Waggoner's Word - October 23, 2015

October 23, 2015

Dear Parents,

Calendar of Events for the Week of October 26^th – 30^th:

Monday, October 26^th: 7^th Grade Football vs. Deerpark @ McNeil HS 5:30PM

Tuesday, October 27^th: 8^th Grade Football vs. Deerpark @ Dragon Stadium 5:30PM

Wednesday, October 28^th: Early Release 1:30PM

Wednesday, October 28^th: Fall Band Concert 7-8:30PM

Thursday, October 29^th: Volley Ball - 7^th @ Hopewell/8^th grade @ Chisholm Trail MS 5:30PM

Friday, October 30^th: Kona Ice after school (students need to bring $$!)

Friday, October 30th  7^th and 8^th grade Halloween dance 7:00PM to 8:30PM in the cafeteria and lower commons

Saturday: October 31^st: District Band Auditions All day

RED RIBBON WEEK ALL NEXT WEEK

Red Ribbon Week is a symbolic gesture for our students to show support for our school-wide effort to say no to drugs.  We don’t actually give the students a red ribbon anymore but rather let them express themselves and agreement to say no to drugs through various dress up days.  So if your child wants to wear clothes to school that are a bit out of the norm you’ll know why!! Below are the dress up day themes for all our terrific students:

Monday: Turn your back on drugs-wear your clothes backwards

Tuesday: Wear your crazy, fun socks

Wednesday: WEAR RED DAY!

Thursday: Twin day-get with a friend and dress alike

Friday: College shirt day

NOVEMBER IS MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH

We are encouraging our students to bring a picture of a family member (parent, grandparent, aunt/uncle, sibling) in uniform representing the branch of their service.  Make sure that you put your child’s name and Advisory teacher’s name on the back of the picture as you will be getting these back prior to Winter Break.  We are going to display these pictures in one of the upper commons display cases throughout the month of November and December.  Please have your child bring in their pictures to Mr. Kuharski’s room upstairs in the 7^th grade hall in room #563.  Pictures should be no larger than 5” X 7” so we can get as many pictures on the military display board in the display case.  Your child may begin bringing in the pictures beginning Monday, October 26^th. 

VETERAN’S DAY ASSEMBLY NOVEMBER 11^th – ALL ARE INVITED – MARK YOUR CALENDAR

You all are invited along with any family members that are Veterans of our US military from any past war to our 2nd Annual Veteran’s Day Assembly on Veteran’s Day, November 11th from 8:39 AM-9:15 AM in our gym.  We would be absolutely honored to have you and any Vets there.  Our wonderful Student Council will be hosting the event and we will have a Vet that will be our guest speaker.  More information regarding the program will be coming to you soon in a future newsletter. 

REMINDER: EARLY RELEASE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28^TH @ 1:30 PM

Hopewell teachers will be engaged in Professional Learning activities throughout the afternoon.

PTA NEWS

BOXTOPS CONTEST 

We STILL need your help HORNETS to raise money for HOPEWELL !   The BOXTOPS contest is underway and still in the lead is Ms. Alvarez Grade 6 class with 302 box tops & Ms. Hinds Grade 7 class with 280 box tops and we FINALLY have an 8th grade participant - Quigg with 100.   We still need MORE box tops so we are offering a "FREE" water bottle to the first 20 kids who turn in 50 or more non expired box tops.  RIGHT NOW Sam’s club is offering 100 BONUS box tops for every 3 box tops products purchased.  Just turn in your SAMS receipt.  Check out the PTA Facebook page or Waggoner’s word for more information about SAMS CLUB.  Don't FORGET to go to BTFE.com and sign up to EARN 5 box tops and enter the 3 different SWEEPSTAKES to win MORE box tops.  Enter daily - it's FREE !!!!!! 

 SPOOKY HALLOWEEN DANCE DETAILS

Put together a great costume (no weapons or masks) and come to the Halloween Dance on Friday, October 30th from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Hopewell cafeteria and lower commons.  Tickets can be purchased at lunch on Thursday, October 29th or Friday, October 30th or at the door for $5.00 a person.  There will be lots of fun things to do including a photo booth complete with photo props, an amazing DJ spinning some monster tunes, and yummy food to buy, all in a spooky black light environment!  Bring your friends and come out...if you’re not too scared!
 

KONA ICE IS COMING TO HMS!

Kona Ice will be visiting Hopewell Middle School on Friday, October 30th right after school.  All students are able to purchase a Kona ICE prior to leaving school so don't forget to bring your money and treat yourself.  All funds raised will go back to Hopewell via the PTA.

SPIRIT WEAR HOODIES ARE HERE!

Hopewell Hornet Hoodies are now available!!  They are $25.00-Get yours before they are sold out!  Please complete the attached order form and return the form and payment to your students advisory teacher.  The PTA will fulfill your order quickly!  We also have Spirit Wear shirts available in the school Front Office.  Ms. Rivera has a supply to sell on behalf of the PTA.  Stop by and see her during school hours for all your Spirit Wear needs.  Hoodie Order Form 15 (1).docx

MISSING SOMETHING?

Please have your student check the Lost and Found to claim any missing items during the next two weeks. We will be donating items not claimed to the District Clothes Closet.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Stay dry!

Karl

Waggoner's Word - October 9, 2015

October 9, 2015

Dear Parents,

Calendar of Events for the Week of October 12^th – 16^th:

Monday, October 12^th: Teacher In-Service Day/Student Holiday

Tuesday, October 13^th: 7^th Grade Football @ CD Fulkes 5:30PM

Wednesday, October 14^th: 8^th graders take PSAT test in the morning

Wednesday, October 14^th: 8^th Grade Football vs. CD Fulkes @ Dragon Stadium 5:30PM

Wednesday, October 14th: District Cross Country Meet @ Stony Point HS 4:30PM

Thursday, October 15th: Cross Country End of Season Team Breakfast 7:00AM

Thursday, October 15^th: 7^th & 8^th Grade Vball vs. Hernandez/7^th Home, 8^th away 5:30PM

Follow Karl Waggoner on Twitter@KarlWaggoner

HOPEWELL DESTINATION IMAGINATION INFORMATION FOR OUR STUDENTS:

• IF YOUR CHILD IS CREATIVE... is crazy about puzzles, loves to paint and draw, can build anything out of cardboard boxes, writes amazing stories, thinks up whimsical new worlds, has a flair for drama and acting, is totally into science, or has rewired your toaster into a working time machine (or wants to), then you may have a Destination Imagination child.
• We are looking for students to form Destination Imagination teams to represent Hopewell Middle School.
• Our 1st meeting for Destination Imagination will be Thursday, October 15 from 3:30-4:30 in Mrs. Byrd's classroom (room 447). We will meet weekly on Thursdays from 3:30-4:30. Teams may decide to meet at additional times to work on their project.
• Students must be able to commit to attending the tournament on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Vista Ridge High School or Henry Middle School in Leander ISD. This is an all-day event. Qualifying teams may advance to the state competition in Anna, Texas (north of Dallas) the weekend of April 1-2, 2016.
• We are also looking for adult volunteers to be team managers (1-2 adults for each team of 5-7 students).
• Email Heather Byrd for more information: heather_byrd@roundrockisd.org

6^th Grade WEB Movie Lock In Friday, November 13^th from 7-10PM!

Parents, your 6^th graders will be getting information soon  regarding a Movie Lock In sponsored by our WEB leaders and teacher sponsors.  What a great time this will be for our 6^th graders to hang out together, watch a cool movie, play hide and seek throughout the school with the WEB leaders and connect in a positive way to their school.  Please mark your calendars for this event! More information will be coming your way.  We plan on the ad blitz to our 6^th graders in the next week or so-you have the scoop before they do!

REMINDER: NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 12^th DUE TO STAFF IN-SERVICE / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.  School resumes as usual on Tuesday, October 13^th.

WILLIAMSON COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER NEEDS OUR HELP!

Williamson County Animal Shelter is in desperate need of cat and dog food, blankets and toys for their furry residents.  If you or your Hopewell Hornet would like to donate to this great cause, the Library will be taking donations until October 23^rd.  You may also drop donations off at our Pet Clinic being held at Hopewell on October 19^th, from 5PM to 7PM.  More information on that event will be coming your way soon.   Thanks for your support!
 

ALL 8^th GRADERS TAKING THE PSAT ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14^TH IN THE MORNING:

On Wednesday, October 14^th, ALL 8^th graders in RRISD will be taking the 8^th grade version of the PSAT.  The PSAT establishes a baseline measurement of your child’s college and career readiness as he or she enters high school.  It also provides your child a chance to preview the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) along with other PSAT readiness tests they will be taking in high school.  Your child cannot actually prepare or study for this PSAT and these tests are not for a grade nor will affect any class average.  Please make sure that your child comes to school having a good breakfast and plenty of rest the night before.  If you would like more information on the PSAT 8/9 test, please visit the College Board website at: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-8-9

PLEASE JOIN HOPEWELL PTA! Only $8.00-Info on our Hopewell Website under parent link:

STUDENT REFLECTIONS PROJECT SPONSORED BY RRISD PTA:

The Reflections program recognizes students at the local, council region, State and National PTA levels. At each level, all entries are judged on interpretation of the theme listed below, creativity and artistic merit.  The Reflections program is open to all Hopewell MS students.  Students may enter any or all of the six art categories listed below.  Multiple entries within a single arts category are permitted.  Each entry must be the original work of one student and created specifically for the Reflections program based on the national theme.  Each entry must also conform to the guidelines developed by the National PTA. The Six Categories are:

1. Visual Arts: Accepted forms of visual art include: original print, drawing, painting, collage metal etching or punch work, fiber work or computer-generated artwork.
2. Literature: Authors submit single literary work, handwritten or typed on the computer and printed out, use age appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling.
3. Photography: is the process of creating an image.  The photographer student who is submitting the entry must capture their own thoughts and ideas with a camera.
4. Musical Composition: The student composer may submit an entry performed by an individual or group and/or make use of sound library generated performance of a composed score. Student composers are not required to perform their composition.
5. Film Production: The producer student submitting the entry is not required to appear in the film but if the student chooses to, a camera tripod may be used.  All screenwriting, directing, camera/filming and editing must be done by the student producer.
6. Dance Choreography: The choreographer student submitting the entry may be the performer or one of the performers, but the choreographer does not have to perform in the entry.
   The Reflections competition runs from October 5^th-November 6^th.  Entries can be placed in the Competition Box in the Library.  NBentries cannot be larger than the Competition Box, check the rules at: www.txpta.org or email Trinity on trinity@georgeson.net or Jenny on unicornsrock38@gmail.com
   Posters will be placed in Hopewell hallways with information for our students.  Thanks for your support and please encourage your Hopewell Hornet to participate in the great Reflections PTA event!
   Finally, our incredible Superintendent of Schools Dr. Flores and the amazing RRISD Board of Trustees are calling on Round Rock ISD to be a DESTINATION school district; a school district where people from all over our great country will want to settle in Round Rock because of the great schools.  Listed below are the critical attributes of our 2015-2016 Campus Goals.  We are working hard at Hopewell to ensure that your children are safe, are challenged instructionally, and are provided a relevant education and where 21^stCentury Skills are taught preparing them for high school, college and beyond.   After our RRISD
   
   

Blast Off with BOXTOPS CONTESTS are IN FULL SWING ........ hope your kids are excited and turning them in!!!  It will be fun for your child's advisory class to win a pizza party!  Parents or kids please check out the BTFE.COM website. There are 2 awesome BOXTOPS SWEEPSTAKES right now.  ENTER DAILY to HELP our kids schools WIN even MORE BOXTOPS !!!!!!!!!   Both sweepstakes end Oct 31st.  Please sign up if you haven't & earn 5 extra BOXTOPS & select your kiddo's school.  I put TVE under my husband & HW under me.  Thinking WIN WIN - we can support BOTH schools.

https://www.boxtops4education.com/bonus-box-tops/sweepstakes/2015/monster-cereal

ENTER DAILY - 1 SCHOOL will WIN 10,000 BOXTOPS and ........ 10 SCHOOLS will WIN 1,000 BOXTOPS

https://www.boxtops4education.com/bonus-box-tops/sweepstakes/2015/betty-crocker-potatoes

ENTER DAILY - 5 SCHOOLS will "WIN" 2,000 BOXTOPS

Spirit Wear! 

Need Spirit Wear to show support for your student at an upcoming event?  A representative in the school Front Office has a supply to sell on behalf of the PTA.  Stop by during school hours for all your Spirit Wear needs. 
In time for the colder weather which will come, Hopewell hoodies have been ordered!  We will send home an order form and have them for you once payment is received.

Board of Trustees approves all the Campus Improvement Plans I will include ours in my next Waggoner’s Word and will put up on our school website for your review.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Enjoy the great weather!

Karl

Waggoner's Word - October 2, 2015

October 2^nd, 2015

Dear Parents,

Calendar of Events for the Week of October 5th – 9^th

Tuesday, October 6^th: 7^th Grade Football vs. Grisham @ Dragon Stadium 5:30PM

Wednesday, October 7^th: 8^th Grade Football vs. Grisham @ Dragon Stadium 5:30PM

Thursday, October 8^th: 7^th & 8^th Volleyball vs. C.D. Fulkes 5:30PM.  7^th Away/8^th Home

Friday and Saturday, October 9^th and 10^th: Region Orchestra Auditions @ Lake Travis

Monday, October 12^th: Staff In-Service day-Student Holiday

HOPEWELL CROSS COUNTRY UPCOMING MEETS

Oct 3 Cross Country Meet at Old Settler's Park 7:30 am

Oct. 7 Cross Country Meet at cedar Valley 4:30

Hernandez vs. Hopewell October 19^th and 20th 7^th and 8^th grade football site and time change:

I wanted to give the parents a head’s up that we will be playing our rival Hernandez MS at Stony Point High School this year to promote our Stony Point Vertical Team approach for all our Stony Point feeder schools. We are trying to both promote and coordinate events throughout the school year as a Stony Point Vertical Team.  Both Hernandez and Hopewell both feed into Stony Point so it would be a natural event to play the games at the high school where students from both these great middle schools will end up together.  Both athletes will eventually be Stony Point Tigers and settling the rivalry on that field will be memorable for our students and parents.  The B games both nights will start at 6:00 PM instead of 5:30 PM to allow the 9^th and JV teams to complete their practice.  Our coaches will be getting you additional information regarding these games and will be posted on our school website.  Exciting times for our students!!

ONE MORE STONY POINT VERTICAL TEAM EVENT

Mr. Jerry Cordova-Hopewell Director of Choirs, would like to invite you all to their Fall 7^th and 8^th grade Choir Concert at 7 PM on Monday, October 5^th in the Stony Point HS Cafeteria. In line with our Stony Point Vertical Team approach, our Hopewell Choir will be performing with the Hernandez MS and Stony Point HS choirs! This is another wonderful opportunity for our kids to perform at their future High School and take in the experience.  One they will not forget I’m sure.  Additionally, our 6^th Grade choir will be performing with the 6^th grade Hernandez MS choir at Stony Point in the cafeteria on Thursday, November 5^th.  More info on that event will be coming your way in the next couple of weeks. 

SCHOLASTIC SCOPE MAGAZINE FOR Two 6^th GRADE TEACHERS

Both Mrs. Byrd’s and Mrs. Alvarez’s 6^th grade Language Arts classes will be subscribing to this informative and relevant magazine.  Mrs. Holland’s class will be using alternate materials to attain the same learning for her students. They will be using it weekly to have students read current events, discuss interesting topics, and write follow up reflections on these articles.  I wanted to give you 6^th grade parents a head’s up that we will be asking for some help to defray the cost of this magazine for the students.  The cost will be $8 per Byrd/Alvarez student. More info will be coming home with your child regarding this feel.  Thanks!

PTA INFORMATION: PLEASE READ!!

Volunteers Needed 

Hello Hornet Parents, We need your help with concessions at the volleyball games.  Even if your child isn't playing, bring them out to support their school while you are volunteering.  You will both have a great time! Please click on the link to take a look at the available slots. 

Volleyball Concessions Sign-up

Clip and Turn In BOX TOPS, Earn $$$ for HMS! 

The “BLAST OFF with BOXTOPS”  Contest begins OCT 5th & ends OCT 30th.  Let’s see which ADVISORY CLASS per GRADE LEVEL can “ROCK – IT” with the MOST BOXTOPS  !!!!!!

SEND in your BOXTOPS starting Oct 5th.…. Put ADVISORY TEACHERS NAME  & the # OF BOXTOPS on a PAPER INSIDE a snack BAGGIE.  BOXTOPS are picked up every FRIDAY atNOON.  The CONTEST WALL in the CAFETERIA will be updated every MONDAY to SEE who’s leading the ROCKET in each GRADE LEVEL.

“WINNERS” for EACH GRADE LEVEL to be announced 1st week in NOV & will WIN a PIZZA PARTY that is OUT of THIS WORLD !  Questions – email DRangel01@hotmail.com

CHECK OUT the BOXTOPS website (BTFE.COM ) to earn 5 BOXTOPS when you sign up and then ENTER any and ALL the sweepstakes to HELP us WIN 1,000’s of BONUS BOXTOPS.  It’s FREE and you can ENTER DAILY !!!!!!!  So please go to BTFE.COMand sign up today.  OUR SCHOOL ID is 586175          

http://www.boxtops4education.com/

Still Need HMS Spirit Wear? 

Want to show support for your student at  an upcoming event? Ms. Riveria in the school Front Office has a supply of HMS t-shirts to sell on behalf of the PTA.  Stop by and see her during school hours for your Spiritwear needs.

FROM THE RRISD REGARDING THE NEW ABSENCE POLICY and LETTER ATTACHED TO THIS NEWSLETTER

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:

Round Rock ISD is dedicated to academic achievement and success for all students. Regular school attendance is a critical part of that success; therefore, attendance is essential for a student to make the most of his or her education. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of content; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences.

This past summer House Bill (HB) 2398 of the 84^th legislative session was enacted changing the truancy laws in the State of Texas. This piece of legislation, effective September 1, 2015, addresses a school district’s responsibility to address student truant conduct, including additional requirements for implementation of truancy prevention measures, and referral of a student to truancy court. Heading into the 2015-2016 school year, school attendance officers, principals, school resource officers, assistant principals, and other pertinent school officials will be working collaboratively to ensure all parents/guardians understand the truancy law as described in HB 2398.

Section 25.085 of the Texas Education Code (TEC) states a child who is required to attend school under this section shall attend school each school day for the entire period the program of instruction is provided, unless exempted by law.  Individuals who begin the school year between the ages of 6 and 18, or those individuals who voluntarily enroll in a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten program, or after their eighteenth birthday, must be in attendance the entire time school is offered. Truant conduct is defined in section 65.003 of the Texas Family Code to be failure to attend school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year.

In Round Rock ISD the only excused absences are personal illness, death in the immediate family (parent, sibling, grandparent or a member of the immediate household), or school-related absence.  A student absent from school for any other reason will be assigned an unexcused absence.

If a student receives three unexcused absences, parents/guardians will be contacted by a campus administrator and a warning letter will be sent home. It will be necessary that the parent/guardian contact the school to discuss the attendance issue with the campus administrator.  If the unexcused absences continue, and a student misses 10 or more days in a six month period during the same school year, without a valid excuse, the student is truant. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to take the necessary measures to make certain that the student is attending school regularly or the student will be referred to a truancy court.

Parents are also responsible for notifying the school the day of any absence.  If the parent/guardian does not contact the school, they are responsible for making sure that an excuse for the absence is submitted, in writing, to the student’s attendance office.  This must be done the day the student returns to school from the absence.  This will ensure that an absence does not remain as unexcused.  Also, a student must have a legitimate excuse for arriving late or leaving early from school.  The school attendance office must be notified, in writing, with a valid reason for the tardy or early dismissal.  If a student becomes truant, the parent/guardian will be notified about the attendance issue and will be required to attend future meetings regarding the student’s truant behavior.  It is also the parent/guardian’s responsibility to contact the school immediately if there has been an error in your child’s attendance. 

Round Rock ISD attendance procedures are addressed in the student-parent handbooks. Please carefully read p.p. 40-48 (secondary) and p.p. 16-20 (elementary) regarding attendance. If you have attendance concerns, please contact the school as soon as possible. We also would like to work with you to help ensure that your child can make up for what he or she missed in class. This will prevent your student from having unexcused absences that may hinder his or her progress in school.

If you have any questions regarding attendance, please contact your child’s school.   Round Rock ISD wants every student in this district to be successful…Best wishes on a very successful school year! 

2015 – 2016 Hopewell School Dance Schedule

·         7^th and 8^th grades only Halloween costume dance Friday, October 30^th 6:30-8:00 PM sponsored by the Hopewell MS PTA. 

·         6^th Grade Game Night: Friday, November 13^th from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM sponsored by WEB

·         6^th-8^th Grade Valentines Dance Friday, February 12^th.  6^th grade from 6:00-7:30 & 7^th and 8^th grades from 7:30-9:00 PM sponsored by Student Council

·         6^th-8^th Grade Spring Fling Dance Friday, April 1^st .  6^th grade from 6:00-7:30 PM & 7^th and 8^th grades from 7:30-9:00 PM sponsored by PTA

·         6^th and 7^th Grade Dance Friday, May 13^th from 6:30 PM-8:00 PM sponsored by WEB

·         8^th Grade Formal Dance on Saturday, May 21^st from 7:00-9:30 PM sponsored by Student Council

Admission to all dances will be $5.00 and all students must display their Hopewell MS ID in order to be admitted.  Hopewell MS dances are for current Hopewell students only. Students from other schools or family visitors will not be admitted.  All dances, dates, times will be posted on the school website.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Karl