Hathaway Happenings
March 15, 2024
Hathaway School Mission
#HappyHathaway
....Happiness is always at our door!
It was a wonderful week and we were fortunate to have wonderful weather this weekend, too! Let's count these as blessings!
Speaking of wonderful...This week's shout out goes to Patti Powell. This is only part of an email that I received from a parent of a student in her classroom. Awesome job, Patti!
"I just wanted to share a note to say how remarkable our year has been with Mrs. Powell. (Our son) has thrived and adored being in her class everyday. As a room parent, I know how busy and smart the bunch in 2p can be- which comes with constant energy and challenges. I have watched her manage the challenges with positivity, respect, clear boundaries, great humor, and the patience of a saint. She is never shaken and the kids trust in her leadership because she is so authentic with the class and clear about her expectations for them. I am in awe of watching her manage that bunch!"
Congratulations to Elizabeth Hoey! She was the winner of our Rock, Paper, Scissors competition! She managed to capture 7 necklaces to take home the trophy and the prizes! We hope you all had fun participating!
Our PLC's this week will feature Officer Will, our PHS SRO. I will be in a LETRS for Administrators training all day but will try to stop in for a few minutes to each PLC. Here is the agenda.
1. Officer Will, PHS SRO, will be meeting with teams during the first 20 minutes of PLC time. From Officer Will:
"In order to enhance overall emergency preparedness within the school setting, I've created discreet and user-friendly individual first aid kits. These kits include essential life-saving tools designed for quick deployment during emergencies, aiming to minimize injuries and save lives. Faculty members can acquire the necessary skills and techniques through a brief yet comprehensive 15-minute presentation, ensuring their proficiency in utilizing the kit in response to unforeseen situations."
2. Please read The Power of Collective Efficacy Article for April 5th PLC. A hard copy will be In your mailbox.
We had a successful fire drill this week. Thank you to our checkers for your quick responses. This week we will practice a Shelter in Place Drill. A shelter in place is an alert to a school community that movement outside of classrooms is being restricted for a brief period of time. It is typically used when a student or staff member is requiring some sort of attention (sometimes medical) and the school is trying to keep that area clear and/or protect that person’s privacy. If there were a serious safety concern the school would not issue a shelter in place. You will be notified via the intercom when the drill is complete.
Our Health Office is in need of all sizes of boys sweatpants and girl's leggings. All donations, gently used or new, will be greatly appreciated!
Be sure to check out this week's Energy Bus Tip, Failure or Opportunity. My favorite line - "The best is yet to come!"
Please note the following calendar events -
March 19th - Grades & IEP Progress Reports Due
March 20th - Family Portal Open
Hathaway will be going blue to celebrate World Autism Day on April 3rd. Find your something blue and show your support!
Reminders:
Please make sure to send Emily a completed Substitute Teacher Evaluation Report when you return to work after you are absent.
On April 2, the Intervention Team will be analyzing school writing data. To facilitate this, please make sure that your writing screening scores (Spelling Inventory, CBM Total Words Written, CBM Words Spelled Correctly) are part of your data sheet. You could create a new tab or add it to your literacy tab. If you need any support doing this, please reach out to the intervention team. Please make sure your scores are added by March 28.
Be sure to check out the Zumba announcement below. Thank you to Dee for leading this awesome event each week!
Don't forget! We have $14,000.00 left in Title I funds to help support our students with Tier 1 and Tier 2 RtI's. Here is the form. to sign up for a before or after school group sessions. This is a great opportunity to help close the gap and increase our achievement! So far we have three people who have signed up. Feel free to start your groups at your convenience.
As always, thank you for all that you do for each and every student and their family, each and every day! It takes a village and I am so grateful to be a part of this one!
Shout Outs
Want to celebrate a colleague? Complete this Shout Out Form and your compliment will appear in the next Hathaway Happenings! Let's celebrate our riders!
From Dr. Kenworthy - CDC Updates
Dear Members of the PSD Community,
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released updated Respiratory Virus Guidance which now includes COVID-19, the flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The full press release is copied below. In the Portsmouth School District, all health-related protocols link to CDC guidance. These updated guidelines will be used in the recommendations that our school nurses will provide as questions or situations arise.
CDC released today updated recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The new guidance brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, which can cause significant health impacts and strain on hospitals and health care workers. CDC is making updates to the recommendations now because the U.S. is seeing far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID, and RSV.
“Today’s announcement reflects the progress we have made in protecting against severe illness from COVID-19,” said CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen. “However, we still must use the common sense solutions we know work to protect ourselves and others from serious illness from respiratory viruses—this includes vaccination, treatment, and staying home when we get sick.”
As part of the guidance, CDC provides active recommendations on core prevention steps and strategies:
Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.
When people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends that they stay home and away from others. For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness. The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication.
Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next 5 days to curb disease spread, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses. Enhanced precautions are especially important to protect those most at risk for severe illness, including those over 65 and people with weakened immune systems. CDC’s updated guidance reflects how the circumstances around COVID-19 in particular have changed. While it remains a threat, today it is far less likely to cause severe illness because of widespread immunity and improved tools to prevent and treat the disease. Importantly, states and countries that have already adjusted recommended isolation times have not seen increased hospitalizations or deaths related to COVID-19.
While every respiratory virus does not act the same, adopting a unified approach to limiting disease spread makes recommendations easier to follow and thus more likely to be adopted and does not rely on individuals to test for illness, a practice that data indicates is uneven.
“The bottom line is that when people follow these actionable recommendations to avoid getting sick, and to protect themselves and others if they do get sick, it will help limit the spread of respiratory viruses, and that will mean fewer people who experience severe illness,” National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Director Dr. Demetre Daskalakis said. “That includes taking enhanced precautions that can help protect people who are at higher risk for getting seriously ill.”
The updated guidance also includes specific sections with additional considerations for people who are at higher risk of severe illness from respiratory viruses, including people who are immunocompromised, people with disabilities, people who are or were recently pregnant, young children, and older adults. Respiratory viruses remain a public health threat. CDC will continue to focus efforts on ensuring the public has the information and tools to lower their risk or respiratory illness by protecting themselves, families, and communities.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
1. What is The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)? FFVP is a federally assisted program providing free fresh fruits and vegetables to children at eligible elementary schools during the school day. The goal of the FFVP is to introduce children to fresh fruits and vegetables, to include new and different varieties, and to increase overall acceptance and consumption of fresh, unprocessed produce among children. The FFVP also encourages healthier school environments by promoting nutrition education.
When will the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program be offered? We will begin during Wellness Week on Tuesday, March 5th and Wednesday, March 6th. FFVP will be offered on both Tuesdays & Wednesdays weekly in the classrooms. (The exception to this is that on Wednesdays the snacks will be offered in health classes.) Individually packaged fruits and vegetables will be delivered to your classroom and we ask that you provide a time to have students sample and share a fact or two about the food. This could easily be snack time! A fact sheet will be provided for you and you are welcome to try the tasty treat as well. This will occur weekly through the end of the school year.
What about allergies and families who opt out? You will be provided with a list of students with allergies and a list of any families that opt out.
How will families know what student will be served? A menu will be sent home monthly and posted on the school's website.
Week of the Young Child, May 28th - May 31st
Terrific Tuesday
* We’ll make instruments, play instruments, and dance and sing! Please send in paper towel tubes, paper plates, empty plastic bottles, or ribbon if you are able to.
*We’ll have a fun picnic snack outside!
Work Together Wednesday
*We’ll be outside with all of our kindergarten friends having fun with a bounce house, blowing bubbles, drawing with chalk, hula hooping, etc.
Thankful Thursday
*Parade around Hathway in celebration of our kindergarten students. Parade will begin at 2:00. Parents are welcome to line the streets to cheer us on. Please do not gather on the Hathaway property as that is where our 1-4 students will be gathering to cheer their K friends on. Children may bring instruments from home if they wish.
Fun Friday
*Show and tell. Children may bring in a small item to share with their class.
* This will be our rain date for the parade. Time TBD.
Wellness Wednesday Zumba Time!
Winter Chill has arrived,
So Wellness Wednesdays
are moving inside for a
Zumba Dance Party
Beginning January 10th
Gym @ 3:45 - 4:30
Hope to see you there!
The Energy Bus Award
The Energy Bus
I spent the last two days at spring training, speaking to the Colorado Rockies. Whenever I speak to baseball players, I am reminded that failure happens often in baseball. In fact, many call baseball a game of failure because even a Hall of Famer will fail to get a hit 2 out of 3 times. Most players will fail to get a hit 3 out of 4 times. A pitcher will give up hits and home runs and fielders will make errors. Yes, baseball is a game where you fail often, but when speaking to the players and coaches, I offered a different perspective.
I said, "I don't believe baseball is a game of failure. I believe it's a game of opportunity!"
No matter what happened on the last play, pitch, or at bat, you get the opportunity to make the next one great. In the words of Babe Ruth, "Every strike brings me closer to the next home run."
It's the same way with life. Anyone pursuing anything worthwhile will fail and fail often. I certainly have failed many times, but when I look back, I realize I wasn't failing. I was growing. I wasn't failing. I was becoming.
I've learned that you can dwell on the past or look forward to making the next opportunity great. You can see life as a game of failure or opportunity. How you see it has a huge impact on your mindset, attitude, energy and the results you produce in the future!
The Best is Yet to Come!
- Jon
Abound Parenting
Our goal this year is to increase parent participation with the Abound app. Last year 73 families signed up. This is 30.3% of our families - not too shabby! Per month, on average, 20-23 families regularly used the app. With that in mind, we are trying to encourage sign up as well as using the parent check up portion. As discussed during PLC's, please encourage sign up, usage, and utilizing the parent check up with your families.
Link to Abound Training (for new teachers)
Short Video explaining the Features
Sample Parent Benchmark Check In
Principal School Wide Read Aloud
1. Create a Positive Vision - Please consider having students create a picture of a goal for the week, month, year, etc.
2. Fuel Your Ride with Positive Energy - I asked all students to think of a success from their days in school - one thing that made them smile and feel great - and share that with someone at home. Remind them that they have the power to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. Smiles, laughter, gratitude, faith and positive beliefs and thoughts are all it takes!
3. No Bullies Allowed - We continue to encourage our students to be kind and support one another. Ignore or confront bullies and ask for help when needed.
4. Love Your Passengers - Encourage them to show kindness and love to others.
5. Enjoy the Ride - Need I say more?
Here are some resources to use in the classroom should you choose to do so. In addition, if you would like a copy of the book for your classroom, please let me know and we will purchase one for you! We will be providing a laminated copy of the five rules for you in the near future!
Website - The Energy Bus for Kids
Energy Bus Journal for Kids - filled with lots of great ideas!
Elementary Professional Timeline
Safety Care
Safety Care is an approach to assist escalated students and students experiencing crisis situations. One major difference between Safety Care and CPI is how the program directly teaches staff strategies to aid in de-escalation in addition to the physical management techniques. Safety Care is a curriculum that truly focuses on being proactive rather than reactive.
This link will lead you to a short video further explaining the Safety Care program. Click here!
At Hathaway, we have several Safety Care teams that respond to crisis situations. You may be wondering when it is time to call for support. If you find yourself in one of the following situations, it would be time to call the office to receive Safety Care support.
You have tried all the skills in your tool box to de-escalate a student and they are becoming further agitated and are further escalating (verbally or physically)
You feel as if the student has escalated to an unsafe level and you are concerned about that student's safety or the safety of others.
A student becomes physically aggressive to adults or other students
A student elopes
As we fully transition to this new system, there are a few important things to remember.
PSD will not be using CPI techniques and methods.
If you are not trained in Safety Care, you are not permitted to try any of the procedures.
Partially trained staff should not attempt using Safety Care until you have finished the full training.
When in crisis situations, the responding Safety Care team will begin to take the lead of the situation using approved protocol.
Safety Care team leader will communicate with the classroom teacher to collaborate on who will be contacting parents/guardians. Team leader may complete a summary form for the classroom teacher should they not have a chance to speak with them directly.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Safety Care, please feel free to contact me.
Best,
Victoria Travis
Substitute Protocol
Here is a Template for Substitute Plans that you can use and the directions on how to Upload Sub Plans to Frontline/Aesop as a PDF. In addition, please "Share" your plans with the new Google Sub Account: Hatsub@portsmouthschoolsri.org. Subs can use the following username/password for the TVs/Google Account: Username: Hatsub. Password: happyhathaway. If you have your own template that you would like to utilize that is fine as long as it has all of the information needed.
Please complete this form on the day you return and give to Emily.
This information can be found in the Hathaway Quick Guide.
Information Overload
PLC Schedule
3/19 - (Lisa @ LETRS for Administrators PD)
PLC TIme -
1. Officer Will, PHS SRO, will be meeting with teams during the first 15 minutes of PLC time. From Officer Will:
"In order to enhance overall emergency preparedness within the school setting, I've created discreet and user-friendly individual first aid kits. These kits include essential life-saving tools designed for quick deployment during emergencies, aiming to minimize injuries and save lives. Faculty members can acquire the necessary skills and techniques through a brief yet comprehensive 15-minute presentation, ensuring their proficiency in utilizing the kit in response to unforeseen situations."
2. Please read The Power of Collective Efficacy Article for April 5th PLC.
3/26 - RICAS Training with Sarah and Vanessa (Grades 3 and 4)
4/5 (Note Date Change Due to PD) - Collective Efficacy work - please bring article
Important Dates
Important Dates
2023-2024
March 19th - Grades & IEP Progress Reports Due
March 20th - Family Portal Open
March 27th - PMS Art & Music Fest
March 29th– Good Friday (No school)
April 2nd– Staff PD Day (No School for Students)
April 4th - Arts for Life Day
April 10th - 3rd Grade Enrichment Chorus Concert, 4:00 PM
April 15th-19th– Spring Recess (No School)
April 29th - May 3rd - Reading Week
April 30th - Spring Picture Day
May 20th - 31st - EOY Assessment Window
May 20th - KW Musical, 9:15 AM and 4H Music Recital
May 21st - KM Musical, 9:15 AM and 4G Music Recital
May 23rd - KS Musical, 9:15 AM and 4P Music Recital
May 24th - KG Musical, 9:15 AM and 4S music Recital
May 27th – Memorial Day (No School)
May 28th - Hearing Screening
May 28th - 31st - Week of the Young Child
May 31st - Grade 4 State House Field Trip
June 3rd - Data Sheets Due
June 4th - Class Placement Day, 2-3 and 3-4
June 6th - Class Placement Day, 1-2 and K-1
June 13th - MADD Science, Up, Up & Away
Show Breakdown: 9:15 - 10:15 K-2 and 10:30 - 11:30 3-4
June 17th - Last Day of School
Howard Hathaway Elementary School
Email: littlel@portsmouthschoolsri.org
Website: https://www.portsmouthschoolsri.org/Domain/10
Location: 53 Tallman Avenue, Portsmouth, RI, USA
Phone: (401)683-0500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hathaway.principal/
Twitter: @HathawaySchool