Hawk News
April 2, 2020
Online Learning Resources
This week the Iowa Department of Education released a host of optional resources for families and educators to use as they support student learning during school closures due to COVID-19. The resources are available on the Iowa Department of Education’s website and include interactive games, virtual field trips, coding activities and e-books. This resource list is not exhaustive and will be reviewed and updated weekly with additional resources. Follow this link: Resources to Support Learning During COVID-19.
An additional website showcased on the news is located here: www.wideopenschools.org.
Hawk Staff
Mrs. Mireles
Greetings Hawk families! I miss seeing your smiling faces and gaining strength from your positive energy. Remember the days when you wish you could just sleep in? That time is here. I hope you are able to make the most of your together. I look forward to the day we can greet each other face-to-face and once again hold our “WELCOME BACK” sign!
My husband and I have taken the social distancing very seriously. We only go outside to get a little sunshine and walk on a daily basis. We’ve even spotted a few colleagues like Mrs. von Arb, Mrs. Foltz and Mrs. Wilcox. (Yes, we are social distancing ourselves) We stay virtually connected to our extended family, friends and colleagues with Zoom, Teams, e-mails, texts, FaceTime and phone calls. I enjoy creating short rhymes and sending them to our grandchildren, too!
This pandemic is part of our world history and something we’ve never experienced. I think it’s important to journal about our feelings and concentrate on self-care. I’ve maintained an active part of my Book Club by hosting the meeting and having book talks online. We often stop and donate to our local Pantry during our daily walk, and I’ve begun to sew masks for our local hospitals.
I hope you get some fresh air, connect to family and friends, exercise, remain positive and stay healthy! I’m sending a big virtual hug to all of you! ❤
Mrs. Mireles
Mrs. Hesse
Mrs. Wilcox
Hello my fellow Hanawalt Hawks! How I have missed the buzz of learning, the sounds of joy, and all the smiling faces that fill our wonderful school. It has been a busy few weeks for us as I am sure it has been for many of you. We are currently all working or learning from home and adjusting to our schedule. My husband works from the kitchen table while the rest of us float about trying to find comfy and focused spaces depending on our tasks. Last week I spent time learning about different ways we can communicate through technology. I tried my hand at Microsoft teams, Zoom, and FaceTime group chats. It has been awesome to be able to connect with family, friends, and colleagues all around while staying at a comfortable and safe distance.
Each morning I look forward to drinking my coffee in hopes of seeing the sunshine through the woods behind my home. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case lately, while it has been raining a lot, it has given me some time to catch up on reading. I was able to read some great fiction and nonfiction books and that has helped to challenge and transport my mind. I can’t wait to chat with others about the books I am reading. One of the books I read was, Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds. My son is reading it now and I have enjoyed discussing the complex characters with him. Have you read something wonderful lately? Who have you shared it with? It’s a joy of mine to share and discuss books, I hope you can find some time to do that as well.
My cat, Miss Wiggles, is trying to adjust to us always being here and continues to meow at the doorway. Maybe she always meowed at the doorway and we were just never here to hear it. As our lives have adjusted from hustling about from basketball, soccer, and baseball to walking or riding our bikes in the neighborhood, when the weather permits, we are enjoying and cherishing our time. As a family we have been trying new recipes, looking through family photos, cleaning and organizing our house, watching movies, creating with Legos, and playing board games. Apples to Apples, Monopoly, and Yahtzee at our house lately. Miss Wiggles continues to get in on all the action whether it is stealing our seats when we get up, sitting on our work, or attempting to occupy the table during board games. She sure is a silly cat! What activities has your family been up to?
This week we took part in the Des Moines Parks and Recreation challenge to Chalk Your Walk. My children created an obstacle course for others to do while they are out in about. It brings joy to my face to see all the families enjoying it and it is fun to see toddlers and adults getting into the sidewalk fun. I have seen some wonderful sidewalk creations around my neighborhood. Did your family participate in the challenge?
I look forward to the day when we are all back together at Hanawalt. Until then be safe, patient, kind, and stay eager to learn. I miss you all!
Mrs. Nordmeyer
Hello Hanawalt family!
Oh, how I miss seeing you all and hearing your thoughts every day! I am learning more about what I truly appreciate about life. For one, we live in an amazing city that is working together to show how much we care about our neighbors.
I spend part of my day learning new ideas about teaching. Mrs. Miller, Ms Roth, and I have been able to share throughout each day. Also, I exercise, read, play my piano, and spend some time outside. Every afternoon, it is so much fun when the neighborhood children all play outside in their own front yards at the same time so they can talk (Shout!) to each other. It is a lot like recess….no tag! Each day, I check in with my three sons (2 in Ames and 1 in Minneapolis), my mom, and my sister. Also, I have learned a lot about Mr. Nordmeyer’s job as he works and has many conference calls.
I continue to journal every day. It helps me process and problem solve when I record my thoughts and feelings about all the events in my life. My journal this year has a quote from The Wizard of Oz on the front: “You had the power all long, my dear.” It reminds me that we all have what it takes to face our challenges. Take a breath, believe in yourself, and remember you are not alone!
Mrs. Foltz
Hello all! I miss my Hanawalt family so much and I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy! Our family has been staying home and getting lots of reading, exercising and cleaning done! Every day Stella and I have been going on walks around the neighborhood to get some fresh air! We have been FaceTiming our family to keep in touch everyday. Julia is enjoying the extras snuggles now that her humans are home all the time now. I can’t wait to see everyone soon! :)
Miss Manning
Mrs. Carpenter
Upcoming Dates
Hanawalt Elementary
Email: jolene.liebl@dmschools.org
Website: hanawalt.dmschools.org
Location: 225 56th Street, Des Moines, IA, USA
Phone: 515-242-8411