Husky Happenings
The Week of March 30th
Learn From Home Update
We are here for you! If you have any questions about Learn from Home, instructional materials, or literally pretty much anything - please reach out to us. You can contact your child's teacher directly or call our office to find out how to get in touch with your child's teacher.
On Monday, March 30 from 8:00 am - 6:30 pm our school will be operating curb service pickup for families to pick up physical instructional materials for the next 2 week period.
This includes assignment bags for K-2 students, paper/pencil assignments for 3-5 students who are not accessing Learn from Home digitally, and Chromebooks for check-out. While new materials will be available for families, no completed work or materials will be collected by staff at this time.
Students in 3-5 who already have devices at home and are accessing Learn from Home digitally do not need to come pick up materials. These students should continue to check their HCPS email accounts or Google Classroom for instructional updates from their teachers.
Thank you for your dedication and flexibility in partnering with us as we continue educating our young leaders! You inspire us.
You can see the full statement from HCPS on the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" ordinance and Learn from Home Update right here: Full Statement.
Helpful Responses for Families
If you feel like your head is spinning from all the rapid changes our community has been experiencing, you are not alone. This is all brand new! Here are 2 helpful ways that families can respond to the stressors brought on by recent changes.
1. Start with One
Children look to the trusted adults in their lives for emotional cues. Your own state of calm will create a state of calm in your children. So, start with just one person - yourself! Reach into your toolbox for healthy strategies that help you manage stress (and it's totally okay to be stressed right now). Take a moment to breathe in and out. Then, use this sentence to reassure your children and yourself: "You're safe. You can handle this. We'll get through this together." If all else fails, watch this live puppy-cam and see how long it takes to smile: Puppy-Cam.
2. Feel Connected
Take time to help children feel connected and safe first. Then, build on academics and routines. Connections are built through spending time together so join in on an activity your child is doing. Play, laugh, read, and create together! Safety is built through age-appropriate information on why life is different right now. If you're struggling with how to explain that, Mrs. Dwigans has a YouTube video for kids here: Hello from Mrs. Dwigans.
We'll be sharing two more helpful responses for families next week! In the meantime, offer yourself and your children grace and compassion during this tough time. We are all doing our best! We're in this together.
References: Conscious Discipline "5 Helpful Responses for Families" article.
Thank You From Our Teachers
Art Anywhere
Looking for something for your family to do at home? Do you want to find an opportunity to build connections with your children? (hello, helpful response #2!)
Consider doing something that could brighten someone's day (and yours, too!) - #Chalk Your Walk! Our very own Becky Miller, art teacher at Hillandale, is inspiring us all to #Chalk Your Walk. Details are below! We can't wait to see your family show off their creativity.
Stronger Together
This is a challenging time. If your family is facing obstacles accessing food, we are here for you. Please note that our school district has the intention of continuing to provide meals at no cost during the closure. This is permitted under the new "Stay Home, Stay Safe" ordinance issued by Henderson County government.
Grab-and-Go Meals are available for pickup from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Hillandale every weekday. The Meals on the Bus will also be operating, providing breakfast and lunch meals on this schedule:
10:30-10:50a – Boys and Girls Club
11:05-11:25a – King Creek
11:35-11:55a – Dodd Meadows
12:00-12:20p – Shorty Collins
12:25-12:50p – Leisure Lane
1:10-1:30p – Tuxedo Park
Check out the full list of Grab-and-Go Meals and Meals on the Bus routes right here: Current Meal Options.
Please contact our school if you have any questions about accessing food or other obstacles during this time.