Hope Valley School News
December 18, 2015
Calendar of Events
December
12/24-1/3 - Winter Break
January
1/5 - School Store
1/11 - Hope Valley Site Council 5 pm
1/11 - PTO 6:30
1/14 - Early Release - PM Pre K attends
1/18 - Martin L King - No School
1/19 - School Store
1/26 - Bank Day (more to follow)
New School Update Information
A Special Morning Routine...Check it out!
Each morning we have 4th grade students come to the office and say the pledge of allegiance and school pledge over the intercom for the school. Next week is Royce's turn to do this. This will be done a little different with Royce. You see Royce is a deaf student who moved to Hope Valley and joined our school this year. Below is a link of Royce and Luke doing the morning routine on video for the school. Check it out. It is quite impressive. We’ve gotten lots of positive feedback from many staff members. Video is embedded below.
Spanish Songs...A Must See Video!!!
On Friday, Ms. D'Agostino's second grade class spread some holiday cheer by caroling in Spanish to kindergarten, and fourth grade classes. They sang the song "Feliz Navidad" with verses in both English and Spanish. The students practiced with Ms. D'Agostino and Sra. Carpenter and did an amazing job! Take a look at the video of the students singing. Next week, Mrs. Mello's class will be caroling to grades 1 and 3. The video is embedded below.
Pajama Drive with Ms. D'Agostino's Class
Ms. D'Agostino's class was part of the annual Scholastic Reading Club Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive benefitting Pajama Program, a nonprofit organization that provides new pajamas and books to children in need—especially those living in group homes, shelters, foster care, and orphanages. Since 2009, caring classrooms like Ms. D's across the country have risen to the challenge and donated nearly 350,000 pairs of new pajamas. The Scholastic Reading Club has more than matched those numbers with nearly 700,000 new books donated directly to Pajama Program headquarters, where they are then distributed across the country by Pajama Program. ms. D's class was part of this drive so they could help make a better bedtime for these children. Together we helped the Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive reach even more kids! Thank you all to those that contributed. See picture of Ms. D's class below.
Geo-Bee and Spelling Bee
The National Geographic Bee was held in grade four on December 11th. Twenty-three students participated. Eight students reached the final round. They were Collin, Aimee, Ian, Jules, Megan, Calvin, Elena, and Luke (all pictured below). Megan was the ultimate winner, Calvin was the first runner-up, and Luke, Aimee, and Ian all tied for 3rd place. Congratulations to all! Megan is studying for an online test that she will take in January. If she passes that round she will be invited to Rhode Island's National Geographic State Bee on April 1st. Stay tuned for news of Megan's journey. In the meantime, you can test your geography knowledge at www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee
Megan was also this years Spelling Bee winner and Arianna was the runner up. Great job girls! What a week for Megan. Two contests and two wins. Congratulations!!!
PARCC Message from Assistant Superintendent
You are invited to attend a PARCC Parent Information Evening on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 6:30 PM in the Chariho Middle School Library. Mrs. Daly, the Assistant Superintendent, will help you interpret your child’s scores and share sample test items and available parent resources. Please go to the following link to RSVP: http://goo.gl/forms/x6H4FdpXE9
PARCC Data Informational Night for Hope Valley
At the December 14 PTO meeting I went over our Hope Valley Data and how we compared to Chariho as well as the state. There were not many people so I'd like to schedule an evening presentation after Assistant Superintendent Jane Daly presents focusing just on our school. I'll send out more information on a date and time for mid to late January.
Holiday Bazaar
Our Holiday Bazaar was last week. Overall it went well especially having the shop right at the school. We did experience some issues however. Children came to school with a certain amount of money but what they wanted to buy was much more than what they had. Also, some children came with no money and we tried to accommodate. We assisted as best as we could; however, the final tally may show that we took a loss on the Holiday Bazaar. We never try to make money on the bazaar but we hope to break even. This has been 2 years in a row. We discussed options for next year and one option was possibly having it on a Saturday where parents can come bring children.
Spanish Update
Kindergarten: Students are still working on numbers and colors. We have also begun learning body parts. Mrs. Abbott's class has earned 10 stars in class for great behavior and teamwork, so as a treat, we created a snowman together and labeled it! Check out the pictures of this fun team-building activity below! It is hanging in the Spanish bulletin board near the cafeteria for all to see. Mrs. Koukas' class needs one more star and then they will be doing this activity as well.
Grade 1: Students are finishing up numbers from 0-20, but they should continue to practice at home! We are also working on shapes - circle, oval, rectangle, square, and triangle. Their teachers have been traveling the world with them to see how holidays are celebrated in different places. In our Tertulia, Spanish morning meeting, we will discuss Christmas in Mexico and Las Posadas.
Grade 2: Students are learning shapes and will be starting on family members soon. Both classes have earned 10 stars for great behavior and teamwork. As our special treat, we are going caroling to the other classrooms! We will be singing Feliz Navidad.
Grades 3 and 4: Students are finishing up shapes and we will be starting on family members after vacation. We have done some interesting activities in class, including learning to sing Feliz Navidad and Jingle Bells (Cascabel) in Spanish and learning the hand-clapping game Chocolate. During Tertulia, Spanish morning meeting, we have been practicing scripted conversations as well as learning questions and phrases that we use regularly in class so that we can start to say them in Spanish such as "Can I get a drink?".
-Sra. Carpenter
Hope Valley Family Night at Fenway Park
Once again, we have the opportunity to purchase Boston Red Sox tickets at a discounted price. We had a very successful turnout last year. Transportation will be on your own or consider car pooling with friends. A form will be coming home after the new year. When you get the form please send it in as soon as possible to secure tickets. This year I ordered 130 tickets. Last year we had people on a waiting list after 114 tickets.
Morning Routine Video
Feliz Navidad Video
Geo-Bee Finalists
Spelling Bee
Pajama Drive with Ms. D's Class
Spanish Pictures
Save the Date for 4th Graders
Other Key Information
Assessment Policy
At the October 27th School Committee meeting a new policy dealing with our Comprehensive Assessment System was approved. The policy details the roll of assessment in the instructional cycle. It also speaks to the need to minimize and strategically use assessment results. Finally, the policy communicates the expectation that all students participate in all assessments (including state assessments), unless a medical waiver has been obtained. You will find the policy at http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/sites/default/files/policy/comprehensive_assessment_system.pdf.
Note from the Special Education Dept
The special education department would like to welcome parents and community members to attend our Local Advisory Committee (LAC) Meetings. Meetings will be January 21st, March 17th, and May 19th. Meetings are held in the Chariho Middle School Library starting at 6:00pm. The purpose of our LAC meetings is for parents, teachers, administrators, and community members to meet together to discuss special education related topics and to advocate for students with disabilities. If you have questions about an upcoming LAC meeting, please feel free to contact Michele Laurent, the LAC Chairperson, and the LAC board at: LAC@chariho.k12.ri.us
You can find information related to the Chariho Special Education Department through the Chariho District webpage: http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us – just click on the District Information link and then click the Special Education link.
Key Information
Please contact me at ggen@chariho.k12.ri.us if you have any questions or concerns. To receive weekly email updates I encourage you to sign-up for the Hope Valley list- serve. Follow the steps on the district webpage at www.chariho.k12.ri.us. (Click on the newsletters link on the far right and then follow the steps.)
Twitter and Webpage
Please follow me on Twitter for school updates and events @JoeGencarelli1. Please do not forget the number 1. Also, you will be able to find a ton of information on the Hope Valley webpage at www.chariho.k12.ri.us/hv.
Dismissal/Pick-Up Notes
We are going to try a new routine this year. Please use the dismissal/pick-up note that came home with your student this week. Keep the extras around for future use. Fill it out accordingly and return it to school. You can find the dismissal note on the Hope Valley webpage if you need to make additional copies. You can find this at: www.chariho.k12.ri.us/sites/default/files/hv_student_dismissal_note_3_per_page.pdf
School Hours for the 2015-2016 School Year
School hours are from 8:35 until 3:25. Office hours are from 7:30-3:30.
Peanut Free Classrooms
ALL classrooms are designated as nut & peanut-free. We have multiple students at varying grade levels with severe allergies to peanuts. Foods that “contain,” “may contain,” or are “manufactured on shared equipment” will not be permitted as snacks. However, students may bring in a lunch that contains peanuts or nuts.
Background Check
All volunteers in the Chariho School District must have an annual background check prior to volunteering. There is no cost for this. Please go to the Central Office with a picture ID and fill out a volunteer form. It takes a few weeks to return. Or you can go to the Attorney General’s Office in Providence and get it done right there and then.
Lunch
There are 2 options to pay for lunch:
- There is a website where you can pay for and keep track of your child's lunch account. The site is www.myschoolbucks.com. You will need your child's school code, which you can get by contacting Fran Sayer at sayer-frances@aramark.com or (401) 552-7078. Please visit http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/MyNutriKidsInfo for more information. There is also an app for your smartphone or tablet. You can pay for meals, check balances, and view purchases from anywhere. It is safe and secure.
- If the student is paying with cash or check when buying hot lunch, please send lunch money to school in an envelope or Ziploc bag with the student’s name, teachers name (i.e. KA, 1H, 2D, 3F, 4R). This will be placed in a classroom bucket and brought to the office. Checks can be made out to the “Chariho Regional School District.”
If you need further information, please contact Fran Sayer at sayer-frances@aramark.com or (401) 552-7078. Chariho is keeping accounts accurately updated and I wanted to send a courtesy memo to keep you informed.
Attendance Matters!
Our goal this year is to ensure that every student attends school regularly and on-time. I cannot stress this enough. Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through high school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and on-time. Attendance is so important for success in school and in life. We realize some absences are unavoidable due to health problems or other circumstances. But, we also know that when students miss too much school or are tardy often (regardless of the reason) can cause them to fall behind academically. Your child is less likely to succeed if he or she is chronically absent or tardy—which means missing 18 or more days over the course of an entire school year. Chariho policy states that tardies and early dismissals count towards your child’s attendance. Research shows:
- Children chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
- By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk for dropping out of school.
- By 9th grade good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th grade test scores.
Absences and tardies can add up quickly. A child is chronically absent if he or she misses just two days every month!!
Child Outreach Screenings
Child Outreach is a FREE Service offered to ALL Children 3 to 5 years old by your local school district in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Education. Rhode Island Department of Education recommends each child be screened annually.
Chariho Child Outreach has the following Screening dates available
Please call to set up your appointment at 401-364-1160
**January 21, 2016
February 3, 2016
February 10, 2016
**February 25, 2016
March 9, 2016
March 16, 2016
** March 24, 2016
April 5, 2016
**April 7, 2016
April 13, 2016
May 26, 2016
June 1, 2016
** Evening Screening
About Hope Valley Elementary School...visit our website below
The mission of the Hope Valley Elementary School is to work in partnership with our colleagues, students and families. We are committed to creating a learning environment where children are expected to achieve their full potential.
Email: ggen@chariho.k12.ri.us
Website: www.chariho.k12.ri.us/hv
Location: 15 Thelma Drive, Hope Valley, RI, United States
Phone: 401-539-2321
Twitter: @JoeGencarelli1