Mary Hogan Family Newsletter

Dear Mary Hogan Families,

Each month of the year, we focus on one of the IB Learner Profile Attributes. September's attribute is PRINCIPLED. This is the definition we use for principled: “We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their consequences.”

I saw many students being principled this week - across the school and across the day. Two of my clearest examples happened at recesses this week. Recess has less structure, which is joyful. And, it can also be a time when being principled is harder because of less structure. But I do want to highlight these 2 examples:

• In a 5th grade four square game, we set up the rules and two students were honest the whole game when they got out. They just moved off the court and got back in line. No arguing, no disagreeing. They were principled and it meant that the game moved faster and they were a model for others.
• In a 1st grade recess, students wanted to use sticks. Again, when rules were established, they all followed them and had a lot of fun while following the rules. When someone else wanted to join, they could explain the rules to them and then added "if we don't follow the rules, we throw the sticks into the woods right away and we are fired." They took responsibility for their actions and acted with integrity all recess long.

Way to go, Hawks! While these are two examples, many more abound. Ask your child when they were princpled - and when they saw others being principled this week.

Best,

Jen

Tuesday 9/16 - Picture Day

Wednesday 9/17 - Early Release Day - Preschool dismissal at 11.30, K-5 dismissal at 12.35

Thursday 9/18 - Bus Safety Drill in morning for K-5 students

• 6-7pm - Back to School Night (see more info below)

Friday 9/19 - 10am - Fire Drill (see below for more information)

We can't wait to see you all on Thursday 9/18 from 6-7pm. It is a night to come to school and see your child's classrooms now that they have been in school for 3.5 weeks. And, you can also check out what they are doing around the school - in art, music, Spanish, PE, library, and more! The teachers would love to see you in all of these spaces.

Tasty Treats on the Blacktop - End your night on the black top with a tasty treat - and play together.

Winter Gear Available - We have a lot of winter gear that is new and we want families who may need some to stock up. We will have winter gear for you to take home on the blacktop.

MESA will also have a table on the black top with some Mary Hogan spirit wear and more - for purchase or to plan for a future purchase. They also would love to meet you and tell you more about the awesome work they do for kids at Mary Hogan!

We will be holding our first evacuation drill on Friday 9/19. This drill will be a fire drill. Teachers will have practiced with their classes in advance of what to do and where to go if the fire alarm goes off. In addition, we will be letting classes know in advance of the drill, providing time for the teachers to remind their class what to do when they hear the alarm.

When the fire alarm goes off, we ask students to leave their things in the classroom and follow the teacher out the closest door. Classes line up on the black top in order and teachers take attendance to make sure all students are accounted for. Fire drill lead staff members will check to be sure everyone is accounted for, including visitors, before ending the drill and having students go in. Teachers will then debrief the drill with their students.

We will have evacuation drills most months this year so we can practice what to do in the event we need to leave the building unexpectedly.

This past Wednesday, we had a blast at MUMS while enjoying the performance of Les Giraffes from Le Compaigne OFF from France. The performance came to ACSD through the Flynn Theater and was a chance for students across ACSD to gather and celebrate the start of school.

The performance featured huge red giraffes that were powered by 2 people in them. The giraffes acted like giraffes and engaged with the audience in a parade, some drinking of water, and much more.

Many of the families I spoke to were excited to have an event at MUMS where their children would go and to have it be an event with kids from all the schools - K-12. It was full of whimsy and joy.

Below are some photos of Mary Hogan students that night.

As we fly into our fourth week of school, we will continue to invest our time to establish routines where we teach, model, practice, and reinforce what it means to be safe to ourselves, others, and our environment. One place you may not expect that we work on routines is on the bus.

Here is what our students will/have experienced:

• All students have reviewed our bus safety norms through social stories, modeling, role play, or through morning meeting activities.

• In the first 2 weeks, staff have reinforced and modeled bus expectations by directly reminding students of what it means to be safe and kind when riding the bus to the High School.

• There will be times when Mary Hogan staff and administration will ride the bus routes to ensure that students understand and are following bus norms.

• Throughout the year, all students will participate in bus safety drills and practice scenarios for evacuation. The first bus safety drill is 9/18.

Please talk with your child about the bus safety rules so that they know you know what they are. When families and school partner in this way, students understand that we all are here to support them.

Bus Safety Rules are:

• Calm body and quiet voice
• Safe words
• No food, candy, or drinks - waterbottles with water are okay.
• Clean up your seat before you leave and take your belongings
• Body to self and safe in the bus
• Stay in your seat with your seatbelt on
• Keep the aisle clear

The poster we use with students is below.

Each morning, students have an experience of community in their classroom in Morning Meeting. This week, Mrs. Poulin captured her 5th grade class in their greeting. You can see from the slide they were working from that they knew the agenda (click on it to see it much bigger than this!) and what was expected of them. They also knew what to do and how to do it after it was modeled. And, look how much fun they had!

Our 4th and 5th grade chorus has 62 members! They meet together on Wednesdays from 2.10-3 to learn and practice their songs together. Mrs. K would love some help from volunteers at this time as an extra adult to help answer student questions or support their attention. If you are available to help and have signed up to be a volunteer, please reach out to her at skulhowvick@acsdvt.org.

Having proper foot wear in physical education is important for skill development and safety. On occasion, students may need to borrow a pair of sneakers. We are looking for gently used sneakers in a variety of kid sizes that will fit students in grades K - 5. These sneakers will be lent out for PE class and returned at the end of class. Please drop off donations to Cyndi Palmer or Stephanie Bull in the PE office next to the gym.

We are so grateful to our family and community volunteers! If you plan to volunteer for an event or activity this year, now is a great time to apply or make sure your paperwork is up-to-date!

• Learn more about the volunteer process here.
• Check in with your front office if you've volunteered in the past to make your paperwork is up to date.
• Fill out this form if you've never volunteered before and plan to this year.

Want to know more about the Volunteer Process? Check out more information HERE.