What's Happening??!!
~ Hawley School Newsletter: May 17, 2020 ~
From the Desk of Mr. Moretti.....
Dear Hawley Parents/Guardians, Teachers, and Staff,
I hope that all of you and your families remain healthy, safe, and well. Again, a few nice days in a row. They were needed, it was great to get outside.
Please reach out to me with any question or need that you may have. It is not a bother!
Buckle up, keep your hands and feet in the car at all times, and stay seated as you read on to find out What's Happening at Hawley .......
Social Media
At this time, there are no set plans for next year. I am not sure what school will look like but after State Guidelines are presented, we will develop protocols for Newtown Public Schools and for Hawley School.
It is also still unclear how we will end the year, say good-bye, and celebrate. However, we have begun having these discussions and are working on plans.
Unfortunately, when people turn to Social Media for answers, what they will get is someone else's view of what that person thinks is happening and why. Others will then join in, most likely complaining, condemning and blaming. This is all inaccurate, biased, angry information from people who do not truly know what is going on. It is a waste of energy.
Every decision has a tremendous amount of thinking behind it. A situation must be viewed from a wider angle (seeing how it affects everyone) v. a personal lens (how does it affect me).
If you hear something that worries you or does not seem right to you, or if you have a question or a concern, my suggestion would be to contact me. I am someone who will have the answer as well as the reasons behind the decision. If I do not have an answer (that is because there must not be one yet), however, I will share with you the information that I have at the moment.
If you email me (morettic@newtown.k12.ct.us), I will be more than happy to give you a call. You will then be in the know and perhaps, when out there in social media land, can share accurate information.
My $.02
Student Work (same information as last week but always a worthy look ;0)
Special Education Teachers: If your child receives special education services or intervention support, those providers will also send out work. All staff is to coordinate workload as to not overwhelm. Be sure that you know which work your child is responsible for as in most cases, they Do NOT do both.
Special Area Teachers (Art, Library, Music, PE, Spanish), our Counselor, and Special Education Related Service Providers (Speech & Language, Psychologist, Occupational and Physical Therapies) are also sending work. In grades K-1 it will be included in the Classroom Teachers information. Grades 2-4, it will be in their own classroom.
**VERY IMPORTANT**
Although the building is closed, school is occurring. Students must be doing work. Video instructions, Live Meetings, and Small Group/Independent Support continues to increase as should student independence. It is vital that students and parents remain in contact with the teacher and visa versa. My job is to follow up wherever communication breaks down.
To help, we have tutorials for Google Classroom and Seesaw on our Website in the new Digital Resources Link:
( https://sites.google.com/newtown.k12.ct.us/npsdigitalresources/home )
Video Messages, Recorded Instruction/Modeling, Virtual Meetings, Small Group and/or Support Instructional Sessions has started and will be increasing. Teachers are also going to begin collecting certain assignments each week that will be used for grading purposes. We will guide and assist in every way that we can, but I repeat, certain work assignments are going to be collected and needed to be turned in. If work is not received, the teacher will reach out to see what assistance is needed, followed by me or Mrs. Connors.
Please let us know if you and your child is struggling to complete work
as we will find ways to assist.
~ Information from our Psychologist ~
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I created a short series of presentations for your viewing.
I have always found the book How to Talk So Kids Will Learn and Listen So Kids Will Talk very valuable. While we are all stuck at home, I thought sharing this wealth of information would be helpful to you as it has been to me.
This is part one of the book and I’ll send a few more. As always, let me know if you have any questions. Click HERE for the presentation.
Amanda Perna, M.S.Ed.
Nationally Certified School Psychologist
Student Belongings
Hawely Parade
As soon as we know how, where, and when, I will certainly let you know. My guess is early June. STAY TUNED.......
~ Story Time With Mr. Moretti ~
I am loving reading and sharing the Mr. Men library book series that I used to read to my boys when they were little. From what you have shared, the kids are enjoying them too (AND you are enjoying a little free time ;0)~
Feel free to play one each day (you can binge but know I reference days of the week). Again, this helps me connect to the kids, and they get to see me. Continue to send messages or pictures of the kids enjoying the stories, they brighten my day!
PLEASE NOTE: Only 4 stories this week as I was out of the building in an all day meeting on Friday and Only 4 next week for Memorial Day (can always watch a re-run).
Monday: Story 36
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PvNyf7pLWY1ck567FBAbCOdNDwGCTISq/view
Tuesday: Story 37
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1opxF2JntqKIVlneYkBoIJVfe7fqyY4ke/view
Wednesday: Story 38
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tyNoWADbCWpdlM3pubY6aRb7FXUQsI7s/view
Thursday: Story 39
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Y8i1uYOjUbmoq5SBEU387ws65EKsXyb/view
Friday:
Quiet Friday for Professional Development and Meetings
Devices
We will continue to work with families to provide devices as needed. If a situation arises where a device is needed, email me and your teacher. Someone will then reach out to you and set up an appointment to pick one up at Hawley.
If you are having difficulties with a device that we have given you, please contact your teacher and be very specific in describing the issues you are having (I can't open a link or get timed out v. nothing works). Our Tech Department will then begin trying to fix the problem.
Students in Grades K-1 will receive an ipad with students in grades 2-4 receiving chromebooks.
~ K Registration 2020-2021 ~
You can call the main number and leave a message for more information (203-426-7666) or go to our school website. Here is the link (https://haw.newtown.k12.ct.us/)
Important Reminders / General Info
- If your child wants to send me an email (through your email address), I would love it ;0) and will reply.
- There is a terrific resource on our school website, it is entitled DISTANCE LEARNING RESOURCES. It includes tutorials and links to web-based materials (books and videos). It will continuously be updated as resources become available. This is a great site for extra work (REINFORCEMENT / PRACTICE / ENRICHMENT). The link is (https://sites.google.com/newtown.k12.ct.us/npsdigitalresources/home)
It goes without saying that no videos or audio recordings of staff should end up on social media or shared with other people. Discussions of other students or sharing of their work is not appropriate. Let's be role-models.
Reach out to me with any question or need that you may have.
Everyone is doing a terrific job!!
Breathe: we are in this together.
Dates to Remember
- TBD: Hawley Parade!!!
- Tuesday, June 16: Progress Reports Available via the Parent Portal
- Tues, June 16: Tentative Last Day of School (?)
Funny Bones .....
What do you think?
Follow Us On Twitter
*For us to use your child's likeness, we need your permission. Permission must be granted annually via the ParentPortal.
Twitter: @hawley_school
The Hawley School Website
Chris Moretti
Email: morettic@newtown.k12.ct.us
Website: http://newtown.hawley.schooldesk.net/
Location: 29 Church Hill Road, Newtown, CT, United States
Phone: (203) 426-7666
Twitter: @cmoretti66