Hope Valley School Update
October 14, 2016
Calendar of Events
October 2016
10/15 & 10/16 - Hopkinton Rec Basketball Signups (see flyer below)
10/17 – HV SIT Meeting - 5:00 pm
10/17 – PTO Meeting - 6:30 pm Library
10/18 - School Store (mark your calendars)
10/20 – Early Release – PM Pre K attends
10/25 – Bank day before school in cafeteria 8:20
November 2016
11/02 – Flu clinic 4-6:30 (more information to follow)
11/08 – No school for students (Election Day)/Professional Development for certified staff
11/11- No school – Veterans Day
11/14 – PTO 6:30 lib
11/17 – Early Release – AM Pre K attends
11/18 – Picture retake 10:15 am
11/18 – PTO Movie night time TBD
11/22 – Bank day 8:20 café before school
11/24-25 – NO SCHOOL THANKSGIVING RECESS
Hope Valley School is once again a COMMENDED SCHOOL
Hope Valley School is once again rated as a Commended School (2 years in a row). Last year we were only one out of 17 schools to receive this honor. This year we were one of 22 which is only 7% of RI schools. It is such an honor to be commended. Just another reason why Hope Valley is such an amazing place thanks to the entire staff and our community.
What does it mean to be Commended? Commended Schools are the highest performing schools that represent the strongest patterns of performance across metrics, test at least 95% of their students, and serve all students well. The link below lists the 22 Commended schools.
The Annual Halloween Parade followed by Truck or Treat
Just a reminder that the Hope Valley Elementary Annual Halloween Party is Friday, October 28th, 2016. If you would like to decorate your trunk and pass out treats, please contact Leah Sousa at Leah.Sousa@Hotmail.com or 860-227-5603. (The PTO will provide all treats to be passed out). Please drop-off or send in all food, drinks, and money donations to the office by Friday, October 21st. If you need more information or need a new flyer please email Leah Sousa.
School Fundraiser Information!
AND IT'S BACK... Our Fall Cash Calendar Raffle Fundraiser. Last year was such a success bringing in over $8,000 (yes, I said $8,000) that goes directly back to the students and teachers to support events, cultural arts programs, and more! It's a game of chance (22 to be exact), and when it's all said and done, WE ALL WIN and have lots of fun!
How it works:
· In October, your child will be sent home with a set of 10 numbered raffle tickets.
· Each raffle ticket costs $10.
· Throughout October, your child will sell his/her 10 tickets. (Additional tickes can be requested!)
· When you sell a raffle ticket, you return the stub with the payment and leave the calendar portion with the person who buys the ticket.
· Your child can bring in their ticket stubs and payments any day throughout the month or all at once on or before October 31st.
· Every school day in November, Mr. Gencarelli will pull one raffle ticket stub and announce the winner of the daily cash prize!
· There are 22 chances to win and the daily cash prizes range from $50 to $500. We are giving away a total of $3000 in November!
· Winners will be posted each day on the calendar board in the school, on twitter at @JoeGencarelli1 and listed weekly in Mr. G’s newsletter. All winners will be contacted via phone and email as well, so print those ticket stubs neatly!!
· Checks will be mailed out at the end of each week in November to the winners!
Fine print:
· You must be 18 years or older to purchase a raffle ticket.
Fun and prizes:
· Each child that sells a ticket will win a prize!
· And… the more he/she sells, the more your prizes your child can collect!
· The top seller in the school will receive the grand prize!
So, to sum it all up…cash for adults and prizes for kids!
Proceeds benefit Hope Valley Elementary School PTO. With your support, we will continue to provide quality programs and events for our children! Please feel free to contact Stephanie DaPonte, event chairperson, at sdaponte14@gmail.com. Thank you!
Box Tops
My name is Becky Champlin and I’m thrilled to be our school’s new Box Tops for Education™ Coordinator.
Clipping Box Tops is an easy way to help earn cash for our school. Each one is worth 10¢ for our school! Just look for the pink Box Tops on hundreds of products. All you have to do is clip them and send them to school.
For more information on Box Tops, including a list of participating products, go to BTFE.com. Be sure to sign up as a member (it’s free!) so you can check out our school’s earnings details and get access to coupons and bonus offers.
In the Box Top Packet you should or will receive I have included:
- A quick overview of the Box Top process
- A collection sheet, it can be fun for the kids to clip and glue or tape the box tops to the collections sheet(s)….just make sure they are not expired. You can always just place loose box tops in a Ziploc bag too. Either way, make sure to include your child’s name and teacher’s name with their submission
- This month’s collection sheet also has information sheet on the new Box Top App for your Smartphone
- A product list of the items you can find box tops on
This year we have the following incentives to boost our box top collections:
- There will be a bulletin board in the school which will be updated twice monthly to track our school’s progress.
- The top 10 students who collect the most box tops each month with have their name on the board and will receive a prize.
- The class that collects the most box tops for the month will display the Box Top Trophy in their classroom for the following month.
- The class which collects the most box tops for the year will win an end of the year class party!!!
- Remember to include your child’s name and their teacher’s name on any submissions and….Happy clipping!!!!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m here to help make our school’s Box Tops for Education™ program a huge success this year.
*** Our first submission will go out at the end of October, so please send in your box tops soon***
Thanks for your help!
Coordinator name: Becky Champlin
Email: bchamplin21@hotmail.com
New School Update Information
Message from your PTO
Our next PTO meeting is this coming Monday @ 6:30 in the library. Babysitting will be available. Hope to see you all there. Also, we have had great responses to the Trunk or Treat, raffle tickets and Box tops!! Thank you all for your wonderful support!
PARCC and Science NECAP Overview
Please join me at Oct 17th PTO meeting at 6:30 in the Library for an overview of PARCC and science NECAP scores. This is the night I showcase our most recent state-wide data.
Grades 3 and 4 Chromebooks
Grades 3 and 4 received Google Chromebooks this week. What an exciting time for these students and teachers. Per the new technology plan, the elementary schools received a ratio of 2:1 (one computer for every 2 students). These computers are stored within the classrooms and teachers will use these quite often with children. Check out the following link on Introducing the Chromebook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVqe8ieqz10. It is humorous, less than 2 minutes, and gives you a quick overview of the machine. On Wednesday these teachers were trained on how to use Google and Google Classroom. I am very excited for this new tool in the classroom. Possibilities are limitless. See pictures below of students on the Chromebook.
Linda Crossen is Retiring
Linda Crossen, a teacher assistant for 30 years, is retiring and today is her last day. Please join me in wishing her well on her retirement. Thank you Linda for all you have done for the children and teachers of Hope Valley School. You will be missed!
Fire Safety Poster Winners
Fire Prevention Winners are listed below. There were 3 winners per grade level between Hope Valley School And Richmond School. The winners from Hope Valley are below. Way to go!!
Kindergarten
1 st Tygerlilly Seeberg
2nd Brynn Bynum
1st Grade
1st Greta Pogacar
2nd Keagan Briody
3rd Isabella Bedoya
2nd Grade
1st Madeline Dorgan
2nd Makayla Melillo
3rd Grade
2nd Grace Tisoskey
3rd Makayla Smith
4th Grade
2nd Morgan Allen
Differentiation at its Best
What is differentiation you ask? Well, educators DON'T teach to the whole class like it may have been when we were children. Teaching has transformed. Teachers work so hard to make sure each child is receiving expert instruction at their level and pace. There is more and more of this happening in all our classrooms which is AWESOME to see. Check out the pictures below of Ms. D'Agostino's math class along with Mr. Stone (student teacher). You will see multiple groups of students working within a group of specific individualized learning targets. Some working with manipulatives, some working on computers, some working with a teacher or TA. As a principal this makes me VERY proud. Another reason why we are once again commended. Hope Valley School ROCKS!!!
American History Tid-bit by Mrs. Foggo
This past weekend was exciting for the “extreme growers” of Rhode Island. The giant pumpkin contest was held. A grower from Greene, RI had the largest pumpkin in the United States this year, weighing just over 2,261 pounds. Imagine! The history box question is as follows: What RI town is the village of Greene located in? Answers are due by 9:00AM on Tuesday, October 18th in the red box outside the office. Make sure your full name and homeroom are on your answer paper.
Morning Announcement
Check out Wednesday's announcement with the math challenge. Great job Logan Rekowski and Alex Mellilo for being this weeks newscasters. Check out the math challenge at the end:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxU8QiODz-6BNHAxOXBuWVFHSXc
Head Lice: Detection and Prevention
This is prime head lice season and I would like to ask all parents and guardians to be proactive in the early detection of head lice. It is much easier to conquer an early case and it takes only a few minutes to check your child’s head. When screening for head lice please look for nits which are the small white eggs that adhere to the shaft of the hair. Live lice like to hide and are difficult to detect. A video I recommend is “What Lice and Eggs Look Like" by Dr. Tahir. You can find it on google. It is a good idea to have girls with long hair tie their hair up in a ponytail or braid. Please know that we DO NOT have a huge problem here at the school and to keep it that way requires that all parents and guardians do their part in the screening of their child/children. I suggest screening on a weekly basis. I am happy to answer any and all questions, please feel free to call me at any time. My office number is 315-2826 Thank you, Lynn Larned, CSNT
A Message from the Chariho Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC):
The Chariho SEAC would like to invite parents, and staff members to our next meeting on November 3rd at 6pm in the Chariho Middle School library. Topics on our agenda include vacant leadership positions, a report from Director of Special Education, Jennifer Durkin, and a presentation on student's Mental Health and well-being by Brenda Medina. We hope you can attend.
Sarah Algieri
Chairperson Chariho SEAC
Child Outreach Information
Child Outreach is a FREE Service offered to ALL Children 3 to 5 years old by your local school district in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Education. Rhode Island Department of Education recommends each child be screened annually.
Chariho Child Outreach has the following Screening dates available
Please call to set up your appointment at 401-364-1160
October 25, 2016
November 16, 2016
**December 15, 2016
**January 26, 2017
February 8, 2017
**February 16, 2017
March 8, 2017
March 15, 2017
** March 23, 2017
April 4, 2017
**April 27, 2017
**May 25, 2017
May 31, 2017
** Evening Screening
Math Challenge
Allen, Morgan 4F
Lindberg, Charles 4F
Brown, Emily 4R
Schneider, Reagan 4R
McGillivray-Snow Brianna 2D
Brodeur, Kyle 4F
Sherman, Elizabeth 4F
Jordan, Kylie 4F
Bynum, Kaylee 4F
Sullivan, Jenna 4F
Vuono, Gracie 4F
Tarsagian, Ethan 4F
McClure, Eniko 4F
Way, Jacob 4F
Sanderson, Alyana 4R
Dayon, David 4R
Jennings, Lilah 4R
George, Maya 3F
Mcgillivray-Snow Lenny 3F
Gordon, Ethan 3F
Dorgan, Maddie 2D
Andrade, Mackenzie 3F
Baton, Adam 3F
Marinelli, Makayla 3F
Marcille, Lainey 3F
DeRensis, Madelyn 4R
Mulligan, Fiona 4R
Rekowski, Logan 4R
Koukas, Olivia 4R
Barrette, Rachael 4R
White, Quinn 3F
Elderkin, Ethan 4R
Fox, Caliah 2D
Clarke, Milo 2D
Carrasquillo, Aaron 2D
Brodeur, Derek 2D
Bernard, Natalee 3F
Marchetti, Isaiah 3F
McLintock, Robbie 4R
Google Chromebook Experimentation
Differentiation in Ms. D's Class
Hopkinton Rec Hoop Academy
October Vocabulary Calendar
Vocabulary is a significant predictor of reading comprehension “Indeed, one of the most enduring findings in reading research is the extent to which students’ vocabulary knowledge relates to their reading comprehension.” (Osborn & Hieber, 2004)
How many words do children know? Children need to learn 2,000 to 3,000 new words each year from 3rd grade onward, about 68 per day. In 1st and 2nd grade, children need to learn 800+ words per year, about 2 per day (Biemiller; Nagy & Anderson)
We will be starting a Words of the Week calendar to be used across all grade levels throughout the school. Each day of the week will have a different focus:
Monday: Math
Tuesday: Literacy
Wednesday: Science/Technology
Thursday: General Vocab/Spanish
Friday: Review
Each month a new calendar (see below) will be sent home. Hang it on your refrigerator or keep it somewhere that it can be seen each day. Challenge your whole family to become “Word Wizards” by using these words in their own vocabulary. Look for these words in books or listen for them on the television or radio. Encourage your child to share these valuable experiences with their teacher(s).
News from the Past
Key Information
Please contact me at ggen@chariho.k12.ri.us if you have any questions or concerns. To receive weekly email updates, I encourage you to sign-up for the Hope Valley list- serve. Follow the steps on the district webpage at www.chariho.k12.ri.us. (Click on the newsletters link on the far right and then follow the steps.)
Social Media and Webpage
Please follow me on Twitter for school updates and events @JoeGencarelli1. You can now follow the schools Facebook Page at Hope Valley School. Also, you will be able to find a ton of information on the updated Hope Valley webpage at www.chariho.k12.ri.us/hv.
Dismissal/Pick-Up Notes
Please use the dismissal/pick-up note that came home with your student this week. Keep the extras around for future use. Fill it out accordingly and return it to school. You can find the dismissal note on the Hope Valley webpage if you need to make additional copies. You can find this at: https://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/sites/default/files/dismissal_note.pdf
School Hours for the 2015-2016 School Year
School hours are from 8:35 until 3:25. Office hours are from 7:30-3:30.
Peanut Free Classrooms
ALL classrooms are designated as nut & peanut-free. We have multiple students at varying grade levels with severe allergies to peanuts. Foods that “contain,” “may contain,” or are “manufactured on shared equipment” will not be permitted as snacks. However, students may bring in a lunch that contains peanuts or nuts.
Background Check
All volunteers in the Chariho School District must have an annual background check prior to volunteering. There is no cost for this. Please go to the Central Office with a picture ID and fill out a volunteer form. It takes a few weeks to return. Or you can go to the Attorney General’s Office in Providence and get it done right there and then.
Lunch
There are 2 options to pay for lunch:
1 There is a website where you can pay for and keep track of your child's lunch account. The site is www.myschoolbucks.com. You will need your child's school code, which you can get by contacting Fran Sayer at sayer-frances@aramark.com or (401) 552-7078. Please visit http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/MyNutriKidsInfo for more information. There is also an app for your smartphone or tablet. You can pay for meals, check balances, and view purchases from anywhere. It is safe and secure.
2 If the student is paying with cash or check when buying hot lunch, please send lunch money to school in an envelope or Ziploc bag with the student’s name, teachers name (i.e. KA, 1H, 2D, 3F, 4R). This will be placed in a classroom bucket and brought to the office. Checks can be made out to the “Chariho Regional School District.”
If you need further information, please contact Fran Sayer at sayer-frances@aramark.com or (401) 552-7078. Chariho is keeping accounts accurately updated.
Homework
The dreaded topic of homework. On the first day teachers returned last Friday, I had a lengthy talk about homework with staff. I have been doing a lot of reading about the effects of homework and how homework is NOT as beneficial to children in the elementary schools. The district policy on homework states that homework should be about 10 minutes per grade level. That means that children in grade 1 should get 10 min of homework, grade 2 should get 20 min, grade 3 should get 30 min, and grade 4 should get 40 min. So, I reiterated to staff that I want to be sure we are following the district policy. I strongly believe that homework should contain reading and math. Math and/or ELA homework should be reinforcement of what has been taught.
Excerpt from an article I read: “The data shows that homework over the elementary level is not only not beneficial to children’s grades or GPA, but there’s really a plethora of evidence that it’s detrimental to their attitude about school, their grades, their self-confidence, their social skills, and their quality of life."
I don't want children to feel that way about school. So here is an example of what you can expect. A 4th graders student homework could be something like this: Read 20 min and complete a math sheet (which should take 20 min or less). If a child is "continuously and actively" working more than the allotted time, then a parent can write a note to the teacher or in the agenda book stating this.
Attendance Matters!
Anytime a child is tardy or is taken out of school early without a medical note counts towards his/her attendance. Per the district attendance policy, after 10 combined tardies, early dismissals, and absences, the matter then is referred to the truancy officer. Our goal this year is to ensure that every student attends school regularly and on-time. I cannot stress this enough. Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and on-time. Attendance is so important for success in school and in life.
We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school or are tardy often (regardless of the reason) can cause them to fall behind academically. Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent or tardy—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year. Chariho policy states that tardies and early dismissals count towards your child’s attendance. Research shows:
• Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
• By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.
• By 9th grade good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.
Absences and tardies can add up quickly. A child is chronically absent if he or she misses just two days every month!!
About Hope Valley Elementary School...visit our website below
The mission of the Hope Valley Elementary School is to work in partnership with our colleagues, students and families. We are committed to creating a learning environment where children are expected to achieve their full potential.
Email: ggen@chariho.k12.ri.us
Website: www.chariho.k12.ri.us/hv
Location: 15 Thelma Drive, Hope Valley, RI, United States
Phone: 401-539-2321
Twitter: @JoeGencarelli1