning at a specific point in time and do not count toward accountability or grades.

• Results help teachers identify which students are on track for end-of-year expectations and who may need additional support before STAAR testing.

• Students take the assessments on the same online platform as STAAR, giving them practice with the testing system.

• Field Testing: 7th and 8th grade students will participate in STAAR field testing, which helps the state develop future test questions. No scores or results are reported from field tests and grade levels/subjects are chosen at random across the state.

• RLA and Math Interims will be run as a “Mock STAAR” so students experience day-of procedures.
• Social Studies 8 and Science 8 will be taken in class on a normal schedule.
• Students will be reporting to an assigned classroom with a proctor. These will be posted at the end of each grade level house.
• Interims are not for a grade.
• Every student will take an Interim assessment.

Early/Makeup Exams

• Students should be present on the above dates to take their Interim assessments.

• Students cannot take their Interims early.

• Makeup exams will be on the following dates:

• RLA 6 - 8 grades: Thursday, January 22nd

• Social Studies Grade 8: Request for approval needed - appointment made with teacher

• Science Grade 8: Request for approval needed - appointment made with teacher

• Math & Algebra I 6 - 8 grades: Thursday, February 5th

Our Buccaneers are making waves, and we’re here to celebrate it! Stay connected to our campus with a weekly look at the great things happening across The Bend.

This week in 7th grade science, predator students spent time outside searching for their prey to learn about variations of traits and natural selection.

Students in Coach Villa's science class were using different tools to model finch beaks as they explored how beak shape and size affect the ability to eat different seeds.

Chanelle Boswell, a 7th-grade student at HBMS, has won STATE in the annual Lions Club Peace Poster Contest for her artwork!

Chanelle’s piece has now advanced to the National/International level of judging, with results expected by February 1. We are so proud of her talent, creativity, and hard work in beautifully illustrating this year’s Peace Poster theme, “Together As One"!

Each month this spring, all three middle schools are going head-to-head in a friendly Attendance Challenge! Each month, the school with the highest attendance will take home the Attendance Cup and banner (bragging rights included)!

The excitement is real: as of January, all three schools are within 0.01% of each other! Every single day counts. Let’s keep showing up strong and aim to win the first-ever Middle School Attendance Cup!

Thank you for helping us make attendance a priority!

January 20: counselors present course selection information to 6th & 7th grade students in science classes

January 29: course selection parent meeting for current 6th & 7th grade students from 6:30-7pm in the HBMS cafeteria

January 30-February 6: window for students to enter course selections in Skyward

February 2: counselors go to 6th & 7th grade science classes to enter course selections in Skyward

February 6th: Skyward closes for student course selection at 4pm

1/12: Cavalier Showcase & Parent Meeting

1/15: Skyward opens for course selection

1/15-16: HS counselors visit HBMS 8th grade classes for course selection

1/20-21: Parent Q&A with HS counselors from 7:45-9am at HBMS

2/6: Skyward closes for course selections at 4pm

🎉✨ Happy New Year, Buccaneers!! ✨🎉

Get ready to light up the night at our 7th & 8th Grade Winter Dance — GLOW PARTY! 💚💙

Friday, January 23rd

⏰6:00–7:30 PM

We’re bringing the vibes with a LIVE DJ, awesome music, dancing, and snacks! 🍿💃🕺🎧
Wear your brightest colors and come ready to glow!

👉Important: Don’t forget your Student ID — it’s required for entry! This event is for current HBMS 7th & 8th grade students only!

Additionally we need parent volunteers to help make this event happen! If you are interested in volunteering, sign up below.

Mandated Spinal Screenings

School-based spinal screening is designed to identify adolescents with abnormal spinal curves.

Catching a spinal problem early can make the treatment much easier. Failing to address abnormal spinal findings can lead to serious health problems.

Trained screeners will examine your student's back while they stand and bend forward.

This spring, we will be screening 12-year-old girls in 6th grade and all 7th-grade girls; 14-year-old boys in 7th grade and all 8th-grade boys.

Important Recommendations

• Students should bring shorts to school for the exam.

• Girls should wear a thin t-shirt, a sports bra, or a two-piece swimsuit top underneath their shirt on exam day.

• If girls are wearing a sports bra or a two-piece swimsuit top underneath their shirt, it is recommended that they remove their shirt for the screening.

• Boys and girls will be screened separately and one at a time.

The school will send you a referral letter if your student does not pass the screening. This screening does NOT take the place of a medical exam. Your student still needs to see a doctor for appropriate follow-up and regular checkups.

*** If you do not wish to have your student screened for religious reasons or need to claim a medical exemption, please contact the school nurse, Wendy Everett, @ everettw@ltsidschools.org, for further information and to obtain an exemption form by 01/26/2026.

Tech Creators: Digital Design & Branding

Students become digital designers! They’ll learn how brands use visuals, storytelling, and strategy to communicate ideas — then create their own personal or imaginary brand. This class encourages creativity, critical thinking, and tech skills that are useful in school and future careers.

Tuesdays 4:15-5:15
Feb. 3 – April 14 (10 classes)

Where: HBMS Rm 856

Spots are limited—register today!

Mindful Movement Wellness & Yoga Club:
A calm, body-positive space for students to stretch, breathe, and relax — no experience needed. Each session combines gentle yoga poses, music, breathing exercises, and creative mindfulness activities like gratitude journaling or visualization.

Feb. 2 – April. 10 (10 classes)

Mondays 4:15-5:15

Where: HBMS Room 856

Spots are limited—register today!

Do you want to improve your gameplay? Practice your basketball skills in a game like setting with no pressure. Join Hot Shots with Hudson Bend Boys Basketball Head Coach, Coach McKenzie! Hot Shots will allow you the opportunity to get more game-like and individual experience while having

fun with friends in a great indoor facility! Open to all skill levels and grades!

Registration: 1/5/2026 - 1/23/2026

Late Registration (1/23/2026): ($35 late fee applies)

Instructor: Coach McKenzie (Head Basketball Coach)

Location: HBMS Gym

Dates: Feb. 4 - April 15 (10 classes) *Wednesdays

Time 4:15 - 5:15 pm

Fee: $250

Max: 30

Sign Up Here

Get Ready to Dance at HBMS!

Mrs. Truett will be teaching an after-school dance class right here at HBMS every Tuesday!

This is the perfect opportunity for dancers who want to sharpen their intermediate to advanced skills or for anyone dreaming of trying out for a dance team in the future.

Don’t miss out—registration closes January 18!

Did an HBMS teacher or staff member do something outstanding for your child? Use the Form below to submit a CAV Kudo! Thank you for helping encourage our amazing HBMS staff!

As a recent expansion of our Buc Lounge, we have been excited to start the “HBMS Backpack Program” for students in need. Every Friday, our counselors send home a backpack filled with food for the weekend to support identified students in need.

How can you help?

Click on the Buc Lounge Amazon Wishlist below to purchase items that are needed. Your generosity has already been a blessing for many families this year, and any donation, big or small, is greatly appreciated!

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 link below!

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)

*Late buses run on Wednesday afternoons at 5:15pm*

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

While our campus leadership team works collaboratively with all students and teachers, the following information should help you reach the appropriate administrator or counselor for your child's grade level should a question or concern arise. We are committed to serving our students and appreciate the opportunity to work together with families to support our learners.

Principal

Laura Keogh

6th Grade

Assistant Principal: Donald Roeder

Counselor: Dana Page

7th Grade

Assistant Principal: Brian Gill

Counselor: Angela Carey

8th Grade

Assistant Principal: Tatiana Chavez

Counselor: JoAnna Janecek

Stay up-to-date with campus events and activities by reading the weekly Buccaneer Bulletin. If you missed one, head over to the HBMS website under the principal page to view current and past newsletters. Feel free to share these newsletters with friends and family.

Please note that The Buccaneer Bulletin is sent to the email addresses you have listed in Skyward Family Access. If you are not receiving weekly newsletters, please verify that your information is correct in Skyward or reach out to our registrar, Christy Thompson, at thompsonc@ltisdschools.org for further assistance.

Website: ltisdschools.org/HBMS
Location: 15600 Lariat Trail, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-533-6400
Facebook: Hudson Bend MS

Instagram: @hbmsbuccaneers