HES HEADLINES!
HOPEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Week of February 18th
Hippity Hop Hooray!
We hope everyone was able to relax and enjoy the long President's Day Weekend!
This past week we had lots of love and fun with our Valentine's Day celebrations. Thank you everyone for making it a special day for all students, buddy classes, and families.
Thank you to Wendy Heiser, Alyssa Salvitty, Dana Pontani, and Kathryn Dauer for all of their hard work with the lovely 1st Grade Valentine's Day performance. Please see below for a few action shots.
Thank you to Ryan Stingel for bringing in the Kind Minds Assemblies to our school and helping our students identify their emotions.
Thank you to CHEER for the fun "Secret Valentine" week and the CHEER Valentine Breakfast. It was great seeing the staff come together throughout the week!
Special thank you to Bob Dispoto for always being our eyes and ears in and around our building. Last Thursday, February 15th, was National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day. Please stop by to thank him for his efforts at HES!
Lastly, please help us give a big HES birthday celebration to the following staff members on their upcoming special day:
- February 27th - Wendy Heiser
- February 28th - Kristin McConkey
5th Grade & PEECH
5th Grade & PEECH
1st Grade Staff Working Hard
Ms. Salvitty Getting a Special Note
Even Freddy Received a Valentine
Kind Minds Assembly
New ELA Program
HVRSD has exciting news to share with everyone. After working with the ELA committee all through last year, observing classes, reviewing our current curriculum, and analyzing the data, we are now ready to find a new program to help our students continue to grow as strong readers and writers.
With the new 2023 NJSLS for ELA, now is the time to begin this process. We will start with three grades next year then the other three grades the following year. The order of which grades we’ll start with is not decided as we need input with this process from all of you. Once the review process began, it was important to consider what best fits HVRSD. Here are some of the characteristics that were considered:
Grounded with the Science of Reading/Writing
Aligned to 2023 NJSLS ELA
Offers differentiation for all students (MLL, Special Ed, G&T)
Supports all elements of Scarborough’s Reading Rope and Sedita’s Writing Rope
Diverse, equitable, culturally responsive materials
Formative and summative assessments
Authentic contemporary and classic authors
Writing that develops foundational skills and authentic voice
Supports knowledge building
Works with our Science/Social Studies topics
Will compliment the foundational skills taught through Fundations/Heggerty in K-3
Works with Linkit to track student growth
Using Ed Reports as a guide, we looked at eight different programs, and as as result, we have narrowed the decision to two programs to consider (each of the links will take you to log in access for preview):
Wit and Wisdom by Great Minds
Into Reading by HMH
To determine the program that best fits our needs, we need your input.
On March 13, 2024 during our afternoon professional development, all teachers will have the opportunity to hear more about each program, ask questions, and engage with the company representatives. Following the presentations, you will be asked to rate the programs and give your feedback. If teachers are interested in piloting one or both programs, we will be looking for volunteers to try out the products this Spring. While this is voluntary, we are hopeful that teachers will be interested so we can use the information to make an informed decision. Once we’ve chosen a program,
Estimated Timeline:
Feb/March: Previewing products
March 13: Presentations from representatives of both programs and feedback from staff
End of March: Preparing for pilot with PD
April/May: Begin Pilots
June: Selecting a Program and Preparing for September
24-25 School Year: Consistent PD for the grade levels who will implement Year One
25-26 School Year: Adjusting Units from Year One, Consistent PD for the grade levels who will implement Year Two
Once we determine the program, we plan to roll it out over two years with intense professional development to unpack the units and the target standards we are teaching. We still want input from staff to determine the path forward, so I want to reiterate that your voice is important to the process.
Reach out to Amy Baskin with any questions you may have.
Lend a Helping Hand for HES Family
As some of you may be aware, HES5SPED and HES2MDMD family members were involved in a tragic car accident earlier this month. While the family has told us that their mother and grandmother are going to be okay, we felt that we could come together #TheHopewellWay by providing a Meal Train and/or collect funds to purchase a gift cards to local restaurants. Every little bit helps. Thank you as always!
NEA Retirement Program Visit
NEA retirement program overview day, Thursday, February 22nd from 10:30AM-12:30PM in the faculty lounge. Stop down to see Paul Siouk, our retirement specialist, about the many benefits, services and discounts offered by the NEA.
Staff Read Alouds - Book Fair
Last year, we had such a great time seeing all the kids enjoy the Read Alouds during the fair and we hope you did too! We would love to have that extra special event during the fair again, this year, so we have sent along the sign up link below if anyone would like to join us in the afternoon/evening. We know you already give so much of your time to our kids so please don't feel obligated to sign up but if it's something you'd be interested in doing, we would love to see you there! We're hoping to have everyone who wants to do it, please sign up ASAP. Thanks for all your time and support! Jill & Lena
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080544A9AC2DA5FF2-47744222-staff
HVRSD Faculty Musicale is Back!
Ms. Pontani is looking to recruit the talented staff of HES!! Sign up on the link below!
Would anyone be interested in joining forces and collaborating on a piece for the Faculty Musicale? Please say yes!!!! The more, the merrier - and better!! Freddy can join, too - and even be the centerpiece!
At our last Musicale, maybe ten or so of us sang a song together with a little umbrella "dance". It was pretty awesome, and we were all coming together with different singing comfort levels - lip-syncing was included. Please consider joining! It will be fun, and it's always amazing to see all the talented and amazing staff from our district.
Sign up here if interested - please be interested!
CounSELor Comments
We hope that the groundhog was honest about how quickly spring will come! If you would like to extend your Character Strong practice to the playground, take a look at these fun activities centered around honesty: Honesty Playground Activities
Consider starting off your PLC this week with one of these Staff Relational Activities. Be honest in your responses and create deeper connections with your colleagues. As always, please let me know if you need any support – with CS implementation or other SEL concerns!
Yearbook Update
Draft Class Page
As we continue to craft the 2023-2024 Hopewell Elementary School yearbook we kindly ask all homeroom teachers to review the sample copy of your class yearbook page in your mailbox. Please know this is a rough draft and we will work to correct issues as there may be several.
After reviewing, please note on your draft class page the following:
- Missing students and or staff (we hope to add paraprofessionals who support a particular homeroom throughout the entire day to their respective classes soon)
- Incorrect spelling of names
- Any students who are no longer enrolled in your class (who will need to be removed)
If there are no corrections that need to be made, please note that on your draft copy as well.
Once you have reviewed your draft copy please place it in Mike's mailbox by Friday, March 1st.
Yearbook Photo Dump:
Friendly reminder to add photos of your homeroom to the Google Drive linked here.
HVEF Spring Fling Luncheon
Join the Hopewell Valley Education Foundation for their Spring Fling Luncheon on Sunday, March 24th, from 11-3:00PM. View the flyer for registration information.
PTO Discretionary Fund Allocation
REMINDER FROM PTO: The HES PTO has allocated money to teachers, to help offset some of your classroom expenses. You should have received a letter at the end of September/beginning of October. Remember, all forms and receipts must be received by April 30, 2024. Please utilize this great resource!
Odds & Ends - The Help You Need!
Don't forget, we are lucky to have Mithul Murrali from CHS here from 12:15 - 2:00PM every Tuesday. If you have any jobs like cutting, making copies, taking down and putting up bulletin boards, sorting supplies, sharpening pencils, etc., you can fill out a form, located in the front office and submit it to Molly or Kimberly. Thank you!
CHEER - News & Updates
Reminder - Don't forget to sign up for Friday morning breakfast. Sign-up sheet is in the Front Office.
Dues - You will find info about CHEER dues in your mailboxes. While we have suggested prices on the form in your mailbox, we would be happy to receive any contributions. Thank you!
If you'd like to join CHEER, please let a representative know!
Important Links
- HES Bell Schedule 2023-2024
- HES Map & Room Assignments
- HES Master Schedule & Other Schedules
- HES New Dismissal Waiver Form for Families (FYI Only)
- HES Staff Listings 2023-2024
- HVRSD District Calendar 2023-2024
- HVRSD Educational Technology Shared Drive
- HVRSD Elementary Curriculum Corner
- HVRSD Human Resources Newsletter
- Latest Faculty Meeting's Slides
- Latest Principal's Cabinet Meeting Minutes
- School Counselor Lesson Schedule 2023-2024
- Yearbook Photo Dump
Save the Date
- February 19th - Schools/Offices Closed - President's Day
- February 20th - Principal's Cabinet Meeting (3:45PM)
- February 21st - Student Council Meeting (8:05AM)
- February 22nd - NEA Retirement Program Rep Visit (Faculty Lounge 10:30AM-12:30PM); Watershed Enviroscape Presentation (4th Grade)
- February 26th - Faculty Meeting (3:45PM)
- February 29th - HES Celebrates L.E.A.P. Day (schedule to follow); Green Team Meeting (8:00AM)
- March 1st - HES Book Fair Setup & Class Preview
- March 4-6th - HES Book Fair; Read Across America Week
- March 7th - Hopewell Valley Night Off; Read Across America Week
- March 8th - Trimester 2 ends, PTO Meeting (8:45AM); Read Across America Week