December 2021

12/22 - SCHOOL-WIDE PAJAMA DAY

12/22 - NO COVID PCR Screening Event

12/23 - Start of Winter Break - No School

January 2022

1/3 - Return from Winter Break

1/5 - COVID PCR Screening Event

1/10 - PTO Meeting at 6:30 in the Library (face masks required)

1/10 - SIT Meeting at 5:00 in the Library (face masks required)

1/12 - COVID PCR Screening Event

1/12 - Early Release Day (no PM PreK)

1/17 - No School

1/19 - COVID PCR Screening Event

1/26 - COVID PCR Screening Event

Wood River Health Services is hosting a Vaccination Clinic (this will include Boosters) on Saturday 12/18/21. You can call 401-539-2461 to make an appointment. As a reminder, you can locate state clinics using this link

Parent pick up for students in K-4 are arriving while prek dismissal is happening. PLEASE be mindful of our pre-school population and do not arrive prior to 3:10. The entire dismissal process for K-4 takes roughly 10-12 min. We have some amazing staff getting our students out quickly and safely.

We continue to be a nut free school which means no peanut butter and no tree nuts including nutella.

With the cold weather, we are noticing a lot of children coming to school underdressed for recess weather. As an fyi...I will be sending children out for recess even if the temperature drops below freezing. Children need to be outside to socialize and release their energy. Please ensure your children are dressed in coats, hats, and gloves.

Please make sure that your children do not take any toys from home to school. We continue to see an uptick in this and it is causing problems at school.

Hope Valley School 4th graders will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on Thursday, February 17th, 2022. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. NAEP is different from our state assessments because it is a common measure of achievement across the country. Your child will take ONE assessment, either in the area of reading or mathematics. The assessment takes approximately 2 hours for most students, which includes transition time, directions, and completion of survey questions.There is no need to study in preparation for NAEP, but please encourage your child to do their best. More information will follow.

Winter is right around the corner and the holiday season is here! Unfortunately, COVID-19 is spreading in Rhode Island. Pediatric cases and hospitalizations have surged over the past two weeks.

As we move indoors for the winter and prepare to celebrate the holiday season with friends, family, and fun activities, it’s important to remember how we can do so safely. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the most important actions we can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19 this holiday season. Below, please see the suggestions and resources for community members and parents of children ages 5 to 11 about COVID-19.

Suggestions:

• As we approach the holiday season, the best way to keep your children safe, healthy, and ready to celebrate with family, friends, and fun activities is by getting them the #COVID19 vaccine. Children ages 5 and up are eligible. Learn more at C19VaccineRI.org.
• Vaccines are predictable, COVID-19 is not. As of December 2, 2021, more than 4 million children ages 5 to 11 across the US have already gotten vaccinated, including more than 21,000 in Rhode Island. The vaccine works, is safe, and keeps children in schools and activities if they’re exposed to others with COVID-19.
• COVID-19 vaccines are available at no cost. You do not need health insurance to get yourself or your child vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Making an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine is easy! To find an appointment for children ages 5 to 11, visit covid.ri.gov/5to11vaccine
  • We’ve planned more local, school-based, and mobile clinics between December 12 and January 8 when children are out of school for the holidays.
  • The vaccination site at 100 Sockanosset Cross Road also has COVID-19 vaccine for children age 5 to 11 and will be open until Saturday, December 18! Walk ups are always welcome here (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 7:00am-2:00pm and Wednesday and Friday from 11:00am-6:00pm).
• It’s OK to have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Add talking to a pediatrician to your holiday to-do list.
• Don’t forget to practice the 3 Vs: Vaccinate, Ventilate, and Visit Safely.
  • The best way to celebrate this holiday season is to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Find vaccine clinics at C19VaccineRI.org.
  • If you’re gathering indoors for a holiday celebration, bring fresh, outdoor air into your home to prevent virus particles from gathering inside. Good ventilation means having multiple windows opened (even just two inches!).
  • Finally, visit safely. If you’re feeling any COVID-19 symptoms, get tested and then stay at home. Wear a mask when indoors with people you don’t live with or in crowded areas outdoors.

Resources:

• Ten reasons why it’s important for children to get vaccinated: health.ri.gov/publications/factsheets/COVID19_10Reasons5to11.pdf
• Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5 to 11: covid.ri.gov/5to11vaccinefaqs
• Where children ages 5 to 11 can get vaccinated: health.ri.gov/publications/flyers/COVID-5to11-Vaccines.pdf
• List of COVID-19 vaccine clinics for children ages 5 to 11 only: covid.ri.gov/5to11vaccine
• COVID-19 Community Partner Toolkit: covid.ri.gov/public/covid-19-community-partner-toolkit

I strongly encourage you to sign up for this texting feature that Chariho has initiated. The purpose of this texting feature is strictly for any emergency notification. In order to participate in this service, you must first opt in by sending a text message of Y or Yes to our school's short code number at 67587. Individuals who DO NOT opt in will NOT receive text messages. You can always opt out at any time by texting STOP to the messages. I recommend signing up to this texting feature right now so you don't forget and miss any notifications. Thank you!

Here is the link to access Superintendent Picard's newsletter.

Please find a copy of the December issue of the We Are Chariho newsletter here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ywgbe5sCKGdGeNlSd2juwtbY_UQn3eIP/view?usp=sharing

A link to past issues of the newsletter can be found here as well:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1grxKQ2ZjeBENC4UTdO1b8SwStqKmFqPL?usp=sharing

PLEASE be sure parents who are picking up children early from school have proper identification with them when they come to the front door. Ms. Donna is not always the one in the office and we must verify who is picking up the children. Thank you for your undivided attention to this request.

Parking in the parking lot is for staff ONLY. We are having issues with parents dropping off children in the morning and taking up a staff parking spot which is causing staff members to be late which is becoming problematic. Also, some staff end up getting blocked since we have double parking at the end of the day. If parents need to come to the building, PLEASE either park in front of the school or at Langworthy Field and walk up the stairs to the main front door.

Throughout the district, there have been some inquiries regarding passing out birthday invitations. With the concerns with COVID, schools will not be passing out personal invitations or non-district events at this time unless it’s an approved organization event that is required to follow COVID protocols. We are sorry for this inconvenience.

Here are the PTO meeting dates for the rest of the year. All parents are welcome to attend any of the PTO meetings. Hope to see you there!

January 10th at 6:30pm

February 7th at 6:30pm

March 7th at 6:30pm

April 4th at 6:30pm

May 9th at 6:30pm

PTO Members

Co-President: Kristin Clarke > kristinc49@aol.com

Co-President: Leah Sousa > leah.sousa@hotmail.com

Treasurer: Stephanie DaPonte > sdaponte14@gmail.com

Secretary: Chloe Morgan > cmako28@yahoo.com

Communication: Chelsea Vandeveer> chelseabaker101@yahoo.com

School Contact Information

School Principal: Giuseppe Gencarelli – Giuseppe.Gencarelli@chariho.k12.ri.us

School Secretary: Donna Sunderland – Donna.Sunderland@chariho.k12.ri.us

School Webpage: https://hopevalley.chariho.k12.ri.us/

School Contact Info: Phone - 401-539-2321 Fax - 401-633-7099

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Hope Valley Elementary School is to work in partnership with our colleagues, students and families. We are committed to creating a learning environment where children are expected to achieve their full potential.

Email: ggen@chariho.k12.ri.us
Website: hopevalley.chariho.k12.ri.us
Location: 15 Thelma Drive, Hope Valley, RI, United States
Phone: 401-539-2321
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mr.Gencarelli/?ref=br_rs
Twitter: @MrG_HVES