HAWK HAPPENINGS
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF HILLCREST ELEMENTARY STAFF
Supporting, empowering, & championing every single student, every single day, in every single way.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED COLLABORATION!!!
It's been awe-inspiring to witness how, during this difficult time, so many of you have come together to work together more frequently and in better ways than you ever have before. I think that during challenges like this, we come to understand and treasure the people in our lives, and we can put aside our own egos and focus on what's best for kids. We've seen exemplary practice as special education and ENL teachers have supported whole class lessons to make those lessons more accessible to ALL students, really leveling the playing field for all students, differentiating on the front end, rather than the back end, and making all of our lessons more accessible to everyone who can benefit from the added scaffolding, explanations, and sensitivity to language. We've seen ICT teams of teachers, TAs and aides collaborating to present their morning messages as a team approach, presenting a united front and valuing the unique contributions and relationships of everyone in the classroom. We've seen specials teachers and specialists rush outside of their roles to translate, to contact families, and find resources to support students and families and assist classroom teachers. Spanish-speaking staff jumping in to translate for colleagues they barely know for students who are strangers to them, in addition to their own work load. We've seen teachers who have created extension activities and extra practice materials sharing them openly with colleagues to make everyone's work load a little lighter. Many hands make light the work. Thank you for pulling together like this, and for all you do to go above and beyond to support students and their families.
CHROMEBOOK and PACKET Distribution
For families who would like packets, they can be picked up any day this week same times, same place (Uriah Hill from 9:30 AM thru 12:30 PM).
We are trying to encourage families to go with the Chromebook option as it provides students with a better experience and grater opportunities, and also means fewer copies as we have only copied a limited number because of the cost of copies form Staples. We will be making additional copies in-house, as needed.
Students in self-contained classes will have their packets mailed to them.
All Newcomers will have a Newcomers packet mailed to them in addition to what they are doing in Google Classroom or in their grade level packet.
THANK YOU ALL for your hard work in creating these final units of study for our students! More info to come on our final packet due date...
NEXT YEAR: Class assignments, articulation to middle school, Accelerated Math & Science grade 6, and Spanish 6
Grade 4 teachers: Our plan is for most classes to move up relatively intact. Please look carefully at your class make-up, and if you co-teach, discuss with your SpEd or departmentalized co-teacher and make some recommendations on the best moves to make and submit your recommendations using this form. For ICT classes: IEPs will drive most of the class placement decisions in terms of any possible changes. For departmentalized classes: consider a move between the two classes as the first option before recommending a move to a class beyond your partnership. Dual Language: As most of these students have moved up together already, be sure to discuss changes with parents before recommending those changes.
Self-contained class teachers: Your classes will be largely decided by IEPs and student birth dates, as we can not go beyond a 36 months span in any one class and we have some outliers at both the young and older ends of the spectrum. You can make suggestions on changing students because of relationship challenges between students but know that most decisions regarding class make-up will have to be made based on IEP and age.
Grade 5 teachers:
- We will be articulating with PMS this week; you will likely receive a survey from PMS soon asking you for important information about students. For now, please let us know if there are students in your class who either should be on the same team next year, or should be on separate teams next year. Use this form to report that to us ASAP.
- All students can take the assessment for the Accelerated Math & Science courses in 6th grade. It will now take place on June 3rd. Students will have to sign up in advance, and then they will receive a link to the assessment on that day in their student email. Students without internet access who want to take the assessment should be reported to me and Shannon so that we can let PMS know, an d based upon the number of students, they will decide if they will send a paper copy or provide an in-person opportunity to take the assessment later in the summer. PMS also would like your recommendations on who would do well in an accelerated environment, and they will also be using grade 4 Math and Science scores as additional data points in making their decisions.
- DL teachers: PMS will only be able to run 2 sections of Spanish 6 again next year. We will be sending information to share with parents before selecting, as some initially like the idea but then think twice when they know it will take away an additional opportunity for their child (i.e. chorus, strings, art, etc.). Also, some students do not have the Spanish literacy skills required for success in the program. Stay tuned for more information on that.
THANK YOU FOR INVITING US INTO YOUR VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS
ACCESS to the BUILDING and CLASSROOMS
This just in: HOMEWORK HELP from FIELD LIBRARY, Summer Reading Lists
Also, she said they will be compiling their summer reading lists, and asked if we want to make changes to ours. I will try to find what they had been using in the past -- recommended reading lists are tricky when we have students at such diverse levels, but I will share what they have been using and we can decide what we would like them to share on our behalf. They will be running their usual summer reading program through an online platform -- more on that to come.
PD Opportunities
Online Series: Flipped Classroom for Special Area Teachers
TEQ and OTIS: Ask Dr. Sobrin if you need an account to access what you want but many are available to anyone.
F&P Data
INTERESTING READING
Why Are Some Kids Thriving During Remote Learning?
Though remote learning has brought many challenges, some students seem to be thriving in the new circumstances. What can we learn from them?
After the Pandemic: Our children deserve an education revolution
Michael Hynes is the superintendent of Port Washington Schools, and someone I have read about in the past. In this brief opinion piece, he talks about what school should look like after the pandemic.
How Inuit Parents Teach Kids To Control Their Anger
How Parents Can Help Kids Develop A Sense Of Purpose
Teachers, How Can We Care for Our Mental Health Right Now?
We’re living through history, and the emotions are intense.
How Kids Benefit From Learning To Explain Their Math Thinking
This is a topic I am very interested in, and I recently had a few opportunities to see one of our teachers who has been quite successful at focusing the discussions in the classroom around mathematical thinking and approaches to solving mathematical problems. If it's something you are interested in exploring more, perhaps we can pull together a study group or we can arrange inter-classroom visits in the fall.
ST Math
HAWKS SQUAWKS from your colleagues
Cheryl Rivard: Cheryl has brought packets and tablets of her own to some of our students' homes!
Solia Alvarado: Mrs. Alvarado has participated in our Google Meets with Emily's class, interacts with students on our Google Classroom page, made endless phone calls/sent messages to so many students to stay in touch and to provide updates, among many other things!!
Nhuvia D'Alfonso: Nhuvia has offered to assist our class in any way she can. She's made calls/sent messages to students even to some that she doesn't even work with directly! She participates in our Google Meets with the students too. She's always willing to help out and always with a SMILE!
Ms. Doino: Hand delivered books to a student in need.
Marlix: She is going above and beyond to help coordinate the 5th grade packet and slides!!!
Tara King: She has been involved in every step of the planning for 4th grade and has consistently reached out to me, so that 4th and 5th are somewhat aligned.
Marlix Hernandez: No matter what time of day it is, she ALWAYS has time for me! Whether it's about technology, a deadline question, or just giving me words of encouragement! She even helped me with the first two days of my science slides because she knew how much I had going on! She is a strong educator with a huge heart! She really has held the 5th grade team together with her passion, dedication, technological skills, and her ability to multitask! Love her to pieces and it's a true honor to call her my colleague and friend!
Christine Mendello: Chris went with me for the "EXTRA" part of the parade route....She ended up staying with me and allowing my kids to use her bathroom when I was waiting to have my car towed after it broke down.
Brittany Doino: Hand delivered packets to students doors!!
Melissa Magnotta: Brought her own devices to her students houses!!
Julia Levy: Julia joined Rossi/Doino’s daily hangout for a dance party with our students!
Ana Bueno, Eileen Lepore, Phil Harrison: FOOD TRUCK food distribution!
Jen Bruno/Adam and Heidi Rodrigues/Marquez: Hosting a daily meeting for my kid to ask questions and to connect.
All: Staying the course not matter how difficult.
Rachele Rice: Rachele went out of her way to check in with a colleague who she had not spoken to since school closed. A call “just to say hi” sure goes a long way...
Gladys Fajardo: She calls families for me, checks in, answers questions, and reports back to me. She has been the liaison between the families and me. It has been so helpful.
Marlix Hernández: She has helped un put together the 5th grade packet and has also worked a great deal on curriculum.
Karen Vogel: Karen has been taking the webinars provided and incorporation what she has learned to provide read aloud Google Slides for our students.
Ashley Fernandez: Ms. Fernandez has helped the entire fourth grade in understanding how to implement technology for Phase 2 and Phase 3. She is always there to answer a call and lead them through something they are challenged with. She has also created step by step videos to show us what steps to take when assigning things to students, and how to check their progress. She has truly been amazing throughout this entire process of distance learning! I am so grateful to have her as my partner, and teammate!
Tara King: She is doing an amazing job of organizing the work that the 4th grade teachers are doing.
Keep 'em coming! The link to the form is still active -- so keep adding to it! YOU ARE MAKING AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN AT HILLCREST!
Teacher Appreciation Week
This year, Teacher Appreciation Week may have been a little disappointing, and it's true: Teacher Appreciation Week during PAUSE NY presented its challenges. Your students, their families and your administrators were not able to shower you with the love and adoration you deserve, bit please know how much we appreciate and value all that you do in our work together here at Hillcrest. We know how challenging this work is, and the toll it takes on you, your family, and your friendships. We appreciate how much you invest in our kids and in our school. Please know that your efforts make a positive impact on the lives of our students, and everything you invest makes a huge difference in children's lives. In lieu of of the sweets, snacks, treats and junk food typically found in the staff room during this week, contributions in the Hillcrest Staff name are being made to the following community organizations who also make a positive impact on the lives of our kids. Thank you so much for all that you do, each and every day, on behalf of our Hillcrest and Peekskill students!