Superintendent Search
Dear Blackhawk Community and Staff,

Your local school board is about to launch a school superintendent search, and I have been selected to lead the effort.

My name is Dr. Edward Albert, former educator and school superintendent now serving as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools.  I am eager to get acquainted with as many of you as I can during this process because your input will have a crucial impact on the school board’s ultimate hiring decision.

I have created three activities for school and community involvement. My first priority is visiting schools (a date will be given shortly) to talk with staff. Next, I have planned a community night on to hear more about your interests and requirements for the next superintendent.

If you are unable to attend, you still have the opportunity to contribute. I have created an online survey to collect your thoughts and opinions. The survey will be accessible on the district website until October 31. I hope many of you will take the time to weigh in. We need to hear from you.

I look forward to conducting this search and working toward the ultimate goal of identifying the best candidate for your district.

Highland Middle School

HMS Club List by Grade Level

Please see the lists below for the 23-24 Club offerings at Highland.



HMS Enrichment Opportunities

Please see the attached handout for great opportunities for students at Highland Middle School!

Chippewa Library - Get Crafty!

Today Show Filming


We are excited to share some wonderful news with our school community. Our school has been selected as the location for a special feature on the Today Show, which will highlight a day in the life of an educator. They will be focusing on the outstanding achievement of our very own teacher, Mr. Ryan Hardesty, who was named the 2023 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year! This is a remarkable accomplishment, and we are extremely proud to have such dedicated educators as a part of our school.

Please see the below letter for additional information. 

5th Grade Camp fun Run


Be on the lookout on 9/11/23 as your student will be bringing home forms about our biggest fundraiser of the year, our Camp Fun Run!

The kids will raise money that will help them go to Camp Kon-O-Kwee in the spring! They walk, jog, or run from HMS to Pathway Church. (Escorted by Chippewa Police) The students need to raise $8,000!

If your student turns in the filled-out packet by Friday, September 15th they will receive a compass keychain!
If you or someone you know would be interested in $100 sponsorship, please contact Jamie Kremer:  [email protected]

If you would like to help by getting sponsorships, provide prizes by asking local businesses or to personally donate, or donate popsicles please reach out Jamie. 

The Camp Run will be held Wednesday, Oct 11 with a rain date of Friday Oct. 13. Volunteer signup sheet will go out closer to the event.

Homework Help

Homework Help is a free program we run at HMS where students can stay after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays to get support with their Homework. For any student who would like to participate, a signed permission slip must be turned in. Please see the below permission slip and calendar of Homework Help dates. Homework Help will begin on September 19. 

Hello Highland



To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility for this event, please contact Drew Bosco at [email protected]

Due to Hello Highland, HMS will dismiss early on 9/26.
Dismissal at HMS will begin at 12:45.
Students last names A-L 12:45
Students last names M-Z 12:55

HMS Quarterly Newsletter: September

HMS School Pictures 9/28


The online prepay allows you to purchase your packages online with a credit card. The prices are the same as our order form and the prepay remains online until 1 day after the pictures are taken. If you prepay, you still must either print out the confirmation from prepaying, and hand that to our photographers when we take the student’s picture or completely fill out an order form and write the prepay code on your form. We do receive the information when you prepay online.

 

The direct link to your job is: https://photosbyjames.orderschoolpix.com/59159

The prepay password is: PREPAY

Type your email address in and hit the access button.

Paper copies of the forms will be handed out at school. We also email links after the pictures are taken, if you would like the link, please provide your email address on the form, even if you do not wish to prepay, you may still view the proofs once they are posted if you provide an email address on your order form.


Questions?: [email protected] or call us at 724-728-1345.


Student Drawstring Bags

Norfolk Southern has supplied students across the district with drawstring bags with school supplies inside. We will pass these out to students this week at HMS. 

2023-2024 Yearbook on Sale!

Get your HMS yearbook!

The 2023-2024 yearbook will be available for sale online now until the end of January.

Order yours today online at yearbookordercenter.com using the code 14987 or searching for Highland Middle School. Each book is only $14. Books will be distributed at school at the start of next school year.  Extra books will not be ordered, so please be sure to reserve yours during the sale. 

Start of the Year Presentations

Click HERE to view the powerpoint from the 5th Grade Orientation. 

Click HERE to view the powerpoint we went over on 8/28/23 with all students concerning the rules at HMS. 

iPad Payment Portal

iPad forms must be completed prior to accessing your child's schedule. If you choose to purchase the iPad insurance, you can click on the below link to pay. Make sure you choose "iPad Insurance". 

If you are choosing to purchase iPad insurance, it must be paid for by September 15.

HMS Parent Organization

If you are interested in joining our HMS Parent Organization, please take the survey HERE

Dates for our meetings are below as well. 

Restorative Practice PowerPoint

The PowerPoint from the Restorative Practice presentation is below:

2023 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year Winner: Ryan Hardesty


 
Mr. Hardesty wins 2023 PA Teacher of the Year!



Directions on how to log in to Schoology

If you need support logging into Schoology, follow the below directions.
 

Schoology/Email Login and Microsoft Office 365 - Student Use

Embed

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This number is for NON-EMERGENCY calls. If you have an emergency, call 911. 
In an ongoing effort to promote a safe learning environment, the district is providing the community with an anonymous tip line phone number. The purpose of the tip line is to allow the community the ability to share information anonymously regarding issues that may put others’ safety in danger.  Community members can report information about drugs, weapons, alcohol, violence or any threat to safety.  While this can be done anonymously, the more information given (including one’s name), the greater the ability the district has to do a complete investigation and resolve the situation quickly. 

How To Print Report Cards from Skyward

When report cards are posted to the SKYWARD Family Access Portal, please follow the direction sheet attached for how to view and print document.
 

Safe2Say

As we are constantly assessing the safety and security of our children and our schools, we remind you that information is power. Students who hear or see any threat about self-harm, harm to another person, or harm to a school should report this immediately so it can be investigated. Blackhawk School District has dedicated a Tipline for these situations. The information for the Blackhawk Tipline is below. In addition, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General has created an anonymous Tipline as well called Safe2Say. From Safe2Say students can report their tip via the app, online, or through a phone call. The Office of the Attorney General then communicates with the school district and necessary law enforcement about the tip.

 

We want our students and our community to know that we recognize the importance of students reporting any threatening situation. The information for both Tiplines is below. We have already told students about our Blackhawk Tipline and we will be informing them of the Safe2Say Tipline in the next few weeks. To read more about Safe2Say, please visit their website at: https://www.safe2saypa.org. We do remind students and parents that if there is an emergency situation that requires attention immediately, please always call 911. 

Resources Available to Students

Please see the attached letter for resources such as Schoology, Email, Office 365, etc. available to students. 
 

Medication Policy Form

Announcements

Band, Chorus and Orchestra Concert Dates 2023-24

Band:
6th - 8th - HMS Concert - 12/19/23 7 pm BHS
5th - 8th - All District Band concert - 2/19/24 - 7 pm BHS

Choral:
5th - 12th - Chorus Concert 12/13/23
5th - 12th - Music In Our Schools Month Concert - 3/14/24
6th - 8th - Spring Concert - 5/9/24

Orchestra:
7th - 12th Winter - 12/5/23 7 pm BHS
5th - 6th Winter - 12/12/23 7 pm  BHS
All Strings - 3/5/24 7 pm BHS
7th - 12th Spring - 5/14/24 7 pm BHS
4th - 6th  Spring - 5/21/23  7 p[m BHS
More +

Highland Artist in Residence - Spring of 2022

Please see the attached article from Mary Brenholtz from the Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media.  We made the front page of one of their digital publications!


More +
BOARD APPROVES CALENDAR

2023-24 Academic Calendar Approved

The academic calendar for school year 2023-24 was approved by the School Board of Directors.  
More +

Highland's Middle Post Newsletter

Please see below the Middle Post Permission Slip

More +
resources

Resources

 
Emergency Assistance for Low-Income Families  https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/DHS_details.aspx?newsid=529
 
For anyone struggling with thoughts of self harm, thoughts of suicide, or struggling with mental health, especially during this period of social distancing, there is a number that anyone can text 24 hours a day to speak with someone. The number is 741 741.
 
If you need assistance finding food, paying housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other essential services, please click: http://www.211.org/services/covid19
 

HMS Contact Information


Principal - Dr. Amy Anderson 
724-843-1700 x 3001

Assistant Principal - Mr. Drew Bosco
724-843-1700 x 3003
 

Guidance Counselor - Mr. Sami Hanna

724-843-1700 x. 3024


Secretary - Mrs. Shawn Weyand

724-843-1700

 

 
Highland Middle School Contact Information
402 Shenango Road
Beaver Falls, PA 15010 
Phone: 724-843-1700
Fax: 724-843-0934 

HMS Student Handbook

Upcoming Events

Links

Drop Off/Pick Up

Drop Off Times: 
8:00 a.m.-8:25 a.m.

Pick Up Times: 
Last Names A-L 2:45 p.m.
Last Names M-Z 2:55 p.m.

Bus Departures:
2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. 

August HMS Showcase

View text-based website