The Heritage Herald
November 6, 2026

Hello HMS Families,
I hope everyone is enjoying the crisp fall air!
For November, HMS students who meet the target behavior of "Using Appropriate Language" will be allowed to participate in the HMS Turkey Trot on November 20, 2026! Any student who receives 3 minors (= 1 Major) in the "Using Appropriate Language" category will not be able to participate in Novemberโs monthly event.
As a reminder, this newsletter, The Heritage Herald, will be sent out twice a month and will also be posted on our website and social media pages. Please read all information, and feel free to contact the school with any questions.
Mrs. P. Malone
Principal, HMS
708-458-7590
Important Dates
11/13 ~ End of Trimester 1
11/16-20 ~ Spirit Week [info coming soon]
11/20 ~ Turkey Trot
11/20 ~ Report Cards Sent Home
11/23 ~ Parent/Techer Conferences [more info below]
11/24 ~ NO SCHOOL
11/25-27 ~ NO SCHOOL-THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
November 23, 2026 - 12:30-6:30
Parents,
Please use the link below to sign up for conferences with your child's teachers. Each conference is 10 minutes long. Feel free to call us with any questions (708-458-7590).
๐ค When is TOO Sick for School?
When you send your student to school, you are confirming they are healthy and ready to learn. Please help keep our school community healthy by following these guidelines:
Fever (100.0ยฐF or higher): Students must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning.
Vomiting: Students must be free of vomiting for 24 hours before returning.
Diarrhea: Students must be free of diarrhea for 24 hours before returning.
Help Stop the Spread of Illness! Encourage frequent handwashing, cleaning commonly touched items such as Chromebooks and cell phones, and avoiding close contact with others when sick.
๐ชฎ "Once a Week, Take a Peek!" Head Lice Awareness
Head lice can affect students of all ages, including middle schoolers! Although lice do not spread disease, they can spread easily through direct head-to-head contact.
Prevention Tips:
Check your student's hair and scalp weekly.
Avoid sharing hats, brushes, combs, and hair accessories.
Avoid head-to-head contact, including when taking group selfies.
Use personal pillows and bedding during sleepovers.
If live lice are found: HMS students may finish the school day, per the Student Handbook. Over-the-counter treatment may be provided by the Health Office when available. Students must return with evidence of treatment, which will be evaluated by the Health Office.
๐๐ Vision & Hearing Screenings
Students who were absent will have an opportunity to complete their screenings on November 17, 2026.
If your student receives a referral following screening, please follow up with an appropriate care provider. Early identification of vision and hearing concerns supports classroom success.
๐ Sleep & Screen Time: Recharge Your Brain!
Between homework, extracurricular activities, social media, and gaming, middle school students have busy schedules! However, quality sleep is essential for concentration, memory, emotional regulation, and overall health.
How much sleep do middle schoolers need?
Ages 6โ12: 9โ12 hours each night.
Ages 13โ18: 8โ10 hours each night.
Healthy Sleep Tips:
Power Down: Put away phones, gaming devices, and tablets at least 30โ60 minutes before bedtime.
Stick to a Schedule: Keep consistent sleep and wake times, including weekends.
Create a Calm Environment: Keep bedrooms cool, dark, and quiet.
Avoid Late-Night Caffeine: Energy drinks, soda, and some specialty coffees can interfere with sleep.
Charge Devices Outside the Bedroom: Reduce late-night scrolling, notifications, and distractions.
Middle school is a time of big physical, emotional, and social growth. Encourage your student to build healthy habits, communicate when they are not feeling well, and take responsibility for their personal health.
Oliva Gomez, CNA
(708)924-6308 Ext 7207
Fax: (708)728-3103
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District 104 Board of Education Meeting Dates - 7:00pm
November 10, 2026 ~ Heritage Middle School (HMS Spotlight)
December 8, 2026 ~ Administrative Center (Pre-K Spotlight)
January 12, 2027 ~ Walker Elementary School (Walker Spotlight)
February 9, 2027 ~ Administrative Center
March 9, 2027 ~ Walsh Elementary School (Walsh Spotlight)
April 13, 2027 ~ Administrative Center
May 11, 2027 ~ Graves Elementary School (Graves Spotlight)
June 8, 2027 ~ Administrative Center