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*** Newsletter *** Hilda Walker Intermediate School – April, 2013
Letter from the Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians,
The third testing period for NWEA–MAP test (Northwest
Evaluation Association – Measures of Academic Progress) begins
on Monday, April 15th
and continues through Friday, May 3rd
,
2013. This test provides the school district, teachers, parents and
students with valuable information relating to each student’s
ACADEMIC GROWTH. The academic areas to be assessed are
reading, language arts and math.
Your child’s teacher has specific dates and times scheduled for
the test to be administered each week. Each student will be taking
the online tests in one of the computer labs under the direction of
the classroom teacher. It is important that each student
understands the purpose of this testing, and that he/she takes part
in monitoring his/her ACADEMIC GROWTH. We know that our
Walker parents/guardians will provide the support needed to
ensure that our students do their best on the NWEA-MAP tests, as
you always do, by making sure your children:
Attend school each day
Arrive on time (in the classroom by 8:20 a.m.
ready for instruction)
Get plenty of rest
Eat a nourishing breakfast
Have a positive, can-do attitude
Understand the importance of monitoring “academic growth”
We encourage you to visit www.nwea.org and search for Parent
Toolkit.
Sincerely,
Mr. Michael Ruffalo, Principal
Mrs. Dana Wright, Assistant Principal
General Information Hilda Walker Intermediate School
19900 S. 80th Avenue
Tinley Park, Illinois 60487
Phone: 815-464-2285
Student Attendance Hours: 8:20 A.M .to 2:50 P.M.*
School Office Hours: 7:55 A.M. to 3:55 P.M.
Teacher Attendance Hours: 8:10 A.M. to 3:10 P.M.
For your information…
The after school activity end at 4:00 P.M. unless otherwise
noted.
Important Dates
4/8 – Classes Resume
4/9 - School Board Elections
4/10 – B.O.E. Meeting @SHJH 7 p.m.
4/11 – HWSCO Meeting @3 p.m.
4/12 – HWSCO Treat Day (bring $1 to purchase a sugar cookie)
4/13 – Band Boosters Spaghetti Dinner @Walker 3:30-7:45, $6.00
4/15-5/3 – NWEA Testing
4/17 – 6th Grade Assembly- Reptiles in the MPR
4/23 – Jazz Coffeehouse @SHJH, 7 p.m.
4/24 – Progress Reports On-Line
B.O.E. Meeting @FS 7 p.m.
4/25 – SH/HW Band Booster Meeting @SHJH, 7 p.m.
4/27 – HWSCO Hot Lunch (Pizza Mia Cheese Pizza)
4/30 – 6th Grade Band Step-up @SHJH, 7 p.m.
Parent-School Contact Procedure Flow:
1. First, contact the teacher.
2. If you want to schedule a conference, please call or email
the teacher to make an appointment to address your
concerns.
3. If you need further assistance after you have had a
conference (or phone conference) with the teacher, then
contact the principal or assistant principal.
Hilda Walker News p2
Choir News
The Hilda Walker Wildcat Singers participated in the district level
IGSMA choral contest on March 9th. The choir went in to the
contest as one of the younger groups performing for the day. They
sang three songs nearly flawlessly for a panel of judges. Their
hard work was evident when the students came out of the contest
in the first division, earning a rating that was one point away from
a perfect score. The students will now advance on to the state
level! This is the first time in many years that Hilda Walker will
be competing at this level and we know the students will make our
school proud! Good luck at state at the end of April!
Mrs. Lewkow, Music Teacher
__________________________________
Newspaper Club
The Newspaper Club has been hard at work publishing the Walker
Tribune this year. The members have published three issues of
the newspaper so far this year. They have been reporting on all
the happenings at Hilda Walker. Some of the favorite features of
the Tribune are the puzzles, the book and movie reviews and of
course, guess the teacher! The students have learned the art of
interviewing to get the information they are looking for as well as
good editing practices to make sure the paper is ready for print.
We are currently working on the last issue of the year. They hope
to have a year in review issue to share with the current fourth
graders when they visit on step up day. This year’s members
include: Brianna Toman, Amanda Baird, Dominic Vilatte, Luke
Zilinskas, Suvidhi Shah, Morgan Rogers, Kylie Bjes, Carter
Sheehan, Grace Heaton, Noor Iqbal, Stephanie Cook, Cameron
Morlan, and Catherine Harrington.
Mrs. McFarland, 6th
Grade Teacher
Band Boosters Annual Spaghetti Dinner
On Saturday, April 13, 2013, Hilda Walker Intermediate School
will once again host the Summit Hill Band Boosters annual
Spaghetti Dinner. This will be our 20th annual Spaghetti Dinner
and everyone is invited. Tickets are $6.00 each. To purchase a
ticket, please ask a band student, band director, or band parent. All
band students will soon be receiving tickets to sell. Dinner service
will begin at 3:30 PM in the Walker lunchroom. Dinner service
will then end at 7:45 PM.
In addition to a great meal of pasta and meatballs, all of the
Summit Hill bands will perform a concert, starting off with the 6th
Grade Wildcat Band under the direction of Mr. Jason Collins at
2:30 PM, followed by the Beginning Band, directed by Mr. Scott
Wagstaff at 4:30 PM, the Summit Hill Jr. High Concert Band,
directed by Mrs. Katie Goddard at 7:00 PM, and the Summit Hill
Jr. High Symphonic Band, Directed by Mrs. Kim Coughlin at 8:15
PM.
Please come out for some great food and some even greater music
to support our award winning Summit Hill band program.
__________________________
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe
As the fourth quarter begins, our students have learned many new
concepts and important strategies to be successful in their lives.
We are all very proud of our students for their hard work and wish
for them to continue through the end of the school year. There are
many fun activities (including assemblies, Talent show, and Field
Day) planned this quarter for our staff and students to enjoy.
Students following “The Walker Way” (Be Respectful, Be
Responsible, and Be Safe) and meeting the established guidelines
will be rewarded with the opportunity to attend these events. We
know our students will continue to do their best and we can’t wait
to see everyone participating in our fourth quarter activities!
Hilda Walker News p3
6th
Grade World’s Fair Information….
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Since March, our sixth grade students have been working hard on
World's Fair. On Thursday, May 2, 2013, you are invited to
Hilda Walker to see all they have accomplished. Please read and
observe the following information carefully so that everyone may
enjoy an organized event.
We plan to enjoy lots of food! Please LABEL ALL FOOD with
a note card including the title of the dish and ALL
INGREDIENTS. Also, please PROVIDE the following:
paper grocery bag (garbage)
napkins
AS NEEDED:
toothpicks
eating utensils (must not include knives)
cups
The following are NOT ALLOWED:
glass
alcohol related items
electrical items / extension cords
burners (sterno)
World's Fair will be held in the following TWO SESSIONS.
Please RESPECT OTHERS by promptly observing the following
schedule. Below are homeroom times and locations:
SESSION 1 (5:30 - 6:30) - Set up at 5:15 (USE REAR
ENTRANCE)
Park and enter through the REAR entrance.
LEAVE show boards after your presentation is
completed.
TAKE everything else HOME
Aye/Meagher - GYM
Krueger/Dermody- Multipurpose Room
McFarland/Mittlestadt – GYM
Froeschle-GYM
Nance - Multipurpose Room
SESSION 2 (7:00 - 8:00) - Set up at 6:45 (USE FRONT
ENTRANCE)
Park and enter through the FRONT entrance.
TAKE EVERYTHING HOME including show
boards
Becker/Besse – GYM
Driscoll/Johnson-GYM
Klein/Satalic-GYM
Rafa/Goniwiecha - Multipurpose Room
Our staff and students sincerely thank you for all of your support
and assistance. This is truly a great educational experience for all
of us.
6th
Grade Wildcat Band
The Hilda Walker 6th
Grade Wildcat Band performed in the
IGSMA Organizational Band Contest on Saturday, March 16,
2013. The contest was held at Columbia Central School in Steger.
The band gave an excellent performance and received a Division I
rating from all three judges. Congratulations to the Wildcat Band
on a job well done!
The band’s next performance will be on Saturday, April 13 at 2:30
in the Hilda Walker gym. This performance will be part of the
Summit hill Band Boosters’ annual Spaghetti Dinner. Dinners will
be served from 3:30-8:00 p.m. and the cost of a ticket is $6. The
band performance is free of charge. Mr. Collins, 6
th Grade Band Teacher
__________________________________________________
SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY, MAY 3rd
CAREER DAY
Dear Parents/Guardians:
We would like to invite members of the Hilda Walker Community to present at our Career Day on Friday, May 3, 2013. Sessions will be scheduled from 1:10 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. and from 1:55 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. In a half hour session, you will be asked to share your chosen job with about 20 to 26 students. Our children are interested in ALL TYPES OF JOBS. We appreciate your willingness to take time to spend with our students. THANK YOU! The sign-up form has been e-blasted to your email, if we have one for you. Some paper copies are also being sent home for those parents who do not use email. We need to hear from you by Friday, April 12
th. For further information, please email:
Hilda Walker News p4 HEALTH AND DENTAL REQUIREMENTS
For the 2013/14 school year, all students entering 6th
grade are
required to have a physical and be current on their immunizations,
including the new Tdap requirement. This is to be completed
before the first day of 6th
grade. This physical can also be used to
meet the sports physical requirement if they choose to participate
in intramural or sports activities.
6th
grade students are also required to have a dental examination.
This is due May 15, 2014. It is valid for any dental exam within
18 months before that date.
Students entering 5th
grade do not have any health or dental
requirements, BUT if they choose to try out or participate in sports
or intramurals, they will need a sports physical. The sports
physicals are good for 1 year, and will be required every year
through high school if your child participates in any sports or
intramural activities.
If any student requires medication at school, please have a
Medication Authorization Form completed by your doctor and
yourself. This is needed for any prescription, over the counter
medication, inhalers, etc. and must be updated each school year.
All the required forms are available on the district website, under
the tab “For Parents and Students” and then under “Forms”.
6
th grade Illinois State Physical form
http://www.summithill.org/Documents/Ctrl_Hyperlink/PhysicalE
xamFormFINAL_uid12320131139411.pdf
6th
grade Dental Form
http://www.summithill.org/Documents/Ctrl_Hyperlink/State_Dent
al_Examination_Form_uid12320131137541.pdf
5th
grade Sports Physical Form
http://www.summithill.org/Documents/Ctrl_Hyperlink/Athletics_
Eligibility_Physical_uid12320131146081.pdf
Medication Authorization Form
http://www.summithill.org/Documents/Ctrl_Hyperlink/Medical_A
uthorization_Form_uid12320131145101.pdf
Mrs. Santefort, School Nurse
Girls’ Volleyball
Girls’ volleyball was a success!! One hundred sixteen girls were
separated onto 10 teams and they competed for a chance to play
against the teachers on March 28th at a school assembly. They
have been playing afterschool on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Fridays.
Mrs. Rafa, 6th
Grade Teacher/Girls’ Volleyball Coach
Mrs. Meagher 6th
Grade Teacher/Girls’ Volleyball Coach
Mrs. Krueger, 6th
Grade Teacher/Girls’ Volleyball Coach
Boys’ Volleyball
For the 2013 Intramural Volleyball season at Hilda Walker, there
were 8 teams that played against each other to seed for our
culminating tournament. The last three days of the season are
dedicated to a single elimination tournament in which all teams
were included. The 1st, 2
nd, and 3
rd place teams from our
tournament moved on to play the teachers on March 28th during
an all-school assembly, Teachers vs. Students volleyball game.
Way to go boys!
Mrs. Tracy Besse, 6th
Grade Teacher
Mrs. Anita Becker, 6th
Grade Teacher
Mrs. Alison McCarthy, Art Teacher
Hilda Walker News p5
PE News
Although it has been cold outside during the month of March
things have really heated up in the gym. In preparation for ISATS
students participated in the Walker PE FIT Lab. The FIT Lab was
designed to help students improve focus and let out some energy
during testing. Some of the activities in the FIT Lab included a
balance disc, cupstacking, and a variety of muscular strength
exercises with bands and dumbbells.
At the end of March we started our basketball unit. The first week
was spent learning a variety of ball handling and dribbling
activities to improve balance, agility, and coordination of the
students. To start the month of April classes will learn proper
passing and shooting techniques. The basketball unit will
culminate with game play.
Just a reminder, that the Hilda Walker PE Department is collecting
Box Tops for Education. The box tops given help to enhance the
physical education department at Hilda Walker. Thank you to
those families that have contributed.
Parents please help your student remember to complete their PE
homework. It is due every Tuesday in their homeroom's PE box.
Homework is worth 15% of their overall grade. Downloads to the
weekly homework are available on Mr. Acevedo's webpage
through the Hilda Walker School website.
Please help remind your students to bring gym shoes on their PE
days. The goal of the Walker PE program is to have maximum
participation every day.
Mr. Acevedo, P.E. Teacher
Track News
The track team has been hard at work preparing for the upcoming
2013 season. The first meet will be Wednesday April 10th
at the
Summit Hill Track against Manteno. Thank You to everyone that
has chosen to be a part of the team. Coach Collins and Acevedo
expect a fun season for the students.
Mr. Acevedo, Track Coach
Mr. Collins, Track Coach
PBIS
Students that consistently follow The Walker Way have been
entered in a PBIS Student of the Month Raffle. Each month a
group of students is drawn and prizes are awarded. Prizes include
gift bags and Pizza Mia vouchers. Congratulations to those that
have been awarded a raffle ticket and have won a prize.
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe
Hilda Walker News p6
April Art News
Art to Remember for Fourth Quarter Students
Our school, in conjunction with Art to Remember, is offering a
program that reproduces your child’s personal artwork onto a
variety of colorful products. Some include: magnets, key chains,
quilt blocks, beverage insulators, matted prints wall calendars,
bookmarks, ceramic mugs, sports towels, mouse pads, heart
ceramic ornaments, journals, art sketchbooks, placemats, CD
cases, stainless steel travel mugs, pillows, teddy bears with T-
shirts, tote bags, ceramic tiles, aprons, and T-shirts.
You will have the opportunity to purchase a variety of products
featuring your child’s artwork. You are under no obligation to
purchase. However, we believe you will be excited by these
unique personal keepsakes and a portion of the proceeds is
donated to the Hilda Walker Art Program. Your child will create
artwork following the art class curriculum. Order forms will be
out at the end of the month for the fourth quarter students and are
due to Ms. McCarthy by Wednesday, April 24th
.
They make great gifts for family and friends. We are excited to
share this unique art program to promote your child’s art!
Remember to get the packets in by Wednesday, April 24th
.
2012 Artworks Festival
The 2013 Artworks Festival took place on Saturday, March 16th
from 10am-3pm. This year Artworks displayed 850 pieces of
student artwork, the music and dance performances were
outstanding, and some of the hands-on workshops drew over 100
children. Ms. McCarthy was proud to showcase the work of the
following students: Lizzy Rush, Colin Curatolo, Adora Alava,
Emma Dickenscheidt, Andy Kim, Penelope Janicki, Grace
Hughes, Emma Fishman, Madelyn Schafer, Sara Comstock,
Bessie Zhang, Abbey McNally, Rachel Meister, Sara Ansari,
Dylan Friend, Colleen McCauley, Gracie Wilk, Rebekah
Krooswyk, Nicole Zralka, Megan Potaczek, Katelyn Orth, Jennifer
Guo, Jonathan Ward, Grace Bowes, Sahaj Vanani, Caitlyn
Drzyzga, Julianna Bryant, Angela Farkic, Caroline Behrens, and
Brie Rush.
Mrs. McCarthy, Art Teacher
D.A.R.E. Graduation
D.A.R.E. graduation was held at Hilda Walker Intermediate
School, for our 5th
graders, on Tuesday, March 26, 2013. The
D.A.R.E. essay winners were Katelyn Adamitis and Christian
Hoxha. Classroom winners were: Bednarz- Lilly Genis & Trevor
Lewis, Boudreau- Daisy Kelly & Austin Gant, Chikerotis-Kelsey
Crittendon & David Herrera, Ciccone:-Jocelyn Lounsbury &
Mitchell Steck, Cramer-Angie Sayegh & Sean McLaughlin,
Dempsey-Natalie Slavin & Mason Bergunder, Maranto-Jenna
Mashin & Christian Hoxha, Medendorp-Imani Johnson & Danny
Sturino, Milazzo-Anne Brtis & Cade Arthur, Pelkowski-Rebekah
Krooswyk & Luke Zilinskas, Sajewich-Salma Khalil & Patrick
Conroy, Schaefer-Shannon Cornfield & Connor Lavin, Stokoski-
Weronika Pieta & Muhammad Abdelrahman, and Zitkus: Katelyn
Adamitis & Logan Blondin.
Commander Vaccaro
Officer Adamski and Christian Hoxha
Officer Adamski and Katelyn Adamitis
Hilda Walker News p7
Walker Supports SHEF…
Dear Walker Staff, Students, and Families,
Thank you so much for your time and effort working on our
Dancing with the Teachers fundraiser. Your generosity and
commitment to the education of our future generations does not
go unnoticed! Together we raised $6, 413.49! That is, simply
put, AMAZING! Words just cannot express how much I
appreciate all of the time and hard work everyone put in to
making this event a success. THANK YOU!
A special shout out to the Hilda Walker Dance Team and Walter
the Wildcat! You were fantastic and I couldn’t be more proud of
all of you!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Froeschle
Pie in the Face
Walker Wildcat Dance Team Performing
Tug of War
Mrs. Froeschle and the Dance Team
Hilda Walker News p8
Box Tops for Education
Just a reminder, that the Hilda Walker PE Department is
collecting Box Tops for Education. The box tops given help to
enhance the physical education department at Hilda Walker.
Thank you to those families that have contributed.
___________________________________
Did You Know….
Did you forget your text book at school? What are you to do? A
copy of our text books are at all of the area public libraries -
Frankfort Public Library @21119 Pfeiffer Road, Mokena Public
Library @11327 195th
Street, and Tinley Public Library @7851
Timber Drive.
___________________________
A Good Idea…….
Some students need to call home from time to time, a good idea
would be to jot down parent’s cell phone numbers and work
numbers on a note card. The card can be placed in a small zipper
area of your students back pack and will be readily available to
them when needed.
_______________________________
Internet Safety …..
Keep private information private
Inform your parents or adult if there is a problem
Delete strangers
Document all cyber-bullying
IF YOU RECEIVED THIS NEWSLETTER VIA
EMAIL…you are on the District 161/Walker School
emailing list. If not, please email Mr. Ruffalo ASAP and he
will add you to our emailing list so you can receive important
school notices quickly (and paperless!).
If you do not have access to email, we will continue to send
school notices home with your child.
Michael Ruffalo, Principal
Walker Intermediate School
_________________________________________
Recycle …
Ink Cartridges
Feel free to drop off your used ink cartridges in the Walker
Office. All proceeds from this will go to the purchasing of color
ink cartridges for the printer in the Learning Center and
Computer Lab.
We are beginning to collect pop tabs for Ronald McDonald
House Charities in Chicago. This ongoing activity will require
little to no work for you. There will be a blue tote in the
lunchroom for your students to place the tabs in during lunch.
Once it is full, we will see that it gets to RMHC in Chicago and
we can begin again.
Mrs. Tara Boudreau, 5th
Grade Teacher
Hilda Walker News p9
Reminders….. Buses:
In order to provide safe transportation for all of our students,
children must ride the same bus to and from school each day.
They will not be able to switch buses without written permission
from the school office. Permission will only be granted for
emergencies, which do not include babysitting arrangements or
going to a friend’s house. Students also need to use their
designated bus stop for boarding and drop off each day.
Car riders:
Please remember that the building is not open for students until
8:00 am each day. Please do not drop off your child before this
time. Our primary concern is the safety of your child.
All student pick-ups are in the front of the building at the
main entrance only.
All drivers picking up students must enter the parking lot using
the east entrance that is nearest the baseball field. Please follow
the driveway along the outside of the parking lot. Vehicles are to
form a single file line stopping at the sidewalk in front of the
main entrance to the school. Your student(s) may not cross the
parking lot to get into a vehicle. All vehicles must exit the
parking lot using the west exit. Vehicles are not to drive across
the parking lot to use the east exit for departure (as it is
designated a one-way entrance during school hours). If a
driver needs to enter the building to pick up their student(s),
please park in the middle of the lot and walk towards the main
entrance. During pick-up times, students are not permitted to
cross the parking lot without an adult. Drivers picking up
students (or absent work from the office) are asked not to park in
the spaces adjacent to the sidewalks. Parking in these spaces
poses a danger for a collision during this time. If your student is
not outside when your vehicle is the lead one, the driver will need
to pull around and go back through the pick-up line of cars.
Visitors:
For the safety of our students and staff, all visitors must sign in at
the main office. This includes before, during, and after school
hours. Please have a picture ID available when you check in.
We understand that you will periodically need to talk with your
child’s teacher. You are always welcome to do, but we do ask
that you arrange for a date and time in advance with your child’s
teacher. This will ensure that they are available to talk with you
when you arrive.
____________________________________
Spring has arrived….
Cell Phone Use:
The use of cell phones at school is detrimental to the academic
climate because it takes valuable time away from instruction
and creates disciplinary problems. Students’ cell phones should
be turned off and NOT JUST SILENCED while inside the
building before, during, and after the school day. Cell phones
must be stored in backpacks and not in student possession
during the school day. Students who violate this policy will
have the cell phone confiscated and will receive disciplinary
consequences.
Dress Code reminder….
With winter weather upon us, please remind your child (ren) of
the appearance code as stated in the handbook.
Students’ dress for school must be appropriate.
Pants with excessive shredding or holes are not
appropriate.
Skirts and shorts must be to the fingertips regardless
of additional leg wear underneath.
Necklines must be 3” from the collarbone area.
Pajama pants (blanket fleece and flannel pants included)
may only be worn on designated spirit days.
Outerwear, such as coats, jackets, gloves, sunglasses,
hats and other head coverings may not be worn during
the school day unless the student is directly entering or
leaving the building. Fingerless gloves are not permitted
while in the school building.
You may consider sending your child with a sweatshirt or
sweater to keep at school in case they get cold during school day.
______________ ________________
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe
