A National Blue Ribbon School 2021 | A California Distinguished School | Established 1918 |
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FOX FACTS
March 23, 2022
HMS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Fox Facts is a weekly newsletter published by Huntington Middle School. It includes important information related to school activities, programs, and events. It also includes a section for the Huntington Middle School PTA and a space to publicize community events and organizations. |
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Important Dates and Events
March 24: Fox Fuel w T
March 24: Spring Choir Concert @SMHS
March 26: Arts Rock
March 30: Move Up Day 8th Grade
March 30: Spring Orchestra Concert @SMHS
April 4-8: Spring Break
April 22: Grade 7/8 Dance
Please check our School Calendar for more information related to student events and activities.
Athletic Updates go to hehms.us and click on the Athletics tab.
Our Athletic Director is Ms. Kido (kkido@smusd.us)
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At-Home Self Test Kit Pickup Available Prior to Spring Break Return. Ahead of the upcoming Spring Break, at-home self-test kits will be available to SMUSD staff and students upon request from March 28-31. Please pre-order test kits at https://smusd.info/ordercovidtest. Students (or parents of) and staff may come to the School health office to pick up an at-home test kit ahead of time to use prior to returning to school from Spring Break. 1 test kit per student or staff or while supplies last. Self-test results are to be reported at https://smusd.info/testresult.
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ASB is helping to celebrate Women's History Month this March!
Women's History Month is a month to celebrate the many accomplishments and important impacts of women throughout history. We will be looking at a prominent woman each week, providing background info as well as some great quotes announced over the PA. We do hope and believe that you will be able to learn more about these very important women!
Week 4 - 3/21 - 3/25 Dorothy Height
Info: Dorothy Height was born on March 12, 1912, in Richmond Virginia. During her childhood years and especially high school, she became socially and politically active as a great orator in topics such as lynching. After getting a degree, she eventually joined the Young Women’s Christian Association, where she helped to improve and integrate all of its facilities, as well as establish its Center for Racial Justice. Through this, she became a leading figure in the civil rights movement, working with Martin Luther King Jr. as well as many other prominent names. She later received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 and has been remembered as one of the most famed persons of equality and justice.
“Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals.”
“Progress comes from caring more about what needs to be done than about who gets the credit.”
“We have to improve life, not just for those who have the most skills and those who know how to manipulate the system. But also for and with those who often have so much to give but never get the opportunity.”
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If you'd like to join our monthly webinar with Principal Topalian, the next Fox Fuel w T will be Thursday, March 24th from 9:00-9:45 AM via Zoom.
To Join Zoom Meeting:
Same meeting info every month:
Meeting ID: 893 2021 1731
Passcode: 769394
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Join us for the combined HMS/SMHS Spring Concert this Thursday! Doors will open at 6:30PM and the concert will start promptly at 7:00PM. General admission is free and VIP seating will be reserved for our choir patrons. |
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Join us this Saturday at San Marino High School from 10 AM- 2PM! |
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Parents, please check out the two fun
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HMS 8th Grade Graduation is planned for Thursday, May 26th. The outdoor graduation ceremony starts at 5:30 pm and is followed by a celebration at the San Gabriel Country Club from 8-11PM.
Parent volunteers are needed to assist at both the ceremony and the party. Although there are some volunteer opportunities for 8th grade parents, we will especially need a lot of help from 6th and 7th grade parents. Assistance will be needed with planning, setup, decorating, and tear down for both the graduation ceremony and the party, as well as diploma distribution, party chaperones, favors/gifts for students and so much more. Pay it forward so that the 8t grade families can enjoy a well deserved celebration.
If interested in serving on the committee, or know of any parents that might be interested (especially 6th & 7th grade parents), please contact Zeina Daoud and Amy Yee at hms8thgradegrad@gmail.com. Details for the first committee meeting in early to mid March to follow.
Let's make this the best possible event for our 8th Graders and their parents! Thank you.
Zeina Daoud and Amy Yee
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Item Drop Off:
The HMS front office will no longer be able to permit dropping off of student lunches, school supplies, school assignments, and/or instruments. Please prepare the night before. All necessary school items need to be brought to school in the morning. Your cooperation is appreciated.
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Math 6th grade: Mondays & Wednesdays, Room 207, 3:00-4:00
Math 7th/8th grade: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Room 110, 3:00-4:00
English & ELD 6th grade: Monday & Wednesday, Room 205 3:00-4:00
English 7/8: Mondays & Wednesdays, Room 108, 3:00-4:00
Science 8: Monday & Wednesday, Room 103 from 3:00-4:00 PM
Science 6/7: Tuesdays & Thursdays, Room 105 at lunch, 12:15-1:00.
After School Homework Club: Wednesdays & Thursdays, the HMS Library, 3:00-4:00
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Attendance Reporting
Parents/Families:
If your student comes to school more than 10 minutes late to Homeroom or is leaving earlier than 2:50 PM, please make sure to have them check in or out through the Main Office before going to class or leaving for the day. If they do not check out with permission the absence will not be adjusted.
Parents should use the HMS Report an Absence form. Parents may still call the office or bring in a note, however, we highly encourage the use of our online form. Clearing absences may take a couple of days and we thank you for your patience. Please check Powerschool to see absence status.
If you have any questions please contact our attendance clerk Elizabeth Plascencia at eplascencia@smusd.us.
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At-Home Self Test Kit Pickup Available Prior to Spring Break Return. Ahead of the upcoming Spring Break, at-home self-test kits will be available to SMUSD staff and students upon request from March 28-31. Please pre-order test kits at https://smusd.info/ordercovidtest. Students (or parents of) and staff may come to the School health office to pick up an at-home test kit ahead of time to use prior to returning to school from Spring Break. 1 test kit per student or staff or while supplies last. Self-test results are to be reported at https://smusd.info/testresult.
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Summary of updated LACDPH exposure and
testing response protocols for schools.
Infected Individuals Should Not Test For Next 90 Days - How to Pause PCR Testing.
Staff and students infected with COVID should not test again for the next 90 days. PCR tests are sensitive and may likely produce a positive result for up to 90 days. Those participating in SMUSD's PCR testing program through OmniPathology may pause testing by logging into Privit at http://smusd.e-ppe.com, under the test participant’s name, next to "Joined Groups," click UPDATE, uncheck your associated group(s) and scroll down to click "DONE." To resume testing after 90 days, return and check the appropriate group(s).
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Expediting Contact Tracing. Several SMUSD forms are now available to help expedite the contact tracing process:
Providing Informed Consent for Student Rapid Antigen Test
SMUSD offers rapid antigen testing to students that develop symptoms during the school day or in response to close contact exposure. Prior to any testing of minors, parental or guardian consent is required. SMUSD parents/guardians may now provide consent ahead of time to expedite the testing process at https://smusd.info/testconsent
Student Vaccination Status Disclosure to Expedite Contact Tracing
The San Marino Unified School District is requesting parents or guardians to voluntarily disclose their child’s COVID vaccination status to expedite contact tracing. Having the vaccination status of students would help COVID support staff expeditiously follow the appropriate LACDPH protocols. This information is being sought for the purposes of contact tracing only and will not be used for any other purpose. One response per student. https://smusd.info/vaccinestatus
Report Positive Self-Test Results
The San Marino Unified School District is required to report positive self-test results to LACOE. Any staff or student who tests positive using a school provided self-test must report and upload a photo of the test result at https://smusd.info/testresult
Thank you for complying with the upgraded mask mandates and please continue to distance when possible.
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Students of HMS, if you would like to participate in the free COVID testing happening on Thursdays, please REGISTER HERE. After you are registered, you may test weekly or as often as you wish and skip weeks. This service is for current students of HMS only. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated students are welcome to test.
Testing times: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM.
Testing locations: room 306
3/22/22
COVID Testing CARES Funds Expired: Weekly PCR Testing Will End for Uninsured
Our COVID testing partner OmniPathology notified SMUSD that the federal funds used to pay for PCR Testing for uninsured claims have expired. OmniPathology will discontinue weekly COVID testing for anyone registered who has indicated they are uninsured. If you are uninsured and no longer wish to continue weekly PCR testing, you do not have to do anything at this time. If you are uninsured and would like to continue testing, rapid antigen testing is available for those that develop symptoms during the day and possibly through self-test kits. Please note that free self-tests are still available through the United States Postal Service at https://special.usps.com/testkits.
Per State Health Order by October 15, 2021, SMUSD volunteers or drivers must provide proof of COVID vaccination or test weekly. This guide is provided to SMUSD volunteers on how to provide proof of vaccination and/or how to register for weekly testing at SMUSD using the Privit system. Unvaccinated volunteers may also provide a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result administered through another healthcare or clinical provider. Results from at-home test kits are not accepted. For more info on completing this see Volunteer info.
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Students are responsible for the textbooks and Chromebooks they check out. If a textbook or Chromebook is damaged so it cannot be checked out anymore the student is responsible for the full price of the replacement, plus shipping and handling.
Cell phones are not to be on or in student's possession from 8:00-2:50. Keep them powered down and in the lockers.
NO LUNCH DROP OFFS. We have free lunch at school every day.
Due to COVID restrictions we need to limit the number of visitors to school. If your child forgets his/her lunch, please do not bring it to him/her. They can eat from the cafeteria for the day. Having an alternative may encourage them to remember their own lunch the next day. Complimentary breakfasts and lunches are available every day in the cafeteria. For the latest information please visit our SMUSD site here.
Remember to throw away your food wrappers/containers at snack break and lunch. School is not a restaurant where servers take your plates away. Thank you for doing your part to help keep our campus clean.
Computers may only be used in class at teacher's direction. Keep them closed and away from the lunch areas and food.
Parents, the attendance online absence form on the school website is for explaining absences. If your child has a disagreement about an absence on a particular day/period, please reach out to the teacher first. Thank you
Technical Support Contact:
Email technical support at techsupport@smusd.us
Leave a message at 626-299-7002
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HMS Online Wellness Center |
The HMS Online Wellness Center serves to provide resources and optional mindfulness activities that can assist students during these difficult times as well as provide supports for parents to assist in communicating with their children at home.
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If you have social media, make sure you're following HMS to see the latest in our academic and spirited events.
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Huntington Middle School PTA |
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Allocations
Allocations Proposals Needed by Friday, April 15, 2022
HMS Volunteers work hard each year to raise money so that the PTA can fund items and programs at HMS to enrich our children’s lives. It is the PTA’s responsibility to spend these funds in a manner that will benefit the greatest number of students, enhance their education, and help make HMS the best it can be. The Allocations Committee seeks input from staff, faculty, parents, and students with suggestions on how to spend these funds.
Suggested categories for funding include visual and performing arts, campus improvement, curriculum enrichment and technology. If you wish funds spent in another category, please mark the category “other” on the attached form and explain the request. All requests will be considered by the Allocations Committee. Items approved and within the guidelines will be voted upon at the Association meeting that follows the Allocations approval meeting.
To make an allocations request, please complete the attached form and email to Jaime Gertmenian, jgertmenian@gmail.com, with any questions.
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HMS Halo Nominations
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO HONOR OUR WONDERFUL HMS VOLUNTEERS!
Each year, the Huntington Middle School PTA recognizes and honors HMS parents, teachers, and staff members who have made outstanding contributions of time and talent to the children of Huntington Middle School. The HMS Halo Awards Committee needs your help to select this year's deserving recipients.
Please consider the following qualifications: consistent, outstanding service to HMS in a variety of activities, over the course of multiple years. Parent nominees must have a child currently attending HMS. Teacher or Staff nominees must demonstrate service extending beyond the classroom. Nominees must not be past recipients of the Halo Award.
Please click here to submit your nomination form (providing names and qualifications). Nominations are due by Wednesday, March 23, 2022.
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HMS PTA Executive Board Slate 2022-23 |
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The nominating committee met on January 14, 2022 and January 26, 2022 to consider all eligible candidates for the 2022-2023 term of office. On behalf of the nominating committee, we present the following slate of officers for the association’s consideration:
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* Fundraising committee chairpersons to be appointed by the incoming president and serve on the executive board, as per the bylaws.
Thank you to Mikah O’Mara (HMS Parliamentarian), Marisa Kelly, Luyi Khasi, Hwannie Shen, David Wang, and Principal Daryl Topalian (advisor to the committee). The slate will be voted on at the March election meeting.
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Community News and Events |
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As a courtesy, Huntington Middle School often includes information forwarded from community organizations. In these cases, the organizations and activities are not sponsored or endorsed by Huntington Middle School or the San Marino Unified School District. |
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High School Prep Football Clinics
Clinics aim to assist San Marino middle school athletes prepare for football at the high school level. Coaches will focus on agility, running, receiving, blocking, throwing, and basic play concepts. No pads, helmets or tackling. Clinics will be run by SMHS head varsity coach Ray Torres and his staff.
There will be 3 clinics on Sundays 4-6pm at SMHS Titan Stadium. March 27th, April 24th and May 22nd. Clinics are open to anyone 6th-8th grade in the SMCAA/SMNLL boundaries (reside or go to school in San Marino).
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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If you would like to run your company or organization's publication in Fox Facts, please email it to mhazlett@smusd.us by Thursday at 4:30 of each week to appear in the following week's Fox Facts. |
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