Resources
Student Support
> Coping With Cliques – Nemours presents this website, which offers information for middle schoolers on how to deal with cliques.
> It’s My Life – Middle School – This website sponsored by PBS Kids offers a variety of information for kids going into and already in middle school.
> Teens Against Bullying – This is an organization of young people who have joined to prevent bullying among kids.
> Reality Check – This website presents financial education for students on financial literacy and understanding economic concepts.
> Social Skills for Middle School Students – Various social skills necessary for middle students, including maintaining friendships and showing respect to adults, are explained here.
> Friendships: Information for Preteens – The Palo Alto Medical Foundation presents this website, which offers middle schoolers information on making and keeping friends.
Bullying Prevention
Houston Middle Stands United Against Bullying
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
HMS will continue its policy of combating bullying and harassment in our school environment. We recognize that harassment not only occurs in the school setting but also as students move to and from school and in students' private lives. We will continue our implementation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention program as our main source of prevention and intervention. We will continue our efforts in these four areas.
Student Education
Students will participate in learning about bullying and harassment through the use of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. The curriculum will be taught during Hawk Talk
Classroom Meetings
All staff and students will participate in weekly, bullying prevention and education classroom meetings. Meetings will occur during Hawk Talk.
Building Wide Efforts
Staff will continue efforts to address bullying and harassment in our student population by intervening when where necessary. Staff will model and make the four Anti-Bullying rules part of our school culture.
Other Efforts
Staff will continue to monitor individual student concerns regarding bullying (for both perpetrators and targets). Students demonstrating patterns need to be addressed through steps outlined in our intervention process. We will also continue to use the following procedures.
- Staff will conference individually with students and implement classroom based interventions.
- Staff will encourage students to fill out Witness/Victim Forms.
- Staff will fill out Witness/Victim forms when applicable.
- Staff will directly report serious cases to counselor or administration.
HMS Rules Against Bullying
- We will not bully others
- We will try to help students who are bullied
- We include students who are easily left out
- When we know somebody is being bullied we will tell an adult
Olweuss Lessons
Hawk Talk Lesson Web Sites
- Anti-Bullying Flash Mob: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhYyAa0VnyY
- To This Day Project: Video about the effects of bullying- www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltun92DfnPY
- Inspirational Video on Sportsmanship: www.ksl.com/?sid=24192084&nid=504&title=act-of-sportsmanship-gives-player-a-chance-to-shine-on-senior-night&fm=home_page&s_cid=queue-24
- Anti-Bullying Videos created by student http://www.greatschools.org/parenting/bullying/7265-best-viral-antibullying-videos.gs?cpn=20130224weeklysend
Helpful Web Sites
Olweus Web Site: http://www.violencepreventionworks.org/public/index.page
Cyberbullying:
Witness Reports: If you are being bullied or you know someone being bullied please fill this form out and hand it in to the office. These forms are also available at the front office.
Student Forms
HMS Title 1
HMS Phone Policy 2025-2026
HMS Families,
MSBSD School Board has passed Board Policy 5131.02 regarding cell phone use in schools. As we prepare for the 2025–2026 school year, we want to ensure all families are aware of the expectations that will be in place when students return from summer break.
Beginning in August, students will not be allowed to use cell phones, smart watches, airpods, or any wireless headphones on campus during school hours—this includes passing periods and lunch. The only exceptions permitted by district policy are:
- Significant emergencies (e.g., natural disasters)
- Translation needs (e.g., English Language Learners using a translation app)
- Approved medical purposes
If a parent or guardian needs to contact their student during the school day, please call the HMS front office (907-892-9400). Likewise, if a student needs to contact home, they may request to use the school phone in the front office.
To support this new policy, we are asking that students either leave their cell phones at home or store them in their lockers (out of sight and off) during the school day. HMS staff will be modeling this policy by keeping our own devices out of view when interacting with students.
We encourage all parents and guardians to take some time this summer to discuss these expectations with their student(s).
Disciplinary Consequences for Cell Phone Policy Violations:
- First Offense: Parents will be contacted, students will be assigned 1-3 Lunch Time Learnings, and phone returned to student at end of school day.
- Second Offense: Parent/guardian must pick up the phone. It will be placed in an envelope with a reminder of Board Policy 5131.02. Students will be assigned 3-5 Lunch Time Learnings.
- Third Offense: May result in out-of-school suspension and/or a principal conference with student and parent/guardian.
This is a district-wide policy from the Mat-Su Borough School District, and all MSBSD schools will implement it in the upcoming school year.
At Houston Middle School, we believe this shift will enhance our learning environment by reducing distractions and encouraging stronger personal connections. Research shows that increased face-to-face interaction leads to better academic and emotional outcomes. As Hawks, we are proud to promote a culture of respect, responsibility, and relationships.
Thank you for partnering with us to set a strong foundation for next year. We are grateful for your continued support and for the opportunity to work with your amazing students.
Orin P. Wear