Hawk Flock Family News
1/31/24
It's hard to believe how fast this year is progressing and that we are now on the back half of the school year. I love this time of year too, as we are gaining back over two minutes of daylight each day. While it doesn't seem like much, over the course of a month we gain over an hour back! Daylight Saving Time, which I still don't quite understand, starts on March 10th, when we "spring forward" an hour as well. Hopefully the increased daylight comes with some actual sunlight too;-)
Before we get too far ahead though, we do have a few key things coming up that we need to be sure and communicate. First, you will be getting notification of your student's mid-year progress report in the next day or two. We changed our process and will not be sending out paper copies, instead they will be shared online via Family Access in Skyward. More information on that below.
We also have our spring student-led conferences coming up on March 13th, 14th, & 15th. Teachers will be sending notification home around February 12th to get families signed up. Please mark your calendars and be on the lookout for those signups. I have included more information about conferences below as well.
Thank you for sending us such great kids to work with, and thank you for partnering with us to make this a great place for them to grow as learners and community members. I have included some other information and images below and encourage you to take some time to review it. As always, reach out if you have any questions or input.
Take care,
Don Sims
P.S. Huge shoutout to Ms. Meske, Ms. Werner, and Ms. Gellner for their hard work and fun loving attitudes that made our ASB FUNdraiser, Paint the Tiles, such a great time and big success! See some of the pics below;-)
Teachers have been working hard to not only engage students in their learning, but more recently have been putting together the data to show their progress. Later this week, Hedden will be sharing student progress reports via Family Access in Skyward.
If you have questions about accessing the progress report(s) online, feel free to reach out to the magnificent Melissa Martin in our front office.
If you have questions or concerns related to your students progress report, once received, please reach out directly to your student's teacher.
Please note that grades on this report card reflect your learner’s progress toward end-of-year goals. This means if your child receives a score of 3, they have met the end-of-year learning goal for their grade level. A score of 2 means that they are making progress toward end-of-year expectations. A score of 1 means that they need additional support and practice on a skill in order to meet expectations by the end of the year. A skill marked with (*) indicates we are just introducing or will soon be introducing the skill. Since we are halfway through the school year, scores of 2 are typical.
Paint the Tiles Night
Paint the Tiles Night
Paint the Tiles Night
Student-led conferences are a great way to check in on how students are progressing with the academic and behavior goals, seeing where they need more support and growth, as well as having students set goals that will help them be successful through the remainder of the year and beyond. These conferences allow students, families, and teachers a wonderful opportunity to collaborate and keep the lines of communication flowing.
Hedden staff will be scheduling conferences with families for March 13th, 14th, and 15th. Teachers will be supporting students as they present their learning through this point in the year and discuss their goals for the remainder of the school year. Our wonderful PTA volunteers will also be running the Scholastic Spring Bookfair during conferences.
Paint the Tiles Night
ASB FUNdraiser
Paint the Tiles Night
Volunteers having fun😁
Paint the Tiles Night
ASB FUNdraiser
5th Grade Camp Information Night
There will be an informational night for families of 5th grade students wanting a Q & A session regarding our outdoor learning at Camp Seymour. The information night will be on Tuesday, February 6th at Fife Elementary School (NOT Hedden). Please see the flyer below for information. 5th grade camp is scheduled for April 24th, 25th, and 26th.
PBIS on the Bus
Safety to and from school is our top priority. That’s why we’re partnering with transportation, teachers, students, and families to improve the experience of riding the bus for all students.
What is PBIS on the bus?
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) on the bus is a systematic way to increase expected behaviors while preventing unwanted behaviors.
How is positive behavior reinforced on the school bus?
Bus drivers recognize students who are modeling expectations by awarding them Bus Bucks (paper tickets). Once at school, students enter their Bus Bucks into a raffle, sign their bus poster, and ring a bell. Every Friday during morning announcements we will draw 3 Bus Buck winners who will come to the office to redeem a prize.
On Friday, January 19th, students who ride a school bus participated in a school-wide activity to reinforce positive behavior on the bus. Staff and students practiced loading our school buses safely and respectfully. Bus drivers then reviewed district-wide expectations and how to earn Bus Bucks! We’re already seeing the positive impact, as many students are stepping up and showing leadership on the bus. Keep it up, Hawks!
Students Practicing Bus Expectations
Bus Bucks Reward Station
Loads of Bus Bucks Turned In
Hedden's PTO Coming Events
We would love to see more families and staff participate as we all know that "many hands make light work". (John Heywood)
If you want to participate, you just need to reach out and offer to volunteer. Anyone working with our students directly though will still need to complete the district process for getting approved to volunteer.
1. Every Friday throughout the year, PTO alternates selling "Books for a Buck" or "Friday Treats". Students look forward to these events and for $1 or less they get to choose an item of their choice.
2. Every second Monday of the month, PTO will be meeting in the Hedden Library. The next meeting is on Monday, February 12th from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
3. PTO Volunteers fill a big need by running our Scholastic Bookfair during conferences. Please consider signing up as a volunteer for part of the Bookfair happening March 13th, 14th, and 15th.
School Counselor Week is February 5th to the 9th. Shoutout to Ms. Peterman for all her amazing work supporting students, staff, and families!
With just over half the year down, Ms. Peterman has made deep and authentic relationships with the Hedden community. She continues to adjust and adapt to her new elementary setting, having worked most recently at the middle school level.
Kudos and thanks Ms. Peterman!
Hedden After School Activities for 2023-2024
Upcoming Events & Dates
Thursday, February 1st
- Hawks Choir Showcase
- In the Hedden Gym from 6:30 to 7:30
- Families of students in choir are invited to attend
Friday, February 2nd
- Fairness Recognition Assembly
- Families of students being honored received an invite
Monday, February 12th
- Hedden's PTO Meeting
- Hedden Library from 6:30 to 7:30
Friday, February 16th & 19th
- No School for all students
- Mid-Winter Break & Presidents Day
Monday, February 26th
- Fife School Board
- Hedden Presents
- 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Friday, March 1st
- Character Trait Assembly for Caring & Empathy
- Families of student being honored will receive invites
Saturday, March 2nd
- Surprise Lake Middle School Powwow
- See flyer above
- All are welcome
Wednesday, March 6th
- Early release for all students
- Hedden students released at 11:50
Sunday, March 10th
- Daylight Saving begins
- "Spring Forward" an hour
Monday, March 11th
- Hedden PTO Meeting
- Hedden Library from 6:30 to 7:30
Wednesday, March 13th
- Early release for all elementary students
- Hedden students dismissed at 11:50
Wednesday, March 13th to Friday March 15th
- Student-Led Conference
- Student must attend their conference to count toward attendance
Friday, March 29th
- Character Trait Assembly for Responsibility
- Families of student being honored will receive invites
Monday, April 1st through Friday April 5th
- No School for All Student
- Spring Break
Monday April 8th
- Hedden PTO Meeting
- Hedden Library from 6:30 to 7:30
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Our process for drop off and pick will continue to be the same as last year, though we have shifted our start and end times 10 minutes earlier to better help with families who have students at Discovery primary.
Morning Drop Off Tuesday - Friday, 8:55 to 9:10
NOTE: Mondays are 9:55 to 10:10
1. Pull to the most forward area in the fire lane along the sidewalk
2. Before exiting the vehicle, students should have bags ready
3. 3rd grade students will use the Main Office Entry
5. 4th & 5th grade students will use the Gymnasium Entry
6. Parents and family should stay in their vehicle
7. Please be considerate of others dropping off by keeping our line moving
Afternoon Pick Up, 3:20 to 3:30
1. Post your placard/hanger (get one from the office) on your rearview mirror to help match students to vehicles.
2. Pull to the most forward area in the fire lane along the sidewalk
3. Wait in the vehicle while your student(s) is called from the gym
4. Students should be able to enter the vehicle from the right side
5. Parents & families need to remain in their vehicle
NOTE: Students will be called as vehicles pull up, and will not be able to cross the parking lot.
Don Sims
Email: dsims@fifeschools.com
Website: http://hedden.fifeschools.com/
Location: 11313 8th Street East, Edgewood, WA, United States
Phone: 2535171500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeddenElementary
Twitter: @DSimsFife