Capitol Hill Headliner
Friday, March 19, 2021
Message from Principal Hodges
Hello!
I hope you all are doing well! We have a few updates this week!
- Elementary: If you want to switch between VLS or in-person please contact the Student Placement Center 651-632-3760 or spc@spps.org. This is now taking place on a rolling basis and you no longer need to wait until a quarter break to switch. Note: It may not be possible to accommodate your request, and some requests may take one to two weeks to accommodate.
- Elementary: Please find the elementary school conference sign up here
- Middle School: Please find the middle school conference sign up here
- Elementary and Middle School: For 3rd-8th Graders - Please fill out this form regarding the MCA's
This week we have exciting content in our newsletter!
- PTO Update
- Travel Guidance for Students and Families
- MCA Update
- 1,000,000 Page Reading Challenge!
- COVID Testing
- Middle School Conferences
- MITY
- Discovery Club Summer Programming
- Office Updates
Feel free to contact me with any questions at andrew.hodges@spps.org or 612-398-9579.
PTO Updates
Appreciation Lunch for Capitol Hill Teacher & Staff
Let's show teachers and staff our appreciation by providing box lunches from a local restaurant during Spring Conferences on Mar 23 and 25.
The goal is $750, and the PTO will match that amount. If more is collected, we'll add dessert!
Please make your donation by Sunday, MARCH 21.
https://gofund.me/68e059c5
Silent Auction - Seeking Donations in March!
Join Capitol Hill families in a spring fundraiser to benefit classroom libraries.
Let's welcome all students back in Fall 2021 with amazing new books that reflect the diversity of our school community!
How can you help?
Mar 8 - 31 --> Donate an item or virtual event. https://sites.google.com/view/capitolhill2021auction/home
Apr 21 - 30 --> Bid on items
Volunteer - E-mail libbystarling@comcast.net to help solicit donations or plan a virtual community gathering to close the auction.
Travel Guidance for Students & Families
Spring break is April 5-9. Unnecessary travel is highly discouraged. If you must travel, do what you can to protect yourself and your family.
Before you decide to travel, think about:
- How much COVID-19 is spreading where you are going and how much it is spreading in your local community.
- Whether you or someone you are traveling with could get very sick from COVID-19.
- How easy or difficult it will be to keep 6 feet between people.
- Whether you would be able to miss work, school or other activities if you get sick.
For international travel, follow federal guidelines. Visit U.S. Department of State: Travel and CDC: COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination for more information.
MCA Testing Information
Capitol Hill will begin the MCAs after Spring Break. We will have the schedule out in our Headliner next week. Below is information from SPPS regarding the MCAs:
Your student(s) is eligible to take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) or the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS), which are administered every year to measure student performance. These exams are state tests in reading, mathematics, and science that are used to meet federal and state legislative requirements. Schools use the information gained from test results to improve classroom teaching and learning.
The MCA and MTAS testing will proceed this year, even though your school may be in distance learning.
The test will take place between March and May. Testing will take place at the school your student is enrolled in and may be completed either in one full day or across multiple days.
All COVID-19 protocols will be in place to ensure a safe environment including face masks, social distancing, and cleaning procedures.
If you feel that it is unsafe to send your student to take the MCA/MTAS tests, we understand. Given the extraordinary circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, we would like you to complete the form on this page to indicate if your student(s) will take the MCA/MTAS tests or if your student(s) will not take the MCA/MTAS tests.
For more information about Minnesota State Assessments:
• MN Dept of Ed state testing site: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/tests/
• MCA Parent Fact Sheet - English: https://bit.ly/3kIM1xE
• MTAS Parent Fact Sheet - English: https://bit.ly/3qcXXZH
• Why State Assessments Matter - English: https://bit.ly/39NDNQW
1,000,000 Page Challenge!
We are at over 400,000 pages! Encourage your child to read and log their pages!
Students can log their pages by filling out this form!
COVID Testing for Students
MDH announced a recommendation for all school-age youth returning to school, youth sports, or extracurricular activities, and their families, to get tested every two weeks through the end of the school year. While it is not a requirement, regular testing complements other safety measures already in place, such as masking and social distancing.
Schools and youth organizations can send messages and resources available on COVID-19 Testing for Kids and Families to families to encourage testing. Getting tested every two weeks from now until the end of the school year can help keep schools open and sports operating, and ensure we are limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Middle School Conference Update
MITY Summer Programs
MITY is officially accepting applications for summer ExplorSchool and summer EYM! Both programs will offer in-person and online classes to help meet the needs of families. There are tons of great classes thanks to many of you!
You can find flyers for both programs here. Full and partial scholarships are available so that ALL deserving students can attend.
Discovery Club
Office Notes/Procedures
Morning Drop-off Time
We want to ensure each child is safe when arriving for school. Staff supervision begins at 9:15am. The earliest time to drop off your child for school is 9:15am. Please do not drop off your child any earlier.
Attendance
Please make sure to always report your child's absence. You can do this two ways:
1. Dial the attendance line directly at 651-325-2599 or 2. Email us at capitolhill.attendance@spps.org. Please make sure to include your child's name (spell their name), their grade, the reason for their absence, your relationship to the child, and a return phone number that you can be reached at if we should have questions.
Calling Your Child
When calling the school to speak to your child, the office staff will deliver your message to have your child call you back. Teachers are teaching during the day and we are trying our best to lessen the interruptions during instructional time. Thanks for understanding.
Dismissal
Please send a note with your child, to their teacher, if you are picking up your child early or letting your child go home any other way than his or her normal route. Please also make sure to call the office no later than 3:00pm if you have to make changes. If you call later than 3:0pm, we cannot guarantee that your child will get the message.