Ms. Michelle Pineda-Rodgers

Dear Friends and Families,

We hope you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We look forward to continuing the spirit of gratitude that has pervaded the month of November. We want to express our endless thanks to everyone who makes it possible for as many students to come to school every day, on time ,and ready to learn. The smiles in the students' eyes and the energy they exude while engaged in our many, varied instructional and after school activities is indicative of the connection we feel to our Hempstead community.

We thank:

•Our students and families for making daily attendance a priority since they know the habit of attendance will help them do well in the classroom and eventually in their careers

• Our wonderful teachers who pour their energy into making each classroom an exciting place for exploration and knowledge so children do not want to miss out on learning

• Our support staff and community volunteers who provide the extra hands and attention our children need

On behalf of the department, building administrators and teachers, we appreciate each one of you so much!

Director of Bilingual Education and World Languages

Michelle Pineda-Rodgers

mpineda@hempsteadschools.org

Hempstead Union Free School District

516-434-4154

Our staff is responsible for supporting student achievement in the area of home language development. The Interventionists provide small group instruction to students who are struggling academically. Our goal is to leverage the student’s home language as they learn a second language.

IB LEARNING IN ACTION

Student of the Month: Meet Our Risk- Takers

Grade 1: Douglas Fernando
Grade 2: Jason Alvarez
Grade 3: Stefani Moran
Grade 4: Braylin Lopez, Valeria Euceda, Junior Molina
Grade 5: Yasmine Huerta
Grade 6: Cristel Vargas Pineda, Jhonny Calderon

These students were chosen as Student of the Month because they are risk-takers in the classroom. They take risks by always participating in class, raising their hand to answer questions and to speak in front of their classmates, never giving up even when they might make a mistake, and always trying their best. Congratulations to our David Paterson risk takers!

Students went on a walking trip to the police station in celebration of the holidays. The police station was beautifully decorated for the community they service. The students enjoyed the interactive learning stations with the police officers. This experience fostered a positive connection between the students and the police officers.

6th grade: Ms. Sebelen's Class

5th grade: Ms. Frias's Class

4th grade: Ms. Flores's Class

3rd grade: Ms. Lanfranco's Class

2nd grade: Ms. Guerrra Mitchell's Class

1st grade students performed in the Hispanic celebration at Joseph McNeil. Students sang songs, danced, and presented their projects in celebration of their culture and heritage.

Students worked on the inquirer, communicator, thinker, and caring profiles along with the POI "Who We Are" and "Sharing the Planet" in social studies and science.

Biography:

"Rare Treasure, Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveries by Don Brown"

After studying the life of Mary Anning and her remarkable fossil findings as a young girl, my students did their own research on dinosaurs. Students found interesting facts such as: name of the dinosaur, the meaning of the name, time period it lived in, height, weight and length, the dinosaur's diet and where in the world the dinosaur once lived. Ms. Frias stated, "My students were true inquirers!"

Students worked on Unit 1 journeys and focused on the informational text on immigration and expansion in the United States and the places scientists will go from Life on Earth and Beyond. They read about the age of exploration in historical fiction and poetry machine for poetry. We read informational text on A painted Journey that included different famous painters. Finally, students worked on a culminating project-based inquiry on investigative research of their favorite country and presented it in front of the classroom. In Unit 2 observations, students worked on informational text about how scientists study ocean life and protecting habitats. Finally, they worked on realistic fiction, the perfect inspiration with the story from Hatchet.

Students worked on Unit 1 Viajes having to do with texto informative en Inmigración y expansión en los Estados Unidos, ¡Que lugares visitan los científicos!, La era de la exploración, la máquina de poseía, Un viaje en pinturas, y el proyecto de investigación en el folleto de viaje a su país favorite. Unit 2 observaciones estudiamos texto informative en Como estudian los científicos la vida en la vida en el océano. Proteger los hábitats y genero de ficción realista en la historia de el hacha.

Students learned about the importance of family during this time and to give thanks. Students decorated a turkey with items students found around their homes. Students presented projects and described the sequence of events they followed with their projects.

Students learned about Thanksgiving and the meaning of being thankful. Students wrote about about who and what they are thankful for in their lives.

Needs and Want Lesson :What is the difference between wanting something and needing something? In this lesson students learned the difference between wants vs needs as well as examine why people need things like water, shelter, and food in their home language and in English.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Rhodes Academy celebrated Hispanic Heritage through research projects that recognized the achievements and experiences of Latin American authors, inventors, politicians, athletes, actors, and musicians. Students studied not only their biographies but their attributes that made them good role models. Our spirit week was filled with traditional hats and dress, artifacts show and tell, and Latin American flags. The week culminated with visits and workshops from Hispanic community members and staff.

Rhodes Academy honored veterans of the armed forces on November 10th.

Guests from all branches of service came for classroom visits and presentations to share military culture, memorabilia and experiences.

Arsen was born in Kazakhstan and came to the USA in July of 2022. He’s currently in Ms. Oliphant’s 2nd grade class at Rhodes Academy for the Humanities & Arts. As a newcomer, Arsen has flourished- excelling in all subjects while developing his English language proficiency. His ENL teacher, Mrs. Vanschuyler says, “Arsen is a confident learner. I am so impressed by his ability to absorb and apply new language and content learned.” In his short time in the country, he has gone from speaking is short words and phrases to full complete sentences. Arsen also reads with fluency and comprehension. Keep shining Arsen!

ABGS Middle School Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Cultural Night

Ms. Guevara’s Grade 7 HLA classes are implementing the principles of 7 Mindsets by using the book recommendations. One such recommendation involves reading about Anne Frank’s life. Students are practicing skills of empathy by putting themselves in her place to help them to understand her life experiences. Somos Unicos is also used to familiarize themselves with their inner voices and own individual uniqueness to make connections with others. One activity involved tracing their hands to write positive adjectives about themselves. If you change the way you see things in life, then the things around you will change. Ms. Guevara stated, "It begins with you."

The International Academy held their Quarter 1 Report Card Conferences this past week. During this time, mentors conferenced with students, reflecting on their grades and progress they have made. Students were encouraged to set goals and create a plan of action. The conversations were truly insightful and meaningful! Thank you to all our Mentors and our International Academy Lead Teachers, Mrs. Rivera and Mr. Hogu, for organizing the event!

Hempstead High School celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with music, art, food, dances, singing, and authentic learning. Students, staff, and families engaged in celebrations around the world that embraced the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans from the past and present. We value, honor, and respect each one of you!

Hempstead High School Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration was an eventful month that provided our students with many enriching experiences. It was month of cultural activities and events that celebrated our students and the Hispanic culture. Some of these events included a food festival, a performance by the award-winning group Los Planeros de la 21, a student talent show, and informative presentations by Herstory Writers Workshop Program, Queensboro Community College’s CLIP Program, HHS Guidance Department, and HHS Team Center.

Hempstead High School Key Club held a Hispanic Heritage Month fundraiser to raise money for a local Hispanic organization. Students sold Hispanic heritage pins and pins to students and teachers in the school building.

"Hempstead Girls Soccer Turning Corner After First Victory in Almost 3 Years"

Peer Group Connection (PGC) is a new program being implemented in the High School. The PGC curriculum uses hands-on activities to address issues that have been shown to help reduce risk behaviors and produce positive student outcomes. Several ENL students have been selected as Student Leaders to facilitate the program with our freshman students. Some topics that our Student Leaders will discuss with our freshman include conflict resolution, decision-making skills, peer acceptance and resisting peer pressure, and stress management. Thank you to our Implementation Team, Dr. Robles, Ms. Brown, Ms. Geiger, and Mrs. Brown, for making this possible for our students!

Parents, please join our PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association)! Learn about what’s happening at Hempstead High School and work together with Teachers and Administrators to support our children! All meetings are held in person at Hempstead High School.

• November 21, 2022
• December 19, 2022
• January 9, 2023
• February 13, 2022
• March 20, 2023
• April 17, 2023
• May 15, 2023
• June 12, 2022

This school year we have begun utilizing Renaissance Star. Renaissance assessments are available for emergent bilinguals. It provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills in the home language through validated and authentic assessments. Teachers are able to capture information needed to provide the proper scaffolds and differentiation to support all learners. Renaissance provides teachers with valuable data to personalize instruction to meet the needs of each student.

Please follow and share with family, friends, staff and school community!!

Our Instagram page features all of the amazing events, cultural celebrations, student learning in action, inquiry-based projects, and staff highlights within the Hempstead School District.

If you would like to be featured on our Instagram page, please email your pictures and videos to: dranieri@hempsteadschools.org

• Prepare students for all assessments
• Support students social and emotional well-being
• Participate in online learning platforms to improve reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English

For more information, please call:

Ms. Pineda

Director of Bilingual Education

516-434-4154

Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Time: 3:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m.

Location: Room A11

Transportation Services

Pick-Up Time: 5:20 p.m.

Bus Stops:

• Corner of Martin Luther King Dr. and Circle Drive
• Corner of Terrace Avenue and Jackson Street
• Corner of Fulton Ave. and Bennet Ave.

Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Grade 7:

3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m.

Grade 8:

2:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Rhodes Elementary

Barack Obama Elementary

Joseph Mc Neil Elementary

Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Time: 3:20 p.m.- 5:30 p.m.