Hillyard Makes AYP!

J. Frank Hillyard Middle School is one of only two area middle schools to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) on the 2009 SOL tests!  As you know, each year students take a series of SOL tests.  Schools are required to have a minimum number of students pass these tests in order to meet federal benchmarks. This year, only 40 percent of middle schools in the state of Virginia met these requirements and JFHMS was one of these schools!  Hillyard was one of only two middle schools in the Shenandoah Valley (Frederick, Shenandoah, Rockingham, Page, Augusta and Rockbridge Counties along with Winchester, Harrisonburg and Staunton Cities) to make AYP. 

We are so proud of our students and teachers for this accomplishment. This recognition clearly places JFHMS as one of the best middle schools in the state of Virginia!  

 Planning Ahead to Pay For College 

A General Financial Aid Workshop

Presented by Brad Barnett from the JMU Office of Financial Aid 

Open to all middle and high school students and their parents

Tuesday, Nov. 17th @ 7pm

Broadway High School Lecture Room

(A workshop specifically geared towards filling out the FAFSA will be held on January 18th at 7pm... more info to come)

Economics Award Winners

Congratulations to three Hillyard teachers for winning several economic awards in 2009.  These teachers’ awards are listed below.

Wayne Arbogast – Local Grand Prize Winner and State Second Place Winner

Al Ruliffson – Local First Place Winner and State First Place Winner

Callie Randolph – Local Third Place Winner 

DC Field Trip

The Incredibles Team will be visiting Washington, DC on Friday October 30, 2009.  On our trip, the students will be touring the US Capitol, Union Station, the American History Museum, and some of the memorials and monuments.  All permission slips and money should be turned in by Friday, Oct. 20, 2009.

Pizza Night

J. F. Hillyard Middle School and Domino’s Pizza are working together to raise money for programs and supplies in our school.  The first Tuesday of each month, September through June, 10% of the sales at Domino’s Pizza that day will be donated directly to our school.  If you mention J. Frank Hillyard when you order you will receive free Cinnasticks or Breadsticks.  Your participation in this program is GREATLY appreciated!  Please mark the following dates on your calendar and support JFHMS by purchasing a pizza or other items from Domino’s:

October 6^th                   March 2^nd        November 3^rd               April 6^th

December 1^st                May 4^th

January 5^th                   June 1^st  

February 2^nd  

                       

REMEMBER OUR NEXT DAY IS OCTOBER 6^TH, SO PLEASE VISIT DOMINO’S AND SUPPORT HILLYARD MIDDLE SCHOOL.  ON THAT DAY, 10% OF THE PROFITS WILL BE RETURNED TO OUR SCHOOL BY DOMINO’S PIZZA.

BRAINPOP

We have access to a great study site for our students.  It is called "BRAINPOP".  This interactive web site has videos , quizzes and games for all topics.  We have access to this from any computer between the hours of 7:00 am until 5:30 pm , 7 days per week.  Take advantage of this opportunity from home or from a public library.  Thanks to the SCA and others for helping provide this resource!!! 

How do I use it? www.brainpop.com

Username : hillyard

Password: hawks

Target Supports Education

JFH recently received a check for $70.31 from Target and the Take Charge of Education program.  When parents, teachers, and other school supporters use their REDcard for purchases, Target donates 1% of the total purchase to a school of choice from K-12.  You will need to designate which school the donation should go.  These funds come with no strings attached and can be used to purchase anything our school needs.  For questions and more information, go to Target.com/tcoe or call 1-800-316-6142.  Thank you for your support!

Longaberger Basket and Vera Bradley BINGO with Silent Auction

 J. Frank Hillyard Middle School Cafeteria; Saturday October 3, 2009

Doors open at 5 pm; First game at 6:30pm

                       All proceeds will go towards Hillyard 8^th grade - World Strides Science Field Trip to Florida Concessions will be available.  Please call 540-383-1088 or 540-435-6765 for information and purchase of tickets.  Presale tickets: 4 for $25/1 for $10; At the door: 3 for $25/1 for $10.

 

  THE 2010 TALON

We are looking forward to an exciting year here at Hillyard.  There are many planned activities within the classrooms and at other events that we want to cover for this year’s yearbook.  These books will not be on sale until February 2010 and there are a few things I would like for everyone to know.  This year’s book will contain a lot of articles about activities we have here at school.  We also will have captions under every picture.  Captions will allow your child to look at their yearbook many years down the road and be able to identify who everyone is and help with remembering what was going on in 2010.

For an additional charge of $5 your child will be able to have their name foiled on the front of the book.  We also will have ads to purchase for the 8^th grade students only.  We will have business card (2” X 3.5”) sized ads where a parent can send a special note to their child.  There will only be 40 ads sold this year and will cost $25. The funds raised by these sales of ads and names will go toward the cost of producing the yearbook as well as improvements to future yearbooks.  The orders for the ads and foiled names will start on Oct 15^th.  Watch for more details.

The price of the yearbook is $22 which is the same as it has been in the past and will not go on sale until February of next year.

  Nurse’s Notes

Cool weather is here and so is cold and flu season.  Below are a few simple things you can do to help keep you and your family healthy.

1. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth.

2. Avoid putting things, like pens and pencils, in your mouth.

3. Eat healthy and get plenty of rest.

4. Drink 8 glasses of fluid daily.  Staying hydrated helps your body fight infection.

5. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and wash your hands afterwards.

6. Use hand sanitizer when you are not able to use soap and water to wash your hands.

7. Clean areas in your home/office that are “handled” frequently, like doorknobs and phones, with a disinfectant product (Lysol or Clorox).

8. Students who have colds are allowed at school as long as they do not have a fever of 100 degrees or greater.

YOUR STUDENT MUST BE FEVER FREE FOR 24 HOURS WITHOUT MEDICATION BFORE RETURNING TO SCHOOL!

 You are encouraged to give your student cold medicine before they leave home in the morning if they have a cold.  You may also bring cold medication to school to keep in the Clinic for your student.  Cough drops are allowed in school, but the supply must be kept in the Clinic.  The nurse will give the student 2 at a time with a note that they may have them.

**Flu Shots are recommended for children over age 2. Most Insurance Companies cover the cost of Flu Shots. Flu Shots can be received at the Harrisonburg-Rockingham County Health Dept or your Doctor’s Office

  JFHMS Band

The JFHMS Band program is off to a great start in what will be a very busy year.   Our Band Boosters have several special events planned to help with the cost of school owned instrument repair and to assist students with travel opportunities within the Band program.  Please share this information with as many people as you can and join us at the Harrisonburg location of CiCi's Pizza for Band Booster night on Monday, Oct. 19.  Be sure to place your receipt in the box by the cash register to help our Bands.    We are hosting a "Peach Party" on Sunday, November 8, 2:00 p.m. at BHS featuring Just Jazzin', BHS Jazz Band, and JFH Stage Band. This event is to help offset the cost of the BHS Marching Band trip to perform at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta Georgia over New Years, including JFH 8th graders Megan Bizon and Quintas Mills, who are marching in the BHS high school Band this year.  Also, be sure to mark your calendars for our annual pancake breakfast at Applebees in Harrisonburg on  Saturday, November 14.  We are currently seeking donations for our largest event of the year, the Booster auction on Saturday, January 23, 2010, 10:00 a.m.  This year's event will be held at Bowman Auction House on South High Street in Harrisonburg.   Band Boosters meet on the fourth Monday of every month at 7 pm,  join us October 26 in the JFHMS Band rooms to find out more about how you can get involved and help.  Check out the JFHMS Band website http://cathybrown.edublogs.org   for schedules and updates on all JFH Band events and activities.

  Fruit & Poinsettia Sales

The annual JFH FFA Fruit Fundraiser will begin Oct 1 and runs through Oct. 30.  For fruit varieties and prices, please contact Mr. Rhodes. Also, we are happy to announce our 5^th annual Poinsettia Sale!!  We have many varieties and colors for you to choose!!  All poinsettias are priced at $6.00 and will go on sale in November. 

JFH FFA News and Events

Congratulations to the new 2009-2010 FFA Officer Team:

President:  Julia Liskey

Vice President:  Chelsey Royston

Secretary:  Brittany Harold   

Treasurer:  Jonathan Corliss

Reporter:  Madison Hinkle

Sentinel:  Wesley May

Asst. Advisor:  Hunter Strawderman

Asst. President:  Ashlie Biller

Asst. Vice President:  Amber Wimer

Asst. Secretary:  Erin Earhart

Asst. Treasure:  Brandon Dove

 JFHMS PTA Reflections 2009-2010 

“Beauty is…”

  The Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program. Students in preschool through grade 12 participate in the arts areas of literature, dance choreography, film production, musical composition, photography, and visual arts. Age divisions are preschool through grade 2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12.

The Reflections Program provides a venue for students to create and be recognized for original works of art based on a pre-selected theme, while increasing community awareness on the importance of the arts in education.

Parents, teachers, and community members all play a critical role in fostering a positive learning environment for children. Supporting the Reflections Program is one way adults can help maintain that environment.

The Reflections Program has encouraged millions of students across the nation and in American schools overseas to explore their artistic talents. The National PTA created this program in 1969 at the request of then Colorado PTA President Mary Lou Anderson. The program’s longevity and participation statistics attest to its strength. This coming year will be the fortieth anniversary year for the Reflections Program. Let the excitement and enthusiasm that the program generates for children, parents, schools, and communities truly be unmatched.

If your child is interested, please ask their homeroom teacher for information.  Deadline for entries is Oct. 30, 2009.