Bulldog Bulletin

Hello HDES Families!

Fall is such a busy time of year for everyone, but I hope you have a few minutes to read through this newsletter to learn about the fantastic work we are doing at HDES!

For the last few weeks, teachers have been establishing classroom routines and procedures with students and completing several beginning of the year academic assessments. We have completed the fall NWEAs, F&P reading assessments, word lists, writing prompts and other math assessments. Teachers will be sharing this information at our November parent conferences.

Parents/guardians please remember to review the daily health screening tool and check your children prior to sending them to school every morning. This is extremely important. Please follow the guidance on the screener. Any child that comes to school with symptoms on the screener or sick will be sent home immediately.

Here it is again: https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-files/Maine%20DOE%20Pre-Screening%20Tool%20for%20School%20Attendance%2010.19.2021_1.pdf

I am thankful that we've had only a couple of contact tracing incidents to date at HDES. However, I'd like to respectfully ask parents/guardians to be kind when speaking with our school nurse. Nurse Beale is only following the quarantine guidelines expected of us. It is not helpful when parents take their frustrations out on her. We are all doing our best in a difficult situation. Here is a link to the Maine Dept of Education's Standard Operating Procedures for handling a positive case in schools: https://www.maine.gov/doe/sites/maine.gov.doe/files/inline-files/Draft%20SOP%20-%20Investigating%20Outbreaks%20in%20K-12%20Schools%20%288%29_0.pdf

Thank you in advance for your understanding and support in keeping our students and staff healthy!

Kristie

Girls On the Run! COACHES NEEDED:

HDES is considering having a spring Girls on the Run team but first would like to see if there is enough coaching interest. Check out the attached flyer for more information. Please let Ms. Wilcox know if you are interested in being a coach by November 1. awilcox@kidsrsu.org

This month, our school wide theme is empathy! In our morning announcements we’ll be reminding students to have empathy, identify their own and others’ feelings, notice and respect same and different feelings, and show compassion. Compassion involves saying kind words or doing something helpful to show you care how another person feels. When students can identify, understand, and respond in a caring way to how someone else is feeling, it helps create a positive and accepting school climate.

Second Step lessons specifically teach about empathy. You’ll be receiving Home Links describing why empathy is important and including fun activities to do with your child to help him or her identify feelings and practice showing empathy and compassion. We hope you find them helpful.

Please tell your child’s teacher if you have any questions about how you can help your child learn to identify feelings and show empathy and compassion at home.

For the month of November 2021, Hall Dale Elementary Food Pantry will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS Bag at the Shaw's store located at Shaw's 150 Western Ave., Augusta ME.

Here are two new and exciting programs we are implementing with the help of our new SEL Coordinator, Mrs. Mercier:

*Somedays~ One way we are working to engage all students in school is by allowing them a "Someday" wish. Students are completing this sentence, "Someday at school I would like to...". We are working to honor every wish, starting with the fourth graders.

*Handle with Care~ If your family is experiencing difficulties at home, Mrs. Mercier would like to provide additional support at school for your child(ren). We understand that you aren't always able to share details and that's okay! If your child is coming to school after a difficult night, morning or weekend, please email her "Handle with Care" at mmercier@kidsrsu.org

Nothing else will be said or asked, this will let her know that your child may need extra time, patience, or help during the day.

*Morning Arrival~ So far this year, parent drop off has been from 8:00-8:20am. Due to traffic congestion with the buses, we're asking parents to wait until it is closer to 8:10 to drop off. Once the buses are gone, then parents are welcome to drop off in the front bus loop as well as the side loop. Students are tardy after the 8:20 bell. Thank you!

*Please fill out a planned absence form prior to leaving on a trip with your children.

*We are looking for a parent volunteer to be the 2021-22 HDES Yearbook Editor

*Be sure to label your child's belongings with their name. The Lost & Found is starting to grow!

*Students need to bring a snack and water bottle every day. Donations welcome!

*The cafeteria staff would like lunch counts in by 10:00am each morning. If your child is going to be late or tardy, please notify us with your child's lunch choice. Thank you!

Nov 2, Election Day! Remote learning day for HDES! Be on the look out for an email from your child's teacher with the details on the schedule!
Nov 3, Fluoride Clinic
Nov 7, Daylight Savings Ends! Be sure to turn your clocks back an hour!
Nov 10, Fluoride Clinic
Nov 11, No School, Veteran’s Day Holiday
Nov 12, Teacher Comp Day-No school

Nov 15 & Dec 6, Tentative COVID-19 vaccination clinics for students (we have reserved these dates with ME General in the event the vaccine is approved for children ages 5-11)
Nov 18, Parent-Teacher Conferences- More info to come soon!
Nov 22, PTO Meeting, 6:00-7:00pm
Nov 24-26, Thanksgiving Holiday break

Email: kclark@kidsrsu.org
Website: https://www.kidsrsu.org/o/hdes
Location: 26 Garden Lane, Hallowell, ME, USA
Phone: 207-623-8677
Twitter: @HDESrsu2