September Newsletter
Hawthorne Elemetnary
Hawthorne Families,
At Hawthorne, we know that strong relationships are the foundation of a successful school community. When students feel connected to their classmates and teachers, they are more comfortable asking questions, trying new things, and learning from mistakes. Positive relationships between school and home are equally important. By communicating, working together, and supporting one another, students, staff, and families create a welcoming environment where every child feels known, valued, and supported.
Each school day, our classrooms begin with Morning Gathering at 7:40 a.m. This dedicated time helps students greet one another, build relationships, practice social-emotional skills, and prepare for a successful day of learning. Morning Gathering strengthens classroom community and helps every student feel connected and ready to participate. Because this important community-building time begins promptly at 7:40, please make every effort to have your child arrive at school on time so they do not miss this valuable start to the day.
Beginning in October, we will launch our Classroom Buddy Program. Buddy classrooms pair older and younger students together to build cross-grade relationships and strengthen our school community. These buddy groups will meet throughout the year for shared activities that encourage teamwork, reading, and connection. This program is an important part of our Caring School Community curriculum, which helps students develop respect, responsibility, and a strong sense of belonging in both their classroom and the wider school.
We also want to remind families that practicing math facts and reading fluently at home plays an important role in each child’s confidence and academic success. When students become fluent in basic math facts—such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—they are better able to solve more complex problems without getting stuck on basic calculations. Just 5–10 minutes each evening using flash cards, math games, or other quick activities can make a meaningful difference.
The same is true for reading. Reading aloud with your child, listening as your child reads, or taking turns reading together helps develop speed, accuracy, expression, and comprehension. These small, consistent habits at home can lead to big gains at school!
Thank you for partnering with us to help every Hawthorne student feel connected, confident, and ready to learn.an make this a wonderful year for every Husky!
At Hawthorne, we believe social skills are just as important as academic skills. Teaching students how to interact respectfully, build friendships, and make responsible choices helps them succeed both in school and in life. One of the tools we use to support this development is the Boys Town Social Skills curriculum—a research-based approach that gives students clear, step-by-step instructions for positive behavior.
These skills are taught in the classroom through modeling, practice, and reinforcement. When families practice the same skills at home, students are more likely to use them consistently and confidently. This month, we are focusing on Including Others, an important skill that helps every child feel welcomed and valued.
🤝 Skill: Including Others
Steps to practice:
- Notice when someone is alone.
- Invite the person to join.
- Explain the activity.
- Help the person feel welcome.
Families can practice this skill by discussing times when someone might feel left out and brainstorming respectful ways to include that person. Praise your child when they notice others, offer an invitation, or help someone feel comfortable. These simple actions help create a stronger sense of belonging at school, at home, and throughout our community.
