A MESSAGE FROM DR. PETERSON | OUR NEXT CHAPTER After seven years of dedicated leadership at Hueytown Middle School, Dr. Serra Harris Peterson has announced her transition to a new role as Area Director for Jefferson County Schools. We are grateful for her leadership, commitment to student achievement, and service to our Panther community. Please read her message as we celebrate her contributions and prepare for the next chapter at HMS. One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.

This is a reminder that all JEFCOED schools and offices will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in observance of Veterans Day. We look forward to seeing everyone back in the classroom on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026.

PANTHER PRIDE | HMS CHEERLEADERS PLACE THIRD AT UCA REGIONALS Congratulations to our Hueytown Middle School Cheerleaders for earning third place in the Junior High Small GameDay Division at the UCA Magic City Regionals on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Competing at Bill Harris Arena, our Panthers showcased their talent, teamwork, dedication, and school spirit. We are proud of their hard work and outstanding representation of Hueytown Middle School. One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.

PROTECTING THE PAW | WEEKLY PANTHER NEWSLETTER Here’s what’s happening at Hueytown Middle School during the week of November 9–13, 2026. Weekly Announcements * ACAP Practice Testing: November 9–10 * Wear camouflage Tuesday, November 10, in observance of Veterans Day. * Science Olympiad practice: Monday, November 9, after school. Contact Dr. Hare-Lang with questions. Week at a Glance * Monday, November 9: HMS Basketball vs. McAdory MS (Competition Gym) * Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day, No School * Thursday, November 12: Make-Up Picture Day and second nine weeks progress reports available through PowerSchool * Thursday, November 12: HMS Basketball at Fultondale HS Let’s have a great week, Panthers. One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.

PANTHER PRIDE | HMS CHEERLEADERS Congratulations to our Hueytown Middle School Cheerleaders for earning 3rd Place in the Small Game Day Junior High Division at the 2026 Jefferson County Cheer Competition! Our Panthers competed on Saturday, October 31, at Gardendale High School, proudly representing HMS with teamwork, dedication, and school spirit. We are proud of our cheerleaders and coaches for their hard work and this outstanding accomplishment! One School. One Culture. One PAW Print. #HueytownMiddleSchool #HMSPanthers

🐾 THE PANTHER WAY | BIG ROCKS BEFORE LITTLE ROCKS This week, our HMS Panthers learned an important lesson about “Big Rocks Before Little Rocks” as part of Habit 3: Put First Things First. Students explored how the “big rocks” represent their most important priorities, such as schoolwork, responsibilities, and personal goals, while the “little rocks” represent less important activities and distractions. The lesson reinforced a simple but powerful principle: When we put the little things first, we may not have room for what matters most. Our Panthers were challenged to identify their own big rocks, manage their time wisely, and make choices that reflect their priorities. 🏠 ASK YOUR PANTHER: “What are your big rocks, and what little rocks sometimes get in the way of putting them first?” Own Your Learning. Own Your Growth.

HMS SOFTBALL | 2026–2027 Congratulations to our 2026–2027 Hueytown Middle School Softball Team! We’re excited to recognize our Panthers as they prepare for the upcoming season. SUPPORT HMS SOFTBALL Our softball program is hosting a Laundry Detergent & Cleaner Fundraiser to support the team. * 5-gallon laundry detergents: $40 * 5-gallon cleaners: $45 * Optional bucket pump: $10 Order Deadline: Friday, November 20, 2026 To place an order, see Coach Fizer or an HMS softball player. Contact: tfizer@jefcoed.com Thank you for supporting our student-athletes and HMS Softball!

PANTHER NEWSLETTER | THIS WEEK AT HMS Here’s what’s happening at Hueytown Middle School this week. Weekly Announcements HMS Drama Club sign-ups are due Monday, November 2, in Room 104. The interest meeting will be Tuesday, November 3, during 2nd Period. See Mrs. Watson for details. Week at a Glance * Monday, Nov. 2: HMS Basketball vs. Erwin MS * Tuesday–Wednesday, Nov. 3–4: Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop (8th Grade) * Wednesday, Nov. 4: First Nine Weeks Awards Ceremony, 8:30 AM * Wednesday, Nov. 4: HMS Basketball vs. Oak Grove * Thursday, Nov. 5: HMS Basketball vs. Irondale MS All basketball games listed will take place in the HMS Competition Gym. Save the Dates ACAP Practice Test: November 9–10 Let’s have another great week, Panthers. One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.

THE PANTHER WAY | RED RIBBON WEEK Living by Design means making choices with purpose! This week, our HMS Panthers participated in Red Ribbon Week lessons focused on making healthy decisions, resisting peer pressure, and choosing a drug-free future. Students explored how personal responsibility, self-discipline, and the courage to do what’s right can shape their lives and future opportunities. ASK YOUR PANTHER: How can you stand firm and make the right choice when others pressure you to do something wrong? Own Your Learning. Own Your Growth.

EXPLORING FUTURE POSSIBILITIES | HMS SIGNATURE ACADEMY TOURS Our Hueytown Middle School Panthers spent the past two days exploring career pathways and educational opportunities through the Jefferson County Schools Signature Academies! Students visited Oak Grove, Pleasant Grove, and McAdory High Schools, gaining exposure to specialized programs, hands-on learning experiences, and opportunities to prepare for their futures. From engineering and agriscience to leadership, healthcare, and technical skills, our Panthers discovered how their interests and abilities can connect to future careers. Next Stop: Hueytown High School on December 10! Students will explore opportunities in Automotive Technology, Broadcast Journalism, and Music Technology. Thank you to our host schools and everyone who helped make these experiences possible! One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.

HMS PTA SPIRIT NIGHT AT WENDY’S! Take a night off from cooking and support Hueytown Middle School! Join us at Wendy’s on Tuesday, October 27, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM for HMS PTA Spirit Night. Bring your family, enjoy a meal, and show your Panther pride while supporting our students and school! One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.

🏐 HMS NEWCOMB IN ACTION! Our Hueytown Middle School Newcomb boys and girls teams represented Panther Country at the tournament held at Mortimer Jordan High School! Our Panthers had an opportunity to compete, develop their skills, demonstrate teamwork, and gain valuable experience on the court. We are proud of our student-athletes and coaches for their dedication, effort, and Panther pride! One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.

TEACHING & LEARNING | BRINGING LITERATURE TO LIFE Students in Ms. Hannah Sanders’ 7th Grade English Language Arts class are bringing literature to life through their study of A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle! Using play dough and other materials, students constructed models to demonstrate how folding space can shorten the distance between two points. They then applied their understanding by writing paragraphs explaining how their models represent a tesseract. This hands-on learning experience connects reading comprehension, creativity, critical thinking, and written communication. Learning isn’t just about reading the story. It’s about exploring the ideas behind it! One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.

PANTHER PARENT ACADEMY | LEADER IN ME Leadership begins at school and grows stronger at home! Hueytown Middle School invites all Panther parents and guardians to our Leader in Me Parent Academy as we work together to develop leadership habits that help our students succeed in school and in life. 📅 Tuesday, October 27, 2026 🕕 6:00 PM 📍 HMS Library Join us as we explore how families and educators can work together to encourage responsibility, positive choices, and personal growth. We look forward to seeing our Panther families! One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.

PROTECTING THE PAW | WEEKLY PANTHER NEWSLETTER It’s another exciting week at Hueytown Middle School! Here’s what’s happening in Panther Country this week: * Red Ribbon Week: October 26–30 * Science Olympiad: Sign-up deadline October 26 * Indoor Track: Registration deadline October 27 * Photography Club: Introductory meeting October 29 * Drama Club: Sign up by November 2 * Panther Parent Academy: October 27 at 6:00 PM in the HMS Library * 8th Grade Signature Academies Visits: October 28–29 * HMS Basketball: Games October 26 and 29 Parents and guardians, please review this week’s newsletter for additional details, important deadlines, and opportunities for your Panthers to get involved. One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.

THE PANTHER WAY | LIVING BY DESIGN This week, our HMS Panthers continued exploring Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind through our Leader in Me lessons. Students learned that living by design means making intentional choices instead of simply allowing life to happen. They explored their future goals, identified steps toward achieving them, and considered the influences that can help or hinder their progress. The message: Your future is shaped by the choices you make today. Ask Your Panther: What is one goal you want to achieve, and what steps can you take now to make it happen? Own Your Learning. Own Your Growth. One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.

SETTING THE STANDARD | JEFCOED STRONG! Congratulations to Mrs. Dana Black, Hueytown Middle School’s Child Nutrition Program (CNP) Manager, for being recognized as our 1st Nine Weeks JEFCOED STRONG Winner! We celebrate Mrs. Black for her dedication and contributions to our HMS school community! Thank you for all you do to support our Panthers and help us Protect the PAW! One School. One Culture. One PAW Print. #HueytownMiddleSchool #HMSPanthers

RED RIBBON WEEK | OCTOBER 26–30 Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free! Panther Nation, get ready for a week of school spirit, healthy choices, and positive leadership! Join us for our daily dress-up themes: * Monday: Heroes Wear Red! | Wear red. * Tuesday: Team Up Against Drugs! | Wear your favorite sports jersey or team shirt. * Wednesday: Panthers Have Heroic Power! | Wear purple, gold, or HMS spirit wear. * Thursday: Shine Bright, Be a Hero! | Wear neon colors. * Friday: Real Heroes Don’t Need Capes! | Wear a superhero shirt or hero T-shirt. Being a hero starts with everyday decisions. Let’s stand together, encourage one another, and make choices that protect our future! One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.

HMS TITLE I PARENT & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PLAN | 2026–2027 At Hueytown Middle School, we believe strong partnerships between our school and families are essential to student success! Our 2026–2027 Title I Parent and Family Engagement Plan outlines opportunities for parents and families to participate, provide feedback, access resources, and collaborate with HMS throughout the school year. We encourage all Panther families to review the plan and get involved! Questions? Contact our Parent Involvement Coordinators: Mrs. Talicia Addison: taddison@jefcoed.com Mrs. Karen Watson: kawatson@jefcoed.com The plan is available in English and Spanish. One School. One Culture. One PAW Print.