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Tom Hawkins Elementary School
Volume 32
Home of the Huskies
April 9, 2018
Christina Orsi, Principal Fiona Bessette, Vice Principal
Rahila Amani, Principal’s Secretary Nena Serrato, Clerk
Kelly Cabral, Clerk (209) 839-2380
On March 26, Hawkins hosted ten 8th grade students from Memuro Japan and their chaperones in a fun filled day of activities and global fellowship. Memuro is Tracy’s sister-city. We hope that next fall, some of our 8th graders consider applying to be ambassadors to Memuro. Over the past several months, I have been excited to see many of our students taking the initiative to speak out and ask questions about school safety. I know this issue is something that their generation is forced to think about far too often. The fire and earthquake drills that we practiced as children have been replaced with lockdown and active shooter scenarios. As school leaders, we know that students have important questions about their safety and a unique perspective that deserves to be heard. Hawkins will be hosting a district wide student town hall on the topic of school safety on Tuesday, April 10 at 6:00PM in the MPR. The event will be facilitated by Jefferson ASB President, Pierson McClean. Students in grades 5-8 are invited to come and ask questions, discuss ideas and concerns, and give suggestions related to school safety. The Board of Trustees will be present, along with Superintendent Bridges and district administrators. Students can be dropped off at the MPR. We anticipate the event will last until about 7:30PM. Students can then be picked up in the car line following the town hall. This is a wonderful chance for our kids to be involved in their school and community, have their voices heard, and participate in a positive civic action.
Principal’s Corner By Christina Orsi
“Do what is right, not what is easy” Upcoming Events: Mar 30-Apr 8 – No School – Spring Break
Apr 9 – School Resumes
Apr 10 – ASB Meeting
Apr 10 – Student Safety Town Hall
Apr 11- Graduation Committee Meeting
Apr 17 – Bulldog Project Assembly
Apr 17 – Board Meeting
Apr 18 – Graduation Chairmen Meeting
Apr 19 – School Site Council
Apr 20 – Crazy Day (Socks, Hair, You name it!)
Apr 20 – HPFC Movie Night
Apr 23 – CAASPP Testing Begins
Apr 24 – ASB Meeting
Apr 27 – TK-5th Grade Fun Friday
May 2 – Graduation Chairmen Meeting
May 3 – Hawkapolooza
May 4 – May the 4th Be with You (Star Wars Day)
May 7-11 – Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7-16 – 8th Grade Exit Interviews
May 8 – ASB Meeting
May 8 – Board Meeting
May 9 – K-4 Talent Show
May 10 – 5-8 Talent Show
May 11 – Moms and Muffins
May 11 – 6th-8th Grade Dance
May 15 – 8th Grade Honors Night
May 17 – 8th Grade Trip to Great America
May 22 – ASB Meeting
May 25 – Ice Cream Social
May 28 – No School – Memorial Day
May 29 – Graduation Set Up
May 30 – Graduation Ceremony/Dance
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Pictures for the Slide Show
We still need your pictures of your 8th grade student
throughout their childhood years to create a picture slide
show for the Ice Cream Social. Many students have not sent
pictures yet. Please email 3-4 school age pictures to
[email protected] or bring them into the office
on a labeled CD. Please name the pictures with your
student’s name and send them in .jpg format.
(Ex:johnsmith1.jpg, johnsmith2.jpg, johnsmtih3.jpg) We
would also love any group shots.
Gratitude Pins
Every 8th grader has the option to recognize someone who
has impacted his or her life in a positive way. At Honor's
Night, the 8th graders will honor that person by presenting
them with a pin. If you are interested in having your 8th
grader participate in this, please pay $5 to the office for the
pin. In ELA, the 8th graders will be writing that person a
note of gratitude and creating an invitation to give to that
person to come to Honor's Night.
Apr 11 - Sub Committee Meeting 6:30-8:00pm Apr 18 - Committee Chair Meeting 6:30-8:00pm May 2 - Committee Chair Meeting 6:30-8:00pm May 7-16 - 8th Grade Exit Interviews May 15 - Honors Night Set Up 2:00pm in the MPR May 15 - Honors Night 6:00pm in the MPR May 17 - Great America Field Trip May 25 - Ice Cream Social Set Up 11:00am May 25 - Ice Cream Social 1:30pm in MPR May 29 - Graduation Set Up 3:00pm in the MPR (ALL hands on deck!) May 30 - Graduation Ceremony and Dance May 31 – Graduation Clean Up 8:30am
GRADUATION EVENTS CALENDAR
8th Grade Exit Interviews
In May, 8th grade students from across the Jefferson School District will be participating in an Exit Interview.
The Exit Interview is a 15-minute interview before each student’s parents, teacher(s), and administrator.
The purpose of the Exit Interview is to showcase the knowledge students have gained this year in all subject
areas. Questions include an understanding of the curriculum standards as well as the continued
development of student and life skills (study habits, cooperation, organization, oral speaking skills,
leadership, etc.). Performance in the interview will serve as a demonstration of mastery of the Speaking &
Listening standards for ELA and will be a component of the 3rd Trimester Language Arts grade. Performance
on the interview will not jeopardize a student’s graduation status.
When:
Exit Interviews will begin in mid-May. Each student will be given an appointment time. Parents unable to
attend the interview in person, will be able to phone in so they may participate.
How to Prepare:
Students will need to dress in interview appropriate, business-casual, attire.
Teachers will provide students with study guidelines to assist with preparation.
Questions will cover essential standards from 8th grade. In other words, the questions will cover
material that has been well-covered throughout the course of the year
Scoring:
Students will be scored using a rubric that will be shared by their classroom teacher ahead of time. Many of
the Language Arts standards, especially the Speaking and Listening strategies, are demonstrated through
the use of effective and articulate dialogue with the interviewers.
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CAASPP Testing From April 22nd to May 4th, students in 3rd to 8th grade will be participating in the Smarter Balanced Summative
Assessments in Math and ELA, which are part of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
(CAASPP) System.
Why are the tests important? The tests were created with teacher input to…
Measure how well your child has mastered the skills and content standards at his or her grade level. Align with the instruction that takes place in the classroom every day.
Match the learning goals of each grade level. Assess critical thinking, analytical writing, and problem solving skills, which are needed for success in college and
a 21st century career. The test has different kinds of questions, including traditional multiple-choice questions as well as ones that require students to explain their answers, show their work, and compose essays.
What should I expect after my student takes the test? Next school year you will receive a score report in the mail for your student. The report will show how the student is doing in each area and where help is needed. Depending on the student’s results, teachers can use this information to provide targeted help to address specific needs. But remember, the results from this test aren’t meant to tell the whole story. Your child’s scores are meant to be one of
several ways for you and your child’s teacher to see how your student is progressing in school. Test scores, along with student report cards and teacher’s observations of your child’s performance in the classroom, are used together to form a complete picture of your child’s achievement. Students in grades three through eight who have an IEP that designates the use of an alternate assessment are eligible to take the California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) in ELA and mathematics. The goal of the CAAs is to ensure that students with the most significant cognitive disabilities attain increasingly higher achievement levels and leave high
school ready for academic or career options. The test items are aligned with the Common Core State Standards for ELA and mathematics and are based on the Core Content Connectors, which were developed with three tiers of complexity. If
you would like more information or resources about alternate assessments, please visit the CDE’s CAASPP Alternate Assessments Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/altassessment.asp. The CCCs identify priorities in each content area to guide the instruction for students in this population and for the alternate assessment.
In addition to the mathematics and ELA assessments, students in grades 5 and 8 will also take the California Science Test (CAST) or the CAA for Science Test. California’s new state standards for science call for students to think and work like scientists and engineers, asking questions and learning through hands-on investigation and discovery. Participation in the field test this year will measure the reliability of test items for this future assessment. While this field test will not provide scores for your child, it is an important step in developing an assessment that will fairly and accurately measure how students are achieving on the new science standards. For additional information about the new science tests and
sample questions, please visit the CDE’s CAASPP Science Assessment Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/caasppscience.asp. Students in grades 5 and 7 are also currently preparing and participating in the California fitness test. The Physical Fitness Test (PFT) for students in California schools is the FitnessGram®. The main goal of the test is to help students in
starting lifelong habits of regular physical activity. Additional information can be found online at https://www.cde.ca.gov/TA/tg/pf/
Where can I learn more? For information about the specific testing schedule for your child please contact the school or your child’s teacher. I also encourage you to take a look at a practice test for your child’s grade level. The practice tests are posted on the California Department of Education’s Smarter Balanced Practice Tests Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa/practicetest.asp. To find out more details about the Smarter Balanced test, visit the “Be
a Learning Hero” Web site at http://bealearninghero.org/classroom/smarter-balanced. Pursuant to California Education Code Section 60615, parents/guardians may annually submit to the school a written request to excuse their child from any or all of the CAASPP assessments. If you have any questions about your child’s participation, please contact the school. At Jefferson School District, our goal is for all students to achieve their full potential. The Smarter Balanced tests are just one way that we are able to better understand if we are meeting that goal. Thank you for all you do to partner with us in
your child’s education.
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HPFC Updates
Amazon Smiles
Do you shop at Amazon?
Hawkins HPFC is now a part of Amazon Smile! Shop on Amazon through our link and Amazon gives
back 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchase o the school.
You can click on the link on the Tom Hawkins Huskies HPFC Facebook page, or simply go
to smile.amazon.com and search for Hawkins Elementary Parent Faculty Club. Let’s get rewarded for
the money you already spend on Amazon!
Box Tops
Don’t forget to turn in your Box Tops! This is simple way to support the
fundraising efforts at our school.
HPFC Facebook Page
Check out our HPFC Facebook page for important announcements and updates.
Huskies Online Store
HPFC has been working to make it easier for parents to connect. We
have now opened an online store! Parents can now order spirit wear
and make donations directly from our site.
Check us out at: https://squareup.com/store/tom-hawkins-parent-faculty-club-hpfc/
Attention Parents of Students with Food Allergies
Does your student have food allergies or dietary restrictions? HPFC is working to make school activities
a safe and inclusive place for students to participate in and have fun while on campus. At HPFC hosted
events, please look for a newly created binder which will house the ingredient list of all the food items
served. We want to make sure students are kept safe and strive to provide options for all students.
