Capitol Hill Headliner
February 4 , 2022
For your Calendar
JANUARY 31 - February 10: Middle School Flowergram & Candygram sale to support our Middle School Musical, HONK! Deliveries will be February 11. (Keep reading below for another way to support this production through direct donation)
FEBRUARY 7: PTO Chipotle fundraiser (details in PTO section)
FEBRUARY 21: No school, President's Day
MARCH 1: Middle School Band Concert
MARCH 9: Tri-School Band Concert at Central H.S.
MARCH 4: No school
MARCH 25: No school, grades 1-5, parent-teacher conferences
MARCH 25: Digital Learning day, grades 6-8 (K-8 schools only)
Daily Health Screening
Families should conduct a health screening for COVID-19 symptoms every morning before sending their student to school or the bus stop.
DO NOT send your child to school if they are exhibiting any of these symptoms: chills, sore throat, headache, fatigue, nausea, muscle pain, vomiting or diarrhea, new runny nose or congestion, new or worsening cough, difficulty breathing, or loss of taste or smell.
Please report the absence to the attendance line at 651-325-2599 and submit a report to the COVID-19 Reporting System as soon as possible.
ACCESS testing for our EL learners begins next week
This test is required by the federal government to monitor progress in English.
Our EL students will take the ACCESS test starting the week of February 7 and continuing through mid-March.
For more information, please refer to the parent/guardian test information webpage
- If you have any questions, please contact Capitol Hill's EL team at 651.325.2500 or at
Kudos to Jo Knorr, 2022 Schoolwide Spelling Bee Champion
This past Thursday, January 27th, 8th Grader Jo Knorr (Hawksford) was crowned Capitol Hill's 2022 Scripps National Spelling Bee School Champion after an 18 round, two-day, knock-down, drag-out spellathon between 36 of our school's finest letter-sequencers grades four to eight.
By correctly spelling the championship word, supplementary, in the 18th round, she defeated runner-up 6th grader, Sophie Chadaga, and 3rd place finisher and 7th grader, Kavanaugh Kim. Defending school champion and 7th grader, Helios Her (Ellickson), took 4th place and rounded out the group of second day survivors.
Jo Knorr's next challenge is to score in the top fifty of the hundreds of Minnesota school champions taking an online spelling test next week. Those fifty lucky spellers will compete in the in-person regional spelling bee for the single golden ticket to the National Bee in Washington, DC.
Much appreciation to the team of folks who helped pull this off: Ms. Thao (permitting), Mr. Odeen (set-up), Mr. Middleton (audio) and Mr. Freeman (spelling bee superfan). Special thanks to my co-moderator and co-coordinator, the Queen Bee herself, Ms. Schup!
Let's go, Jo!
Mr. Mayock
A note on parking during parent pick-up - courtesies to our neighbors!
The pickup process is busy and crowded, we know!
Recently, we have heard from our residential and business neighbors along Makubin that driveways and alleys have been blocked in the afternoons, prohibiting entry/exit for their own properties. Please be mindful of this and do not park in or block driveways or alleys while you are here for afternoon pickup!
We want to be good neighbors :)
Additional pick-up reminders:
- No parking in MLK lot
- All students need to wait inside until parent is outside and name is called
- All parents must come to one of the lines and let staff know who they are here to pick-up
- Be patient as we get students out as fast as we can
PTO UPDATES
Capitol Hill Merchandise is Here!
Short and long sleeved shirts and sweatshirts are available. You can order online using a credit card via ourschool.support/CHNewLogoMerch. If you would like to pay using a check or cash, look for the order form coming home with your scholar this week. Orders will be collected through Friday, February 25th. Merchandise will be sent home with students in March, so be sure to include your child’s teacher or Foundations teacher on the order form.
Eat Chipotle on Monday!
Order dinner from the Chipotle at 867 Grand Ave on Monday February 7th between 4pm and 8pm to support the Capitol Hill PTO. Chipotle will donate 33% of the proceeds to the PTO. Mention the fundraiser for in person orders or use the code GYBY2JL in the promo field for pickup orders. See the flyer for more details.
Thank you to all who joined us for the January PTO meeting.
A big thank you to our panelists who answered many questions about the high schools. If you were unable to attend you can find the meeting minutes and the slides using this link.
Fun facts about fundraising…
PTO fundraising will look different in 2022! Based on our experience during this time of remote PTO, we are trying some new fundraising ideas to support classroom requests this spring. A parent-led Read-a-thon will replace the Apex Fun Run. There are also other fundraisers underway (see above) or in the works. Keep an eye on the Headliner for more information. We truly appreciate your support and hope to provide a variety of ways that you can give to the PTO. Please feel free to send fundraising ideas or feedback to ptochair.capitolhill@gmail.com.
Puberty for Parents - Save the Date
Get tips and resources for navigating puberty discussions during a session facilitated by Jennifer Marshall, Parent Educator from Health Start School Based clinics. Zoom link to follow.
Tuesday, February 15th at 10am
Thursday, February 17th at 6:30pm
The Middle School FLOWEGRAM & Candygram sale to support our musical "HONK" continues next week!
Returning to fundraising for the school play after 2 years and pandemic changes has presented many obstacles. Due to these obstacles, our major revenue streams are no longer viable. We want a robust theatre experience, despite all the obstacles.
There are many ways to contribute to a drama program. You may donate any amount you feel comfortable in giving. Thank you for supporting the arts in OUR public schools.
Donate here to support HONK! at Capitol Hill; checks made to Capitol Hill (drama in memo) or direct cash donations can also be brought to the office. We'll make sure it goes to HONK!
Yearbook! ordering is now open. Don't miss out!
The deadline for ordering the 2021-2022 Capitol Hill Yearbook is March 25th. Visit ybpay.com, and use order ID 14565522.
change to student sign out process
February Support Staff Newsletter
Check out the support staff February newsletter here!
Boys basketball started January 24! There's still time to join!
Students are required to complete 2 forms prior to be eligible to participate in our Middle School athletic program:
- Sports physical (good for 3 years) https://drive.google.com/file/d/14hFWR0kDRU6j467TgMkQOPJGj7_0FwSh/view
- Middle School athletics registration form https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q5CWejaOqGDKHxGzPJlimYKv1mHASPCJ8hYu_qCOyws/edit
Dylan Wakefield-Dagen, Athletic Director, Capitol Hill
Winter reminder for morning drop-off
- Drop students off on Concordia Ave Drop-off Zone only
- Drop and go to help traffic flow
- Pull forward all the way, don't block driveways or stairs
- Follow the directions of school arrival staff
- Do not pull ahead of or swoop in front of other cars - be patient and move with the line
- Avoid making a right turn on to Mackubin
- Do not drop students off on Mackubin - we do not have enough safety personnel there to assist, and this street will be VERY narrow with the big snow
- Do not park in the Lung Association lot across from the school on Mackubin
Capitol Hill has partnered with Every Meal to provide weekend meals for families
We are excited to partner with Every Meal to offer a free weekend food program to all of our students. Every Meal is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to fight child hunger through community and school partnerships. They strive to make a difference in children’s lives by focusing on food gaps like weekends, school breaks, and summer when they can’t receive food in school.
Here is a snapshot of the weekend food program:
- https://www.everymeal.org/what-we-do/weekend-program/
- Free for all families and schools to participate.
- Children receive a weekly food bag that includes 4-5 pounds of nutritious, non-perishable food.
- No qualifications required for enrollment. Every Meal does not collect information from families; privacy is protected
- Families may choose from five food bag options tailored for dietary preferences.
- Families may enroll in the program anytime throughout the school year
- A thoughtful partnership model- see the Overview
An informational brochure with registration form has been given to ALL students - CHECK BACKPACKS! Contact the Capitol Hill office at 651-325-2500 if you don't find it or need more information.
Picking up earlier than 4:15 dismissal time?
Please, to the extent possible, be mindful that students are still engaged in learning until dismissal time. We have many families picking up early this year. If you must pick-up early, please see the notes below.
- Facemasks are required. We have them available in the office if you need one!
- Update as of January 7: With the uptick in Covid cases in the Twin-Cities, and in an effort to reduce sharing of pens and the sign-out book, we have decided that sign out in the office will NOT be required. Please enter the building, come to the office to let us know who you are picking up, then wait in the main lobby while we gather your students for you. Thank you!
- All changes should be called into the office (651-325-2500) by 3 pm
- Please plan accordingly. Students move throughout the day into different classrooms and spaces. We ask for your patience while we find them for you, which can take some time.
- We will not call your child(ren) to the office for early dismissal to wait for pickup. Because we are still in a pandemic, we are limiting the number of people in our main office.
- Use the Blue C doors and buzz Capitol Hill to come in to speak with the office staff, then go to the lobby to wait.
- Students should not be calling home to get picked up early without being seen by an adult first, such as the nurse, counselor, or an administrator. If your child is not feeling well, they should be seen by the nurse and the nurse will call you if your child needs to be picked up.
- Students are not allowed to leave the building without being checked out by the front office staff. Student safety is our top priority and they always need to be accounted for.
Parent Drop-off and Pickup Procedures
DROP-OFF PROCEDURE:
- Parents/guardians drop off students on Concordia Avenue, no earlier than 9:30am.
- Please do not cut in front of other cars already in line.
- When you get close to the front of the line, pull up as far as you can to Mackubin Street.
- NO PARKING on Concordia: this a pull up and drop off quickly area. If you must park your car, please park safely on another street to take care of your drop-off needs.
- There is no parking for drop-off in the MLK or Lung Association lots.
- DO NOT BLOCK PARKING LOT DRIVEWAYS. Avoid stopping at the stairs as well.
- Students get out on the right side (curbside) on Concordia.
- Parents/guardians stay in the car. Once your student is out of the car, please safely pull out of the line.
DISMISSAL TIME PICKUP PROCEDURE:
If you are driving, park safely along Makubin, Carroll, Igelhart, or Marshall - not in the MLK or Lung Association lots
- Please do not stop in the middle of the street
- Please do not park in the cross walk
- Please park and pick up your scholar on the sidewalk
- Be mindful of student safety
Elementary students will be grouped inside by last name, with 3 pickup lines outside on Makubin: Student last names starting with A–G, H–O, and P–Z.
Staff members will be outside calling Elementary student names on the radios. Middle school students will continue to exit the Green Doors on Mackubin.
All changes should be called into the office (651-325-2500) no later than 3 pm. Please, to the extent possible, be mindful that students are still engaged in learning until our 4:15 dismissal time.
Capitol Hill OFFICE NOTES
Office Hours: 8:30 - 4:30
Morning Drop-off Time
We want to ensure each child is safe when arriving for school. Staff supervision begins at 9:30am. Please do not drop off your child earlier than 9:30.
Attendance/late arrivals:
Please make sure to always report your child's absences. You can do this in two ways:
- Dial the attendance line directly at 651-325-2599 -OR-
- Email us at capitolhill.attendance@spps.org.
Please include your child's name, grade, the reason for their absence, your relationship to the child, and a return phone number that you can be reached at if we should have questions.
Calling Your Child
When calling the school to speak to your child, the office staff will deliver your message to have your child call you back. Teachers are teaching during the day and we are trying our best to lessen the interruptions during instructional time. Thanks for understanding.
Dismissal
Dismissal is at 4:15. We appreciate you making every attempt to honor this time. Students are still actively involved in classroom instruction up to dismissal time.
Please call the Capitol Hill office at 651-325-2500 if you are picking up your child early or letting your child go home any other way than their normal routine.
***Please make sure to call the office no later than 3:00 pm if you have to make changes. If you call later than 3:00, we cannot guarantee that your child will get the message.***