Hope Happenings
October 2019
From the principal's desk...
Super Homework Support
Making homework an important part of life at home will show your youngster that her education matters. Letting her work independently will also send the message that you believe in her. Consider these strategies.
Provide backup Allow your youngster to work on her own, but tell her you’re available if she needs you. Say she’s confused about the directions for an assignment. You could encourage her to reread them slowly or maybe read them aloud to her. If she’s not sure how to approach a math problem, you might look at similar problems together in her textbook.
Give feedback Point out to your child what she’s doing well—you’ll inspire her to repeat the behavior in the future. For instance, if you notice she started a long-term project the day it was assigned, you could say, “Nice move! Now you have plenty of time to come up with good ideas and do your best.”
Show interest Glance over finished homework so you know it’s done and your youngster knows you care. Also, look at returned assignments. She might proudly share a nice comment her teacher wrote on her essay. Or if a paper has spelling errors, ask how she can avoid the same problem next time, perhaps by looking up unfamiliar words in a dictionary.
Source: Resource for Educators
Positive Office Referrals
District Attendance Policy
1. It is the expectation that a phone call by a parent/guardian will be made to the school on the day the student is absent.
2. A reasonable attempt will be made by the school to contact the parent/guardian of any student that is absent (if a parent/guardian phone call is not received.)
3. If contact with the parent/guardian is not made within 24 hours, the absence will be recorded as unexcused.
4. Students absent from school/class will be considered excused for the following reasons (proper documentation is required):
Illness/injury
Doctor/Dentist appointments
Court appearance
School sponsored activities
College visits (grade 12 students only)
Religious observance
Extenuating personal/family circumstances with administrator approval
5. Parent phone calls for student illness will be marked as excused up to 3 times per quarter, per student (at the middle/high school level) or 4 times per trimester (at the elementary level). Additional absences require medical documentation to be considered excused.
6. Chronic absences may result in referral to truancy court by the School Resource Officer (truant officer).
7. Students on suspension (in-school or out of school) are not considered unexcused absent.
News from our school psychologist...
Anger Management
Every time an adult expresses their own anger in a positive way, it provides children with a lesson in anger management. Children need to learn safe limits of their behavior for the safety of themselves and others. They also need to know that their feelings are understood and validated. It is important to let children know that anger is a feeling and it is okay to get angry. Although it is okay to feel angry, it is never okay to hurt yourself or others or damage property when you are angry. When your child is angry validate their feelings by saying,”I can see you are angry” or “it sounds like you are angry”. Both adults and children have a difficult time thinking clearly when they are angry. Therefore encourage your child to use calming strategies such as taking a deep breathe, counting slowly, taking a break or doing something relaxing like drawing or listening to music. Tell your child, “We can talk when you are calm”. Once the child is calmer, allow them to express and explain the reason for the anger. Then help the child brainstorm ideas to help solve the problem. Help the child examine options by asking “What might happen if you do that”? Allow your child to have a say in the solution if possible. Remember that children learn how to behave from role modeling and from what they see and hear.
Reference: A Volcano In My Tummy: Handling Anger. By Elaine Whitehouse and Warwick Pudney.
Mrs. Schiappa
School Psychologist, MA, CAGS
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
During the month of October students will participate in activities to educate all children and raise awareness about bullying. Hope School will participate in Unity Day on October 23rd by wearing orange, together against bullying and united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion. Students will also have the opportunity to take a pledge against bullying and will be given a certificate for doing so.
**Parents are encouraged to contact Hope teachers or Ms. Morel directly with any concerns related to bullying. Your child's safety and well being is a top priority for all Hope staff members. Educated students, parents, and staff members, as well as open communication and solution-focused intent is key to combating bullying!
Stop & Shop A+ Rewards Program
Nurse's Corner
Health classes with Mrs. Domenico, the school nurse, began the week of Sept 9th. The students are off to a great start and are eager to learn. The children in K-2 have learned about eye health. They began vision screenings, and have learned how to prevent eye illnesses and injury. Last week’s class was fun and enjoyed by all. The topic was head lice. The children learned what they are, how they may feel if they have them, prevention and treatment. After learning about head lice, the kindergarten and first graders received coloring books about head lice and second grade listened to Mrs. Domenico read Bugs in My Hair?! by Catherine Stier.
This month, the children will learn about germs. They will learn what they are, how they are spread, how to prevent getting or spreading them and what to do if they become sick.
Community Flu Clinic
Tuesday, Oct 22, 2019, 04:00 PM
Hope Elementary School, North Road, Hope, RI, USA
Parents Are Reminded That School Doors Are Locked Promptly at 8:45 a.m.
After-School Care at Hope School
We are excited to announce that Springboard Education of America will be providing after-school programs at Hope Elementary Schools this year.
The details are below, but the programs will start at 3:00 pm after school and will run until 6:00 pm each evening. The Springboard programs offer the following benefits:
- Academic Enrichment: Springboard’s programs will feature academic enrichment sessions that focus on STEM, the Arts and Reading. In addition, the programs provide homework support.
- Engaging Activities: Springboard programs are both fun and educational with a focus on skills in leadership, empathy, communication, and teamwork.
- Flexible Scheduling: We offer various scheduling options to fit families’ busy lives. Students can join programs for up to five days per week before school, after school or both. Programs run from:
- 3:00-6:00 pm, after school
Any questions contact Angelica Reyes at AReyes@springboardkids.com
Scituate School Committee News
Upcoming Dates
10/11 Professional Development Day - No School
10/14 Columbus Day - No School
10/20 PTA Trunk or Treat
10/22 Community Flu Clinic