Mrs. Alexander's Weekly News
May 22, 2017
THANK YOU!
Awards Assembly
Field Day
The only choice for lunch on Field Day is a hot dog, so please plan accordingly.
School Supplies
Webpage - https://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/parent_resources/school_supplies_list
UPCOMING EVENTS AT HAWTHORN!
May 22nd- Awards Assembly
May 23rd- Field Day
May 25th - Last Day of School (Dismissal at 11:45 am)
Final Week Activities
During our final week of school, students will be opening their time capsules that we created at the beginning of the year. It is always fun to see if they achieved any of the goals they set at the beginning of the year, if they grew any, and if their favorites have changed.
Students will also be showcasing their inventions with the other 4th grade students. We will set up mini stations for each student view and learn about the other inventions.
We hope to set up a time to visit with the 5th grade students and teachers, so the students know a bit about 5th grade before the summer.
REPEAT NEWS BELOW
SUMMER SCHOOL
Summer School enrollment is happening now! Renner and Hawthorn students will be combined and attend summer school at Renner Elementary. Applications are due May 12th and can be found on the school website or in the school office.
Dates: May 31-June 30
Time: 7:40am-2:40pm
Site Administrator: Sasha Kalis (kaliss@parkhill.k12.mo.us)
Please remember that to ensure transportation, you need to enroll for Summer School by May 12th. You can use the following link, https://www.parkhill.k12.mo.us/teaching_and_learning/summer_school , to enroll, or contact the HW office if you need another enrollment form. These can also be found on the Park Hill Website.
At this point, we have 113 Hawthorn students how have enrolled and we would love to see at least 75% of our students enrolled in summer school. Also remember, all students enrolled in Park Hill's Summer Adventure Club Program need to enroll in Summer School as well. You need to fill out the Summer School Enrollment form and the Summer Adventure Club Program form to be enrolled in classes.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the Hawthorn office.
Report Cards
Report cards will be available for you to view on the Park Hill Parent Portal on March 29th, at 4:00 p.m. In order to access the report card you will need your GUID #. Your GUID # can only be sent by email. If you need this number please email Mrs. Martin at martinre@parkhill.k12.mo.us to receive your GUID #.
If you have any questions at all please email Mrs. Martin at the above email address or call the main HW Office phone line at 816-359-4390.
Thank you!
Message From Hawthorn Cafe
Most days, we offer snacks that students may purchase using the money they have on their school lunch account. These snacks range in price from 50¢ to $1.25. Restrictions and limitations may be set up at www.schoolcafe.com using your child’s student ID. If you have any questions, you may contact the cafeteria office at 816-359-4396, or email wernerke@parkhill.k12.mo.us. Thank you.
Scholastic Book Orders
Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub
One-Time Class Activation Code: Q7BG2
Dear Families,
Encouraging reading is one of the most important things we can do to help your child succeed. It can be tough finding the right books to keep them interested, which is why I am so excited that our class will be participating in Scholastic Reading Club this school year.
With Scholastic Reading Club:
- Every book you buy earns FREE Books for our classroom library
- You can choose from handpicked, grade- and reading-level-specific books for your child
- You'll find the best values on a variety of formats
Your child will bring home Reading Club flyers. Together you can choose from books hand-selected by teachers and experts, and then order online or send your order form and payment to me.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me!
If This Is Your First Time Ordering Online:
- VISIT scholastic.com/readingclub
- ENTER the one-time Class Activation Code (top of this letter)
- SHOP from a carefully curated selection of the best books and value packs
- SUBMIT your order and earn FREE Books for our classroom
- All book orders will be shipped to our classroom so we can celebrate the joy of reading together!
READING REWARDS INFORMATION
Each student's reading homework will be to read for at least 20 minutes each night. You can decide as a family how you can fit this into your schedule. It can be in the morning, on the bus, in the car, right when they get home, etc. Students can complete this whenever they have the free time.
Students can log their minutes every night or in the morning when they get to school. They have time every morning to type their learning goals and track their reading minutes.
They will log this information on reading-rewards.com. I have created an account and entered all of the students with their s# and password. Each student brought home more information about how to log their minutes last Thursday. If you need this information again, please let me know and I can send another copy.
Username: Is their regular "s" number.
Password: husky4
We practice getting into Reading Rewards last week, but will continue to work on it in class.
Thanks for being flexible and providing the extra support at home to help your child be successful!
Welcome to 4th Grade
Computer Expectations:
- I'm excited to say that Hawthorn is the only elementary that has a computer for every 4th grader!
- Each student will sign a computer use contact at the beginning of the year that includes the do and don'ts about computer usage in the classroom.
- Students will not be allowed to take their computer home.
- If a student doesn't follow the computer usage contract, you will be contacted and their computer may be taken away as a consequence.
Homework Expectations:
- One "Daily Common Core" assignment needs to be completed every night, except Friday.
- Students are required to read and LOG, 20 minutes on Reading Rewards each night. (www.reading-rewards.com). If you do not have computer/internet access at home, a reading log calendar will be provided.
Classroom Expectations:
- One HEALTHY snack can be brought daily to enjoy during read aloud.
- Snacks can not be shared with other students.
- Water is the only drink allowed to be at their desk.
- Phones need to be turned off during school hours and need to be in their backpack.
Words Their Way
The first week, students will be given a Words Their Way (WTW) spelling inventory. This will be used to divide students into groups based on specific skills. This week will be spent getting familiar with all of the activities they will be expected to do with their specific sort.
They work with a set of words for 4 days doing various activities such as regular sort, partner sort, speed sort, vocabulary, etc. Before they get a new set of words, they take a 10 word spelling test. Eight of these words are directly from their sort and three are bonus words, that belong in their sort. I include the bonus words, because I want to see if they can apply the spelling pattern to other words.
If they miss more than 3 words, they will be bringing home their spelling test for more practice with that specific sort. Please help them learn the spelling sort and have them practice the words. Please sign their spelling test and return the following day.
2015-2016 Early Release Dates
Park Hill Elementary 2016-17 Early Release Dates
During the 2016-17 school year, Park Hill Elementary Schools will have an Early Release Day the 2nd Thursday of each month beginning in October with students being dismissed at 1:30 pm. The dates for these days are listed below.
October 13
November 10
December 8
January 12
February 9
March 9
April 13
May 11
During this time, teachers will be engaged in professional development learning activities or have time to use data they have collected to collaborate together to better meet the needs of the students at Hawthorn. We are excited to have this time to focus on improving our teaching practices and the academic achievement of our students at Hawthorn.
If you have any questions about the please feel free to call Mrs. Hemaya at 816-359-5713.
Transportation Changes
Please remember the best way to communicate transportation changes is to email or call your child’s teacher and/or the office before 3:00 pm.
This lets the adults know how your child is supposed to go home, and helps eliminate unneeded stress and anxiety at dismissal time.
Thank you for helping us to keep your child safe!
Joining Your Child For Lunch
Parents are welcome to join their child for lunch at Hawthorn any day. If you are planning to eat lunch from the Hawthorn cafeteria, we do ask that your order lunch either through your child’s teacher, or by calling the office and placing your order prior to 9:00 am. Our kitchen staff makes the amount of food each day, based on what is ordered and we want to make sure we have enough for everyone. If parents come to school and eat, without ordering, then that can cause the cafeteria to run short on food. Thank you for working with us on this matter. We appreciate your help!
Meet Our Student Teacher
Dear Families and Students,
Hello! My name is Erin Dillon and I will be student teaching in Mrs. Alexander’s fourth grade class, from August until December.
My Background:
I grew up in St. Joseph, Missouri, with one younger brother. I love to dance! When college rolled around, I decided to go to Northwest Missouri State University and become a Bearcat! I majored in Elementary Education and completed a minor in Psychology.
My mom and Grandma were teachers and I have always loved being around kids, so I knew there was no other way I wanted to spend my days. I look very forward to having my very own classroom someday!
A few of my favorite things...
-Color: Purple
-Food: Enchiladas
-Season: Fall
-Sports team: Royals
-Book series: Twilight
-Children’s book: The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt
-Subjects: Reading and Social Studies
-My dogs! Rudy and Aggie
I will be in the classroom Monday through Friday from 8:10 a.m. to 3:50p.m. If you would like to set up a meeting with me, please email Mrs. Alexander, alexandermi@parkhill.k12.mo.us to set up a time. I look forward to getting to know and working with each and every one your children!
Meet The Teacher
My Background:
I grew up in the small town of Marengo, Iowa with one older sister and two younger brothers. I then moved to Cedar Falls, Iowa to pursue my education at the University of Northern Iowa. After graduation I moved to Kansas City to teach at one of the best school districts in the area, Park Hill! I am so honored to be teaching in this highly reputable district.
Education:
I knew from a young age that I wanted to become a teacher, so it was not hard for me to decide my career path. In May 2012 I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa. Throughout my education and professional experiences I have had opportunities to teach in Iowa, Kansas, and Louisiana.
Personal Information:
I've been teaching at Hawthorn Elementary since 2012. I am very excited to be with the Park Hill School District and continue to explore the Kansas City area.
In the future, I plan be a life long learner by continuing my education through professional development and other community programs. I have a strong passion to educate young minds and help them become well-rounded, responsible, successful individuals ready for the 21st Century. I am eager to get to know you and your family as we work together this year.
Mrs. Alexander's Information
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Email: alexandermi@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Website: learn.parkhill.k12.mo.us
Phone: 816-359-5624