February 9, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Parents,

Welcome to another edition of the Hawks Herald! As we enter this month of love and learning, we have some exciting updates and important information to share with you. First, I would like to thank the PTO for a wonderful Bingo event last week. It was so much fun playing games with our awesome families! There were lots of laughs and smiles, and that’s exactly what we wanted for a fun Friday night! Thanks to our PTO for organizing this great event!  

With standardized testing season approaching (IREAD 3 for third graders and ILEARN for grades 3-5), we want to support your child's success by offering some strategies for preparing at home. While standardized tests can be a source of stress for some students, proper preparation and a positive mindset can make all the difference.

• Create a comfortable study environment: Ensure your child has a quiet, well-lit space to study where they can focus without distractions. Use this space for their 20 minutes of reading each night.  

• Establish a homework routine: Help your child create a schedule that breaks down their afternoon schedule. Encourage a short time for their math practice that includes time for a parent check, so you can help them with any misconceptions. If they truly don’t understand, mark it on the paper, and send a note to the teacher.  

• Practice, practice, practice: Students will need to be reading a lot and answering questions on their Chromebooks. Start asking some higher level questions to your students when they are reading. Spend some time on math facts each night. As they get more fluent in their facts, all problems become a little easier! 

• Encourage healthy habits: Remind your child of the importance of getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and staying physically active during the weeks leading up to the test. A healthy body supports a healthy mind!

• Stay positive: Emphasize to your child that standardized tests are just one measure of their abilities and that their worth is not determined by their test scores. Encourage them to do their best and celebrate their efforts, regardless of the outcome.

IREAD 3 will be taken from March 4th through March 15th in the third grade. ILEARN will be taken from April 15th through May 10th. Please check with your child’s teacher for the testing schedule if you are trying to plan appointments or absences.  Thanks! 

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and we're excited to celebrate love and friendship with our students on February 14th with classroom parties sponsored by the PTO and our awesome room parents. Here are a few ways you can join in the festivities at home:

• Spread kindness: Encourage your child to create homemade valentines for their classmates, teachers, and family members. A kind word or thoughtful gesture can brighten someone's day!

• Family bonding: Spend quality time together as a family by baking heart-shaped treats, crafting valentine decorations, or writing love notes to each other.

• Express gratitude: Take the opportunity to express gratitude for the special people in your child's life. Encourage them to write thank-you notes or draw pictures for family members, friends, and teachers.

Save the date for our upcoming International Festival on April 19th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, where we'll celebrate the diverse cultures represented in our school community! This exciting event will feature performances, cultural displays, and delicious food. We invite all families to participate by sharing their cultural traditions and heritage. Please look for the link and sign up if you would like to share information about your culture!  

Stay tuned for more details about these upcoming events as we get closer to them. As always, thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child's education.

Warm regards,

Kim Piper 
Principal