Friday, April 12

The end of the 2012-2013 school year is getting closer.  We have lots of fun and important events coming up.  In this update I want to share about a few of those events.

GLA/MAP Testing (May 1-2 and 7-9)

As you already know, this is the first year your child will take the Grade Level Assessment (GLA), also known as the MAP (Missouri Assessment Program.  Although this is not the first standardized test your child has ever taken, it is the first time they will be asked to read the entire test on their own.  Another difference is found in question format.  This will be the first time students are asked to explain their thinking behind their answers.  The test is rigorous, but nothing for you or your child to be concerned about.  The most important things you can do to help support your child on testing days is...

1. Make sure they get a good night sleep.
2. Ensure they eat a healthy breakfast.
3. Send them to school with a kiss or hug (and on time).

In the following week, I will be sending home a letter regarding Testing "Encouragement Kits" that we've given our students the past few years.  They simply consist of notes from each family cheering their child on, water bottles, and some gum/candy while taking the test.

Boys Hit For Literacy (April 23rd from 3:30-4:30)

The day is nearing for our boys literacy event—Boys Hit 4 Literacy!!  This event will include coaches and a few players from the T-Bones, as well as Park Hill’s own, Bill Sobbe, who is also a coach for the T-Bones.  Coach Sobbe will be bringing some high school baseball players to assist with the event.  This is an optional after school event on April 23^rd from 3:30-4:30.  Students will have to have their own transportation home and must return a permission slip to take part in the event. 

 

After a small snack the boys will enjoy a short reading from Coach Hook and play catch and get a few hitting pointers from the players and coaching staff.  Boys are encouraged to bring their gloves, but we do have about a dozen gloves for those who do not have their own.  Kristine is placing some permission slips in your mailboxes today, but if there are not enough for the number of boys in your class please let us know.  Permission slips are due April 18^th!  Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Take Your Child To Work Day (April 25th)

 

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is on Thursday, April 25, 2013.  To accommodate parents/guardians working for businesses that plan career awareness events for this day, the Park Hill School District has made a provision allowing students not to be counted absent on this school day if they are attending work with their parents or guardians.  The district’s practice is that your child will not be counted absent if they write a reflection on their experience.  Please have your child bring this to school  and give it to their teacher.

 

If your child is planning on attending Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day events, please contact your child’s teacher prior to April 25, 2013, so we can have a list of those students who are excused, so we will not call wondering why they are absent. 

 

As explained earlier, for your child not to be counted absent, he/she will need to complete a written reflective assignment and return it to their classroom teacher.  Students who do not return this assignment by Tuesday, May 30, 2013 will be counted absent on April 25, 2013.  If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.

Mother/Son Field Day (April 27)

 

Park Hill Student Council is once again holding our annual Mother Son Field Day on April 27^th from 10:30-1:30pm at the District Football Stadium.  If you are interested in learning more, we have flyers in the office.

 

 

Park Hill Summer School (June 3-21)

 

We are happy to announce Park Hill Summer School is HERE @ Hawthorn!

STUDENTS HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR FUN, EXTENDED LEARNING IN SUMMER SCHOOL

Park Hill School District students can have a fun, extended learning experience through the district's Summer Expeditions program, which will be Monday-Friday, June 3-21. 

All students participating in the tuition preschool summer program will attend the Gerner Family Early Education Center for Summer Expeditions.

Incoming kindergarten through fifth-grade

Summer Expeditions classes, which go from 8 a.m. to noon, give students opportunities to reinforce and enhance communication arts and math skills in preparation for the upcoming school year. The courses are themed, and students will learn through hands-on activities and enrichment opportunities.