Dear HMS parents, guardians, and caregivers,

Happy New Year!  We hope this message finds you well.  We were excited to welcome our students back this week. Teachers have planned a variety of activities focused on helping students develop new goals and mindsets with the fresh start that a new year brings.

Our next HMS Update will be shared on January 23, 2026. Please be in touch with any questions. Thank you for your partnership!

With Gratitude,

Mandy Lewis and Tom McDowell, HMS Administrative Team

HMS students have been invited to attend a Superintendent Search Focus Group on Wednesday, January 14.  Many students have volunteered to participate, and we are excited to hear their thoughts about YSD future leadership!

Hollie McLachlan has officially been hired as our new Drama Advisor! Hollie has been a theatre and film performer for over two decades and also has a BFA in Theatre from Washington & Jefferson College. Additionally, Hollie was a teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District and created a filmmaking course especially for students with disabilities at a school called Widney CTC. She is currently producing PBS-style television programming for very young children here in Maine. She is excited to work with our students at Harrison Middle School. 

We are currently working on a timeline and production date.  We will have specific details to share by the end of January.  Our students have already been asked to share ideas for what our performance might be!

Have you ordered your yearbook?  Order by January 30 to guarantee your copy!   Not sure if you've ordered or not? Check in with Mrs. Van Dzura in the office and she'll look it up for you.

The school yearbook is more than just a collection of photos.  It’s the capturing of a moment in time, a memorial to a year that will soon be a distant memory. In today’s digital, social media-focused world, we sometimes forget the value of the keepsake.

You can order here.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day honors a leader who dedicated his life to equality, nonviolent justice, and the belief that every person deserves dignity and opportunity. This day is a chance for families and students to reflect on the values of empathy, courage, and community service that Dr. King championed. We encourage you to discuss his legacy with your children and consider small acts of kindness or service to keep his spirit alive.

Monday, January 19: No school in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day