October News
Hoosier Indy - October 2020
A Note From Your Principal
WOW! Time is really flying by as we move through the school year. Our students continue to work hard and are learning all kinds of new things! Be sure to ask your child what new things they are doing, learning and how many new friends they are making! We have several things coming up in the month of October, so stay tuned!
Mrs. Randi Tolentino, Hoosier Indy Principal
Here are a few tips to ensure the best parent-teacher conference yet
Now that we are approaching the end of Quarter 1, you may be receiving a parent-teacher conference request.
Before the Conference
• During dinner, ask your scholar how they feel about school.
• Before bedtime and/or at the end of the school day, ask your scholar if there is anything that they want you to talk about with their teacher.
• Its very important to help your scholar understand that you and the teacher are meeting to help set them up for success.
• Start jotting down a list of topics that you would like to discuss with the teacher. Here's an example of a list:
1. What are my scholar’s strongest and weakest subjects/content areas?
2. Does my scholar submit assignments on time?
3. Does my scholar participate in class by speaking, typing in the chat, and turning their camera on?
4. Does my scholar seem happy at school and in your class?
5. What can I do at home to help support your instruction?
During the Conference
• Be on time (try your best to be early to avoid technology issues) for the meeting.
• Try your very best to monitor the time, so that your meeting ends on time because it is highly likely that other parents will have a conference after yours.
• Just be yourself and relax, this is a safe place and we are all on the same team: Your Scholar's Team 😊
• If you disagree with a statement, try to remain calm during the conference and follow up with the teacher after you take a moment to reflect and gather your thoughts.
• When you make your list, rank your questions in terms of importance and start with the most important questions to make sure that you receive an answer in case time runs out.
• If your scholar receives special services such as SPED or ELL, ask about your scholar’s progress in those classes first.
• Please don't be afraid to ask for explanations if acronyms or terms are used that you don't understand. Trust me, we know that we have a lot of acronyms and sometimes we get lost in the alphabet soup as well :)
• Ask your scholar’s teacher for ways that you can support their instruction at home.
• Thank the teacher for all that they are doing for your scholar.
After the Conference
• Share information from the conference with your student over a snack or dinner.
• Start the talk with the positive points and/or praises (we call these our Hoosier Struts) and then be very direct and detailed about the problem areas if any (we call these opportunities for improvement).
• Tell your scholar about any plans you and the teacher created because they are the MVP and must be kept in the know.
• Make it a priority to keep in touch and continue the relationship building with the teacher for the remainder of the school year and/or semester.
Warmest regards,
Dr. Janice Silver, Head of Schools
Daily Announcements
Most include a word of the day, some fun fact and/or a daily joke!
Visit this link to see for yourself!
Board to determine return to building date
Adventure & Art for students in grades K-5
It will happen on Tuesdays at 3pm EDT.
Each week we will take an adventure to a different country. After our adventure we will do a drawing of something from our trip.
Each of these sessions will be recorded in case you miss it.
photo: Rachel displays her monkey drawing from our adventure to Japan.
Hoosier Hangout for students in grades 6-8
Come join us!
Sessions will occur every Wednesday at 4pm EDT.
This session is for both Insight and Hoosier Indy students.
Poster Contest for K-8
The Attendance Matters Poster Contest is open to all students.
The contest provides an opportunity to discuss the importance of good attendance while working on posters.
One winner will be selected from each grade band: K-2, 3-5, 6-8
Theme: Attendance Matters
The Rules:
The theme must appear in writing or printing on all posters submitted. Drawings must be original and the exclusive work of the student entering the contest. All artwork should be positive in approach, demonstrating the importance of good attendance.
Posters may be hand drawn or created digitally.
Submit the entry form by Friday, October 16th (No later than 5pm).
Mark Your Calendar
- October 7th - PTO meeting, 10am or 6pm
- October 12 - Scholastic Virtual Book Fair begins
- October 14 - Parent Teacher Conferences
- October 16 -19 Fall Break/No School
- October 25th - Scholastic Virtual Book Fair ends
- October 27 - First Quarter Awards
- November 25 - 27 Thanksgiving/No School
Additional information, including times and locations will be sent as the dates approach.
Congrats to our top Epic! readers
K-2
Alexander N. 38 books
Naomi M. 10 books
3-5
Joshua B. 42 books
Mackenzie A. 27 books
6-8
Naaman H. 30 books
DeAngelo J. 26 books
If you still need to join, just go to getepic.com/students and enter the class code: myt9656
K12 national clubs coming soon!
We're hard at work finalizing club offerings for the 2020–2021 school year. Clubs will start in mid to late October, and we'll provide information by the end of September. Watch the K12 website and school announcements and newsletters for updates.
Just for Learning Coaches
Coach to Coach is a 30 minute session offered year round. Hear from a veteran learning coach on relevant topics, such as What to Expect and Best Tips and Tricks. Join in the discussion with other coaches from across the nation.
Registration Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K12C2C
Learning Coach Café is a 60 minute drop in session offered year round where coaches can ask school questions or chat with other coaches. It is an informal chat led by a veteran learning coach. The Café is a great place to meet other coaches, receive support, and offer support.
Registration Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/lc_cafe
Facebook Groups
K12 New Learning Coaches for NEW Learning Coaches: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NewK12LearningCoaches/
K12 Learning Coach Café for ALL Learning Coaches: https://www.facebook.com/groups/K12LCCafe/
We also have a LC group just for Hoosier families!
PROJECT ELEVATE
Do you have a great story to tell about your student(s) and the role that online and blended school has played in their lives? Are you interested in sharing your story with local reporters and media outlets?
If so, please submit it to Project Elevate, our story-collection tool, and we’ll contact you for possible media opportunities. You can submit your story online or via the free K12 Project Elevate app for iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play) devices.