September 2022

Picture Retakes (September 23)

Picture retakes will be Friday, September 23.  Students that didn't have their picture taken or those that would like to retake their picture can do so during their lunch period.         

How to Observe Your Student in Canvas

If you want to observe the work your child is doing in Canvas, linked here are directions on how to create an account.  

Kaneland Connects District Administration Monthly Communication.  

Dear Kaneland Community,

As we begin the 2022-2023 school year, we are excited to continue our ongoing strategic plan work with Kaneland Connects.   The five commitments that comprise Kaneland Connects are:

• Standards Based Grading (SBG)

• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

• Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

• Proficiency Based Progress (PBP)

• 1:1 Learning

This multi-year strategic plan includes target goals, objectives and regular updates for each commitment for each school year.  Please take a few minutes to learn more about Kaneland Connects at Kaneland Connects.  Please take a minute to check out last year's Todd Talks where Kaneland Superintendent Dr. Todd Leden shares a monthly update on the strategic plan with guest administrators in a video format.  District administrators plan regular updates to the Board of Education as well as regular updates in the Kaneland Key Communicators Network (KCN).

Have a great school year and be sure to stay “connected” to our Kaneland Schools through Kaneland Connects.

Proud to be a Knight,

Kaneland District Administration

Art Club Opportunity

Interested in the Harter Middle School Art Club, click here. 

PTO

A huge thank you to our fabulous PTO that provided treats to our students the first week of school.  The PTO's next meeting is on Wednesday, September 14th (virtually) at 5:30 p.m.  Please visit the PTO Facebook site for more information.    

 

NIU STEM Opportunity 

Fundraiser

The HMS annual fundraiser began on Wednesday, August 31 and will run through September 14.  We will be selling Mrs. Field's cookie dough, desserts from the The Cheesecake Factory, insulated tumblers with the Kaneland Knights logo, and new this year is an assortment of different flavored popcorn.  Linked here is the fundraising letter with all of the information as well as links for the websites that your child can share electronically if you would like.  

Special fundraising prizes given for 20-40 items sold are also noted in the letter and include the ever-popular Party Bus lunch to Portillo's, a trip to Main Event in Warrenville, and the Money Machine where students have a chance to grab as much cash as they can in 30 seconds. 

 

Principal's Coffee

It's back!  Dr. James Horne (Kaneland High School Principal) and Mr. Brian Faulkner will host three Principal's Coffee events this school year.  Principal's Coffee allows parents to speak with the 6-12 principals in a comfortable, relaxed environment.  

• Friday, September 30 - Harter Middle School 9:00-10:00 a.m.
• Friday, January 27 - Kaneland High School 9:00-10:00 a.m.
• Friday, April 21 - Harter Middle School 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Awesomeness Around Harter

Thank You PTO

Thank You PTO

September 2022 Important Dates

Monday, September 5 - No School Labor Day

Friday, September 23 - Picture Retakes (during lunch) 

Friday, September 30 - Principal's Coffee (9:00-10:00 a.m. at Harter)

Proud to be a Knight!

Septiembre de 2022

(23 de septiembre)

El día para hacerse de nuevo las fotografías de la escuela será el viernes 23 de septiembre. Los estudiantes que no se tomaron una fotografía aun o aquellos que deseen volver a tomarla pueden hacerlo durante su período de almuerzo.      

Cómo observar a su estudiante en Canvas

Si desea observar el trabajo que hace su hijo, encontrará instrucciones sobre cómo crear una cuenta aquí.

Comunicación mensual de la Administración del Distrito de Kaneland Connects.  

Estimada comunidad de Kaneland:

A medida que comenzamos el año escolar 2022-2023, estamos entusiasmados de continuar con nuestro plan estratégico continuo con Kaneland Connects. Los cinco compromisos que componen Kaneland Connects son:

• Calificación basada en estándares (SBG, de sus siglas en inglés)
• Sistemas de apoyo de niveles múltiples (MTSS, de sus siglas en inglés)
• Aprendizaje socioemocional (SEL, de sus siglas en inglés)
• Progreso basado en la competencia (PBP, de sus siglas en inglés)
• Aprendizaje 1:1

Este plan estratégico multianual incluye objetivos concretos, metas y actualizaciones periódicas de cada compromiso establecido para cada año escolar. Tómese unos minutos para obtener más información sobre Kaneland Connects en Kaneland Connects. Tómese un minuto para ver las charlas de Todd del año pasado donde el superintendente de Kaneland, el Dr. Todd Leden, comparte una actualización mensual sobre el plan estratégico con administradores invitados en formato de video. Los administradores del distrito planifican actualizaciones periódicas para la Junta de Educación, así como actualizaciones periódicas en el Red de comunicadores clave de Kaneland (KCN, de sus siglas en inglés).

Que tengan un excelente año escolar y asegúrese de mantenerse "conectado" con nuestras Escuelas de Kaneland a través de Kaneland Connects.

Orgulloso de ser un Caballero,

Administración del Distrito de Kaneland

Oportunidad para formar parte del Club de Arte

Si le interesa el Club de Arte de Harter Middle School, haga clic aquí.

PTO

Muchas gracias a nuestro fabuloso PTO por ofrecer golosinas a nuestros estudiantes la primera semana de clases. La próxima reunión del PTO es el miércoles 14 de septiembre (virtualmente) a las 5:30 p. m. Visite el sitio de Facebook del PTO para obtener más información.    

 

Oportunidad para formar parte del STEM de NIU

Recaudación de fondos

La recaudación de fondos anual de HMS comenzó el miércoles 31 de agosto y continuará hasta el 14 de septiembre. Se venderá masa para galletas de Mrs. Field, postres de The Cheesecake Factory, vasos insulados con el logotipo de Kaneland Knights y novedades este año es un surtido de popcorn de diferentes sabores. Aquí puede encontrar la carta de recaudación de fondos con toda la información, así como enlaces a los sitios web que su hijo puede compartir electrónicamente si lo desea.  

Los premios especiales de recaudación de fondos otorgados por la venta de 20 a 40 artículos  también se indican en la carta e incluyen el siempre popular almuerzo Party Bus en Portillo's, una excursión al Main Event, en Warrenville y su “Money Machine”, donde los estudiantes tendrán la oportunidad de obtener la mayor cantidad de dinero en efectivo posible en 30 segundos.

 

Un café con el Director

¡Hemos vuelto! El Dr. James Horne (Director de la Escuela Secundaria Kaneland) y el Sr. Brian Faulkner serán los anfitriones de tres eventos de “Café con el Director” este año escolar. Este evento permite a los padres hablar con los directores de 6º a 12º grado en un ambiente cómodo y relajado.  

• Viernes, 30 de septiembre - Harter Middle School 9:00-10:00 a. m.
• Viernes, 27 de enero - Kaneland High School 9:00-10:00 a. m.
• Viernes, 21 de abril - Harter Middle School 9:00-10:00 a. m.

Excelencia en Harter

Gracias, PTO

Gracias PTO

Fechas importantes de septiembre de 2022

Lunes, 5 de septiembre - Día festivo por Día del Trabajo (Labor Day)

Viernes, 23 de septiembre - Segunda oportunidad para tomarse las fotografías (durante el almuerzo)

Viernes, 30 de septiembre - Café con el Director (9:00-10:00 a. m. en Harter)

¡Orgullosos de ser Caballeros!

                          August 2022

From the Desk of the Principal...

It brings me great joy to share my first message with the Harter family.  I'm excited to be back and continue my journey at KHMS.  It is truly a privilege to serve as the principal of Kaneland Harter Middle School and to work in Kaneland C.U.S.D. 302.  I hope your family was able to spend time together this summer and enjoy the many offerings summer brings.  It's hard to believe the 2022-2023 school year is right around the corner.  

This is an important time for your child as he/she continues to take steps in his/her educational journey.  The success of this journey is directly correlated to the partnership that is developed between your home and our school.  Please help us develop that partnership by communicating with us whenever necessary.  We are fortunate to have families that put education at the top of the priority list and we value the relationships that have been formed and will be formed over the course of the school year.  We are truly strong when we work together.  

The Harter staff is eager to welcome your child to the school year.  We look forward to building upon and continuing our tradition of excellence.  

If I can ever be of assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me.  

Sincerely,

Brian Faulkner  

Important Start of the Year Dates

Please note that schedules and locker/locker combination information will be available via Tyler on August 5th.  Bus routes will be available August 8th.     

Jump Start to Middle School for 6th Graders (August 8th - 12th - 8:00-10:00 a.m.)

• Due to the requirements for staffing Jump Start, we are not taking walk-ins and a 6th grade student must be registered to attend.    
• Jump Start is a full week program that prepares 6th grade students for their middle school transition.  Our students will get to know the building, learn their daily schedule, practice opening their locker, make new friends, and better understand a typical day as an KHMS student.  

   

Open House (Thursday, August 11th - 10:00-11:30 a.m. & 4:00-7:00 p.m.)

• Open House provides our students an opportunity to self-tour the building, locate their classes, find and practice opening their locker, and put away school materials in their locker.  
• Please have Tyler available on your phone or print your child's schedule and locker information before coming in.  We will not have a table with schedules or locker information.    
• There are no formal presentations as this is simply an opportunity for students/parents to come into the building before the school year starts in order to be prepared for the first day of school.   
• Our Health Office staff will be here for Open House.  Please feel free to use this time to drop off physicals, immunization paperwork, medications, and other health related items.  

   

First Day of School 

• Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 17th.  Our school day is 7:25 a.m. - 2:40 p.m.  You can view our daily schedule here.  

Picture Day (Friday, August 19th)

• More information regarding pictures will be emailed soon.   

Schedules

Schedules will be available through Tyler beginning August 5th.  We often receive requests for certain teams or teachers.  While we would love to honor requests, we simply can't.  Scheduling is a complicated process with numerous variables.  Changing one schedule will create other changes to other schedules and there is a large trickle effect with any changes.  We carefully plan and create schedules and a lot of work goes into the scheduling process.  Students can sometimes feel anxiety over their schedule (not knowing anyone, not having a certain friend on their team, etc.), but the beauty of middle school is making new friends and learning how to navigate the ups and downs of adolescence.  We also have times for students to be together when they are not on the same team (i.e., lunch, PE, exploratory classes, music).  Our staff does a fabulous job of helping students get to know one-another through team building activities.   

New Team Structures at KHMS

Harter has taken the 3-team structure and created 2 teams per grade.  Your child will either be on the Crimson or Silver team at his/her prospective grade level.  Your child will still receive his/her core classes (ELA, Science, Math, Social Studies) along with PE and Exploratory just like previous years.  The only difference is we now have two teams per grade level.  This change allows us to maximize our support of all students. 

This new structure will also incorporate MTSS (Multi Tiered System of Supports) teachers at each grade level.  Our new model allows us to provide additional instructional services for all students.  We are excited to continue blazing the path forward with how a school and district can evolve to meet the needs of students.    

School Supply Lists

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

6th Grade Health Requirements

In order to begin their middle school career, all 6th grade students will need to have their health requirements submitted to our Nurse's office, which requires a physical and dental examination.  Below are links to the forms.  

Physical 

Dental

Chromebooks

All students will receive a new chromebook this school year.  New chromebooks will be distributed by your child's team on the first day of school.  

 

New Staff

Please help us welcome our new staff to Harter Middle School. We are excited for our new staff to contribute to and enhance our tradition of excellence.   

• Rachel Metcalf - 6 Crimson ELA/Science
• Ethan Liljehorn - 6 Crimson ELA/Math
• Margaret Pacana - 7 Crimson ELA/Science
• Megan Foley - 8 Silver Social Studies 
• Jay Bodine - Assistant Principal
• Brian Faulkner - Principal 

PE Uniforms 

PE uniforms can be bought online through our webstore.  Students/parents will need to purchase a shirt and a lock (school issued lock).  Uniforms and locks will be distributed the first few days of school in your child's PE class.  If your child already has both items, there is no need to purchase new ones.   

Lunch Account

Students can purchase a lunch or bring in their own lunch each day.  Lunch will not be free for all students this year unlike the previous two years.  If your child plans on purchasing lunch, please see the below information.

• Hot lunch is $3.20 or students can purchase ala carte items.  Ala carte items range in price depending on what is being purchased.   
• Money can be put on your child's lunch account.  Money or checks can be taken at the register, but no change will be given back.  Change will be applied to your child's account.  Credit cards/debit cards will not be taken at the register.  
• Deposits are credited to a student's account immediately, which means no student should have a negative balance.  If a student has a negative balance, they will be provided the hot lunch of the day.  No child will be denied a lunch, but please note that their account will be charged for the meal.   
• Student accounts may have a spending threshold that parents can apply.  This can be done both daily and weekly.  Each transaction of purchased food will show up almost immediately on your account.  We will deny a student ala carte items if funds are not available or if they have hit their daily/weekly limit.  Once these limits are set, no one can change them except for a parent.  
• Contact Gigi Statler (10629@kaneland.org) with any questions.   

Athletics & Activities 

We offer a variety of after-school extracurricular activities for our students.  

Click here for important information regarding fall sports.

Athletics

Fall Season - Cross Country, Girls Volleyball, Golf

Winter Season - Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Wrestling, Bowling

Spring Season - Track and Field 

For all athletic teams, please know that students are required to have a current physical on file to tryout or be a part of a team.  Physicals are considered valid for 13 months.  Physician's offices fill up quick and it is encouraged to get your child's physical done well before the first day of tryouts or practice.  

Activities

Some of the activities we offer at KHMS are: Jazz Band, Jazz Lab Band, Knightshift (choir) Fall Play, Spring Musical, Student Council, Knight Writers (newspaper), Art Club, IMSA Fusion, Snowflake, and Yearbook.  

With any afterschool athletic team or activity, announcements will be made during the school day and we will also post the information online.  

School Expectations 

Attendance - Start and End of the School Day

We are currently working on new pick up procedures for the afternoon.  Drop off in the morning will be the same.  More information will be sent in a separate communication as the school year draws closer.  Please note that we are going back to marking students as tardy to school if they arrive after 7:25 a.m.  We want all students to start school on time.      

Behavior Expectations

Our staff and students will extensively review our school expectations in all areas of Harter at the beginning of the year and throughout the year.  As we transition back to a more normal learning environment, we want to prepare our students for success and teaching our expectations explicitly will help our students.  We know the more structure we provide, the more our students will thrive.     

Cell Phone Expectations 

While we've always advocated for students to learn how to utilize technology appropriately, including cellphones, we have experienced numerous distractions and disruptions that last couple of years.  Due to this, we are reinforcing our expectations regarding students' use of cellphones during the school day.  All phones must be put away during the school day (not seen, used, or heard) unless a teacher gives permission.  Students will still be allowed to use their phones at lunch.    

We realize that cellphones make it easy to communicate with your child and this is why we will continue to allow them at lunch. This will be the time when students can check in with you in case you message them.  If there is an emergency or you need to get a hold of your child, please call the main office (630-466-8400) and we will relay the message or call them to the office to reach out to you.  

Our expectations will reduce the amount of distractions phones have caused and allow our students to experience success at higher rates.  Thank you for your understanding in this matter.  

 

Lunchroom Supervisors Needed

Harter is looking for lunchroom supervisors (paid position).  If you are interested, please fill out an application and contact Kris Weiss (10535@kaneland.org).  

August 2022 Important Dates

• August 8-12 - Jump Start for 6th Graders
• August 11 - Open House (10:00-11:30 a.m. & 4:00-7:00 p.m.)
• August 17 - First Day of School 
• August 19 - Picture Day (more information coming soon)
• August 29 - September 2 - iReady Testing 

Enjoy the Rest of Your Summer!

Proud to be a Knight!!!