HB | October 2023 Newsletter

THANK YOU FOR BEING SO SUPPORTIVE, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A FANTASTIC SCHOOL YEAR FILLED WITH GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENT!

The goal is to raise $2000 to support student and family activities.

The key is YOU!!!

This fundraiser will run for approximately two (2) weeks, October 2 - October 12, 2023. Families will be given order forms to collect orders for the four different types of taffy apples. Items will sell for $2.50 per item, of which Hickory Bend will profit $1.25 per item sold. Orders are due back to the school by October 12th to deliver taffy apples to the families before Halloween

PRINCIPAL’S CORNER

We are asking that every parent sign up for the Principal ClassDojo, as this is a great way for parents to stay informed about important events and information throughout the school year. Please contact the school office if you need help signing up for this awesome communication tool.

THANK YOU FOR BEING SO SUPPORTIVE!

With an official Welcome to the Fall Season, I want to take a moment to emphasize the critical importance of punctuality for your child’s success.

I can be reached at the school number (708) 7584520, by email rpenner@ brookwood167.org

Arriving on time for school sets a positive tone for the day and helps ensure your child maximizes their learning opportunities.

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.

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

• 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.

Excellence... Potential... Achieve...

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 decision-makers.

“When you’re good at something, you’ll tell everyone. When you’re great at something, they’ll tell you.” --Walter

Payton

WE ARE COMMITTED TO:

1. Providing students with highly qualified teachers

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

2. Providing our staff with Professional Development

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 researchbased 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.

WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD 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 answer “YES” to any of the above, your child “MUST”

ATTENDANCE/ ABSENCES/ TARDIES

To ensure that our students are excelling academically, students 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 can earn rewards and participate in fun activities.

When your child must be absent, please inform the front office. Our absentee number is 708-757-2115.

TECHNOLOGY HELPLINE

If your child is having any technology problems, please get in touch with our help desk at (708) 300-3553 or email our help desk at helpdesk@ brookwood167.org

I am excited to share with you that our Superintendent and Board of Education will continue 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) 7584520, so we can help provide them with all necessary and needed materials.

REPORTING AN ABSENCE

To report absences, please call the attendance line at (708) 7572110, 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.

PLEASE JOIN OUR CLASSDOJO’S AND STAY INFORMED!

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 AND STAY INFORMED!

DOJO WE BELIEVE...

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...

GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY

Wednesday, September 27

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.

5:30 p.m.

GROUND BREAKING

Thank you to everyone who attended our groundbreaking ceremony.

The Hickory Bend Performing Arts and Innovation STEM Center will serve our community for many years to come.

POWERSCHOOL

At PowerSchool, we believe that for students to succeed, they need to feel connected to learning in a personal way.

All Longwood 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.

“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”

-BB King

Dot (.) Day

September 15th was Dot (.) Day, and to celebrate, our S.T.E.A.M. classes had a dot party!

Over six (6) school days, they used eight (8) different art mediums to create a collaborative art project: one GINORMOUS DOT created out of all their individual dots.

Focusing on a growth mindset, they worked to turn their “I can’t” into “I can’t yet!” If you missed the video, check out our school story on Classroom Dojo.

VISITORS

If you need to come into the school for any safety reasons, you must have a current Driver’s License that will be checked in our Raptor Security System. Raptor® provides a line of sight for those always in our school. The system provides school and district-wide reporting for all visitors, volunteers, and contractors signed in/out of our buildings. This is important for safety reasons.

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

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 to whom they belong.

Sand Art

As part of our PBIS incentives, students may choose to use their hard-earned points to purchase trinkets or tickets to events.

September’s event was a fancy “Sand Art Event”. October’s event to purchase will be a trip to “Patriots Park” in Homewood. Details, coming soon!

PRECIOUS MINUTES

Arriving on time for school sets a positive tone for the day and helps ensure your child maximizes their learning opportunities...

Why Being On Time Is CRUCIAL...

• Consistency: Punctuality instills a sense of consistency and responsibility in your child’s daily routine, which are valuable life skills.

• Minimizing Disruption: Late arrivals can disrupt classroom activities and affect your child’s ability to focus and participate fully in lessons.

• Respect for Others: Being on time shows respect for teachers, classmates, and the learning process. It helps create a respectful and considerate school environment.

• Academic Success: Starting the day on time lets your child benefit from the full range of learning activities and instructional time.

To Sum It Up...

Remember that your involvement in fostering punctuality plays a vital role in your child’s development. By working together, we can help them build a strong foundation for success both inside and outside of the classroom.

To Support Punctuality...

• Establish a Routine: Set a consistent morning routine at home to ensure your child leaves for school on time.

• Prepare the Night Before: Have your child organize their backpack, lay out clothes, and complete any homework assignments the night before.

• Set Alarms: Use alarms and reminders to help your child stay on schedule.

• Communicate: If unforeseen circumstances will cause a delay, please inform the school as soon as possible.

Drop Off | Pick Up ARRIVAL...

• Car Riders:

Please continue to enter the parking lot via Cottage Grove to access the drop-off line.

Please be aware that the traffic cones will be adjusted to avoid the construction site.

Staff will be present to let children out of cars at the new walkway.

Please continue to exit left towards Cottage Grove.

• Walkers:

You may continue walking your child to Door 20 for morning drop-off. However, please be mindful to walk around the construction site safety fence and stay within the bounds of the safety cones.

DISMISSAL...

• Car Riders:

Please continue to enter the parking lot via Cottage Grove and follow the traffic cone pattern. The traffic cone pattern will lead you in a loop through the parking lot and then towards the Bus Circle Drive.

-> Please stay to the RIGHT SIDE of the Bus Circle Drive

Staff will load your child into your vehicle in the Bus Circle Drive

Please continue to drive forward to exit at 191st Place.

• Walkers:

You may continue to gather on the lawn area as you wait for your child (being mindful to stay clear of the construction site safety fence).

Please allow the classes to fully exit the building before calling out to your child. Please do NOT call out to your child while the class is still moving towards their staging area. It is important that you allow children to “check out” with their teacher.

Drop Off | Pick Up

“NEW” DISMISSAL DOORS...

Effective Monday, September 11, 2023

• The following student groups will exit the building through Door 20

-> Kindergarten, 1st Grade, Ms. LaFond’s Class, Mrs. Torres’ Class

• The following student groups will exit the building through Door 1

-> 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, Ms. Johnston’s Class

• The Champions Program will only use Door 20 for morning drop-off and evening pick up.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience during this exciting time. Our priority is safety for all, followed by orderly, efficient transitions. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.

GO ALL STARS