The Winter Formal is Friday! Students are very excited for this event. Our SCA has decorated the cafeteria; it looks festive and amazing.

A couple of things to help students and parents prepare:
• The dance is from 6:30-8:30 pm. Tickets are $5 and are sold at the door. All students must have a permission form including a family/guardian contact number.
• Student attire runs the range from casual to semi-formal. Boys will be dressed in a collared shirt and/or tie. Girls wear dresses, skirts, or dress slacks. Students can wear the clothes they wore to school.
• Pick up promptly at 8:30 is appreciated.
• If students need to be picked up early, parents must come inside the school to pick them up; however, parents are not permitted to be in the dance area. A teacher or chaperone can help you locate your child.
• All school rules are in effect.
• Refreshments can be purchased (pizza, fruit, snacks, candy, water, and soda will be available)

I hope all students have a great experience!

Dear Henley Families,

Well, the recent weather certainly doesn’t indicate the coming of winter, but I think our students are greatly anticipating winter break in just a couple of weeks.  I thought I saw some news about cooler weather on the horizon and it gets pretty exciting in middle school when snow rumors start!

Our students and teachers have been busy. We’d like to share several informational items with you.

1. Students took a brief survey about how we are doing to achieve our School Goal #2: All students will be visible, feel safe, and have an adult connection in the building. We are looking at the results this week with our teacher leadership teams and we will share that data with you shortly.
2. We’d love to hear your feedback about how you think we are doing toward making this goal a reality for all students. The survey also asks if you are interested in taking a tour of schools that have had recent security additions and modernization projects completed. Please respond! https://goo.gl/forms/qcFYclnCayXTVGQk2
3. We are teaming with Brownsville Elementary School to support Hurricane Maria Relief Efforts. Some of our 7^th and 8^th graders have joined forces with BES students to gather much needed supplies and donations. Here is more information on the project and how you can help. Let’s make a difference for those in need.
   1. Hurricane Maria caused great devastation to the island of Puerto Rico and many areas remain without power, water or food!
   2. Brownsville parent, Elizabeth Alvarez, recently returned from a trip to Puerto Rico, where she helped distribute much needed supplies and provided medical support to those in need of care. Elizabeth will distribute any items or funds collected by Brownsville BEEs and Henley Hornets during her next mission trip to Puerto Rico in December. There are multiple ways you can help listed below:
      1. Supplies needed: diapers (any size), wipes, baby formula, water filters (i.e. Brita), solar lights, flashlights, and batteries.
      2. Option to order supplies online here: https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/ACI1N6A8FE7F<https://brownsvillepto.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=68c76c79307c5693c1f95ff0a&id=d4d2ffa416&e=301f36ef34>.
      3. Supplies can be dropped off at Henley in boxes near the main office.
      4. Supplies will be collected until December 13.
      5. Monetary donations can be made here: https://www.gofundme.com/puertoricocville<https://brownsvillepto.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=68c76c79307c5693c1f95ff0a&id=743b2609d8&e=301f36ef34>.

4. We are working on a matrix of “Who Do I Contact When…” for families to help make communication easier. In essence, we are trying to connect you quickly with the right resource for your question, concern, or feedback. Look for that document in the coming weeks.
5. Speaking of what is coming…we are trying to push out more timely information on our website, not just to our families, but to our students, school community, and prospective families. Part of doing that is asking you to weigh in on what you’d like to see more of on our website. We’ll send you a survey after the Holiday Break.
6. Please remember to respond to ACPS’s Budget Initiative Survey. The survey is open until December 17.
7. This month’s Advisory theme is Diversity. We believe that we should explore how we are all diverse and how we use our cultures, heritages, and experiences to make meaning and construct our worldview. Our first task is to get to know each other better and learn to appreciate how we are all unique.

I realize that was a lot of information. I am very interested in hearing what you would like to learn more about, so that we can share relevant and meaningful information with our stakeholders.

I hope you will join us for the many student performances we have in the coming weeks (e.g. band, Strings, drama). Check out our school calendar for specific dates.

Please contact me directly with any questions or feedback.

Best,
Beth Costa, principal