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Category: 2019 School News

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If February is a month to focus on love and caring, Hayden Peak is right in step.  This month we are implementing a new strategy for wellness, a “check in—check out” plan for students who might welcome another caring adult to show concern for their well-being.  Managed by our school psychologist, Mr. Stewart, this plan simply allows for students to stop in and say hi to someone in the building at the beginning and end of the day.  There is not a specific agenda that is either social or academic, but students might choose to show a piece of schoolwork they are particularly proud of, or simply have a short conversation, knowing that lots of people care every day that they are in school.  If you feel your child would benefit from this intervention, please call the school and let us know.

Our school currently has a “chronic absenteeism” rate of 37%.  That number includes all students who missed 10 or more days of school last year.  Of course, some absences are enriching; when you take a family vacation and experience new things, vocabulary and context are improved and students learn in ways beyond what school can provide.  Additionally, some illnesses take a few days for recovery, and we don’t want students who feel awful (or are contagious) in the classroom.  However, we do know that students learn best when their attendance is consistent, and we do all in our power to make their time here at Hayden Peak worthwhile.  It helps when you call the school to excuse an illness and make prior arrangements with teachers if you are taking your child out for a planned vacation.  Also, if your child is reluctant to come to school, let us know and we will work to support a reward system that can add some motivation to the already great things happening in class.

As we get to know your children better through this school year, we are keenly aware at how important it is to focus on our students one by one.  We look at lots of data—academic and behavior, growth and proficiency—with lots of acronyms.  We review IEPs and 504s and score PSFs and ORFs.  But it’s the conversations with individual kids that warm our hearts and keep us coming to work each day.  Knowing their struggles and seeing their resiliency is the light and joy of our jobs.  Stay connected with your child’s teachers and us, so we can continue to support each student’s needs, whatever they may be.  Have a terrific month of February!

Jennifer Fisher                                                          Cathryn Ford

Principal                                                                     Assistant Principal

Click on the link below to view/print a PDF copy of this newsletter.

February Principal Newsletter

 

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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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Mark your calendars for the Harmony Choir Christmas Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 10th at 6pm.  This concert is being held in the auditorium at West Hills Middle School.  Choir members need to be dropped off at 5pm.  The doors to the auditorium will open at 5:40 for family and friends to find seats.  Choir members will not be able to save seats.

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The PTA's Annual Family Holiday Boutique will be held on December 4th from 5:30 - 7:30pm and then during the student's lunches on Thursday, Dec. 5th.

All items are $1 and there will be free gift wrapping.

Looking for donations of gift wrap, gift bags, tags, and new/unused gifts (please take to the office)

To volunteer for this fun evening please text 801-203-0325 or email jjweir91@msn.com

Click on the link below to sign-up to be a volunteer:

The Christmas Store

 

 

 

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Dear Hayden Peak Families,

Holiday greetings to each one of you this amazing month of December, a time of year when many of us leave our homes and return to them in darkness while still generating extra light throughout the day for celebrations of kindness, generosity, and goodwill.  Though we only meet at school for three weeks this month, our school calendar is bursting with tradition.  Some of the celebratory happenings in our Hayden Peak community are listed here for you.

Event Dates and Times Participants
Holiday Boutique December 5th

11:30 – 1:00 (during lunch)

3:05 – 4:00 (after school)

 Students at school purchase gifts for friends and family for $1 each
Flannel & Plaid Day December 6 Students and staff
Ugly Sweater Day December 13 Students and staff
Pajama Day

Sing-Along/Reindeer (Teacher) Games

 December 20 9:00 a.m. Students and staff

(not a program for parents)
Harmony Holiday Performance December 9 2:00 in the gym

December 10 6:00 p.m.

West Hills Middle School

 Daytime, students

Evening, families
Drama Troupe Presents:

“North Pole’s Got Talent”

 

 December 13 9:00 in the gym

December 13 1:30 in the gym

 Students and staff

Parents
West Hills Band and Choir December 3 9:15 a.m. Students and staff
Copper Hills Madrigals December 12 2:15 p.m. Students and staff

We hope your needs are met this holiday season.  While we don’t do a formal Santa program here at school, if you are in need or have extra to give, please call our office and we can try to support both giving and receiving.   Additionally, we want our students to stay warm.  We send our children (and the adults who watch them) outside every day the weather (including wind chill) is above 20 degrees Fahrenheit, unless it is raining or snowing hard.  Sometimes our students get caught outside as a storm sweeps in, and it’s important that all students have warm coats.  Gloves, boots and hats are also very helpful.  Help your children come to school prepared, and If you don’t have warm enough clothing, let us know.

As you know, our Winter Break extends from after school on Friday, December 20th through Sunday, January 5, 2020.  If possible, keep or start some reading traditions while students are out of the classroom.  It’s especially fun to read a book together, parent and child taking turns reading pages, discussing simple story elements like character, setting, plot, conflict and theme when reading fiction, and summarizing sections of text when reading non-fiction.  Also, have great conversations about events in your own family history or places you have visited, or dreams for the future.  Reading comprehension is built around background knowledge and vocabulary, and the conversations you have at home directly contribute to success at school.

Please be safe as you travel this month.  On icy days, we give students a few extra minutes to get to school, so take your time if the roads are treacherous.  Throughout this season and as we begin 2020, may your homes and our classrooms be places of peace and goodness.  Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Jennifer Fisher, Principal

Cathy Ford, Assistant Principal

December Principal Newsletter (Click to view/print)