Dr. Kim’s Message, 2/23

Hoover is a “No Place for Hate” School

Principal’s Message

Dear Hoover Families,

Happy Lunar New Year! In February, we celebrate National Black History Month. Our students will be engaging in a variety of instructional activities throughout the month to learn about and honor the many contributions of Black Americans. In addition, February 1 was our Hoover Around the World Expo sponsored by our World Languages Department and the PTA. We were excited to have such a great turnout to celebrate our diversity.

There is a lot going on this month at Hoover. February 6-11 is National School Counseling Week. We want to share our thanks and appreciation for all the work that our counselors do everyday to support our students.

Please join us as each department begins their showcase events. February 13 will be a National History Day Social Studies Showcase. Our social studies students will be sharing their projects related to the theme Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas.

We can’t believe February is here and how quickly this school year is flying by! First semester is over, and we have started the third quarter! For many students, they will be exploring new quarterly or semester electives. It is an exciting opportunity to learn about something new and figure out what their interests are.

February 9 is our Valentine’s Social. Students are invited to join in the fun. There will be music, food, crafts and more. Please purchase tickets in advance on our website. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I want to share my appreciation to the entire Hoover community for your hard work, dedication and care you have shown to our students and teachers.

Sincerely,

Dr. Yong-Mi Kim

Breaking News: Virtual Instruction “Snow Days”

The Board of Education has approved a plan to allow for virtual instruction on snow days when advance notice is given (notification to families and staff by noon the day prior). On “code purple” days, students will participate in a 2 hour delay schedule of synchronous virtual instruction. The schedule and zoom links for classes will be posted on the Hoover MS Tile on MyMCPS Classroom. In preparation for the possibility, we want to ensure every student has access to a device at home.

• If you are in need of an MCPS student chromebook at home, please follow the instructions in the Chromebook Form below
• Chromebook Form to Distribute to Families
• Families that need internet access (a mifi device) should notify their counselor who will then fill out a mifi request form for consideration.

Thank You!

This Month, we would like to thank:

• Parents for chaperoning on the Forensics Field Trip to the National Spy Museum.
• PTA/Families for their support with the Hoover Around the World Night. We had 51 families who represented their countries and brought this event to life. Thank you to the PTA who gave their time to help set up, secure sponsors, and even purchased items from our Amazon Wishlist for our the event. Thank you!
• World Languages and Social Studies Teachers for working so hard to create department showcase nights!

Our Administrative Team

Dr. Kim

Ms. Kollo

Ms. Chin

Ms. Carlstrom

Principal

6th Grade Administrator

7th Grade Administrator

8th Grade Administrator

Hoover Happenings

February 2023

Counseling Appreciation Week

Counseling Appreciation Week

Counseling Appreciation Week

Counseling Appreciation Week

Counseling Appreciation Week

February is Black History Month!

Connect Time lessons this month will focus on Black History!

Resources for Black History Month

Learning about Black History Month

Click here to learn how the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.

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Smithsonian National Museum of African American History

Click here to visit and learn more about the National Museum of African American History. Its mission is Empowering people to create a just and compassionate future by exploring, preserving, and sharing the complexity of our past.

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Student News

Sponsored by SGA!

• Tickets are on sale for the Valentine’s Day Social February 1-3rd!
• 6 Delegates will attend the SMOB Nominating Convention on February 15th to take part in the democratic process of electing our next Student Member of the Board of Education!

Buy Your 2022-23 Yearbook Today

Order Your Hoover Yearbook Today!

GRAB A YEARBOOK DISCOUNT BEFORE THEY ARE GONE!

The price of our yearbook is $60, but you can possibly snag yours at a lower price if you order now. We are offering a limited number of yearbooks at a discounted price if you take advantage of promo codes on Jostens.com while supplies last. The promotional pricing is only available for books sold online. The current promo code and available copies are displayed on Jostens.com. As of today we have 157 $5 off promo codes remaining. Once those codes have been used there will not be additional codes available so order today to take advantage of the savings! Once the code disappears from our website, the offer is over and no additional promo codes will be issued.

Order at Jostens.com or CLICK HERE TO ORDER. Payment plan options available at checkout.

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Hoover After School Clubs and Activities

This year at HHMS, we are offering a variety of after school experiences for our students. Most activities take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 3:10-4:15. We have after-school activity buses running each day at 4:30 to take students home. Details regarding specific clubs and activities, and registration for 2022-2023, are available on the HHMS website. Just click on the Extracurriculars icon.

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Extracurricular Activities Coordinator: Ms.Barbara Carlstrom

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HHMS EXTRA-CURRICULAR CLUBS and ACTIVITIES

WINTER 2022-2023

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• Korean Club
• Math Team and Mathcounts
• Minority Scholars Program
• Model UN
• No Place for Hate
• Old School Gaming-Literally
• Rainbow Chargers
• Science Bowl
• Science Olympiad
• SGA
• Trout Patrol
• Yearbook Staff

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• Art Club
• Book Wars
• Chess/Board Games Club
• Churchill Tutoring
• Citizen Scientist
• Community Outreach Club
• Hoover Morning Announcements
• Herbert Hoover Theatre
• Homework Club
• Hoover Ambassadors
• Hoover Minds Matter
• Jazz Band

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These clubs/organizations are inclusive of all students regardless of race, ethnicity, sex or gender identity.

HHMS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

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HHMS Intramurals Program (GR 6-8)

The middle school intramural program is an extension of the physical education instructional program. It is conducted before and/or after school among students at Hoover school. It is open to all students.

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Currently, students are engaged in Basketball before school with Mr. Skellchock and Mr. Jung. After school Cheer with Ms. Kenny begins next week on Tuesday, February 7, at 3:10pm. Check the Hoover website for updates and more information.

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Intramurals Coordinator: Ms. Lauren Zucconi

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BC

MS Athletics Program (GR 7-8)

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The middle school interscholastic athletics program is available for students in seventh and eighth grade and consists of three sport seasons:

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• Spring: March 7 - May 11
• Tryouts start on March 7 at 3 PM (meet in gym)

GAME SCHEDULE

• All games for all seasons can be found here: Middle School Athletics Schedule.

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Athletics Coordinator: Ms. Laura Hamilton

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HHMS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

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Middle School Athletics Registration for Spring

Registration for middle school athletics will be conducted through the ParentVUE Portal. Spring registration opens January 30, at 12:00 noon. The ParentVUE online registration portal, available in English and Spanish, incorporates all required paper forms and documents into an internet-based platform that can be accessed using a secure ParentVUE Portal login. Parents/guardians are also able to scan and upload their student's physical, as part of the registration process.

Participation Requirements

Students should complete their pre-participation physical (MCPS Form SR-8) so that the medical eligibility form (the last page) is ready for online submission via the ParentVue Portal or for email submission to the local school athletic coordinator , prior to tryouts/practices. This form is valid for two years from the date of the exam and covers participation for all sports within that time period. This form must be completed and/or on file before a student-athlete can participate.

Please check out the Hoover Website and the MCPS Middle School Athletics page for more information.

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HHMS WINTER 2023 ATHLETIC SCHEDULE

GIRLS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

BOYS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE

Herbert hoover Theatre

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May 5, 6, 7!

Student Voice & Leadership Opportunities

• Principal’s Advisory
• Dr. Kim hosts grade-level student meetings to gather student input
• Student Government Association (SGA)
• Student Surveys
• Minority Scholars Program
• Ambassadors
• Hoover Minds Matter Club
• No Place for Hate Committee

Daily Procedures

Lunch Accounts

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• School cafeterias are still using MySchoolBucks.com for prepayments to meal accounts (not School Cash Online). Parents may also register for a free account in order to view cafeteria account balances and transaction history even if they do not wish to make online payments. The cafeterias will continue to accept cash and checks at the point of sale.
• The price for lunch is $2.80 which includes the entree, a side, fruit, veggie and drink. After the purchase of an entree, all items will be charged separately. If students want a second entree, it will cost $3.00.
• Please monitor your child’s lunch account, daily activity, and available funds. If you notice the balance is dropping rapidly, please have a conversation with your child about making good choices.

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Bus Routes

Transportation has updated bus routes. Please refer to the bus routes listed below to check pickup/drop off times and locations, and any changes that may have been made to your child’s route.

• Bus Routes Arrival 2022-2023
• Bus Routes Departure 2022-2023

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If you have any questions or concerns regarding bus transportation, please contact the Bethesda Bus Depot at 240-740-6569

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Bus Expectations for Students

• Riding a bus is a privilege
• Arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes early
• Respect the other students and the adult on the bus
• Remember to sit 3 to a seat on the right side and 2 to a seat on the left (backpacks should be in your lap and instruments in the designated area or on your lap)
• Students may only ride the bus that you are assigned

Absent, Late Arrival & Early Dismissal Reminders

If a student is absent, arriving late, or leaving early, please

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• Email Mr. Lee in advance (if possible)
• Send a note with your student with their ID #, reason for late arrival/dismissal, and parent contact information
• Do not escort students inside.
• Students leaving early will turn in their chromebooks to their period 7 classes prior to leaving.
• Students leaving early will meet their parents outside.

Schedules

Connect Time (Wellness Wednesdays)

Connect Time (CT) is a time to…

• Get to know each other and create a safe and respectful community
• Develop strong relationships among our group
• Frequent check-ins with your CT teacher about your academic progress
• Talk about real life events while exploring how we got to this place in history
• Have courageous conversations around diversity and equity

Wellness Wednesday Schedule

Charge Up

• Charge-up is for…
• Getting extra help from teachers
• Getting a head start on homework
• Making up missed work
• Asking questions about the material that you need answered!
• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday after 6th period
• 23 minutes with each teacher
• Meet with all 7 teachers!

Bell Schedule

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Q3 Update for Instrumental Music Students and Parents

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Each year students earn computational learning credit through STEM electives. These electives teach students to apply math, science, and technical knowledge to promote creative problem solving and exploration of STEM related fields of study and careers.

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Students in band and orchestra earn this computational learning credit through acoustical engineering activities completed in band and orchestra. They use technology to create electronic music including working with audio editing, loops, autotune, and beat maker. This work is reflected in the grade book through the following course title with Ms. Frazee as their teacher:

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• 8th Grade Instrumentalists: Innovative Technology Solutions

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Please contact Ms. Barbara Carlstrom, Administrator for the PE/Arts Department, if you have any questions.

Computational Learning Credit

Communication & Expectations

Who Do I Contact When I Have Questions?

Teacher: The classroom teacher is the first point of contact for all classroom and instructional concerns. Please reach out to your teacher directly prior to contacting anyone else for support.

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Counselors: Please contact counselors if you have concerns about your student’s mental, social and/or emotional well-being.

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Resource Teachers: Please contact the department chairs with questions that are specific to their content areas or with instructional concerns.

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Team Leaders: Please contact team leaders if you have questions or concerns specific to team or grade level activities.

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Administrators: Please contact your grade-level administrator if you have concerns regarding your student’s safety and security or if follow-up is needed on unresolved concerns.

Communication

The following are ways in which we communicate with families throughout the school year.

• Connect ED (time sensitive updates and information)
• Synergy/Parent View - grades
• All teachers use MyMCPS Classroom
• Weekly PREVIEW of major assessments and topics for the week.
• Homework is posted in MyMCPS Classroom on the Calendar.

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Department

Highlights

Content Specialists (Resource Teachers)

English

Math

Science

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World Languages

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PE/Arts

Social Studies

Ms. Beatty

Ms. Clifford

Ms. Marsteller

Mr. Ostry

Mr. Mast

Ms. Sacks

Our Department Resource Teachers

Hoover Around the World Night

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Department Highlight: Social Studies

Department Highlight: Social Studies

7th Graders

at

Finance Park

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Due Dates and Work Completion

• Teachers will indicate when all assignments and assessments are due through MyMCPS Classroom.
• Depending upon the course, some assignments may be submitted through MyMCPS Classroom or turned in via paper.
• To monitor your student’s grades:
• Always check ParentVue/Synergy.
• You can also check your students’ grades. Blanks, “Missing” or Z’s are indicators that the student may still turn in the assignment. X’s indicate a student has been excused from an assignment. Please be mindful that teachers will need adequate time to grade and provide feedback on work.

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Team Highlights

Team Leaders

Mr. Kane

Ms. Triantis

Mr. Fratangelo

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

6th Grade Team Highlights

Outdoor Education: This year all students in sixth graders will participate in one session of the Outdoor Education Program. Sessions are two nights and three days long and run from March 6^th to March 10th, 2023. While we have hosted our parent information session, you may find that information on our Outdoor Ed website. Below are quick links that have pertinent information:

• Parent Information Packet
• Suggested Packing List
• Authorization to Administer Prescribed Medications Form
• Emergency Care for the Management of a Student with a Diagnosis of Anaphylaxis Form 525-14

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7th Grade Team Highlights

Finance Park: JA Finance Park is Junior Achievements capstone program for personal financial planning and career exploration. This program, comprising a curriculum and a simulation, helps students in grades 7–12 build a foundation on which they can make intelligent financial decisions that last a lifetime, including decisions related to income, expenses, savings, and credit. 7th graders attended JA Finance Park Dec. 5,6,8, 2022. Thank you to all our parent volunteers who joined us for this program.

National History Day: NHD is a school, then county, then national competition where students demonstrate their knowledge on a topic they choose to create an argumentative project through Global Humanities class. NHD at Hoover will take place on February 13. Please mark your calendar to save the date.

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8th Grade Team Highlights

High School Registration: Visit and Q&A session with Churchill counselors in January/February. Course planning and Registration in March.

English: Schoolwide Spelling Bee (February/March)

8th Grade Celebration & End of Year Activities: Ongoing throughout the month of June. More details to come!

8th Grade Team- Hershey Park

To celebrate the accomplishments of our 8th grade students, we will be going to Hershey Park on June 15th

Please click on this link to see more information about the Hershey Park Trip

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Special Programs

RTSE and ELL Teacher

SPED-Resource

SPED-Bridge

ELD (ESOL)

Ms. Blake

Ms. Anderson

Mr. Kwak

Counseling & Social Emotional Well-Being

Thank you Counselors & the Wellness Team!

Counseling Team

Ms. Velasquez

Ms. Capoccia

Ms. Talib

Mr. Hopkins

Resource Counselor

6th Grade Counselor

7th Grade Counselor

8th Grade Counselor

Our Counseling Department and Team Leaders

School Counselor’s Role

School counselors are vital members of the education team and maximize student success

Help all students:

• Apply academic achievement strategies
• Manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills
• Plan for postsecondary options (higher education, military, work force)

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Counselor duties include providing:

• Individual student academic planning and goal setting
• School counseling classroom lessons based on student success standards
• Short-term counseling to students
• Referrals for long-term support
• Collaboration with families/teachers/ administrators/community for student success
• Advocacy for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings
• Data analysis to identify student issues, needs and challenges

(For more information go to our Website: www.hoovermscounseling.org)

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1. Students can email their counselor directly to let him/her know they would like to meet. Students should summarize concerns and/or indicate the reason they would like to meet in the email.
1. Resource/504: Debra_M_Velasquez@mcpsmd.org
2. 6th Grade: Caroline_B_Capoccia@mcpsmd.org
3. 7th Grade: Aafia_K_Talib@mcpsmd.org
4. 8th Grade: Michael_S_Hopkins-Gross@mcpsmd.org
2. Students may also stop by the counseling office before or after school, during lunch, or during charge-up and fill out a COUNSELING APPOINTMENT REQUEST slip.
3. The counselor will either communicate with the student by email to set up a time to meet and/or will call the student down to their office when they are available.

If you or your child are experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact the THE MARYLAND CRISIS HOTLINE: 800-422-0009 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or Dial 2-1-1 and press 1. More details on counseling resources can be found on our counseling website at the following link: Herbert Hoover Middle School Counseling Department

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Need to Connect with your Counselor?

For Middle School

Copyright © 2020 MindWise Innovations®, a service of Riverside Community Care.

SOS Signs of Suicide

Signs of Suicide (SOS)

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Hoover SOS Parent Letter 21-22

Signs of Suicide Parent Training Presentation

Talking to Your Kids About Suicide

Montgomery County Public Schools Crisis Center Referrals

Guidelines for Reporting Suicidal Content on Social Media

It’s Important to ACT

Learn to ACT

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Naviance Lesson Overview

District Goals

• Ensure all students are prepared for success upon high school graduation by demonstrating readiness for post-secondary study and/or the workforce Help students identify personal skills, interest, and abilities, and relate them to current career choice and course selections.
• Increase students’ awareness on the financial aid options available for higher education.
• Help students make constructive and healthy decisions that promote hope, personal well-being, and social behavior.
• Help students develop annual SMART goals to build their resilience, perseverance, growth mindset, and maximize academic ability and achievement.
• Empower students to take ownership of learning.

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6th Grade

Students will:

• Learn how to set and plan how to make progress towards achieving their SMART goal
• Explore the purpose of Naviance and its alignment to career, course, and future planning.
• Complete the Career Cluster finder and identify their top three career clusters�

7th Grade

Students will:

• Identify their top three talent themes by completing Strengths Explorer
• Describe ways in which individuals are unique in their thinking, feeling, and behaving
• Reflect on ways their personal talents can guide future career choices and course selections

8th Grade

Students will:

• Identify their dominant personality types by completing the Career Key
• Explore Careers that may be a good match based on identified personality types
• Create a plan for graduating their high school and post-secondary pathway
• Learn strategies for making a smooth transition to high school

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Counseling Small Groups

Academic group

• Study skills
• Organization
• Track grades
• Get help from teachers

Grief Group

• Connect with others who have lost a loved one
• Manage feelings of grief
• Identify sources of support

Stress Group

• De-stress
• Mindfulness
• Coping skills
• Time management

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Marylanders who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis have a new way to get immediate help. If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988. Learn more at 988.maryland.gov.

Spread the word: Access free community outreach materials in our 988 Toolkit.

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Virtual Family Nights: Grief Support for the Whole Family

Please join us for Virtual Family Nights on Zoom! Our Family Nights, offered free of charge, bring grieving families together ahead of holidays and other special days to encourage sharing and communication between adults and children.

CaringMatters’ Family Nights workshops help grieving families learn coping tools, plan for handling celebrations and honor their loved one(s). Art activities, facilitated by trained volunteers, provide families with an opportunity to create something together as a way to explore their feelings, remember their loved ones and keep their memories alive.

For virtual Family Nights, families will need a space where they can work on a project together, as well as a device, preferably a tablet or computer, to access Zoom. CaringMatters will deliver all art materials a few days prior to the online workshop.

Each workshop is designed to be independent of the others so that families can come to one or more as they choose. Appropriate for families with children ages 5-18. Registration is required.

To learn more visit caringmatters.org/family-nights

or contact Gilly Cannon at gillyc@caringmatters.org, 301-990-8904.

Student Well-Being Team

Ms. Grana

Pupil Personnel Worker

Ms. Velasquez

Resource Counselor

Ms. Zolecki

Psychologist

The Student Well-being Team (SWT) is a collaborative, comprehensive school-based team for all students and families. Their primary role is to support students to reduce barriers to learning, conduct outreach, problem-solve, and support students who are:

• Demonstrating mental health concerns
• Not engaging in their educational program.

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Message from our Pupil Personnel Worker

The New Year is a time to reset and focus on being the very best you can be! At school, that means coming regularly, on time and ready to learn! Did you know that missing just 10% of the total school days can have a lasting impact on academic performance? Try getting enough sleep at night (no phones in the bedroom!), eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly to start to the year off right!

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Need assistance with food on a regular basis? Please see the attached link which provides a map of Montgomery County food giveaways and programs or call 3-1-1 and ask for the Food Access Call Center.

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/get-help/food.html#events

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Sincerely,

Meghan Grana �meghan_q_grana@mcpsmd.org

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Restorative Practices & Consequences

At Hoover we engage our students in restorative justice practices when students cause harm in decision-making. These may include:

• Restorative conversations with adult support
• Guidance from counseling
• Mediation from counseling
• Student-Staff-Parent conferences
• Follow-up reflection lessons

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Restorative Practices & Consequences

When necessary, consequences are also appropriate to restore harm. This may include:

• Phone call home
• Parent conference
• Teacher guided detention
• In-school intervention
• In-school suspension
• Out-of-school suspension

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Parent Engagement Opportunities

Parent Engagement Opportunities

• October 10: No Open House
• November 7: Family Picture Day (Hoover Fundraiser)
• November 21: Parent Teacher Conferences, 4-6:30 pm
• December 6 & 8: Winter Music Concerts, 7:00 pm, sponsored by the Music Department
• December 12-16: In Person Book Fair sponsored by the PTA and the Media Center
• December/January TBD: Spelling Bee sponsored by the English/ELD Department
• February 13: National History Day Night sponsored by the Social Studies Department

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Throughout the year we invite you to engage with us as we showcase authentic student work in all content areas. Please look forward to the following events in the coming months (details to come… stay tuned!

• February 1: Taste of Hoover/Around the World Expo sponsored by the PTA and the World Languages Department
• March 14: STEM Night sponsored by the Math and Science Departments
• April 13: Hoover Hearts the Arts sponsored by the PTA, English Department, and the Arts Department
• May 5-7: Hoover Theatre Production
• May 9-15: Hoover Art Display at the mall sponsored by the Arts Department
• June 12-14: Field Days sponsored by the PE Department

Hoover PTA

The PTA is excited to partner with parents, students and Hoover Staff to bring fun and educational experiences in the new year. We would LOVE YOUR HELP. We are especially seeking a NAACP Representative. Mark your calendars for the upcoming exciting events and email presidenthooverpta@gmail.com if you are able to help:

February 2023

2/1 Taste of Hoover/Around the World Expo sponsored by the PTA and World Languages Department

2/6-10 Counselor Appreciation Week

2/9 HHMS Valentine’s Social

2/22 Spirit Night at Potomac Pizza

March 2023

3/3 All Month Read-a-thon

3/22 Spirit Night at Ledo Pizza

April 2023

4/13 Hoover Hearts the Arts sponsored by the PTA, English Department, and Arts Department

4/25 Bus Driver Appreciation Day

4/26 Administrative Professional Appreciation Day

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Hoover PTA (continued)

May 2023

5/5-12 Teacher Appreciation Week

5/9 PTA General Membership Meeting (Zoom), 7 pm

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Please join us at the next PTA General Membership meeting on January 10 at 7:00 PM by Zoom. In addition to updates from the PTA, you will hear from the Administrative Team at Hoover and from Assistant State’s Attorney George Simms about Internet safety. Please let us know that you are coming by registering at this link Herbert Hoover MS PTA General Membership Meeting (Virtual) - 10 January 2023 (google.com).

Thank you to all the wonderful parents, staff and students who make our school an amazing place!

Sincerely,

Kimberly King, PTA President

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PTA Membership

Join the PTA: Your patronage enables the PTA to continue to advocate for our students and support the many teachers and programs that make Hoover great. We cannot do this alone. To continue to support and build our community, we ask you to join the PTA.

Support Hoover While You Shop: Amazon Smile, Harris Teeter, Boxtops

Check Out the PTA Website: HooverMSPTA.org for the latest and greatest concerning our Hoover community.

Subscribe to Hoover Notes: Receive weekly updates concerning the Hoover community.

Contact the PTA: Email HooverMSPTA@gmail.com for questions or if you would like to volunteer in any capacity.

PTA Meeting Schedule: All meetings will be virtual.

• Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 7:00 PM

Hoover Emergency Plan Overview

The purpose of our planning and practicing for emergency situations is to ensure a safe resolution of an emergency situation and promote situational awareness. Situational awareness refers to:

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• Being mindful of your surroundings and the overall environment.
• Being mindful of others around you and anything that might seem out of place.
• Assessing actions, activities, and occurrences that might affect you.
• Empowering yourself and others to “be aware” and “stay aware”.

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When you become more aware, you are better able to identify, assess, report, and avoid threats to you and everyone around you.

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Hoover PTA Board Members 2022-2023

School Safety & Security

Overview of Safety Drills

• A fire drill or fire evacuation occurs when there is a fire or life safety emergency, the fire alarm is activated, or you are notified by emergency personnel to evacuate the building.
• A directed evacuation may occur for a bomb threat, a suspicious package, or an inside hazardous material release. Students and staff are directed away from the known danger area and do NOT assemble all in one location.
• A reverse evacuation can occur when a dangerous situation outside requires students and staff to be directed back into the building. Some examples of these dangerous situations include severe weather, police activity in the area, or a dangerous person on the playground.
• A severe weather shelter can occur when a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is activated.
• A shelter-in-place can occur when there is a danger in the neighborhood or near school property, or the need for heightened awareness of what is going on in the area around the school. The exterior doors to the school building will be locked and monitored to ensure the threat does not come onto the school property. A shelter-in-place is also a response to a biological, chemical, or radiological incident.

Overview of Safety Drills

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• A drop-cover-hold shelter is for any earthquake activity in or outside of the school building.
• A lockdown occurs when there is life-threatening imminent danger. If the extent or severity of the danger, threat, or location is unknown, a principal or administrator may elect to activate a school-wide lockdown for the safety of all. A lockdown with options (Avoid, Deny, or Defend) may occur depending on the location and seriousness of an active assailant threat. The Principal/Administrator has the authority to issue a school-wide lockdown and can override Avoid, Deny, Defend procedures when it would be safer to lockdown.

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Additionally, schools have a Parent-Child Reunification (PCR) Process for reuniting children with their parents/guardians in the event of an emergency or crisis at a designated location (indoor or outdoor, on-campus or off-campus).

Procedural Update: Connect Ed Messages

In the event we need to secure the building, it is important to keep our students safe without interference yet, ensure the community is informed. When we need to initiate a lockdown or shelter in place, we will be immediately sending the following messages. Upon receiving the messages, we will not be able to allow students/visitors to enter or exit the building. Additionally, we will be unable to share information with individuals through phone calls as we will be “all hands on deck” responding to the situation.

Lockdown: Attention Hoover Community, we are currently experiencing an emergency situation and are in lockdown. Our entrance and exit doors are locked and can not be accessed for incoming or outgoing students/visitors. Please do not call the school as we are unable to answer phone calls at this time. We will update you as soon as more information becomes available.

Lockdown Text: Attention Hoover Community, we are currently in lockdown. Do not call the school. We will update you as more information becomes available.

Shelter In Place: Attention Hoover Community, we are currently experiencing a non-life threatening situation within the community. As a safety precaution, we are sheltering in place. Our entrance and exit doors are locked and can not be accessed for incoming or outgoing students/visitors. Please do not call the school as we are unable to answer phone calls at this time. We will update you as soon as more information becomes available.

We are Hoover!

Please continue to stay safe and

take care of one another.

We are all in this together.

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Sincerely, YMKim, Ed.D.

Principal, Herbert Hoover Middle School

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Resources and Supports

HHMS Middle School

Media Center

Hoover Counseling

Thank You