Morning tutoring is now available on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings beginning at 7:10 AM. Students can come for homework help, to complete makeup work, study, or receive tutoring for a specific concept. Students may get their breakfast and eat in the classroom while they work.
Schedule:
Monday - Ms. Knipp in Room 103
Wednesday - Ms. Knipp in Room 103
Thursday - Mrs. Mauk in Room 105
Schedule:
Monday - Ms. Knipp in Room 103
Wednesday - Ms. Knipp in Room 103
Thursday - Mrs. Mauk in Room 105

Thursday night was 8th grade night and held a lot of emotions for all. We are so proud of these Eagles and all they have accomplished throughout their time at SMS. We can't wait to cheer them on in all their future endeavours. We would like to extend a special thank you to all the coaches, staff, and families that help to give our Eagles the very best! We couldn't do it without YOU! Go EAGLES!
To access more photos from 8th grade night please use the following link.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RjbpIWs7KnG16J85KotJKxPzWmRTu27u?usp=drive_link
To access more photos from 8th grade night please use the following link.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RjbpIWs7KnG16J85KotJKxPzWmRTu27u?usp=drive_link

District Announcement:
❄️ WEATHER ALERT & COMMUNICATION UPDATE
As we enter the winter weather season, we want to ensure you know exactly how and when we will communicate schedule changes!
📢 How We Announce Changes: For all schedule changes, delays, or closings, we will ALWAYS send updates via:
📱 Text Message
💻 District Website
📲 App LiveFeed
📞 When to Expect a Phone Call: To respect your time, we will ONLY send an automated voice call for:
*Time-sensitive changes made after 8:00 PM for the next day.
*Day of changes such as the morning of a change or an unexpected early dismissal.
Please make sure your contact information is up to date in Skyward and you have the HCS app downloaded so you don't miss any important updates! Stay safe and warm, Hawkins County! #HCSignite #WeatherUpdate
❄️ WEATHER ALERT & COMMUNICATION UPDATE
As we enter the winter weather season, we want to ensure you know exactly how and when we will communicate schedule changes!
📢 How We Announce Changes: For all schedule changes, delays, or closings, we will ALWAYS send updates via:
📱 Text Message
💻 District Website
📲 App LiveFeed
📞 When to Expect a Phone Call: To respect your time, we will ONLY send an automated voice call for:
*Time-sensitive changes made after 8:00 PM for the next day.
*Day of changes such as the morning of a change or an unexpected early dismissal.
Please make sure your contact information is up to date in Skyward and you have the HCS app downloaded so you don't miss any important updates! Stay safe and warm, Hawkins County! #HCSignite #WeatherUpdate

Ahoy, mateys! Let's celebrate our fantastic food service workers! They are the hearties of the galley, working day in and day out to make sure our students have the finest grub to fuel their minds and bodies for the voyage of learning. Thank you for all you do! #HCS #FoodServiceAppreciation #AhoyMatey

🏆 ATTENDANCE CHAMPIONS! 🏆
A huge congratulations to our schools with the BEST attendance for the first semester! Your commitment to showing up every day is paving the way for success!
Elementary Winner: 🏫 Mt. Carmel Elementary – 96.8%
Middle School Winner: 🏫 Surgoinsville Middle – 95.3%
High School Winner: 🏫 Clinch School – 95.1%
Way to go, students, staff, and families! Thank you for making every day count! 👏💙 #HCSignite #AttendanceMatters #HCSChampions
A huge congratulations to our schools with the BEST attendance for the first semester! Your commitment to showing up every day is paving the way for success!
Elementary Winner: 🏫 Mt. Carmel Elementary – 96.8%
Middle School Winner: 🏫 Surgoinsville Middle – 95.3%
High School Winner: 🏫 Clinch School – 95.1%
Way to go, students, staff, and families! Thank you for making every day count! 👏💙 #HCSignite #AttendanceMatters #HCSChampions

The big man in red had some competition for the spotlight! 🎅🐾 Santa stopped by to help Surgoinsville Middle School celebrate achieving the best staff attendance in November, but Archie might have stolen the show.
There’s nothing like cookies, cocoa, and some holiday puppy love to reward a job well done! 🍪☕️ Way to go Surgoinsville Middle School!!!
#SantaAndArchie #PawsAndClaus #StaffAppreciation #HCSProud #HCSignite
There’s nothing like cookies, cocoa, and some holiday puppy love to reward a job well done! 🍪☕️ Way to go Surgoinsville Middle School!!!
#SantaAndArchie #PawsAndClaus #StaffAppreciation #HCSProud #HCSignite



Hawkins County School District is thrilled to announce and celebrate our incredible Employees of the Year! These dedicated professionals consistently go above and beyond, making a profound impact on the lives of our students and the entire school community. Their commitment, hard work, and passion are truly inspiring. Join us in congratulating this outstanding group for this well-deserved recognition! We are so fortunate to have you leading the way in Hawkins County. #HCSignite




Check out this movie poster quiz and determine how good you and your kids are at finding the fake!
https://www.commonsense.org/two-truths-and-ai?lid=4u3swozvq9si
The speed of digital media is changing fast! Artificial Intelligence can now create incredibly realistic videos and audio (known as "deepfakes"). This makes teaching our children to think critically about everything they see and hear online more important than ever.
For amazing, trusted resources to help guide these conversations with your child, check out the free guides and articles available from Common Sense Media.
Let's partner to raise digitally savvy and safe students!
#HCSignite #DigitalLiteracy #ParentPartnership
https://www.commonsense.org/two-truths-and-ai?lid=4u3swozvq9si
The speed of digital media is changing fast! Artificial Intelligence can now create incredibly realistic videos and audio (known as "deepfakes"). This makes teaching our children to think critically about everything they see and hear online more important than ever.
For amazing, trusted resources to help guide these conversations with your child, check out the free guides and articles available from Common Sense Media.
Let's partner to raise digitally savvy and safe students!
#HCSignite #DigitalLiteracy #ParentPartnership

The 12 days of Christmas kicks off on Thursday, December 4th. We can't wait to see everyone's holiday spirit!

Surgoinsville Parents,
The school system has been advised that Surgoinsville Police Department officers will issue tickets for illegal passing because of after school traffic. Passing cars have created safety concerns for oncoming traffic. You can assist by doing the following:
Please do not arrive at school prior to the end of school or until the campuses are open for cars to line up.
Please do not pass stopped traffic on the roadway in front of the schools.
Sincerely,
School Administration
The school system has been advised that Surgoinsville Police Department officers will issue tickets for illegal passing because of after school traffic. Passing cars have created safety concerns for oncoming traffic. You can assist by doing the following:
Please do not arrive at school prior to the end of school or until the campuses are open for cars to line up.
Please do not pass stopped traffic on the roadway in front of the schools.
Sincerely,
School Administration

Wow! Time flies! We've already completed half of the school year with 90 days! Congratulations to students who have missed fewer than 4 days – that’s less than 5% of the school year! You're setting yourself up for success! Positive attendance builds strong academic foundations, boosts confidence, and develops valuable habits that will benefit you throughout life.

IT'S A FOOD FIGHT!
In honor of Mr. Hixson, SMS will be hosting a food drive to help a local food pantry. Please consider donating items. The grade level that brings in the most items will receive an additional celebration day. The food drive will run through November 25th.
In honor of Mr. Hixson, SMS will be hosting a food drive to help a local food pantry. Please consider donating items. The grade level that brings in the most items will receive an additional celebration day. The food drive will run through November 25th.


Today we're giving a huge shout-out to our very own superintendent, Matt Hixson! He's a true superhero for our schools, leading with dedication and a clear vision for our students' futures. We're so grateful for his incredible leadership! #HCS #SuperheroSuperintendent

HCS Delay Alert: Due to freezing temps and precipitation overnight, Hawkins County Schools will operate on a two hour delay, Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The weather will be evaluated early Tuesday to determine if further changes are required. Please watch for any additional updates.

Retake Picture Day is Monday, November 17.
If your student was absent on the first picture day or unsatisfied by their first picture, they need to have their picture taken this day.
If your student was absent on the first picture day or unsatisfied by their first picture, they need to have their picture taken this day.

It's Homecoming Week!
Monday: American Day
Tuesday: Twin Day
Wednesday: Neon Day/Camo Day
Thursday: Spirit Day (Color War)
5th grade-gray
6th grade-white
7th grade-black
8th grade-orange
Friday: Teachers dress as students & students dress as teachers
Monday: American Day
Tuesday: Twin Day
Wednesday: Neon Day/Camo Day
Thursday: Spirit Day (Color War)
5th grade-gray
6th grade-white
7th grade-black
8th grade-orange
Friday: Teachers dress as students & students dress as teachers

What is the difference in truancy and chronically absent?
Chronically absent counts all absences: excused, unexcused, and suspensions and has a high negative impact on school success. Students who miss more than 10% of the school year are considered chronically absent.
Truancy is unexcused absences only. Families who continue to be truant will be required to attend a meeting with school officials and possibly a court appearance.
Chronically absent counts all absences: excused, unexcused, and suspensions and has a high negative impact on school success. Students who miss more than 10% of the school year are considered chronically absent.
Truancy is unexcused absences only. Families who continue to be truant will be required to attend a meeting with school officials and possibly a court appearance.

👻 Boo! Surgoinsville Middle School’s Student Leadership Team gave Director Hixson a tour of their Haunted Hospital last week. The SMS Haunted Hospital was planned and created by the Student Leadership Team to foster excitement about Halloween and increase school connectedness and camaraderie amongst students. All SMS students and staff were invited to tour the Haunted Hospital. 🎃

Our Eagles wowed us with their spooky writing and storytelling abilities at our Night of Storytelling on Thursday. Congratulations to our grade level winners and a big thank you to Ms. Webb and the ELA team for putting on a fun and spooky night for our Eagles!
SMS Library Pumpkin Decorating Contest Winners! 1st place was Carleigh with “The Candy Apple”. 2nd place was Nathan with “Snoop Dog’s ABC’s”. And 3rd place was Charlie with “How to Train Your Dragon”.



