Hawk Talk
Half Day School Weekly Newsletter - Friday, Jan. 10, 2020
Reaction Rockets
In this activity called "Reaction Rockets", fourth-grade students observed the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy as part of a Half Day science lesson. Students dropped their reaction rockets from height increments of 3 inches (gravitational potential energy), measured and recorded the height the rocket bounced upward (kinetic energy). Students were able to see that the greater the height from which the launcher was initially dropped (greater gravitational potential energy), the greater the height the rocket would bounce upward (due to more kinetic energy). This proved students’ essential question, "Can energy be transferred from one form, object, or place to another?"
“New concepts are best understood when linked to prior knowledge along with hands-on visual learning. The reaction rockets project allowed students the opportunity to visualize and experience the effects of potential and kinetic energy first hand,” said fourth-grade teacher Tara Drazner. For more pictures of the activity, please visit the school's Facebook page.
Make Your Voice Count
Only 9 percent of Half Day parents have responded to the Illinois 5Essentials Survey that the district has sent out. We need a 20 percent response rate in order to read the results. Please consider participating in the school climate and learning conditions survey. This 10-minute survey is a great way for D103 parents to provide input into the five indicators from the survey that affect and predict school success:
Effective Leaders
Collaborative Teachers
Involved Families
Supportive Environments
Ambitious Instruction
LFF STEAM Conference Next Week
The Learning Fund Foundation is offering a variety of STEAM workshop sessions to students on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Registration takes place online using the RevTrak Web Store. Price per student is $2.50/workshop session.
While students enjoy the STEAM conference, the PTO invites parents to a Camp Fair that showcases local summer camps, day programs and other summer opportunities! This is a chance to learn about a variety of programs to keep your kids from ages 4-14 active, engaged and learning – whether it is in the arts, music, sports, educational or day camps. During the conference, there will be a variety of programs showcasing what they can offer you throughout the year and during those summer weeks.
Parent Volunteers Needed for Colonial Days
Game Nights Scheduled
Grade level PTO sponsored Game Nights, featuring GameWright games, are coming soon! Bring the whole family for a night of fun held in the Half Day cafeteria! Please RSVP today for your child's game night on the PTO's Google Doc.
- Third-Grade: Friday, Jan. 17 from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m.
- Fourth-Grade: Friday, Jan. 31 from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m.
- Fifth-Grade: Friday, Feb. 21 from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m.
Changes to the School Lunch Program
As you know, we switched back to the MySchoolBucks platform where families may purchase meals the same day of consumption using money on their student’s account(s). Please read this news bulletin about the changes. Please find the January menus on the Quest Food Services website.
As always, please feel free to reach out to Rebecca Cohen at Rebecca.cohen@questfms.com if you have any questions.
Community
Partnerships
PTO
PTO Meeting: The first PTO meeting of the new year is scheduled from 12 to 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 at Daniel Wright. We'd love to know you're attending the meeting, please RSVP.
The CEO of the Brain:
Presented by Dr. Mandi Croft Petosky & Amanda Moons, Neuropsychologists of Neuro Educational Specialists, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, Vernon Area Library, Main Conference Room. Save a seat for yourself by registering for the program today.
➢ What is Executive Functioning?
➢ What is the development of Executive Functioning Skills at different ages?
➢ How do different disabilities (ADHD, Autism, Learning Disabilities, Anxiety) impact executive functioning?
➢ What are strategies to help build executive functioning skills at home.
Foundation
Join us for Chicago Wolves: The Learning Fund Foundation will be hosting our first Learning Fund Foundation Family Fun Day at the Allstate Arena.
In addition to a special discount on tickets, you will receive:
- Free Chicago Wolves winter knit hats (for all attendees)
- The Learning Fund Foundation name displayed on the LED matrix board throughout the game
- Chicago Wolves replica jersey if we have 50+ attendees
Please purchase your tickets using the Foundation Family Day link.
Please reach out to lff@d103.org if you have any questions or wish to get more information. We look forward to seeing you there!
Music Boosters
Music Boosters supports general music programs in all schools including band, orchestra, and chorus.
Upcoming Events
Half Day School
Assistant Principal Laura Delagrange
Email: ask103@d103.org
Website: www.d103.org/halfday
Location: 239 Olde Half Day Road Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Phone: 847-634-6463
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HalfDaySchool/?ref=bookmarks