We had a Fun and Festive Week as we celebrated I LOVE 2 READ Week! The number of scholars and staff that participated was beyond our wildest dreams! Thank you guardians for your help... It does take a village to make fun weeks like this happen and I recognize the extra work you did to go find those crazy socks, that unicorn or Harry Porter costume, or the rainbow tied dyed jeans that adorned our scholars throughout the week! (Check out MANY pictures of our ILOVE2Read Week below and on Facebook!)

As you are reading this... I do want to remind you that our Fun Week culminates tonight with our SNOWBALL Dance! Please remember to come with your child and if you can, bring a pre-packaged treat to share with the scholars that will be dancing the night away! <-- Check out my Favorite movie/Song!

Snow Ball Dance

Friday, February 16th from 6-8pm.

Just a Reminder - There is NO School on Monday Feb 19th (School Professional Development day)

We look forward to seeing all scholars Back on Tuesday Feb 20th!

Alice Smith Book Store!!

This spring, in lieu of hosting a large vendor like Literati or Scholastic for our Book Fair, our AMAZING Media Center Team is creating the New AS Book Store!

• The AS Book Store will allow ALL scholars to get a new or gently used book to love and read at a very very low cost!
• All profits of the Book Store will go directly back to the Media Center to buy more books for our school
• We NEED your help! We are welcoming donations of gently used books! (See Flyer Below!!)

Careers @ Alice Smith!

• Do you or someone you know wants to work with our AMAZING Kinder Team? (Ms. Wu, Mrs. Jolie, & Mrs. Acker/Lana)
• We are also looking for a Math Wiz! Someone that can work with Kinder, 1st, and 2nd graders in small groups teaching and re-teaching math skills! If you are interested, see the posts below
• Alice Smith para link: https://www.applitrack.com/hopkins/onlineapp/default.aspx?AppliTrackPostingSearch=location:%22Alice+Smith+Elementary+%22

Mr. Eduardo Navidad

Direct Line: 952-988-4201

Email: eduardo.navidad@hopkinsschools.org

Alice Smith Elementary Principal

Follow Alice Smith on Social Media

Twitter: @AliceSmith270 and @NavidadASE

Facebook: @AliceSmithElementarySchool

Alice Smith Weather Station

2/16/24 - School Dance @ AS - 6p-8p

2/19/24 - Professional Development - No School

2/29/24 - Kindergarten Roundup @ AS - 6p-7:30p

3/5/24 - Professional Development - No School

3/7/24 - Conferences - No School

3/8/24 - Conferences - No School

3/12/24 - PTO Meeting @ AS - 6p - 8p

3/21/24 - Imagination Fair @ AS - 5p-7p

4/1/24-4/5/24- Spring Break - No School

4/10/24 - Eid al-Fitr holiday - No School

4/12/24 - Heritage Fest @ AS - 5:30p-8p

Every Wednesday ICA/AS Food Market From 3:30pm-6:30pm (Click Here For Appt)

We start off every Friday with a PAW ticket drawing. Scholars earn PAW tickets throughout the week for being Respectful, Responsible, & Ready to Learn. On Friday, Mr. Navidad draws 12 tickets randomly during morning announcements and if your name is on that ticket, you are rewarded with a prize. Congratulations to this week's drawing winners!

Alice Smith yearbooks are now on sale! The yearbook is a great way for students to remember all of the friends, staff and fun they will have this year. Yearbooks cost $22 and will be sold from now until April but don't waste any time in ordering! Yearbook order forms should be coming home with your scholar but in case it doesn't find its way, here are your purchase options:

1) Go to ybpay.com and enter Yearbook ID: 14430324

2) Use this QR code and enter Yearbook ID: 14430324

Meeting Updates

Thank you to all who attended the February PTO meeting this week. Meeting Minutes are available for those that would like an update on the conversation.

Snowball Dance

Join us for the Snowball Dance TONIGHT from 6-8!

We will have a DJ, photo booth and snacks so families can dance the night away!

Please note this is a family event and not a child drop off. Adults will need to accompany their child/children for the entirety of the dance.

We need your feedback! Please respond to this community survey pertaining to recent changes in our district (e.g., school start times, 6/9th grade transition, etc.). The purpose of this survey is for us to check in with families, staff, and students around these transitions and to understand any positive or negative impacts. Your responses are anonymous. The survey will take 5-10 minutes to complete. We will use the results to determine how to support staff, students, and families moving forward. Take the survey here.

Tickets are sold out for the Royal Bash on March 2, but you can still support the Hopkins Education Foundation’s grants program and our Royal Bash special project. Become a Virtual Silent Auction Bidder, purchase a raffle ticket (for a chance to win $1,000 cash), or donate directly to the computer science project. HEF is raising funds for a district-wide project called Fueling Future Minds, focused on computer science, coding, and artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative, which will benefit all Hopkins students, includes partnerships with local technology companies to enhance Hopkins students’ skills so they can solve problems and do community-based research to prepare them to answer society’s big questions. https://secure.qgiv.com/event/hefbash24/

• Sara Chovan, Early Learning Assistant Director
• Kathy Willett, Preschool Supervisor
• Jennifer Muller, Early Childhood Special Education Lead and Teacher

Friday, March 8, 6:30-8:30 PM, Eisenhower Community Center

Kids and their favorite adults will enjoy an evening of fun activities, dancing, photos, refreshments, and games together at the Enchanted Stars Dance. Create unforgettable memories dancing to your favorite beats with music provided by a professional DJ. This event is recommended for kids ages 4-12. Click here to register.

Conceptual understanding in math goes beyond just memorizing algorithms or getting the right answers; it's about grasping the 'why' behind what we do. It involves connecting the dots between concepts instead of memorizing procedures. Instead of just focusing on the 'how,' it encourages learners to explore the 'why' behind mathematical ideas. Scholars with conceptual understanding can assess the reasonableness of answers and adapt to unfamiliar problems. This approach makes math more like solving a captivating puzzle rather than following a set of rules, paving the way for deeper learning and a more confident, adaptable approach to any math challenge.

Many of us might recall our own experiences learning math through a primarily procedural lens, where the emphasis was on algorithms and following predefined steps. While this approach may have provided us with the ability to compute answers efficiently, it sometimes lacked a deeper connection to the why and how of mathematical concepts. Connecting procedures with underlying concepts not only fosters fluency but also enhances students' retention of these procedures, enabling them to apply their knowledge confidently in new situations.

Hopkins educators teach with conceptual understanding as the goal, prioritizing interactive and engaging activities that allow students to explore and make sense of mathematical ideas. Visual aids, manipulatives, and real-world examples help students connect abstract concepts with concrete experiences. Scholars are encouraged to ask questions, discuss their reasoning, and collaborate on problem-solving, emphasizing the 'why' and 'how' behind mathematical strategies. This classroom environment promotes a positive attitude towards math, curiosity, and the development of critical thinking skills, ensuring that Hopkins scholars not only know how to solve problems but also truly understand the underlying mathematical principles.

• Encourage Questions: Foster curiosity by encouraging your scholar to ask questions about why and how certain math concepts work. This helps them engage with the material on a deeper level.

• Real-World Applications: Relate math to everyday experiences. Involve your scholar in activities that require measurement and calculation. This helps bridge the gap between abstract concepts and practical applications.

• Use Visual Aids: If your scholar is struggling with a particular concept, consider using visual aids or manipulatives at home. This could include drawing pictures, using household items, or online tools to represent mathematical ideas visually.

• Explore Math Games: Incorporate math games that involve problem-solving and critical thinking. Board games, card games, or online math games can make learning enjoyable while reinforcing conceptual understanding.

• Celebrate Mistakes: Help your scholar view mistakes as opportunities to learn. Mistakes are a natural part of the learning process and can provide valuable insights into areas that may need more attention.

Remember, as we are nurturing conceptual understanding, your support plays a crucial role. Stay curious! Your scholar may be able to explain their thinking and process in a way you had never considered. Don't hesitate to let them teach you—this interactive exchange not only strengthens their understanding but also creates a shared learning experience. By fostering a positive attitude towards math and embracing the learning journey together, you contribute significantly to your scholar's mathematical success.

Black Lives Matter

Date; Saturday, February 24th Time: 9am-10:30am
Location: Gatewood Elementary

Our purpose is to build relationships across difference and practice modeling our values around social justice. We will be offering five sessions this school year on a variety of topics. To register for our next session, click the title link: Black Lives Matter

For disability access requests, contact Hannah Carney: hcarney@umn.edu or 763-226-0139

Please take a look in our Electronic Backpack to find a variety of offerings & information for our scholars:

Hopkins Softball

Hopkins Little League

Try Hockey For Free!

Hopkins Youth Box Lacrosse

School Supply List 23-24

Cub Scouts Flyer

Winter Indoor Soccer Flyer

School Day: 7:50am - 2:20pm

Arrival Basics

School doors open: 7:30am.

Breakfast Available: 7:30am - 7:50am

No students are allowed to go to their classroom until the first bell rings at 7:43am. Class begins promptly at 7:50am. Late arrivals will check-in at the front office for tardy pass.

Dismissal Basics

Class ends at 2:20pm. If there is a change your students' end of day arrangements, please notify the school 2 hours in advance by calling the office at 952-988-4200 to ensure safety and avoid any miscommunication.

To Report your students absence:

• Attendance Line: 952-988-4210
• Online Attendance Form

Website: https://hopkinsschools.org/schools/elementary-schools/alice-smith-elementary
Location: 801 Minnetonka Mills Road, Hopkins, MN 55343, USA
Phone: (952) 988-4200
Facebook: facebook.com/AliceSmithElementarySchool
Twitter: @AliceSmith270