November is a time when we traditionally count our blessings. I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for our students, staff, and families. This time of year always reminds me how fortunate we are to be part of a community that historically has cared about one another and has supported its kids, time and time again.

This month, our staff is focusing on student growth goals and academic vocabulary, continuing to align our instruction so that every student can access rigorous learning and express their thinking with confidence. We’re also reinforcing our district expectations — being respectful, responsible, and ready to learn — both in and out of the classroom.

As the holiday season approaches, I encourage everyone to take time to slow down, reflect, and celebrate the progress made so far. This is a great time to look back on the past year, and acknowledge that growth happens whether we are aware of it or not. Thank you for supporting your students, our teachers, and the work we all do together every day to better each other. We are stronger together — and I’m proud to serve in such a dedicated and compassionate community.

Thank you for your part in continuing to inspire our students to aim high, work hard, and believe in themselves. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns that we need to be aware of. Our office phone number is 360-538-8220.

A Reminder that on Tuesday, November 11, we have no school. We stop to take a pause to thank and honor the people who have served and protected this country for Veteran's Day. On Friday, November 7 HMS held an assembly to underscore the importance of veterans in our lives. Over 20 students volunteered to share their tribute to Veterans that they either wrote themselves or found and wanted to share. We asked each student in our school to acknowledge the veterans in their lives and take a moment to say thank you on November 11.

Our first Winter Sports Season began on October 20, with Wrestling and Girls Basketball turning out good numbers! Schedules for our JV teams are still under construction but the varsity schedules are built for 7th and 8th Grade Varsities in Girls Basketball as well as Wrestling. It will be the boy's turn to play hoops after winter break with their first day of practice being Monday, January 5.

For newcomers to Hoquiam Middle School, we use Final Forms to house our athletic paperwork, and all forms must be completed and the athlete cleared before the first day of practice for the student to participate.

If you are looking for Final Forms, you can find it at this web address:https://hoquiam-wa.finalforms.com/

Parents need to create an account. Here is where you can find directions for making an account: https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/sportshub2-uploads-prod/files/sites/2656/2020/12/14094353/Hoquiam-FinalForms_ParentPlaybook.pdf

You can find updated Fall Sports Schedules here, when they are created: https://www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=33572

Please understand that contests can change at any time. We face an age of limited number of bus drivers and referees, so changes are likely. We will work hard to keep you abreast of changes as we are made aware of them.

This last week was Counselor Talks in the classes.  We were talking about College and Career.  The 6th grade classes worked on their Bucket Lists and saw how hobbies can lead to careers.  The 7th and 8th grades worked on a new program for the High School & Beyond Plan program through the state of Washington.  The program is called Schoolinks.  We are one of the first school districts in the state testing it out.  The program is for 7-12 grade students.  Majority of the students enjoyed working on the program.  

Hope Squad

This past week has been Hope Week.  Students came up with a theme each day for the students to dress up.  We also had Boo Grams available at lunch on Tuesday.  Students will get their Boo Grams on Monday.  They have also been busy with decorating our door for a school door contest.

The students decided to do a BINGO Basket. Our basket's theme will be cozy.  I have asked students if they are going to participate to have items to me by the end of next week. 

Attendance

Attendance is a powerful signal and leading indicator of equity. It can signal when students might need additional support and it signals areas for system and school improvement.
#ShowingUpMatters #AttendTodayAchieveTomorrow

Reminder!! Parents/guardians have 48 hours to call and excuse your child.  Per the state, students should not have excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused.  Excessive tardies are also being looked at.  We want our students in class on time.  

We love seeing your child(ren) at school!  If they are absent, make sure you are calling the school to excuse them.  If they have a doctor's appointment, bring in a doctor's note to excuse.  If you are planning a vacation, contact the office to set this up in a timely manner.  Mrs. Strom is our attendance person, 360-538-8221 or hms. attendance@hoquiam.net.

HMS 8th Grade Girls Basketball

November

• 10...MILLER..6:30

• 12...@ Rochester...6:30

• 17...@ Oakland Bay...5:15

• 18...CENT. CHR....5:15
• 24...@ Tenino...6:30

December

• 02...@ Miller...6:30

• 04...ROCHESTER...6:30

• 08...OAK. BAY...5:15

• 10...@ Cen. Chr....5:15
• 15...TENINO...6:30

Home Games played at HMS Gym

HMS 7th Grade Girls Basketball

November

• 10...MILLER..5:15

• 12...@ Rochester...5:15

• 17...@ Oakland Bay...4:00

• 18...CENT. CHR....4:00

• 24...@ Tenino...5:30

December

• 02...@ Miller...6:30

• 04...ROCHESTER...6:30

• 08...OAK. BAY...5:15

• 10...@ Cen. Chr....5:15

• 15...TENINO...6:30

Home Games played at HMS Gym

HMS 7th Grade JV Girls BB

November

• 10...MILLER JV...4:00

• 12...@ Rochester JV...4:00

• 13...@ Miller JV2...5:00

• 17...MILLER JV3...5:00

• 20...@ Miller JV3...4:00

• 24...@ Tenino JV...4:00

December

• 02...@ Miller JV3...4:00

• 04...ROCHESTER JV..4:00
• 08...MILLER JV2..6:30
• 15...TENINO JV...4:00

Home Games played at HMS Gym

HMS Wrestling

November

• 13...@ Chehalis (WF West HS)...4:30

• 20...ROCHESTER...5:00

• 26..@ Monte Tourney..1:00

December

• 03...@ Chehalis MS..4:30

• 09...@ Tumwater MS...5:00

• 11...CHEHALIS...5:00
• 16...@ Centralia MS...5:00
• 18...MILLER...5:00

Here is an idea! We all have that book that we fell in love with in our early teens. Mine was The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. I was fortunate in raising two nerdlings such as I used to be before I became like...really really cool! So I was able to share this book with them, and do some really fun stuff around this book...and then the movies came out and that opened up a whole new universe of things. The bottom line...at one time most of us have had that experience with a book. I don't see kids interfacing with books like that as much as I used to. Well, November and the colder, darker months offers us a chance to create those experiences. Here are some thoughtful ways you as a parent can share that special book with your teen.

. Book & Movie Night Combo-Choose a book that has a movie version (e.g., The Hunger Games, Wonder, A Wrinkle in Time). Read a few chapters together, then watch the movie adaptation once you finish. Compare what was different or what the movie left out — kids love being the “expert” who spots differences.

“Pass the Book” Journal-The parent starts by writing a note on the inside cover: “Why this book matters to me…” The child reads a few chapters and writes short thoughts, drawings, or even memes in the margins. Go back and forth until it’s finished — the journal becomes a shared keepsake.

Book & Snack Pairing-Match snacks or small meals to scenes in the book. (Percy Jackson: blue food!Charlotte’s Web: farm-themed picnic. Harry Potter: butterbeer or chocolate frogs.) Food makes stories come alive and creates memories linked to the story.

Connect It to Their World-Show how your favorite book connects to something your child loves: If it’s about adventure → link it to video games. If it’s about friendship or identity → connect it to middle school life. If it’s fantasy or sci-fi → tie it to their favorite movies or comics.

“Legacy Library” Shelf-Create a small “Family Favorites” shelf at home — one book from each parent, child, or grandparent. When you share your favorite, your child can choose one of theirs next. It turns reading into a family tradition rather than a one-time thing.

Admittedly some of these are sort of corny. Are today's connected teens going to want to give up screen time for these? I don't know, and it may be one of those things that, like taking your medicine, you have them do for their own benefit. You may have to bribe them, frankly. BUT...you get to revisit a favorite book, and share it with your child, so that's a little like travelling back to a simpler time, even for the seconds you have to tell them, and they give you the "eye roll."

School Contact Information

Main Office/Ms. Glasgow 360-538-8220

Attendance Line 360-538-8221

Attendance Email: hms.attendance@hoquiam.net

Principal/Mr. Cook 360-538-8225

Dean of Students/Ms. Ounsted 360-538-8220 xt 1236

Counseling Center/Ms. Andrews 360-538-8224

Athletic Director/Shane Krohn 360-538-8213

There are basically two fees that students have at HMS. The first is our ASB card, which is $20. This is required if your student is participating in athletics and activities. ASB cards also get students into home high school events, and discounts on away high school events. Generally if your student will be attending these events, the card pays for itself many times over. These can be purchased in the main office at HMS.

The second fee is for the PE uniform. The uniform consists of an orange PE shirt and black shorts. The shirt is required and costs $9. If your student has a pair of black shorts or athletic tights, then they can use those in lieu of the school shorts, which are also $9.

If fees are a financial difficulty for your family, they are not meant to be an obstacle for your child's participation. Please speak to Ms. Glasgow in the HMS office if this is the case.