Hope Valley School WEEKLY UPDATE
Friday, January 29, 2021
Good-Bye January and Hello February
Calendar of Events
February 2021
2/1 - SIT Meeting at 4:00pm (Virtual) - Rescheduled from 1/11
2/3 - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 12:45)
2/8 - PTO Meeting at 6:30pm (Virtual)
2/10 - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 12:45)
2/15-2/19 - February Vacation
2/24 - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 12:45)
2/26 - Hearing Screening
March 2021
3/3 - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 12:45)
3/8 - PTO Meeting at 6:30pm (Virtual)
3/8 - SIT Meeting at 4:00pm (Virtual)
3/10 - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 12:45)
3/15 - State Professional Development Day (Virtual Learning for All)
3/17 - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 12:45)
3/19 - Trimester 2 Ends
3/24 - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 12:45)
3/26 - Report Cards Issued
Attestation Self-Check: https://ps.chariho.k12.ri.us/public/
Daily Self-Check for all students is mandatory. Failure to do so will result in automatic DL.
Monitor for Symptoms
It is IMPERATIVE that families are monitoring their children for symptoms. We are still in the middle of a pandemic and we need to continue to be watchful. No one with any symptoms should be coming to school.
Valentine Day Message
Valentine's Day is fast approaching and we know how special this day is especially for the younger elementary kiddos. Just like almost everything in our lives lately, we will have to do things a little different this year due to the dreaded COVID. If classes are participating in the passing of Valentines, students will need to bring in their valentines between February 8-11. That way the Valentines will sit at least one night (preferably 2-3 nights) before being passed out. According to RIDOH, having things sit overnight helps mitigate the spread. Teachers will create their own plans for this day. Pre-school teachers will be in touch with families with their specific schedule because not all PreK students come every day. Important to note that if any Valentine’s come in on Friday, Feb 12 they will NOT be distributed since they did not have the opportunity to sit overnight. Therefore, it is crucial that children bring in their valentines BY THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11 AT THE LATEST. Most importantly, please remember we have many children in the school with severe life-threatening allergies. It is IMPORTANT that parents NOT send in food or candy. "I know it seems harsh but this is the safest option. Non-food items like stickers, peel off tattoos, pencils, and so on are allowed. I appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this matter.
Survey Works
How to Complete the Survey: Visit http://bit.ly/ridefamily (click on the link) and choose your school from the dropdown list. I will challenge all the parents like I have done the past 2 years. The challenge is to get 60% participation, and we will have a live DJ party with the well-known DJ Jazzy G (covid style of course). This is always a hit for students (and for me).
Very Important: When you click on the survey link above, you will have to choose your child’s school from the dropdown menu. There will be two options for Hope Valley School. You will see Hope Valley Elementary School (Chariho) and Hope Valley Elementary School Annex (Chariho). All families of pre-school children MUST use Hope Valley School ANNEX and all families of children in grades K-4 will use Hope Valley Elementary School. RIDE had to separately identify the two schools a few years ago. Thank you.
Background Info: The Rhode Island Department of Education is currently administering its annual SurveyWorks Family Survey, which is an opportunity for family members to provide feedback about our school community and our children’s opportunities to learn. The survey results are most useful when all families participate, so I am writing to ask you to take this survey for our school. Your views on matters like the safety of your child at school, the way students are taught, the condition of the school, and how connected you feel to the school are important. By taking this short survey, you can help our school leadership and school community to make improvements. Responses are anonymous and cannot be linked to any individual. You can take the short survey online between January 19 and March 31.
Message from Superintendent Picard
Travel
As many families are contemplating travel and making decisions about upcoming school breaks/vacations we wanted to remind all families of our travel policy. As a reminder, students who travel out of state to any location with a positivity rate greater than 5% (those states are listed here, and the list is constantly updated) will require a 14-day quarantine upon return. Travel for Chariho is defined as going to another state to attend any event/performance, family gathering/party/reunion with people outside of your immediate household. It does not matter if it is overnight or a day trip. This is the preferred response of the RI Department of Health as well as what is required in our school committee approved policy, as a negative test only indicates that the virus is not currently present. In the event there are families who must travel, we ask that you inform your school principal so that we can accurately record absences and communicate with staff about attendance and plans for continuity of education upon return.
Our COVID rates
To date, the number of positive cases for our district remains low. Based on our current enrollment and staff numbers we have less than a 1% positivity rate. Here is the link to the most recent school data of cases in our district and for all schools in the state.
Necessity for School Construction Survey
The Chariho School Committee is looking for community feedback on the best direction for our district to move forward with as it relates to our elementary schools. Based on feedback and data this decision will then be moved to a vote for all our taxpayers to weigh in. Please complete this quick survey. Your feedback is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Gina M Picard
Superintendent
Progress Report Change
During the December Superintendent’s Advisory Panel Meeting, a discussion was held pertaining to elementary progress reports. In collaboration with Superintendent Picard, Assistant Superintendent Daly, and all elementary principals, it was decided that the elementary progress reports will be eliminated as we move forward. Teachers will be expected to follow best practice and contact families throughout the trimesters if there are academic, behavioral, and social/emotional concerns. Parents always have the option to ask for a conference as well. Teachers will document phone calls, meetings, and/or emails. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. If you have any questions, please contact your principal.
Special Visitor
Life Changer Award
Life Changer of the Year!
Did you know that Hope Valley School has NOT 1, NOT 2 but 3, yes, 3 teacher’s who have been nominated for the life changer of the year award?!!!
This is a nationwide award with over 700 nominees. In the next few months those 700 will be narrowed down to the final 16. The 16 winners will get a stipend for the school and also for themselves! You can help our Hope Valley Community by taking a minute to see what people have to say about these amazing educators and perhaps leaving a comment of your own! Click on the nominees name or scan the QR code! You can also help by mentioning these teachers on twitter or facebook using the hashtag #LCOY
You can click right on the teacher's picture below and it will take you to the teacher's page so you can leave a comment or click on the links directly below.
Support Mrs. Mankoff
Support Mrs. Abbott
Support Mrs. Mello
Recess and Outdoor Learning
Great Opportunity from RIDE
Information from the RIDE website
LAST CALL from our Author Visit
Here is a message from our author friend who visited with students right before winter break. Mark Binder was able to share stories for every grade level from preschool through fourth grade! Many of his audio stories for children and families are available on Spotify. You can listen for free and follow Mark at https://markbinderbooks.com/spotify.
Also, he has worked out an arrangement with his publisher that allows students to get signed books and audiobooks, while a percentage of the money would be contributed back to the school. This is extended through Jan 17th and he will ship the books to the school the week of Jan 18. Mark’s books include The Bed Time Story Book, It Ate My Sister, and Cinderella Spinderella. There is no obligation, but wanted to at least offer it to families and teachers. You can buy them on Amazon, or directly at https://markbinderbooks.com/hope-valley. Thank you.
Early Release Day Wednesdays
As a reminder: Students can order lunch in the morning when teachers take lunch count and will be sent home on Early Release Wednesdays.
Social Media Outlets
@CharihoRegional
use #HopeValleyHawks
Tik Tok
Social Media
About Hope Valley Elementary School
The mission of the Hope Valley Elementary School is to work in partnership with our colleagues, students and families. We are committed to creating a learning environment where children are expected to achieve their full potential.
Email: ggen@chariho.k12.ri.us
Website: hopevalley.chariho.k12.ri.us
Location: 15 Thelma Drive, Hope Valley, RI, United States
Phone: 401-539-2321
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mr.Gencarelli/?ref=br_rs
Twitter: @JoeGencarelli1