Hickman Hawks

Despite the heat wave and air conditioning issues in the building, our first week of learning went quite smoothly.

Despite the heat wave and air conditioning issues in the building, our first week of learning went quite smoothly. It was great seeing all of the smiling faces re-enter our building this week and just as exciting to see the new faces joining us.

Air Conditioning Update

I received notice on Friday just before 9AM thatthe replacement part to the cooling tower had been received and by 10:30, the tower was repaired and back on line. Each unit throughout the building was brought back online one by one and we were all comfortably cool by the end of the day. I have been advised that the classroom cooling units will remain in place through at least Tuesday in case something falters again. Staff and students should return on Monday with no remaining air conditioning concerns at this time. Our standard school attire policy is also back in effect on Monday.

First Day Packets

All students should have gone home this week with their first day packets full of information and forms for parents to complete. If you have not accessed the first day packet by now, please do so and prepare the return the following forms back to school as soon as possible:

• Demographic Verification Form: This year we sent home a sheet which represents all information we have for your child (address, phone, emergency contacts, etc.) currently. Our request is that you update this information as needed and return the sheet back to school. Simply cross out and correct inaccurate information and/or add any new updates that we need to be aware of.
• Free/Reduced Lunch Waiver: While all student in MNPS receive free breakfast and lunch as part of the MNPS budget, only students with a waiver on file OR families who already benefit from the Federal SNAP program are reimbursed by the Federal Government. Returning your family's waiver form will help to ensure we are able to continue providing free meals to students regardless of SNAP participation.
• Permissions Portal: Information about the MNPS Parent/Student handbook also went hom in the first day packet. Please access the Permissions Portal at https://www.mnps.org/students-families/portals to ensure your preferences are documented and set for your children.

Coming Home This Week

Be sure to check your child's yellow communication folder for the following flyers and information coming home this week:

• Module I Parent Letter: Each module within our Reading curriculum, Wit & Wisdom, comes with a parent letter which identifies the text students are reading along with the big ideas they are learning about and the big questions they are seeking to answer. These letters are grade specific and we ask parents to review them so that you know what your child will be learning throughout the coming weeks.
• LiveSchool Access Sheets: I am sure you already know that we leverage LiveSchool at Hickman as a means of reinforcing expectations and reward students for their positive contribution to our learning environment. LiveSchool also provides parents with access to their child's information so that you can conference with them about it on a regular basis. Whether you use the accompanying QR code to check daily or just wait for the weekly recaps that are sent, this home-school connection is invaluable.
• TSI Designation Parent Notification: Those of you who were with us last year have already received a similar notification. At the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year, Hickman was identified as a Targeted School and Improvement (TSI) school. This rating was assigned due to the low academic growth and high chronic absenteeism of a specific group of students.
• Considering data from the 2025-2026 school year:
• Our chronic absenteeism rate decreased by almost half, from 25.4% in 2025 to 13.9& in 2026. This calculation indicates that 13.9% of our students last year missed 10% or greater of their enrolled days.
• Our academic growth data (TVAAS) also improved significantly in both Reading and Math. This information is not yet publicly available and we continue to wait to receive Science data.

We look forward to welcoming our students back for our 2nd week of learning tomorrow. Please reach out to your child's teacher or the front office should you have any questions.

Be well.

Hickman Elementary is a public, Title I school serving grades Pre-K through 5.

Email: Hickman@mnps.org
Website: https://HickmanHawks.com
Location: 112 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, TN 37214, USA
Phone: 615-884-4020
Twitter: @HickmanHawks

Mr. Chris Holmes (Executive Principal) chris.holmes@mnps.org

Ms. Julia Lamb (Assistant Principal; Part Time) julia.lamb@mnps.org

Ms. Denise Gaither (Dean of Students) denise.gaither@mnps.org

Ms. Julie Slater (School Counselor) julie.bollinger@mnps.org

Ms. Shiloh Burns (Librarian) shiloh.burns@mnps.org

Ms. Carole Scates (Family Engagement) carole.scates@mnps.org

Ms. Hamdiya Shaban (Attendance) hamdiya.shaban@mnps.org

Ms. Nia Brown (School Nurse) nia.brown@nashville.gov

Ms. Tammie Hudson (School Bookkeeper) tammie.hudson@mnps.org

Ms. Adriana Castro (Spanish Interpreter) adriana.castro@mnps.org

Mr. Marvel Wade (Advocacy Center Coach) marvel.wade@mnps.org