A Family of Communities

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">For Term 1, parents will be able to see their child's learning update in two ways.</span></p><ol class="editor-list-ol"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On December 17, you will be able to view your child's learning update through the new MyEducation BC Parent Portal. This secure online tool makes it easy to stay informed about your child’s learning. Plus, families of grade 8 students will be able to support your child's transition to high school.&nbsp;</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On December 18, your child will receive a paper copy to take home.</span></li></ol><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">With the Parent Portal, you can:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">View learning updates as soon as they’re published</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Confirm your child's GESS grade 9 course selection and schedules</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Check attendance and track progress</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Update contact information quickly and easily</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s a convenient way to stay connected and support your child’s success. In the next week or two, you will receive a personalized email with instructions on how to sign up. There will also be updates posted in our newsletter and our website.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><i><b><strong class="editor-text-bold editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Term 1 Learning Update will be a pilot process with the intention of transitioning to a fully online Learning Update for Terms 2 and 3.</strong></b></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@mediamodifier?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mediamodifier</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/pink-ribbon-on-white-paper-vJ-zmwPZQ0o?utm_source=unsplash&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=creditCopyText" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Unsplash</span></a></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We welcome families to HMS on Wednesday, February 11</span><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>th</span></sup><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and Thursday, February 12</span><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>th</span></sup><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> for learner led conferences to learn more about their child’s experience at school. We look forward to seeing you there.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">February 11</strong></b><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>th</span></sup><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and 12</strong></b><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>th</span></sup><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> are both 1:00 pm early dismissal days. </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We will have a shortened lunch break on these days from 10:50 – 11:15 so please be sure to send a large snack or lunch with your child on both days.&nbsp; School busses will be here at 1:00 pm to do their usual routes.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Open House Format - Wednesday, February 11</strong></b><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>th</span></sup><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> (4:00-6:30 pm).</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Students with their families are invited to meet teachers in their community. Wednesday evening’s open house format is for families to connect with teachers, ask questions about their child’s learning, and see the learning spaces. Your children’s can also take you to their Exploratory spaces so that you can meet their Art, Music, Foods, Outdoor Education, Textiles, or French teacher.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Optional Learner Conferences </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">will be held in person or over the phone and will require families to sign up for an appointment. These will be offered on Thursday between 1:30 – 3:30 pm.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Parents will be able to register for the conferences starting Tuesday, January 27</strong></b><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>th</span></sup><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and booking of appointments will close at 12:00pm noon on Monday, February 9</strong></b><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>th</span></sup><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have more than one learner at HMS, please book appointments carefully to be sure that they don't conflict.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember, parents can reach out to their child’s teachers at any time during the school year to enquire about their child’s learning.</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> A complete school directory can be found at</span><a href="https://hms.sd23.bc.ca/staff-directory-about" class="editor-link"><u><span class="editor-text-underline" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> https://hms.sd23.bc.ca/staff-directory-about</span></u></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Parents of students from blended families are strongly encouraged to attend appointments together.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">To schedule a parent-teacher conference:</span></p><ol class="editor-list-ol"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Go to our school appointments website</span><a href="https://hsgrenda.schoolappointments.com" class="editor-link"><u><span class="editor-text-underline" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> https://hsgrenda.schoolappointments.com</span></u></a></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Click the "Click Here to Register" link to register for an account.&nbsp; You may need to create a new account (off to the right of the webpage).</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our School Access Code is HMS and it is case sensitive.</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Fill in the registration form to obtain a User ID (=email address) and Password.&nbsp;</span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Click on "Manage Participants" to add each of your students to the system.</span></li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Click on the Appointments button beside your student's name.</span></li><li value="7" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Click on "View Calendar" and select your child's homeroom teacher.</span></li><li value="8" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Select the date and time that you would like by clicking the check box. Once an appointment has been selected it will change to green.</span></li></ol><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It is time for our Round Two Passion Exploration Selection. Please take a moment to read through the Passion Selection Booklet with your child(ren). Students will get to choose their top 4 choices. Please click the link here:&nbsp;</span><a href="/documents/bc50e5b1-3fcf-4b87-96b3-6b24f684768c/2025-26-R2-Passion-Exploration-Selection-Booklet.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Passion Selection Booklet</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> January 2026&nbsp;to access the booklet. Passions form will open on Monday, January 12. Watch your email for a sign-up link!</span></p>