January 22, 2023
Dear Indian Hills Middle School Community:
As a former ELA teacher, one of my favorite texts to teach with students was To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a novel that many of us read as adolescents.
One of the most profound lessons from that novel was when Atticus Finch advises his daughter, Scout, not to judge others until she has seen things from that person’s perspective: “You never understand a person until you consider things from their point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it,” he tells Scout regarding her mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley. And thus begins Scout’s journey of self-discovery and her insight into a world that isn’t always what it seems to be.
I have noticed that, at times, students and even adults jump to conclusions about what we see. Sometimes we forget that it’s hard to really understand another person’s experience without walking in their shoes. I see this when patience runs thin and unkind words are uttered. I see this when social media is misused by students. I see this in situations when others are unfairly judged. Perspective- taking takes time to develop for adolescents and even adults, but when we make strides in this area, in can often make a big difference.
Congratulations Chess Team! At the annual intramural Chess Tournament for Canyons School District middle schools over the weekend, our team took first place. This is cause for celebration as the previous year our team did not place at all. Thanks to Mr. Martinez for building our program and for encouraging students to participate.
2nd Quarter Grades: Grades for 2nd quarter are available to view in Skyward. Finalizes grades can be accessed under Skyward Family Access. Thank you!
Student Support Center Updates & Upcoming Events:
Incoming 9th grader visits
- On January 24th at 6:00pm 8th grade students and their parents/guardians are invited to a]end Alta High School’s open house. This is a great opportunity for students to tour the school, talk to teachers, get information about classes, clubs, and more. Scheduling information will be handed out at this event as well.
- On January 31, 2024 Scheduling cards for Alta High School are due. The Alta High School Counselors will be in the 8th grade ELA classes at IHMS that day to collect the scheduling cards and answer questions.
- If you have any questions please visit Alta High School’s Counseling website
Incoming 6th grader visits
- On January 29th in the morning our incoming 6th graders will come visit IHMS with their elementary school to learn more about middle school.
- On January 30th 6:00 pm-7:30 pm we will have our incoming 6th grade orienta^on at IHMS. At this event students with their parents/guardians will learn more about classes, meet teachers, tour the school, and explore different opportunities middle school has to offer!
- If you have any questions please visit our website
Dear Indian Hills Parents: Our Indian Hills PTSA Board is preparing for next year, and there are several opportunities to help out on the 2024-25 PTSA board. Please take a look at the attached signup, and see what could fit into your schedule and utilize your talents. We would love to have you join us! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FADA82DA2FC1-47067489-indian#/
Chromebook Policy Updates: We have noticed that more of our students are coming to school without charging their Chromebooks. For this semester, we have updated our Chromebook policy to encourage students to use the four available Chromebooks in their classrooms. Chromebook checkouts will no longer be available through the library. We encourage all students to give some extra focus to charging their Chromebooks as we anticipate this change.
Digital Citizenship Focus for January: Did you know? A whopping 59% of preteens and teens surveyed by Common Sense reported using their phones between midnight and 5 a.m. on school nights. Common Sense Media has practical tips to help kids establish a healthy balance between phones and sleep. https://cnyns.org/48k6C2P
Upcoming Events:
- January 23rd
- 8th grade field trip for CTE tours of Alta High (during ELA classes)
- January 24th:
- 9th grade orientation at Alta High School at 6:00 p.m. for current 8th graders
- January 27th:
- PTSA Student Leadership Conference
- January 29th:
- School day visit for 5th grade students from elementary schools
- January 30th:
- 6th grade orientation at Indian Hills at 6:00 p.m. for current 5th graders
We are better together at Indian Hills Middle School! Indian Hills Middle School Administration
INDIAN HILLS Important Dates for Registration 6th Grade
Feb 16th All Course Cards due Online
- Counselors in 6th ELA classes on Feb 6th
Questions?
Visit Indian Hills student center website
INDIAN HILLS Important Dates for Registration 7th Grade
Feb 16th All Course Cards due Online
- Counselors in 7th ELA classes on Feb 8th
Questions?
Visit Indian Hills student center website
Important dates Registration
Jan 23rd – Visit Alta with ELA class
Jan 24th – Alta Orientation 6 PM
Jan 31st – Course cards due to Alta Counselor, Alta counselors in ELA classes
Questions? Visit Alta High School’s Counseling Website
Warrior Support
What it looks like for Students:
- ● Students MUST arrive between3:00-3:15 in order to participate inWarrior Support.
- ● Students sit at the front of thelibrary at the tables.
- ● Students scan a QR code that takesthem to a Google Form they fill out.
- ● Students ask the teachers questionsand work on homework quietly.
- ● If teachers are not immediatelyavailable, students work on what they can while waiting patiently for help.
- ● Only students who need help stay for Warrior Support. Students who do not need the support will head home after 3:30.
- ● Students who are not following expectations for library behavior will be invited to return another day for help.
- ● Students should submit the Google Form at the END of the time they spend in the library to report what they accomplished with the time.
- ● Students must exit the library through the doors to the outside, not back into the building.
What it looks like for Teachers:
- ● Teachers come to the libraryimmediately after 7th period.
- ● Teachers help students with the QRcode to sign into the Google Form.
- ● Teachers circulate among students,offering help.
- ● Teachers invite students who arenot following expectations to leaveand try again another day.
- ● Teachers ensure that every studentswho is in the library after 3:30 ishere for Warrior Support.
- ● Library doors will be locked at 3:30when Miss McGowan leaves. After this, teachers ensure that students in the library are here for Warrior Support only.
- ● Teachers have students submit the form to report what they accomplished during the Warrior Support time. Then students exit through the outside door (not into the hallways), tidy up the library, and turn off the lights before leaving.
Warrior Support Time is …
Homework time ⚫ Help Time ⚫ Study Time ⚫ Quiet time
Warrior Support Time is not …
Friend Time ⚫ Goof Off Time ⚫ Hang Out Time
Warrior Support
Tuesdays – Thursdays ⚫ 3:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Purpose: To give students extra support from a teacher to help with homework or concepts not understood during class time.
