Hope Valley School News
November 13, 2015
Calendar of Events
November
11/13 - Family Movie Night, 6:30
11/17 - School Store
11/19 - Early Release – AM Pre K only (8:45-1:45)
11/25 - First Trimester Grades Close
11/26-11/27 - Thanksgiving Recess
December
12/4 - Report Cards Issued
12/7-12/8 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - NO SCHOOL
12/14 - HV PTO 6:30
12/24-1/3 - Winter Break
New School Update Information
PARCC Results....Coming Soon
PARCC state testing results will be released to the public next week. An analysis of the data will be performed and reported out to all of you next week. These were the state tests (which replaced the NECAP tests) that were taken from last year's third and 4th grade students (this year's current 4th and 5th graders). We were the only elementary school in Chariho to take these tests on the computer. This spring all elementary schools will be taking them on the computer.
School Fundraiser Second Week Winners
Every school day in November, I am pulling one raffle ticket stub and announcing the winner of the daily cash prize which range from $50 to $500. Winners are posted 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. Below is a picture of the November calendar of cash prizes.
Winners this week were:
Monday - Bill Chicoria sold by Tucker McGlinsey for $50
Tuesday - Steve DelPozzo sold by Austin Ure for $150
Wednesday - John Forbes sold by Nathan Pruitt for $100
Thursday - James Thompson sold by David Dayon for $250
Friday - John Letarte sold by Brady Clarke for $75
Harvest Food Drive
The Annual Chariho Regional School District Harvest Food Drive is almost over. It ends next Friday. The school that collects the most canned goods and nonperishable food items (student/can ratio) will have the honor of displaying the Harvest Reap Banner in their school for one year. Let’s rally together and make this a reality for our school!
We have ended the second week of our annual food drive. So far, our families have donated 292 food items! Thank you to all of the families that have donated. Together, we are showing our district that we are the smallest school with the biggest heart! We have one week left. Help us win the banner!
Spanish Update
Kindergarten: Students are continuing to work on colors in Spanish. They know all of the colors of leaves - rojo, verde, amarillo, café, and anaranjado. Some know other colors as well! We have been working on the question ¿Cómo estás? - How are you? and can answer it with bien - good, mal - bad, or así así - ok. We have also been practicing numbers from 0-10. See if your child can sing 10 little fingers in Spanish!
Grades 1-4: We have been working on numbers up to 20 and even beyond! Depending on the grade level, students are practicing math facts, doubles, and skip counting. Grades 3 and 4 have practiced skip counting by 2s, 3s, and 5s in Spanish. See if they can try it at home! We have also been talking about what we are thankful for. Students decorated a feather and wrote what they are thankful for in Spanish. All of the feathers are attached to a turkey on the bulletin board. Check out the Spanish website for pictures!
http://charihoelementaryspanish.weebly.com/
American History Tid-bit by Mrs. Foggo
Thanksgiving in the 19th Century (1800’s)
Long before President Lincoln declared it a national holiday in ????, Thanksgiving was already the most important holiday in New England. The date was set by the governor in each of the six New England states--thus it might be celebrated on a different day in Rhode Island versus Massachusetts, or any other state.
The day usually began with church services in the morning, followed by feasting the rest of the day. Popular dishes included an apple custard-like pie, as well as chicken pie, turnips, squash, bread, and roasted turkey or other meats.
It was also popular to hold weddings at this time, since the family was already gathered. The ceremony was performed at home, and fancy foods were served to guests afterward.
History Question: What year did President Lincoln declare Thanksgiving a national holiday? Student name, homeroom, and response due in the history box by 9:00 AM on Tuesday, November 17th.
Raffle Calendar
Other Key Information (oldie but Goodie News)
Assessment Policy
At the October 27th School Committee meeting a new policy dealing with our Comprehensive Assessment System was approved. The policy details the roll of assessment in the instructional cycle. It also speaks to the need to minimize and strategically use assessment results. Finally, the policy communicates the expectation that all students participate in all assessments (including state assessments), unless a medical waiver has been obtained. You will find the policy at http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/sites/default/files/policy/comprehensive_assessment_system.pdf.
Note from the Special Education Dept
The special education department would like to welcome parents and community members to attend our Local Advisory Committee (LAC) Meetings. Meetings will be January 21st, March 17th, and May 19th. Meetings are held in the Chariho Middle School Library starting at 6:00pm. The purpose of our LAC meetings is for parents, teachers, administrators, and community members to meet together to discuss special education related topics and to advocate for students with disabilities. If you have questions about an upcoming LAC meeting, please feel free to contact Michele Laurent, the LAC Chairperson, and the LAC board at: LAC@chariho.k12.ri.us
You can find information related to the Chariho Special Education Department through the Chariho District webpage: http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us – just click on the District Information link and then click the Special Education link.
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.)
Twitter and Webpage
Please follow me on Twitter for school updates and events @JoeGencarelli1. Please do not forget the number 1. Also, you will be able to find a ton of information on the Hope Valley webpage at www.chariho.k12.ri.us/hv.
Dismissal/Pick-Up Notes
We are going to try a new routine this year. 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: www.chariho.k12.ri.us/sites/default/files/hv_student_dismissal_note_3_per_page.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:
- 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.
- 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 and I wanted to send a courtesy memo to keep you informed.
Attendance Matters!
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!!
Child Outreach Screenings
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
November 18, 2015
**December 10, 2015
**January 21, 2016
February 3, 2016
February 10, 2016
**February 25, 2016
March 9, 2016
March 16, 2016
** March 24, 2016
April 5, 2016
**April 7, 2016
April 13, 2016
May 26, 2016
June 1, 2016
** Evening Screening
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