Vol 14 No 4

Nov, 2017

Hawk Talk Principal’s Pen

Later this month, we will celebrate a uniquely American holiday--Thanksgiving. Usually, that Thursday means either traveling to or hosting friends and family; it probably includes some unofficial traditions such as games, perusing the black Friday ads, or movie nights; and of course, there is “the meal.” I believe it is also important for our students-and all of us--to stop for a moment and separate the word “Thanksgiving” into two words: “Thanks” and “Giving.” As you make your plans, let’s all intentionally plan for opportunities to be grateful, and to share beyond ourselves. You may recall that we have challenged our students to accumulate 20,000 hours of community service this school year. Thanksgiving is a perfect time to get started if you haven’t already. There are plenty of opportunities in our communities to serve and provide for others (giving). Some of our elementary students have organized a canned food drive this month. Bake an extra pumpkin pie or batch of rolls and share with a neighbor. Invite another family to join yours. One of my favorites is to pay for the car behind you in the drive thru. There are literally countless ways to give which cost very little. It is always a good time to tell someone how much they are appreciated (thanks). Write a “just because” card and drop it in the mail. Intentionally thank the cashier and bagger at the grocery. Make a phone call to check in on someone you haven’t talked to in a while. See how many post it notes you can hide so that another person gets a surprise. I would also encourage these be done “unplugged”--that is, not through texting or social media. No matter how you choose to celebrate, I hope that you continue to create lasting memories within your family. Intentionally giving and sharing your gratitude as a family will hopefully make this holiday enjoyable for everyone, and who knows...maybe you will discover a new Thanksgiving tradition. I am thankful for each and every student and family at MHMS, and I consider it an honor to serve them each day.

Proud to serve, Darren Frank, Principal

Upcoming Events Nov

2 - School Tour 9 am 8 - School Wide Seminar 9 - Veteran’s Day Concert 6:30 pm 9-16 Book Fair 10 - Thanksgiving Lunch 11 - Alumni Basketball Game 5:00pm 14-15 Connect Lunch 21 - MHM’s Got Talent 10am School Wide Spirit Day 22-24 - Thanksgiving Break

Applications for MHMS MHMS is implementing an online application process accessible from the school website (mhm.sumnerschools.org). The online portal will open November 1 and close January 5, 2018.

Boxtop Winners

The winner of October’s BOX TOP contest is Mrs. Sloan’s class with 1,089 box tops submitted!!! Congratulations! Many thanks to all the parents who counted and clipped box tops! Next contest will be after the new year! Middle and HS students can collect for their pillar or order!!! We are kickin’ up our heels and having a “HOOTENANNY” for Merrol Hyde Magnet School PTO! Mark your calendars & join us on Friday, January 26, 2018 at Bagsby Ranch in Gallatin for an evening of topnotch music, food, and drinks...all included in the price of admission! You will also enjoy access to fun and unique LIVE & SILENT auction items! The Hootenanny is now taking the place of the Merrol Hyde PTO Bluegrass fundraising event, so let’s work together to raise as much money as possible to support Merrol Hyde! Please reach out to friends, family members, and businesses you frequent. This event is a great way to promote your business, entertain clients, or just enjoy a night out with friends without having to drive to downtown Nashville! There is LIMITED AVAILABILITY for tickets and sponsorships. Don’t miss out on this exciting evening. Reserve your spot today! Visit www. mhmsevents.com for more information -OR- to pay online for tickets and/or sponsorship.

Hawk Shop

The Hawk Shop will be open on its regularly-scheduled THIRD THURSDAY, November 16. The next Spirit Day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21, so come get a tee or pair of Elite-style socks. Also, do some Christmas shopping and give a gift of an embroidered Sherpa blanket, a Camelbak water bottle, or a drawstring bag. You can also shop 24-7 at www.mhmshawkshop.com.

Instrumental Music News The Instrumental Music Department presents its annual Veterans Day Concert Thursday, November 9, beginning at 6:30pm in the MHMS auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public; we invite you all to attend and bring/encourage a veteran (or current member) of the U.S. Armed Forces to join us as we salute those who have been willing to serve our country in such an unselfish way. As you prepare for next month, our annual Christmas Concert is December 7, and we invite all those attending to bring one new toy for a needy young boy or girl (instead of paying admission to the concert). You will feel the spirit of the season as we show off the amazing talent of our MHMS student musicians!

Walk Across Sumner

Book Fair

Saddle up for the Wild West Book Fair! It’ll be a-comin’ to MHMS November 9-16! The fair opens each mornin’ bright and early at 7:45 and runs til 3:15 ever day. Mosey on down to either library after Thanksgiving Lunch on Friday, November 10 or round up yer kin and ride on in to Family Night on Thursday, November 16, 5:00 – 7:00 PM.

Elementary Yearbook Information about the 2017-2018 Elementary Yearbook orders was distributed this week. The Elementary Yearbook pre-order deadline is December 15 and each yearbook is $30. Elementary Yearbooks can be ordered online at ybpay.lifetouch.com using Yearbook ID Code 8696918. Elementary yearbooks differ from the Upper School yearbooks by content, publisher, and price. Photos of elementary field trips, class activities, etc. can be emailed to Scotti.Harris@ sumnerschools.org at any time. The yearbook will be submitted March 1, so pictures need to be submitted long before that date for consideration! Elementary yearbooks should be available for distribution around the 3rd week of May.

Classroom Competition EVERYONE in elementary can participate this year. Last year we came in FIRST PLACE! Registration forms (t-shirt forms) are due back to Coach Curcio by Monday, November 13th. For $5.00 your student gets a t-shirt and $2.00 goes to the PE Program plus the winning class will get extra recess and a treat. No final walk this year.

Canned Food Drive - Student led Three MHMS 5th graders have organized a canned food drive Nov 6-20, to support the Hendersonville Samaritan Association. Last year, these girls collected about 450 cans from elementary. This year, their goal is 600 cans. Katelyn DeHart, Hadley Marshall, and Mallory Ashley want to make an impact in our community by helping families just in time for the holiday. Can donations can be brought to the elementary library during the drive. Peanut butter, boxed pasta, and rice dishes are also accepted. MHMS is proud that our students are serving our community!

Alumni Basketball

The annual alumni basketball game will be on Saturday, November 11th at 5:00pm in the upstairs gym. Please come out and support your high school girls' and boys' basketball teams and see Merrol Hyde Magnet alumni come back and take the court!

Book Club

The upper school book club is dreaming of having an author come to MHMS to speak to our students. In order to raise funds to make it happen, they will be selling “Fun Pasta” from the Pasta Shoppe. The book club will be selling a large variety of fun pasta shapes, as well as soup mixes and more! The sale kicked off at Fall Fest and will run for two weeks. Please contact Mrs. Hardaway at gretchen.hardaway@ sumnerschools.org for more information.