Good morning Owls,
Thanks to everyone for another great week at Hearst. These next two weeks before spring break can be challenging on kids and on us as adults as spring fever is starting to show itself. We’ve had quite a long stretch between winter and spring breaks and everyone naturally may be feeling a bit tired from all their hard work. Please ensure that your kids are getting their rest and staying healthy. If your child has allergies and needs to take medication at school, be sure that Nurse Carter has updated medical forms and permissions from doctors so that we can treat your child. These forms can be found here: https://dcps.dc.gov/health. Have a wonderful day and see you tomorrow!
My best,
Jen
Quick Updates
· Friday, April 7, from 8:45-9:15 is the next Parent Chat. I look forward to seeing those who can make it in the art room on Friday morning.
· In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, we will be conducting awareness activities throughout the month and ask that kids and staff wear blue on Friday for the month of April.
· We’re excited to announce that the Hearst Science Fair will be held on Wednesday, May 3, from 2:00-3:00 in the gym. K-2 will complete class projects and 3rd-5thgrade students will enter projects as individuals or small groups of no more than 3 students. More information about the science fair will be coming home soon from your child’s teacher. Additionally, if you have a science background and are interested in judging the science fair, please let Jen know ([email protected]).
Values Survey
In January, I shared a link to a Hearst Core Values Survey. During the response window, we received 53 responses and while that is a good start, I’m hoping that more of our families will share their thoughts and ideas with us. Because of this, I’ve re-opened the survey and if you haven’t yet responded, I hope you will take 5 minutes to do so using this link: https://goo.gl/forms/MvG0BtaVUOUBYXGr2. Your responses to the survey will impact our decision-making about, for example, our social-emotional curriculum, hiring, programming for the 2017-2018 school year, and how we engage with you, our families. Please do take some time prior to Friday, April 14. Thanks!
Enrollment for 2017-2018 Begins Monday, April 3
Tomorrow begins the enrollment process for next school year. The DCPS Enroll website is now updated with SY17-18 information. This includes the SY17-18 Enrollment Packet, resources on how to enroll, and information on all schools. Our goal is to have all current families re-enroll by Friday, April 28th. Ms. Hinchey and Ms. Johnson will accept completed enrollment packets during our normal office hours, from 8:00am – 4:30pm, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. They will also accept completed enrollment packets from 7:00am-6:00pm on Thursdays and from 7:00am-4:30pm on Fridays. For specific questions about enrollment, please reach out to Ms. Hinchey ([email protected]) or Ms. Johnson ([email protected]).
Student Council Annual Bake Sale
Student Council Annual Bake Sale begins Monday, April 3, from 3:30-5:00 PM, on the Hearst playground. The Bake Sale ends on Friday, April 7, at 5:00 PM. Any and all donations are accepted including store bought items . . . think chips, donuts (big hit), granola bars, fruit, etc. Please drop off your donations at the office. The money Student Council raises will go toward a fun event at the end of the school year. Some ideas this school year have been a water slide, a carnival with prizes, video game truck and a photo booth. Thank you for your support of Hearst Student Council and please contact Ms. Beech ([email protected]) with any questions.
Yearbooks Are On Sale Now
Yearbooks for sale! Please click on the attached flyer for more information. Go to the website listed and enter our school-specific passcode. Yearbooks are $20 each. Please select "ship to school option". Yearbooks will be distributed in the last few weeks of school. Last year, we DID sell out- be sure to claim your child's copy today!
News and Announcements from DCPS
Letter From Chancellor Wilson About Keeping Students Safe
In light of the recent news about missing children, Chancellor Wilson has written a letter to the DCPS community, attached in English and Spanish. Please send this letter home with your students to ensure our families have accurate information about this news. The Chancellor's letter is also available on the DCPS website. If you need additional languages, please email [email protected].
Reminder: 2017 Naval STEM Expo at Sea-Air-Space, (Happening Today!!)
The Navy League of the United States and the Office of Naval Research is hosting an afternoon STEM event again this year at Sea-Air-Space on 4/2 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Students, teachers, and families are all welcome to this free event at the Gaylord Convention Center and Resort Hotel in National Harbor, MD. Attendee flyer and registration information can be found here: http://navyleague.org/stem/index.html. The STEM Institute has created a two-fold program that increases youth interest in the possibilities of STEM education and career pathways. Please contact Jeanne Ellinport with any questions: [email protected].
PTA Corner
Hello Owl Families! Please join us on Tuesday, April 4, for a fundraiser at Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza (4940 Wisconsin Ave NW) to raise money for additional educational supports for our CES classrooms. Between 11 am and 10 pm, join us for some yummy pizza (dine-in or take-out) and mention you are with Hearst at the counter. 25% of the proceeds will go directly to our CES program! Don’t forget to mention “Hearst” when you pay so that a portion can go towards supporting our program!
Raffle Tickets! An easy way to support Hearst is by selling raffle tickets for a chance to win cash. Tickets are $5 each for a chance to win a $1,500 cash prize. We hope every student can sell at least five tickets, but if you do not wish to sell tickets, please return them to your teacher so the tickets can be sold by someone else. If you need more tickets, text Kim at (240) 463-6804 or email [email protected] with the number of tickets you need, your child's name, and teacher's name.
Upcoming Events:
- PTA Meeting: The PTA will hold its next regular meeting on Wednesday, April 12 at 6pm in the library. Pizza and childcare will be available for all potty-trained kids. Please check the website and listserv for sign-up information.
- Open House Tours: Looking for an opportunity to share your Hearst experience? Look no further than the next Open House on Friday, April 14. If you have time to help out by greeting visitors, giving a tour or just setting up, please email Kay Parry at [email protected].
- Community Dining Night: Join your fellow Hearsties for dinner at Nando's Peri-Peri on Monday, May 1 from 5pm to 8pm. It's fun, tasty and a portion of the proceeds will go back to Hearst! Nando's Tenleytown is located at 4231 Wisconsin Ave. NW.
- Consider Running for the PTA E-Board: Elections are coming for positions on the 2017-2018 PTA executive board. If you are interested in running or volunteering, please reach out to a current executive board member: http://www.hearstes.org/pta_executive_board_members.
- Auction Co-Chairs: Remember how much fun you had at the auction? We are searching for two new co-chairs of the Auction Committee to run our event next spring. Please talk to Emily Olesh or Adrienne Allen. Thanks!!
- PTA E-Board and Full PTA Meeting Minutes: Just a reminder that the PTA posts all minutes from our monthly PTA E-Board meetings and from our monthly full PTA minutes. They are available online at: http://www.hearstes.org/pta_documents_links. A huge thanks to Hearst’s web maven, Anna Porteus for posting our minutes and keeping our website looking great!
News and Announcements from Other Organizations
SEEK Program
The SEEK Program is designed to be a fun and engaging educational experience, led by NSBE engineering students and technical professionals dedicated to pursuing professional excellence and giving back to the community. The SEEK program utilizes a hands-on design curriculum. Students will work in teams, using their knowledge to solve problems and create products while discovering the underlying math and science principles involved in these processes. Each week, the students will take on a new project, culminating with a presentation, design competition and physical competitions that all parents are encouraged to attend.
This three-week program will be open to students who are current 3rd through 5th graders. Each SEEK site is typically held at a local elementary or middle school and hosts anywhere between 50 to 100 students per grade level for a total of 150 or 300 students per site. Approximately 35 to 50 Collegiate and Professional mentors manage, guide and facilitate the program though high quality STEM education across the United States each summer for SEEK.
The program is a commuter-based program for students, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am and ending at 3:30 pm.
SEEK Participants will:
Be exposed to STEM through hands on engineering projects
Be exposed to Collegiate STEM students
Be exposed to the roles and responsibilities of engineers
Be exposed to African American images in STEM
For more information or to register your child for the program, please visit: http://nsbe.org/seek.aspx
SBOE Approves Final #ESSA Accountability Plan
On March 22, 2017, the DC State Board of Education (SBOE) voted to approve a new accountability system for the District of Columbia. This system will provide District parents the ability to compare the performance of public schools on a variety of measures including student growth and academic achievement. The state plan, drafted by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), gives the District more flexibility in advancing educational excellence and provides assistance to schools so that each student has the opportunity for success.
The SBOE will continue to work with OSSE to implement the plan and develop additional metrics related to a well-rounded education, high school growth, and school climate. The State Board remains committed to including these metrics as part of the state plan as soon as possible.
OSSE’s Office of the Student Advocate
The Office of the Student Advocate supports families in navigating the DC public school system, both DC Public Schools and public charter schools. We operate a Request for Assistance (RFA) line LIVE Monday – Friday between 9am and 5:30pm as a “311” system for public education. Call us at (202) 741-4692 for resources, referrals, and one-on-one coaching on a variety of public education issues. Also visit us online at https://studentadvocate.dc.gov for additional resources and toolkits, such as our Online Education & Community Resource Guide!
Our work with students, parents, and community members allows us to connect the RFA inquiries we receive to the development of issue-focused trainings, resources, and outreach efforts. These resources and initiatives work to tackle systemic issues and remove barriers for students and families such as enrollment concerns and safe passage. If you would like more information or are interested in requesting a training, feel free to contact us at [email protected] or at (202) 741-4692.
File attachments:
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Keeping Students Safe March 2017 (Spanish)(1).pdf
Keeping Students Safe March 2017(1).pdf