NHES NEWS

Monday, April 8, is the final E-Learning Day for MCSS this school year. Just like previous E-Learning Days, our teachers will be using this day for professional development and planning purposes while students are at home. Hopefully, should the weather cooperate and it not be too cloudy, this day may allow some of our families to safely enjoy the solar eclipse from home. If you do view the eclipse, just make sure you have proper eye protection (eclipse glasses). Here is some local information related to the solar eclipse on Monday: Huntsville Solar Eclipse.

When students return to school on Tuesday, we begin ACAP testing for Grades 2 & 3. Although we strive to make this required state assessment as stress-free as possible for our students, we know it's a rigorous assessment and we do want our students to do their best. For this to happen, students need to be at school on time and have had a good night's sleep. Other than the devices used to take the test, the students cannot have any other digital device (cell phone, tablet, smart watch, etc.). We recommend students keep these items at home during testing. Here is a document with parent information related to the assessment: ACAP Summative Assessment.

This Week

• April 8 - E-Learning/Collaboration Day (Students at Home)
  
• April 9-12 - State Testing (Grades 2-3)
• April 10 - Cap & Gown Pictures for Kindergarten (No Make-up Day)

Please complete this Spring 2024 Title I Survey knowing that our status as a Title I school allows us to fund back-to-school supplies, instructional materials, and salaries for interventionists and tutors.

As a parent at a Title I school, most of you attended a Title I meeting when we introduced our faculty and staff at the start of the year. At the time, we reviewed the following:

• We are a school that receives federal funding (Title I dollars) to supplement our existing programs. We use these funds for additional personnel, instructional materials, technology resources, and family engagement events.
• Both our district and school have plans (improvement plans, engagement plans & school-parent compacts) that encourage a strong partnership between school and home. We work closely with our PTO to host a variety of events that allow families to be as involved as possible.

Parent feedback indicated a desire for us to focus on more formal ceremonies for Grades K and 6 rather than attempt ceremonies for all grade levels. Other grade levels (PK & Grades 1-5) will still have end-of-year celebrations in their classrooms. All students will also enjoy Field Day scheduled for Friday, May 17.

• The Sixth Grade Ceremony will take place on Monday, May 20, at 9:00 AM. The ceremony will be followed by a reception in the library. The teachers will be sharing more details in the coming weeks regarding what students should wear and what to expect. The goal is make this event extra special for our sixth graders as they prepare to transition to the middle school.
• The Kindergarten Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 21, at 8:00 AM. Kindergarten Cap & Gown pictures will be taken on April 10 (royal blue cap/gown with a red tassel). Pictures will be taken first thing in the morning and the company will not be able to schedule a make-up picture day. Families will also need to pre-pay for these photos. Regarding the ceremony, teachers will be sharing more details in the coming weeks.

The last two days of the school year, May 21 and May 22, are still scheduled as half days for all students.

All breakfast and lunch information can be found by going to this MCSS Menus Link.

This Week

• April 8 - E-Learning/Collaboration Day (Students at Home)
  
• April 9-12 - State Testing (Grades 2-3)
• April 10 - Cap & Gown Pictures for Kindergarten (No Make-up Day)

Dates for the Remainder of the School Year

• April 15-19 - State Testing (Grades 4-6)
  
• April 22 - Spring Pictures (Optional)
• April 25 - Yearbook Order Deadline
  
• May 6-10 - Spring Book Fair
• May 17 - Field Day
• May 20 - Sixth Grade Ceremony (9:00 AM)
• May 21 - Kindergarten Ceremony (8:00 AM) & Half Day for All Students
• May 22 - Last Student Day & Half Day for All Students
  
• May 23 - Teacher Work Day

It’s time! Nominations for next year's PTO Board are now open. ALL positions listed will be accepting nominations for the upcoming school year. To nominate an individual for a position, please use the form here ——> PTO Officer Nomination Form.

If you are nominated, you will be notified by April 13. We are looking so forward to seeing what the next board does in the upcoming year!

Along with class pictures, feel free to order this year's New Hope Elementary School Yearbook. We work hard to gather pictures throughout the year that capture the many great things that happen at our school.

As always, we want thank to families that continue to help us keep our bus exit area clear by accessing the car-rider line via Oak Grove Road. In the mornings, our buses use the exit area on the map below from 7:05 to 7:30. In the afternoons, the buses usually exit between 2:35 and 2:40.

New Hope Community Learning Center is a grant funded program that allows our students to sign up and participate in after school activities. Dawn Lasater, our director, was recently recognized as Extended Day Director of the Year for the State of Alabama!

New Hope PTO continues to do great things for our students and school. Please join the PTO and consider serving as a PTO Officer Next Year.

New Hope Recreation Center continues to be one of our closest community partners. Please check their Facebook page often for the latest news.

New Hope Children's Clinic is located on our school campus across from the Rock Gym. To make an appointment call 256-723-4673.

The CARE Center is one of the reasons our school is so special. Families can apply for their child or children to receive Bags of Blessings (weekend food support) and/or participate in our 21st Century Learning Center Clubs Program. For information on one or both of these programs:

• Visit www.thecare-center.org
• Call the Business Office at 256.723.2273
• Contact Molly Mullinax (molly.mullinax@thecare-center.org)

Email: jburton@mcssk12.org
Website: https://www.mcssk12.org/newhopeelementaryschool
Location: 5300 Main Drive, New Hope, AL, USA
Phone: 256-851-3260
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newhopeelementaryschool
Twitter: @NHESPK6