A Bit 'o This and a Touch 'o That
The goings-on at Hinckley-Big Rock Middle School
It is hard to believe that I am beginning my 16th year at HBR and the 13th at HBRMS; and yes I understand that means I am getting older. From the time I began, I have described our school and the entire district to people as a place that is very special. The teachers and staff work daily to provide students with quality educational experiences. The teachers, staff, and I also take great pride in building meaningful relationships with all our students. One of the ways we try to help build our morale is having a riddle or a short quote on our sign out front. The students and staff enjoy reading and having their joke posted. One of the recent favorites was "Why don’t werewolves ever know the time? Because they’re not whenwolves!"
HBR is in the 3rd year of having a district goal dealing with Personalized Learning. HBRMS also has a school improvement goal dealing with Personalized Learning. The staff and I have been researching personalized learning in an effort to better our understanding of what changes, in our current practices, would need to occur to meet the ever demanding learning needs of our students. The teachers have been meeting monthly during their Professional Learning Community time to read and discuss topics related to personalize learning. At the district level our teachers have met vertically with peers to discuss specific tenets of personalized learning they wish to grow or stretch their knowledge and understanding.
Personalized Learning:
HBR is in the 3rd year of having a district goal dealing with Personalized Learning. HBRMS also has a school improvement goal dealing with Personalized Learning. The staff and I have been researching personalized learning in an effort to better our understanding of what changes, in our current practices, would need to occur to meet the ever demanding learning needs of our students. The teachers have been meeting monthly during their Professional Learning Community time to read and discuss topics related to personalize learning. At the district level our teachers have met vertically with peers to discuss specific tenets of personalized learning they wish to grow or stretch their knowledge and understanding.
On October 3rd the entire district staff was treated to an in-service by A.J. Juliani. Mr. Juliani is the director of technology and innovation at Centennial School District and a leading educator in the area of innovation, design thinking, and inquiry-based learning. His presentation was centered on student agency, choice and innovative ways students can be empowered to own their learning. The staff left the presentation with several fantastic ideas that they will implement in their classrooms.
OUR JOB IS NOT TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SOMETHING. OUR JOB IS TO HELP STUDENTS PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR ANYTHING. - A.J. JULIANI
Below is an excerpt from a document that the staff and I created a few years ago. The information is shared with students annually on the first day of school. We are not perfect but we do continue to work with our students to prepare them for high school and beyond. I am proud that our school supports the social-emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of all our students.
OUR JOB IS NOT TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SOMETHING. OUR JOB IS TO HELP STUDENTS PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR ANYTHING. - A.J. JULIANI
HBRMS Commitment to our Students:
Below is an excerpt from a document that the staff and I created a few years ago. The information is shared with students annually on the first day of school. We are not perfect but we do continue to work with our students to prepare them for high school and beyond. I am proud that our school supports the social-emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of all our students.
Our learning environment was created with procedures and routines, but also with the flexibility to meet student’s individual needs. Each day our teachers reinforce soft skills, like responsibility, making wise decisions, showing commitment, leadership, and time management skills. We believe soft skills will build more productive members in our community.
We at HBRMS are committed to providing opportunities for students to enrich their learning experiences through the use of technology. We provide opportunities for students to effectively communicate and express ideas through a variety of means. We encourage students to think critically, logically, and independently, as well as working cooperatively with peers and teachers. Students are prepared to be career-ready graduates who have the skills and motivation to pursue a self-directed goal, adapt to challenges, and know the options to obtain their post-secondary careers.
We at HBRMS are committed to providing opportunities for students to enrich their learning experiences through the use of technology. We provide opportunities for students to effectively communicate and express ideas through a variety of means. We encourage students to think critically, logically, and independently, as well as working cooperatively with peers and teachers. Students are prepared to be career-ready graduates who have the skills and motivation to pursue a self-directed goal, adapt to challenges, and know the options to obtain their post-secondary careers.
Keeping in line with career readiness and financial awareness we would like to invite parents to come in during our lunch periods to meet with a small group of students and discuss their individual careers. Anyone interested in volunteering for lunch groups or our annual Career Day on February 7, 2020 should call our office at 630-556-4190. Also I would like to continue to encourage our students to go to work with their parent to have that opportunity to learn what mom/dad do for a living.
HBRMS encourages all students to become actively involved in serving the Big Rock and Hinckley communities. Our Community Service Club works with leaders in both communities to offer students a wide range of volunteer opportunities throughout the school year and summer. Our students can be seen at the Hinckley Park District, Plowing Match, Royal Jaunt 5K, Historical Society dinners, Hinckley Food Pantry, and various fundraisers. Science Club allows our students to further their skills in the scientific process. Technology club has our students planning and producing a daily broadcast of HBRMS morning news. Student Council gives the students opportunities to develop their leadership skills and facilitate communication between staff and students. Our Yearbook Club designs and develops the Middle School’s yearbook. Chess club was started 3 years ago by a parent and our custodian Mr. Laszlo Toth. It meets every Monday from 3:00 to 4:00 and competes in tournaments on weekends.
Parental support is a critical component in our student’s success and we appreciate all parent involvement. The PTO is always looking for parents who are willing to help out at school functions like boys and girls basketball concessions and at the monthly PTO meetings. The PTO can be contacted at hbrpto@gmail.com
Club Opportunities for our students:
HBRMS encourages all students to become actively involved in serving the Big Rock and Hinckley communities. Our Community Service Club works with leaders in both communities to offer students a wide range of volunteer opportunities throughout the school year and summer. Our students can be seen at the Hinckley Park District, Plowing Match, Royal Jaunt 5K, Historical Society dinners, Hinckley Food Pantry, and various fundraisers. Science Club allows our students to further their skills in the scientific process. Technology club has our students planning and producing a daily broadcast of HBRMS morning news. Student Council gives the students opportunities to develop their leadership skills and facilitate communication between staff and students. Our Yearbook Club designs and develops the Middle School’s yearbook. Chess club was started 3 years ago by a parent and our custodian Mr. Laszlo Toth. It meets every Monday from 3:00 to 4:00 and competes in tournaments on weekends.
PTO information:
Parental support is a critical component in our student’s success and we appreciate all parent involvement. The PTO is always looking for parents who are willing to help out at school functions like boys and girls basketball concessions and at the monthly PTO meetings. The PTO can be contacted at hbrpto@gmail.com
It continues to be a privilege to work with all the parents, community members, staff and teachers throughout the school year. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with your questions and concerns.
Sincerely,