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8th Grade

Hershey Middle School utilizes a full team structure with three teams per grade level. Students on a team share the same core teachers (Math, Science, ELA, and Social Studies), promoting consistent support. Core teachers meet twice every six-day cycle, once with the grade-level counselor, to address concerns and plan collaboratively.

This structure allows teachers to monitor student progress closely, understand students' experiences across subjects, and identify individual needs. Team teachers also serve as Homeroom and Flex teachers, providing daily check-ins and check-outs with their students.

Students at Hershey Middle School have the option of choosing to attend Hershey High School or Dauphin County Technical School during their ninth-grade year. Both schools offer great educational opportunities for our students.

Interested students are invited to visit the Dauphin County Technical School.  HMS will provide transportation for this trip in the fall.  To learn more about Dauphin County Technical School, please click this link.

In February, the high school counselors visit eighth-grade American Cultures classes to discuss ninth-grade course selections.  All students are required to complete the ninth-grade course selection card for Hershey High School.  Students are required to meet with each of their core subject teachers to receive recommendations for ninth-grade classes.  Teachers indicate their recommendations by initialing the course selection card.  Parent signatures are also required.  Course selection cards must be returned to the American Cultures teachers before mid-March.  

Counselors are available to meet with students to briefly discuss their choices, review credits, and answer any questions.  Course requests for all students are then submitted to the database for compilation.  Students are then generally given a course edit sheet demonstrating course requests prior to the summer break.a

Team Nova Star

  • Math-Mr. Hickethier
  • Science-Mrs. Bell
  • ELA-Mrs. Miller
  • Social Studies-Mr. Finkill

Team Andromeda

  • Math-Mrs. Graeff
  • Science-Mrs. Moyer
  • ELA-Ms. Eggert
  • Social Studies- Mr. Hetrick

Team Sirus

  • Math-Mrs. Cavic

  • Science-Mrs. Stover

  • ELA-Mrs. Owens

  • Social Studies-Mrs. Groleau 

Classes/Teams 

  • Students are randomly placed on teams every year.

  • Each grade level has 3 teams.

  • Math class is the only class that is leveled.

  • Math placement is determined by final grade, math placement scores, and teacher recommendations.

  • Students are required to take either a World Language or Reading class.

  • The ADD/DROP window for Music Ensembles is the first week of school and the first week of Marking Period 3.

Locker

  • Each student is assigned a locker located near their Homeroom.

  • Lockers use an attached combination lock.

  • Students will have time during the first few days of class to learn their locker combination and how to open their locker.

  • There are specific times that locker visits are permitted.

  • Bags and cellphones are expected to stay in their locker for the duration of the day.

  • Students are able to decorate the inside of their lockers with personal items.

Lunch

  • Lunch is 30 minutes long and with the entire 8th grade. (12:01pm-12:31pm)

  • Students choose a table at the start of each Marking Period.

  • Lunch costs $4.25, which includes a main meal item, 2 fruit, 2 vegetables, and a milk.

  • Snacks are available at an extra cost. It is highly recommend to plan a budget for your student before the start of the school year.

Pickup/Dropoff 

  • Students may enter the building at 7:18am

  • Students are considered tardy if they enter the building after 7:33am

  • If you plan on dropping off your student in the morning, the closer to 7:18am the better, as there will be a line for dropoffs.

  • School ends at 2:33pm

  • Pickup and dropoff are outside of the Main entrance, a line forms along the curb behind the crosswalk. Please do not drop off in the visitors area or after the crosswalk.

  • Late drop-offs and early dismissals are also picked up outside of the main entrance.

General Supply List 

*Some supplies may vary by team/teacher

  • One binder (total) with dividers for each subject or folders for each core class (ELA, Math, Social Studies, & Science)

  • Pencils

  • Pens

  • Highlighters

  • 1-Notebook (college-ruled)

  • Earbuds, Air pods, or headphones (for classroom and home use)