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Dear Friends of HMS Richards School,
So many events happened at the end of last school year. Surely it had to slow down for a couple months. Maybe through hiking, camping, or even a vacation, you have been able spend some quality time together. HMS Richards ended the school year with 71 students. That is more students than there have have been for at least 12 or 13 years. HMS has felt God's blessings in so many ways over the years and our numbers represent some of the blessings! This year the classrooms will be full! We are planning for 75-80 students for school year 2016-2017. Our hope and need is to hire another teacher to teach 3rd and 4th grades for the school year 2017-2018. That will give us no more than two grades per teacher.
Also, God has blessed financially. We are operating with no debt! We say thanks to the many supporters who sit in the Campion Church pews.
Several improvements are happening at HMS this summer. Most of the visible improvements are in conjunction with becoming a licensed preschool provider. Licensing will make it possible to accommodate the full prekindergarten and kindergarten program next year. We expect to have 15 students plus a waiting list for this school year. Our hope is that the preschool program will grow into its own building in 2 or 3 years. Miranda Gomez is the preschool director for this coming year. She
 has worked tirelessly to get the required classes, and worked with different state departments. So far the physical plant requirements are not huge but necessary. One of the main outside improvements is the chain link fence installed around the playground.
Another improvement at HMS will be our community involvement through a few more projects with project-based learning (PBL). Stay tuned to see how that develops in each classroom. We are excited to take a turn to become more 21st century learning inclusive! Along this line we are also trying to make available for use at least one device, IPad and/or computer, for each student in grades 1-8. We are still in need of some funding to allow this to happen.
Also, to remain balanced, and because it is part of who we are as a school, we will be more intentional about spending time learning in nature. We are so blessed to be situated on a campus with endless opportunities for outdoor education. Some of our PBL projects will go hand-in-hand with outdoor education.
As we move forward, we also have some needs that require talent, money, and/or time. Please look at the list and contact HMS if you are willing and able to help with anything listed below:
1. Refrigerator 2. Overhead projector 3. Round tables 4. Handyman misc. 5. Grounds upkeep maintenance 6. Funding for IPads (about $7000 more needed)
Thank you, church family, for your dedication indicated by involvement, financial commitment, and prayer for HMS and each student represented!
Blessings,
Davin Hammond. Principal of HMS Richards Elementary
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