HAWK HAPPENINGS
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF HILLCREST ELEMENTARY STAFF
Supporting, empowering, & championing every single student, every single day, in every single way.
Count On Me
You don't have to sing the whole song -- maybe just the chorus, or a few lines. You don't have to sing alone: include your dog, your family, or do it in a Google Meet with your colleagues and record it. You don't even have to sing: you can talk it, you can pretend to play an instrument. You can dance a little salsa. Whatever works for you.
Link to the lyrics
Link to the YouTube Video (karaoke)
Link to the original directions (remember to listen to karaoke track on very low volume or through headphones so all we get in your video is you singing or speaking) (see original directions below)
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Some folks have asked for help in learning the Count on Me Hillcrest Lyrics, and Ali Kramer was kind enough to create this YouTube video for us.
For your reference, below is the info I shared previously including the karaoke video link and the link to the Hillcrest lyrics.
Remember you can:
(a) sing the lyrics
(b) TALK the lyrics
(c) record yourself doing a little dance and we will superimpose you over instrumental part or over someone else doing the singing
(d) Lip-synch and we will put someone else's voice under you
(e) just do something silly on video and we will try to add it to the video.
You can bring your pets, family members, props, etc into it. Just make it fun. This will only be successful if we have MANY of you participating, so please let me know you will participate by signing up on THIS LINK. Do it for the kids!
Original message with links:
- Count on Me SIng-along: Here is the link to the *new* lyrics to the Bruno Mars song "Count on Me" and this is a link to the karaoke version of the song. The idea is this: you record yourself singing (or "talk-singing") the new lyrics while listening to the karaoke version. While we will likely only use clips of you singing a line or two, you should record yourself singing the whole thing. Don't stress if you make a mistake or something because we just won't use that part then. It will be best if you play the karaoke version very softly, or if you just listen to it through ear buds or headphones, because when we splice it all together, we don't want to be able to hear the full karaoke track we use and the karaoke version you played under your singing; we mostly want your voice so we can just lay it over top of the karaoke track.. Then you send us the video and we splice it all together. Again, don't worry about whether you think you are a good singer or not -- it's not about that at all -- and it will be fun (and empowering) to our students if we aren't all professional-quality singers! I hope many of you will participate because our kids want and need to see you! - Be brave! Be a model for our students! It will be fun for them to see us putting ourselves out there like this!
Thank you so much for pitching in to entertain, engage, and inspire our kids! It's a great way to maintain that connection -- they will be looking for YOU when they receive it, so be sure to put your inhibitions aside to be there for them!
Packet Distribution
Phase 3:
For families who would like packets, they can be picked up Tuesday and Thursday this week same times, same place (Uriah Hill from 9:30 AM thru 12:30 PM).
Students in self-contained classes had their packets mailed to them, as well as all Newcomers had 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! Phase 4 (and final!) should pick up where your phase 3 packets left off. I's love to have the packets ready for those final 3 weeks (or so) by Friday, May 29 if possible. This allows some time for copying...
Meetings this week
10:00 Grade 4
11:30 Grade 5
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, BUT THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE to how students will access the link to the assessment on June 3rd. The link will now be posted directly on every Grade 5 Google Classroom page, and students wishing to be considered will just click on that link. 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.
PCSD WELLNESS WEEK
Peekskill City School District is celebrating Wellness Week in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and our Commitment to Character's monthly theme of Attitudes and Values!! The festivities will start on Tuesday, May 26th and continue through Friday, May 29th.
Please join us for a week of self care and self love by participating in:
Tranquil Tuesday! Wear Blue for a Symbol of Hope and visit our NEW Family Health & Wellness page for YOGA videos with Karen!YOGA Videos
Wellness Wednesday! Wear Green for Mental Health Awareness Month and join our Wellness Town Hall Meeting live on the PCSD webpage!
Thankful Thursday! Wear Red &Blue to Show your Peekskill Pride and join Pat Taylor for a Mindfulness Moment!Copy and paste the link in your browser to sign up! https://forms.gle/Po6Dyq3LBcL3Chow6
Fitness Friday! Wear Orange for Physical Fitness Month!
Also, see fun activities to support our Commitment to Character District Campaign HERE!
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.
F&P Data
INTERESTING READING
Revising Your Teaching Philosophy for This Crisis
For many teachers, their statement of teaching beliefs no longer matches their work. Revisiting and simplifying it can help chart a path forward.
How Giving Students Feedback Through Video Instead of Text Can Foster Better Understanding
Under pressure to reopen this fall, school leaders plot unprecedented changes
Cult of Pedagogy: Reopening School: What it Might Look Like
Prioritise play when schools reopen, say mental health experts
Letter to education secretary warns of impact of coronavirus lockdown on children
Can we stop telling the ‘corona kids’ how little they are learning?
School Refusal: What It Means When Kids Won’t Do Schoolwork
Distance learning because of the coronavirus pandemic has been stressful for many kids. So if you’re seeing this kind of behavior in your child, you’re not alone.
Kindness Vs. Cruelty: Helping Kids Hear The Better Angels Of Their Nature
HAWKS SQUAWKS from your colleagues
Ashley Fernandez: Ashley's knowledge of technology is amazing! She has supported the 4th grade team during this distance learning period. I know that I can reach out to her if I have any questions. Thank you Ashley! You are very much appreciated!
Tara King: I'm grateful for Tara's leadership on the fourth grade team. Thank you for all the hours you put in and for all you do for our students!
Tiffany Munson: Tiffany has stepped right in and has been amazing to work with! She is very organized, ensures that the kids know what is expected, and is always available to the kids and her colleagues. Thank you Tiffany for all your hard work!
Valeria Valenzuela: Val has made herself available to our team during planing and preparation of phase 3
Randy, Shannon, Troy, Emily, Jaycee, Christine, Gloria, Lombardo and I’m sure there will be more: Secret guests on our daily chat.
Marlix: For answering my annoying phone calls or texts about creation of content for the slide deck. Also for checking and combining the work for the slides and packets. She is amazing!!
Joe Tama and Shannon Connor: Handed out packets when school first ended
Val Valenzuela: Spreading sunshine to a colleague in need
Caroline Ramos: Having google hangouts with students
Celine V: Helping put together the video with the pictures
Katie Lester: Katie is running our Performing Arts Department while online teaching her students and her children. She has been extremely helpful with resources and communicating with the teachers in our department. She is also always there as a friend, no matter when you need her.
Tara King: Thank you Tara for all your hard work! You have helped us create an online learning curriculum that is child friendly and meets the needs of our students! Thank you for all you do for our team! I am proud to work on team that helps and supports each other all the time!
Ashley Fernandez: Thank you for all your hard work helping us implement our online curriculum. We couldn't do it without you and we all appreciate that we are able to go to you at any time with our technology questions!
Marisa Anzovino: Helped distribute packets to families the first two weeks we were in "Lock Down" putting the families of Hillcrest first before her own health during this scary time.
Heather Macpherson: Keeping constant contact with her team to make sure we all communicate with each other and with families. Putting together spreadsheets with both her classes so we could keep families informed during these crazy times! Way to go Heather!!!!
Shannon Connor: Making sure that all teachers she works with were updated with the constant change of dates/times of annual review meetings once they became Google Meet meetings. She created a schedule and shared with her colleagues so that we all stayed informed since we had so much chaos going on already. Way to go Shannon!
Joe Tama: Tremendous help with phase 3 math. Not only did he help me find all the online worksheets, he also helped find videos to attach to each slide for the first two weeks of phase 3. Meeting the district deadlines and creating this online stuff is hard enough as is, but having colleagues who step up and always have your back is what makes this online "teaching" easier. Thanks Joe!
Ana Bueno: When I found out that one of my students was experiencing tragic circumstances at home, she jumped right in to help. Keeping constant communication with his family and us, his school family, as well. We all band together so that we could help support the family as much as possible. Thank you Ana!
Chris Mendello: For attending each Google Meet. Whether it be with adults to discuss math or with her kiddos to see their smiling faces. She never fails to ask her colleagues if they need anything and which way to best support them. She is always in her Google Classrooms helping to support the children she works with and offering them such positive feedback. She is a true super hero! Thanks Chris!
Chris Mendello: Walking over to one of her students home to hand deliver some special goodies to him. His older sister sent us a photo with said student smiling ear to ear because he was so happy that he had a basket full of fun activities and few yummy snacks. She never has to be asked to go the extra mile, she does it because it is who she is. The sweetest, most kindest soul. Truly honored to work with her.
Heather Macpherson: For taking on the whole writing unit of phase 3. She came up with some pretty bad ass writing prompts to get our kiddos to think about these crazy times and then write about them! Keep doing what you do best Heather, shinning bright! Honored to work with you! I see you!!
Jen Bruno: For being an amazing teacher to her students but also an amazing colleague to the people she works with. That dove chocolate message made my whole week. Not only are you my colleague but my friend. Thanks for letting me vent :) Love you Brunsie xo
Marisa Anzovino: For calling to make sure I knew she was here if I needed her to help with parent phone calls. She stepped up to call the parents of the children she works with but also asked if I needed her to call parents of children she didn't work with. It takes a village and I'm so proud (and lucky) that she is in mine!
Keep 'em coming! The link to the form is still active -- so keep adding to it! YOU ARE MAKING AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN AT HILLCREST!
STEM Unit
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1y-Off-0RK95MLBDvK8ygmcXCRyNXWdW8W5QVr9U-NuE/edit?usp=sharing
Mr. Lewis video for 5th grade students
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tTSOd8sGgKro0DgTzxZnYY2HNtadmG9g
Another one (a video tour) will follow later this week,
Recent Parent Email
Here is the text of an email that recently went out to parents in English and Spanish -- it includes some of the same links above, but also includes links to my more recent "Weekly Message" videos sent out and posted for parents:
Dear families -- I hope this email finds you and your family safe and well. Please see a few links below: Recent “Message form the Principal” videos: Teacher Appreciation/Online Learning vs. Emergency Response Click HERE FOR ENGLISH Click HERE FOR SPANISH Student Emotional Wellbeing/Final Phases of Distance Learning Click HERE FOR ENGLISH Click HERE FOR SPANISH STEAM unit for family at-home learning: Click here for a Google presentation for a fun family activity created by Dr. Sobrin, Director or STEM Are YOU an “essential worker” working on the “front lines” during COVID-19 crisis? Do you know someone who is? Our 5th graders need to interview essential workers for the 5th grade biography writing unit. Share this questionnaire with essential workers to help our 5th graders! https://forms.gle/6Foe4DVTsR1AQJxL6 5th Grade families: Letter from Mr. Lewis, Principal Peekskill Middle School, regarding Honors Math & Science Program Click HERE Want to be considered for the 6th grade Honors Math & Science program? Sign up to take the entry assessment using this LINK. A video from Mr. Lewis, Peekskill Middle School Principal, for our 5th graders: Click this link Thank you for your continued support, and for all that you do for our students! Please let us know if we can be of any assistance. Thank you, Randy Lichtenwalner Principal, Hillcrest Elementary School