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Hawkeye News

January 2020

Dear Hayden Peak Families,

Welcome back to school!  It’s 2020, a year that we expect to be terrific for our school community.  We know we are not unique in recognizing that the symbolism of “20-20” is about vision, focus and clarity, and we intend to continue our focus on both academic and emotional wellness for our students and staff.

We are excited about some additional supports for our students at recess.  Just before the Winter Recess, we introduced new recess equipment and supply carts.  This month, we are focusing on four recess games that many of our students will enjoy playing together—Four Square, Lightning, Around the World, and Horse.  Our PE teachers are helping students all play with the same rules, and our school psychologist is helping students learn simple conflict resolution strategies to help when kids aren’t sure how to get through a game.  Each class in 5th and 6th grade has chosen two or three recess coaches who will support recesses once a week in grades 1-4, helping students play these games and practice good teamwork.  Of course, participation with a recess coach is optional; the goal is to create more healthy choices for all our students when they are outdoors.  Each month, we will let you know what our selected games are, and you might want to even play them “the Hayden Peak way” at home.  (Just a reminder about recess—students go outside if it is 20 degrees with the wind chill, so do remember to come to school in warm clothes!)

Our academic focus is laser sharp too!  Teachers are participating in on-going training within our school and district intended to strengthen language arts and math instruction as well as preparing for new state science standards in grades K-5 (which haven’t been updated since 2010).   Our students who meet academic goals with their teachers are invited to participate in an academic awards party; the next one will be held school-wide at the end of March.

One of our most enjoyable days with students is the day we bring around the cart of small prizes for perfect attendance each month.  Students are rewarded if they are on time, don’t leave during the day, and are present each school day for a calendar month.  Every month is a fresh start, so illness or an appointment one month won’t ruin future chances.  Thank you for helping your children make it to school on time and every day that they are well.

Thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement you give to our staff and teachers here at Hayden Peak.  We wish you a joyful, focused, peaceful, and Happy New Year!

Jennifer Fisher

Principal

 

Cathy Ford

Assistant Principal

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Principal Newsletter Oct 2019 (click to view/print)

Happy October, Hayden Peak Families!  Isn’t this a beautiful time of year!  One of our favorite poems has this stanza:

O suns and skies and clouds of June,
And flowers of June together,
Ye cannot rival for one hour
October’s bright blue weather;”

We love the richness of Autumn colors and the harvest season.  We are also really happy to be at Hayden Peak.  Thank you for greeting us so warmly and stopping to get acquainted and chat.  We love your children and are grateful to be part of a wonderful learning community.  The teachers here at Hayden Peak care deeply about the well-being and comfort of each family we serve, and it is our purpose to support each child and continue the traditions of celebrating learning and growth for each of our students.

As we transition into our work at Hayden Peak, know that we will continue many great traditions.  We will be holding monthly Leadership Luncheons, with one student chosen each month from each class.  These lunches typically happen on the last Friday of the month at 10:45 a.m.  When your child is chosen, you will be notified well in advance.  We also hold regular drawings for Hawkeyes with small rewards for things students are noticed doing well, such as helping another child, following directions, or doing something extra to help their teacher.  At the end of each month, students with perfect attendance and no tardies or checkouts receive a special recognition.  We remind students that this award is given every single month, so when a dentist appointment or sick day can’t be avoided, they will have many chances to receive the award again.  At the end of a learning cycle (about 3 months) students who master learning goals will be honored with a Benchmark Achievement activity.

We are working hard to support the emotional needs of our students.  We are adjusting emergency drill procedures a little bit, so students have advance notice when we have emergency drills, and we are spending more time explaining the purpose and process of these procedures.  We work closely with our wonderful school psychologist and district specialists to help all children feel safe, respected and loved.  As you know from sources everywhere, anxiety in children is increasing.  Our goal is to help students be strong, prepared, and resilient.  We are always available to help if your child needs additional understanding and support.

Hayden Peak has a terrific PTA.  We are grateful for the work they do to enhance learning.  Thank you, PTA, for providing field trips, birthday table, school activities, and all the extra classroom support.  We also have a wonderful School Community Council, helping shape school goals and keep our students safe.  Thank you for all you do!

Have a healthy, safe, beautiful and purposeful month of October.

Jennifer Fisher, Principal

Cathryn Ford, Assistant Principal

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Spring is Here!

We are thrilled that the weather is warming up and we are starting to see flowers blooming! With the change, we are all excited to wear our warmer weather clothes. Please review the dress code to ensure your students are dressed appropriately for school. Jordan District policy states, “All students shall wear clean clothing. Students shall not wear clothes that are mutilated, cut off, or immodest, e.g., short shorts, mini skirts, bare midriffs, halter-tops, spaghetti straps, tank shirts, or similar clothing. Clothing shall cover the midriff, underwear, backs, and cleavage at all times. Skirts, dresses and shorts must be at least mid-thigh length or longer when seated.”

As the weather warms up, more students are walking and riding their bikes to school. Please be aware of our students to ensure their safety. Please remember to drop off/pick up your students in the designated lane at the front of the school and leave the lane on the west side for kindergarten and daycare. Please remind your children to use the crosswalk to safely cross any street. Children learn best when behavior is modeled for them so we ask that adults also use the crosswalks and not direct their children to run across the street unsafely.

Spring means RISE testing is around the corner. Our 3rd – 6th grade students will begin their state RISE testing on Monday, April 22, 2019 and going through Friday, May 17, 2019. Below are suggestions to assist your student during testing:

  1. Make sure your child gets an ample, normal amount of sleep the night before the test.
  2. Mark testing days on your calendar to help remind you and your child when the testing will take place and plan your preparations.
  3. The student should eat a nutritious and filling breakfast. Avoid high sugar cereals, which can make the student hyper and/or unfocused.
  4. Set aside time each night prior to the test for several weeks to review the concepts that will be covered.
  5. Work with teachers to find materials to work on at home in preparation for the test.
  6. Make sure the student is on time (if not early) on the day of testing.
  7. Set a backup alarm to avoid the possibility of oversleeping.

Hayden Peak Day of Caring! Save the Date!

We are so fortunate to have the best community and support! Over the last couple of years, we have had the opportunity to participate in Comcast Cares Day and your support has been overwhelming. This year, we will be hosting the Hayden Peak Day of Caring! Ivory Homes has generously donated trees for us to plant. In addition, we will do some weeding and clean up in and around the school. Please mark your calendar for Saturday, May 18, 2019 and plan to volunteer! We look forward to another wonderful day of volunteering, music, and fun!

 

Click on the link below to print a copy of the current Hawkeye News
HawkeyeNews

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Hayden Peak Day of Caring! Save the Date!

We are so fortunate to have the best community and support! Over the last couple of years, we have had the opportunity to participate in Comcast Cares Day and your support has been overwhelming. This year, we will be hosting the Hayden Peak Day of Caring! Ivory Homes has generously donated trees for us to plant. In addition, we will do some weeding and clean up in and around the school. Please mark your calendar for Saturday, May 18, 2019 and plan to volunteer! We look forward to another wonderful day of volunteering, music, and fun!

Valentine's Day is Thursday, February 14, 2019. While it is often thought of as a holiday for couples, it is also a wonderful day to let those you care about know how you feel! Here are a few Valentine Family Date ideas:

Go bowling
Take a city tour
Do a rose drop for widows
A dollar store blitz
Dinner and a movie
Go to the zoo
Take cookies to neighbors
Kids' choice!

SPOTLIGHT! Girls Who Code Club

Hayden Peak Elementary offers many opportunities for our students to expand and share their talents in after school programs. Over the next few months, we will spotlight each of the programs and how your child can participate. This month we are spotlighting the GIRLS WHO CODE CLUB!

This is a brand new after school program for 4th, 5th grade girls. What is coding? It means to construct a set of instructions to implement an algorithm in order to solve a problem. Those instructions then allow a program to run, whether it is on a computer, tablet, or phone.

The club goes from Tuesday, January 15-March 19, 2019. Girls in the 4th and 5th grade will have fun learning this valuable skill.

Dave Butler, Principal

Theresa Christensen, Assistant Principal

Click on this link to print a copy of the February Hawkeye News
Principal Newsletter Feb 2019

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Principal Newsletter
Hawkeye News
January 2019

HawkeyeNews (PDF to print)

Welcome back from a long winter break and welcome to 2019! This is the time of year when winter takes a toll on school attendance. Snow and slushy weather can sometimes keep parents from getting their children to school. So can the colds, fevers and earaches that often come with the winter months.

These absences, even if they are excused, can add up to academic trouble. Students miss out on learning if they aren’t in class and we want every child to be actively engaged in learning. There’s not much we can do about the weather, but there are two key steps every family can take to help avoid absences this year.

  1. Develop back up plans for getting your children to school in winter weather. That could mean checking with other families who have a car that can manage in the snow or forming a “walking school bus” to walk your children to school with other parents. If you’re stuck, call the school. We can connect you with other parents or staff members who can help.
  2. Keep your children healthy.Dress them warmly for the cold weather and make sure they’ve got hats and gloves. Encourage them to wash their hands regularly, and send them to school with a bottle of hand sanitizer. If your children do get sick, talk to a doctor or the school nurse about whether they should come to school and when it is okay for them to return.

Above all, let us know how we can help. We want your children and all our students to succeed, and that means attending school every day possible.

SPOTLIGHT!
Reading Buddies After School Program

Did you know that Hayden Peak offers a Reading Buddies program after school on Wednesday afternoons? Students from Copper Hills High, West Hills Middle, and Hayden Peak Elementary volunteer to read with our students here at Hayden Peak. This program has been a huge success and we are grateful to all those who volunteer in this effort. If you are interested in volunteering or having your child participate in the Reading Buddies please contact the office.

David Butler, Principal

Theresa Christensen, Assistant Principal

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Hawkeye News
Hayden Peak Elementary
December 2018

HawkeyeNews (PDF to print)

As we begin our holiday season, we are grateful for the students, families, faculty and staff at Hayden Peak Elementary! We are truly blessed to be a part of this amazing community. Have a safe and joyous holiday season!

Boundary Update and Permits for 2019-20
The Jordan School District Board of Education has determined that the boundaries for Hayden Peak Elementary will remain the same for the 2019-20 school year. The Board of Education has also made changes to our school choice permit process. As part of this change, all Jordan District schools are required to revoke permits to 90% of school capacity. At Hayden Peak there will be approximately 85 permits revoked for the 2019-20 school year. Families have been notified if their permits have been revoked. Those families wishing to attend Hayden Peak on permit for the 2019-20 school year will need to apply online for a permit.

If you would like to request a permit for your child to attend a school other than their boundary school, please click the link below.

As a reminder, permit applications submitted during the month of December will not be approved on a first-come, first-served basis but will be approved according to the Board priorities, which are posted at boundary.jordandistrict.org

SPOTLIGHT! After School Activities

Hayden Peak Elementary offers many opportunities for our students to expand and share their talents in after school programs. Over the next few months, we will spotlight each of the programs and how your child can participate. This month we are spotlighting the DANCE CLUB.

The dance club provides an opportunity for your student to learn different dances, cooperation, and teamwork. They meet twice a month on Thursday afternoons after school for 30 minutes. Please contact the school for more information on how your student can participate.

We wish you all a joyous holiday.

David Butler                            Theresa Christensen
Principal                                   Assistant Principal