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*** Newsletter *** Hilda Walker Intermediate School – January, 2013
Letter from the Principal
Parents/ Guardians
I hope you had a wonderful winter vacation with your family. The
holidays are a great time to refresh and rejuvenate ourselves in
this busy life. As we begin the new calendar year, our students
will be taking the NWEA / MAP assessment in January. Every
student in our building will be tested in math, reading, and
language. The information from this test is used to measure your
child’s academic growth since September. Our teachers will use
this information to chart your child’s progress and plan for
classroom instruction. The information will be available to you
sometime in the future. If you have any questions about the
NWEA/MAP tests feel free to contact your classroom teacher,
Mrs. Wright, the Assistant Principal or myself. Mr. Ruffalo
Common Core Learning Standards
The state of Illinois will no longer be using the Illinois Learning
Standards. Instead our state has adopted the Common Core
Standards. The reason for the change in the standards is to better
prepare our students for College and Career. Students in college
are expected to read, comprehend and write at a much higher
level. This expectation has a major effect on the instruction from
each grade level from kindergarten through high school. Students
are expected to read and comprehend text at a much deeper level
than ever before.
In order to prepare our students for this change our school district
and Walker School has been receiving staff development and
training in the Common Core. The effect this has on classroom
instruction and our children is huge. Teachers will be asking
students to construct meaning from multiple texts. Students will
be analyzing and evaluating their readings and comparing them to
other texts. Students will need to construct meaning in much
deeper ways. Over the next few years, the amount of homework
your child is asked to complete will reduce and yet the complexity
of the homework will increase. These are just a few of many
changes that you will begin to notice this year and next year. An
abundance of information is available on the internet for you to
review. Please consider going to our district webpage and clicking
the icon titled Common Core. You will find several documents to
read. http://www.summithill.org/
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…
There is no Academic Assistance or clubs after school on the
first Tuesday of each month unless otherwise noted.
Important Dates
1/7 - First Day (After Winter Break)
All School PBIS Assembly (@ 9:00 a.m., wear spirit wear
or school colors)
1/8-24 – NWEA Testing
1/10 - End of Qt. 2 Reporting Period
1/9 - B.O.E. Meeting @A.C. (7 p.m.)
1/11 - HWSCO Treat Day
1/18 - Half Day School (Dismiss @11:30)/P.M. Teacher
Institute
1/21 - No School (in Observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Day)
1/23 – Report Cards Issued
1/25 - B.O.E. Meeting @Rogus (7 p.m.)
1/27 - HWSCO Hot Lunch (McDonald Cheeseburger)
Hilda Walker News p2
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.
______________________________
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
_______________________________________
Band News Both the 5th Grade Beginning Band and the 6th Grade Wildcat
Band presented wonderful holiday concerts in the weeks just
before winter break. Mr. Matt Kutylo filled in for Mr. Collins
while Mr. Collins was on family leave. Mr. Kutylo did an
outstanding job and we will all miss him and wish him the best in
his future musical endeavors. The Walker band students are now
gearing up for the annual Illinois Grade School Music Association
Solo & Ensemble contest, which will be held on February 9 at
Liberty Jr. High School in New Lenox. We wish all of our band
students the best of luck at this contest. We also look forward to
another calendar year with some great music in 2013.
Submitted by: Mr. Wagstaff, 5th
Grade Band Instructor
PBIS
Being Respectful, Responsible, and Safe are important character
attributes that the teachers and staff want the students to learn
during their time at Hilda Walker. In recognize and celebrate The
Walker Way, a PBIS Student of the Month Recognition program
has been started. Each month homeroom teachers will choose one
boy and one girl from their homeroom as the PBIS Student of the
Month. These students will then be placed in a raffle for prizes
that will be drawn each month. Also, on Jan 7th
when the students
come back from break it will be the 2nd
Annual Walker Way Game
Show. This game show will consist of relay races and trivia to
promote The Walker Way.
Submitted by Mr. Acevedo
Be Respectful
Be Responsible
Be Safe
___________________________________
Drama Club Information
This year’s Hilda Walker Drama production will be the
“Surprising Story of The Three Little Pigs”. This fairy tale
comedy will delight and entertain the audience. The following
students will be a part of the performance; Eylse Skolek, Grace
Weber, Alyssa, Olivia, Jordan Bruni, Taylor Mondragen, Emily
Grice, Abbagail Torres, Maddie Grobmier, Ryan Stinnizky,
Juilana Borgio, Juilana Bryant, Noah Marron, Elizabeth Mackey,
Raquel Schimanski, Carra Molinare, Max Tsilis, Emma
Dickenscheidt, Penny Janicki, Elyse Ditusa-Rios, Linda Mansour
Mr. Acevedo and Ms. Crick
Hilda Walker News p3
Physical Education News
The bowling unit in Physical Education concluded with Candle
Light Bowling. During the Candle Light Bowl, the gym light are
turned off and rope lights are set up on the gym floor to illuminate
the gym and provide a “Cosmic Bowling” feel. Students were
also allowed to wear glow items that they purchased from PAW
Mart.
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 remember if your student wears boots to school to bring a
pair of gym shoes on their PE days. Students who do not have the
proper footwear will have points deducted and will be unable to
participate.
Martin Acevedo, Physical Education Specialist
[email protected] ____________________________
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.
January Art News
Second Quarter Art to Remember
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.
Your child will create artwork following the art class curriculum.
Order forms will go out in January for Second Quarter Art
Students and will be due Tuesday, January 15th
.
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. They make great gifts
for family and friends. We are excited to share this unique art
program to promote your child’s art! -
Ms. McCarthy
Art Teacher
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.
Hilda Walker News p4
Computer Club Reminder
Computer Club will begin on Wednesday, January 9, 2013.
Students will learn to use new programs, the digital camera and
a scanner, explore Google Earth and other fun websites.
Maureen Fisher
Technology Teacher
____________________________________________________
Choir, Orff News
The Hilda Walker Wildcat Singers and Orff ensemble were well
prepared for their annual holiday program this year. The choir
and Orff ensemble put on a spectacular performance for friends
and family in an evening performance followed by a school
assembly a few days later. The students sang and performed
popular holiday tunes on Boomwhackers and xylophones.
Everyone did a fantastic job.
Mrs. Jill Lewkow, Music teacher/choral director
Summit Hill and Hilda Walker
Choir, Orff News, Con’t.
Hilda Walker News p5
In Our Neighborhood
Frankfort
Winter on the Green
Sunday, January 13, 1 – 3pm
Location: Breidert Green, Kansas & Ash Street, Frankfort, IL 60423
Winter on the Green - ICE FEST
Ice sculptures displayed throughout the downtown district; free
heated trolley rides; dog sled rides and ice sculpture demo.
Winter on the Green
Sunday, January 20, 1 – 3pm
Location: Breidert Green, Kansas & Ash Street, Frankfort, IL 60423
Winter on the Green - WINTER CARNIVAL
Dance away the cold with Frosty; Music, carnival games,
snow shoes. Fun for all ages!
_________________________________
Be Aware of Peanut Allergies
We are asking your cooperation in providing a safe learning
environment. It is important to know that just a tiny amount of the
allergen is enough to cause a reaction that will threaten the life of
these children. To reduce the risk of exposure, we are asking that
food products containing peanuts, tree nuts, or lentils not be
brought to school. Please be aware of product labels that read
“may contain”, “shared equipment with”, “processed on”, or
“contains trace amounts” and that indicate peanuts or tree nuts
may be present in the food product.
Food products sent to school for class activities such as birthdays,
holiday celebrations, etc. should follow the Healthy Snack
Guidelines established by Summit Hill School District 161. Treats
should be store bought and individually wrapped with the original
ingredient label affixed. School staff will check all ingredients of
any food item sent in for the classroom. Treats containing peanuts
or tree nuts will be sent back home and not allowed in the
classroom.
The safety of all children is a priority at Hilda Walker School. We
appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a safe school environment
for all students.
D.A.R.E.
This school year, I was lucky enough to be invited back to teach
the D.A.R.E program. I say lucky because I enjoy teaching Hilda
Walker students so much. The year is going great. New principal
Mr. Ruffalo and New assistant principal Mrs. Wright have been
supportive of the program and I promise to continue my effort to
improve the lives of my students through education. Remember
to “Make the Right Choice!”
Officer Adamski
Your D.A.R.E. Instructor
Weather
With winter upon us, this is a good time to review your safety
plan for cold weather, winter storms, etc. There is a
Publication called Winter Storm Preparedness from the Illinois
Emergency Management Agency that you can access on their
web site: www.state.il.us/iema
Summit Hill District 161 will post school closing information
online at www.EmergencyClosings.com
Hilda Walker News p6
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.
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
