Weekly Newsletter- Week of March 2nd

Upcoming Dates for HMS Families- Mark Your Calendars!

• 3/16 5th graders Tour
• 3/17 5th Graders Tour
• 3/19 Choir Festival 
• 3/20 Vocal Dimensions Assembly- 7:40-8:15
• April 15th 8th graders will take the past. It is very important they are in attendance that day. 6th and 7th graders- no school that day.

Phones and Headphones: 

Just a reminder that phones are not permitted from 7:30-2:42.  If the phone is seen out or goes off, it will be placed in the front office for parent pick up. We do have a cell phone safe in the front office if students would like their phones stored throughout the day. Headphones can be used in class, when a teacher permits them. If out in the halls or when not permitted, they are subject to being stored in the front office for parent pick up. 

Attendance
February was a hard month for illness at HMS. Luckily, we are increasing our attendance rate daily, with less students out with illness. For this school year as a whole, we are at an attendance rate as a school was 92.42%.  By grade level, 6th grade has the highest attendance rate with 93.4%, 7th with 92%, and then 8th with 91%.  To ensure we end the year strong, keep the following info in mind about attendance and please reach out if you need help or support.  

According to Attendance Works:
Absences can be a sign that a teen is losing interest, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other difficulty. 

• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school. 
• Missing 10% (just 2 days each month) can drastically affect a student’s academic success.  (we have had 112 days of school so 10% is 11.2 days absent)
• Attendance is an important life skill that will help your teen keep a job and graduate from college.

Attention 8th grade Parents-

The HHS and HMS counselors have met with all students to develop a schedule for high school.  We have encouraged students to talk to parents/guardians about the courses they selected.  Please make a plan to review these selections with your child.  Adjustments may be made until the end of the school day on March 20.  After March 20, the ability to make a change will be very difficult so please plan accordingly.  For more information, links to forms, and directions on how to access the schedule with your student, please see our news story (link below). https://www.hollandpublicschools.org/pub/news/posts/3455

From the Nurses Desk: 

Reminder//Illness/Sickness Policy: When To Keep Your Child Home

• A fever of 100 degrees or higher:  Your child must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine before returning to school.

• Vomiting and/or diarrhea:  Your child must be free of vomiting/diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.

• A child that seems ill: If your child seems unusually tired, pale, difficult to wake, has a headache or body aches, is confused or irritable, and/or lacks a normal appetite, please keep him/her home. Your child must be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.

• Covid diagnosis is treated as above - 24 hour fever free and feeling better and they can return to school.