Week of August 25, 2025

 

• Middle School morning carpool runs 7:30 a.m. - 7:55 a.m.

• Faculty and staff leave carpool posts at 7:55 a.m. Students arriving after 7:55 a.m. will need to sign in at the Main Office at the front of the campus, and they will be marked TARDY. Homeroom begins at 8:00 a.m.

• Middle School afternoon carpool begins at 3:15 p.m. Please do not arrive on campus before 3:15 p.m.

• Wednesdays are Late Start days. Students may be dropped off at 7:30 a.m. at Hancock Hall and will be dismissed at 8:50 a.m. to go to homeroom. Classes begin at 9:00 a.m.
  

Parents and students have an easy way to look at upcoming assessments and projects.  THIS LINK leads to a Google Sheet that will have the next 2 weeks of assessments.  The link below will lead to the 6th-grade assessments, but by using the tabs in the lower left corner (shown below), you can navigate to 7th-grade and 8th-grade assessments, as well.

Different subjects will appear in different colors: History is black, Science is green, ELA is blue, Spanish is red, and Math is pink. Please bear in mind that Middle School Assessments may be added, removed, or changed at any time.  This Sheet will always be up to date, however - once a teacher assigns or adjusts an assessment, this Sheet will reflect that change.

Greetings,

Fall Sports Practices have kicked off!  We currently have 11 teams working hard to get better and represent HDS to the best of their abilities. Competitions begin August 28th and continue well into October! Check the calendar on the HDS homepage to see when our teams compete.

6TH GRADE PARENT EDU: Making the Transition into 6th Grade

Dear 6th Grade Parents and Parents New to HDS Middle School,

I hope to see all 6th grade parents in Hancock Hall at 6:00 pm on Thursday, September 11th, for a look into 6th grade practices and procedures with helpful hints and information about making your child’s 6th grade year a success. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to me: tguggenheim@hancockdayschool.org

Please respond via email if you are attending. Thanks.

See you there!

Everyday our middle school students face opportunities to make a big impact in the lives of others. Kindness isn’t just about big gestures—it’s found in the simple acts, like including someone at lunch, inviting someone to play at recess, or giving a genuine compliment. By practicing kindness, we create a school community where everyone feels valued. Help HDS highlight this value in August and September by checking out this short video with your student to understand the science behind random acts of kindness. 

Each middle school student is required to complete ten hours of community service over the course of the school year.  Please remember to check this area of the blog for opportunities. Click HERE for a log form or see Coach Johnson in the gym.

Algebra I - Mr. Lanfear
Next week in Algebra I, we will continue Chapter 3 by reviewing how to solve equations with variables on both sides (3.4). There will be a quiz on 3.1-3.4 (solving equations) on Tuesday. Then, we will review writing ratios (3.5), solving proportions (3.6), solving percent problems (3.7), and learn how to rewrite formulas (3.8).

Advanced Algebra - Mr. Lanfear 

Next week in Advanced Algebra, we will complete Chapter 9 by having a day of review on Monday and the Chapter 9 test on Tuesday. We will then begin the first part of Chapter 10 by learning how to graph quadratic functions and parabolas (10.1-10.2).

Foundations of Algebra - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Foundations of Algebra, we will continue Chapter 3 by learning how to solve multi-step equations (3.3) and equations with variables on both sides (3.4). There will be a quiz covering 3.1-3.4 (solving equations) on Thursday. We will then learn how to write ratios (3.5) and how to solve proportions (3.6).

Spanish III - Mr. Jordan

Next week in Spanish III, our focus will be on strengthening student’s ability to engage in conversations using non-negotiable words. On Thursday, students will demonstrate their progress through an oral test, and on Friday, they will complete a writing test.

Physical Science - Ms. Harmon

We had an exciting week learning about the Scientific Method and Lab Safety with our favorite Calcium rich friend  “Bones Malone”. Next week we will begin learning about classifying life. Where students will explore questions like “Is fire alive?”

 ELA - Ms. Hall

Students have done an excellent job revisiting essential grammar topics! Next week, we will use these refined grammar skills to begin discussing and writing about their summer reading novel, Lord of the Flies. Students will have the process of writing a five-paragraph essay broken down for them into multiple steps as they draft individual responses to essential essay prompts about the novel. This paper will not be due until the following week.

US History - Mr. Saviskas

We’ve had a very good first full week! The students are getting back into the swing of things and really engaging with their material. Next week we will continue our Governments lecture, finishing up the different types of governments and starting to talk about our own government. On Wednesday I plan to have a quiz over the first week of material. The students already have guided notes they’ve been working on so they should have what they need to study.

Algebra I - Mr. Lanfear

Next week in Algebra I, we will continue Chapter 3 by reviewing how to solve equations with variables on both sides (3.4). There will be a quiz on 3.1-3.4 (solving equations) on Tuesday. Then, we will review writing ratios (3.5), solving proportions (3.6), solving percent problems (3.7), and learn how to rewrite formulas (3.8).

Pre-Algebra - Ms. Myrick

This week we learned about Expressions and Variables (1.1), Powers and Exponents (1.2), and Order of Operations (1.3)! Next week we will begin Comparing and Ordering Integers (1.4), Adding Integers (1.5), and Subtracting Integers (1.6). We will end the week with a Number Line Lab activity and a quiz.

Life Science - Ms. Harmon

We had an exciting week learning about the Scientific Method and Lab Safety with our favorite Calcium rich friend  “Bones Malone”. Next week we will begin learning about our position in space. Students will be able to describe motion and their position from a reference point.

Life Science - Ms. Barnes
We started by learning about the requirements for living things, and now we’re zooming into the smallest building block of life — cells! This week, students will investigate different types of cells and the organelles that make them unique through hands-on labs and games. We’ll also kick off our unit project to spark creativity and bring our learning to life!

ELA - Ms. Ferkol

Now that students have a refresher on the writing foundations and expectations, we will dive into reviewing the basics of writing an essay. We will utilize mentor texts and guided prompts to help us as we set ourselves up for writing our final unit essay based on our summer reading novels. 

ELA - Ms. Hall

Students have done an excellent job revisiting essential grammar topics! Next week, we will begin using the refined grammar skills as we dive into reviewing the basics of writing an essay. Students will have the chance to use mentor texts to guide their thinking as we begin preparing for our final unit essay based on their summer reading.

American History - Mr. O’Hayer

Looks like the kids are settling in nicely and are focused and ready for a great trimester. Next week we will continue ur study of the Age of Exploration. We will focus next week on the negative impacts of Exploration and research and analyze the Columbian Exchange and the impacts this event had on history. We will have a quiz next week as well.

American History - Mr. Saviskas

Hello again everyone! This last week has been great. The kids are settling in and are eagerly learning about the Age of Exploration. So far I have been impressed with their curiosity and knowledge and I’m excited for the rest of the year. Next week we will be continuing our lecture by diving into the details of how and why European explorers explored the New World. We will have a quiz on Thursday so be sure to study your guided notes. Good luck!

Advanced Spanish - Mr. Blanchard

You guys killed it this week in the classroom! Next week we will start wrapping up our “All about me” unit, so continue to show the effort you put in the first weeks! I am beyond proud. 

Spanish II- Mr. Jordan

Next week in Spanish II, our focus will be on strengthening basic conversations using non-negotiable words. On Thursday, students will demonstrate their progress through an oral test, and on Friday, they will complete a writing test.

Accelerated Math - Ms. Myrick

This week we covered Patterns (1.1), Variables and Expressions (1.2), Powers and Exponents (1.3), and Order or Operations (1.4). Next week we will focus on Perimeter and Area with a fun project focusing on local buildings and their dimensions!

Pre-Algebra - Ms. Myrick
This week we learned about Expressions and Variables (1.1), Powers and Exponents (1.2), and Order of Operations (1.3)! Next week we will begin Comparing and Ordering Integers (1.4), Adding Integers (1.5), and Subtracting Integers (1.6). We will end the week with a Number Line Lab activity and a quiz.

Earth Science - Ms. Barnes

Now that we’ve mastered the basics of our Solar System, it’s time to put our knowledge to the test! On Tuesday (8/26), students will take a short review quiz to show what they’ve learned this past week. Afterward, we’ll dive deeper into the order of the planets and explore their unique characteristics. With exciting games and creative projects ahead, we have a fun week ahead of us!

ELA - Ms. Ferkol

Now that students have a good review of the writing foundations and expectations of 6th grade, we will dive into reviewing the basics of writing an essay. As we move into this process, we will utilize mentor texts and guided prompts to help us as we set ourselves up to begin writing our final unit essay based on our summer reading novels. 

World History - Mr. O’Hayer

Well, the 6th grade has done an amazing job getting settled and used to MS. It has been a joy watching them navigate the ins and outs of being in a new building and experience the challenges of MS. Next week, we will continue our study of ancient Greece. Our focus will be on Athens and the amazing impacts this great city-state had on history.

Spanish Fundamentals - Mr. Blanchard
You guys had an incredible week reviewing for the quiz. This week lets focus on solidifying the things we have covered and learning new concepts as we prepare for the unit test! 

Good Day Eagle Families, 

Students are in excellent shape for next week’s value application and assessment.  Sixth graders will capitalize on their observation skills in sunflower drawing. They will learn and plan an effective composition.  Seventh grade students will continue independent observation of value on sports balls and begin collaborative Live Oaks.  Eighth graders will start the value application of Ancient Art masks from the Art Eras and Artist unit.