A Piece From The Principal's Puzzle

November

8 - Veterans' Day Breakfast @ 9 am

11 - Veterans' Day (NO SCHOOL)

13 - Progress Reports Sent Home

25 - 29 - Thanksgiving Holidays (NO SCHOOL)

December

2- 13 - ACAP Summative Practice

• i-Ready Mid-Year (MOVED TO JANUARY 2025)

17 - PTA Meeting (Grades K, 1, & 2 performing) at Blossomwood Cafeteria

20 - Holiday Parties & End of Semester

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching! We will have our Thanksgiving meal at Blossomwood on November 21. If you would like to join your child, please complete the form using the link below. That will allow our cafeteria staff to be prepared with enough food.

Orders/reservations are due November 13, 2024.

https://forms.gle/XDdXMVPAv2fR6uvU9

Go to https://huntsvillecs.powerschool.com/public/ to get to the "Student and Parent Sign In" page:

1. Click the Create Account Tab.

2. Click Create Account.

3. Enter your first name, last name, and email address.

4. Enter the student's name, access ID, and access password, and the parent’s relationship to the student (access ID and access password were provided by the school several weeks ago. If you did not receive yours or need a new copy please reach out to the front office).

5. Click Enter.

6. Once the account is created, follow the above directions on how to complete Impact Aid Form electronically.

The main function of the house system is to develop a sense of identity or belonging and to celebrate achievements. Schools with a structure or system like this cite the positive impact it has on the educational experience and school culture. Students report how it helps them form friendships and closer bonds with peers, and teachers share that students seem to enjoy seeing a connection with students in other classrooms as well as other grade levels. As a school, we also believe our new House System supports our school mission statement and vision.

During the first week of school or upon enrollment, all of our students and staff have the opportunity to digitally "spin" the wheel to randomly sort each student into one of four groups or houses — Emerald, Garnet, Onyx, or Sapphire.

Our House System is designed to:

1. Create school-wide community by creating opportunities for students to connect to staff and students in other classes and grades that share their house. Older students become natural leaders by mentoring and supporting younger students. Mentoring also extends to teachers and school staff members who are also assigned to a house.
2. Create a culture of belonging as students are recognized for accomplishments both academically as well as their choices related to behavior.
3. Emphasize building character through a reward system that goes beyond earning a piece of candy for doing something good. Each individual achievement adds to the collective house/group, making the reward hopefully more meaningful and social.
   
4. Provide opportunities to praise and accentuate positives for both individual students and collective groups of students.