Click Recap to view pictures and read about what’s been going on at HMS this week.

Please note that this time is earlier than our normal early release.

Friday, October 16 is a full day of school for our students.

As a reminder, families can now access the online conference schedule system. Families can sign-up/revise/cancel their own conferences through 12:00 PM on Monday, October 12. See below for additional information.  

Access to the online system -

Go to the HMS website and click on Fall Conference “Click here to Sign-Up” and follow the directions. 

Quick tip: Look for emails from “noreply@myconferencetime.com” when searching email for conference confirmation communications. 

All conferences will be in person unless a  parent/guardian requests a Google Meet link directly from the teacher.  

If you prefer a virtual session, please contact the teacher to request a Google Meet link to conduct your conference virtually after you have confirmed your conference time through My Conference Time Online Scheduler.   

Scheduling Reminder 

Due to limited slots available per teacher, it is not possible for every parent/guardian to meet with every one of their child’s teachers. Therefore, parents/guardians are asked to limit their selection to two core teachers per student (Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science,Spanish, or French) and three Unified Arts teachers (Phys. Ed., Art, Music, Tech Ed, and Health). 

If parents/guardians wish to meet with additional core/unified art teachers or the team as a whole please contact the specific teacher or team to set up a mutually agreed upon time, during the school day, outside of the conference dates to meet. 

Parents/guardians can also schedule meetings with the guidance counselor, social worker, psychologist, speech and language, and special education teachers using this system.

Fall Middle School Conferences are being held on;

Wednesday, October 14 - 5:30 - 8:00 pm

Thursday, October 15 - 1:00-3:00 pm

Please note that we will have a modified early dismissal time on the conference days to accommodate the conference schedule.  Therefore, students will be dismissed on October 14th and October 15th at 12:35 pm.

As we continue to focus on developing strong, independent writers, we are creating more opportunities for students to reflect on their writing, and make meaningful revisions. This year, students are using NoRedInk as one tool to support this work. 

The NoRedInk platform provides students with timely, targeted feedback as they write, giving them more opportunities to make revisions while their thinking and writing are still in progress.

We've seen how this helps students build confidence and take ownership of their writing. It works alongside teacher feedback, adding another layer of support students can draw on throughout the writing process. 

Teachers continue to guide the writing process, reading and grading student work, reviewing and adjusting NoRedInk feedback as needed, and using it to identify areas of need and provide individualized feedback that helps students strengthen their writing.

Together, these layers of feedback give students more opportunities to reflect, revise, and grow as writers.

Conducting emergency drills (fire, crisis, lockdown, etc.) is one of the most important ways we enhance our preparedness for students and staff during an emergency. Drills allow us to practice what we need to do when an emergency arises in our school. 

HMS will be conducting a fire drill early next week. This will only be a drill and will be conducted in accordance with the School Incident Management Protocols established by the district, and in collaboration with our local first responders.  Please discuss the importance of our emergency drills with your children.  

If you have any feedback please reach out to Ms. Vitaletti (svitaletti@milforded.org)  or myself (sgottlieb@milforded.org).  We thank you for your cooperation and partnership with making our schools a safer place for learning.

The HMS Grade 8 Committee will be running a few fundraising activities this fall to help reduce costs of end of year activities for grade 8 students and families. Please see the fundraising opportunities available to all HMS families and friends to help support the committee’s fundraising efforts

The first is a "No-Fuss" fundraising option where you can simply donate through Zeffy or Venmo @HMS-26  (This is the easiest way to make a big impact, with no effort!). Click “No-Fuss” for more information on how to donate. This is an ongoing fundraiser so family and friends can donate anytime. 

The second option right now is a Milford Spirit Wear Sale where $5 from each item sold will go directly toward the 8th grade. This sale is open to anyone since items will ship directly home! Click, Milford Spirit Wear for more information or click Lasting Impressions to go directly to the online store. 

This fundraiser will start on 10/19.

Next, Stonebridge Restaurant in Milford will be holding a fundraising night for us on October 27. We will get a percentage of sales when guests show the attached flyer (printed or on a phone is fine). This is an easy way to support a local restaurant and raise some funds for HMS 8th grade at the same time!

PLEASE feel free to share the above with family, friends, and anyone who would like to support the HMS 8th grade class of 2026. 

Join Milford Public Schools for an upcoming presentation designed to help parents navigate the challenges of technology, smartphones, and social media with their children.

For more information click Wait Until 8th

Click Pizza for more information on how to make conference night dinner easy by grabbing 

dinner and support Harborside.

The book fair will be open from Monday, October 12th to Friday, October 16th during school hours and parent report card conferences. 

Parents can set up an eWallet for their child to shop at the book fair. Here is a link to all the book fair details.

.Harborside Middle School students and staff would like to invite family and friends who are veterans to visit with the HMS community. Our veteran guests will share their experiences with a group of students.

This special event will take place on Veterans Day: Wednesday, November 11th.  

Veterans attending should plan on arriving between 8:00 and 8:10 and bring an ID to check in with our greeter in the lobby.

If you or a family member would like to participate in this event, please click “Bring a Veteran to School”, to complete and submit an attendance form by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH. 

Thank you for your consideration of this event.

Come support the HMS PTO by getting a scoop or 3 of ice cream on Thursday, October 22. 

For more information click Celebrity Scoopers.

Families and friends can purchase delicious treats now through 12/4 from See's Candies to be shipped to your home. 

Orders will begin to ship 11/10. 

All proceeds support the Drama Club to help fund sets, props, costumes, lighting, sound, and more, for the April 3rd performances of School of Rock, Youth Edition! Visit HMS Drama Club Candy Fundraiser to order!

Milford is having its very own version of Gilmore Girls Day on Sunday, October 25. This event is an unofficial fan-celebrated day often associated with the show's October premier in 2000.  

You don't have to be a fan of the show, though, to come out and enjoy a cozy fall day with food, live music, and vendors!

October 14 - 15 - Early release, 12:35 PM for Fall conferences.

Wednesday, October 14 - 5:30 - 8:00 pm

Thursday, October 15 - 1:00-3:00 pm

Please note that we will have a modified early dismissal time on the conference days to accommodate the conference schedule.  Therefore, students will be dismissed on October 14th and October 15th at 12:35 pm.

Friday, October 16 - This is a full day of school for HMS students and staff.

Wednesday, October 21 - Early release for staff professional learning.

Tuesday, November 3 - No school for students as it’s Election Day. Professional learning for staff.

Wednesday, November 18 -  Early release for staff professional learning.

Wednesday, November 25 - Early release for Thanksgiving break.

Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 - No school for Thanksgiving break.