NHES NEWS

With just over 560 students and 100 faculty and staff, I'm grateful for our assistant principal, Mrs. Karen Hill. She primarily supports Pre-K through Grade 2 while I primarily support Grades 3 through 6. Although I enjoy our upper grades, when I do visit our early elementary grades, I'm reminded just how much students are required to know and do at such a young age,

While visiting Mrs. Risden's first grade classroom this past Friday, I had the joy of watching her young students during their daily number corner time. Students were doing SO MUCH MORE than just talking about numbers. The lesson opened with students looking at a series of images and using clues to predict what might come next. They were using words like "sphere" and "rectangular prism." As the lesson progressed, with the help of student volunteers, they practiced reading clocks. Students used terms like "digital clock" and "analog clock" and reviewed the number of hours in a day. They also determined the number of days they've been in school and added these days up in a variety of ways. Mrs. Risden talked with them about efficiency and helped them see the most efficient way of adding up the days. Throughout the entire lesson, Mrs. Risden used carefully crafted questions to deepen their understanding of key concepts. She also incorporated a variety of language arts skills into the lesson.

After bragging on the class, I dropped in on some other classes, including several in our upper elementary grades. Not surprisingly, having trained on number corner resources and strategies during our most recent PD/Collaboration Day, teachers in multiple grade levels were using these same strategies and materials.

As I've discussed before, Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence like New Hope Elementary are encouraged to share what we're doing with other schools. This past week, math coaches across the system dropped in on Mrs. Hicks' homeroom where they observed students using coding skills to program mini-robots. Not only were the adults impressed, the students had a wonderful time showing off their math and critical thinking skills.

Although we're proud to be model of excellence for other schools, more importantly, we want our students to learn at the highest levels possible. As I found myself reflecting on what took place in classrooms like those highlighted this week, I was reminded of the fact that this kind of teaching and learning can't be substituted with a worksheet at home. We know students have to miss school from time-to-time, but so many of the great things that happen simply can't be done at home. Thank to all who send their students to us daily and make routine attendance a priority. It makes a difference!

This Week (Final Week before Winter Break...early dismissal for students this Friday)

• December 11 - Winter Open House (see details below)
  
• December 11 - 15 - Santa Shop (volunteer sign-up below)
• December 12 - Band Concert (6th Grade through 12th Grade)
• December 15 - Early Dismissal for Students (12:30 pm)

Dates for the Remainder of the School Year

• December 18- January 2 - Winter Break (Schools Closed)
• January 15 - MLK Day (Schools Closed)
• February 19 - Presidents Day (Schools Closed)
  
• February 28 - E-Learning/Collaboration Day (Students at Home)
• March 11-15 - Spring Break (Schools Closed)
• April 8 - E-Learning/Collaboration Day (Students at Home)
• May 21-22 - Graduation Ceremonies
• May 22 - Last Student Day
• May 23 - Teacher Work Day

On the evening of Monday, December 11, our PTO will host a Winter Open House event. Students can hear a story and get their picture taken with Santa. Along with time with Santa, there will also be sensory stations, a craft activity, and light refreshments. The event will take place in the lunchroom and starts at 6:00 pm.

NHES Santa Shop kicks off Monday, December 11th!

Our PTO is in need of volunteers to help staff this event by helping shop, wrap gifts, etc! Please consider signing up for one or more slots. This is an excellent event for grandparents and family members to be involved.

Sign-up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/.../10C0844A9A62AA2FACF8...

New Hope Spirit Wear

As the Winter Holidays approach, consider checking out our New Hope Spirit Wear Store. This is your one shop stop for school-related spirit wear. Great gifts for students, staff, and family members that are proud of our school and community.

Email for Transportation Notes

If you need to make the school aware of a transportation change, in addition to turning in a note to the teacher, please email our front office at NHESoffice@madison.k12.al.us. This new email will help us track and monitor transportation changes more effectively.

Updated Code of Conduct & Discipline

Our district has created a Back to School Dashboard with a number of useful links. Along with the MCSS Calendar, you'll also find a Parent & Student Handbook as well as a Student Code of Conduct.

Bus Information

Each bus has an animal magnet to help our younger students remember which bus they ride.

• 14-80 Mike Carpenter - LION
• 24-125 Johnna Mann - BIRD
• 22-09 Julia Stapler - BEAR
• 18-09 Bobby Cheyne - PUPPY
• 21-09 Misty Quick - COW
• 11-67 Donnie Meeks - TIGER
• 19-15 Edwin Childers - CHICKEN
• 24-134 Vicki Tolliver - HORSE
• 20-12 Lorrell Vann - BUTTERFLY (no PM route)

In addition to the buses identified above, several OCR bus drivers help transport our fifth and sixth grade students that live in the Owens Cross Roads community.

New Hope PTO continues to do great things for our students and school. Please join the PTO and sign up for their newsletter if you haven't already done so.

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