Black Hawk Elementary

Family Newsletter October 2018

Black Hawk Elementary • 2500 College St • Springfield, Illinois 62704 217/525-3195 • www.sps186.org

IN THIS ISSUE… Parent/Teacher Conferences PTC Spooktacular Fall Dance Spotlight: Ms. Patterson, Ms. Martin, Ms. Koopman, and Ms. Lisa

HELPFUL TIP: Do you prefer texting? Mr. Jordan, our principal, uses the REMIND app to text important school-

wide information. Sign up by texting @blackhawkp to 81010.

Our Parent Teacher Committee (PTC) also uses REMIND. To get u p d a t e s a b o u t m e e t i n g s , fundraisers, and event reminders, text @sp186bhptc to 81010.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Mark your calendars: Parent-Teacher Conferences will be October 25 & 26. There will be a 2:30pm early dismissal on Thursday, October 25th. There wi l l be NO SCHOOL for students on October 26th.

If you haven't already, talk with your student’s teacher to pick a time slot for your visit.

If a lack of transportation or childcare will make it hard for you to attend conferences, please contact Mrs. Shana (Parent Educator) at the school office. We can help!

NO SCHOOL There will be NO SCHOOL on

Monday, November 12th.

Did you know...

Bounce Pages App Did you know there is a free app for your smartphone which helps explain your student’s math homework? It is called Bounce Pages, and it’s created by the same company who makes your student’s math textbook. Using the app, you can scan the front side of your student’s math worksheet (before the answers are filled in) and it will ‘read’ the sheet and pull up a video of that day’s math lesson!

Community Partners Did you know the library at our school is organized completely by volunteers? It is all thanks to Peace Lutheran Church, one of Black Hawk’s community partners. Ms. Sally and other volunteers from PLC come every Wednesday and Friday. They also host fundraisers throughout the year to purchase new books. Thank you, Peace Lutheran!

Buzz Words

BBSS BBSS stands for Braided Behavioral Support System. This is a district-wide approach to behavior management. It includes PBIS (Positive Behavioral Incentives and Supports), BIST (Behavior Intervention Support Team), SEL Standards (Social Emotional Learning), and Restorative Practices. You may hear your child talk about cool tools, safe seats, and buddy rooms, which are all pieces of BBSS.

“Goals for Life” Every day at Black Hawk, students are reminded of these goals for life:

I can make good choices even if I am mad. I can be okay even if others are not okay. I can do something even if I don’t want to (or if it’s hard).

See if your student can recite them from memory!

RETURN TO SCHOOL Questions? Tear off this slip and return to school

Spotlight!Parent/G

uardian Nam

e: ______________________________________________________________ Cell phone: ________________________________________________

Email: ______________________________________________________

Student(s) Nam

e: __________________________________________

Teacher(s) Nam

e: _________________________ Grade: ________

Is there anything you’d like us to know: ____________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

I would like to be contacted about:

_____ Joining a parent team (PTC or FACE)

_____ Questions for m

y student’s teacher _____ Volunteering at school _____ Parent Intranet Account

October 2018

PTC Fall Dance Grab your costumes and get ready to dance! The Black Hawk Spooktacular Fall Dance is November 2nd from 6:00 - 8:00pm. Concessions will be  available for purchase. Parents are encouraged to attend and dress up if you dare. The cost of the dance is $2 per person. For families of 6 or more, the total admittance will be $10.

Share the Spirit Shoe Trip Share the Spirit Foundation has selected our school to receive 100 pairs of free shoes. Students have been selected, and permission slips have been sent home. On Friday, we will take the students to Payless to pick out their new shoes. Thank you, Share the Spirit!

Thank You! Black Hawk is supported by countless partners, volunteers, and donors. Here are a few who have helped us recently: • Brandt - donated money to help cover expenses for Fall Festival • Walmart - donated gift cards for Fall Festival • Peace Lutheran Church - donated food, supplies, and volunteers for Fall Festival;

helped refresh our school garden • Pasfield Baptist Church - brought volunteers to run games at Fall Festival • AARP - donated juice and water for Games with Grands • Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity - provided volunteers for Fall Festival • Tom Cormeny - rebuilt the garden’s raised beds • South Side Christian Church - helped to level books in classroom libraries;

provided volunteers for Fall Festival

Fall Festival We had a great turnout for our annual Fall Festival. Thank you to the many families and volunteers who joined us for a fun afternoon. We raised nearly $900 for our school fund!

Ms. Patterson has been teaching for 29 years. She has been at Black Hawk for 21 years!

Mr. Dalby (4th grade teacher): “Ms. Patterson is a fantastic teacher. I have learned a lot just by watching her teach.”

Ms. Koopman (assistant): ”Ms. Patterson is a very caring and dedicated teacher! She makes learning FUN for the kids! Sometimes they don't even realize that they are learning new things. They love to give her hugs, and the older kids say that they wish that they could come back to Ms. Patterson's Kindergarten class!!”

Jet (Kindergarten): “She gets out toys. She makes me happy.”

Tips for Parent/Teacher Conferences Teaching Assistants - Ms. Koopman & Ms. Lisa

Teacher - Ms. Martin

Ms. Koopman has been a teaching assistant for 27+ years! She has been at Black Hawk for 16 of them. Ms. Lisa has worked in education for 4 years. This is her first year as a kindergarten teaching assistant.

Mrs. Brandi (Kitchen Manager): “They are all four wonderful women and make sure that their students make good choices at lunch time.”

Jordan (5th): “Ms. Koopman always, like she’s there a LOT, even when she has a guest teacher.”

Ms. Herman (2nd grade teacher): “Ms. Rowden may be new to Black Hawk but she has jumped in and joined our family like she’s been here all along! What a wonderfully positive addition to the Black Hawk team!”

Teacher - Ms. Patterson

Happy News!

It’s almost time for parent/teacher conferences! Here are some talking tips for parents:

• Share examples of what your child is good at and what you’ve found to be successful at home. What are your hopes and dreams for your child?

• Ask for suggestions on how to build on what children are learning in school. Ask if there are community resources the teacher would recommend.

• Let the teacher know the best way and time you can be contacted. Do you prefer texting, email, or phone calls? Do you like REMIND? Let the teacher know.

This month we are highlighting the Kindergarten staff!

Left to right: Ms. Patterson, Ms. Martin, Ms. Koopman, and Ms. Lisa.

Ms. Martin has been teaching for 15 years, all of which have been at Black Hawk!

Hazel (Kindergarten): “I like my teachers because I’m on great day.”

Lauren (Kindergarten): “She’s a good teacher.”

Sophia (1st): “Ms. Martin is the best teacher because she is nice.”

Mrs. Hummel (Speech-Language Pathologist): “Ms. Martin is the smiling face the kids love to see. They respect Ms. Martin and look forward to her hugs everyday. Ms. Martin’s students love

story time, especially when they are reading Mo Willems!”