the panther press

H. G. Hill Middle School September 22, 2017

The Importance of Homework Understanding the Policies and ProceduresThere is significant research that suggests homework, when used appropriately, benefits student achievement. Homework allows practice of skills, opportunity for independent work and enrichment as well as a chance for students to return to school asking for clarification and additional guidance. Our goal as educators is to help students see how homework is related to class work and to develop assignments that are meaningful. We are mindful of students with barriers to completing homework and address those daily. We are committed to setting high expectations to advance our academics and are committed to establishing a partnership with families to make this happen. This year, MNPS implemented a homework policy for all students. You can read the entire policy set forth by MNPS by clicking here. At H.G. Hill, our mission related to the homework policy is to make certain we are abiding by the MNPS guidelines while understanding that each of our grade levels are unique. A 5th grader just starting middle school faces many changes, homework load and expectations being one. Likewise, an 8th grader getting

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PTO NEWS

Please join us!

The H.G. Hill PTO met recently to discuss plans for the year including fundraisers and community events.

PTO is pleased to announce the creation of an on line spirt wear store which will “go live” approximately October 1st. There will be several exciting offerings this year including jackets, new sweatshirts and a camouflage (SSA approved) t-shirt. Flyers will be sent home with information as soon as the store is ready and samples will be available in the office to look at and try on. PTO will also host a Community Tailgate Celebration Thursday, October 26th before the H.G. Hill/JT Moore football game to celebrate Spirit Week at H.G. Hill. Also during spirit week, PTO will sponsor “Pennies for Panthers” a grade level competition.

Please sign up to receive PTO emails by clicking here. Your help is needed! Penny counters will be especially needed in late October.

THE PANTHER PRESS Active Learning | Adventurous Activity | Always Family

615-298-6636

mailto:[email protected]?subject=

mailto:[email protected]?subject=

https://norinrad10.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/badd7-revisedmetronashvillepublicschoolshomeworkguidelines2017-20186-13.pdf


ready for high school needs to learn how to prioritize and monitor homework and must be accountable in a different manner. At H.G. Hill we are adhering to the MNPS guidelines for homework and have established school guidelines for retakes. At the back of this newsletter you will find the retake policies put in place and communicated to students in grade 5 through 8. Please reach out anytime and provide feedback as to the experience your student is having while doing homework. Working together, we will get a better sense of what best serves our students.

This week, in addition to reviewing the homework/retake policies, I would like to invite you to become a member of our PTO. There are no dues, just awesome camaraderie while working together to make our school great! ~Dr. Jones

Staff Spotlight: Counseling Services

As part of our commitment to serving the many needs of our students at H.G. Hill, we have quality resources in place should the need arise for social or emotional assistance. MNPS places social workers in schools to assist with the needs of families facing crisis or stress, as well as counseling groups of students and independent counseling of students. H.G. Hill’s social worker is Ms. Sarah Hackett and she can be reached by calling the school. In addition, we are pleased to welcome Abby Kirby of Centerstone to our family as well this year. Abby is a Nashville native and attended Lipscomb University and The University of Tennessee. Centerstone places school based personnel like Abby to provide one on one therapy to qualifying students. These include problems with anxiety, depression, ADHD behaviors, PTSD, family struggles, eating disorders and more. A student must be a TennCare recipient to qualify and a parent/guardian must come to school and meet with Abby to assess the need. Students typically visit Abby in a relaxed setting every other week. Abby can also be contacted by calling the school.


Space Still Available

Openings are still available for H.G. Hill’s newest after school enrichment program, Young Rembrandts, being taught by our own incredible art teacher, Ms. Seals. Click here: www.youngrembrandts.com/mid-tn to register for Young Rembrandts at H.G. Hill.

Important notes from the Car Rider Line

At drop off and dismissal, our number one priority is safety. Being located in a residential neighborhood, on a heavily traveled street, our school’s car rider line often gets backed up and busy. All rules for car riders are for made to keep students safe. Please remember….

In the morning:

1. Students must not be let out of cars before 8:40.

2. Students may not exit a car outside of the designated drop off lane. Students are being dropped off in the bus lane which presents a significant safety hazard.

In the afternoon:

1. Pick up is to only be made in the car rider line. No cars may park anywhere in the bus lanes.

2. Unless there is an unforeseen circumstance, car riders must be picked up by 4:10.

Pick up a Public key tag next time you visit school and use it

when you shop. Nothing to register and PTO gets CASH!

http://www.youngrembrandts.com/mid-tn

http://www.youngrembrandts.com/mid-tn



PANTHER FACES This week’s faces belong to the students in our English Language Learners

program. Recently, these hard working Panthers gathered to introduce their parents to the teachers, get to know other families better and learn more about

our school, policies and procedures.



PANTHER SPORTS H.G. Hill football had a great defensive showing against Nashville Prep in their opening game, forcing 3 turnovers, 1 of which was returned for a touchdown.

Jaquan Mosley scored 3 touchdowns and outstanding performances were turned in by William Richmond, Marqueze Crowell and Joseph Chiachiaro.

Panthers win 36-0!

Have great sports photos to share? Please email them to [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

5TH GRADE RE TAKE POLICIES

5th Grade Retake Policy

1. All students receive the first attempt, including students with accommodations. Those students will be tested

using the guidelines listed in their IEP or 504.

2. Any student scoring below 85 is expected to take a retake. Below 85 does not demonstrate mastery of a

standard.

3. Student tests will be returned within 1-3 days.

4. Students have the opportunity to make test corrections and turn those in for review. Teachers have the

discretion to use this for a grade correction. This can also be used as review for a second retake.

5. If the student does not master the standards tested after the 2nd retake, the student will be pulled into a small

group with the teacher with remediation and extra practice.

6. All retakes must be accompanied by the “Retake Ticket” completed by the student, and in some circumstances,

the parent.

7. Students who do not want to do a retake must have the form signed by the parent explaining that they are

satisfied with their progress.

8. Retakes will not be given during the 9th week of a 9-week period without prior approval.

RETAKE TICKET

Name: _____________________________ Date: __________________ Class Period: ______

Title of Quiz: ___________________________________________

Grade Received: ______________________

Why do you think you received this grade? __________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Have you completed all homework/classwork for the skill tested on the quiz? (Attach any missing work you have completed to this retake ticket.)

Circle: Yes No

Have you corrected the quiz? (Attach corrected quiz to this retake ticket.)

Circle: Yes No

Have you completed the assignment you were given to practice before doing your retake? (Attach assignment to this retake ticket.)

Circle: Yes No

What else have you done to study for the assessment retake? ____________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Student Signature: _____________________________________________

Parent Signature: ______________________________________________

Teacher Signature: ____________________________________________

______ I am satisfied with my grade and will not be doing a retake.

Student Signature: _____________________________________________

Parent Signature: ______________________________________________


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6TH GRADE RETAKE POLICIES

6th Grade Retake Policy

x Students may Redo/Retake any given assignment x The highest grade the student receives will be

recorded in the gradebook x Students must submit a Redo Ticket within 1 week of

the assignment being passed back x Students must also demonstrate that they have

studied or prepared for the retake in some way, through a review sheet or practice problems.

x Students have a maximum of 2 weeks to complete the redo assignment

6th Grade Homework Policy

x Students will be receiving homework this year from all of their classes 2-4 times a week

x Homework assignments will be written in student agenda books

x Homework will account for 10% of the student’s grade and will be graded upon completion and/or accuracy depending on the assignment

x Students with an excused absence will be allowed to make-up any missed assignments



7TH GRADE RETAKE POLICIES

7th Grade Weekly Homework Schedule X = you will be assigned homework in these subjects on the assigned dates

* = you are required to read 20 minutes and

complete a reading log

Above, you will find a weekly homework schedule. Homework is now a part of a student’s grade. Parents, please be aware that your child will have homework on these days. Please help us help your child have a successful year.

A copy of this schedule will be given to your student and kept in his or her agenda. Please sign and return the bottom of this form.

7th Grade Redo/Retakes Policy Redo “Single” Assignments 1. Students can only redo an assignment if the assignment is designated as a “redo” by a teacher

x Please note that not all assignments can be redone. The teacher will inform the students which assignments can be redone.

x A single redo is all that will be allowed per designated assignment 2. Students must staple the original assignment to the redo assignment.

x The redo assignment can be the missed problems or a new problem created by the teacher. x A “redo application” must be stapled on top (page 1).

o The application must contain complete sentences. If it does not, another application will be required.

x The redo assignment should be page 2. x Please write REDO across the top of the page in big letters.

3. The redo assignment is due within ONE WEEK of the return date for the original assignment. x Teachers may require students to do other assignments (pre-lesson activities) before the redo assignment

is given 4. Each teacher will decide when redos are given and a specific way to turn the redos in. Redo “Project” Assignments 1. Students can redo the various components of the assignment, but NOT the final project.

x If students are redoing the components as needed, there will be no reason for the final project to be redone.

Math Literacy Science or Social Studies

Monday X * X Tuesday X X * Wednesday X * X Thursday X * X Friday



8TH GRADE RETAKE POLICY

8th Grade Retake Policies

Math (Koerner/Thompson)

x Homework: Retake by submitting a retake reflection form and showing corrections on problems that were incorrect on the original attempt.

o Original attempt must be stapled to reflection form o Students may retake until unit test

x Exams: Retake by skill and/or standard by submitting a reflection form and showing practice of

skills. o Practice information will be provided by teacher o Not all exams may be retaken

Science (Smith)

x Exams: One retake is allowed for each exam. Students must submit a retake reflection form and demonstrate practice with skills or standards.

Social Studies (Jackson)

x Exams: One retake is allowed for each exam. Students must submit a retake reflection form and demonstrate practice with skills or standards by writing a summary of correlating chapters in the textbook.

English (Adkins/Gomez)

x Homework: No retakes are offered for homework.

x Exams: Most exams will have a retake. Students retake by submitting a retake reflection form along with practice of the skills being assessed.

o Practice information will be provided by teacher o Not all exams may be retaken

x Papers: Most papers may be revised based on feedback and resubmitted to teachers. A deadline

for final submissions will be communicated to students. Not all assignments will have the opportunity for a retake. Students will be made aware of which assignments do not have a retake opportunity.



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