March 2021

3/15 - State Professional Development Day (Asynchronous Learning for All)

3/17 - Celebrating St. Patrick's Day - See info below

3/17 - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 12:45)

3/19 - Trimester 2 Ends

3/23 - School Committee Meeting - Agenda Link (more info below)

3/24 - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 12:45)

3/26 - Report Cards Issued

3/31 - Last day to complete Survey Works (see information below)

April 2021

4/1 - Deadline for the Dental Screening Survey (see important information below)

4/1 - RICAS Practice Testing

4/2 - Good Friday - No School

4/5 - PTO Meeting - 6:30 PM (will be virtual)

4/5 - Grade 3 RICAS Testing (ELA Session 1)

4/6 - Grade 3 RICAS Testing (ELA Session 2)

4/7 - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 12:40)

4/8 - Grade 4 RICAS Testing (ELA Session 1)

4/9 - Grade 4 RICAS Testing (ELA Session 2)

4/12 - Grade 3 RICAS Testing (Math Session 1 & 2)

4/13 - Grade 4 RICAS Testing (Math Session 1 & 2)

4/14 - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 12:40)

4/19 - 4/23 - April Vacation - No School

4/28 - Early Release Day (students dismissed at 12:40)

Attestation Self-Check Site: https://ps.chariho.k12.ri.us/public/

Chariho Parent Virtual and Concurrent Learning Site

It is IMPERATIVE that families are monitoring their children for symptoms. We are still in the middle of a pandemic and we need to continue to be watchful. No one with any symptoms should be coming to school.

A year ago, today was Friday the 13th and I had to message all Hope Valley School families about the district plans of dealing with the "coronavirus" after the Governor’s press conference. I can remember it like it was yesterday. The disbelief, the nervousness, the unknown. Who knew what was going to happen? I cannot believe it’s been a year since the day when the country shut down. Wow, how far we have come.

Earlier today, I asked the teachers to reflect back on the last 365 days. I recommend that parents take a few minutes this weekend to reflect back of what has transpired the last year. Think about all the highs and lows. I am sure there were more lows than highs, but do NOT focus on the negative. It is so easy to go down the rabbit hole of negativity. We need to move forward and not dwell on the past. Things happen. It is how we deal with them moving forward what’s the most important. In my email to teachers, I suggested that they reflect on their craft/style of teaching and what they took out of this whole experience. I ask you to do the same and think about your parenting style. What systems did you have to put in place at home? What will you continue to use as a parent post Covid? What did you learn about technology that you didn’t know before? What positive qualities did you learn about your children over the last year? Yes, the past year was unprecedented to say the least but try to take away the positives that transpired. We need to move forward as individuals, as families, as a state, and as a nation. I know we are not back to normal yet, but we can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s continue to be patient as we put this in our rearview mirror. Just know this: The one thing I am most grateful for and proud of is ALL OF YOU!!!! The teachers, parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, service providers, teacher assistants, custodians, kitchen staff. Although, you may not feel like you are but you are all my SUPERHEREOS. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.

Next week is going to be the big reveal of something ultra special in the Hope Valley hallway. STAY TUNED!!!!

Let's see who is the most spirited on St. Patrick's Day. I'll be honest, I like my odds. So, pick out your green clothes, grab a can of washable green hair spray paint, stick on those St. Patrick's day dissolvable tattoos, make cool designs with face paint, etc. Go all out and do it up. I will be sure to take pictures and post them. Have fun and be creative!!!!

Maybe you want to wear all green, dress like a leprechaun, or be twinzees or triplets with a friend or friends. Or just be you and create your own style. I can’t wait to see the children on Wednesday, March 17th and I can’t wait for them to see me. Although I am 100% Italian, on Wednesday I will be 100% Irish!

Have you been reading your “Rooster” books? If so, we want YOU!!

Calling all 4th graders for fun virtual community mini Rooster Games! Please click the link for all the info needed: http://bit.ly/VirtualMiniGames

Deadline to sign up is Friday, 3/26 and the games will take place on Saturday, 4/10.

Dear Parents of K-4th students,

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, dentists will not be coming to the schools to do the dental screening for our students here at Hope Valley Elementary. They will need to be done electronically. Please click the link below for information regarding the electronic dental survey that can be used for dental screening during the 2020-2021 school year. Parents please fill out this form for your child. The survey also contains information about obtaining a dentist if you do not have one. The deadline to complete the dental screening is April 1, 2021. If you have questions or concerns please reach out to Nurse Tara.

https://forms.gle/P1D2qyC2MYVTCB666

Blue Cross & Blue Shield is excited to partner with The American Diabetes Association (ADA) to bring Project Power to Rhode Island youth. BCBSRI will be supporting this virtual evidence-based health, nutrition and physical education program for youth ages 5-12 which will take place May 4-20, 2021.

An unrestricted $1500 stipend is available for any organization (school or district) that registers a minimum of 75 participants.

The ADA is looking for community organizations and groups to help increase our impact through strategic collaborations. The ADA is seeking to partner with schools to offer Community Partner Stipends to promote and register participants for ADA Project Power, a FREE virtual evidence-based health, nutrition and physical education program for youth ages 5-12.

The program for the youth starts with a special Project Power Box and Activity Journal delivered right to the registered youth’s door. In addition to virtual “group” meetings with friends and group leaders during one-hour sessions, twice a week, participants can expect:

• Games and friendly competitions
• Interactive lessons and discussions
• Family engagement activities and social media challenges

ADA will provide in support of organizations:

• Promotional flyers and social media images
• Online registration platform at www.diabetes.org/projectpower
• List name of organization on the online application

The $1500 stipend granted to the organization is unrestricted. Execution of the partnership is upon receipt of signed Vendor Agreement and W-9. Fulfillment is complete upon the minimum of 75 program registered participants.

• Registration for the May program will close on March 31.

Thank you to our amazing PTO for making all of the elephant masks last week for Reading Week. The children and staff loved them and they wore them proudly. Last week, the students got to virtually visit Roger Williams Zoo and we met with the Elephant Keeper and it was such a wonderful experience. You can view a few pictures with the elephant zoo keeper. As a school we raised $481 to adopt an elephant. With what we collected, we will be able to adopt multiple elephants (one per grade level maybe). We cannot thank you for your generosity to help support this cause.

By symbolically adopting an African elephant, you share your love for animals by helping ours receive the best possible care. (https://www.rwpzoo.org/adopt-african-elephant)

This adoption package includes:

• Animal plush
• A frame-able animal photo and fun fact sheet
• Personalized certificate of adoption
• Listing in Wild Magazine (recent adoptions)

Please email me if your Distant Learning child wants to return to school for the third trimester. We would love to have them back to end the school year. Simply email me at ggen@chariho.k12.ri.us.

A parent letter regarding RICAS State Testing was recently sent home. In case you did not see the informational letter, you can click on the link below to view it. Mrs. Pastore, Miss Girton, and Mr. G have been planning for RICAS testing since the end of January. It is very important that you take time to carefully read the parent letter (first link) which includes dates and times of testing. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Pastore and Mr. G.

RICAS Parent Letter Link

Our SIT team has 2 open parent spots for next year's school improvement team. If you are interested, please click on the link below and complete this Google form. Applications are due by March 31.

School Improvement Team Application Link

Purpose of the School Improvement Team (SIT)

The purpose of the SIT is to provide input on and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan for continuous improvement based on the District Strategic Plan, data, and feedback provided by school and district-based teams such as the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support teams, the District Curriculum Planning Committee, and the Health and Wellness Committee. The SIT will provide voice and an avenue for communication from each building to their school community and the larger district community regarding progress toward our strategic goals and objectives. The SIT will also be integral to the participatory governance of the school.

Duties of the School Improvement Teams

• The SIT, including the principal, lead teacher, shall meet regularly and shall assist in the identification of the educational needs of the students attending the school; make recommendations to the principal for the development, implementation, and assessment of a curriculum accommodation plan; and shall assist in the review of the annual school budget and in the formulation of a school improvement plan (SIP), as provided below.

• The SIT will support the principal in establishing an interview team for vacancies of teachers and education support professionals assigned to the school. Interview teams shall include members of the school community related to the vacancy, and may include members of the SIT.

• The principal of each school, in consultation with the SIT established pursuant to this policy, shall, on an annual basis, develop and submit to the Superintendent a plan for improving student performance (SIP). The Superintendent shall review and approve the plan, after consultation with the School Committee. Plans shall be prepared in a manner and form prescribed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and shall conform to any policies and practices of the District consistent therewith. If the Superintendent does not approve a plan submitted by the principal, the plan shall be returned to the principal who shall, after consultation with the SIT, resubmit the plan to the Superintendent who shall review and approve the resubmitted plan after consultation with the School Committee.

The district plans to send out Kindergarten registration information the week of March 15th. This will be an eRegistration; however, there are a few documents that must be accompanied with the registration. All that you need will be on the flyer that will be distributed. There can be scheduled appointments if someone needs access to a device for whatever reason. As a reminder, children must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2021.

Superintendents March Update - click here

3/23 School Committee Meeting Agenda - As you are aware, the School Committee voted to pursue the first option to build one large elementary school for all of Chariho. At the 3/23 School Committee meeting, the Chariho Regional School District Committee is requesting an extension of time to submit its Stage II Application more than one year after preliminary approval specific to the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education Regulation pertaining to the submittal of the Stage II Application within one year of the preliminary approval. The capital improvement plan in Chariho’s Stage II Application is to replace four elementary schools with one regional elementary school. The agenda is directly below this section.

Life Changer of the Year!

Did you know that Hope Valley School has NOT 1, NOT 2 but 3, yes, 3 teacher’s who have been nominated for the life changer of the year award?!!!

This is a nationwide award with over 700 nominees. In the next few months those 700 will be narrowed down to the final 16. The 16 winners will get a stipend for the school and also for themselves! You can help our Hope Valley Community by taking a minute to see what people have to say about these amazing educators and perhaps leaving a comment of your own! Click on the nominees name or scan the QR code! You can also help by mentioning these teachers on twitter or facebook using the hashtag #LCOY

You can click right on the teacher's picture below and it will take you to the teacher's page so you can leave a comment or click on the links directly below.

Support Mrs. Mankoff

Support Mrs. Abbott

Support Mrs. Mello

We are running into issues where families are trying to access DL for reasons other than what's listed below. There are district guidelines and expectations for Distance Learning. Students cannot simply just move to DL, there must be a valid reason. So, please know that if your child is registered for in-person learning, the ONLY time they should be accessing distance learning is:

• if they have symptoms,
• are in quarantine/isolation,
• the class/district/school is placed on distance learning per the district/school administration, or
• DL was the learning scenario they registered for T2.

If a student does access DL when they are an in-person learner, and it is not for one of the reasons noted above, the student will be marked absent for the day.

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: @JoeGencarelli1

Pleas take a few minutes to complete this important survey. Currently we have 38% participation. We need to get to 60% participation for students to have their outdoor live DJ Party with DJ Jazzy G.

1. Visit http://bit.ly/ridefamily (click on the link)
2. Choose your school from the dropdown list. (** See the important note below to make sure you are taking the correct survey for the grade level your child attends.)
3. Complete the survey.

** Very Important: When you click on the survey link above, you will have to choose your child’s school from the dropdown menu. There will be two options for Hope Valley School. You will see Hope Valley Elementary School (Chariho) and Hope Valley Elementary School Annex (Chariho). All families of pre-school children MUST use Hope Valley School ANNEX and all families of children in grades K-4 will use Hope Valley Elementary School. RIDE had to separately identify the two schools a few years ago. Thank you.