Meet Me in the Middle is a weekly blog by our principal, Ms. Gentene, connecting you to our middle school!

This week Ms. Gentene highlights two exciting events at IHMS this week! The Veterans Day Parade that took place on Tuesday and our upcoming performance of A Wrinkle in Time happening this weekend.

CLICK HERE to learn more about both of these topics.

Veteran's Day Parade

Tuesday morning we honored all who served—past and present, with a district wide parade. Our MS Braves lined the sidewalks from the gym to the Sue Harder Performing Arts Center in support of our Veterans.

Veterans Day is a living reminder of the strength, resilience, and unity that define this nation.

To all who have served, we offer our sincerest gratitude.

Transportation Update

The safety of our students is our highest priority. Our goal each day is to ensure that every child arrives to school and returns home safely.

Due to unexpected staffing shortages in our Transportation Department, we must suspend our short-term alternative transportation service. At this time, we are unable to accommodate requests for students to ride buses other than their originally assigned route.



We understand that this may create challenges for some families, and we truly appreciate your understanding and flexibility. 

Cell Phone Policy Reminder

We believe in cultivating a school environment where all students are physically and emotionally safe while intellectually inspired and challenged. As a part of this, we have a no-phones policy at Indian Hill Middle School.

Students’ cell phones should not be used or seen at school (including classrooms, hallways, lunch, and recess) during school hours unless the student has received direct permission from a staff member. Smart watches with communication features can be worn, but should not be utilized to send messages, access social media, etc. during the school day. Phones can be carried in pencil pouches, kept in lockers, or in backpacks - but should not be carried on the person's body (ie, in pockets) and must remain out of sight at all times. Students can use their communication devices before school, after school, in the main office, or if given specific permission by a staff member. 

Additionally, for the safety of our students, headphones and earbuds (like “Airpods”) may not be used during school unless a teacher has given students permission during a learning activity. 

• 1st Offense - Phone is sent to the office for safekeeping and can be picked up by student after 2:45 p.m.
• 2nd Offense - Phone is sent to the office for safekeeping and can be picked up by the parent or guardian
• 3rd Offense - Phone is sent to the office for safekeeping and a team meeting is scheduled with administrators, parents, and student for support plan

Parents, we need your help! If you need to get your child a message, you can email them at their @ihsd.us email address or call the main office. When parents text their child during school hours our students struggle to maintain the balance between the impulse to check and wanting to stay out of "trouble" at school.

Please remind your child they cannot have their phones out during school hours, and let them know you will email them or contact the main office if you need them to get a message.

Drop Off and Pick Up Traffic Patterns

Here are the Middle School traffic patterns for morning drop off and afternoon pickup. Thank you for your help with keeping our students safe!

Morning Dropoff

• Pull into the parking lot and follow the arrows on the image below.
• Students may only be dropped off on the sidewalk
• Please pull up along the sidewalk as far as possible so more vehicles have access to it.

Afternoon Pickup

• Anyone picking up a student must get in the car line. Students will not be permitted to enter the parking lot to enter a vehicle and parents will not be able to walk through the car line to pick up their child.

• When you arrive at the sidewalk, please pull forward as far as possible so as many students as possible can access their vehicles. Staff members will be on the sidewalk directing vehicles forward and instructing students to look for their vehicle.

• Some High school students have been assigned spots closest to the gym (you may not see them until later in the year). Any student riding with a high school sibling will need to utilize the sidewalk and crosswalk to access their sibling’s vehicle.

• The image below shows the traffic pattern:
• Red arrows show the line entering. You’ll notice there are two red lanes once you get closer to the school. This allows more vehicles in the lot in order to keep vehicles off Drake Road. A staff member will direct traffic near the sidewalk.
• White arrows show the line leaving after you pick up your child. Please use all three lanes to exit as this helps keep the line moving.

Bravesline

Looking to update your Indian Hill Spirit wear selections? The Bravesline store is open! You can shop all your favorite Braves items Fridays from 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. You can access the Bravesline store through the foyer of the

Sue Harder Memorial Performing Arts Center.



You can also check out the online store using the link below.



Click Here to shop online!