Friday, December 1, 2017

December 2017 HMS Newsletter




Hampstead Middle School
December 2017 Newsletter

Upcoming Events:

Holiday Concert Schedule
Winter Band Concert Tuesday, December 5th at 7pm
Winter Chorus Concert- Wednesday, December 6th at 7pm

Library News
New York Times Best-Selling Author/ Illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka to present to grades 5 & 6 on Tuesday, Dec. 12th.



















Computer Science Education Week:  Dec. 4-10
Grade 5:  Global Read Aloud STEAM Challenges
Grade 6:  Non-fiction Reading, Research & Google Slide Presentations
Grade 8:  Non-fiction Reading, Research, and Argumentative Writing

Reminders:
Hampstead Fire Department Christmas Parade-Sunday December 10, 2017, at 2:00 pm
HMS Early Release on December 13, 2017.  Students dismissed at 12:00pm
Holiday Break is December 25th to January 1, 2018
Ski Club will take place every Tuesday in January at Pat's Peak from 2:15- 8:00 pm.


On-Line Blizzard Bags
HMS will implement Blizzard Bags as an alternative to making up canceled school days due to inclement weather.  Your child has been introduced to this process and how to access their assignments.  In the event of a Blizzard Bag day, please visit our Home webpage for the Blizzard Bag link to be posted the same day.  

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at the Palace Theater
7th Grade on December 8, 2017
5th Grade on December 14, 2017

Student Council
The HMS Student Council raised over $1000.00 from the fall Pennies for Patients drive. The fundraiser supports children who have been diagnosed with rare blood diseases and cancers. Each homeroom worked together to find pennies, quarters, nickels, and dimes to bring to the school. The Student Council thanks everyone for their support!

The Addams Family Musical, School Edition is off to a great start!!!  
There are sixty students in the cast this year with even more to get involved once Scenery and Tech Crews are formed. The cast has been busy learning music and choreography with Mr. Fisher (Music Director) and Mrs. McMahon (Choreographer). We are so lucky to have Mrs. Jenna McMahon back for another season at HMS. Joining the team this year is Ms. Kelsey Sullivan from Campbell High School. Ms. Sullivan is an accomplished actress, singer, performer, and director. The Addams Family Musical, School Edition goes up on March 22 and 23 at 7pm and March 24 at 12pm!!! 













Morticia Addams: Zoe Sternberg (7th Grade)
Featured Ancestors: Elyse Binette, Amaya Eaton, Ellie Crump, Mariesa Preble, Avery Barcelos, Kristina Packowski (Dance Captain), Morgan Berard, Kaitlyn Raposa, Ayla Denton, and Emma Cate (Dance Captain) 
Not Pictured: Madison Campbell Pantelis, Keana Gullage 

Grade 8 Students Show Creativity in Social Studies Project
Students recently completed expression projects which incorporated and fostered student exploration in the areas of government, patriotism, human rights and social studies topics of personal interest.  Students created a variety of genres to share their learning including visual art, photography, literature, musical composition,  and film. This was a wonderful opportunity to bring together the social studies work for the quarter and to make a connection to the PTSA Reflections Theme: Within Reach. The students’ creativity and approaches were absolutely extraordinary.


It was a great opportunity for the grade 8 students to integrate the arts in their studies. A special thank you to Mrs. Downey and the Unified Arts Team for supporting the gallery display toured by all HMS students.  It is always good when students have the experience to proudly display their unique and personal interpretations of learning to a larger audience.


HMS grade eight students are Washington, DC bound.

We will depart early Tuesday morning, June 5th, which may include a brief stop and tour of Philadelphia and we will return in the evening on June 8th. It will be a trip jam-packed with visits to museums, monuments, and truly memorable experiences that last a lifetime!

An informational evening meeting will be held after the holiday vacation in the beginning of January with students and parents to review the trip and make a deposit for the trip. A family’s financial situation will not preclude participation.

Grade 8 teachers would like to extend appreciation to the Hampstead School Board, administration, and community in supporting this unique educational opportunity for our students.


Jack Cameron, an 8th-grade student, wins the NH Student Volunteer of the Year!

Jack Cameron, a current 8th-grade student at HMS, was selected as the middle/high school level recipient out of hundreds of students nominated statewide. Jack is a valued and active member of the PTSA student group, PTSA Kids. He is also an active Boy Scout, member of the National Junior Honor Society, and the HMS Cross Country team.


















Patriots Pen Essay Contest

This year over 60, 8th-grade students entered their essays in the Patriots Pen Essay Contest. Recently, Veterans of Foreign War Representative, Retired Lt. Col Howard Steadman, announced the winners of the local Hampstead Middle School’s  Patriot’s Pen Essay Contest;
“ America’s Gifts to my Generation” at our Celebration of Patriotism and Veterans Assembly.
Four, 8th-grade students were recognized, with Jack Cameron taking top honors and Ryan McMahon captured second place.  Alex Barbuto and Ryan Ovary were also selected as third and fourth place recipients. All four students’ essays will advance to the VFW  District Competition.