We are excited to celebrate an amazing accomplishment by our Hickory Middle School Jazz Bands! Both Hawk Groove and Hawk Flight earned Superior Ratings at the VBODA State Jazz Assessment! 🎷🎺🥁

This year, we had so many talented students interested in jazz band that we were able to create both a full 7th-grade and a full 8th-grade jazz band. Through their dedication, countless after-school practices, teamwork, and passion for music, both groups delivered outstanding performances and represented Hickory Middle with excellence. 🎶🏆

We are incredibly proud of these student musicians and their commitment to growing their talents while supporting one another as a team. Congratulations to Hawk Groove, Hawk Flight, and our amazing band directors on this well-deserved achievement!
4 days ago, Hickory Middle School
band director on stage with the jazz band members
band director on stage with the jazz band members
band director on stage with the jazz band members
band director on stage with the jazz band members
Eli Sawyer's success in 4-H reflects the same qualities we value at Hickory Middle School — hard work, responsibility, perseverance, leadership, and a commitment to excellence. We are proud to celebrate his accomplishments both inside and outside the classroom!

⭐ Market Achievements:
• Both hogs placed 1st in their market class and advanced to overall competition.
• BBQ earned 2nd place in market.
• Pork Chop placed 4th overall.
• Both hogs graded out as a 1 — a true reflection of the care, feeding, and preparation Eli put into his animals.

⭐ Showmanship Success:
• Eli placed 1st in Showmanship with BBQ!
• In his first year as a Senior Showman, he advanced to the Round Robin competition, where he showed all four species — including a steer he had never shown before!
• Competing among five senior showmen, Eli earned an impressive 2nd place overall.

Congratulations, Eli! 🎉
4 days ago, Hickory Middle School
Student smiling behind his prize winning hog at the local 4-H competition
Hickory middle school is proud to celebrate an outstanding achievement earning the CMSL Principal's Cup. From the first game of the fall to the final events of the spring, our Hawks consistently represented Hickory Middle with pride, respect, leadership, and determination in every competition! Thank you to our families, staffulty, and supporters who encouraged and inspired our Hawks every step of the way! 🏆
5 days ago, Hickory Middle School
principal proudly looking off in to the distance while displaying our trophy
Celebrating an incredible season at our Spring Sports award ceremony! Tonight we honor the hard work, dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship of our student, athletes and coaches! 🏅 Congratulations to all our award recipients and teams! 🏆
5 days ago, Hickory Middle School
students posing with awards
students posing with awards
students placing their nameplate on the plaque
students placing their nameplate on the plaque
students placing their nameplate  on the plaque
students placing their nameplate  on the plaque
students posing with plaque
Last Thursday, we gathered for our district retirement ceremony to celebrate the “Noteworthy Impact” our 2026 retirees have made across Chesapeake Public Schools. 💙✨

Together, we honored 166 dedicated employees whose service, leadership, and compassion have helped shape the lives of students, staff, families, and our entire community. Together, they represent 3,499 collective years of commitment to public education and student success. #CPSCelebrates #EmpowerCPS

📸 See the photo gallery from the ceremony: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ThqnjmPcaGbTH7Lw7
📖 View the full list of retirees: https://canva.link/cpsretirement2026
🎥 Watch the full ceremony: https://youtube.com/live/7niBtbGHZgs

From classrooms and cafeterias to buses, offices, and beyond, we thank our retirees for the lasting difference they have made across our district. 🌟
5 days ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
Retiree celebrating on stage!
Superintendent Dr. Cotton receiving his retirement plaque with the School Board Chair.
Retiree smiling for the camera.
A retiree crying in a happy way for being honored for her contributions.
Retiree shaking hands with the Superintendent.
Retiree smiling speaking and laughing with his principal.
Retiree waving to the crowd on stage.
Retiree smiling for the camera.
Two retirees smiling together.
Retiree celebrating on stage!
This week, we’re celebrating the stars of our school galaxy — our amazing staffulty! 🌟 From launching students toward success to guiding us through every challenge, your dedication, kindness, and hard work light up our universe every day. Thank you for being the mission control behind every achievement, the steady force that keeps us moving forward, and the shining stars that make our school community so special. 🪐💫
8 days ago, Hickory Middle School
decorative poster to celebrate our staffulty appreciation week
administration delivering gifts to teachers
administration posing with teachers AI images
Teachers lining up to grab pizza
teachers enjoying the candy and popcorn bar
teachers happily posing with their candy and popcorn
staff enjoying the popcorn and candy bar
teachers enjoying drinks made by student leaders and Jason’s deli boxes from PTSA
student leaders serving up sodas to our teachers
student leaders serving sodas to our teachers
We’re proud to celebrate the incredible artists of Hickory Middle School whose work was featured in the Secondary Art Show. Each piece reflects the creativity, talent, and hard work our students bring to life every day.

Take a moment to enjoy these amazing artworks—all created by our very own Hawks!

#HickoryMiddle #HawkPride #StudentArtists #ArtsInEducation
10 days ago, Hickory Middle School
student artwork at a show
student artwork at a show
student artwork at a show
student artwork at a show
student artwork at a show
Dynamic Duo: Nurse Thompson & Nurse Keller
From band-aids and ice packs to kind words and comfort, you care for our students every day. Your patience, compassion, and dedication make such a difference in keeping our Hawks healthy, safe, and ready to learn. 🦅✨

We are so grateful for all you do behind the scenes to support our school —you truly are the heart of our clinic! 💐
10 days ago, Hickory Middle School
our clinic staff members
The Hawkeyes took learning outside the classroom with a fun trip to the Virginia Zoo! 🐾
Students explored habitats, observed animal behaviors, and connected their science learning to real-world examples of adaptations, ecosystems, and conservation. 🐯
A great day of curiosity, exploration, and hands-on learning!
11 days ago, Hickory Middle School
students at the zoo posing for a picture
students squeezed inside two columns at the zoo
a group of students smiling in front of a giraffe statue at the zoo
Teachers smiling with a giraffe in the background
students climbing on a feature at the zoo
students sitting around a fountain at the zoo
students smiling as they pose with a student inside the  hallowed out stump
Three in a row. 🏆🏆🏆 2025-2026 Boys Soccer City Champions and this one hits different. We are so proud of this team for the grit, the chemistry, and the way they showed up when it mattered most. Congratulations to our Hawks and Coach Clark on an undefeated team and city title! Legacy season. #3️⃣peat #CityChampions #Undefeated
12 days ago, Hickory Middle School
boys soccer team celebrating with the city championship trophy
boys soccer team celebrating with the city championship trophy
boys soccer team and coach and principal posing with the city trophy
boys soccer team, coach, and principal posing with the trophy with the number 3 to represent their three peat performance
✨ LET’S GLOW, HAWKS! ✨
Calling all 6th & 7th graders—get ready for an afternoon of music, lights, and FUN at our Glow Dance! 🕺💃
Friday, May 22nd - Right after school
3:00–5:00 PM
Wear neon, white, or glow gear and light up the dance floor! (School dress code still applies)
Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase ($1 each and we’ll accept cash, check, credit card, and tap-to-pay)
Buy your tickets here:
https://hmshawks.givebacks.com/shop/items/7fca20c885
Good news for parents:
If you purchase your ticket online, you do NOT need to send in a permission slip—your purchase acts as your permission form!
Don’t miss out—this is one of the most fun events of the year! Let’s pack the dance floor and GLOW! 💥
#GlowDance #LetsGlow #HawksHaveFun #MiddleSchoolFun #NeonNight
12 days ago, Hickory Middle School
decorative image to announce the Glow Dance for 6th and 7th graders
We asked for your Teacher shout-outs, and you delivered! 🍎 Here is just one of the many heartwarming messages for Sarah Davis at Hickory Middle that was shared with us:

“You are the most patient teacher and actually value what us kids bring to the table.”
A student

Want to shout out a teacher? Use this link: https://www.cpschools.com/article/2843125
#CPSCelebrates #CPSTAW26
12 days ago, Chesapeake Public Schools
Celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week with a A Stellar Shout out .
🎉 Help Us “Bake It Happen!” 🎉
Our SCA is excited to host the 2nd Annual 8th Grade “Bake It Happen” Bake Sale in support of the Best Day Foundation, and we need YOUR help! 💙

We are looking for generous community members to donate baked goods — cookies, brownies, cupcakes, cakes, or any favorite treats — to help make this event a huge success! 🧁🍪

📅 Bake Sale Date: Tuesday, June 9
📍 Location: Library Conference Room

All proceeds will go toward supporting a meaningful cause in our local community, and we would love to have strong participation to make a big impact!

If you’re able to contribute, please sign up here:
👉 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044AAEA929A0F5C61-63775075-bake#/

Thank you for helping us make a difference — we truly appreciate your support! 💙

12 days ago, Hickory Middle School
decorative image to announce the Bake It Happen Bake Sale benefitting the Best Day Foundation
🏆 Hickory Middle will be offering sports physicals! This is a convenient opportunity to ensure your student-athlete is up to date and ready to participate in athletics!
Wednesday, May 20th, 3-5PM
Report to the Main Gym with $30 Cash and Pages 1-2 of the CMSL Physical completed and signed! CMSL Physical is available on the HMS Athletics Website. Don't miss out!
15 days ago, Hickory Middle School
Physicals, Wednesday May 20 First come, first serve 3-5PM at Hickory Middle School Parent-Pick Up - enter through door 24A, $30 cash any prospective athlete who needs a physical for spring or fall athletics should plan to attend. Please have the CMSL physical printed out and have pages 1-2 completed with signatures prior to arrival
Underground Staffulty Spirit Day Kentucky Derby Edition 🐎 Big hats 👒 Bold looks 💐 Derby vibes Who’s bringing the winning look? 🐎
15 days ago, Hickory Middle School
staffulty members dressed up in hats and their best Derby Day outfits
staffulty members dressed up in hats and their best Derby Day outfits
staffulty members dressed up in hats and their best Derby Day outfits
staffulty members dressed up in hats and their best Derby Day outfits
Hickory Middle is proud to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month! Take a look around the halls to learn about a culture that celebrates love, tradition, family, and service to others.

Want to explore local events and learn more?

Check out the link to events organized by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. From Tides Games to exhibits at the Chrysler Museum to tours at Norfolk Botanical Garden, there’s something for everyone!

Happy Jewish American Heritage Month!

Link for events:
https://federation.jewishva.org/jahm?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=69fb6116-7afe-4ef8-ae3a-4a61a09d7e73
15 days ago, Hickory Middle School
Decorative image to celebrate Jewish- American Month
What an incredible season! We are beyond proud of our Girls Volleyball team and our amazing coaching staff for their hard work, dedication, and teamwork. Finishing the season undefeated is an outstanding achievement—but bringing home the city championship title for the SECOND year in a row makes it even more special! 🏆💪 Your determination, resilience, and team spirit truly set you apart. 🎉👏 #CityChampions #Undefeated #BacktoBack
16 days ago, Hickory Middle School
girls volleyball team, coaches, and principal proudly display a number one finger and the championship trophy
girls volleyball team huddled on court for their final cheer
coaches proudly holding the city championship trophy

Congratulations to our Girls and Boys Track Teams! Our Girls Track Team finished first in the regular season! Many of our student-athletes from both teams competed at our city meet this week!
Check out all the wonderful placements, and if you see these Hawks, give them a high five for their hard work, dedication, and performance!

🥇City Champ: Girls Shot Put - Onnalynn Whitney new school record

🥇City Champ: Boys Shot Put - George Taylor

🥇City Champ: Boys High Jump - Guerda Mingiedi

🥇City Champ: Girls 1600 M - Alivia Edmonson new school record

🥉 3rd Place: Girls 800 M - Alivia Edmonson

🥈2nd Place: Girls 4X400 Relay - Latoria Igwe, Niyah Brannon, Acelynn Cheeseboro, and Ellie Ivanac

🥉 3rd Place: Boys 4X400 Relay - George Taylor IV, Branson Everett, Aiden Ross, and Guerda Mingiedi

16 days ago, Hickory Middle School
Picture of the girls team at our city track meet
track student athlete proudly standing with their medal
track student athlete proudly standing with their medal
track student athlete proudly standing with their medal
track student athletes proudly standing with their medal
track student athlete proudly standing with their medal
track student athletes proudly standing with their medal
Congratulations to our Student-Athletes of the Month for April! We celebrate Girls Track athlete, Ella Stocks 👟, Volleyball player, Natalie Fisher 🏐, and Boys Track athlete, Guerda Mingiedi 👟 (not pictured)

Coach Stenger expressed that Ella serves as a captain on and off the track and "always rises to the occasion and never backs down from a challenge." Coach Stenger added, "Ella improved her 400m dash time 3 weeks in a row, always achieving a new PR, because she always strives to improve and aim high."

Coach Cigich shares that Natalie is an amazing student-athlete whom he has had the pleasure of coaching for the past couple of years. He states, "She is a hard worker, highly coachable, and a great leader on and off the court."

Coach Dawson highlights what an amazing athlete Guerda is. He "leads by example, and Guerda always gives 100% and is willing to step into any role that will help the team."
16 days ago, Hickory Middle School
student-athletes of the month proudly holding their certificates
Students and staff celebrated completing the Virginia Readers’ Choice program with a party and trip to the Book Fair. 📚 These students are honored as a Virginia Reader because they read at least 4 of the 10 VRC books! We had 4 All Stars who read all 10 books- Melodie Blevins, Hailey Cowling, Ms. Haver, and Mrs. D ✨ As a reward, they earn credits to shop at the Book Fair! Happy Reading!
17 days ago, Hickory Middle School
students proudly holding the certificates they earned