HB | October Newsletter

NEWSLETTER OCTOBER

CHAMPIONS BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Champions is a before and after school care program available to our Brookwood families. Please contact Champions as soon as possible to secure your spot. Space is limited Champions Family Support | Phone: (800) 246-2154 ChampionsHelp@kc-education.com

Student Safety Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures

Beginning Tuesday, September 7th, 2022, vehicles will not be allowed to park in the main lot during morning drop-off or during afternoon pickup. Respectfully, we ask those wishing to park their vehicles to use the overflow lot (the lot we share with the church). There you may park your vehicle and safely exit to walk your child to the building. We have had several “close calls” during drop off/pick up that we hope to avoid by enlisting this new procedure. Thank you for understanding and helping us to create the safest situation possible for our families, students, and staff.

HICKORY BEND FAMILIES,

Hello Fall 2022!

PRINCIPAL’S CORNER

What a pleasure to hold on to the sunny skies and warm weather as we got back into the swing of being in school. As we are now experiencing a change in the weather, it is such a joy to still see the constantly warm and sunny spirits of our students. A “warm” thank you is extended to our families for supporting our students by ensuring their attendance and getting them to school on time, so they are ready for focused learning. Please continue to make their attendance a priority as a complete elementary school education sets the foundation for future success in the years to come. Missing a day here and there or arriving late to school often will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the student’s academic performance. Alternatively, being in school every day and arriving on time will work towards promoting success and will help students understand the value of prioritizing their education.

School Hours

Students’ school day is from 8:30 a.m. until 3:10 p.m.

Students should not arrive earlier than 8:10 am.

If ever you have questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our staff. No question is too small, and no concern is too big for us to handle as a team.

As always, we look forward to working in partnership with our families to ensure our Allstars continue to grow and succeed.

Quote of the Month

“School is a building which has four walls with tomorrow inside.”

-Lon Watters

Ronisha Dubose Principal rdubose@brookwood167.org

PRINCIPAL’S CORNER

Resilience & Resourcefulness

Our district character themes for the month of October are Resilience and Resourcefulness. Resilience in children is a crucial learned skill that helps them process failure and disappointment and then moves on. Children can build their mental elasticity by learning to recognize their emotions and learning to work through them. As for resourcefulness, it is important to help our children gain independence at their appropriate developmental stage. Adults will always be the model and the guide, but children must gain confidence in their ability to manage their lives and tackle their challenges.

Attendance/Absences/Tardies

To ensure that our students excel academically, they must attend school daily and be on time. When students are tardy, they miss valuable instruction, primarily in reading and language arts. Attendance will be tied into our school’s PBIS expectations in which students will be able to earn rewards and participate in fun activities.

When your child has to be absent, please inform the front office. Our absentee number is 708-757-2120.

COMMUNICATION & INFORMATION

Our teachers do an excellent job of communicating with families. Here is where you can stay informed proactively:

• School and District Website - www.brookwood167.org

• All-Star News - Weekly school newsletter that will be sent home on Fridays

• ClassDojo - It is essential that you sign up for the Principal’s ClassDojo. If you have not already joined, an invitation will be sent to you during the first week of school. To join, you will need either your phone number or email address.

• A phone call or an email is an efficient way to communicate with your child’s teacher. Please remember that our teachers are with students throughout the day and will return the call/email as soon as possible. At times, this may be the next school day.

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.

IF MY CHILD IS SICK, WHEN SHOULD I KEEP THEM HOME?

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 of taste or smell

• Fatigue from unknown cause

• Muscle or body aches

If you answer “yes” to any of the above, your child MUST stay home. Please call the school to report your child’s absence (708) 708-757-2120 (Option 1.)

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.

POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTENVENTIONS & SUPPORT (PBIS)

PBIS

A major focus area of learning for our K-4 students is that of behavior. Maintaining a physically and emotionally safe learning environment is a priority before we can expect our children to learn academic content. In each area of the school, we have developed expectations that we use to teach children how to Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful. This work is through PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). For the first few weeks of our school year, we model and practice what these expectations look like and sound like. When we observe students who struggle with following the expectations, the student is not automatically punished but is instead reminded of the expectation and given the opportunity to modify his/her behavior to demonstrate the appropriate behavior. We believe that devoting a significant amount of time to working on expectations is beneficial to all of our students.

Now that we have become well acquainted with these skills, the expectation is that students demonstrate the skills in every area of the school day. When students need constant reminders or when behavior becomes disruptive, we will take the necessary steps to reteach the skills and remind students of the expectations. Our goal is to provide the support students need to significantly decrease the number of distractions and unwanted behaviors. A paper copy of our expectations was sent home in your child’s take-home folder. Please take time to review the expectations with your child(ren). We appreciate all the support families have shown in working collaboratively toward student behavioral success.

October 7th - Picture Day

October 10th - No School (Indigenous People’s Day/Columbus Day)

October 13th - Bedtime Stories | 6:00 p.m.

October 21st - 2:00 p.m. Dismissal | End of the 1st Quarter

October 31st - 11:30 a.m. Dismissal

October 31st - Treat Train Day

SAVE THE DATE

POWERSCHOOL

All Brookwood 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 confidential; therefore, you will need an access username and password to see your child’s progress. If you need your username and password, please contact the school office at (708) 758-5350. A PowerSchool app for your cellular phone makes it easy for parents to stay updated on their child’s progress.

TECHNOLOGY HELPLINE

If your child is having any technology problems connecting to their teacher’s Google Classroom, please contact 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.

MISSION STATEMENT

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

WE 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 challenged to the highest level of academic and artistic excellence.

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

• 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.

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.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO

1. Providing students with highly qualified teachers

2. Providing our staff with professional development

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS

Each month throughout the school year, Hickory Bend will offer an opportunity for our families to enjoy learning opportunities with the students. These events are typically in the evening, but some are also offered during the school day. In September we held our Open House, V.I.P. Day, and Hispanic Heritage Fiesta. All events were made successful by your attendance and involvement. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!

New to Hickory Bend this year is the Principal’s Coffee and Chat. These meetings will either be held in the morning at 9:30 a.m. or in the afternoon at 4:00 p.m. These meetings are for adults only and are an opportunity for parents, guardians, and community members to receive information first-hand, ask questions, and raise concerns. Our first meeting was low in attendance, but fruitful in the discussion. We hope to see you at our next meeting: November 10th, 2022, at 9:30 a.m.

In October we look forward to our Bedtime Stories on October 13th, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. and our Treat Train on October 31, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. Be on the lookout for ways you can participate in our events by volunteering.

RESOURCEFUL TIPS...

• Help them use different methods to find answers

• Support them when they struggle but allow THEM to work it out.

• Rather than giving answers to questions, give questions to help lead them to answers

• Ask children for their help and suggestions.

• Coach your child more often than you control your child; show that you have confidence in their ability

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Our afterschool program had its official kickoff with the Hickory Bend Sensational Singers Choir with Mrs. Westerfield.

Other programs will be starting in the month of October including Spirit Squad, Violin Club, Art Club, and Power Hour Tutoring.

All activities will require a parent signature on the permission forms. Most clubs are limited in capacity and will be subject to random selection and waiting lists.

4TH GRADE ANNOUNCERS

Congratulations to Dre Diaz and Erin Moore for being our first pair of Morning Announcers. With purpose-driven confidence, they helped us to start the day with an energizing song and words of encouragement.

Each week a different pair of 4th Grade Students will take on the challenge to address the entire school over the P/A during the morning announcements.

MORNING LAUGHS

Calling all Jokersters! Do you have an awesome joke you can share with the school? Submit your jokes to the main office for a chance to have your joke added to the morning announcements. Laughter is medicine for the soul!

NEW MEALS / BOOK CHALLENGE

NEW MEAL

SERVICE: QUEST FOODS SCORE

BIG WITH STUDENTS

Great taste, whole grains, filling portions, and low sugar makes the new meal company a HIT!!! Breakfast and lunch are crucial parts of everyone’s day, especially students. Once the body is fed and nourished with all vitamins and minerals needed to support health and well-being, students can enjoy focused learning and balanced behaviors. Both breakfast and lunch are provided for all Brookwood School District 167 students

FREE OF CHARGE! Big Thank You to our School Board and Superintendent Bethany Lindsay for prioritizing our student’s health and wellness.

The All-Stars have been officially challenged to read and report on 1,500 books. As an individual incentive, when a student submits a book report, they will be entered into a raffle for prizes at the end of each month. As a school-wide incentive, when we reach our goal, the students will be rewarded with a schoolwide celebration. 1,500 Books??? Piece of cake for our All-Stars!

CLASSDOJO

What is ClassDojo?

PLEASE JOIN OUR CLASSDOJO’S AND STAY INFORMED!

It is important that you sign up for the Principal’s Class Dojo. I post important information such as if a bus is running late, important reminders regarding picture day, graduation information and other important topics.

PLEASE SIGN UP TODAY!

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, email, rdubose@brookwood167.org. All you will need to provide is your cell phone number or email address.

GET INVOLVED AND STAY INFORMED!

HICKORY BEND SCHOOL

VISITORS

If you need to come into the school for any reason, for safety reasons, you will be required to wear a mask, and 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 districtwide reporting for all visitors, volunteers, and contractors that have signed in/out of our buildings. This is important for safety reasons.