November 2017
November is the month that Heights Middle School promotes the IB attribute of being Reflective, and just as we ask our students to reflect we also do so as a staff. We have been working diligently to continue to develop a unified middle school program that includes efforts to create common traditions for the Monticello and Roxboro staff and students as part of this initiative. Just prior to the start of the month, all students and staff were able to celebrate Halloween by coming to school dressed in their best costumes. The 8th grade class took their annual trip to Washington DC and had an opportunity to take in some of the most important sites our nation has to offer. We had 376 students qualify to attend the first quarter Honor and Merit Roll Breakfast celebration. We have also provided our students with numerous opportunities to visit colleges such as Kenyon College, John Carroll University, Notre Dame College, and Youngstown State University. We would like to thank all of the parents who were able to attend Parent Teacher Conference Night and want to remind all of our families that you can schedule meetings with teachers throughout the school year by contacting your child’s counselor.
All District schools have been charged with developing building plans that addresses academics, assessment and climate. Teachers continue to work hard to develop common instruction and assessment plans that serve students in both middle school’s classrooms. We have also been collectively working to develop a positive climate in the building through revising our initial plans as we work to understand the needs of our student population in our new setting. The teachers have identified areas to focus on such as improving hallway transitions, using respectful language in school and responding positively to staff directives. We are starting counseling groups for students who need academic and emotional supports, parent meetings have been held with students who need targeted support plans, and the administrative team will review school expectations this week with grade level groups as a means of reinforcing correct behavior in school. We have modified our lunch plan to lessen the number of students transitioning into the lunch periods by providing fun and informative lessons to 6th and 7th grade students on a rotating schedule based on the content class they attend prior to lunch. The first PBIS breakfast was held prior to the Thanksgiving break to recognize students who are getting to school on time and we are administering school level consequences to students who fail to get to their classes on time. Additionally, our staff has initiated a Game Club on Tuesdays from 3:00pm to 4:00pm. Students are invited to join our staff and participate in fun tabletop games with their friends and staff. All of these efforts are intended to recognize our students who meet our expectations daily and provide supports to the students who need assistance so we can ensure all of our children are receiving a quality education. We welcome a partnership with our parents and community members to support these efforts to ensure Heights Middle School is a safe, respectful and responsible learning environment.
Please mark your calendar for the following upcoming events as we hope to see you in the schoolhouse for all of the wonderful activities we will host in December.
On December 1st the PTA will be hosting a family game night where pizza will be provided by Dewey’s. Families are encouraged to bring side dishes and board games to play. The event will start at 6:00 and end at 8:00.
The HMS PTA will have their executive meeting on December 4th in the media center.
The annual Spelling Bee will be on December 5th starting at 7:00 pm.
The 5th grade Sneak Peek will be on December 6th.
All community 5th grade students and their families are invited to learn about the middle school program from 6:30-8:00.
The Choir concert will be December 12th, the Orchestra concert will be December 13th, and the Band concert will be December 19th.
The HMS staff thanks our families for letting us work with your children and encourage you to contact us if you need any assistance or information about the middle school program.