Panther News
October 6th -10th, 2025 • Fall 2025
LEADER IN ME OCTOBER THEME: THINK WIN WIN
MLK Jr Writing and Art Contest Information Click on the link below to view info
Great Job Cross Country Team
MEDIA UPDATE:
Reminder: Students will have a monetary fine added to their account if their device is broken, whether on purpose or accidental. It is so very important that students take care of the resources that they are using at school. Let us know if you have any questions.
DISMISSAL EXPECTATIONS:
Students will be dismissed from their last class in the afternoon when they are called, i.e, Walkers, Car Riders, or their specific bus number. Students are required to go directly to their designated departure location/bus. Students can not leave their classroom early or walk to the front office area unless they are car riders or walkers. Students who walk to the front of the school may not re-enter the bus loading area. Those students will be redirected to the front office to contact their parent or guardian regarding having a family member pick them up from school. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
NURSE CORNER
Panther Reminders:
- Uniforms: Uniforms must be worn each school day including Fridays. The only exceptions will be designated dress-down days that will be announced by a school administrator. CLICK HERE to review to Hilsman dress code. Note that students can wear a Hilsman spirit shirt with uniform bottoms on Fridays.
- School doors open at 8:10 AM. UPDATE
- Front Office Hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Early Dismissal: Students may be checked out for early dismissal until 3pm. After 3pm, the front office staff is busy making sure all of our Panthers get home safely and efficiently.
- Bus Changes: To ride the bus home with a friend, parents/guardians submit the change to the front office in writing in the morning. Once our office staff verifies the information with a parent or guardian, the student will receive a pass to ride a correct bus.
- Phones: Students are not permitted to use their cell phone OR have their cell phone out for any reason during the school day. The same is true for wireless headphones. Students are expected to use the phone organizer in each classroom or leave their phone in their locker. If a phone or wireless headphones are confiscated, a parent/guardian/adult may pick up the item at the front desk.
Message from Nurse Vaughan
Hello! It’s Nurse Kendra and I just wanted to address a few important key points that need to be addressed for the school year. This will definitely make the school year more efficient.
EPIPENS, SEIZURE MEDS, AND INHALERS
A NEW ASTHMA, SEIZURE OR ANAPHYLACTIC ALLERGY PLAN IS REQUIRED EACH SCHOOL YEAR. PLEASE GET THESE PLANS TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
According to CCSD Board Policy JGCD, we are now required to have your signature giving your permission for your child to carry the EpiPen or inhaler with them, your child's signature stating that they understand how to self administer their medication, and your healthcare professional's signature stating that your child is capable of carrying and self-administering the medication. In addition, your child will be required to demonstrate the proper use of the inhaler or EpiPen for the nurse.
"When should I keep my child home from school?" A good guideline is to think about whether the child will be too uncomfortable to learn or whether he/she might be contagious to other children. As a rule, these are our recommendations:
- Fever of 100 or greater - keep your child home until there is no fever for 24 hours and no medicine has been given for fever for 24 hours.
- Vomiting more than one time - keep your child home until they have not vomited for 24 hours
- Diarrhea
- Pain examples: earache, sore throat, stomach
- Rash
- Illnesses that are contagious to other children. Examples: Pinkeye and chickenpox
The best defense against childhood illness is hand washing. When you teach your child to use good handwashing techniques before eating and after playing or using the bathroom, it goes a long way towards keeping them healthy and in school.
In Georgia, the law states that all students who attend school must have a correct and up-to-date immunization form in their file at school. If you do not want your child to have immunizations based on your religious beliefs, you must provide a signed, notarized affidavit stating the reason. A parent or school that allows a student to attend more than 30 days without a correct immunization form or religious exemption is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be required to pay a fine.
Georgia Vaccine Requirements for School Attendance
- Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella
- MCV4 (Meningitis)
- Polio
- Varicella
Resources
Vaccine appointments can be made through your student's medical provider or at The Hilsman Health Center by calling 706-546-7463.
Thanks so much for your support this school yea. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
SPORTS CORNER
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Please remember that your student will not be able to participate in sports if they do not have:
-
A current physical on file
-
Rank One fully completed
Thank you for helping us ensure all student-athletes are ready for the season!
Event Information
Event Information
Counselor's Corner:
SCENES AROUND HILSMAN....
YEARBOOK:
LEADERSHIP:
🐾 Panther Pals Program 🐾
Our 7th grade Leadership classes have teamed up with students from Ms. Underwood’s, Mr. Bozarth’s, Ms. Walls’, and Mr. Dorsey’s classes to launch the Panther Pals Program! 🎉
Throughout the year, students will work together to build friendships while practicing teamwork, communication, and leadership skills. This exciting program will give our Panthers the chance to grow, learn, and support one another in meaningful ways. 💛🖤
🐾 Panther Cubs Mentoring Program 🐾
Our 8th grade High School Peer Leadership classes have officially kicked off the Panther Cubs Mentoring Program with students from Gaines Elementary School! 🎉
During these sessions, our Peer Leaders planned and led engaging activities designed to build connections, encourage leadership, and support the Gaines Elementary Cubs. It was inspiring to see our Panthers step up as mentors and role models for younger students. 💛🖤
21st CENTURY.....
21st Century After School Program Registration Open!
Registration for our *FREE* 21st Century after-school program is now open! We are pleased to continue offering 21st Century programming through federal grant money to middle school school students. Transportation is provided.
Programming includes academic enrichment, STEM, arts, and other educational activities. Days and times vary by school site. See each of these school flyers for more information.
COMMUNITY EVENTS:
SPONSORSHIP
:
🍕 Thank You, Johnny’s Pizza! 🍕
A huge thank you to Johnny’s Pizza for all the support you show to Hilsman Middle School! We appreciate everything you do for our students and staff.
Be sure to stop by Johnny’s and grab a slice—you’ll be glad you did!
Hilsman Middle School
Website: https://www.clarke.k12.ga.us/Domain/24
Location: 870 Gaines School Road, Athens, GA, USA
Phone: 706 548-7281
Facebook: facebook.com/ClarkeCoSchools
Clarke County School District
Website: https://www.clarke.k12.ga.us
Location: 595 Prince Avenue, Athens, GA, USA
Phone: 706-546-7721
Facebook: facebook.com/ClarkeCoSchools
