Dear HFMS Families,

The 2026-27 School year is rolling along, and it is my sincere wish that this is a great school year for every student and their families.  Success can be measured in many ways and while no one way will give a complete picture, things like attendance and grades do give us a pretty good idea.  Please take time to periodically review your child’s progress using Canvas and also make sure to be mindful of their daily attendance.  There is plenty of healthy data to indicate that the more kids are in school, the better they perform and the more solid foundation they lay for success later in life.  At the same time, the overwhelmingly most positive indicator of academic success is student effort.  When students fail, it is always due to missing assignments.  Every time.  When students show up every day and give their best effort they will succeed in the classroom.  If the subject in question is not their strength they might not get an A, but they will pass (likely with a C or above!).

In closing, please do not ever hesitate to reach out to myself or our admin team if there are questions or concerns you have at anytime throughout the school year.  Public education is best when we work together!

Sincerely,

Eric R. Vandell
Principal, HFMS
evandell@k12.wv.us

October Newsletter

How Sick Is Too Sick For School?

As we are heading into the cold and flu season, it is important to consider how sick is too sick for school. Students are too sick to come to school when they are contagious, or their symptoms are serious enough to prevent them from focusing on tasks they need to do in school. 

-Use this checklist to determine whether to keep your child home from school.
-Does your child have a fever of 100 F or higher?
-Has your child vomited two or more times in a 24-hour period?
-Does your child have diarrhea?
-Are your child's eyes crusty, bright red, and/or discharging yellow or green fluid?
-If your child complains of a sore throat, is it accompanied by fever, headache, stomachache, or swollen glands?
-Does your child have a persistent, phlegmy cough?
-Does your child have lice (white, translucent eggs the size of a pinpoint on the hair or insects on the scalp)?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, please keep your child home from school and consider seeking medical attention. Keep your child home until he or she has been symptom free for at least 24 hours or until the doctor indicates that he or she can return to school. 

NOTE: If your child has a cold, headache, earache, or stomachache that is not accompanied by a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, they can probably come to school if they can concentrate on their work. Once your child has been treated for lice, he or she can return to school. 

Thank you,

Mrs. Waller
Assistant Principal