Hollywood Hill Happenings
December Edition
From the Principal
We know that one topic on parents' and teachers’ minds is student engagement in distance learning. Recently, I read an interesting article that breaks down student engagement into stages. I have found the language in this progression to be helpful when thinking about student engagement, especially for reflecting on where individual students are and setting goals for the next steps. Here is the progression of levels of engagement from the article:
Stage 0. Not attending school.
Stage 1. Attending school.
Stage 2. Attending classes.
Stage 3. Remaining in classes for the entire period.
Stage 4. Being prepared for learning.
Stage 5. Engaging in class.
Substage 5.1. Listening.
Substage 5.2. Answering questions.
Substage 5.3. Asking questions.
Substage 5.4. Participating in group work.
Stage 6. Producing work.
Substage 6.1. Following the given instructions.
Substage 6.2. Completing classwork.
Substage 6.3. Turning work in.
Substage 6.4. Accepting feedback.
Substage 6.5. Making revisions.
Stage 7. Initiating communication with teachers about progress in classes.
A child may not be in the same stage/substage every day, depending on how he/she is feeling or how things are going at home that day. Currently, most of our Hollywood Hill students are typically at the levels of engagement described in Stages 5, 6, and 7. As we close out the first part of the school year, it might be helpful to show your child these stages and ask where they think they would be in this progression. As a family, you might help your child set a goal to increase their engagement to the next stage or substage. Here are some ways that families and students can work on improving engagement:
Take time together each morning to “get ready for school.” Just as you used to take some time each morning to help your child get their backpack and go to the bus stop or drive to school, families can take the same 5-15 minutes to help their child get ready for the school day by:
Eating breakfast prior to the start of school
Signing in and reviewing the day’s schedule in Schoology
Setting reminders or alarms for live ZOOMs for the day
Creating a “to-do list” for the day. Most kids love crossing things off or checking off boxes as they go!
Setting up a work area for the day:
Organizing supplies and materials needed for today’s schedule
Removing toys and other distractions from the work area
Closing tabs on the computer that are not related to the current learning activity (i.e. games, Youtube, etc.)
Be sure to build in breaks to be “off-screen” and physical activity during the day!
Set goals for increasing the amount of engagement during live zooms. For example, a child might set a goal for a certain # of times they will participate by raising their hand, sharing an idea in the chat, or responding in other ways offered by their teacher. A child might tally the number of “participation points” they give themselves during a live lesson and aim for a certain # of points or a certain increase of points.
Focus on increasing the amount of work completed.
Make a list of all work to do each day. As a child finishes each piece, cross it off the list, or check the box next to it!
Make an “if…then…” plan: If I do X (complete an assignment or work for a certain # of minutes), then I will do Y (break activity or preferred activity for a certain amount of time).
Create an incentive plan for completing all or a certain amount of classwork on time. A family might decide that their child can earn a special privilege or special activity at home. If your child is completing very little work right now, you might start with an incentive plan in just one subject area.
If your child is at one of the highest stages of engagement, name that and celebrate it with your child! Their level of independence and engagement is something to be very proud of! Help them name the strategies they have been using that have supported their success, so they can recognize these as strategies to support them in the future. If you feel that your child is usually only engaged in Stages 0-4, please reach out to your child’s teacher and to me so that we can work together to improve engagement. We will want to address the barriers to your child’s engagement and think about strategies to help! We are eager to partner with you to support your child.
Fondly,
Amber Pacquer
Principal, Hollywood Hill Elementary
CAR PARADE on WEDNESDAY, DEC 9
Put on your most festive clothes, decorate your vehicle, and join the Winter Drive-through Parade on Wednesday, December 9th from 2:30 - 3:30. We look forward to celebrating the last car parade of 2020. Your fabulous Hollywood Hill staff and our generous PTA will be handing out small gifts to students. Don't forget to bring those gift cards (see below). We hope to see all of you there!
An Opportunity to Help Hollywood Hill Families
Each year our generous school community usually donates gifts to help Hollywood Hill families over the holidays. This year, we are doing things a little differently - we will be collecting Target gift cards. If you are interested in helping, please purchase Target gift cards in $5 and $10 increments and drop them off at the Winter Drive-through Parade on Wednesday, December 9 (see above). It's that simple - any amount you can donate will go to help our Hollywood Hill families in need. Thank you!
If you are a family that could benefit from our Giving Tree, please email Judy Robb, Office Manager, at jrobb@nsd.org by December 9th. All requests will be kept confidential.
From the Music Room
Virtual Sing Along Assembly
We are excited to announce that we'll have our first ever Virtual Sing Along Assembly on our last day of school before winter break (Dec. 18th). We'll have two sessions:
- Primary grade level one (Pre-K-2nd) @2:30-3
- Intermediate grades (3rd-5th) @3-3:30.
Everyone is invited, including the family members! We want to spread the holiday spirit as much as possible!! 🎶
Classroom teachers will be providing a link to the Sing Along - we look forward to seeing and singing with you all soon. It's going to be fun!
Reading with Rover
COVID Reminder
Thank you for your kindness.
From the Health Room
IMMUNIZATIONS, FLU, and YOU
Fall Health News and Resources from Nurse Darleene
Let’s All Stay Healthy!
Help keep yourself and your community healthy this year by:
- Staying home if you are ill
- Limiting your interaction with people outside your household
- Covering coughs and sneezes
- Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water, and using hand sanitizer when soap and water isn't available
- Covering your mouth and nose with a cloth mask in shared spaces
- Getting a flu shot to protect again influenza
IMMUNIZATIONS
During our COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to stay up-to-date on all scheduled vaccinations for children, so we don’t lose important community protections against other serious infections.
Stay-at-home orders resulted in fewer visits to pediatricians and fewer vaccine doses being administered on schedule, leaving children at risk. King County Public Health announced a new case of measles on November 11th. It’s a reminder that it is important to get your children caught up if your health visits have been delayed this year.
If you do not have a doctor, insurance, or know where to find an immunization clinic, feel free to contact me.
FLU & YOU
Getting a flu vaccine during 2020-2021 is more important than ever. Reducing the spread of flu and the number of severe flu-related complications can help preserve capacity in our
healthcare system to address the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic. Getting vaccinated has been shown to reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed work and school days, and reduce the risk of flu-related hospitalization and death in children.
Finding a Flu Vaccine
There are over 100 locations within 10 miles of our school that offer flu vaccines. For location information, contact your health provider or go to https://vaccinefinder.org/
FREE FLU VACCINE FOR UNINSURED ADULTS
The Washington State Department of Health is collaborating with Safeway Inc. and Albertsons Companies LLC to offer no-cost flu vaccination for uninsured adults over the age of 18 to help prevent flu illness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pharmacies will not charge an administration fee, and no proof of residency or immigration status will be required. The list of nearby participating pharmacies is below:
- Safeway Pharmacy (Store #0474) 1715 Broadway Everett, WA 98201 (425) 339-9448
- Safeway Pharmacy (Store #1484) 4128 Rucker Ave Everett, WA 98203 (425) 258-3552
- Safeway Pharmacy (Store #3213) 15332 Aurora Ave N Shoreline, WA 98133 (206) 539-5500
Flu & Young Children
Flu vaccination is especially important for children. Children younger than 5 years old – especially those younger than 2 – are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications. CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older.
WISHING you WELLNESS and HOPE, PERSEVERANCE and PATIENCE in these challenging times. Remember you are cared for in your Hollywood Hill Community, so reach out to us if there is a challenge we may be able to help with. English is the only language I speak but I can always find a translator to help us communicate.
Sincerely,
Darleene Matheson, RN,
Hollywood Hill School Nurse
425-408-4706
Hi-Cap Testing Update
The Accelerated Models and Programs Department is working on the 2020-2021 testing plan for students with highly capable needs.
Students in grades K-5
We are still working on the highly capable screening and assessment schedule for grades K-5. Our department will update families when we can test.
Thank you,
Accelerated Models and Programs Department
Counselor Connection
Hello Hollywood Hill families!
I hope you are all healthy and safe as we wind down 2020!
I would like to share with you some of the content students and you can access in my “clickable office” in Schoology, as you may find it to be very useful given all of the stress management we’re all actively practicing.
Students have heard in my weekly messages that there is a brain and body connection and when we’re flooded with strong emotions, they are serving as messengers that our “lid is getting flipped.” I’ve shared activities to help them associate feelings with colors and it’s important to take time to sort feelings as a way to raise our awareness. I’ve also shared activities to help students identify how the body feels when experiencing different emotions and to determine what situations are triggers for them that lead to frustration and anger. Lastly, I’ve encouraged the students to have a “calm down plan.” Second Step teaches us to “stop, name the feeling, and calm down,” and when we’re triggered deep breathing is the fastest way to calm down. However, it is important to plan ahead for such situations and build a kit or calm down box so that students can spend time with playdoh, coloring, a favorite stuffed animal, or journal writing to help them regulate their bodies so they can find calm.
I encourage you to check out my schoology course to access archived weekly messages to learn more about these strategies!
Please use the December SEL Calendar (see below) to help your child build a self-care routine. And as always, please reach out if I can be of any support to you or your child.
Take care,
Jennifer Brisbine, School Counselor
Mobile Office Phone: 425-408-4753;
New Parent2Parent Network
PTA News
PTA Registration
Please Register ASAP for the New School Year! Please register on our PTA Website Click the big RED BUTTON on the PTA Homepage. ALL families (existing students & new students) need to register each new year to update their child's grade and teacher.
- Registration adds your child to the On-line Directory & Class List for community connections, playdates, birthday parties, etc.
- Adds you to the email list for important announcements & email reminders about school & PTA events
- Also allows you to sign-up for Room Parent & Art Docent & interest in other volunteer support needs
- Sign-up for PTA Membership & Pass the Hat
Cookie Recipe Exchange & Star Cookie Decorating
December 7th - 12th
We would like to invite all HHE parents & caregivers to post their favorite cookie recipe on our HHE PTA Facebook page during the week of 12/7 - 12/11! All of the delicious recipes will go into a digital HHE PTA Members' Cookie Recipe Book and distributed to our members via email. (If you haven’t joined our PTA yet, now is the time! (See Above) And between 12/11 - 12/17, we'd love for you to show your family’s creative cookie decorating skills by decorating star-shaped cookies and posting a picture on our Facebook page. For each star, or family of stars posted, a name will go into a drawing for the chance to win 1 of 5 kid’s cookbooks! Winners will be announced on 12/18.
Wear It Wednesday on December 16th
PTA Reflections Update
Thank you to all those who participated in the 2020-2021 PTA Reflections Program. The theme I Matter Because… was open to all students K-12.
The Hollywood Hill PTA is proud to announce the students whose artwork will be heading from the school level to the Northshore Council PTSA level:
Alexis W. (4th)
Eli A. (5th)
Lucas S. (2nd)
Paloma C. (4th)
Rory F. (4th)
If you participated be on the lookout for an email on how to retrieve your participation certificate within the next week.
Thank you wonderful artists, and good luck to those moving forward!
Threads and Treads
Have you heard of THREADS & TREADS?
During our last general meeting a $100 donation from the PTA was approved and we want to make sure our entire school (and district) knows about this amazing resource - for free shopping and to make donations!
Threads & Treads provides Northshore families FREE, quality donated clothing for school-age youth, teens, young adults and parents. Clothing items include appropriate clothing for the school day and special events, sportswear, shoes and accessories.
All Northshore families in need of clothing assistance are welcome to shop each month for up to three outfits.
Please visit their website and FB page for hours, volunteer opportunities and how to make donations (there have been recent restrictions due to COVID).
5th Grader Activities
Calling ALL 5th Grade Parents!
Reminder, if you are a 5th Grade Parent please send in your photos! If you have questions about the photos or would like to help with planning or setting up any of the 5th Grade activities this year please contact: lizayore@mac.com
New to Hollywood Hill?
If you are new to Hollywood Hill or feel like you want more connection, we would like to get in contact with you! Please contact: communications@hhillpta.org
Many Hands Make Light Work
So far this year our PTA is operating with a very small committee and we would love some help so we can continue to serve our community. Please contact our President, Heidi West, at president@hhillpta.org if you would like to learn about any of the following, very important, open positions.
- President Elect
- VP Family Life & Health
- VP Community Outreach
- VP Enrichment
- Special Needs Representative
- Membership Chair
- Head Room Parent Chair
- Teacher Appreciation Chair