The purpose of this email is to share information regarding Harding Middle School. It is a monthly newsletter featuring HMS news and current events.

                                                                                                           In This Issue:

 A Message From Mr. Mills

What's Happening In April

A Look Into May

SpringSports Schedules

Message from our Principal:

Dear HMS Families, 

I want to wish everyone a very happy and restful Spring Break! I encourage all of our students, teachers, and staff to use this break as a time to relax and enjoy their days off. Everyone has accomplised so much thus far and this break is much deserved. As a reminder, school resumes on Monday, April 17th. Please ensure your student is well rested and present as we will begin Math and Science state testing after the break.

We would cordially like to invite our 4th-grade parents to join us Thursday, April 27th at 9am for our 4th Grade Parent Informational Meeting. We will give you an overview of expectations for your child as they enter the middle school years. We also will utilize this time to answer any questions you may have for us.

As many of you know, the time after spring break really tends to "fly-by" and before you know it summer is here! ELA state testing wraps up on April 24th and then the completion of Math & Science testing will be finalized on May 5th. The 4th quarter of school will close on April 28th and Maymester starts Monday, May 1st to finish out the year. Our CCP students will travel to the high school all day for their first college-credited course. We want to wish these students good luck! During maymester, all courses will be project based at Harding Middle School.

Let's stay focused on the goal and finish this school year Stallion Strong!!!

As always, if you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact a teacher or me directly. We are here to work together to provide the best possible education for your student! My e-mail address is bmills@rollred.org or you can reach me by phone at Harding Middle School, (740) 282-3481. 

Sincerely,

Principal Bryan Mills

• 4th Grade Bump-Up Day - Thursday, May 11(10am - 1pm)
• 8th Grade Graduation Dance - Friday, May 12 (6pm - 8pm)
• Frozen Production - Friday, May 19 (7pm)
• Frozen Production - Saturday, May 20 (7pm)
• HMS Sports Awards - Tuesday, May 23 (12:30) *Time change from SCS Calendar
• 8th Grade Graduation - Wednesday, May 24 (10am)  *Must be in school a minimum of half a day to attend
• 7th Grade Awards - Wednesday, May 24 (12:30pm)
• 6th Grade Awards - Thursday, May 25 (9am)
• 5th Grade Awards - Thursday, May 25 (12:30pm)

April is stress awareness month. The official theme this year is anxiety. Paying attention to your body is important. Listen to your body. It will tell you when you are stressed out. Can you sleep? Do you keep getting sick? Are you having headaches or stomach aches all the time? Do you feel like you can't concentrate? You are stressed and may have anxiety about your future. 

The past is gone. The future is unknown. Stay in the here and now, it's the present.... and it's a present you can give to yourself to stop worrying about things out of your control. TO STAY IN THE HERE AND NOW USE YOUR 5 SENSES- smell something pleasing, touch something soothing, taste your favorite food, concentrate on the details of a picture or painting, listen to your breathing, and slow it down.

Actions you can take to combat anxiety include:

1. Get outside! ( feel the sun on your face, smell the air after it rains, and watch the animals and birds)
2. Move your body ( take a stroll, go for a run, practice yoga, or dance around your bedroom)
3. Ditch the electronics ( no video games every day, shut your phone off for a couple of hours a day)
4. Journal ( write down your feelings, complain, and have a pity party for yourself and then rip it all up and throw it away - it's cathartic)
5. Listen to music ( share with someone or put in your earbuds, close your eyes, or dance like a nut)
6. TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS, NO TEXTING! Look someone in the eyes and talk to them and listen to them. Get a hug if you need one. Give them a hug if they want one. Learn to enjoy someone's company again in person, not via facetime.
7. Do something creative. ( write a story or start a novel, paint a picture or paint your bedroom, color a picture, move the furniture around in the house, plan and make a garden)



Lastly, remember students can visit the school nurse or the counselor for help anytime they feel overwhelmed. Parents, talk to your doctor and find a support group if you need one. It's 2023, no one needs to suffer in silence. YOU ARE NOT ALONE! WE ARE IN THIS LIFE TOGETHER!

Attention 6th Grade Parents

It's not too early to get started on your 7^th grader's required vaccines! Each student must show proof of vaccination or have an exemption form on file. The required vaccines are Tdap and Menveo (meningitis). You can go to your doctor, our school-based clinic, the Jefferson County Health Department, or a local pharmacy. Please send in the paperwork as soon as you complete the shots so it does not get misplaced. Please do not wait until the last minute, they do run out of vaccines at times, and doctor's appointments fill fast. It must be turned in by the 2nd week of school. Call the nurse with any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Amy Neely, RN, BSN, CSN

Congratulations to Talea Guntrum on placing 1st at the OAC Jr. High Wrestling State Tournament!

Congratulations to Kloe Anderson on placing 5th at the OAC Jr. High Wrestling State Tournament!

Please see the photo for our am drop-off and pick-up patterns. This must be strictly followed in order to avoid congestion and dangerous situations for our students.

In the am...

• All Students must enter through the cafeteria doors.
• Cars will be signaled to pull all the way down to the personnel on duty.
• Do not stop and drop off students in the middle of traffic flow.

In the pm...

HMS will dismiss in the following manner...

1. 2:30 Bus students will exit the building
2. 2:35 Walkers will exit
3. 2:39 Car riders will exit

• The cars must pull into parking spots while waiting on their student after school.
• Please observe directives from staff on duty.

Your compliance is necessary for the safety of our students. Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.