Hallinan Elementary
Hawk Squawk 12/10/20
Principal's Message
Dear Hallinan Families,
At Hallinan we believe in creating a sense of belonging and inclusion for all students and families. As part of our mission, teachers are intentional about including literature in their lessons that accomplish two purposes: being a mirror and a window.
Lessons that are mirrors help students to see themselves reflected in literature and curriculum, which is an essential part of making all students included, heard and valued. These lessons will include topics and ideas that represent various cultures, communities and groups. Lessons that are windows provide our students an opportunity to view into someone else’s experience, lifestyle, culture and perspective.
As we prepare our students to be citizens of the world, we want to equip them with four crucial skills: communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Students will acquire these necessary skills when they interact with and learn about diverse ideas and cultures through books and discussion in their classes.
Thank you for supporting our educators as they provide an equitable and well-rounded education to our students. To learn more about the value of Windows and Mirrors, please watch the following TED Talks:
The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child's Bookshelf | Grace Lin | TEDxNatick
Mirrors, Windows, & Sliding Doors | Akhand Dugar | TEDxMountainViewHighSchool
Thank you so much for being part of our awesome learning community. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me.
Melissa Griffiths
Save These Dates!
12/11 - Look for Zoom link for Library Lunch Break (K-2)
12/14 - Library Lunch Break for K-2 Students
12/16 - Look for Zoom link for HAL Hangouts on 12/18
12/18 - HAL Hangouts K-2 11:30 am to 12 pm
12/18 - HAL Hangouts 3-5 12 to 12:30 pm
12/21-1/1 - Winter Break - No School
1/4 - School Resumes
Spelling Bee
Grades 4-5 Scripps National Spelling Bee Competition (Optional)
Scripps National Spelling Bee has developed an online testing platform that will allow Hallinan to host an online school Spelling Bee for interested fourth and fifth-grade students in January. In the coming weeks we will be working with classroom teachers to develop a plan for hosting this annual event.
Our school champion will then move on to represent Hallinan in the Regional Spelling Bee which also will also include online tests in lieu of in-person spelling bee events. More information on how to register for the online competition will be coming soon. In the meantime, we have a few resources that students can use to prepare and study for the event. If you are interested in these resources, please contact our TAG Coordinator, Josh Ernst at ernstj@loswego.k12.or.us.
Geography Bee
Unfortunately, the organizers of the Geography Bee have cancelled the event for this school year. More information is available at this link.
Counseling Corner with Ms E
Library News
Mrs Landau is offering Library Lunch Break for K-2 students on Mondays from 12 to 12:30 pm. Students may eat their lunch while enjoying stories read by Mrs Landau or a guest reader. The next Library Lunch Break is on Monday, December 14. We'll send out the zoom link information Friday, December 4.
Online Check Out and Curbside Pick-up will start in January. If you have any Hallinan Library books that need to be returned, please bring them to Hallinan, Monday through Friday between 8 am and 3:30 pm. There will be a drop off box under the canopy near the main entrance for your convenience.
Hallinan Gives Back!
Last year, our Hallinan community came together to provide coats and shoes for 72 children at our buddy school, Alder Elementary in Gresham. We invite you to participate this year in our December Gift Card Drive. Our gift cards will go to purchase coats, shoes and toys for our friends at Alder Elementary whose community is really suffering. There are THREE ways to give:
Donate using the Hallinan PTO Venmo account: @Hallinan-Treasurer. Simply specify “Alder Elementary” and the PTO will purchase a gift card on your behalf.
Donate through the directory by going hallinanpto.membershiptoolkit.com and donate using the tab “Alder Elementary Donations”.
Purchase your own gift card and drop off to the school office or into our Alder Drop Box during school hours.
Unable to donate? No problem. We welcome handmade cards from our Hallinan kids with messages of love to our Alder friends. Cards can be left in the same place as gift cards.
PLEASE HAVE ALL DONATIONS MADE OR DROPPED BY FRIDAY DECEMBER 11.iReady Info Sessions Recordings
LOSD partnered with iReady to host information sessions for parents and guardians of students in grades K-8 to learn more about the diagnostic assessments being piloted by LOSD this year.
Recordings of the information sessions are posted on the district website under Teaching & Learning Assessments and Intervention Pilots. Visit the site to learn more about iReady.
The iReady Diagnostic can help teachers determine what students already know and what they still need to learn so we can plan how to teach them best. This fall, and two additional times later in the school year, LOSD students in grades K-8 will be participating in iReady math and reading diagnostic assessments.
Add Grab and Go Meal info
We're bringing you outside today to see the progress of the Outdoor Classroom - I'm taking a photo on the walkway leading from the Innovation Lab to the Outdoor Classroom. Although you can't see it, the Garden is on my left. This amazing space will provide new and creative learning opportunities for our students.
Office Contact Information
Office Phone: 503-534-2353
Principal Melissa Griffiths - griffitm@loswego.k12.or.us
Secretary Lee Gates - gatesl@loswego.k12.or.us
Secretary Linda Stevens - stevensl@loswego.k12.or.us