HB | June 2024 Newsletter

HICKORY BEND SCHOOL

JUNETEENTH

“Juneteenth” marks our country’s second independence day. Although it has long been celebrated in the African American community, this monumental event remains largely unknown to most Americans.

Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19th to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States. -Various

URGENT, YET A GENTLE REMINDER!

Please do not park, stand, or stage in the apartment complex adjacent to the Hickory Bend parking lot. This is private parking. Your vehicle will be subject to ticketing and towing.

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

--Albert Einstein

THANK YOU... to our dedicated teachers and staff who work tirelessly to support and educate our students. Your commitment and passion make a significant difference in their lives.

To our parents and guardians, your involvement and support are crucial to our school’s success. We appreciate your active participation in your child’s education and in our school community.

MISSION STATEMENT | WE BELIEVE!

BROOKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 167 | MISSION STATEMENT

challenged to the highest level of academic and artistic excellence.

• In the importance of staff development opportunities based on best practices and educational research.

BEliEvE...

• Families shape their children’s motivation, confidence, and academic success by being interested and involved in their overall development.

• All students are unique and should be

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” --Vince Lombardi

• In educating our children in a safe and nurturing environment with access to state-of-the-art technology.

• The school system should teach students to think critically, enabling them to become contributing citizens in our global society.

• In continuous improvement in all aspects of the school system to foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and integrity.

• In responsible stewardship of financial and physical resources.

Brookwood School District 167, in partnership with parents and the community, will create a learning environment where all students excel at becoming lifelong learners and decisionmakers.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO:

1. Providing students with highly qualified teachers

2. Providing our staff with Professional Development

BROOKWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT 167 | VISION

“Whatever you want to do, if you want to be great at it, you have to love it and be able to make sacrifices for it.”

--Maya Angelou

Our overall vision is to improve the achievement of all students, regardless of race, socio-economic status, gender, or ability levels (disabilities). We share the accountability of student achievement throughout the school. We believe in using research-based practices to achieve our goals. We promote school and community involvement because we believe that these partnerships help us meet the needs of all of our students.

rEPorting an aBsEncE

To report absences, please call the attendance line at (708) 757-2110, Option 1. Please call the school before 8:30 a.m. to report your child’s absence.

PlEasE lEavE tHE Following inFormation:

• Student’s full name with the spelling of the last name

• Reason for absence/tardy/early release

• Your name and relationship to the student

• Please call the main number (708) 758-5350 at least 45 minutes PRIOR to early dismissal.

For your student to be EXCUSED, you must sign them in and out in the main office, or their absence will be marked as unexcused.

Official attendance will be reported every morning at 9:00 a.m. If your child joins a teacher’s classroom late, they will be marked tardy in PowerSchool, and you will be notified through the Principal’s Class dojo.

ATTENDANCE/ ABSENCES/ TARDIES...

Parents must call the school to report their child absent before 8:30 a.m. The number for reporting absences is (708) 757-2115.

Official attendance will be reported every morning by 9:00 a.m.

communication & inFormation

Healthy communication between the school and home is essential, and we are working to provide numerous ways for this vital communication. To help suppress paper usage, we will continue providing information using digital communication as much as possible.

We eNcourage you to do the folloWiNg to helP us commuNicate With you:

• Please ensure we have an accurate email address. If you are not receiving any Dojo messages from us, then it probably means we have incorrect information on our end.

• Please sign up for the digital tools that Brookwood School District and the school have provided.

• these iNclude:

- Class Dojo

- Power School Parent Portal

• Please talk with your child’s teacher about Google Classroom and how it can be used as a communication tool.

• Please follow us on Facebook

• Please visit our website at www.brookwood167.org

kEEP tHEm HomE...

If my chIld Is sIck, when should I keep them home?

If a child has any symptoms listed below, they should stay home in the morning or go home if these symptoms first occur at school.

WheN a child caN returN to school is based oN the sPecific symPtom they have:

• Fever of 100.4 or higher

• New onset of moderate to severe headache

• Shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat

• Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea

• Abdominal pain from unknown cause

• New congestion/runny nose

• New loss of sense, taste or smell

• Fatigue from unknown cause

• Muscle or body aches

if you aNsWered “yes”...

If you answered “YES” to any of the sympthons, your child MUST stay home! Please call the school to report your child’s absence (708) 758-5252 (Option 1).

health tiP...

One precaution to help stop the spread of germs is to not share personal items. Some of these include water bottles, lip balms, hats, hairbrushes, and EarPods. These items should only be used by the individual who they belong to.

visitors...

If you need to come into the school for any reason, you will need to have a current Driver’s License that will be checked in our Raptor Security System.

Raptor® provides a line of sight as to who is always in our school.

The system provides school and District-wide reporting for all visitors, volunteers, and contractors that have signed in/ out of our buildings.

This is important for safety reasons.

SCHOOL SAFETY!

aFtEr scHool mattErs...

Our afterschool activities are the place to be! Violin, Sensational Singers Choir, book clubs, Number Wizards, Drama Club, and the Lego Club are fun ways for our students to remain engaged at Hickory Bend.

After-school activities play a vital role in a child’s overall development, offering a well-rounded education beyond the traditional classroom setting. They provide a safe, supportive environment for personal growth, skill development, and pursuing passions, making them an integral part of a student’s educational journey.

Club opportunities change throughout the year.

If your child is not currently involved, please stay tuned for coming opportunities.

Hickory Bend

Family EngagEmEnt

nigHt: Family Formal

(total

EcliPsE oF tHE HEart)

to our all-star families, We want to express our genuine appreciation for your attendance at our event. With the theme of “1980s Vibes,” our families showed up and showed out!

HB got talEnt!

YOU WERE MARVELOUS!

Singing, dancing, drawing, drumming, acting, choreography, duets, and many smiles! It’s just what we do here at Hickory Bend. Congratulations to all our Talent Show participants.

Hickory Bend

scHool suPPliEs

Once again, our Superintendent and Board of Education have decided to provide our students with a set of school supplies to use at school and a set to use at home!

If your child needs any additional resources or supplies for any of their classes, please get in touch with our school office at (708) 758-5252, so we can help provide them with all necessary and needed materials.

tEcHnology HElP dEsk

If your child is having any technology problems connecting to their teacher’s Google Classroom, please get in touch with our help desk at (708) 300-3553 or email our help desk

helpdesk@brookwood167.org

Please leave a detailed message with your name, child’s name, phone number, and the issue you are having with the device.

CLASSDOJO

ClassDojo is a global community of more than 50 million teachers and families who come together to share kids’ most important learning moments, in school and at home —through photos, videos, messages, and more.

CLASSDOJO IS ACTIVELY USED IN 90% OF U.S. K-8 SCHOOLS

ClassDojo is a “FREE” app that helps build amazing classroom and school communities. Teachers give feedback to students for any skill, like “Working hard” and “Being curious.”

From the mobile app, parents view their child’s feedback, and can message directly with teachers and school leaders. Please join my ClassDojo so you can stay informed on what is happening at HICKORY BEND SCHOOL.

If you would like to join, please accept the invitation that we emailed to you or texted you, or contact the school at (708) 758-4520 or email, rpenner@ brookwood167.org. All you will need to provide is your cell phone number or email address.

GET INVOLVED & STAY INFORMED!

Kids have always learned together in physical spaces. Today, they learn in virtual spaces, too. Now that ClassDojo has connected a worldwide community of teachers, kids, and families, we’re building that virtual space for everyone...

All-stArs…

trIp to the dAnce theAter

Good behavior leads to good times! The All-Stars are saving up their Dojo Points to purchase an exceptional treat: a trip to the Auditorium Theater to experience a live dance performance by the South Chicago Dance Theater.

the three (3) r’s: resPect for self | resPect for others | resPoNsibility for all your actioNs

wIth elcellent behAvIor leAdIng the wAy, let the good tImes roll!

All Hickory Bend School teachers use an online grading system called PowerSchool that they update every Thursday.

We encourage you to check your child’s progress regularly. This program is entirely confidential; therefore, you will need an access username and password to see your child’s progress.

If you need your username and/or password, please get in touch with the school office at (708) 758-4520. A PowerSchool app for your cellular phone makes it easy for parents to stay updated on their child’s progress.

CHAMPIONS | BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Champions is a Before & AfterSchool Care Program available to our Brookwood families. Please get in touch with Champions as soon as you can to secure your spot. Space is limited.

Champions Family Support

Phone: (800) 246-2154

ChampionsHelp@kc-education.com

REMINDER...

Home device returns started May 20th (Chromebooks and iPads). Please have your child bring their home device to school with them to turn into their teacher.

Please ensure that the device, charger and bag are sent in regardless of the condition. You will be notified of any items that have not been returned so you can make arrangements to return the missing items or purchase the replacement item.

If you hAve Any questIons, pleAse reAch out. we ApprecIAte your cooperAtIon!

HICKORY BEND SCHOOL

ANTI-BULLY PLEDGE

• We make a COMMITMENT to stand against bullying.

• We will treat others with RESPECT and KINDNESS.

• We will have the COMPASSION to not be a bully.

• We will have the COURAGE to not be a bystander.

• It is our RESPONSIBILITY to help others and to report bullying.