Monday Memo
August 19, 2019 ~ Updates from HCCS
In This Email...
- Gift Card & Bouquet Winners...
- Morning Drop Off & A Map (A Note from Mrs. Francis)
- Drama Try-outs for A Charlie Brown Christmas (K-3)
- STAR Testing (Tuesday & Wednesday)
- Student Handbook
- Save the Date: August 29th, Back to School Night
- Current Volunteer Opportunities
- Pictures of Our Days!
And the Mario's Gift Card Winner Is . . .
This is the first year the school has done something like the passport for Orientation. As always, new things are a work in progress. Thanks for participating!
P.S. If you weren't too sure what to do with your passport, no worries. That's a piece that needs refining if repeated next year. There will be another chance to win something at Back To School Night, so this wasn't your only chance for riches and glory!
Morning Drop-Off & Parking: A Note From Mrs. Francis
The Parish Staff and the Parent Teacher Committee (PTC) are implementing a new traffic flow pattern and designating a new student drop-off procedure starting Monday (8/19). This will create for a safer and more streamlined morning.
Please review the visual aid to familiarize yourself with where you are to drop off your child(ren), stopping parallel to the stop sign. A volunteer will be there directing your child where to go. We highly encourage drivers to come earlier, closer to 7:30, and to utilize the drop-off so that the lot can accommodate Pre-K parents and Mass-goers.
- Please note that if you do not use the drop-off students MUST be accompanied by an adult. Stay clear of the parking lot and use the cross-walks.
Volunteers
Right now we have four volunteers to help with this, but it would be nice to have more. Your time can be counted toward the 20 hour volunteering requirement. Volunteers are planning on helping from 7:30-7:55. Please contact me with your availability.
Thanks for your patience and participation!
Stephanie Francis
505.710.1872
School Play Try-Outs: A Charlie Brown Christmas (K-3)
- Monday, August 19th: 3:30-4:30 for those whose last names start with A-M
- Monday, August 26th: 3:30-4:30 for those whose last names start with N-Z
Remember, trying out doesn't necessarily mean you'll be selected. It is, however, a great experience! We're excited to see this cast take shape!
Renaissance STAR Testing: Tuesday & Wednesday
Through the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, the standardized testing piece used at HCCS is from a company called Renaissance. The name of the test is STAR 360 and the two parts cover Math and Reading. Students and teachers often just refer to this as STAR.
How Often Do Students Take STAR?
Students take STAR 2-3 times per year to get a basic reading of their competency in the various areas of Math and Reading. Teachers are able to compare STAR testing results to see if students are progressing, struggling with a certain area, or need more challenging material. STAR is used as a diagnostic tool, NOT to drive curriculum or assess a student's understanding of the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. (We love how this fellow classical school summarized the testing philosophy.)
As a parent, will I see the results?
Yes, as a parent you will receive a sheet (paper, not digital) that gives you an overview of your student's results after each STAR test. The school sends these home after all of the students have completed the test, so it can take up to a week.
Is there a good way to prepare?
The best way to prepare is for your student(s) to get a good night sleep, eat a hearty breakfast, and stay hydrated. This is a basic assessment of skills, not a test with content that a student can study with a study guide. Our advice: "Show up prepared and do your best!"
- Teachers at HCCS don't "teach to the test" since a full-bodied, holistic curriculum covers both skills and content....while keeping the joy of learning intact. There isn't a need to spend valuable class time teaching to a test if your daily learning routines and content are rich enough to teach and challenge students' minds and hearts.
Who tests when?
Here's the basic schedule:
Tuesday: Math and Reading for 5th-8th (proctored by Mrs. Sanchez)
Wednesday: Math and Reading for 1st-4th (proctored by Mrs. Stern)
How can I help?
See the volunteer opportunities below! Thank you!
Student Handbook
- Student Handbook for 2019-2020, Revised
- The pink acceptance sheets (passed out at Orientation) are due by August 29th: Back to School Night! Please return to the school office or to your homeroom teacher.
Back to School Night
Come to hear more about what your child is learning, see his/her classroom, and hobnob with teachers and fellow parents!
Thursday, Aug 29, 2019, 06:00 PM
Holy Child Catholic School, Camino Del Santo Nino, Tijeras, NM, USA
Fundraising
Two Fundraising Projects
- Here is the sign-up genius link if you're able to help. Thank you!
2. Blue raffle tickets: Each student has been given a blue raffle ticket for Baseball with the Bishop to sell for $5. Please return the ticket stub along with the $5 to your homeroom teacher. These are due by September 10th.
- If we're lucky, maybe one of us will win again! The Stotts family won two years ago. You get to sit in a cool box (with food!) at an Isotopes game with Archbishop Wester!
Volunteering
Volunteer Hour Tracking Form
P.S. Our hats go off to Mrs. Sena for the lovely form she used last year for volunteer hours. It was used as the jumping point for this year's form.
Chess Club Parent Volunteers
If you know how to play chess and you enjoy it, this is a great opportunity to mentor younger players while earning volunteer hours!
When: Fridays after school
Where: In the cafeteria/parish hall
Why: For the love of chess! (and for volunteer hours)
What to do if interested: Contact Mrs. Stern and/or Mrs. Martinez
Tech Savvy Help For STAR Testing Set-Up
If you're able to help set up our mobile laptop lap pre-testing or disassemble it post-testing, your help would be very much appreciated! Please contact Mrs. Sanchez or Mrs. Stern to volunteer your services.
When: August 19th (set up for Upper School), August 20th (set up for Lower School), and/or August 20th (take down/put away). All work would be done after school is dismissed for the day.
Why: To help the testing flow smoothly for students and teachers.
What: Moving and plugging in laptops, ensuring the correct link is loaded, and troubleshooting computers that are on the fritz or need updates.
Morning Parking Aides
While this isn't officially through the school, you can still count the time you spend helping for volunteer hours.
Thank you to those noble parents who have helped make this tricky process smoother!