February 5, 2023
Dear Indian Hills Middle School Community:
Last week we welcomed many of our soon-to-be 6th grade students to our school. At the assembly during the school day, several of our students performed musical numbers, introduced students to middle school opportunities, and gave speeches .
All of the speeches from current 6th graders included things that the elementary kids could look forward to in middle school, including more choices for classes, lunch options, favorite teachers and more. One student said that middle school was going to be the best experience of their lives. I was quite charmed by the genuineness of these speeches, particularly with the student who made that comment.
As adults with an abundance of life experience, we know that many amazing moments await our children as they grow. But it’s easy to forget that our students haven’t learned this yet because they are still kids. Their real world is the world they know—not the one they’ve heard about. Hearing about the world they know in our assembly last week reminded me that this is the best place to connect with all of our students, whether or not middle school is their best experience ever.
Student Support Center Updates & Upcoming Events: This week the 6th and 7th grade students will be receiving information about class selection from the school counselors. The class selection form is due online by February 16th. Please visit our website to learn more and complete the class selection from. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about this process.
Congratulations to our Reflections Winners! The following students received an Award of Excellence this year: Ivey Walter (Film), Noah Robins (3D Art), and Lincoln Hansen (Photography). Winner at Region Level Reflections and an Award of Merit: Noah Robins (3D Art).
Safety Reminders: We have noticed an increase in some aggressive driving in the front of our school and, at times, in our drop-off loop. Please be patient in the morning hours, especially, as we strive to move everyone through the drop-off area as efficiently as possible. We also remind drivers not to stop in the inner parking area in front of the blue accessible parking spots as those spots are used for some of our students and staff members who need close access to our building. Also, a reminder that our main doors lock at 3:30 p.m. Students not involved in after-school activities may not enter the building after that time.
Spelling Bee Info: Our 8th grade ELA teachers are hosting a spelling bee qualifying test after school on February 6th and 7th this week. Any student is welcome to participate! More information is included below.
Digital Citizenship Focus for February: Apps and smartphones are designed to capture and keep our attention. In a 2023 study by Common Sense Media, they found that preteens and teens received a median of 237 smartphone notifications per day and that they engaged with 46 notifications per day. Notification management on phones, tablets, and Chromebooks can be an important step in taking control of screen time and minimizing unneeded distractions. https://cnyns.org/3S9WpRj
Library Events: Last week the library hosted the reading classes for a book tasting. Students were able to get a “taste” of several different genres of books throughout the event. It was a lot of fun for students and librarians alike. Coming up we have an exciting new event at Indian Hills called Mystery Valentine. Students can select a book for a friend (anonymously or not) and send a valentine in the book. Details will be given to students this week. Students may come and choose a book February 5-9th, books can be picked up in the library on February 13th and 14th. Students who have books waiting for them will be notified through their Canvas email. We hope this is a fun activity and an opportunity to get to know different books in the library!
Attention 8th Grade Students: Alta football workouts for current 8th graders will begin on Tuesday, February 6th from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the weight room at Alta High. This will be every Tuesday/Thursday until May 24th. Proper techniques, acceleration, plyometrics, and football agility fundamentals will be a focus. Contact Coach Blake Burdette at 801-301-3990 for more information.
Help us to fight food waste: Join us in our mission to lower food waste in Canyons School District. Did you know students are free to make choices about the food they consume for school breakfast and lunch? Students don’t have to take all the food items offered, and by consuming what they take, they help our cafeterias better plan, order for, and prepare meals so we end up with less waste. In this video, we delve into the importance of making informed choices during school lunch. Learn about the five required food groups, discover how to create a balanced meal, and take a quick quiz to test your knowledge. Let’s work together to ensure nutritious meals for all students while minimizing food waste.
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#/
• February 5th
- PTSA Board Meeting 9:00 m. in the Warrior Room
• February 6th
- School Community Council Meeting 4:00 m. in the Warrior Room
• February 8th
- PTSA Student Day at the Capitol
• February 14th
- Spirit Day: Valentines Fun at lunch! Wear Valentines’s Day colors to
• February 16th:
- Course scheduling cards due for 6th & 7th grade students
• February 19th:
- No School: President’s Day
• February 26th & 27th:
- Parent Teacher Conferences (information forthcoming)
We are better together at Indian Hills Middle School! Indian Hills Middle School Administration
IHMS Spelling Bee
Do you want to participate in the Spelling Bee this year?
All students interested in participating in our school Spelling Bee will need to take a qualifying test.
What could I win?
- The top seller at IHMS will qualify for regionals!
- The TOP THREE students from IHMS will receive money to spend on Amazon.
- Every participant receives a certificate and candy!
When are the qualifying tests?
Qualifier Tests will be taken AFTER SCHOOL in Miss Beckstrands classroom (709) on Tuesday, February 6th and Wednesday, February 7th
- Note: You only need to attend ONE day, not both
Questions? Talk to Miss Beckstrand (Room 709) or Miss Roundy (Room 710)
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
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 the library at the tables.
- ● Students scan a QR code that takes them to a Google Form they fill out.
- ● Students ask the teachers questions and work on homework quietly.
- ● If teachers are not immediately available, 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 library immediately after 7th period.
- ● Teachers help students with the QR code to sign into the Google Form.
- ● Teachers circulate among students, offering help.
- ● Teachers invite students who are not following expectations to leave and try again another day.
- ● Teachers ensure that every students who is in the library after 3:30 is here 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.
