William Hatch Elementary School PTO
William Hatch Elementary School PTO
2005-2006
... For September, 2005
Greetings from Hatch School! It is a pleasure to welcome
everyone to another exciting year!
We have many innovative projects and activities scheduled
for this new school year. I hope every family will take
the opportunity to participate in these worthwhile
events. We encourage everyone to become active members of
the Hatch School Community.
The Bank at School Program will begin Friday, September 2 for students holding saving accounts. Applications for new accounts will be available during Fee Day, Thursday, September 8. This program is sponsored through the State of Illinois and The Fifth Third Bank of Oak Park.
It is our goal to provide a comfortable, relaxed and safe noon hour for our children. Our program's guidelines are as follows:
Lunchroom supervisors are responsible for maintaining a safe, pleasant environment. Students are to respect ALL adults as well as other children. We are in need of substitute supervisors for the lunch program. If you are interested, please contact the school office.
To hear weekly activities and meetings at Hatch School, please call the Hatch School Voice-Link. Dial the 524-5830, wait for the general message, and then press "HAT". Use Voice-Link to leave messages for our teachers. Dial 524-5830, wait for the general messages, and then press the teacher's four-digit number. The teachers' voice-link numbers will be included in the fee day packet.
I know, as a former teacher, that reading stimulates the
mind. Students increase their learning in so many ways,
when they are actively involved in reading at home.
Students improve their critical thinking ability,
comprehension, and verbal skills by simply investing the
time to read.
Therefore, we are looking for students who enjoy reading
at home. The goal is for students to earn a minimum of
176 points during the school year by reading at home. The
added goal is to celebrate the joy of reading, while
earning points. Students that love to read will enjoy
getting this deserved recognition. I know we have
students that will earn more than two thousand points
during the school year! The flyer will be in the Fee Day
Packet.
The P.T.O. World Language Program will begin the week of October 2. We will offer German, Spanish, and French. Please watch for more information on Fee Day.
This is a reminder that school starts at 8:00AM. The
first bell rings at 7:57AM. Excessive tardiness is
unacceptable. As adults, we need to help students develop
good habits to carry them through life. Please be sure
your child arrives on time each day! I have an open door
policy. If you have questions or concerns, please call me
at 524-3095.
Let's make it another great year!
Sincerely,
Sheila Y. Carter
... For February, 2006
We had a very successful celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Miss Norton, Miss Stack, Miss Nussbaum, Mrs. Cullins, Mr. Du Pont and the entire student body contributed to this excellent program.
I would like to encourage parents to use our District
Voice Link system. Each week the calendar is recorded on
our Number (524-5830 Hat) so that parents may check on
field trips, assemblies, and special evening
activities.
Teachers' numbers are listed in the Student Directory for
your convenience. Teachers check their messages daily so
this is a convenient way to communicate with your child's
teacher.
February conferences were held on the following days:
It is essential that every parent visits the
school and talks with his/her children's teachers about
their academic progress. When parents participate in
these conferences, their children receive a clear message
that their schoolwork is important to everyone. Parents
and teachers are able to share concerns and strategies
that will improve our students' academic achievement
(performance levels).
Please contact your child's teacher if you missed your
conference.
School starts at 8:00AM. The first bell rings at 7:57AM. There are a number of students who still do not arrive on time. This excessive tardiness is indicative of a negative attitude. As adults, we need to help students develop responsible qualities to carry them through life. Our goal is to have all of our students arriving on time, every day.
Our breakfast and hot lunch programs, which are run by Ms. Hood, Mrs. Space, and Ms. Aldridge are very popular with all of our students, including kindergarten. We wish to thank our wonderful, lunch staff for their dedication and hard work.
Depending on the weather, we have set up a variety of indoor activities for students during the lunch hour, including basketball, games, computer lab, coloring, bingo, a chat room, movies in the auditorium, World Language Program, and the Math-a-thon Program. We also have a study hall in the media center for students in grades 4-5, who wish to read or use the computer to complete assignments. Students appear to enjoy these choices, because these options improve the quality of their lunch hour.
Sincerely,
Sheila Y. Carter
... For March, 2006
Mrs. Noel, our outstanding physical education teacher and health expert has been selected as one of the 30 finalists in the Golden Apple Educator Award Program. These thirty finalists have been chosen from schools throughout the state of Illinois. It is indeed an honor to be one of the finalists representing excellence in the field of education. When the representatives from the Golden Apple Foundation visited Hatch School, they were able to observe Mrs. Noel in action in the gymnasium, as well as, exploring "tastings" in the lunchroom. Mrs. Noel is also working on her Ph.D in Curriculum and Instruction in the field of Education. If Mrs. Noel should become one of the five winners, she will receive $3,000 and a four month sabbatical leave to pursue other interests. We are so very proud to know and work with her everyday!!!
We look forward to every family participating in our Family Game Night. It is scheduled for Monday, March 20 from 5:30-8:00PM. Dinner will be served. We are asking families to bring their favorite board game to play in our gymnasium. Please take the time to invite a family that may not have planned on attending. We want everyone to get involved in good, old, family fun! This activity is sponsored by the School Leadership Team.
Please consider getting involved in some of the many activities sponsored by our P.T.O. We would like to thank the parents that volunteer many hours of their time to support us. Hatch is a wonderful school because of the excellent parent support. Let's continue our successes. We need your involvement.
Thanks to all of you who have made an effort to keep our school safe. Again I am reminding everyone that when visiting the school, parents must stop by the office, sign in and wear a visitor's pass. I have asked all staff members to escort visitors without passes to the office.
There are many teachers in our building who do not know all of our parents. Unless parents wear a visitor's pass, the staff has no way of knowing who is authorized to be in our building.
Please do not just "run up to the classroom for a minute to talk with the teacher". First, you must go to the school office, sign-in, and wear a visitor's pass. All substitute teachers and teaching assistants wear badges while they are working at Hatch. We need the cooperation of everyone to keep our building as safe as possible.
The 2006 Summer School Catalog has been distributed to our families. The catalog has an excellent listing of classes for both morning and afternoon sessions. Registration began immediately following the distribution of the catalogs. Please do not delay; some classes will fill quickly! Any questions regarding the summer program may be directed to Linda Moseley at the Central Office (524-3021) or Sheila Carter (524-3095) after 4:00PM.
Please remember that the first Friday of each month is our "Bank at School" day. Mrs. Lehnen, Hatch Parent, will be available for students to make deposits on their accounts. It is not too late for students to open new accounts. If you are interested, please call the school office (524-3095) for an application.
For the eighth year, Hatch School will once again sponsor our annual School-wide Read-a-thon. This is a seven-week program. One hundred and thirty-seven students participated last year. This read-a-thon is for students who are not participating in the "Readers are Winners" program. (Ninety-four students are presently participating in this year's "Readers are Winners" Read-a-thon.) As in previous years, students will have to earn at least 60 points to go to the Naperville Gymnastics Club for a day of fun, fun, fun! Please watch for a flyer with more information.
The math-a-thon program is going very well. Many students from each grade level are participating. Mrs. Miller, Miss Stack and I are working with those students during the lunch hour. It is not too late to join the fun! For more information, pick up a flyer from the information center located by the office.
Sincerely,
Sheila Y. Carter
... For April, 2006
Hatch School participated in the Annual West 40 Math Olympiad. The following students participated in the coaching sessions:
Congratulations to all of you!
Rebecca Weintrob participated on the Grade 3-4 Team. Noah Segal was an alternate. The Grade 3-4 Team finished in Second Place. Mrs. Dressel was [the] coach. The Trophy is on display in the school office.
Congratulations to Christopher Merchant (4-Q) and Marjory Bell (4-Q). They are the winners of the annual poster contest. They were both invited, along with their families, to attend a luncheon in their honor at the 19th Century Club in Oak Park.
Congratulations to Marjory Bell (4-Q), Steven Waddell (5-J), Immanuel Wills-Graham (3-K), John Davis (5-K), Matthew Hennings (5-K), Austin Bowyer (5-K), Kyle Patnode (5-K), Khristian Walker (5-J), Tyler Moran (3-K), Dorothy Carmichael (4-K), Emily Williams (3-K), Sharai Terrell (5-K). Their picture ads appeared in the Wednesday Journal. Thanks to Mr. Du Pont for entering Hatch Students in this annual event!
We are beginning our Annual, Eight Week, Read-A-Thon on March 25 and ending May 12. (This program is designed for students that are not participating in the "Readers are Winners" Read-a-thon). It is important for students to realize that the more they read, the better they will read. Please check the flyer for details. We want every student at Hatch School to be a part of one of the read-a-thons!
The Hatch School Talent Show has been scheduled for Friday, May 19. Auditions will start Monday, May 1. If students would like to participate, please return the completed form to the school office, ASAP. Participants, with the help of their parents or guardians, must have their act completely organized by the date of the audition.
The summer school catalog has been available since February! Many excellent classes are being offered at Hatch and Irving. Accelerated Classes are included again, this year! Please get your registration in, as soon as possible, to insure first choice selections. Any questions regarding the summer program may be directed to Linda Moseley at the Central Office, 524-3021 or Sheila Carter at Hatch School, 524-3095, after 4:00.
March and April are registration months for next year's kindergarteners and new first graders. All new students must be registered at the District Office, 970 Madison Street. Call 524-3000 to make an appointment for registration.
Please pass this information along to neighbors and if they have not already done so, urge them to make an appointment to register soon. Once registered, further information will be sent out regarding Kindergarten Visitation and Orientation Day to be held at all Oak Park Public Schools on Friday, May 5. The Hatch Kindergarten Open House will be held 8:30-9:30 AM and 10:00-11:00 AM.
Parents interested in early admission to Kindergarten for the Fall of 2006 should call the Registration Office at the District for more information. Children who reach their fifth birthday between September 2 and December 1, 2006 are eligible to apply.
The District also has an excellent Pre-Kindergarten program for four years olds who might be at risk. Further information is available at the District Office (524-3000).
If you wish to have homework prepared for your children while they are absent from school, please follow these simple steps:
Preparation of assignments and homework may take some time. Please do not go to your child's homeroom and ask the teacher to prepare assignments during the school day.
All students, whether walking or being dropped off at school, MUST CROSS THE STREETS AT THE INTERSECTIONS. Please set a good example and remind your child to use the white lines at the crosswalks. Crossing in the middle of the street is very dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers.
Sincerely,
Sheila Y. Carter
... For May, 2006
I would like to state my concerns to all parents, who may want to request a certain teacher for their child. Placing your child in an appropriate, educational environment is an extremely complex task.
The teachers, the reading specialist, the Student Services Team, and the principal all have input on class placement procedures. Your children are seen in various settings. Their level of independence and self-motivation are always considered in our placements. In addition, reading and math achievement levels, racial balance and boy-girl ratios are taken into account. We consider which children do not get along well together. Our recommendations are based on all of these considerations.
When parents call to request a change of teacher or separation of certain children after the class lists are posted, this greatly complicates matters. Certainly, I want your concerns and priorities expressed, but I am asking you to please consider all of the factors that go into each child's placement.
I would respectfully suggest that you view whatever placement we plan for your child as a positive, learning experience. We must allow children to face realistic situations, as much as possible, and help them to grow strong by adjusting to a variety of personalities and teaching styles. We are just as concerned as you are that their learning experiences should be both positive and rewarding.
Therefore, I am asking all parents to consider all of the above carefully before asking for special changes in class placements. If you have an extraordinary circumstance, then please feel free to write a letter to me before June 9. All summer mail will be held at the post office until late August.
There is still space available for students to attend our summer school program, "School Daze 2006". We have additional catalogs available in the office. If you have questions regarding the program, please call Linda Moseley at the district office (524-3021).
The Lost and Found has many items. To assist us in getting lost items returned to students, please label your child's belongings -- especially jackets, hats, lunchboxes, and sweaters. We want to make every effort to return lost items to students.
Our Hatch School Talent Show is scheduled for Friday, May 19. The program is primarily for Hatch Students, but parents are invited to attend. Performances will be at 9:30AM (K-3) and 1:00PM (K, 4-5). There are many talented students participating in this production.
We are very pleased to give recognition to the many students in grades 4-5 that are on the Meets/Exceeds Honor Roll. The certificates are displayed in the main hallway by the school office. The Honor Roll Breakfast will be on Tuesday, May 9 in the Gymnasium. Congratulations to everyone who made the Honor Roll. We are very proud of your academic success!
The read-a-thon is a big success again this year! Over 88 students have already met the reading goal for this year. The deadline is Friday, May 12! The students who that have qualified, will party at The Naperville Gymnastics Club on Friday, May 26 or Friday, June 2. We'll leave the school at 10:00A.M. and return at 2:00P.M. Our top reader has earned over 1,600 reading points! Please consider joining the fun next year!!
The district-wide Tribute to Excellence Week is a tradition in Oak Park. We will celebrate at Hatch on Wednesday, May 31 for grades K-4. The fifth grade Awards/Promotion Celebration will take place on Wednesday, June 7. Please watch for more information.
Sincerely,
Sheila Y. Carter
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