Ham-Par Happenings
October 2018 Volume 43/Issue 2
Mrs. Hasse's Spotlight
Built into our school-wide system, teacher pairs meet regularly to discuss their levels of effectiveness both personally and professionally. We feel it is important for us to model what we are asking of students. This is called Accountability Partnerships. Partners meet often and provide each other with the feedback to "feedforward" their work.
Stephen Covey often talks about the rear view mirror. Often times we spend too much time looking back and thinking of what we 'should a, would a, could a'. Missed opportunities or do-overs play on repeat in our heads! What about instead switching that thought. Yes, actually releasing the thought and moving forward. Instead: think you did your best and it was good enough! This then is both helps you to be highly efficient and highly effective.
Reflection is important for improvement, don't get me wrong, BUT why not "feedforward" your work and thoughts to set your goals into an amazing path forward instead of harboring on the past? Accountability Partners can help you do that! Soon your child will have a partner in their classroom. They are partners to discuss their academic progress, personal goals, and just discuss their learning together throughout the day! This unique experience allows the students to become partners in the educational process! They can get to know each other and connect on a deeper level; the goal of Accountability Partnerships!
Upon beginning our Leader in Me journey we began to create a larger system. Educational research notes how schools who have successful systems in place can attend to higher quality practices in instruction. We have solid literacy instruction in all grades, providing additional support for those who need it most, and continue to motivate, document, and involve our very own students in the process. Naturally, this all lended itself to Student-Led Conferences. And this year is no exception!
Student-Led Conferences help students understand the learning process. Although students know the most about what they learn, how they learn, and the amount of effort they put forth, traditional conferences have excluded them from the conversation about their learning. Engaging students in the educational process is an important outcome of a Student-Led Conference.
Again, the Leadership Notebook is the cornerstone of the conference. During the meeting, it allows students to share progress, scores, work samples, and celebrations. Students report on their progress, or lack of, on academic or personal goals, scores, grades, and assignments. They use this knowledge to set goals, or reaffirm/continue their efforts. Students will provide a highlight of what is happening from a specific checklist (there isn't enough time to review it all) and then the last few minutes for the parent/teacher to connect privately.
There are many other benefits including:
Students assume greater control of their academic progress.
Students accept personal responsibility for their academic performance.
Families, teachers, and students engage in open, honest dialogue about learning.
Families attend conferences at increased rates.
Students learn the process of reflection and self-evaluation.
Students develop organizational and communication skills.
(Research from Donald G. Hackmann, Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
Sample of how your child’s conference will look:
5 minutes of the student leading the conference (teacher supporting the student) reviewing their Leadership Notebooks and reviewing/signing the School-Home Compact. This time will be FOCUSED on selected items (the entire Notebook is not shared but instead the "Wildly Important Reading Goal" and possible other highlights).
Students will be using a mutually agreed upon grade level checklist to guide their thinking for the conference.
5 additional minutes for time with parent and teacher to discuss concerns privately & in grades K-3 Individual Reading Plans (per the House Bill 4822).
Should more time be needed, teachers will make a follow up conference time (via email, phone, or in person).
To read more about Individual Reading Plans:
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/03/michigan_senate_oks_3rd_grade.html
We have so much planned for your student his year! From our numerous yearly events, Accountability Partnerships, goal setting (Wildly Important Goals) and countless leadership roles for parents and students alike! I continually beam with pride as HP is the place to be!
We continue to achieve great things...TOGETHER!
Educationally Yours,
Mrs. Hasse
SIGN UP FOR FALL 2018 Student-Led Conferences on the links below!
Bulldog Blog
#StudentLeadership
Hey Bulldogs! I’m Tessa Allen your new H.P. journalist. I’m in Mrs. DeGiulio’s fourth grade class. Many people may not know me because I am new to Ham-Par. I just moved this year from Duncan Elementary. So far my experience has been great! Some of my favorites: the color aqua, pizza, dancing and hanging out with my friends and family. I’m looking forward to being your new H.P. journalist. By: Tessa Allen My name is Helena Murphy and I am in the fifth grade. My teacher is Mrs. Frenza. I have been here at Ham-Par for about 6 years now. One of my favorite things about school is the 7 Habits of Happy Kids. My favorite habit is habit number 6, Synergize, because it helps you make friends easier. I also play softball for the Romeo Renegades. One important part about me is I am a triplet which means I have a brother and sister the exact same age as me. By: Helena Murphy
Parents At Work in our School (P.A.W.S.)
TRUNK-O-TREAT
Ham-Par will be hosting their first Trunk or Treat on Thursday, October 18th. This is a free event, we just ask that you supply your own candy. If you are interested, in entering this event, please return your slip by October 12th. Please see the attached flyer for more details.
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS
Our library operates thanks to parent volunteers, just like you! If you are interested in helping out this year, please consider signing up for one, two or ten spots! We appreciate any and all help we can get to make sure that kids are READING!
STOCK THE SCHOOL
Ever wonder how you can help the school without giving your time? Check out our needs at HP. Donations are optional but always appreciated!
STOCK THE SCHOOL Hamilton-Parsons' Wishlist 2018-2019
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We are in need of volunteers for some of our upcoming HP events including Tillson Street parking, Trunk or Treat and the Fall Book Fair. We would love to have you help!
https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=w.create3&listid=12516479&owner=13816669
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
We are looking for interested parents to co-chair some of our HP events throughout the year. If you are interested, please indicate that on our volunteer sign up!
2018-2019 Hamilton-Parsons Event Chairpersons
SPIRIT WEAR
HP/Romeo Spirit Wear is available for order. Forms came home this week and there are extras in the office. All orders will be collected until October 30th and then FAMS will process them. Delivery will be in December before Christmas break. We will keep you updated on a more precise delivery date as the time approaches.
Leadership Fun Run
Mark your calendars! Each year Hamilton-Parsons has a day set aside for our major fundraiser. On October 12, 2018 our K-5 Leadership Run will occur. The success of our school will be due to the participation, talent, and hard work of our students, parents, staff, and entire community!
Every penny raised goes to HP students, classrooms, and teachers in our school! Purchases from these funds have included: student materials, additional library books, classroom magazine subscription for EVERY HP student, updated, state of the art future in our pod areas for every grade level, a HP t-shirt, Volunteer Luncheon, $5/student towards field trip costs, playground equipment, RCS High School student scholarship...and more! Ham-Par staff recognizes that we cannot do this work without you!
Our challenge is to raise $50/student for a total of almost $24,000! There are prizes for fundraising as well!
Top prizes include:
- Limo Ride & Lunch with Mrs. Hasse
- Extra-Class Party
- Emagine Movie Passes
- Skyzone Family Fun Packs
- Skating Party @ the New Rink
- Principal for the Day
- Chuck E Cheese
- Dave & Busters
- Air Time
- Slurpees!
- ...and MORE!
Leadership Run Schedule
9:30-10:00 1st grade
10:00-10:30 3rd grade
11:00-12:30 lunch
12:45-1:15 5th grade
1:15-1:45 4th grade
1:45-2:15 2nd grade
2:15-2:45 Kindergarten
Friends and family can also donate with a CLICK online.
Send them the following link to donate online: http://bit.ly/hpfunrun
Please make sure to create an account so that we can track the funds to YOUR student.
If you have questions contact Laura Fiore at laurafiore0819@gmail.com
Habits @ Home
This monthly article provides a school-to-home connection from our 7 Habits Liaison, Janelle Long!
We did it! We accomplished that first month back to school. I don’t know about your family but the first month back to school is always an adjustment period at our house. Back to early mornings, after school schedules, and back to routines. It can be a rough and long adjustment for my student and the entire family. So instead of complaining about our new schedule, I thought, “What can we do as a family to make this year different?”
How about some Habits @ Home in two simple steps!
I know, you are so busy! Don’t think of the 7 Habits as one more thing to do, but as a better way of doing the things you are already doing.
1. First let your student lead the way.
Your child has already created a Wildly Important Goal or W.I.G. in their classroom, why not create one for at home?
2. Brainstorm some ideas.
Getting to bed on time. Reading every night. Eating breakfast before school. Picking out clothes the night before.
Really anything that would make your daily routine easier for you and your child. Start by selecting one idea, pick one area you want to significantly improve.
My first-grader told me she was anxious every morning because she didn’t know what was happening at school that day and what was planned after school. Did she have art or music today? Dance after school? Her goal was to keep track of her schedule all year by herself.
So she came up with a game plan. We got a calender, she filled it in with what she needed to know about the month and we put it in her room. Done. No arguing, no fighting, just one happy girl who knows what her day looks like and what’s ahead for the week. And when she asks “What’s happening today? Do I have swim?” I ask if she looked at her calendar. One month down, nine more to go.
I’ve attached a flyer (below) with a few more ideas for your family to get involved by using some Leader In Me lingo at home. Hopefully it can help your family get on track to a great start!
For more information...
- Visit The Leader In Me's official website
- Visit A.B. Combs Elementary School's website to learn about why Leader In Me was created
- Visit Beaumont Elementary School's website to learn about how the program is implemented at other schools (Michigan's 1st LIM school located in Waterford)
- Visit the Sean Covey website for 7 Habits games and activities for kids
Hamilton-Parsons Elementary School
Hamilton-Parsons Elementary is a K-5 elementary school in Romeo Community Schools home to 477 Bulldogs! Ham-Par, for short, is Michigan's 120th Leader in Me school and the first school in Romeo to adopt the LIM processes as a part of best practice from the Franklin Covey Foundation.
Vision Statement: We choose to empower students by teaching life-long habits so that they are prepared to succeed today, tomorrow, and always.
Mission Statement: Hamilton-Parsons... Learners, Leaders, Bulldogs Forever!
Mrs. Andrea Hasse, Ed.S., principal
Mrs. Lisa Seeley, secretary
Email: andrea.hasse@romeok12.org
Website: http://romeok12.org/schools/hamilton-parsons-elementary/
Phone: 586-752-0280
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hamiltonparsonselementary/
Twitter: @HasseAndrea