Alice Smith
News & Notes
January 2009
Web Address: Alice Smith School @
www.hopkins.k12.mn.us
Alice Smith mission Statement
We are the people of Alice Smith. We are an evolving, inter-connected community. We share responsibility to inspire, educate and
celebrate the whole child by challenging and supporting our children in their efforts to succeed. Kids are special here.
Winterfest Carnival is coming!!!
Friday, January 30 - 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Join your neighbors and fellow Alice Smith families for this family event of
games, food, and other entertainment. On this special night our school becomes
the most fun filled spot in the Twin Cities. This is a family event, so we ask that
parents attend with their children and enjoy the fun as a family.
Late Start Day
Tuesday,
January 13
5th Grade Band
Concert
Tuesday,
January 13
No School
Monday, Jan. 19
6th Grade
Band Concert
January 26
at the
Hopkins High
School Auditorium
Orchestra Concert
January 27
Tuesday, January 13th is a late start day for Hopkins Schools. Please note that
morning kindergarten students will attend school in the afternoon. There will
be no school for afternoon kindergarten. You may check the following web
address for more information: www.hopkins.k12.mn.us The next late start day
will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2008.
Our 5th Grade Band students are excited to present a night of music for your ears.
Please join us at 7:00 pm in the school gym for a fun musical presentation.
There will be no school on Monday, January 19 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther
King. Please mark your calendar.
Sixth grade band students will perform a concert on Monday, January 26 with
other sixth graders from around the district. The sixth graders will be
joined by eighth grade band students from North or West Junior High Schools.
Sixth grade band students will be excused from school to go rehearse at the
High School during the day on January 26.
If your child will attend North Junior High next year, he/she will play with
the North Junior High eighth grade band at 6:30 pm in the Hopkins High
School auditorium. If your child will attend West Junior High next year
his/her concert will be at 8:00 pm in the Hopkins High School auditorium.
Students are to wear formal attire: black pants, shoes, socks, and a nice
white shirt, girls may substitute a long black skirt for the pants. An information
letter/permission slip was sent home in December with full information. If you
have any question please contact Mr. Thompson at
[email protected], or 952-988-4196.
The 5th & 6th grade Alice Smith Orchestra will be holding its winter concert on
Tuesday, January 27th at 7:00pm in the school gym. Please join us for a fun
musical evening. Chuck Kreitzer & Leanne Lonson, Orchestra Teachers.
Grade 5 Expert Night An exciting project is beginning in the 5th grade.
During the months of January and early February, students will be undertaking a
challenging research project called, The Expert Project. Students will work in
cooperative groups or individually to decide on a topic to research, become an
expert on, write an essay about, and present to an audience about their findings.
Students will use note-taking skills, utilize book and internet research, and
writing skills to create their essay on their Expert topic. Students will use this
knowledge to create a PowerPoint presentation and speech about their topic.
The event will culminate with an Expert Night. Students will present their
knowledge at this after school event and share their expertise with parents,
family, and friends.
We have scheduled 3 Expert Nights based on student reading groups. Students
in Mrs. Stoddard’s reading group will have their Expert Night on February 9.
Students in Mrs. Weideman’s reading group will have their Expert Night on
February 12. Students in Mrs. Beaverson’s reading group will have their Expert
Night on February 19. Please check your child’s backpack for information as
we get closer to the dates of presentation. We encourage all parents and family
members to attend to see the amazing work that your students are able to
complete. We look forward to seeing there!
Message
from the
Alice Smith
Kitchen
Congratulations
Geography Bee
Contestants
Our Community
Reads
Schedule Your
Pre -School
Screening
The Royal Cuisine staff is asking for parents help. We find that some of our
students are purchasing ala carte items (including milk, fruit, extra bread or
dessert) and then find they do not have money in their accounts. If a student
does not have funds in their lunch account, they will not be able to purchase
these ala carte items. Parents can check their students' balance on
www.paypams.com <http://www.paypams.com>, as well as deposit funds or
view items their student has taken. Parents can call the kitchen directly at 952988-4207 to learn their student’s lunch balance.
We are pleased to announce that Andrew Shirley won first place in the Alice
Smith National Geographic Geography Bee. Three students tied for second,
Matthew Molnar, John Reese and Zach Haley. Andrew will take a written test in
mid January to see if he qualifies for the state bee.
An opportunity for our entire community to read and discuss the same book!
TO PARTICIPATE: Read the book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of
Exercise and the Brain, by John Ratey, M.D. Visit www.johnratey.com for
more information on the book. This event is sponsored by Hopkins and
Minnetonka School Districts and The Marsh, A Center for Balance and Fitness.
Go to www.hopkinscommunityed.org for complete details
Call Harley Hopkins Early Childhood Center (952-988-5017) to
schedule a free preschool screening for your children 3-1/2
years and older. Children planning to begin kindergarten in the
fall must have this screening complete before entering
kindergarten. Documentation of this screening is a requirement
for Kindergarten entrance into any Minnesota school.
Hopkins
Community
Coalition
One Voice for
Reducing
Chemical Use by
Youth
Your child is constantly watching and learning from you even at a young age.
Surveys of youth consistently show that you are the most influential factor in
your child’s life. Sure TV, magazines, the Internet, movies, sports stars, and
their peers influence them to varying degrees, but none come close to the
amount of influence you have through your words and actions. The nonverbal
messages all start at a young age. Be a healthy role model!
What Does It Mean To Be A Healthy Role Model?
°If you use alcohol, do it in moderation, within legal and healthy guidelines. If
you smoke or chew tobacco, attempt to quit for your own health and the health
of others in your home. Never use illegal drugs.
°Host family gatherings and parties that don’t always include alcohol. It’s
important to show youth that you can have fun whether or not alcohol is served.
°Promote alcohol free gatherings after youth sporting events with other team
parents.
°Don’t share funny stories about your past substance use in front of your child.
°Show healthy ways to relieve stress other than turning to alcohol to cope with
problems.
°Always designate a safe and sober driver.
°Talk. Do not assume that your children know your position on alcohol, tobacco,
and other drug use. Talk early. Remind them, over and over, that it is not
acceptable to use these substances.
°Invest your time. The time you spend with your children shows them your
values. Spending time with your children demonstrates to them that you care
about them and their lifestyle choices.
The actions of a parent speaker louder than words ... Our youth are
watching. What are we showing them?
Get Connected! Join the New ParentConnect E-Newsletter
Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter for tips, strategies, and resources to
keep you in the know about parenting adolescents. Sign up today to stay
connected. Go to www.hcconevoice.org
To help families plan for the remainder of the 2008-2009 school year we have
identified the following dates when school will not be in session:
January 19, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 16, Teacher Workshop
March 26 & 27, Elementary Conference Days
April 6 & 10, Spring Break
May 25, Memorial Day
Hopkins District 270
Late–Start Tuesday, January 13, 2009
AM Kindergarten will meet in the afternoon.
No PM Kindergarten on Tuesday, January 13.
•••Child Care Registration•••
Childcare is available at each elementary school for children in grades 1—6 and Full Day Kindergarten who are
not enrolled in the Kids & Company program. If you require childcare for the late-start day on Tuesday,
January 13, and have not already registered your child, please return the registration form below by Monday,
January 12.
Times
Childcare is available from 8:00 until the school day begins. You may bring your child(ren) anytime after 8:00
a.m.
Supervision and Activities
School paraprofessional staff will provide supervision. Students will be involved in a variety of activities.
Examples include art projects, games, computer activities, and physical activities.
Cost
The fee for each child participating is $8.00. Please make checks payable to “Hopkins District 270.”
Scholarships are available by contacting your school office.
Breakfast
Breakfast is available. Children will use their regular lunch account for this option. If your child will eat
breakfast at school, please deposit the money into your child’s lunch account the same way as for lunches.
Breakfast will be served at 9:00 a.m.
---------------------------------------------------------Registration for Tuesday, January 13 Late-Start
If you need childcare and have not already registered your child, please complete the form below and return to
the school office with payment by Monday, January 12. Enrollment is limited.
Child’s Name
Grade Breakfast?
Fee is $8.00 per child. Make checks payable to Hopkins District 270 Amount Enclosed:____________.
Indicate the approximate time you will be dropping off your child(ren) ________________
(no earlier than 8 a.m.)
Parent Name:
Phone:
___________
Días de entrada tarde para el 2008-09
En los días siguientes, las clases comenzarán a las
11:33
El martes, 13 de enero
Transporte: Los camiones recogerán a los estudiantes dos horas más tarde que lo
normal. Pero, el día escolar termina en la hora regular (4:05), entonces los camions
tendrán el horario regular en la tarde .
Propósito: Los maestros utilizan este tiempo para desarrollar los programas y las
actividades en los cuales sus niños participan.
Kinder (de la mañana o de la tarde):
13 de enero = No hay clase para los estudiantes de la tarde. Los estudiantes de la
mañana atenderán en la tarde.
En cada día de comenzar tarde, el horario para los estudiantes de Kinder es lo sigiente: 1:30pm4:05pm
Los estudiantes del programa Kinder Plus (todo el día) siguen el horario de los estudiantes en
grados 1-6.
Preguntas: Por favor, si tienen preguntas, llamen a Elisa Dorfman al número 952988-4211).