School Announcements
May Is Here!
May 14 Civil War Day
May 17 8th Grade Promotion @ Hastings High 2:00
This has been an enjoyable year working with your students. For those students heading to the high school, we wish great things for them and their future. For students coming back to HMS, we can’t wait to see you in the fall!! In the mean time, enjoy your summer.
Summer Activities
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2012 SUMMER ACTIVITIES PROGRAMS
are now available at School Offices!Registration Forms and Program Offering Guides  |
Hastings Public Schools is offering Summer Music and Athletic Activity Clinics for grades 2 - 11. Music and Athletic Clinic offerings guides are available at all school offices or you may view below. PURPLE Athletic Registration forms (w/medical waiver) are available from your school office.
2012 Activity Clinics
Summer Orchestra & Band Information
Four Weeks of Orchestra or Band Instruction: Resident- $70.00
(Non-resident - $85.00)
Location: HPS Middle School - 201 N. Marian Road
MAKE CHECK OUT TO: HASTINGS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ORCHESTRA @ HMS Orchestra Room
May 21 to June 15 2012
Take daily lessons on Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass at the times indicated:
8:00 - 8:55 = Grade 4 Beginning Violin, Viola
9:00 - 9:55 = Grade 5 Beginning Cello, Bass
10:00 - 10:55 = Grades 5 & Intermediate Orchestra
11:00 - 11:55 = Grades 7 & Advanced Orchestra
12:00 - 12:55 = Grades 4 & Beginning Violin/Viola/Cello/Bass (If Needed)
Questions? Contact Mr. Jank @ 402-461-7520
BAND @ HMS Band Room
May 21 to June 15 2012
Take daily lessons on Flute/Clarinet/Saxophone/Trumpet/Trombone/Baritone
8:00 - 9:00 = Beginning Flutes, Clarinets, Saxophones (4th Grade)
9:00 - 10:00 = Beginning Trumpets & French Horns (4th Grade)
10:00 - 11:00 = Intermediate Class, All Instruments (5th Grade)
(Focus for this class is to complete the Standards of Excellence Book and learn some Pep Band and Jazz Band songs.)
12:00 - 1:00 = Advanced Class, All Instruments (6th - 8th Grade)
(Focus for this class is to learn Pep band and Jazz band songs and possibly perform at a few local events in June in the community. There will also be opportunities to write and arrange music and make music videos.
Questions? Contact Mr. Matticks @ 402-461-7520
HMS Band Registration Form
Summer School
We will also have summer school at HMS from June 4-July 3. Sessions will run from 9:00-12:00 M, T, W and will focus on reading and math skills. All incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students are invited to attend. There is no cost and those who have been recommended for summer school will receive a letter in the mail. If your child does not receive a letter, but is still interested, forms can be picked up in the middle school office.
7th Grade
Poetry SLAM!
-A culmination of work in 7th grade English class!-
Conference Track
Way to go Tigers!
Congratulations to our athletes and coaches
on some outstanding performances.
Congratulations to our athletes and coaches
on some outstanding performances.
Science Club
Science Club Members:1. Be sure to turn in your permission slip for this year's adventure by May1st!
2. Campout gear can be stored in Mrs. Vogt's room, 806.
3. Be prepared for food, fun, star-gazing, and more...
4. The movie that follows the stargazing theme is
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (Rated PG)
Night Of Excellence
Hastings Middle School sponsors theNIGHT OF EXCELLENCE
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!
Taking a Stand Against Bullying
Welcomes you!
Bullying Report:
There is now access to a "Bullying Report" that is annonymous and safe. To send information regarding a bully or bullying incident directly to Miss O'Neill's e-mail inbox, click on the left tab entitled "Bullying Report" to begin. What is bullying?
Bullying is any mean, physical, verbal or electronic act that hurts a person's body, feelings, or possessions. Any bullying that occurs outside of school but carries over into school and causes a disruption will be dealt with as a school issue.
History Day
We had a group of HMS students compete in History Day at Hastings College on March 14 and here are the results. All of these kids are going to the state contest on April 21 at Wesleyan.Junior Group Documentary, 1st place (Nathan Abel, Rishav Srivastava, Josh Jarmer,Austin Seamann) Revolution of Apple Junior Group Documentary, 2nd place (Lindsey Labrie, Teagan Duncan, Dallas Strong) The Vote Junior Individual historical paper (Gabbi Dubas) The Montgomery Bus Boycott 2ND RUNNER UP - $4000 SCHOLARSHIP Junior Individual historical paper (Dacia Hartman) Gloria Steinem Junior Individual historical paper (Brianna Lehrling) The Holocaust: A Time of Need Junior Group Exhibit (Odeth Mendez, Adriana Salaz) Egyptian Revolution Junior Individual Exhibit, 1st place (Zoey Cook) The Germ Theory GRAND PRIZE WINNER - $6000 SCHOLARSHIP Junior Individual Exhibit, 2nd place (Maggie Nielsen) Tiananmen Square Junior Individual Exhibit, 3rd place (Kaila Avent) Galileo and the Copernican Revolution
Math Department's Pi Day!
Celebrate Pi Day!
), is the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi Day is celebrated by math enthusiasts around the world on March 14th. Pi = 3.1415926535…
With the use of computers, Pi has been calculated to over 1 trillion digits past the decimal. Pi is an irrational and transcendental number meaning it will continue infinitely without repeating. The symbol for pi was first used in 1706 by William Jones, but was popular after it was adopted by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler in 1737.
Exciting Character Education News
8 Keys of Excellence: This past week, eight groups of
7th graders were asked to present their Public Service
Announcements over the intercom. The winning
group, who focused on the "Speaking with Good
Purpose" Key, took a field trip to the KHAS radio
station Friday morning to record their PSA. It was a
GREAT experience working with Tyson Havranek,
News Director at KHAS, during this project. The PSA
will air on Monday morning at 6:45am and 8:45am on
both radio stations - 94.5 FM and 1230 AM. The PSA
can also be downloaded from the KHAS website. The
Public Service Announcement will continue to play in
the PSA rotation on KHAS radio throughout the year.
+ 
CONGRATS to our winners: Matthew Russel, Fabian Gonzalez, Grace Clawson, Ryan Douglas, Milli May, Louis Llanes Vazquez!
Science Club
Science Club needs your help! Earth Day, April 22nd, is fast approaching. The Votes are in! 
Congratulations to Mrs. Kimle for winning a free t-shirt simply by voting online for her favorite!
Student Council:
HMS Student Council Clothing Prices
From 2010-2011
Orange Short-Sleeved T-Shirts $5
Orange Long-Sleeved T-Shirts $7
Black Hoodies $15
Orange Crew Necked Sweatshirts $15
From 2011-2012
Hoodies $30Crew Neck Sweatshirts $30
Long Sleeve T-Shirts $15
Short Sleeve T-Shirts $10
SCIENCE CLUB T-SHIRTS 2010-2011 INVENTORY
Earth Day T-Shirt/Hoot Owl $5
Earth Day T-Shirt/Surfin’ Frog $5
Yearbook
Have you ordered your yearbook yet?
Books are $22.
Deadline: January 13, 2012.
Get a form in the office
or click on the yearbook link to order on-line
Don’t be left out when everyone gets their books in May!
From the Principal
I have been sending out a weekly e-mail update of events at the middle school. If you would like to be added to that list, send an e-mail to Suzann Christensen at suzannc@esu9.org and she will add you to the master list so you get the weekly update. You can also check the middle school website for information at http://hastingspublicschools.org. Go to the drop down menu for schools and click on the middle school. On the left hand side you will find links to a lot of information. If you need to get a hold of a staff member, all the e-mail addresses are listed there. We have also added a bullying report form where students can anonymously report a bullying incident and it will go directly to the administrators.
Mr. Essink
Character Education
INTEGRITY – Match behavior with valuesDemonstrate your positive personal values in all you do and say. Be sincere and real.
Living in integrity means that everything we say and everything we do are true reflections of what we value, what’s important to us. Think about what your behavior says about you. Does it clearly show others what you value? Do you show up as honest and committed, or dishonest and indifferent? Are you spending your time with the people and activities you value, or is your focus elsewhere?
When we live in integrity we are sincere and true to ourselves—we don’t say or think one thing and do another. People trust and respect us, our relationships are solid, and we feel good about ourselves. Those positive feelings from others and within ourselves reinforce our values and build our reputation and self-esteem, leading us to greater success in all areas of our lives.
Teacher Appreciation
Jars of Excellence: 
PASS IT ON...
PASS IT ON...
Mr. Baptiste - "An incredible role-model for students..." passed his jar onto Mr. White, "A great mentor." 
Mr. White passed his jar onto Mrs. Opperman who always goes above and beyond for kids and staff. 
Mrs. Opperman passed her jar onto Mrs. White, who is incredible at keeping kids active in the classroom. 
Mrs. White passed on her jar to Mrs. Vogt, a teacher who is known to share many smiles as well as many bright ideas. 
Mrs. Vogt passed her jar onto an incredible mother and health mentor, Mrs. Ripperger. Mrs. Ripperger took the record for the most "Jars of Excellence." 
Mrs. Kimle - "An angel for our building,"
passed her jar onto Mr. Sejkora, "a delightful techno wizard." 
Mr. Sejkora passed his jar onto Mrs. Christensen, "a person who shines and gives of herself.
Mrs. Christensen passed her jar onto Mrs. Griffin, a talented and inspiring teacher. Mrs. Griffin passed her jar onto a dear friend and flexible teacher, Ms. Hawes. 
Ms. Hawes passed her jar onto Mrs. Ripperger, who has a positive disposition and empowering attitude. 
Mr. Trindle - "Flexible and on his game," passed his jar onto Mr. Stoddard for including him among the men of Men's Club. 
Mr. Stoddard passed his jar onto Ms. Dirk's, "an incredible reading teacher." 
Ms. Dirk's passed her jar onto a friend, teammate, and committed teacher, Mrs. Wichelt. 
Mrs. Wichelt passed her jar onto Mrs. Davis, a teacher who's name is often mentioned when considering excellence in education. 
Volunteer Opportunities
Dear Parents and Community Members,
Hastings Middle School participated in a character education program last year called the "8 Keys of Excellence." We are continuing such efforts, and need your help. If you are interested in donating your time or supplies for hands-on activities, please click below. Complete a brief survey and provide your contact information. With your time and effort, we can model and teach what it means to "live the key." That means to show ownership, commitment, integrity, and flexability. Your actions demonstrate what is means to speak with good purpose and find balance in life. These are the 8 Keys!
If you would like more information, click on the side link titled, "Character Education," to the left.
Lunch Program
Hastings Public Schools: Food Service Focus
Click Here!
