Dear Parents,
We are off to a great start here at Hickman Middle School! Lots of new shoes, hairdos, and school supplies seen all over the campus! Kids are smiling and I love not being the new person on campus anymore! Instead of kids saying, “Who are you?”, they now say, “Hey, Ms. Holdren. What’s up?”
Please read below to find out some important information and sign up in the middle school office to receive our emailed newsletter at the beginning of each month!
PARKING LOT
- Arrivals to School: Please pull forward as far as you can when dropping off your child. Watch for other students crossing in the parking lot. Do not stop in the red zone when dropping off your child. Dismissals from School:
- Please pull forward as far as you can when picking up your child. Since the parking lot is very congested during dismissal, we do understand that you may have to stop in the red zone for a bit to pick up your child. However, if you can, PLEASE pull forward while waiting for your child.
- Do NOT park and get out of your car in the stop-and-wait lanes. Limited parking is available on the other side of the business office. Drive slowly. Watch for darting children.
- Thanks so much for your cooperation!
IMPORTANT DATES FOR AUGUST
- Wednesday, 8/21 Minimum Day; dismissal at 12:45 p.m.
- Thursday, 8/22 HES, not HMS, Back-to-School Night 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Back-to-School Night.
- Monday, 8/26 Hickman Advisory Council Meeting @2:45 p.m.
- Wednesday, 8/28 Minimum Day; dismissal at 12:45 p.m.
- Friday, 8/30 HMS Rally 2:00-2:30 p.m.
OFFICE DISCIPLINE
When students are referred to the office for discipline, I will always sit down and talk with the students and/or students involved to get the kids’ sides of the story. A staff member will also inform me of why the student was referred to the office. Most often, the first referral to the office results in a warning and a phone call home to you (except when an offense is committed that is suspendable the first time). I always try to call parents to let them know I have spoken to their child in the office, even if no disciplinary consequence was assigned. However, if I just call a child to the office to talk to him or her about a situation he or she heard or witnessed, I usually do not call home. Grades four and five now have a progressive discipline policy in place (this should have been sent home on the first day of school). The progressive discipline policy cites examples of consequences that may be given for a particular infraction that leads to an office referral. Please remember, however, that most referrals to the office only result in a warning the first time.
CHILD CARE AND STUDENTS ON CAMPUS (outside of the school day hours)
Students, including staff members’ children, should not be wandering the campus before 7:30 a.m. Students who need to be on campus before 7:30 a.m. should go to Early Care.
When students are dismissed at 2:30 p.m. and not picked up by 3:00 p.m., they need to go to After Care. There is a minimal cost for both Early Care and After Care. Students can go to the library to do homework or research until 3:30, but the library is not a day care. Students who are not working on homework or research and who are being a disruptive distraction to others may lose the privilege to study in the library after school unless accompanied by an adult.
When students are dismissed at 12:45 p.m. and not picked up by 1:15 p.m., they need to go to After Care.
Students who stay after school to play a sport should be with the coach during the entire practice time. Siblings of students may not sit and watch the practice unless accompanied by a supervising adult.
NEW STAFF
I would like to introduce two new-to-Hickman teachers, Ms. Alison Loftin and Ms. Kaitlyn Sanchez. Ms. Loftin is our new resource specialist and Ms. Sanchez is our new middle school math teacher! Welcome!
Just one more note: I will be off campus on Thursday and Friday this week because I am taking my son to college in Phoenix, Arizona.
Please email or call me should you have any questions or concerns.
Have a great start to school!
Ms. Holdren
Principal
choldren@hickmanschools.org
209-874-1816
209-874-1816