Good evening Owls,
Thanks to all families that came out for our APTTs last week. So many parents stopped to tell me how informative the sessions were, how much they appreciated being able to connect with other families, and how thrilled they were to have such a dedicated group of educators working with their kids. If you were unable to make it last week, please reach out to your child’s teacher about scheduling a make up APTT session.
Thank you for your continued partnership and I hope you’ve enjoyed the three-day weekend,
Jen
Quick Updates
- Many of you have reached out about the upcoming Spirit Week at Hearst, specifically about Thanksgiving Thursday and the suggestion that students dress like Native Americans. I agree that this idea is not appropriate and, as one parent stated, it encourages misinformation, prejudice, and discrimination. Please know that the Spirit Week themes are determined by our Student Council and we will use this as a learning experience for them. Ms. Beech and I will meet with the Student Council on Monday to discuss Thursday's theme and develop a theme that is more inclusive and positive.
- For your review, attached is an introduction to the DDOT Safe Routes to School Program.
- Basketball season is just around the corner and the full schedule for our girls and boys teams will be released in the coming weeks. In the interim, mark your calendars for girls games on Tuesdays and boys games on Thursdays, starting the 1st week in December.
- Principal Albright from Deal MS will be at Hearst from 5:00-6:00pm on December 14th, prior to the 6pm PTA meeting that evening. He will share information about Deal, describe their approach to academics and student growth, and then have a panel of 6th graders (alumni from Hearst!) take questions from our community. If you’re considering Deal for your child, please attend the information session.
News and Announcements from Hearst
Update from Ms. Carroll
Ms. Carroll writes:
Hearst families and students, my last day of employment with Hearst Elementary will be November 11, 2016. This decision was a very difficult decision that was not made lightly. I was presented with an opportunity that supports my family’s needs and could not be ignored. Thank you so much for the opportunity to work in this position for the past year. I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunities I have had to work with teachers, students and families, and I have learned a great deal about social work in the school setting, all of which I will take with me throughout my career. I wish the Hearst Elementary community continued success.
Please know that until we fill the Social Worker position, a social worker from DCPS, Katrina Brickhouse, will provide Behavior Support Services to students who have these services as part of their IEPs. We are interviewing candidates for the social worker position on Monday and Tuesday and hope to have the position filled soon. If you’d like to be a part of the interview team, please let me know.
EdFEST
Do you love Hearst? Do you want to share your love of Hearst with potential families? If so, consider spending a few hours at EdFEST on Saturday, December 10th! It’s a great opportunity to talk with families about #thebestlittleschoolinthedistrict. EdFEST runs from 11-3 at the DC Armory and if you’d like to take a shift, please let Jen know ([email protected]). Thanks!
Impact Aid Forms
Several folks have asked the purpose of Impact Aid forms that you’ve diligently been sending to school. Each year, DCPS receives federal funds from its Impact Aid application submitted to the US Department of Education. Impact Aid is a federal formula grant program that provides financial assistance to local education agencies that educate:
- Students who are living in federally subsidized low-rent housing;
- Students who reside on federal property and whose parents are employed on federal property
- Students whose parents are civilian employees of the Federal Government but do not reside on federal property
- Students with a parent/legal guardian who is a member of the military services.
News and Announcements from DCPS
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Application Open (11/15)
Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow grant encourages students to design solutions to local community issues with a focus on STEAM (science, technology engineering, art, and mathematics). Prizes range from Galaxy Tabs for teachers to a $150K school technology package. More details are available at http://www.samsung.com/solve. The application closes on 11/15.
PTA Corner
Hello Owl Families! We hope you had a wonderful weekend and thanks to everyone who attended the E-Cycle and a very special thanks to the team that organized the E-Cycle and its many components.
Extra Recess/Free Enrichment Opportunity: Congrats to Kindergarten! Ms. Prince and Ms. Johnson's classes will receive cupcakes for having the highest percentage rate of Owl Fund contributors during our fall contest. However, we have two other opportunities for winners. We are offering a “Second Chance” contest through Nov. 10 – the grade level with the highest participation rate by COB Thursday will receive Extra Recess time (Kindergarten not eligible)!! Also, every family who donates to the Owl Fund will be entered into a lottery to receive one of two priority registration spots for the winter or spring rounds of enrichments. Questions can be directed to Kay Parry ([email protected]).
December Holiday Lunch: We are looking for a volunteer to organize the holiday luncheon on Wednesday Dec. 21 for students and staff. If interested, please contact Keri Sikich at [email protected] or Judy Goodstein at [email protected].
Upcoming Events:
The Auction Committee - Join us for our next meeting, Monday, Nov. 7 at 7pm. We will be upstairs at the Tenleytown Whole Foods. If you’re interested in helping but can’t make the meeting, please reach out to Emily Olesh at [email protected].
The PTA will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 6pm in the library. We will host John Davis, the DCPS Interim Chancellor. Pizza and childcare will be available for all potty-trained kids. Please check the listserv and school website for sign-up information.
Community Dining Night: Weygandt Wines in Cleveland Park will host a fundraiser where 15 percent of the purchase of all their imported wine will go back to the PTA. Details will be available soon!
File attachments:
DCSRTS InfoSheet Revised 2016(1).doc
