This page is for the use of parents and teachers alike. Come visit to check for any new updates or information on upcoming events.
November 2018 Principal’s News
I am pleased to announce that Hampton Middle School is fully accredited. We had a great start of the school year in the months of September and October, students have shown excitement about being in school and learning new things. Our students have been engaged in Standards Based Learning which is driven and aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning and Prince William County Curriculum. Please check your child’s agenda daily for homework assignments, projects, and notes from teachers. In addition, please log in to the parent portal and check the teacher’s webpage. If information needed cannot be found in parent portal, please notify the principal. A big thank you to all parents who attended the PTSO and Advisory Council meeting. We appreciate you taking the opportunity to learn about the different programs offered, budget, initiatives, school data, curriculum, and classroom expectations.
One of our goals this year is to improve literacy and build academic vocabulary across all content area and grade levels. Reading at home is an important part the curriculum for all content areas. Research has shown that students who read at least 20 minutes a day outside of school do better on standardized tests than students who read less. Reading 20 minutes a day can increase vocabulary, reading fluency, comprehension and reading skills. At Hampton, all students are required to read 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. This includes days off, holidays, breaks, and snow days. In fact, it would be great if students read every day and not just the five days a week. Students may read newspapers, magazines, novels, poetry, textbooks, etc. Please monitor and help us out by insuring that your child reads every night. In addition, all students have a Study Island account which provides practice, support, and enrichment in reading. Have your child log in and read every day.
Why Read 20 Minutes Each Day
20 minutes x 5 times a week = 100 min a week
100 minutes a week x 4 weeks = 400 minutes a month
400 minutes a month x 10 months = 4,000 minutes a year
For birthdays, Christmas and special events, please give your child the gift of reading by surprising them with a special book on a topic that interest them. In addition, make one night a week “family reading night” where every family member sits together and read for 30 minutes. This is one way to help us in achieving our literacy goal. E-readers may be an item to put on this year’s holiday list. Many students have shown interest in having electronic books.
Attendance
It is very important that students attend school each day. If your child is going to be absent, please contact the school by 8:15 a.m. and inform us of the reason for absence or send a note with your child the following day. Please do not schedule vacations and family trips during the school year, they will be marked as unexcused absences.
November Calendar
November 1st – Picture Day
November 2nd – Picture Day
November 2nd – End of First Grading Period
November 5th – Teacher Professional Development Workday – No School for Students
November 6th – Hampton’s Touch Base Conference 8:30am – 11:30am – No School for Students
November 12th – Veterans Day Holiday – No School for Students and Staff
November 14th – Report Cards Go Home
November 14th – 21st Century Parent/Student Thanksgiving Dinner 3:15pm – 5:30pm
November 21st – 23rd - Thanksgiving Break for Students and Teachers
November 28th – Family Reading Night
PTO Membership Drive
Still Going Strong
Thank you to the wonderful families and staff members who have joined the Parent-Teacher-student Organization (PTSO). Annual membership dues are just $5 for the entire family and entitles each adult to vote at PTSO meetings and have input on how to spend monies raised.
PTSO Officers
President - Cassie Mathis and Edith Johnson
Vice President - Terry Rainge
Secretary - Naimah Thompson
Treasurer - Cheryl Pettijohn
Assistant Treasurer - Peju Fapohunda
Next PTSO and Advisory Council Meeting
Thursday, November 15th
6:00pm library.
Be Inspired – Be Involved – Attend PTSO and Advisory Council Meetings
SCA
SCA is currently collecting canned goods and other food items for ACTS. Please support SCA by donating canned goods to support ACTS.
Guidance News
8th grade students are currently working with the guidance counselors to review the high school curriculum and requirements for graduation. All students are eligible to apply for specialty programs at the high school. Students interested in applying for a specialty program must submit their application by the February 1st deadline. Some of the high schools may have a different deadline dates for their program. Each program has specific requirements for acceptance. Please contact Mrs. Hairston, 8th grade counselor if you have questions regarding any of the specialty programs.
Brentsville HS Cambridge Program
Forest Park HS Information Technology
Freedom HS Environmental Sciences
Garfield HS International Baccalaureate Program
Hylton HS International Studies & Languages
Potomac HS Cambridge Program
Osbourne Park HS Bio Technology
Colgan HS Center for Performance Arts
Stonewall Jackson HS International Baccalaureate Program
Woodbridge HS Center of Fine and Performing Arts
Thomas Jefferson HS Please contact Mrs. Hairston for an application