Hawk Happenings: Parent Newsletter

Good Evening Families,

We need your support to ensure our learners are starting each day successfully! Over the past few weeks, we’ve noticed an increase in tardies and behavioral concerns related to late arrivals. Consistent attendance and arriving on time are key to helping every learner stay on track academically and socially.

Additionally, we ask for your cooperation during carpool. Please remember:

• Do not block the main highway while waiting in line.

• Move closer to the car in front of you to keep traffic flowing.

• If the line extends beyond the entrance, please continue across the street on the other side of Paddio Johnson Rd until it is safe to enter.

Your patience and attention to these procedures help us keep all families safe and ensure a smooth start to every school day.

Thank you for your continued partnership!

Warm regards,

Mrs. Smith

The mission of the St. Helena Early Learning Center is to foster a culture of literacy and numeracy through small group and multi-sensory learning experiences that support learner success and promote strong community engagement

• Prioritize phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

• Use CKLA, DIBELS, and Amira to monitor and support reading growth.

• Build number sense and problem-solving using Zearn and hands-on strategies.

• Emphasize conceptual understanding with math talks and models.

3. HQIM Implementation

• Teach CKLA and Zearn with fidelity and consistent lesson internalization.
• Align instruction to standards and curriculum pacing guides.

4. Data-Driven Instruction

• Use assessment data to group learners and adjust instruction.
• Monitor progress through iReady, DIBELS, and classroom checks.

5. Developmentally Appropriate Practice

• Integrate academics with play, movement, and SEL.
• Support learner engagement through routines and interactive centers.

6. Differentiation

• Scaffold instruction to meet individual needs.
• Use flexible groups, visuals, and supports for all learners.

7. Vocabulary & Oral Language

• Teach key vocabulary daily.
• Provide frequent opportunities for structured conversation.

8. Clarity & Ownership

• Use child-friendly learning targets and success criteria.
• Encourage goal setting and self-reflection.

Our District Vision is to create an equitable, productive school culture that increases learner success, develops educator effectiveness and builds public confidence.

This year, our school is excited to read with Scholastic Book Clubs! It’s a great way to build up your child’s book collection at home and help them improve their reading skills. And when you shop with Clubs, your orders earn points I can redeem for books and other classroom supplies we need.

Here’s how it works: I’ll send home flyers like these throughout the year. If you decide to place an order, you can do that through our class ordering page. Your books will arrive at school about 10 days after I submit our school order.

By teaming up with Scholastic, we’ll help your child become a more confident, independent reader—and we’ll build a classroom library all learners are excited to explore!

Order due date: 10/31/25
Shop our class page: https://orders.scholastic.com/Z6KTH

Happy reading!

TEMPEST SMITH
Class code: Z6KTH

Learners who scored below benchmark on DIBELS are eligible for extra support through the Steve Carter Tutoring Program. This program provides free, high-quality tutoring to help strengthen reading skills.

If your child qualifies, we encourage you to apply using the link below:
👉 https://www.louisianatutoringinitiative.com/s/

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure every learner succeeds!

The Allen & Jeanette Guillory Thomason Foundation would like to bless our families with free turkeys for Thanksgiving! 🦃

If your family would like to receive one, please click the link below to sign up:
https://forms.office.com/r/Pg4f0zprcL

Quantities are limited, so please complete the form as soon as possible.

If you need assistance with your child’s school pictures, please contact Lifetouch Customer Support for Families:

📞 1-800-736-4753
🌐 https://lifetouch.force.com/helpcenter/s/

They can assist with ordering, payment questions, or accessing your photos.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 9th. This is a valuable opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher, discuss progress, and partner together for continued success.

Please use the link below or the QR code provided to reserve your conference time:
👉 Click here to schedule your conference

We encourage all families to sign up early to secure the time that works best for you.

We are excited to celebrate Homecoming Spirit Week at SHELC from October 13th–17th! Learners can show their school spirit by participating in each day’s fun theme:

• Monday, Oct. 13: Tie-Dye vs. Camo

• Tuesday, Oct. 14: Sports vs. Sparkle

• Wednesday, Oct. 15: Nickelodeon vs. Disney

• Thursday, Oct. 16: Black vs. Gold

• Friday, Oct. 17: No School – Homecoming Parade 🎉

We can’t wait to see our learners showing their spirit and creativity all week long!

Our school is participating in the Community Coffee Cash for Schools Program! ☕️ Please collect Proofs of Purchase from Community Coffee products and send them to school with your child. Every label helps us earn money for resources that directly benefit our learners. Thank you for your support!