HES Parent & Family Newsletter
Weekly Update - Friday, March 8th
What's happening at Houston Elementary School
Reminder to Kindergarten Families- No School Friday, March 15th
Spring Conferences Update
Spring Conference Sign-Up Update: Your Patience is Appreciated!
Apologies for the delay in Spring Conference sign-ups. We anticipate having them available to you early this week. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we finalize arrangements for the conferences. Thank you for your cooperation.
Hurricane F.O.R.C.E. Positive Office Referrals
Connections and Relationships-Positive Office Referrals March 4-8th
Our Hurricane F.O.R.C.E. positive office referral of the week students of the week were nominated by our K-3 grade teachers. Thank you to all of our dedicated staff for reinforcing respect, responsibility, safety, community, and kindness in their classrooms.
Students of the week:
- Linnea F. (Grade K)- Nominated by Mrs. Weisbrod for her positive attitude and always trying her best.
- Meadow M. (Grade 2)- Nominated by Mrs. Martin for including others and demonstrating leadership in her classroom and around school.
- Jase G. (Grade 2)- Nominated by Ms. Jergenson for being helpful to her and his classmates during art.
- Case J. (Grade 1)- Nominated by Ms. Reinert for his positive energy and always trying his best in class.
.Students thank you for Strengthening the Hurricane F.O.R.C.E. at Houston Elementary School
Connections & Relationships- March Theme
As we venture into the month of March, we embark on a journey to explore emotions that make up the colorful spectrum of human experience. On Wednesday, we invite our students to join us in becoming "Feeling Detectives" as we focus on spotting and understanding our emotions. Our theme for this month's exploration is appropriately named: "Rainbow of Emotions."
Spotlight on the Red Spot: Anger
Have you noticed the red spot of anger this week? Anger is a natural emotion that everyone experiences, yet it can be challenging to navigate, especially for young minds. However, it's essential to remember that adults struggle with managing anger too. Today, we shed light on understanding and managing this powerful emotion.
Tips for Managing Anger:
- Take a Pause: When you feel anger bubbling up, take a moment to pause. Counting to 10 or taking deep breaths can help to calm the initial surge of emotion.
- Step Back: Sometimes, the best response to anger is to step away from the situation. Walking away or taking a break allows for a chance to cool down before addressing the issue.
- Wait to Respond: Instead of reacting impulsively in the heat of the moment, practice waiting until the intensity of the emotion subsides. This allows you to respond thoughtfully and positively, showing up as your best self.
Together, We Grow: Continuous Improvement
At Houston Elementary School, we believe in fostering connections and building strong relationships within our school community. By understanding and managing our emotions, we create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.
As we continue our journey through March, let's embrace the full spectrum of emotions, knowing that each one contributes to our growth and understanding.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in our mission for continuous improvement.
Read Across America Week
Read Across America Week
As Read Across America Week comes to a close, we want to extend our sincerest gratitude to all the parents who generously volunteered their time to come in and read to our students. Your presence and enthusiasm have truly made this week unforgettable!
We also want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated classroom teachers for their tireless efforts in making Read Across America Week a resounding success. Through their creativity, passion, and commitment to excellence, they have brought the magic of literature to life for our students.
Connecting to Our Pillars for Continuous Improvement: At Houston Elementary School, we are committed to continuous improvement, and Read Across America Week exemplifies this commitment. By providing students with engaging literacy experiences, we strive to enhance their reading skills and foster a lifelong love of learning.
Embracing Partnerships: Read Across America Week would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our parent volunteers. Your partnership strengthens our school community and enriches the educational experiences of our students. Together, we are building a foundation for success that extends beyond the classroom walls.
Promoting Real-World Learning: Through the power of storytelling, Read Across America Week offers students the opportunity to explore new worlds, learn valuable lessons, and expand their horizons. By connecting literature to real-world experiences, we are preparing our students to become thoughtful, empathetic, and engaged citizens of the world.
As we reflect on this week's celebrations, let us carry forward the spirit of Read Across America in our daily lives. Whether it's reading together as a family, volunteering in the community, or continuing to support literacy initiatives, let us remain committed to nurturing a love of reading in every child.
Once again, thank you to all our parents and teachers for making Read Across America Week such a memorable and enriching experience for our students. Your dedication and enthusiasm inspire us all.
Enrichment Update: A Tangle of Knots Showcase & First Grade Book Tasting!
We're thrilled to share not one, but two exciting updates from our Enrichment Program!
In the 6th-grade WIN (What I Need) group, students recently completed their journey through the captivating pages of A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff, showcasing their creativity and ingenuity through various projects inspired by the book.
But that's not all! In Mrs. Merchlewitz's Reading Enrichment class, our first-grade students embarked on a delightful adventure known as a "book tasting." What exactly is a book tasting, you ask?
A book tasting is an opportunity for students to practice getting to know a book in order to determine if it's a good fit for their reading level and interests. It's a fun and engaging way for young readers to explore new books and discover the joy of reading. As Mrs. Merchlewitz puts it, "It's easy to judge a book by its cover, but learning how to pick books that are just right is important!"
Both initiatives underscore our commitment to fostering a love for literature and providing enriching experiences that spark curiosity and imagination.
We're immensely proud of our students' achievements and the dedication they've shown in their respective Enrichment classes. As always, we're grateful for your continued support in nurturing our students' growth and fostering a lifelong love for learning.
Partnership & Real-World Learning-Book Club
Kindergarten Open House
What's for Lunch?
Lunch Menu March 11th-15th
Tuesday, March 12th- Sloppy Joe on a Bun
Wednesday, March 13th- General Tso's Chicken
Thursday, March 14th-Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Friday, March 15th- Cheese Bosco Stick
Alternative lunch option this week: Turkey Munchable
All school lunches are served with vegetable and fruit options as well as milk.
P.E. Corner
Student Achievement- Information & Resources
- Curious about what's happening in PE, check out Mr. Hoskins Facebook page for more information.
- Some exciting highlights about a new drumming unit are post to the Houston Facebook page as well.
SRP (Standard Response Protocol)
Standard Response Protocol
We completed our initial SECURE drill on Wednesday, November 1st. We gathered in the gym after the drill and talked about reasons we would need to be secure in the building.
Our upcoming scheduled drills will be
- Secure Drill- 3/4/24. We had an unplanned Secure drill when we had to exit the playground when the weather changed suddenly outside.
- Fire Drill- 03/26/24
- Spring Tornado Drill
Where do I drop off and pick up my student?
Important Information
Important Dates & Information
Winter Gear reminder above (The Magic 5 keep students warm: coat, hat, gloves, boots, and snowpants).
Cost of Milk at Afternoon Milk Break- 3rd Quarter $20.25 payment due January 23rd, this can be paid online in your Infinite Campus portal account, under Fees: 23-24 3rd Quarter milk. This does not get entered into their lunch account. 4th Quarter $17.55
March 10 - Daylight Savings Begins, Remember to set your clocks ahead 1 hour!
Friday, March 15th: Kindergarten Open House - Current kindergarten students will not have school this day (due to the Open House) Hurricane Watch will not be available as the elementary school will remain in session for grades 1-6.
March 25 & 26 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - Details to come.
March 28 - April 2 - Easter/Spring Break - Hurricane Watch will be available except Good Friday.
April 26 - Professional Development Day - NO SCHOOL - HW will be available
May 27 - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
May 30 - Last Day of School - Half Day
Please check the school website calendar for more information as well as other events/opportunities.
Links and Additional Resources
School Website, Handbook & Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Go to Website > Schools > Houston Elementary
Houston Elementary School Student/Parent Handbook
Infinite Campus Parent Portal - you will use this year to complete your student's registration & use Campus Payments to pay fees