Hoquiam Middle School

The Game of Owns begins February 16! The Game of Owns is a special event for Hoquiam Middle School students, taking place every Wednesday from February 16 to March 16, from 2:30-3:30 PM. This even allows students to experience authentic historical combat direct from cultures studied in their history classes using a virtual reality combat simulator called "Blade and Sorcery." The purpose of the Game of Owns is primarily educational: students will use historically accurate arms and armor from ancient cultures to learn hands on how combat actually functioned in history. All blood and gore is completely turned off in the simulation. All students will be fully supervised by Mr. Nitti, Digital Age Coordinator for the Hoquiam School District and founder of Hoquiam Esports. VR Buddies will be provided to assist students. The winner of the tournament will be awarded the The Crown of Owns and a gift certificate to the Grizzly Den. Parent permission slips are required to participate, and available in the HMS Office. Students must have their own transportation to and from the HHS Library. For more information please contact Mr. Nitti at cnitti@hoquiam.net or at 360-346-6875 with any questions.

This week celebrate National School Counseling Week by highlighting and saying thanks to some of the best. Our school counselors do an amazing job supporting our students and the social and emotional needs and they a big part of the team supporting students academic needs as well. Hoquiam Middle School's Ms. Andrews has a real passion for working with students in the middle. For many, middle school was one of the times in our lives that were awkward and maybe even challenging. Much of the work for Ms. Andrews is coaching and supporting preteens as they navigate through these sometimes awkward years. We really do appreciate you, Ms. Andrews!!

Thursday, February 10th during all three lunches, the Boys Soccer coach will be at the Middle School signing up anyone interested in playing. If your son is interested please plan to have them sign up and meet the coach.

February Dates to Remember: Monday, February 21-No School President's Day Tuesday, February 22-Originally on the calendar, this was an inservice day for staff and a day off for students. With weather cancellations, this has been restored as a day of school. We understand that some families may have scheduled travel for that long weekend already and may be returning home on that date. We will happily work with families in that situation, please call our attendance line (360-538-8221) and let us know if that is the case for your family. February 28-Early dismissal (11:05) as this is a district collaboration day. We will be on a half day schedule, with lunch served at the end of the day on a "to-go" basis.

Here is a rundown of the week...Hope it is a good one for you all.

In case you missed it... Update to the School Year Calendar for 2021-22 As many of you know, the 2021-22 school year has been impacted by closures due to snow and flooding. It can be predicted that we may need to close for additional days due to weather conditions. Please see the updated school calendar which reflects the following changes to student days: -- February 22 is now a student learning day. Students will go to campus for learning. -- March 11 (inclement weather day) will be a student learning day. Students will go to campus for learning. -- The last day of school is still scheduled for students on June 15. *Please know that further updates will be required if there are further district closures. You can access the updated district calendar here at this link https://5il.co/14xqz

Monday, January 31 --Regular Schedule --Last day of 2nd Quarter --PMG Testing-1:30-2:30-HMS Cafeteria --7JV & 8JV practice 3:00-5:00pm --8V game 5:30pm vs. Elma, 7V game 6:45pm vs. Elma at HMS Tuesday, February 1 --7:15 a.m. Grade Level Meetings --Regular Schedule --1st day of 3rd Quarter --PMG Testing-1:15-2:15-HMS Cafeteria --7th JV practice 3:00-5:00; 7th V practice 3:30-5:00pm; 8th JV practice 4:30-6 pm: 8th V practice 5:30-7:00pm Wednesday, February 2 --Normal Schedule --PMG Testing 1:30-2:30 --7th JV practice 3:00-4:30; 8th JV practice 4:30-6:00 --7th Varsity @ Rochester-5:30 pm-Bus leaves at 4:15 pm --8th Varsity @ Rochester-6:45 pm-Sam Bus leave time Thursday, February 3 --Normal Schedule --PMG Testing 1:15-2:15 pm --7th V practice 3-5 pm; 8th V practice 4:30-6 pm --7th JV @ Elma-5:50 pm --8th JV @ Elma-6:30 pm Friday, February 4 --Normal Schedule --PMG Testing 1:30-2:30 --All teams practicing: 7th JV practice 3:00-5:00pm; 7th V practice 3:30-5:00pm; 8th JV practice 4:30-6:00pm; 8th V practice 5:30-7:00pm

We will be welcoming back our students to in person learning on Monday, January 31. Monday will be the final day of 2nd Quarter, and Tuesday February 1 will mark the first day of 3rd Quarter. Student schedules will be distributed Monday afternoon.

Athletic Schedule for the next 3 days. There are gym changes brought on by new changes in spectator policies.

Community notification regarding temporary changes to athletics. Dear Hoquiam Family and Community, At the time of this letter our middle school academic program has pivoted to remote learning. This decision was not made lightly, as it was out of an abundance of caution in hopes to address our growing number of COVID-19 positive students/staff in the school setting. We have witnessed the impact socially and emotionally on our students and understand the role athletics and physical activity plays in supporting emotional wellbeing as well as physical wellbeing. We have elected to continue our sports programs after school at the middle school in part because of the regular COVID-19 testing that is performed on ALL of the athletes, coaches and volunteers in these athletic programs. Because we have a regular testing protocol in place (since Nov 2021) we have been able to monitor and ensure the health and safety of ALL athletes and coaches while practicing and competing. In the coming weeks our high school athletes will be winding down the winter sports season and entering postseason competition. Our goal is to have all of our athletes and coaches safe and healthy in order to finish this season and represent Hoquiam with honor and pride. As a moderate move, and in coordination with our athletic director and building administrators, we will be implementing a NO SPECTATOR policy for our home high school and middle school events at least until January 31st. Our athletic director is working to move contests, including middle school contests to the high school gym as those can be viewed Live or On Demand through the NFHS site: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com With High School playoffs two weeks away this proactive step increases the chances to keep our participants and coaches healthy so we are at full strength down the stretch. Our Athletic Director will continue to communicate sport specific information to each of our MS and HS sports teams via Final Forms. If there are any questions or concerns please contact our Athletic Director, Annette Duvall @ aduvall@hoquiam.net or her district phone at 360-538-5381. Should the district receive additional guidance from our local health officials, we will adjust appropriately and of course communicate any change of plans with our community. We will continue to share updates as necessary with all students, staff, families and our community through our website: www.hoquiam.net as well as on our district FB page. Thank you in advance for understanding and supporting this intermediate step with No Spectators until at least January 31st. Respectfully, Mike Villarreal

Just a reminder that Monday, January 24 is an 11:00 a.m. release from school for district wide collaboration and professional development. Zooms will end at 11:00 a.m. and students who are attending in-person will catch their bus or ride or walk home. Lunch will be served before they go home. Lunch times will remain normal at all of the food service sites. Students are being emailed a schedule to their school emails.

If your child still is in need of a Chromebook, Monday, January 24, we have staff available to issue those. Beginning at 8:00 a.m., staff will be available at the main front entrance to issue Chromebooks to you. There is a form that must be completed (1 minute to fill out). It is required to check out the device. If you have any questions please call 360-538-8220.

Athletic Testing: Because our MS players are not on campus until 1/31, we need to add the extra component of being tested BEFORE a practice or contest with PMG on Monday, Wednesday or Friday at Hoquiam High School in the Lower Admin area. PMG is at HHS 3:00-7:00pm on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. Unfortunately PMG is not testing at the Middle School during our virtual time. Coaches will be communicating their respective practice times and games through Remind. Please make sure you are in your son's Remind account. Please email the athletic director, Ms. Duvall, or call with any questions - aduvall@hoquiam.net or 206 714-5402.

Boys Basketball update for Friday: Friday 1/21: Our 7th & 8th JV contest at HMS has been postponed due to lack of available officials. --7th JV and 7th V will practice 3:00-4:30pm with Coach Deeshawn Benjamen Coach Andrew will return sometime next week with his 7th V team --8th JV will practice 4:30-6:00pm with Coach Tyson --8th V will practice 6:00-7:30pm with Coach Taylor and Coach Maxfield

With the Middle School moving to remote learning, lunches will be available to those students at the following distribution sites and times… Friday, January 21 st ~ Monday, January 24 th ~ Tuesday, January 25 th ~ Wednesday, January 26 th ~ Thursday, January 27 th and Friday, January 28 th Rear Parking Lot of Hoquiam Middle School / 10:45-12:30 Grays Harbor YMCA Parking Lot / 10:45 – 11:15 Washington Elementary / 11:25 – 11:55 Art Pocklington Playpark / 12:05 – 12:35 If you need further assistance with receiving meals during this time please call 360-538-8278

Remote Learning Information for HMS - 1/21/22 - 1/31/22 Middle School students and families can access the complete remote learning schedule and links to their teachers remote classes by following this link https://www.hoquiam.net/o/hms/page/hms-remote-learning In person learning/support will still be provided on a limited bases to predetermined groups of students such as students with disabilities, 504, EL, etc. you can contact the building principal or your child's case manager for further information. Door-to-door transportation will continue for those students to get in person support during remote learning. Students will be emailed copies of the bell schedule, zoom links and Google Classroom codes.

Hoquiam Middle School will transition to remote learning beginning 1/21/20 and return to in person learning on 1/31/22. Please see the attached link to the letter from the Superintendent (https://5il.co/14j5d). Middle School students and families can access important information regarding remote learning on our district website www.hoquiam.net IF students forgot, or need a device but haven't turned in paperwork for a new chromebook, we are available for device pickup, or in special cases delivery. Please call 360-538-8220.

Remote Learning Information for HMS - 1/21/22 - 1/31/22 Middle School students and families can access the complete remote learning schedule and links to their teachers remote classes by following this link https://www.hoquiam.net/o/hms/page/hms-remote-learning In person learning/support will still be provided on a limited bases to predetermined groups of students such as students with disabilities, 504, EL, etc. you can contact the building principal or your child's case manager for further information. Door-to-door transportation will continue for those students to get in person support during remote learning.

Tuesday Jan. 18 --Normal Schedule --1:15-2:15-PMG Athletic Testing @ HMS Cafeteria --8 BB Practice 3:15-4:15; Other teams no practice Wednesday Jan. 19 --Normal Schedule --1:30-2:30-PMG Athletic Testing @ HMS Cafeteria --5:30-8BB @ Oakland Bay MS-Bus leaves 4:15 --7:00-7BB @ Oakland Bay MS-Bus leaves 4:15 Thursday Jan. 20 --Normal Schedule --1:15-2:15-PMG Athletic Testing @ HMS Cafeteria --5:00-8BB (H) MONTESANO --6:15-7BB (H) MONTESANO Friday Jan. 21 --Normal Schedule --1:30-2:30-PMG Athletic Testing @ HMS Cafeteria --5:00-8JVBB (H) MILLER --6:15-7JVBB (H) MILLER Reminder: End of 2nd Quarter is Wednesday January 26

Community Based testing at Hoquiam High School has been cancelled for tonight due to staffing shortages with our community testing partner PMG. We will update Friday if there are any changes.