Hutchens Highlights November 2023

"Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts"

Thank Alabama Teachers Month!

Thank Alabama Teachers Month!

November is THANK Alabama Teachers month and we have the absolute best at #OurHut! We have a lot to be thankful for, and teachers are definitely at the top of our list. Please take the time to thank your child's teacher this month. They’re more than just teachers. They’re counselors, coaches, mentors, and friends. They deserve a full month of gratitude from all of us.


Give your own heartfelt thanks to the special teachers in your life or share some kind words on social media with #ThankALTeachers.

Thank Alabama Teachers Month!
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2nd Quarter Progress Reports

Progress Reports will be available Wednesday, November 8th.


As a reminder, you can access your child's grades through Schoology at any time. If you need assistance, please contact the school office. Directions are also provided at the end of this newsletter under reminders.


We have several events planned for November and December, with several opportunities for families to join us on campus. Please pay careful attention to the information/dates below and be sure to add them to your calendar. Thank you for your continued support!

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Open Court - Parent Guide

Open Court - Parent Guide

The Open Court Parent Guide was created by our wonderful ARI Local Reading Specialist, Mrs. Stephanie Jones. The purpose of the parent guide is to provide a clear understanding of the different types of Open Court reading assessments that are administered to your child, as well as, to provide at-home resources to help reinforce what is being taught in the classroom.
Open Court - Parent Guide
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NOVEMBER Character Trait: Teamwork

NOVEMBER Character Trait: Teamwork

Each month, you will be provided a newsletter that helps connect what we are doing at Hutchens with Capturing Kids' Hearts and ways for you to incorporate our monthly character trait into your home. The November "Teamwork" Newsletter is available below in English and Spanish.


What is Teamwork?

Teamwork is the ability to work in unity with others towards a common goal. For us to learn how to become team players, it is important that we learn to listen, encourage our peers, and allow and invite others to contribute their talents and skills.

NOVEMBER Character Trait: Teamwork
October Character Kids: Self-Direct

October Character Kids: Self-Direct

October's theme was "Think. Choose. Act" Throughout the month of October, we focused on SELF-DIRECT.


At the end of the month, classroom teachers selected one student who best represented the character trait Self-Direct. A character breakfast was held last week to recognize and celebrate these students. A BIG THANK YOU to Beck Properties for sponsoring our October Character breakfast!

October Character Kids: Self-Direct

Make plans to join us Thursday, November 16th

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UNION 10 FC- Local Soccer Club

UNION 10 FC- Local Soccer Club

Ryon Depinet, director of Union 10 FC soccer club, is offering a FREE one-day soccer clinic (after school on our campus) to our students. Ryan is a math teacher for MCPSS. His goal is to create a bond between Union 10 FC Mobile and as many students as possible to increase the love of the sport and the happiness that come along with it!


Parents will use the google links below to sign up and complete the required waiver for their preferred day ( November 27th or December 11th).


Nov 27th

https://forms.gle/9X67ZL9e6q8qBjjMA

Dec 11th

https://forms.gle/MZiaFTyzoALJRHwy5

UNION 10 FC- Local Soccer Club
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Hutchens Discipline Model

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November Staff Birthdays!

November Staff Birthdays!

November 2nd - Jessica Maxwell (Nurse)

November 3rd - Nicole Baranov (Kindergarten Teacher)

November 8th - Talia Johnson (Assistant Principal)

November Staff Birthdays!
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Math Support

Math Support

Combos of tens are the focus for Sock It to Math in November for our first and second graders.


Read the information below for ways to practice with your child at home and build fluency and automaticity.


Be sure to follow our math coach, Mrs. Townsend on her Math Tips with Mrs. Townsend Facebook page. She will be posting math related videos and tips to help parents and educators enhance their math skills and make learning math a truly engaging experience for your kids.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/586674678974663

Math Support
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"Shut the Box" - Math Game

Check out this game Ann Elise Record shared called "Shut the Box" that facilitates mastery of adding and subtracting within 10 by decomposing numbers.

She created the game in Brainingcamp, a virtual manipulatives site. Brainingcamp Share code: J3NAL6TH If you don't have Brainingcamp, you can redeem code: BECURIOUS for 4 months free access.

You can make this game by using things you may already have at home. For example, you can create the number paths on popsicle sticks or paper and pull out some dice from a board game. Number cubes were also included in the math kits that were sent home.

The directions are listed below. What is Player 2's move if they rolled the 2 and 6?

Since 2 and 6 are already covered as well as the sum 8, player 2 has to decompose the sum of 8 into two different addends that are still uncovered, such as 3 and 5.

Share some pictures in the caption if you play this at home with your children or use it as a center in your classroom.

What is the Alabama Literacy Act?

"The Alabama Literacy Act was passed in 2019 to help improve reading in Alabama public schools to ensure students are reading on grade level by the end of the third grade. Reading is the gateway to lifelong achievement and the students of Alabama deserve a strong start on their path to success."


"By third grade, students must be proficient in foundational reading skills in order to comprehend texts. If they are unsuccessful, they will have difficulty understanding grade-level reading material. Students also need strong reading skills in order to learn other school subjects such as science, social studies, writing, and even math." (ARI/The Alabama Reading Initiative)


Watch this three-minute video to learn more!

The Alabama Literacy Act (updated 8.15.23)

At-Home Resource

GREAT RESOURCE!!

THE ALABAMA READING INITIATIVE (ARI) HAS CREATED SOME GREAT RESOURCES THAT PROVIDE PARENTS WITH INFORMATION THAT THEY CAN USE TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME.

Click on the link below to access these "My Child Can!" packets for grades K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd!

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Mark your Calendar:

November 6th - Make-up day for yearbook pictures (must be in school uniform)

November 10th - Veteran's Day (NO School)

November 16th - Numeracy Trot (2 guests per student/Picnic and Classroom lesson)

November 20-24 - Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)

December 1st - 8th: Book Fair

December 4th - PTA / 1st Grade Christmas Program - Book Fair/Santa pictures

December 7th - Clubs

December 14th - Class Parties @ 1:00

December 18th - January 3rd - Christmas Break

January 4th - 3rd Quarter Begins - Club Day

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Early Dismissals

An early dismissal prior to 11:45am is considered an absence. If a student arrives to school after 11:45am he/she is marked absent for the entire day. There will be no early dismissals granted after 2:30pm. Early dismissals will be granted prior to 2:30pm only to a parent/guardian or a designated person listed as an emergency contact. Parents and emergency contacts must always present identification to the office.


Change in Transportation:

Any change in transportation must always be in writing. Transportation changes will not be granted over the phone. Please refrain from sending messages to teachers during their instructional time. In the event of an emergency, call the front office.

Lunch Visitors

Lunch Visitors

The following procedures are expected to be followed to ensure a safe and positive lunch experience for all students in the school.
  • Lunch guests are required to report to the main office to sign-in and show identification.
  • Adults visiting for lunch must be listed as a contact to visit the student at school.
  • The student’s teacher must be notified BEFORE arriving on campus.
  • Visitors must wear a badge/sticker provided by the office staff during check in and it must be visible at all times while in the building.
  • Adults may purchase the school lunch ($4.75) or bring one from home. Outside food must be packed inside of a lunch box. No restaurant food bags are allowed.
  • Visitors must return to the office after the student’s lunch period has ended to sign out.
  • Cafeteria visitors may not visit other areas of the campus without prior approval from the principal.
  • Any questions or concerns must be directed to an administrator.
*Please do not attend lunch with your student if you know it will cause your student undue stress when you leave campus.
Lunch Visitors
Student Birthdays

Student Birthdays

We LOVE to celebrate our students; however, classroom birthday parties are not allowed. District policy allows two parties per year: Christmas and End of Year.

Students will receive a birthday shout-out during our live morning announcements and also a birthday treat from the office.

With the classroom teachers prior approval, parents/guardians may send a treat/special snack for the child's class. Be sure to check with the classroom teacher for any specific allergies as well as provide a snack for each child in the classroom. If you wish to distribute birthday party invitations, please send an invitation for each student.

Student Birthdays
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Arrival and Dismissal

Arrival and Dismissal

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe while arriving and leaving school. Our students are doing a great job learning their car tag # and listening for their # to be called.


Please continue working with your child on how to buckle/unbuckle independently. Until then, please pull over to a designated parking area to provide assistance to your child. We ask that you do not get out of your car as this creates a safety concern and causes a disruption to our dismissal procedures.


We are in contact with county officials to expand our car line waiting area. This expansion will allow more vehicles to pull into our waiting area rather than pulling onto the shoulder on West Lake Road. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

Arrival and Dismissal
Bus Safety

Bus Safety

Please remind your child about good behaviors on the bus.


  1. Always listen to and obey the bus driver.
  2. Stay seated the entire time.
  3. Never extend your hands, arms, head, or any object out of the window.
  4. Keep the aisles clear.
  5. Do not jump seat to seat.
  6. Always keep hands and feet to yourself.
  7. Speak in quiet voice. No yelling!
  8. Bottom to bottom, Back-to-Back, Bookbag on lap.
Bus Safety
Contact us:

Contact us:

Contact us:

10005 West Lake Rd. Mobile, AL 36695 bowen@mcpss.com 251-221-1420 hutchenselementary.org