The Hawk's Nest News

HMS Families,

We have had a great first couple of weeks here at HMS. We hope your student has enjoyed the start of the school year as well! Our open house was met with great success from the feedback we received, and we look forward to improving in the future. Your commitment to ensuring that Hebron Middle School provides the best learning environment for our students is much appreciated. Together, I know we will continue to make this school year one of growth and achievement for all our students!

A reminder that we are not in session on Monday, September 2, 2024 (Labor Day). We also have our first 1/2 day early dismissal this month, which occurs on Wednesday, September 25. HMS dismisses at 11:10 am. Students will have the option to bring their lunch, eat lunch (around 9:45 am) that the cafeteria provides, or neither. Students will have eLearning work to complete for hours 6, 8 and 9. If a student has an SRT during hours 6, 8 or 9, there will be no homework posted. Homework will be posted on Google Classroom for our students to complete in the afternoon.

If you have any questions, please reach out to our teachers and staff!

Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. Let's continue to make this academic year a remarkable one filled with meaningful learning experiences and cherished memories.

GO HAWKS!

Matt Beahm

Principal

Hebron Middle School

MSD of Boone Township

Important Dates for Semester 1 (Subject to change):

Monday, September 2, 2024: Labor Day -- No Classes

Wednesday, September 25, 2024: 1/2 Virtual Day -- Dismissal at 11:10 am

Friday, October 11, 2024: End of Quarter 1

Tuesday, October 22, 2024: Student-Led Conferences -- 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm (No early release)

Thursday, October 24, 2024: Fall Recess -- No Classes

Friday, October 24, 2024: Fall Recess -- No Classes

Tuesday, November 5, 2024: 1/2 Virtual Day -- Dismissal at 11:10 am

Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29, 2024: Thanksgiving Recess -- No Classes

Thursday, December 20, 2024: End of Quarter 2 (1st Semester)

Monday, December 23, 2024 - Friday, January 3, 2025: Winter Recess -- No Classes

Monday, January 6, 2025: Classes Resume

We are excited to announce that we will be offering ALL student a free universal breakfast for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Eating breakfast is crucial for students' educational success and well-being. Benefits include improved academic performance, better attendance and punctuality, stronger concentration/memory, positive behavior and mood, and even higher graduation rates. Research consistently shows that students who eat breakfast regularly perform better in school, maintain better health, and exhibit more positive behavior, underscoring the importance of starting the day with a nutritious meal. Breakfast for MS students will be served from 7:25 am until 7:35 am and students will be expected to be in class by 7:40 am. The beginning time for breakfast is subject to change depending on the number of students who opt for the universal free breakfast.

In accordance with Indiana Code 20 - 33 - 2 - 14, which states "The governing body of each school corporation shall have a policy outlining the conditions for excused and unexcused absences. The policy must include the groups for excused absences. Any absence that results in a person not attending at least one hundred eight (180) days in a school year must be in accordance with the governing body's policy to qualify as an excused absence", the MSD of Boone Township has written and will enforce the following policy regarding attendance starting with the 2024 - 25 academic year. Additional attendance information will be available in the MSD of Boone Township Universal Handbook, which will be published on our school website

To ensure a focused learning environment, all MSD of Boone Township students are required to turn off and store all wireless communication devices in their lockers throughout the school day. This includes cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, and any other electronic devices with two-way communication capabilities. Not included in this policy are school issued MSD of Boone Township devices and devices utilized to manage the student’s health care or as part of a student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan. This is in accordance with IC 20-26-5-40.7 and MSD of Boone Township School Board Policy 4307 (Wireless Devices Prohibition).

MSD of Boone Township School Board Policy: 4307 (Wireless Devices Prohibition)

Possessing and/or using a wireless electronic device which is portable and is capable of providing voice, messaging, or other data communications between two or more persons and includes cellular phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, digital cameras, and/or gaming devices in a manner which constitutes an interference with a school purpose or educational function, an invasion of privacy, or an act of academic dishonesty, or is profane, indecent, or obscene.

This rule is not violated when the student has:

a) been given permission from a teacher to or use a wireless device for educational purposes during instructional time;

b) to use a wireless device in an emergency or to manage the student’s health care; c) to use a wireless device as part of the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan.

In addition to being disciplined, students who use a wireless electronic device in a manner which violates this rule may have the device confiscated by school administration. Such a device will be returned to the parent.

Additional wireless communication device information will be available in the MSD of Boone Township Universal Handbook, which will be published on our school website.

In order for a student to be eligible to participate in or attend games, clubs, dances, extra-curricular activities, or any other school-sponsored events students, a student must be in "Good Standing". The "Student in Good Standing" policy can be found on our corporation website once it is published.

Students must adhere to the following:

• Attendance: Students must have no more than 2 unexcused absences and/or 3 tardies per nine-week grading period.

• Grades: Students must have no more than one F. This will be taken at the end of each nine weeks, previously completed nine weeks will count towards eligibility.

• Behavior: Students may not have more than one (1) discipline referral to the office per semester. Students may not have more than two (2) discipline referrals for any teacher per semester.

A student in good standing has full rights with respect to participation in activities of the school, academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular, subject to any restrictions which apply to all students. A student is not in good standing during the period of time he/she is under in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, or expulsion. A student not in good standing may have limited participation in any school activity, contest, practice, ceremony, dance, or trip, whether academic, co-curricular, or extracurricular, except as may be allowed by the principal and/or expulsion examiner. Also included are students with delinquent fees without a payment plan.

We are excited to continue our partnership with Elevate Students, which helps "elevate students' character, self-esteem, academic success, and leadership abilities through curriculum and coaches" (http://elevatestudents.com/wp/). They will be helping to strengthen our already robust social-emotional curriculum in all grades. Elevate Students will be meeting in person with our each week, as we continue to promote positive values and prepare our students for the world outside these four walls.

Knowing that family situations can change or new families may not know, free and/or reduced lunch applications can be found at the link below. This can be useful for families, even if it is for temporary support. If you have questions or need help, don't hesitate to contact Kelsey Rodriguez (NIESC Food Service Director) at 574-229-2209 or krodriguez@niesc.k12.in.us. If your family is needing a paper copy of the application, please contact our office.

We have five (5) virtual days scheduled during the academic year. With our virtual days, students will be picked up for school at their normal time, car riders can be dropped off at their normal time and our doors will open at their normal time of 7:30 am. Classes will begin at their normal time of 7:40 am. Lunch will be served to our MS students around 10:45 am. Students will be dismissed at 11:10 am. Students will have assignments for hours 5, 7, and 8 on Google Classroom to complete (with the exception of an SRT class if they have that class during those hours). Assignments will be due the following academic day or at the teacher’s discretion.

School corporations are only allowed to have three (3) eLearning days for inclement weather days. For these reasons, the first three inclement weather cancellations will be made up in the normal way, asynchronously (eLearning). Any days after that results in the MSD of Boone Township canceling classes will be made up synchronously (live instruction via Google Meet). Students will be required to get online during specific times, join their teachers live via Google Meet and complete their learning. TENTATIVELY, the schedule of classes for synchronous learning is as follows:

1st Hour: 9:00 am - 9:25 am (25)

2nd Hour: 9:30 am - 9:55 am (25)

3rd Hour: 10:00 am - 10:25 am (25)

4th hour: 10:30 am - 10:55 am (25)

5th Hour: Will not meet

6th Hour: 11:00 am - 11:25 am (25)

7th Hour: Will not meet

8th Hour: 11:30 am - 11:55 am (25)

9th Hour: 12:00 pm - 12:25 pm (25)

With the number of students, who are being dropped off and picked up each day at HMS, the picture below shows the traffic flow. This has not changed from last year. As noted above, door D (which is where drop-off and pick-up occurs) opens at 7:30 am, with pick-up occurring at 2:40 pm.

The student and/or the student’s parent/guardian shall be responsible for compensating the school district for any losses, costs, or damages to the Chromebook. The student and/or the student's parent/guardian is liable for replacement costs resulting from intentional damage and/ or neglect as outlined in this document.

However, the parent/ guardian of the student may choose to purchase insurance for the device. This insurance policy covers accidental damage to the device and charger. The insurance is through Student Device Coverage and the cost for insurance is $27. This coverage is for the school year, with no deductible per claim. All claims will be filed through each school. The portal is now open and available until September 30, 2024. After that, insurance will not be able to be purchased for this academic year.

To purchase insurance, go to https://rocket.k12techrepairs.com/plan/msd-of-boone-township/5jDK9D

Please remember, if you opt to not purchase the insurance, you will be responsible for the full replacement cost of the device or individual parts replacement cost as shown in the image to the left (prices, as shown in the image to the left are subject to change as they have not been updated as of yet). Also, insurance is ONLY for the initial Chromebook the student is issued. Damages to a rental Chromebook are not covered.

If you have questions about Chromebook insurance, please contact our Media Specialist, Mrs. Misty Massena using the information below.

Email: massenam@hebronschools.k12.in.us

Students who are not in school must be called off. To do so, please call the office by 9 am at (219) 996-4771 Ext 101 to report your child will be absent from school. If you do not call your student off, it will count as an unexcused absence. Please note the attendance policy above!

As a reminder, parents are only allowed to call off their students 4 times a semester for illness, vacation, or otherwise. Everything after those 4 regardless of previous year's accommodations will be marked as unexcused without a doctor's note. If you feel you are going to exceed the 4 call-offs per semester, please be proactive in contacting me and your child's doctors to be prepared. This is in accordance with a new state law that went into effect on July 1st of this year. Students who reach 10 total absences in a single semester or 18 absences for the combined semesters, regardless of the reason or accommodation (this includes call-offs, excused, or unexcused), will be placed on a truancy plan. Depending on the number of absences that are unexcused, Project Attend and the Porter County Prosecutor's Office may get involved.

When a 2-hour delay is called, door D will open at 9:30 am, with classes starting at 9:40 am. Those who are riding the bus will be picked up 2 hours after their original pick-up time. Breakfast will not be served. We will dismiss at our regular dismissal time of 2:30 pm.

Please be reminded of the MSD of Boone Township student dress code. The policy can be found on pages 55 and 56 in the Universal Student Handbook. I’ve also attached our policy below:

Parents/guardians must ensure that students come to school properly groomed and dressed. Proper attire is defined as clothing that is clean, modest, which does not create a health or safety hazard, and which is not distracting or demeaning to other students in the classroom.

School attire should conform to the following guidelines that are not intended to be all-inclusive. The administration reserves the right to use its discretion in determining the type of clothing appropriate for the school setting.

Students are to abide by the following:

• All students must wear soled shoes at all times. Elementary students are not allowed to wear high heels.

• Any clothing exposing the torso, such as ripped shirts, tops that are torn or meant to expose bare midriffs, barebacks, low necklines, as well as those that are strapless and see-through, are not permitted. Pants, skirts, and shorts must completely cover undergarments.

• Shorts and skirts must be long enough to enable stair-climbing, sitting, and participating in any school activity without the possibility of undergarment exposure.

• Clothing with unacceptable writing or pictures will not be allowed. This includes anything advertising drugs, tobacco, alcohol, vulgarities, nudity, sex, weapons, criminal activity, gang activity, or is contrary to the school’s mission.

• No wearing of hats or coats in the building without prior administrative permission. Hoodies are not to be worn on the head. No outerwear is allowed in the classroom unless extenuating circumstances dictate.

• Students are not to wear objects that could be used as weapons such as chains etc.

• Clothing must be in good repair

Any athlete who wants to play a spring sport must have their IHSAA physical (linked below) on file with their Final Forms (linked below) filled out completely, including forms, parent signature, student signature, and the Final Forms fee paid, which can be paid in the MS office, not to incur the handling fee, if paid by credit card.

The links below will direct you to the Hebron Schools Athletic Website where you will find updated schedules, pictures, and news from the athletic department.

If you have athletic questions, please contact our athletic director, Mr. Todd Adamczyk at adamczykt@hebronschools.k12.in.us

Email: adamczykt@hebronschools.k12.in.us
Athletics Website: gohebronathletics.com

Teachers at Hebron Middle School are trying to encourage our students to become actively involved in the entire life of the school and take advantage of the programs offered here at the middle school.

The middle school staff has adopted and slightly modified a program that incorporates five areas we want to emphasize as making a more complete or successful student: scholarship, citizenship, attendance, extracurricular activities, and service.

• Scholarship – Students get a point for having no grade below a C- each grading period. A student is automatically out if they earn 2 or more F’s for the quarter.
• Attendance – Perfect or near-perfect attendance (maximum of 2 absences per grading period or 2 tardies). Attendance is determined by school records and can be reviewed by school administration. A student is automatically out if they miss 6 or more days.
• Citizenship – Students will automatically earn their citizenship points unless they have received more than 1 one-hour detention. If a student earns a two-hour detention, they do not earn the citizenship point. A student is automatically out if they are suspended or expelled during the quarter the Hawk Trip is for.
• Extracurricular Activities – This category includes teams, clubs, and academic competitions at Hebron Middle School. ONLY school-sanctioned activities count for this program (exceptions will be allowed for exceptional circumstances granted by the team-time teacher). You are only allowed one point total, regardless of the number of activities you are involved in during a grading period
• Service -- REPLACEMENT POINT (as long as a student isn’t automatically out and they earn a service hour, they can replace the service hour with not earning a point for grades, attendance, citizenship, or extracurricular activity) -- this allows students to earn their way back into the Hawk Trip. If a student completes a community service activity and return a signed paper from the event organizer/individual for whom the service was completed, this will allow the student a replacement point for that quarter's Hawk Trip. This point may need to be confirmed by the staff.

The middle school staff has end-of-the-quarter activities and this year we’d like to make these activities extra special, one which our students earn. Students will have the opportunity to participate in all areas each grading period and will earn points in each category. Team Time teachers will use the form found on the back to tally points each grading period. If you have any questions, please talk with your child's Team Time teacher.

Students who participate in extracurricular events (sports or clubs) must be in good standing. Those who participate in clubs or sports at Hebron Middle School will be subject to a grade check every two weeks, starting with midterms, two weeks after midterms, and at the end of the grading period. Students who have a failing grade will immediately become ineligible for the club/sport they’re participating in until the next grade check. This also applies to the end of each grading period. Students who have two or more failing grades at the end of a grading period will be ineligible for the next 9-week grading period.

Coaches/club supervisors reserve the right to remove athletes from practice and contests if their academic progress is unsatisfactory. Additionally, athletes/club members may be removed from a team/club due to poor academic performance.

Every student-athlete, manager, trainer, or support group member is subject to this rule. Those affected may attend practices during the period of ineligibility at the coach’s discretion.

The MSD of Boone Township is committed to serving healthy and nutritious meals to all students. The link below will direct you to the foodservice calendar for Hebron Middle School. If you have any questions about the breakfast or lunch service, you may contact our Cafeteria Director, Mrs. Paula Cunningham at her email address below or (219) 996-4771 Ext: 215

Email: cunninghamp@hebronschools.k12.in.us
Menu Website: https://calendar.hpsmenu.com/?school=3079

We will be continuing (the first delivery is tentatively planned for the week of September 9) our partnership with NWI No Child Hungry, which is a local, non-profit organization dedicated to fighting hunger in Northwest Indiana. This program, called Buddy Bags, provides enough food for a weekend's worth of meals. Buddy Bags are free of charge and available to any student enrolled at the MSD of Boone Township that may need them. At the end of each week (normally placed in their locker on Thursday after school hours), your student will receive a bag of non-perishable, single-serve, child-friendly food to bring home. The food bags will be handed out discreetly and in a caring manner. Your participation is anonymous to our organization. Only your child’s school will have your information.

We have made some changes to the menu. NWI No Child Hungry is happy to announce that we will have a rotating 4-week menu so that students can have a variety of meal items and not just the same foods every week.

If you are in need of this program, please fill out the Google Form that is linked below.

Google Form to Buddy Bag Program Sign-Up

Please contact Gretchen Mercer at the information below or if you'd like to monetarily support their organization.

Email: NWINoChildHungry@gmail.com
Website: www.nwinochildhungry.wixsite.com/mysite
Phone: 219-730-5928
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwinochildhungry/

The MSD of Boone Township has partnered with a company called "Tip 411" so that students can send anonymous tips regarding school safety and bullying incidents. If you "See Something, Say Something!"

You can download the app through the app store on any Apple or Android device. The app is free to download. Search "Hebron Schools Tip Line" and you will see the icon to download. To send a tip, make sure you start with the key word "Hawks" and then write the description.

You may also simply text the tip using the number 847-411. Make sure to start the message with the key word "Hawks" when sending the text.

It’s never too early to start planning for college and the 21st Century Scholars Program is available to offer help to Indiana residents who apply and qualify. Indiana 7th and 8th graders are welcome to apply, with the final deadline being June 30th of a student’s 8th-grade year. Those who do qualify for this program can be awarded up to four years of undergraduate college tuition to attend an eligible Indiana public or private college, university, or proprietary institution.

All you have to do to pursue this opportunity is to:

• Create ScholarTrack accounts at ScholarTrack.IN.gov (you and your parents/guardians will both need your own accounts in order to complete the application process)

• Apply online at Scholars.IN.gov/enroll before June 30th of your 8th-grade year. (If requested, our Middle School code is “6814” and the High School code is “6813”)

• Fulfill the Scholars pledge to the State of Indiana.

• Meet the guidelines for Indiana student financial aid.

• Attend an eligible institution within two years of graduating from High School.

We encourage you to pursue this opportunity and wish you the best! If you have any questions or concerns regarding this program or filling out the application itself, feel free to call Mrs. Hunzelman at 996-4771, ext. 129, or get in touch with a Scholars representative using the contact information listed on their website.

https://scholars.in.gov/parents/enroll/

Website: https://learnmoreindiana.org/scholars/students/middle-school/
Location: 101 W. Ohio Street, Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 888-528-4719
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearnMoreIN
Twitter: @learnmorein

If your child is having technical issues such as connectivity, log in or general issues, with their Chromebook, please use the contact information below. The technology department has office hours Monday through Friday from 7:30 am until 3:30 pm.

Email: trulleyj@hebronschools.k12.in.us
Phone: (219) 996-4771 + 131

The following positions at the MSD of Boone Township are available:

Food Service Associate

Bus Driver

Substitute Teachers

Substitute Bus Drivers

You can view these job postings on our website:

www.hebronschools.k12.in.us

Open "Departments" - then "Employment / HR"

Location: 307 South Main Street, Hebron, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 996-4771 + 121

#YouBelongAtHebron

2020 - 2021 HMS Motto: "Rise Above the Uncertainties of Tomorrow"

2021 - 2022 HMS Motto: "Work Hard. Dream Big. Never Give Up"

2022 - 2023 HMS Motto: "One step at a time but always forward"

2023 - 2024 HMS Motto: "Learning Today...Leading Tomorrow"

2024 - 2025 HMS Motto: "Every Accomplishment Starts with a Decision to Try"

Schools To Watch Original Designation: 2012

Redesignation I: 2015

Redesignation II: 2018

Redesignation III: 2022

Email: beahmm@hebronschools.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.hebronschools.k12.in.us/2/Home
Location: 307 South Main Street, Hebron, IN, USA
Phone: (219) 996-4771
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hebronmshawks
Twitter: @hebronmshawks