WELCOME TO FIRST GRADE
School starts Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009.
Please send your child to school wearing closed comfortable shoes and a
jacket/sweatshirt with their name on the inside label. The weather changes
during the day and it's nice for them to have the option to take off or
leave on an outer garment. Please have them carrying a backpack with their
name written on the outside of it. Inside should be a labeled and separate
snack item(s). There should also be either a lunch box or envelope with
$2.25 for lunch. Be sure to label their lunch box and money envelope each
day. As you can imagine 22 backpacks, 22 lunch boxes, numerous envelopes and
22 jackets are a lot to keep track of. Please HELP ME OUT WITH THIS REQUEST!
Thank you! Be sure your child comes to school with a full stomach from
eating a healthy breakfast, and most importantly, a big smile.
I'm sure you have told your child how proud you are of them being a big
first grader now. Keep it up all year. This will ensure your child of a good
transition to first grade from kindergarten.
Also, when bringing your child to school the first day, let's keep the good
bye short...
a quick picture (for those interested), a big hug and kiss, and then off you
go. They will be fine, I promise you. I've found that the longer the
goodbyes, the harder it is on them to see you leave them. I know that you
will miss them, but you want them to have a great first day, so please keep
it short and sweet. Most of the time it's the parents that have the hardest
time leaving their child and cause the most anxiety. I have a fun first day
planned, so enjoy the time to yourself.
YOU ARE WELCOME to go straight to the outside lunch tables where the PTA is
having a "Get to Know You" for parents. I urge you to go and mingle with the
other parents and PTA officers, while enjoying a hot cup of coffee and
treat. We have a very strong and supportive PTA here at Hope, and I strongly
urge you to join the PTA and get involved our school. I'd like 100% parent
participation in my class, so please join the PTA. The amount is the same
for one or more children at Hope.
Thank You for your future support this school year. I am very happy to be
your child's first grade teacher, and I look forward to seeing you at Back
to School Night.
If I can be of assistance to you or your family this year, please don't
hesitate to send in a note, or call the school at 331-5900. I'll get back to
you ASAP.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT IS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH AT 6:00 IN THE CLASSROOM.
PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND PLAN ON ATTENDING THIS IMPORTANT MEETING THAT
WILL LAST AN HOUR. I WOULD LIKE 100% ATTENDANCE. CHILDCARE IS NOT PROVIDED, SO
PLEASE MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR YOUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU! I have alot of
material to cover to help transition you to first grade.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY STUDENT SUPPLIES ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.
**********************
PICTURE DAY IS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH and the MAKE-UP PICTURE DAY IS THE
FOLLOWING FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH.
**********************
I have a classroom "WISH LIST" on another link you are encouraged to check
out.
I look forward to meeting you at Back to School Night and welcome you to first
grade. It's going to be a terrific and productive year!
Sincerely,
Phyllis Brady
I M P O R T A N T I N F O R M A T I O N T O R E A D
THIS WAS POSTED BY RICHARD TUBBS, OUR PRINCIPAL, ON OUR SCHOOL
WEBSITE, www.hopehawks.com
PLEASE CHECK OUT THE LINK!
Richard Tubbs - Principal
PRINCIPAL'S PAGE
August 29, 2007
Greetings Families of Hope. Welcome to the new 2007-2008 school year. We
are excited to work with you and your student(s) this year! Here are a few
points to help you start the new school year in the right direction.
Tell the teacher about important issues that may affect your child’s
learning.
Develop a partnership with your child’s teacher and other school staff
members.
Make sure your child is ready for school.
Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day.
Make sure your child goes to school in clothing appropriate for the
weather.
Make sure your child has a backpack and necessary school supplies.
Spend time in your child’s classroom.
Hope Hawks VALUE volunteers!
Encourage responsibility and independence.
Have your child lay out his or her clothing the night before.
Give your child jobs around the house.
Expect your child to be responsible and know what his or her homework
is…help them by assisting in keeping a planner and checking completed
assignments.
Help your child to keep a calendar of his or her weekly events.
Ask your child about school every day.
Established dinner times (when possible) make an opportune time to
share events of the day.
Ask your child to tell you one thing new that he or she learned at
school.
Ask your child to share with you something fun or exciting that
happened.
Ask about challenges that presented themselves to your child.
Ask your child to tell you about a special friend.
Ask your child how they helped someone today!
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
In anticipation of new administrative regulations for our new Health and
Wellness Policy, there are a few changes you need to consider. Education
Code only allows for two classroom parties with food for the entire year.
As a result of the limitation, teachers will not be able to host birthday
party celebrations with food. If you want to recognize your student’s
birthday throughout the year, please speak with his/her teacher directly
about appropriate alternatives for the classroom. Teachers will not be able
to accept items dropped off without prior permission. Thank you for helping
to promote healthy and positive environment for our students. Healthy
bodies = Healthy minds.
CAFETERIA MEAL PRICES
Breakfast - $1.50 (Reduced Price - 30¢)
Lunch - $2.75 (Reduced Price - 40¢)
Each Breakfast and Lunch includes choice of 1/2 pint milk or juice.
Parents who pre-pay may allow or restrict the purchase of "Brunch" items on
students accounts.
Please note students name(s) on Checks. Cash is accepted at any time.
DID YOU KNOW that the State of California allots money to our school
district based on the number of children that are in attendance. We receive
$26.03 for each child that attends each day. Your child’s attendance is
important, both academically and financially. We do not want you to EVER
send your child to school ill. However, if possible, please plan your family
vacations for times that we are not in school. THANK YOU!
SOURCES OF REVENUE
E-Scrip - earn money for Hope while you shop. Call 800-801-4973. If you shop
online, also be sure to check out the eScrip Online Mall.
Washington Mutual - with the WaMoola for Schools ® Program, you can earn
cash for our school every time you make a purchase with your Washington
Mutual Visa ® Check Card. Go to www.wamoolaforschools.com today and register
your card, its free!
Albertsons - Community Partners.
Target - 1% of Credit Card Purchases.
Donations from the public, Jog-A-Thon pledges.
Mother's & Father's Day Boutique.
Bricks for Hope's "Walk of Fame"
FRIENDS OF HOPE
The mission of Friends of Hope School is to channel contributions from
parents, staff, and community to provide a readily accessible source of
funds which enhances academic achievement and the development of life skills
through activities, technology and student incentives.
FHS conducts some fundraisers, but the primary focus is on outside sources
of revenue, such as e-script, WaMoola for Schools, and grants.
FHS does not have membership dues and is not answerable to a national
organization like the PTA.
FHS is able to set long-term goals, whereas the PTA can only have short-
range plans because it must spend most of its budget each year.
The FHS budget is determined by the Board of Directors, and is often driven
more by input from teachers and the principal than from parents. The PTA's
budget is developed by their Executive Board and then approved by the PTA
membership.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS FROM OUR SCHOOL WEBSITE:
K E Y I N F O R M A T I O N
SCHOOL HOURS
Grades 1 - 5
8:00 a.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Kindergarten
Early Birds
8:00 a.m. - 11:23 a.m.
Kindergarten
Late Owls
9:40 a.m. - 1:03 p.m.
Every Thursday is
minimum day with
dismissal at 1:25
Attendance Information
ATTENDANCE HOTLINE 331-5970
When your child is absent or tardy, please use our convenient
24 hour Attendance Hotline and leave a message.
Absences need to be verified daily. A note is required if you have
not called the Hotline.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
All visitors and volunteers must sign in at the school office and receive a
badge whenever they are on campus.
For information on Volunteer guidelines and opportunities visit our
VOLUNTEERING page. (Driving for field trip information is also located on the
volunteering page.)
Hope has a policy of not interrupting classroom instructional time. If you
must deliver something to the school, please bring it to the school office.
* Late lunches are collected in the office and distributed to students in
the cafeteria during lunch hours.
* Late homework must be dropped off in the office and will be put in the
teacher's mailbox.
* Telephone messages for students will be accepted only in the case of an
emergency.
TARDIES
CLASSROOM TREATS
Students arriving late must come to the office, sign in, and take a late pass
to their teacher. Students arriving late, regardless of the reason, will be
marked tardy. Late arrival past 30 minutes not due to a medical appointment
or illness, is recorded as an unexcused tardy and can be counted toward the
cumulative total that constitutes a truancy. Please report medical
appointments and illness to our 24-hour Hotline at 331-5970 each time your
child is absent or over 30 minutes late.
Special occasion treats for students must be store bought. (No homemade
goodies.) Also, to avoid classroom disruption, no gifts, flowers, or balloons
will be accepted at school.
Education Code only allows for two classroom parties with food for the
entire year. As a result of the limitation, teachers will not be able to
host birthday party celebrations with food. If you want to recognize your
student’s birthday throughout the year, please speak with his/her teacher
directly about appropriate alternatives for the classroom. Teachers will not
be able to accept items dropped off without prior permission.
DRESS CODE
Popular trends in clothing styles and fashion are not always compatible with
appropriate dress for school. At school pants must fit snugly around the
waist. Midriffs must be covered and skirts must be at a length to allow for
tasteful freedom of movement in all activities. In addition, please make sure
your child is wearing close-toe-shoes, which allow for mobility of the child
and protection for the feet. Sandals, flip-flops and platform shoes should
not be worn at school.
DROP OFF PROCEDURE
Three Hope teachers are on duty at the end of the day to help provide safety
and courtesy for students and parents. One teacher is near the Media Center,
one at the crosswalk, and one by the light post near the green gates.
Please make use of the additional on street parking between the school and
Chatham. The city has taken out the bike lane in this section. Many parents
instruct their children to meet them at the car on Tamarack, Chatham, or side
streets from Wilshire. Parents are encouraged to make these arranges if the
parents are already waiting when the children are dismissed. Hope does not
want to see children standing on the streets unattended and/or alone waiting
for late parents to arrive.
Please continue to observe our requirement to stay in your vehicle when you
are moving across the front of the campus. Do not leave your car unattended
next to the curb.
Student waiting areas are as follows:
*
In front of the Media Center - 1st & 2nd Grade.
*
By the Flagpole - 3rd Grade
*
By the light post in front of the green gates - 4-5th Grade
RAINY DAYS
Please have your child report directly to their classroom on rainy days
