Hamline Family Newsletter
September 20, 2021
A Note from Principal Reilly
The year is underway and I am happy to say it has been AMAZING to see our community back together again in full force. Students are so happy to be back in the building with their friends and the energy is exciting. I stood outside on Wednesday and watched children playing on the playground, laughing and just being kids. It was a joyous sound that reminded me of the importance of connection and togetherness.
The first month of school focuses on building strong classroom communities and setting rituals and routines. We are making sure to give time for students to explore and learn who they are and who their classmates are. Our school-wide focus right now is around Identity and teachers are creating lessons that support the question, "Who Am I?". Through art, poems, and other activities students are telling us who they are. In early November we will showcase student work and invite you, our community, in to see their creations around who they are.
I want to assure you that we are continuing to take the necessary precautions to maintain a safe environment. Thank you for how you have supported your children in wearing masks and keeping them home when needed. It has been rather remarkable how the children have adapted to wearing the masks and maintaining safety protocols.
We are in the process of handing out the new iPads. Please make sure to turn in the old iPads if you haven't done so. We will still be sending iPads home each night so that if needed, students are able to access work at home. There are also many ways students can use their iPads at home to support learning. If you are able to have your children read one of the many online books at home each night, it will do wonders.
We thank you for your patience and flexibility as we trying new ways to ensure safety. Our first day of dismissal was a little bumpy as we worked to maintain proper distancing and limited contract cross over between classes. We adjusted the system and it worked much better the second day. We know the process is a bit slower than a year without Covid but we are getting quicker every day.
Bus C is back up and running beginning 9/20, after the driver shortage cancelled this route. I can't thank our families on this route enough for your understanding and finding creative ways to get your children to school. We know this was a hardship and we are grateful.
If you have questions, concerns or ideas to share we want to hear them. Your perspectives matter to us and help us as we work to create a culturally responsive community for learning. Feel free to email me directly at Kristin.reilly@spps.org or call the office at 651-293-8715.
In Partnership,
Principal Reilly
Shana Tova!Rosh Hashanah is the first of the two main High Holy Days and celebrates the Jewish New Year. It is a time of inner renewal and divine atonement. We wish all of our Jewish families Shana Tova, which means a good, sweet new year. | Our Kinders are rocking the lunch routine! | Identity There are four social justice domains we will be covering this school year. They are Identity, Diversity, Justice and Action. Right now we are working on Identity as we get to know ourselves and one another. We will be holding a Showcase in November for students to show off their work to the community. All will be welcome to see the magnificance of Hamline Huskies. |
Shana Tova!
Rosh Hashanah is the first of the two main High Holy Days and celebrates the Jewish New Year. It is a time of inner renewal and divine atonement. We wish all of our Jewish families Shana Tova, which means a good, sweet new year.
Identity
Tree Trust: "Transforming Lives and Landscapes"A group of Hamline families and staff have been partnering with the Tree Trust Organization to create a landscape plan for Hamline. The Tree Trust Coordinator has guided our group through the planning of a school landscape plan, school-wide tree planting day, and maintenance of the planted tree. This week students will learn from the traveling exhibit, “Our Town Trees” which teaches them about the benefit of trees. On Friday Sept. 24th, all students will participate in tree planting around our school which gives them a hands-on learning experience while contributing to our community. You are welcome to join us for an end of the day celebration on Friday around 1:00. This will be held out on the field. More information with specifics will be sent this week. | School-Wide Competencies As we partner with you in developing 21st century leaders we are focusing on five areas that we want all Hamline students to have when they leave us for middle school. This year we will be aligning these competencies into our day as we support students to be Collaborators, Communicators, Creators, Critical Thinkers and Self and Community Aware. | Rituals and Routines We believe in the importance of having student voice within their communities. As we "assume nothing and teach everything" we use Y charts to have students talk about what it looks like, sounds like and feels like at school. Ms. Flood in second grade had her students work in groups to create their own Y charts which then led to the discussion of why we have rules and why all voices are important in creating them. |
Tree Trust: "Transforming Lives and Landscapes"
A group of Hamline families and staff have been partnering with the Tree Trust Organization to create a landscape plan for Hamline. The Tree Trust Coordinator has guided our group through the planning of a school landscape plan, school-wide tree planting day, and maintenance of the planted tree.
This week students will learn from the traveling exhibit, “Our Town Trees” which teaches them about the benefit of trees. On Friday Sept. 24th, all students will participate in tree planting around our school which gives them a hands-on learning experience while contributing to our community.
You are welcome to join us for an end of the day celebration on Friday around 1:00. This will be held out on the field. More information with specifics will be sent this week.
School-Wide Competencies
Rituals and Routines
Reading Partners Reading Partners is a program based out of Hamline that supports students in their reading achievement. We are proud to say that we have the largest group of volunteers at Hamline, many coming from across the street at Hamline University. Selected students, based upon reading needs, meet with trained volunteers twice a week. | Extended Day Learning(EDL) Our Extended Day for Learning will start the second week of October and will be on Mondays and Wednesday from 2:00-4:00. Students who sign up will participate in enriching learning opportunities. Students who ride buses will still ride a bus and will leave school at 3:45. Registration forms will be coming home this week in back packs as well as sent through email. Please make sure your email address is accurate so we don't miss anyone. | School Picture Day! Picture day is on Friday, October 1st/viernes,1 de octubre, 2021. Forms went home last week. You are also able to order pictures on line before Oct. 1st. Click on this link https://my.lifetouch.com/mylifetouch/#/portrait-store to order online. You can also send a check or money the day of pictures. Hamline is not be able to make change so if you send cash it will need to be exact amount. Re-takes are Nov 3. You can also go to mylifetouch.com and enter code EVTNDTFV7 |
Reading Partners
Extended Day Learning(EDL)
School Picture Day!
A Note from Lynnette Medcalf our School Social Worker
Lynnette
Office: 651-744-5588
Text: 612-568-3616
email: lynnette.medcalf@spps.org
A Note from Annette Nelson our School Counselor
Annette
651-744-8220
A Note from Abdoulaye Camara our Intervention Specialist
Hi Hamline students and families! My name is Mr. Camara and I am your Intervention Specialist for this year. I am excited to work with you and your families in order to build a strong community amongst the school and families. Growing up in St. Paul to parents who were immigrants gives me the opportunity to connect my experiences with our current students in a unique way. This year in our newsletter I want to speak on social issues that may or may not affect our school community but is important to know about. I want to be able to let our students know that their voices will be heard and that it is our job as educators to also be a voice. Students should feel connected and it is important to be bridge to our community. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime @abdoulaye.camara@spps.org. I look forward to working with you all!
iUpdate: All Parent/Guardians please complete an iUpdate for each student
We need you Hamline Families! Every free and reduced lunch form we get turned in provides money to our school. Even if you don't qualify for free and reduced lunch we need your form. Please take a moment to do this.
Updating your information in iUpdate will ensure that you receive proper services, eligible transportation and important communications by U.S. mail, phone, email or text. Families will receive phone calls and text message reminders to complete iUpdate. One parent or guardian from each primary household is expected to complete iUpdate. NOWUpdating your information August 20.
IUPDATE INSTRUCTIONS AND STEPS
Parents and guardians:
- Complete all, annually-required school and district forms including the Technology Use Agreement (for student iPad use), field trip and media permission forms.
- Add or change primary and/or alternative addresses to ensure accurate school-bus transportation to and from home and/or childcare addresses. Please complete iUpdate by September 1.
- Slideshow of the steps in iUpdate.
To begin, log in (BEGINNING ON THE FIRST MONDAY IN AUGUST EACH YEAR) to Campus Parent.
- Click Login.
- Enter your One Stop username and password.
- Click the link “CLICK BEGIN.”
If you DO NOT remember your One Stop Username and/or Password
- Online: Go to spps.org/onestop and click the Reset/Recover Password button. Please note: You must have your email address or phone number listed in your child’s school records.
If you DO NOT remember your One Stop Username and/or password.
- By Phone:
- Before August 12 call the One Stop Support Line at 651-744-5145.
- Beginning August 12 contact your child’s school. Directory (Use tabs at the bottom of directory to switch between elementary, middle, and high)
iUpdate is available August, making it possible for parents of students who join SPPS during the school year to complete required annual forms. However, parents are asked to complete iUpdate by September 1 each year or as soon as possible after joining the SPPS. Note: Only one parent or guardian in each primary household must complete iUpdate.
Assistance: Enrollment 651-632-3700 • Transportation: 651-696-9600 • EDL/Flipside 651-487-7386 • One Stop Technical Support 651-744-5145 or onestop@spps.org.
*If iUpdate has not been entered in the district system,
iPads can become significantly restricted.
Ways to Complete:
OPTION #1: PREFERRED! Complete Online.
- Open spps.org/onestop
- Click “Back to school iUpdate”
- Enter Username (g______)
- Enter Password
Need help?
- Guardians, contact a school office for Login Information. 651-293-8715
- Instructions for forms: https://www.spps.org/Page/31224
KEEP YOUR LOGIN INFORMATION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
OPTION #2: Complete Paper Packet available in OFFICE
Hamline to Hamline Collaboration
Our original programming of Tutor Program, Hand in Hand Mentor Program, Snelling Connection and Academic Pairings, continues to expand into one of a kind experiences for our students. This year our goal is to get every class on the campus, multiple times for differing learning outcomes.
We are also a learning lab for future teachers who come to Hamline for guided clinical experiences in reading and math. Starting this year the "Diversity in Education" course will be bringing teacher candidates to Hamline to support their learning around Restorative Justice practices. This supports our growth in this areas as well.
School-Based Mental Health Partnership
We are thrilled to partner with Change Inc. to provide school-based mental health services. Sharice Zaccardi is a licensed therapist and comes to our school two days per week to work with students who may be experiencing challenges due to family changes, the loss of a loved one, or other transitions or life events that can make things difficult.
If you would like more information about starting therapy services for your child please reach out to our School Social Worker, Lynnette Medcalf at Lynnette.medcalf@spps.org or School Counselor, Annette Nelson at Annette.nelson@spps.org.