Bauer Bits
March 8, 2024
From the Principal's Desk
This may be one of the more unique topics I've ever navigated in a newsletter. During my time as an educator I have seen patterns that lead me to believe that understanding this topic is vital to the overall health of our school and families - the impact of technology on dopamine pathways.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a crucial role in how we feel pleasure and reward. It is released in response to various activities like eating, exercising, or socializing. However, technology can also trigger the release of dopamine, but in a different way. When individuals engage with technology, such as social media or video games, the brain releases dopamine in a quick and intense manner. This type of dopamine release is often referred to as "cheap dopamine" because it provides instant gratification without the effort or time required for other activities that release dopamine in a healthier way.
By constantly seeking out this quick dopamine boost from technology, individuals may inadvertently weaken the dopamine pathways that are responsible for other essential behaviors. Over time, this can lead to decreased motivation, focus, and overall well-being. In school, this may manifest as an inability to complete or maintain engagement in more demanding tasks or higher order thinking.
As educators, we design lessons with specific learning targets. It is typical during a unit of study for teachers to begin a unit developing baseline knowledge around a given topic, and then by the end of that unit to ask students to apply this knowledge in various ways. Bloom's taxonomy has verbs which correlate with behaviors/actions. At the lowest levels of Bloom's, students may be asked to define, describe, label, or list while at the highest levels teachers might ask students to design, invent, produce or develop. Comparing these verbs, you will understand that the depth of knowledge required to perform at these levels varies greatly. Additionally, if students lack the ability to focus and sustain engagement, it will be difficult to build baseline knowledge, which then makes moving into more challenging tasks which require application of knowledge more difficult, or impossible.
What can be done about this? To counteract the effects of "cheap dopamine," it is important to encourage activities that promote the release of dopamine in a healthy and sustainable manner. This can include spending time outdoors, engaging in physical exercise, pursuing hobbies, or simply connecting with loved ones face-to-face. By being mindful of how technology affects dopamine pathways, we can work together to foster a balanced and healthy relationship with technology for our children.
Feel free to do further research so that you are well informed about the seemingly harmless, but extremely powerful opportunities we are presenting our children with when we give them access to technology. As always, striking a healthy balance is the key!
Mark Your Calendar
- Monday, March 11th: BPC Meeting - 7:30pm
- Friday, March 15th: Early Release - 12:15pm
- Monday, March 18th: Bauer Skating Party - 6:15 - 8:15pm
- Saturday, March 23rd: Bauer Boys' Night - 5:00 - 8:00pm
- Wednesday, March 27th: No Tutoring
- Thursday, March 28th - Friday, April 5th: Spring Break!!!
Please check the HPS Student Calendar for early release dates and breaks for the 2023-24 school year! You can also check out the 2024-2025 student calendar here.
March is Reading Month
Here are some reminders for March is Reading Month! Join the fun as the count down to Spring Break takes place!
Friday, March 8th: Flashlight reading - TODAY!
Monday, March 11th: Wear a shirt you can read
Monday, March 18th: Blackout Day (No technology)
Thursday, March 21st: Down Syndrome Awareness Day - Wear crazy or mismatched socks
Friday, March 22nd: Read in forts
Monday, March 25th: Western Day
Tuesday, March 26th: Denim & Plaid Day
Wednesday, March 27th: PJ Day and Read N Feed
Bauer Parent Club News
Boys’ Night Out Tickets on Sale
Bauer Boys’ Night Out will be Saturday, March 23 at Craig’s Cruisers from 5-8 PM. Students may bring one special adult guest of their choosing. Tickets are $5/person (guest AND student) and this will include a pizza buffet dinner. Tickets will be on sale now through March 20 — please don’t wait to grab your tickets! (No ticket sales at the door.) Please purchase your tickets here. (Click on filter > category filter > Bauer Elementary > Boys Night Out.)
Volunteer Opportunity: Boys’ Night Out
Bauer parents - we need a few extra hands to help our Boys' Night Out event run smoothly on Saturday, March 23. The event runs 5-8 and we are asking for a few folks to help register attendees as they arrive and a few more to "float" for the first and second halves of the event. Sign up HERE - thank you for your willingness to help!
Bauer Parent Club Meeting
Please join us NEXT WEEK, Monday, March 11th at 7:30 PM in the Bauer Library. We’ll be joined by special guests Doug VanderJagt, Superintendent at Hudsonville Public Schools, and a member of our HPS school board. Dr. VanderJagt will be discussing the May 7th non-homestead vote and answering any questions you may have. We hope to see you there!
Spring Gift Card Drive
Want to check some gifts off your list AND give back to Bauer? Through our Spring Gift Card Drive with RaiseRight, you can purchase gift cards and retailers will donate 2-16% back to the school. There are over 750 retailers to choose from – truly something for everyone! Our Spring Gift Card Drive will run Monday 3/11 through Friday 3/22. You can order physical gift cards and pick up them at Bauer. Gift cards are perfect for: Teachers, Bus drivers, Coaches, Babysitters, Graduations, Weddings, and Mother’s/Father’s Day. Information on how to place orders can be found here.
Save the Date for Skate!
How lucky are we?? Join us for our last skating party of the year on Monday, March 18th from 6:15 - 8:15 PM at Tarry Hall in Grandville! While this is an event for Bauer families, all minors in attendance must be under direct adult supervision. Admission is $7 for all skaters (no cost for spectators). Rentals are $3 for rollerblades or roller skates.
5/6 Georgetown PTC Needs YOU
Calling all parents of current 4th and 5th grade students: 5/6 Georgetown PTC is looking for people interested in joining the 5/6 PTC Board for the 24/25 school year to keep the momentum going! President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer positions will be open, as will the Amazing Race committee chairperson position. Please reach out with questions or interest via 5/6 Georgetown PTC Facebook page or via email at 56gptc@gmail.com.
WHO YA GONNA CALL?
Have you ever needed goods or services and wished you had a directory of Bauer families and alumni that you could go to first? The Bauer Parent Club feels the same! The BPC has created a directory to house Bauer family businesses, trades and vendors. Participants will be responsible for maintaining up-to-date information and we hope this will be a handy tool to connect and support Bauer families. If you would like to be represented in the directory, follow this direct link. Please contact the parent club at bauerparentclub@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
BPC on the ‘Gram
We’re trying to add a social media presence over on Instagram as it’s a preferred platform for many. Since we’re concerned with elementary age kiddos and the internet is a complete jungle – our IG account will be private. (Just like our Facebook group page, you will need to request to follow.) Thanks for following along!
Mary Poppins the Musical
Join us for a show too supercalifragilistic to miss. This musical features a cast of 77 HPS students. Come see our actors literally SOAR through this unforgettable performance. Buy your tickets today!
Thursday, March 14 at 7:00pm
Friday, March 15 at 7:00pm
Saturday, March 16 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, March 17 at 2:00pm
2024-25 PK/Kindergarten Registration
2024-2025 school year PK/Kindergarten enrollment link is open!
To be eligible for pre-kindergarten or kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year, children must be five years of age on or before December 1, 2024.
Attendance
If your student will not be attending school due to illness or other reasons, please call the office at 616--669-6824 or email ehuizen@hpseagles.net AND apalmbo@hpseagles.net BEFORE 9:00 am. Students who are not called in by a parent/guardian will be marked with an unexcused absence.
If your student will be late, arriving after 8:45 am, please call the office at 616-669-6824 in the morning.
If your student will be late and needs a hot lunch, please let us know when you call. Hot lunch needs to be ordered by 10 am.
COVID Tests
Free at home COVID tests are available in the office.
Drop Off Procedures
If you are dropping your child off in the mornings we ask that you are mindful of a few details. When dropping students, please use the entire straightaway. We are having issues with folks stopping too soon and this creates a less efficient drop off. When you are allowed to pull forward, please pull all the way up to the grassy area at the end of the straightaway. The drop off area extends from this grassy area all the way back to the paper gator. Even our youngest students are capable of walking this short distance to the south building doors. Please have them exit your vehicle and head straight to the sidewalk to make their way into the building. Additionally, we close the doors at 8:45 sharp. If you arrive at 8:45 or later, please send your child in through the front/office doors by the flagpole.
Your attention to these details will make things more efficient so THANK YOU in advance!
Volunteer/Visitor Policy
The HPS criminal background check is required for all school volunteers. In order to complete this request, we ask that you fill out this volunteer form at least 48 hours prior to volunteering. Once your request is submitted, all Volunteer status updates (Approval, Denial or Limited Access Approval) will be sent directly to the building you have selected to volunteer in.
The Hudsonville Public School District has the right to approve or deny your request if your background check does not meet the standards of HPS Board Policy.
If you have any questions regarding the Volunteer Background Check process, please contact our Human Resources Department at 616-669-1740 or by emailing our office at eagles@hpseagles.net.