Hope Valley School News
February 12, 2016
Calendar of Events
February 2016
2/15-2/19 – WINTER BREAK
2/22 - PTO 6:30
2/23 - Bank day 8:20 am in café/gym
2/29 - Leap Year
March 2016
3/1 - School Store
3/8 - Bank day 8:20 café/gym
3/14 - Site Council 5:00
3/14 - PTO 6:30
3/15 - School Store
3/17 - Early Release Day - PM pre-K attends
3/22 - Bank day 8:20 café/gym
3/25 - No school – Good Friday
3/31 - Dental Screening
April 2016
4/1 - Geography Bee
4/1-4/2 - ARTESSY Weekend
New School Update Information
Matty Hatty Dance-A-Thon
Matty Hatty Day was a huge success. A huge thank you to Mrs. Ward (the director), Mr. Bliven (the choreographer), and Mrs. Pastore (the video editor). The students and staff had a blast showcasing their hats and dancing. Check out the video on our Hope Valley Webpage at http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/hv_videos.
Spanish Update
Please check out the following link to see a 1 minute video clip of our wonderful Spanish program. This video can also be found on our Hope Valley Webpage at http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/hv_videos.
Yearbook Information
Yearbooks are on sale for $20! ($25 includes school photo and personalization). Yearbook ads are still on sale and are due soon ($5 per line)! It's a great way to send a personalized message to your child! The messages are due by March 1st. Anyone needing a flyer or if you have questions please email Leah.Sousa@Hotmail.com.
American History Tid-Bit by Mrs. Foggo
Are you thinking about President's Day on Monday? President's Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday each February. Originally established in 1885, in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the federal government. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln, President's Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. Presidents past and present.
In addition, have you been following any of the presidential debates? If you use this link: http://www.mountvernon.org/campaign2016/
you can see George Washington during the debates with some of our candidates. What is your opinion? Would you vote for George Washington for President?
Use the link soon. It may not stay up too long after President's Day.
If you would like to share your opinion about George's chances of being elected again as our President, submit a well thought out lengthy paragraph to Mrs. Foggo by 9:00 AM on Wednesday, February 24th in the History Box. Use a main idea, several supporting details, and a closing statement. Make sure you cite evidence from the videos. Good luck!
Instrument Night for 4th Graders
Bronx Zoo Trip
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
**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