Highlander Way Middle School

2020-21 Middle School Orientation

Thursday, August 13, 2020

• 8:00 - 12:00 PM - 6th grade WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) Orientation for 6th grade STUDENTS ONLY 
• 11:00 - 12:00 PM - 6th grade and newly enrolled parent information session 
• 12:00 - 2:00 PM - 6th grade parents and students finish the Orientation process including: school pictures, practicing locker combinations and walking through schedules

• 2:00 - 6:00 PM - 7th and 8th grade Orientation

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

• 1:00- 4:00 PM Make-up Orientation for 6th-8th grade students and parents including: school pictures, practicing locker combinations and walking through schedules  

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

First day of school

Polar Plunge

Mr. Mezei is taking THE PLUNGE to raise money and support Special Olympics!

We would like to do a competition of Hawk Hours again. The Hawk Hour that raises the most money will be awarded with a special treat from Ms. Wellman's class!

We are adding a little twist this year! Let's get some ideas for what Mr. Mezei should wear!! A funny costume? A superhero? Please keep in mind: he will need to wear secured footwear (no flip flops) and all costumes need to be appropriate and non-discriminatory. Hawk Hours need come up with an idea and submit their idea by January 17.

We will be collecting money January 6 through 24.

Quarter 3 begins Tuesday, January 21

Student’s last opportunity to submit a Q3 schedule change request or concern is on Wednesday, January 15 at 2:30. 

Please be aware that many classes are already full.

7th grade Vision screening is scheduled for February 4^th, 5^th and 7^th

All Health Departments in Michigan provide routine vision screening to identify children who have vision problems or might be at risk for vision problems.  Children who do not pass the initial screening will be rescreened.  If a child does not pass the rescreen, a letter will be mailed home recommending the child see an eye doctor for a complete eye examination.

Seventh grade students and students in other grades who are last-year follow-ups and parent/teacher requests will be screened/rescreened at Highlander Way Middle School.  Technicians from the Livingston County Health Department will be doing vision screening/rescreening on February 4^th, 5^th and 7^th.  If your student wears glasses or contacts, please be sure that they have them with them for their testing.

Please notify the HWMS Guidance Office (prior to the first day of screening) if you have a vision concern for your HWMS child who is not in 7^th grade and want your child screened. 

Also, if you do not want your 7^th grade child screened, please contact the guidance office prior to February 4.

8^TH GRADE IMPORTANT DATES

8^th GRADE HHS COURSE SELECTION (INCOMING HHS 9^TH GRADERS)

Course Request Window Opens - Class of 2024 (Incoming 9th) - March 2, 2020

Class of 2024 Course Selection Workshop - Monday, March 2, 2020 7:00-8:00pm at the Howell High School Freshman Campus

Class of 2024 School Day Presentation – Wednesday, March 4, 2020 10:15am HWMS at FC auditorium

Class of 2024 School Day Support – Monday, March 16, 2020 10:00-2:00pm at HWMS 

All student course selections must be complete by the end of the day March 20, 2020

8th grade Washington, DC trip

April 29 through May 2, 2020

10/23/2019 

8th Grade Parents,

We're excited to tell you that we have so many students signed up for our 2020 8th Grade Washington DC Trip that when you sign up, you'll be put on the wait list!  Attached is the registration info and a step-by-step video to help you register and make payments using the online portal.  Please register your child today and hopefully there will be enough students interested for an additional bus.

8th GRADE WASHINGTON DC Flyer 2020.pdf 
https://youtu.be/KBle60XCdw4

Sincerely,
Mr. Hill & Mrs. Post

5^TH GRADE IMPORTANT DATES

March 12 & 13 – Principals and counselors visit 5^th graders at their elementary schools

March 16 – 5^th grade Parent night at their student’s middle school

                         HWMS – 6:30 in the HWMS cafeteria

March 20 – 6^th grade course selection sheets due for the 2020-2021 school year

CLUBS

Art Club

Beginning January 8, Art Club will meet on Wednesday from 2:30-3:30.  Please join us in Rm. 144. 

(The art room is in need of empty cereal boxes)


Dungeons and Dragons Club 

Dungeons and Dragons club will meet on the following dates from 2:30-3:45 in the Highlander Way Media Center.

January 6th, 2020 

February 3rd, 2020 

March 2nd, 2020 

March 16th, 2020 

April 6th, 2020 

Apr 20th, 2020 

May 4th, 2020

See Mr. Douglas for more information.

Euchre Club

Euchre club will meet on the following dates from 2:30-3:30 in the Media Center.

Mon, Jan 13, 2020

Mon, Jan 27, 2020

Mon, Feb 10, 2020

Mon, Feb 24, 2020

Mon, Mar 9, 2020

Mon, Mar 23, 2020

Mon, Apr 13, 2020

Mon, Apr 27, 2020

Mon, May 11, 2020

See Mrs. Meinka or Mrs. Gray for more information.

Interact Club

Interact Club is a service club for youth.  The club will work on community service projects to help out people and services in Livingston County.   Please contact Mrs. Earl for more information.

We will meet from 2:30-3:15 in Rm. 251 on the following days:

              Monday, January 13 - Prepare props for the Dance Project's Black Light Dance
              Monday, February 10 - Activity to be announced
              Monday, March 16 - Activity to be announced
              Monday, May 4 - HWMS spring clean up

Middle School Ski & Board Club

Register by Friday, January 3

Attached are the Information & Registration forms for the Middle School Ski/Board Club.   We will run the club for both Middle Schools beginning January 15!

2019-20 Howell Middle School Ski_Board Club Informational Packet .pdf 

2019-2020 Ski_Snowboard registration & order form.pdf 

UkeBirds

The UkeBirds Club will begin meeting on Fridays from 2:30-3:30, beginning March 20 until May 29.   Students in grades 6-8 are welcome to join in Room 234.  You do not need to know how to play or own your own uke, but you need to want to learn.  Experienced players are SUPER encouraged to join us!!  The UkeBirds Ukulele Club is truly one of the most fun clubs around!  Learn to play popular, historic, and cultural songs while learning the chords and strum patterns that make up most of the songs you listen to.  Sing along and enjoy your friends as you/we learn to play the Ukulele together!  

White Hats Computer Science Club

White Hats is an introduction to computer science using code.org and the BASH shell of UNIX.  We will meet in Lab 119 every Tuesday from 2:30-3:30, from January 7 through March 24th.  Participants need a charged, working Chromebook.

White Hats is a fun environment that will teach from the very beginning so it  is for students who don't know anything about computers as well as those who do.  This is a great start for those who may want to go into robotics in high school or get an idea of what would be expected when learning a programming language.   It will also talk a bit about ethics and responsibility that White Hats have with their computer knowledge.  

White Hat members will be able to work on coding during the week as well as at club times, if they choose.  Code.org is a safe environment for students to learn to code with a nationally recognized program.

I am very excited to honor my commitment to the future of the students at highlander way and the need our country has for more talented computer scientists and cybersecurity experts.  Everyone has to begin somewhere and I hope to create an environment where it doesn't matter what level a person is at or how simple or complicated things need to be explained.  Everyone is needed and respected for trying something new.

Thank you for reading about our club.

Girls on the Run's Heart and Sole program

Registration opens January 21st!

Girls on the Run is a non-profit organization that envisions a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams! Their 10 week program for girls in 6th-8th grade combines training for a 5K with a curriculum promoting competence, confidence, connection, character, caring, and contribution. Twice-weekly lessons and interactive activities are led by trained volunteer coaches who create a positive and safe environment for girls to learn about themselves, connect with others, and contribute to the community. The program culminates in a non-competitive 5K event which gives the girls a chance to shine and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

Our program at Highlander Way is open to all 6th-8th grade girls and will meet after school on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:30--4:00 March 9th through May 21st. All registered participants will receive a healthy snack at each lesson, along with a program t-shirt and water bottle, a parent guide book and entry into the incredible Girls on the Run 5K on May 17th. Families are welcome to come run/walk with our girls!

Girls on the Run's curriculum based program is MUCH more than a running program. You can go to https://www.girlsontherunsemi.org/ to learn more and register.  Scholarships are available and Girls on the Run has never turned away a girl for not being able to afford it! Please don't let that be a barrier!

Email Julie Friend for more information! friendj@howellschools.com

SPORTS

The archery, boys basketball and competitive cheer teams have been chosen and their seasons have either started or start soon.  Hopefully, you'll be there to cheer them on.

HWMS Girls Basketball

REGISTER FOR GIRLS BBALL TRYOUTS

Girls basketball tryouts will be held from 2:30-4:30 on January 13, 14, & 16.  
Those trying out should plan to attend all three sessions and have a copy of their newly completed MHSAA school physical on file in the office.

Click on the green bar above to register.

7th grade Coach:  Robert Klein: kleinr@howellschools.com
8th grade Coach Jason Lounds:  loundsj@howellschools.com

Parker/HWMS Combined Wrestling

Parker/HWMS Combined wrestling for 6th, 7th and 8th graders starts on Monday, January 13.  Practice is from 2:45 until 5:00 p.m. in the Parker wrestling room.  There is a student/parent meeting on Tuesday, January 14 at 5:00 in the Parker wrestling room.  Informational packets are available by clicking  here or in the HWMS guidance office.

Transfer bus #42 in slot 5 at HWMS will take wrestlers to Parker Middle School.

Tony Tedesco, tedescoa@howellschools.com.

Howell Middle School Boys/Girls Swim Dive

Howell Middle School Boys/Girls Swim/Dive starts February 10.  Coach Zach Kasprzak will be coaching this year.  Watch for more information regarding practice times, etc.

To be included on this season's team email list, please email coach Kasprzak at kasprzaz@howellschools.com with parent names, athlete name and grade, and any additional parent email addresses. Team info packets and schedule will be sent out this weekend, and paper copies will be available at both middle schools and the Howell athletic office beginning on Monday, January 27.

HWMS Boys/Girls Track

Track starts March 18th, we are looking for a coach. More Information soon....

LOC Credit Union 

We're back!

LOC Credit Union & Highlander Way Student Run Credit Union together for our 4th year!  Students can do their banking every Wednesday morning during 2nd hour.

POPCORN

Ms. Wellman's class will be selling popcorn every Tuesday, during all three lunches. It is 50 cents a bag and delicious.

PTO

The HWMS PTO has their own Facebook account.  Please be sure to “like” them on Facebook, as they post a lot of good information about HWMS, PTO and our wonderful students.

PTO MEETINGS

September 16, 6:00-7:00, HWMS Media Center

October 21, 6:00-7:00, HWMS Media Center

November 18, 6:00-7:00, HWMS Media Center

December 16, 6:00-7:00, HWMS Media Center

January 27, 6:00-7:00, HWMS Media Center

March 16, 6:00-7:00, HWMS Media Center

April 20, 6:00-7:00, HWMS Media Center

May 18, 6:00-7:00, HWMS Media Center

OK2SAY

The Michigan Attorney General’s office will be conducted presentations on student safety featuring the Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative (CSI) and the student safety hotline, OK2SAY.  The presentation was given to Highlander Way Middle School students in grades 6-8 on Wednesday, October 16, 2019.  

Students saw a video featuring peers who promote OK2SAY. Students will learn what the OK2SAY program is, how it works, what types of incidents they can report, how to submit a tip, and what will happen with the tip.  Students then heard a detailed explanation about bullying, cyberbullying, suicide, sexting, sexual abuse, predators and advice on how to protect themselves online. Students saw a video about the power of words, deceptive ways internet predators target teens, along with a segment featuring students from Michigan that have tragically died by suicide due in part to bullying.  The last two videos showed the negative impact of sexting and one provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Handouts used during our presentations, videos, and additional information, can be accessed at the Attorney General's website, www.mi.gov/csi.  More information about the OK2SAY program, including resources, is available at www.mi.gov/ok2say.

OK2SAY Opt Out 2019.pdf 

NEW SECURITY FEATURE

We have a new security feature in our main office.   At Highlander Way and Howell Public Schools, the safety of our students is our top priority.  That is why the district is implementing a new visitor management system from Raptor Technologies in all of its buildings. This system will enable us to screen visitors and volunteers in our school and provide us with a safer environment for our students and staff.  

When visiting our school, you will still use the door buzzer to gain access to the building during the school day. However, the visitor sign-in process will look different. Once you enter the office to sign-in, our office staff will ask you for a government-issued ID such as a Driver’s License, which can either be scanned or manually entered into the system. The system will check to ensure that registered sexual offenders are not entering our school without our knowledge.  The system checks the visitor's name and date of birth using a national database. The registered sex offender database is the only official database checked. No other data from the ID is gathered or recorded, and the information is not shared with any outside agency.  If for any reason you do not have a US government-issued ID, the office staff can use any form of identification and manually enter your name into the system. After your first visit, your information will be stored in the system for a quicker check-in on subsequent visits.

Once entry to the school is approved, the system will issue a visitor sticker with your name and photo, the date of your visit, and the purpose of the visit. After your visit is complete, you will return to the office to sign out, much like you currently do.

If you are just stopping by the office to drop something off for your child, or picking up your child, you will not be required to complete the check-in process.

As we use our new system, there may be some hiccups along the way. While this may cause a slight inconvenience, in the end, it will be worth it, as we will be able to provide a safer school environment for our students and staff. Thank you in advance for your understanding, patience, and support as we launch the system to enhance the safety of our school and district.

UPDATE YOUR CHILD’S INFORMATION ONLINE

You may now update your contact information online through the PowerSchool Parent Portal.  Information that can be updated includes parent phone numbers, email addresses, and emergency contacts.  Additionally, you may submit a change of address. However, you will still need to show proof of residency.

To update your information, log in to the PowerSchool Parent Portal and click on your child’s name, click on the icon that looks like an arrow on the far right side of the page.  Please note, when you place your mouse over this icon the word “applications” will appear. After clicking on the icon, an applications window will open. From the applications window select “SchoolForms.”  This will direct you to our online registration portal where you will be able to update your information.

The contact information in PowerSchool is used for our Parent Notification System.  Please make sure that we have your proper email address and phone numbers so you do not miss any updates from the district or your child’s school.

HONORS AWARD PROGRAMS

Each year we recognize students for their academic achievement.  Our School Improvement Team and the Positive Behavior Support Team have elected to recognize students the following ways:  High Honors for Summa Cum Laude 3.9-4.0 GPA, Magna Cum Laude 3.7-3.89 GPA, and Cum Laude 3.5-3.69 GPA.  Students will also be recognized for All A’s 4.0 GPA for each year and all A’s 4.0 GPA for all three years 6th, 7th, and 8th.  Students taking Algebra and Geometry (high school level classes) will be recognized for All A’s 4.0 GPA based on the first three quarters.  The Presidential Education Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence will be awarded to 8th grade students who have maintained a cumulative 3.5 GPA or above while attending Highlander Way.  All honors will be calculated through the end of Quarter III of the current school year. 

Watch your mail!  Invitations are sent to families of those students who have met the above criteria.

GPA/LETTER GRADE SCALE

The table below lists letter grades and their numerical equivalents as used in calculating GPA (Grade Point Average)

A    4.00
A-   3.67
B+  3.33
B    3.00
B-   2.67
C+  2.33
C    2.00
C-   1.67
D+  1.33
D    1.00
D-   0.67
F     0

11/19/19 - Highlander Way Middle School teacher Amy Kilgren has been named the 2019 Family and Consumer Science Educators of Michigan (FCSEM) Teacher of the Year. Kilgren was presented with the award at the 2019 FCSEM Conference on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Kilgren began teaching for Howell Public Schools in 2002. She teaches several Family and Consumer Science (FCS) courses, including Teen Life, Life Skills, and Health and Wellness. These courses provide students with the resources and skills needed to make informed decisions about their wellbeing. Additionally, FCS courses equip students with life skills such as health management and wellness, food science and nutrition, and personal and family finance.

"I was so surprised to learn that I was nominated for teacher of the year. Over the past 22 years, I have not only been the teacher in my classroom, but I have also been the student as I have learned so much from my students. I am truly honored to represent Howell Public Schools, Highlander Way, the Michigan FACS teachers, as well as, Western Michigan University, where I received both my Masters and Bachelor's degrees. I am proud to be a part of a school district where Family and Consumer Science classes are still being offered to its students," said Kilgren. "No teacher makes it in this profession alone. This award is not mine alone. The award goes to all of the people throughout the years that have helped me thrive. The Howell Public School staff is a phenomenal community of support for me. I want the community members here in Howell and all across the State of Michigan to know that Family Consumer Science Classes, formerly known as Home Economics, are even more important today than ever! I am a FACS teacher because "Adulting" is hard."

"We are so fortunate to have Amy as part of our team. She always goes above and beyond to find ways to engage our students and prepare them for the future," said Melanie Post, Highlander Way Middle School principal. "At Highlander Way, we know what an outstanding educator Amy is, and it is wonderful to see her recognized at the state level for all that she does."

In addition to being honored at the 2019 FCSEM Conference, Kilgren will also be recognized at an upcoming Howell Public Schools Board of Education meeting.