For the first time in three years, Hand Middle School faculty and students are under one roof. With the completion of our building construction, our learning lodge portables on the field and constant movement from inside to outside our building are a faint memory. We are enjoying our revitalized school environment and are focusing on what really matters-student learning.
During the summer faculty representatives participated in intensive Making Middle Grades Work (MMGW) training. The mission of MMGW is to make sure that our students leave eighth grade with the knowledge to be successful in a college preparatory curriculum and prepared for future education and career. As the Hand faculty and staff delve into MMGW, our self-selected focus areas include a belief that all students matter, high expectations and teachers working together to plan, to develop, to coordinate and to share with each other.
Over the summer the Hand Educational Foundation, under the leadership of chairwoman, Lynn Murray, finalized funding for the Emily Douglas amphitheatre. City Council and the Hand Foundation are jointly funding the amphitheatre which will provide an exciting learning opportunity and venue for our staff and students. In addition to the Foundation’s Cinco de Mayo, and Mardi Gras celebrations including our silent auctions, the Hand Foundation applied for a competitive grant from the State for the amphitheatre at Emily Douglas Park. Our competitive grant application, sponsored by Representative James Smith, was approved by the Competitive Grants Committee for the requested amount of $50,000. The Foundation has reached our $75,000 commitment to City Council for the amphitheatre project. We anticipate starting the project this fall. We appreciate Representative James Smith for his leadership in shepherding our application through the grant process.
Along with a former Hand parent, Robbie McClam, the Foundation partnered with Richland District One to restore the Hand field. Initially funded with public and private monies, the field’s restoration is the fulfillment of a commitment to reestablish the field to its pre-construction condition. We have enjoyed watching our field come to life with lots of green grass aided by a fully functioning sprinkler system. The Hand football team has appreciated the restored field practice area.
To enhance Hand’s productions and presentations in our auditorium, a student Technical “Tech” Team was trained by district and community arts specialists over the summer. Our Tech Team student members specialized in one of three technical theatre disciplines including lighting, sound or stage management. The students were required to pass a technical knowledge test at the end of their training. We have already benefited from our own student specialists as they have prepared and coordinated several auditorium events including our New Student Orientation in August.
Please plan to join us for our Open House at 6:00 on September 16 beginning in the auditorium. Our annual barbecue sponsored by the Hand cheerleaders will be held from 4:30 to 7:00 in the cafeteria. Tickets may be purchased from any cheerleader or the Main Office. Proceeds will be used to purchase a new and improved Hornet mascot uniform. I am looking forward to seeing each of you on September 16.

Marisa Vickers