Today, 5/21/2013
High: 84 Low: 66
Chance thunderstorms
29% chance of precipitation.
Tomorrow, 5/22/2013
High: 86 Low: 66
Chance thunderstorms
33% chance of precipitation.

Daily Announcements





The Annual Hand Foundation Fundraiser will be Friday, April 19th. The party will be held at the home of the Tappa Family located at 2712 Wilmot Avenue. Please click HERE to order tickets, view Sponsorship levels and get other information about the Gala.

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What's Happening at Hand?

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Above:  Hand MS Students form an "H" wearing their
Love Blue Live Gold shirts.  Proceeds were donated to the Dominica School.

Below:  Hand MS football players and cheerleaders form a "21" to honor Marcus Lattimore, a USC football player recently injured.

Check out our new video display wall at Hand Middle!!!  Click here for more information.







Follow us on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/#!/HandMiddleSC 


Text      Follow HandMiddleSC to 40404

Get Echalk on your Mobile Device!!!!



 

  Welcome to Hand Middle School  

 

 

Welcome to Hand Middle School, a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and recipient of the Carolina First Palmetto's Finest Award! Be sure to check out our calendar for information on upcoming events.

Please be sure to check online grades by clicking on the link. Your POP-UP Blocker must be set to allow pop-ups from this website.
If you have any questions, please call (803) 343-2947.

 

 

Online Grade information is now available!  Please click here for the link.  If you need your password, please contact your child's guidance counselor.
Special Thanks to our PTO Sponsors for this year!!

Gold Level


 
Collins and Lacy, P.C.

Andrea Reynolds "The A.R.T. of Real Estate" Prudential Midlands Real Estate


Hand Middle School Mission Statement

MISSION STATEMENT

Hand Middle School will prepare every student to be a successful, contributing citizen in a global society by providing an effective and high quality education.
BELIEFS

We believe...

-each member of the school community must strive for excellence.
-each student must be challenged and given the tools needed to learn and achieve.
-each student is provided with a safe and supportive learning environment.
- the fine arts are a common thread for enriching the lives of all students by   promoting creativity and high standards.
- the school functions as a community center and bridge between the diverse neighborhoods represented by our students.
- each member has a responsibility to the school community.
- open communication is necessary for a learning community to succeed.
- technology is a critical component in preparing students for life.
-each student will receive instruction in life skills to better their quality of life

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, May 21
Marco's Pizza
-Hand earns 10%
for every order
Wednesday, May 22
Orchestra Concert
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Concert for all HMS Orchestra students
Monday, May 27
7th grd Trip
- Charleston
Tuesday, May 28
Football
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM
Interest meeting
cafeteria
Wednesday, May 29
8th grade Day!


- Honors Assembly @ 9 am
- Slideshow
- Picnic

From the Principal


 
     
At Hand I am amazed and thankful for our dynamic teaching faculty.  Every teacher is subject area certified and highly qualified.  In addition, Hand has a record-high number of national board certified teachers.  In sixth grade, science teacher, Drew Byrd, is our most recent teacher to become recognized as national board certified.  We are thrilled to provide our students an exemplary education as represented by the lofty accomplishments of our well-respected and highly sought-after staff.  With a 100% highly qualified staff, Hands teachers are in demand as they present at the district, state and national levels. 
A few of our recent accolades include the following:  Dr. Julie Moss, our seventh grade guidance counselor, presented at the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision conference in Savannah, GA.   The presentation was entitled, Professional Identity Development of Counselor Educators-in-Training.  Ms. Jennifer Guest, seventh and eighth grade math teacher, travelled to Princeton University where she reviewed and made recommendations for the middle level math teacher exam PRAXIS-the teacher entrance exam.    Mrs. Tori Simmons, eighth grade English language arts teacher, led a session on the common core curriculum at Richland Ones Achievement Gap Conference.  Mrs. Nicole Skeen is an adjunct professor for the University of South Carolina.  She teaches an undergraduate course for aspiring social studies teachers.  Mr. David Chadwell recently returned from Colombia, South America, where he was a keynote speaker on Effective Single Gender Strategies.  Dr. Jane Zenger, lead reading teacher, has been busy with her work on the South Carolina Humanities Council where she helps to distribute statewide grants for cultural, historical and education special projects.  Ms. Jennifer Bjorn is also an adjunct professor for the University of South Carolina.  She has taught Public Speaking courses since 1999.  Ms. Victoria Littlefield, sixth grade guidance counselor, serves as an active board member for the National Alliance for Mental Illness where they are busily planning for the NAMI Walk and Mid-Carolina fundraiser.  I am proud to announce that Ms. Jody Davidson, Mrs. Tori Simmons and Mrs. Alva White are recent graduates of the Richland District One Leadership Academy. 
Our highly trained English language arts (ELA) and mathematics faculty are engaged in on-going intensive professional development while anticipating full implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).  The CCSS were adopted in ELA and math in July of 2010.  The standards will be fully implemented in 2014-2015.  The 2013-2014 school year is a bridge year where the CCSS will be used for instructional purposes throughout the school year.  These standards have been adopted by the majority of the United States in order to replace the wide variety of academic goals with a consistency of expectations from state to state.  The professional development for our teachers is a necessity due to the transition from the South Carolina standards to the increasingly in-depth CCSS.  Hands teachers are leaders in those training and staff meetings to ensure success for each of our students.
 
 
 
As always, thank you for allowing us to serve your child and family.  I look forward to working with your family in the 2012-2013 school year.
Hand Middle School, 2600 Wheat St., Columbia, SC 29205
Phone: 803-343-2947  |  Fax: 803-733-6173
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