Dear Families in the Middle,
Based on my observations in several classrooms throughout the day, I'm thinking your 6th, 7th or 8th grader came home yesterday with a combination of exhaustion and excitement for the year ahead. I enjoyed watching the embraces as students reconnected, the joy as students teamed up in games, and the opportunity to learn something about each person I visited with throughout the day.
We are welcoming MANY new students and families to Hudson Middle School this week. Please encourage your middle schooler to keep an eye out for the loner, the anxious and nervous, and the child who is joining a community that may appear to have friendships already established. It takes a village to make sure each person feels comfortable, cared for and needed.
A small group of staff members were visiting for a few minutes during the day and all of us noted an unusually high level of consideration among our students today! From frequent and sincere "Thank You's", to unprompted "Excuse me...I'm sorry," to quick and positive responses of "How are YOU?" we have been impressed with the positive leadership and kindness among our students! Talk about Raider Pride!
Monday evening provided my daughter's and I a little insight about a source of that kindness. Megan and Libbie stopped by the middle school to help me haul 14 - 8 foot boards from the ballfields (where our HMS staff had used them earlier in the day) to the school entrance. As we started to stack and carry the boards, two Dads and two boys immediately stepped up to load the boards into a pickup and haul them to the school entrance. A 40 minute work out became a five-minute task, thanks to the immediate helpfulness of these guys! Thank you, Jeff and Jaiden Warner, Carter Mears and one more generous man with a truck!
Happy Labor Day Weekend!
Mrs. Ann Mitchell
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Dear Families in the Middle,
In case you hadn't heard, one of our very own Hudson Middle School students, Rebecca Tank, will be recognized this Saturday, August 20, in Waunakee (near Madison) as one of the top student composers in the state of Wisconsin! Rebecca competed in the Wisconsin School Music Association Composition Project and submitted an original musical composition titled, "The Quest for the Cookie Jar." We are so very proud of her and grateful her musical gifts are being honored!
Many thanks for the positive and helpful feedback on Registration Days! Each year, we hope your experience is a smooth one. Added changes such as online registration and Fee Pay are meant to be a convenience and we appreciate your patience as we work through the adjustment phase! Another thank you to the many parents who took a moment to e-mail and alert us that the schedule wasn't displaying. Your alert helped us locate an incorrect setting and correct the glitch Tuesday morning. More importantly, your messages were thoughtful and supportive. Thank you for your patience and for presuming positive intent!
A special shout out to Mrs. Diane Schofield, our Associate Principal taking the lead on schedules, and to Cheryl Engnes, our Registrar Administrative Assistant for the hours and hours of attention they've given to providing schedules that we hope do the following:
* Honor student choice in electives (8th grade)
* Create as small an advisory as possible for more personal attention
* Balance class sizes for maximum student support
From our HMS Parent Network Group: the HMS Spirit Wear Sale ends this Friday, August 19th, at 11:59 PM. Info and store link can be found on the HMS website under General Information and HMS Parent Group. Another way to access the HMS Spirit Wear store is to go directly to hudsonstcroixsports.com
In case you hadn't heard, one of our very own Hudson Middle School students, Rebecca Tank, will be recognized this Saturday, August 20, in Waunakee (near Madison) as one of the top student composers in the state of Wisconsin! Rebecca competed in the Wisconsin School Music Association Composition Project and submitted an original musical composition titled, "The Quest for the Cookie Jar." We are so very proud of her and grateful her musical gifts are being honored!
Many thanks for the positive and helpful feedback on Registration Days! Each year, we hope your experience is a smooth one. Added changes such as online registration and Fee Pay are meant to be a convenience and we appreciate your patience as we work through the adjustment phase! Another thank you to the many parents who took a moment to e-mail and alert us that the schedule wasn't displaying. Your alert helped us locate an incorrect setting and correct the glitch Tuesday morning. More importantly, your messages were thoughtful and supportive. Thank you for your patience and for presuming positive intent!
A special shout out to Mrs. Diane Schofield, our Associate Principal taking the lead on schedules, and to Cheryl Engnes, our Registrar Administrative Assistant for the hours and hours of attention they've given to providing schedules that we hope do the following:
* Honor student choice in electives (8th grade)
* Create as small an advisory as possible for more personal attention
* Balance class sizes for maximum student support
From our HMS Parent Network Group: the HMS Spirit Wear Sale ends this Friday, August 19th, at 11:59 PM. Info and store link can be found on the HMS website under General Information and HMS Parent Group. Another way to access the HMS Spirit Wear store is to go directly to hudsonstcroixsports.com
Our HMS store is on the home page. A second sale will be offered by our Parent Group during October conferences.
These warm and humid summer days will quickly give way to cool and crisp autumn mornings. While Safeway finalizes bus routes (they're nearly finished!), teachers collaborate with teams to revise plans and make changes in their classroom set-up, and our custodial team works feverishly to complete moving, painting, and repairing projects...we wish your family lovely days of anticipation this August!
Warmly,
Ann
These warm and humid summer days will quickly give way to cool and crisp autumn mornings. While Safeway finalizes bus routes (they're nearly finished!), teachers collaborate with teams to revise plans and make changes in their classroom set-up, and our custodial team works feverishly to complete moving, painting, and repairing projects...we wish your family lovely days of anticipation this August!
Warmly,
Ann
Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Dear Families in the Middle,
It has been such a joy to see so many of you during Registration Days. We hope you and your middle-level student(s) experienced a smooth registration process and the experience has left your family eager for another year of learning in our Raider community! PLEASE take time to READ our Middle Musings blog posts for updates and information.
The shift from varied house lists to a common grade level list resulted in a couple of items in question. We noted a couple of items needing clarification:
7th grade supplies - the pre-ordered KITS included ONE binder; the hard copy list included THREE binders. Please anticipate the need for ONE binder to begin the year. If an additional binder is needed, teachers will communicate that need at a future time.
8th grade supplies - 8th grade pre-ordered kits do not include "2 pkgs. of looseleaf paper" but the hard copy list includes that item. Teachers will confirm with students during the school year whether looseleaf is needed.
Pre-ordered Supply Kits - if you were unable to pick up your student's supply kit from HMS during Registration Days, the kit will be placed in your student's Advisor classroom for your student to pick up the first day of school. If you'd like to pick up the kit prior to the first day of school, please stop in the office and we will do our best to help you locate the box in the Advisor classroom.
Chromebooks will be distributed on Tuesday, September 6th in Advisory. We want to focus on listening and observing, relationships and knowing, understanding, supporting and challenging each other as we begin a new year.
Feedback on Registration Days - In case you were unable to leave your feedback in the basket on your way out the door, please use this link to give us feedback and share suggestions for improving the registration process. Thank you!
An interesting bit of trivia:
* The Class of 2023 (6th grade) is 463 students strong and still growing! We've added three traveling teacher advisors to the team and anticipate the addition of a house in 2017-18 with great joy!
Please encourage your middle-level student to check out the Student Leadership Opportunities and apply by clicking on the links on the Student Leadership Tab in this blog. Every student has something wonderful to share with others! Thank you!
Warmly,
Mrs. Ann Mitchell
It has been such a joy to see so many of you during Registration Days. We hope you and your middle-level student(s) experienced a smooth registration process and the experience has left your family eager for another year of learning in our Raider community! PLEASE take time to READ our Middle Musings blog posts for updates and information.
The shift from varied house lists to a common grade level list resulted in a couple of items in question. We noted a couple of items needing clarification:
7th grade supplies - the pre-ordered KITS included ONE binder; the hard copy list included THREE binders. Please anticipate the need for ONE binder to begin the year. If an additional binder is needed, teachers will communicate that need at a future time.
8th grade supplies - 8th grade pre-ordered kits do not include "2 pkgs. of looseleaf paper" but the hard copy list includes that item. Teachers will confirm with students during the school year whether looseleaf is needed.
Pre-ordered Supply Kits - if you were unable to pick up your student's supply kit from HMS during Registration Days, the kit will be placed in your student's Advisor classroom for your student to pick up the first day of school. If you'd like to pick up the kit prior to the first day of school, please stop in the office and we will do our best to help you locate the box in the Advisor classroom.
Chromebooks will be distributed on Tuesday, September 6th in Advisory. We want to focus on listening and observing, relationships and knowing, understanding, supporting and challenging each other as we begin a new year.
Feedback on Registration Days - In case you were unable to leave your feedback in the basket on your way out the door, please use this link to give us feedback and share suggestions for improving the registration process. Thank you!
An interesting bit of trivia:
* The Class of 2023 (6th grade) is 463 students strong and still growing! We've added three traveling teacher advisors to the team and anticipate the addition of a house in 2017-18 with great joy!
Please encourage your middle-level student to check out the Student Leadership Opportunities and apply by clicking on the links on the Student Leadership Tab in this blog. Every student has something wonderful to share with others! Thank you!
Warmly,
Mrs. Ann Mitchell
Monday, August 1, 2016
Dear Families in the Middle,
As our district continues to improve our use of technology to enhance learning, I want you to be aware of several opportunities for learning more about Chromebooks, Google Apps for Education, and our district policies, practices and procedures to support students positive and responsible use of technology.
A letter from our new District Technology Coordinator, Jennifer Lotze, provides you with an overview of our district 1:1 initiative.
During Registration Days, parents have the opportunity for a 20 minute Chromebook orientation session. These sessions will begin at 11:00 and will be offered every hour (on the hour) until 6:00 PM each day, August 8-9-10. You'll have an opportunity to meet, ask questions, and learn more from our HMS Technology Integration Coaches and Tech Council members.
Chromebooks will not be distributed to HMS students until Tuesday, September 6th. The first two days of the school year will be focused on getting to know one another, establishing our team, strengthening our community, and sharing expectations. We think this people-knowledge is far more important than the technical skill of using devices.
Parents will have another opportunity for Chromebook and online learning support during our fall parent orientation Monday, September 19, at 5:30 PM, just prior to the kick-off Parent Group Network meeting at 6:30 PM. We hope you'll consider coming for both informative meetings!
Always seeking ways to improve our communication, please take time to share feedback on our Registration Days. We appreciate your questions, ideas, and suggestions for strengthening our learning community! See you next week!
Warmly,
Ann
As our district continues to improve our use of technology to enhance learning, I want you to be aware of several opportunities for learning more about Chromebooks, Google Apps for Education, and our district policies, practices and procedures to support students positive and responsible use of technology.
A letter from our new District Technology Coordinator, Jennifer Lotze, provides you with an overview of our district 1:1 initiative.
During Registration Days, parents have the opportunity for a 20 minute Chromebook orientation session. These sessions will begin at 11:00 and will be offered every hour (on the hour) until 6:00 PM each day, August 8-9-10. You'll have an opportunity to meet, ask questions, and learn more from our HMS Technology Integration Coaches and Tech Council members.
Chromebooks will not be distributed to HMS students until Tuesday, September 6th. The first two days of the school year will be focused on getting to know one another, establishing our team, strengthening our community, and sharing expectations. We think this people-knowledge is far more important than the technical skill of using devices.
Parents will have another opportunity for Chromebook and online learning support during our fall parent orientation Monday, September 19, at 5:30 PM, just prior to the kick-off Parent Group Network meeting at 6:30 PM. We hope you'll consider coming for both informative meetings!
Always seeking ways to improve our communication, please take time to share feedback on our Registration Days. We appreciate your questions, ideas, and suggestions for strengthening our learning community! See you next week!
Warmly,
Ann
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Dear Families in the Middle,
July seems to be the fastest month of the summer! Suddenly we're talking registration, school supplies, and back-to-school schedules. Online registration opened Monday, July 18. You will find this link helpful as you anticipate Registration Days at HMS. Please don't hesitate to call us (Tasia, Cheryl, Trevor, Diane and Ann) with questions!
Message and invitation from our Parent Group leaders:
Our Hudson Middle School Parent Group (HMSPG) is looking for volunteers to help during Registration Days, so please consider signing up for a shift! Come join the fun in welcoming parents and students to a new school year. Assist at the HMS Parent Group Information Table with the following tasks:
* distribute School Supply Kits to those who ordered
* invite parents to join our email list
* collect orders for Locker organization units from Locker Works
* highlight our NEW Hudson Spirit Wear (samples and ordering info will be available).
We hope to have 2 volunteers for each shift; however, we understand if you can only come for part of a shift. Additionally, let's try to cover the 6th grade registration day first (August 10th) as we want to fully assist all of the new students and parents.
NO experience or past HMSPG involvement is needed, just your fun and outgoing personality! We'll have all the information you need.
Questions: please contact Anne Wasmund via this link: Sign Up Genius
Thank you for your help!
Hudson Middle School Parent Group
Hudson Middle School Parent Group
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Dear Families in the Middle,
We're nearing approval of conceptual plans for the middle school addition! The addition will help us...
...create houses and advisories with fewer total students
...include students with special education needs in each house to strengthen our learning community
...provide a home-base classroom for teachers who have previously "traveled" from house to house
Have you marked your calendar with our HMS Registration Days?
Monday, August 8 - 8th grade
Tuesday, August 9 - 7th grade
Wednesday, August 10 - 6th grade
Please add to your calendar our first HMS American Red Cross Blood Drive! Thanks to the initiative of Gabe Wolf and his mother Teresa, we are hosting a blood drive Tuesday, August 9, 4 - 8 PM in our multi-purpose room. Here's a message from Gabe encouraging us to contribute. I've already signed up to give a pint at 6:45 PM.
We're nearing approval of conceptual plans for the middle school addition! The addition will help us...
...create houses and advisories with fewer total students
...include students with special education needs in each house to strengthen our learning community
...provide a home-base classroom for teachers who have previously "traveled" from house to house
Have you marked your calendar with our HMS Registration Days?
Monday, August 8 - 8th grade
Tuesday, August 9 - 7th grade
Wednesday, August 10 - 6th grade
Please add to your calendar our first HMS American Red Cross Blood Drive! Thanks to the initiative of Gabe Wolf and his mother Teresa, we are hosting a blood drive Tuesday, August 9, 4 - 8 PM in our multi-purpose room. Here's a message from Gabe encouraging us to contribute. I've already signed up to give a pint at 6:45 PM.
Hello all,
Hudson Middle School and the American Red Cross are hosting an upcoming blood drive.
Please join our lifesaving mission and schedule an appointment today!
Drive Details:
Site: Hudson Middle School
Address: 1300 Carmichael Rd., Hudson, WI, 54016
Room Name: Multi-Purpose Room
Date: Tue Aug 9, 2016
Time: 4:00: PM - 8:00: PM
Coordinator Name: Teresa Wolf
Coordinator Phone Number: 6129737349
Click here to make an appointment
Site: Hudson Middle School
Address: 1300 Carmichael Rd., Hudson, WI, 54016
Room Name: Multi-Purpose Room
Date: Tue Aug 9, 2016
Time: 4:00: PM - 8:00: PM
Coordinator Name: Teresa Wolf
Coordinator Phone Number: 6129737349
Click here to make an appointment
I'm Gabe Wolf, from Hudson, WI. I'm the blood drive coordinator for American Red Cross Blood Drive. I'm working towards my Eagle Scout Project. Please e-mail me and help donate on August 9, from4:00-8:00 P.M. Please call me at 715-441-7698, or send me an e-mail at william_wolf@ymail.com to confirm a time. Thank you.
The need for blood is constant and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.
Thank you for supporting the American Red Cross blood program!
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Dear Families in the Middle,
Such spectacular weather for our summer work and play! We'll keep this message brief so you can get back outdoors and enjoy the fresh air, warm sunshine and nature's bounty!
Our new district website is READY! Please check it out and offer feedback via e-mail or a comment on this blog post. www.hudsonraiders.org
We are hopeful this will be your one stop shop for registration details, communication and updates, and information from your child's advisor and teachers.
Please mark your calendar with our HMS REGISTRATION Days:
6th Grade - Wednesday, August 10 - 10:30 AM - 6 PM
7th Grade - Tuesday, August 9 - 10:30 AM - 6 PM
8th Grade - Monday, August 8 - 10:30 AM - 6 PM
Each family will be receiving registration information by e-mail during July. The e-mail will include registration links and information, including house and advisor assignments.
Our HMS Parent Group has also been planning for the coming year. Thanks to their suggestions, you will see positive changes in our Registration Day details!
We hope you and your family enjoy Hudson Booster Days, Fourth of July family gatherings and/or the middle month of summer with gusto!
Warmly,
Mrs. Ann Mitchell
Such spectacular weather for our summer work and play! We'll keep this message brief so you can get back outdoors and enjoy the fresh air, warm sunshine and nature's bounty!
Our new district website is READY! Please check it out and offer feedback via e-mail or a comment on this blog post. www.hudsonraiders.org
We are hopeful this will be your one stop shop for registration details, communication and updates, and information from your child's advisor and teachers.
Please mark your calendar with our HMS REGISTRATION Days:
6th Grade - Wednesday, August 10 - 10:30 AM - 6 PM
7th Grade - Tuesday, August 9 - 10:30 AM - 6 PM
8th Grade - Monday, August 8 - 10:30 AM - 6 PM
Each family will be receiving registration information by e-mail during July. The e-mail will include registration links and information, including house and advisor assignments.
Our HMS Parent Group has also been planning for the coming year. Thanks to their suggestions, you will see positive changes in our Registration Day details!
We hope you and your family enjoy Hudson Booster Days, Fourth of July family gatherings and/or the middle month of summer with gusto!
Warmly,
Mrs. Ann Mitchell
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