HILL HAPPENINGS
#HillHasHeart Edition - February 2023
A Note from the Principal
Hello Hill Families,
Winter is upon us. It has been brisk, but beautiful to see the snow glisten and the sunshine has also been a welcomed sight!
Students worked hard in January and we completed all of our mid-year assessments. Report Cards were emailed out last week too. If by chance you did not recieve your child's report card please contact your child's teacher to make sure that we have an updated email address.
Beginning on Tuesday, February 7th we will have therapy dogs visiting Hill School on Tuesday mornings. Mrs. Thompson, our school counselor sent home a parent letter this week with more information. We look forward to having these furry friends in our building beginning next week.
February interesession break will begin after the school day on Thursday, Feb. 16th and school will resume on Monday, February 27th. We have a Hill Family Reading Night planned for Tuesday, February 28th from 5:00-7:00. More information will come soon about this funfilled night to kick off March is Reading month.
I have shared a video below on how to access a new resource on our district's website. The video is about 6 minutes in length and I hope that you'll find it useful. The resource is called parenguidance.org. We have access to several resources in the courses section, Q & A from a therapist from parents like yourselves, as well as access to crisis centers. Currently we are not enrolled in the coaching resource. If you have any questions or need more information please contact Mrs. Thompson, Hill's counselor, or myself.
Thank you for taking the time to read our communication and for your continued partnership!
Most Sincerely,
Mrs. Burke, Ed.S.
Proud Hill Principal
ParentGuidance.org- Resources
How to access parentguidance.org
Mayo Clinic - Tips to reduce screen time
While sccreens are a part of today's culture, there are healthy benefits related to reducing screen time, and this is especially true for children.
The Mayo Clinic shares some simple steps to reduce screen time:
Be accountable. Set expectations with your kids and set goals to be intentional about reducing screen time.
Be realistic. If your kids are spending a lot of leisure time on screens, including watching TV, start by setting smaller, more attainable goals.
Be engaged. Afer school or work, spend time each day talking face to face with kids and give them your full attention.
Put hand-held devices away. During screen-free hours, put devices away or at a charging station ina common area so they're not attracting your kids' attention.
Create phone-free zones in the home. Making family meal areas a phone-free zone is an easy way to start.
Go outside. Putting down the phone and taking a walk or playing outdoors increases your endorphins and provides that feeling of happiness in your rain, boositn your mood and improving physcial health.
Hill Has Heart Spirit Week: February 6 - 10
Table of Honor
One student from each class is selected monthly by their teacher for being leaders of Cardinal Code and recognized at Table of Honor!
Congratulations to these amazing students!
November: Kendyll James, Audrey Kingsland, William DuPrey, Emma Thompson, Gunner Saldana, Makayla Winters, Zoei Cook, Addison Jackson, Madison Whitman, and Macy Bellinger
December: Samuel Moore, Demi & Nora Smith, Marley Dillon, Austin Spears, Porter Schaepkens, Ella Rhinebolt, Hope Little, Adaylynn Newton, Isla Doyle, and Kaylyn Piger.
January: Cruz Saldana, Wixom Schaepkens, Brooklyn Garcia, River Wilhelm, Findley Smith, Leah Murphy, Ella DuPrey, Samantha Nowak, Carter Campbell, and Blaise Carey.
2nd Marking period Safety Patrol
Shout out to: Reece Murphy, Charlotte DuCap, Blaise Carey, Madison Whitman, Austin Harpst, Raegan Dowdall, Oliver Gokey, Khloe McDowell, Gryffin Suchy, Blake Mossman, Noelle Lashley, and Carson McClanahan (Not pictured)!
4th Grade Safety Patrol - 3rd Marking Period
Cardinal Code on the Bus
Here are 4 important bus safety rules that you can review with your child are:
1. Always stay seated in your assigned seat with your backpack on your lap. (Seat to seat, back to back)
2. Use a quiet voice to talk to friends near you.
3. Always scan on and off using your Zonar tag. (If your child is missing their Zonar tag, please let our office know!)
4. Always be respectful of your bus driver and bus monitors. Their goal is to get you home safely and everyone can do their part by following the Cardinal Code!
Help Wanted!
Attendance Line - Available 24/7
Counselor's Corner
Hill welcomes therapy dogs! On February 7, Licensed Therapy Dogs (graduated) from Mid-Michigan Therapy Dogs will be visiting Hill Elementary. Our teachers have signed up for a 30 minute time slot in which one of 3 dogs will go into the classroom for an introduction. All three dogs are hypoallergenic, non-shedding dogs. If you decide that you do NOT want your child to participate, please sign and send back the note which was sent home earlier this week.
Mrs. Thompson
Counselor
MTSS Interventionist/Coach - Mrs. Buzzell
Mid year testing is complete. The students have given so much effort to show what they have learned thus far. It has been rewarding for all of us to see just how far they have come. This time of year is when the teachers and I will analyze the data to make informed decisions about your child’s education. We will work on refocusing their needs and plan our lessons accordingly. We will adjust both math and reading groups in the classroom as well as intervention groups. Although it is a time to celebrate, we know there is much work to be done. We are excited to help all of our students reach their full potential.
Many parents would like to support their child at home with their learning. If you are not receiving a take-home book bag for your child, request one from their teacher. With this bag, you can work on some of the activities below.
It is imperative to build vocabulary to aid in comprehension during reading. Vocabulary is students’ knowledge of and memory for word meanings.
This includes:
Receptive Vocabulary
Words we understand when read or spoken to us
Expressive Vocabulary
Words we know well enough to use in speaking and writing
Home Activities:
☐ Read aloud - Continue to read aloud to your child even after he is able to read independently. Choose books above your child's level because they are likely to contain broader vocabulary. This way, you are actually teaching him new words and how they are used in context.
☐ Preview words - Before reading to or with your child, scan through the book, choose two words that you think might be interesting or unfamiliar to your child. Tell your child what the words are and what they mean. As you read the book, have your child listen for those words.
Music Notes from Mrs. DuPrey
Our 3rd and 4th grade concert is quickly approaching! We have been working hard in the music room to learn the songs and to bring the best performance we can to the stage. The concert is Tuesday, March 14th, at 7pm, at Davison High School in the auditorium. Students will need to arrive no later than 6:40pm to the choir room. I have asked the kids to wear their Sunday best to the concert. Please contact me if you have any questions about the concert. I am excited to hear these kids perform!
In Kindergarten, first, and second grade, we are getting back to our normal routine and playing some fun new music games in the classroom. We will be doing a virtual instrument petting zoo to help the kids start to learn about the different instruments they can choose to play in 5th grade. I am excited to be able to provide a unique learning experience for our kids this year!
Mrs. DuPrey
Fitness Fun with Mr. Whitman
We’re off and running into a new year in PE class. During the month of January we completed our basketball unit. Students work on passing, dribbling, and shooting. We have a few different size hoops that the kids can shoot on to help them all make some baskets.
As we transition to February the scooters will be rolling out. Thanks to some gifts from parents and the PTO, we have redone all of our scooters. The previous scooter wheels were old and didn’t roll well. We were able to purchase enough wheels to redo all of the scooters. They are just like new. I know the kids are excited. This will make our broom hockey and scooter units much more enjoyable!
jdwhitman@davisonschools.org
Library News
As we head into February, Fall in LOVE with BOOKS and YOUR LIBRARY!! February is U. S. National Library Lovers Month. Please continue reading at home with your children, and encourage them to read. We are completing our non-fiction unit this month, and in March we are looking forward to our upcoming Book Fair. Our Book Fair dates are March 6 - 10, 2023. Stay tuned for more information to follow regarding the Book Fair. Flyers will be coming home soon with students.
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Crystal
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Crystal
PTO NEWS
Thank you for your support with our Little Caesars Fundraiser.
441 kits sold
$3066 earned!
Prize winners will be announced soon!
The pizza kit pickup date is Friday, February 10th from 3:30-5:30pm at Hill in the gym, look for a letter coming home with details.
PTO is looking for volunteers for pizza pick up from 2:00-5:30. Volunteers must be approved.
Feel free to contact us with any questions!
Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 8th @ 5:30
22/23 PTO Officers
President: Danielle Wenzel
Vice President: Lindsay Brandon
Treasurer: Autumn Spears
Secretary: Haily Wilford
PTO email: Hillptogroup@gmail.com
Mark your calendar:
Feb. 6 - 10th: National School Counselor's Week
Feb. 6: Wear Pajamas
Feb. 7: Wear Neon/Bright colors, Therapy Dogs visit Hill School
Feb. 8: Supplemental Student County Day, Table of Honor, PTO Meeting @ 5:30, Wear work out wear
Feb. 9: Wear Red or hearts, Dress Like you're 100 years old (Kindergarten students)
Feb. 10: Wear Favorite Sports Team Apparel!
Feb. 14: Valentine's Day
Feb. 17: No School for students
Feb. 20 - 23: Intersession 2.0 for registered students only
Feb. 20-24: Intersession 2.0 Break
Feb. 27: Return to school
Feb. 28: Hill Family Night
March 1: Early Release Day: Dismissal @ 1:28
March 6: Book Fair Begins
March 9: Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 14: Grade 3/4 Concert
Connect with Hill Elementary
Email: jburke@davisonschools.org
Website: https://www.davisonschools.org/
Location: 404 Aloha Street, Davison, MI, USA
Phone: 910-591-0839
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavisonCardinals/
Twitter: @proud_principal