Hickman Charter School News
May 2016
December Kindergarten News
Quick Links
Click here for the HCS calendar, or find it at hcs.hickmanschools.org under the "Calendars" link under "Parent Resources ."

In This Newsletter:
Dear Parent Educator:

As we enter the final month of our 2015-12016 school year, I want to thank all the parent educators and students who participated in the 2016 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP).  Your attendance during the assessment window supports the validity of your HCS learning community.  As we have stated before:
  • These assessments will provide you with a snapshot for your child's progress toward achieving California state academic standards
  • These assessments plus other measures will inform your instructional decisions
  • Your participation provides validation of the excellence of the choices provided by Hickman Charter School.
  • We need to achieve a minimum of 95% assessment participation to meet our Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) goals.  Your participation in these assessments helps us demonstrate the validity of our education model and the services we provide our students.
It's hard to imagine, but the 2015-2016 school year will end in about four weeks... and yet many learning opportunities remain in the month of May.  Please take a few moments now to review these wonderful offerings - many occurring in the next few days.  In fact, one upcoming event is our 2016 STEM Maker / Science Faire, this coming Thursday!  Bring your family and friends - this is a highly engaging and interactive event: a great way to celebrate one aspect of the many fine learning opportunities you provide your students through HCS.

Again, we thank you for partnering with HCS in homeschooling your children.  We are actively planning for the 2016-2017 school year - and with your partnership we anticipate another outstanding year!

Sincerely,
Frank Kampen
Co-Director |  Hickman Charter School  
STEM Maker Faire 2016
Mark Your Calendars!
Thursday, May 5, 2016 ~ 4:30-7:30pm
CLICK HERE for our Flyer!

Come to the STEM Maker Faire!
Bring the whole family (and your neighbors too!) to the Hickman Charter School STEM Maker Faire on Thursday, May 5, in the multi-purpose building.  Check out the variety of informative and creative projects that our students have completed and enjoy a variety of hands-on science activities at the many stations.  Be inspired by what you see with ideas for livening up your own science program at home.

Project Drop-Off
Also, if you have completed a project for display at the STEM Maker Faire, don't forget to drop it off the day before so we can get everything in place for the big event.   Drop off will be on Wednesday, May 4, from 2-4PM in the Multi-Purpose Building.  All students submitting a project will be entered into a drawing for some great prizes.  We can't wait to see the results of your hard work and creativity.
We'll see you at the Faire!
The Oregon Trail
Our next trip won't be until 2018!
If you signed up, don't forget to show up for the grand event!

When is our adventure?   Tuesday, May 3, 2016 from 9:15-1pm
Where is it?  The entire Hickman Campus! We begin in room 82 and then hike our campus on a 2000 mile adventure.

We will end our journey by celebrating at a square dance in Oregon City (the Auditorium).  We have invited a professional square dance caller to come teach us some great square dance moves!   Everyone will need to bring a lunch.  The young'uns who are in K-3 will need to have a parent accompany them on the journey.  Parents are a great asset on the trail as they help lead the family wagons.
HCS Information Meetings
For New Families in 2016-17
Are you or someone you know interested in homeschooling? Hickman Charter School has provided home school families with strong academic support, art, music, hands-on science and a wide range of elective classes since 1994.  Our Open House and Informational Meetings provide an overview of our program, opportunities to meet with teachers, review curriculum, and have questions answered.

Our upcoming meeting dates are:  May 12, June 8, & August 3.
Each begins at 10:00am.
These meetings are held in our Auditorium at:
Hickman Charter School
13306 Fourth Street
Hickman, CA 95323

Prior to the meeting we ask that you complete an  online interest application at:
http://hcs.hickmanschools.org/application-and-enrollment-procedures.html

If you anticipate wanting to enroll for next school year, please bring the birth certificate, immunization records, and any IEP or 504 plan information  for your child(ren) to the meeting.
There are three simple steps for enrolling in our school:
  1. Fill out our online interest application linked here.  Please note that this is NOT an enrollment form. This interest application will provide us with the necessary contact and background information needed for possible enrollment into our program.
  2. Once enrollment opens we invite those who have filled out an interest application on a first-come, first-served basis to an orientation session.  Our orientation sessions are opportunities for you to learn about HCS program offerings and requirements for enrollment.
  3. If you decide our program is a fit for you and your family, you can move forward with enrollment in our program on the day of the orientation or soon thereafter.
For more information, please visit our website: http://hcs.hickmanschools.org/
Contact the Hickman Charter School Office at (209) 874-9070 with any questions.
HCS Parent Survey
2015-2016
Each year we survey our families to validate our program and identify areas in which we can improve.  Please take a few minutes to provide your input on our people, programs, and services.

Thank you for your participation in our survey.  Your feedback is invaluable to us!

Sincerely,
Paul Gardner
Hickman Community Charter District
MAP Assessment Window
Final Chance of the 2015-16 School Year
Our third and final MAP Assessment Window for the 2015-16 School Year will begin:
MONDAY, MAY 9th - FRIDAY, MAY 20th
Room #83

Walk-in arrival hours are:
Monday-Thursday, 8:30-10:30AM
AND 12:30-2:00PM

No appointments are necessary.
If Friday appointments are needed, please contact your Education Coordinator.

What is it?  The Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment is an optional service to assist parents along the path of educating their child(ren).  MAP for grades 3-8 is an adaptive computer assessment tool that can help keep track of the basic skills that students have mastered in Math and Reading/Language Arts and reveal what they're ready to learn next.  MAP assessments adapt to each student's instructional level and take approximately 45 minutes per subject.   MAP results are not reported to the state, nor are they part of the state assessment system.  The results are only for parent and EC use in planning.
CLICK HERE for FAQs regarding MAP Assessment!
Problem of the Month 2015-16
POM #5: Friends You Can Count On
Our final Problem of the Month of the year focuses on multiplication (repeated addition) and probability concepts.  It's not too late to put on your thinking caps and dive into the challenge of these puzzling situations.  For a quick summary of what our problem solvers will be doing during this learning period, check out this brief introductory video ( https://youtu.be/2i6YCxdXDh4)!  Be ready to share your discoveries with your education coordinator.  Happy problem solving!

For hints and encouragement with the POM, please contact your EC or get in touch with David Meyer ( dmeyer@hickmanschools.org) or Ellen Hansen ( ehansen@hickmanschools.org).
New Math Programs
For 2016-2017
Our search for math curriculum that better reflects the new California State Standards and is adaptable to a homeschool environment has led us to adopt a couple of new programs.  The details are below and you can use the 2016 Curriculum Order Form to let us know you are interested in using these programs.  Samples of GO Math! are available in the Annex for review.  Please watch our video and sample Zearn online.  Your EC can assist you in choosing the best program for your student.

CLICK HERE for more information about
GO Math!  (Grades 6-8)  and Zearn Math (Grades 1-5)!

CLICK HERE for our Zearn video!
Math Olympiad / Math Superbowl Celebration
Monday, May 16 at 3PM in the Auditorium
Please note the time change for our Math Olympiad / Math Superbowl Celebration on  Monday, May 16 to 3:00 PM .  If you participated in Math Olympiad or Math Superbowl this year, bring your family and join us as we wrap up our math competition year together.  It's been a great year of fabulous problem solving and growth!
Math Club - 6th-8th Grade
A New Offering for the 2016-17 School Year
Hickman Charter School is excited to be adding a Math Club to our offerings for the 2016-17 school year!  Math Club is a yearlong club that will meet monthly for pizza and math with the goal of preparing students for the Stanislaus Math Council's Spring math competitions, the 6th Grade Math Blast in March and the 7th/8th Grade Math Superbowl in April.  Club meetings will be hosted by our 6-8th grade math teachers and will provide an informal setting to explore competition problems, practice the different competition formats, and to participate in a variety of math related discussions, activities, and game situations.  Members will be encouraged to participate in the spring competitions.
2016-17 Math Club Meeting Dates (Noon-2:00PM)
September 8                    January 12
October 13                      February 9
November 10                   March 8
December 8

If your child is excited about eating pizza and building his/her math problem solving skills in this interactive way, talk to your Education Coordinator about singing up for this opportunity at your May meeting.
Hickman Band News
Upcoming Lessons & Concerts
2016-17 School Year: Parent Permission & Instrument Choices
It will soon be time to sign up for classes for next year!  Please take some time to look over and fill out the Beginning Band Instrument Selection information sheet, and the Beginning Band Parent Permission Form.  You can return the form to Mrs. George or leave it in her box in the Charter Office.
STEM Updates
Grades 1-2 & 3-5
We would like to encourage you to check out our STEM page on our school website: 
Included are directions and pictures from this year's projects.  This link can be a great resource if your child missed a workshop and would like to try the project at home with you, or if you need a project idea for the Hickman Charter School STEM Maker Faire which will be on May 5th from 4:30-7:30pm .  This is such a fun, family event so we hope to see you all there!
 
Another family event we want to make you aware of is happening on May 20-22 in San Mateo.  It's the Bay Area Maker Faire.  Here is a link to all the information:  makerfaire.com/bay-area/

If I have questions, who should I ask?  Please contact one of these Teachers:
jkenoyer@hickmanschools.org - 3-5th grade students
aallen@hickmanschools.org - 1-2nd grade students
mcapp@hickmanschools.org - STEM coordinator

CLICK HERE for some fun Summer STEM Activities!
Columbia Diggin's Field Trip
A California History Excursion!
Don't miss this trip back in time to the
Gold Rush Era on May 20, 2016!

Who?  3rd and 4th graders and their siblings with adult chaperones.
Dress in your prairie outfits!
What?  Columbia Diggin's Tent Town Education Days - A working
gold mine and surrounding tent town (school, saloon, mercantile, laundry, hotel, and bakery, etc.).  The park will be crowded and warm.  No bare feet or sandals, please.
When?  Friday, May 20, 2016.  Our tour is scheduled for 2:30-4:30pm.  You may
arrive any time during the day.  Parking is free.
Where?  Columbia State Historic Park, Columbia, California.  Meet Beth Johnson at
2:00pm to pick up your eagles at the picnic tables.
Why?  Because it's super cool!
CLICK HERE to REGISTER BY MAY 6!
Note:   Hickman Charter School has prepaid the entrance and eagle coin (spending money in the Diggin's equal to $3.00 for a snack and drink) fee for 3rd and 4th graders who register.  Siblings who wish to be included must pay $5.00 by cash or check to Hickman Charter School BY MAY 6 (deliver to Patti Angle in the Charter Office).
Kindergarten News
Childhood is a journey, not a race...
Be sure to check out this month's Kindergarten Newsletter!
May's issue includes:
  • Reflection on the school year
  • "A Moment in Summer" Poem
  • Park Day Reminder
  • Things to do over the Summer!

Don't forget - Park Day - May 5th, 3-4:30pm

May 5th is our K-1 Park Day!!!  We are meeting here at HCS at 3pm at the campus playground for an end of the year celebration!  Plan on bringing snacks or an evening meal so that you can stay for the STEM Maker Faire right after at 4:30!!

It's a two-for-one day!

 

CLICK HERE to read the complete Kindergarten Newsletter!
8th Grade Memos From Marie
News for 8th Grade Families
What an amazing year this has been!  The Community Service Projects were AWESOME and INSPIRING!  I can't believe how many hours all of you served to help this world become a better place.  These projects will be on display at the STEM Maker Faire and after graduation.  Congratulations!

Below are some important reminders.  Please call or email me if you have any questions.  THANK YOU!
NOTE:  If you have NOT received a letter (by may 7th) with details about graduation night, please call Marie at (209) 874-9070!

DUE MAY 16:
  • Speakers must turn in a copy of their speeches to me
  • Musicians/Singers must perform for Mrs. George by this date and send me the title, composer, and lyrics of your piece
  • Remember: limit your speech/song to 1.5-2 minutes.  Thank you all so much.  This will be a memorable graduation.
May 24: GRADUATION!  The ceremony will be held at Hickman Charter School in the Multi-Purpose Building at 6:30PM.   M usicians must arrive by 5:00PM, and g raduates MUST ARRIVE at 5:30PM, and   for a sound check.  Parents are asked to bring two dozen cookies to share at the reception after graduation.  Drinks will be provided.  It's really a wonderful night!  Congratulations, 8th graders!

May 25: 8th GRADERS ONLY... ATTENTION - Boomers!  11-3PM.  Unlimited attractions and lunch for just $15!  It's not too late to contact me about coming to this 8th grade celebration.  Please email me by May 20th to let me know if your student will be attending.  Parents, you do not need to pay to be there if you want to just hang out with the crowd.  I'll spend most of the time relaxing by the entrance, making sure students are enjoying themselves inside the park.

Thank you and have a marvelous month of May!

Marie Reynosa:  mreynosa@hickmanschools.org
Somewhere near you there is a band of brothers fighting for justice.  Seeking to rid the land of evil and return hope to the poorly treated.  Armed with whatever comes their way, nothing is as it seems in this Sherwood Forest, but one thing is for sure, no rogue is safe!  Performed by two actors, the play is a clever and quirky take on the well-known legend, set in less of a Sherwood Forest and more of a supermarket storeroom, an everyday place where a tale can be told and objects can be reinvented.
CLICK HERE for more information & the Registration Form!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 5/2/2016
From the Hickman Library Media Center
End of Year Letter
Thank you for making the Hickman Library Media Center an important part of your yearly curriculum.  Charter families have checked out more than 6,553 books this year, 22% of our total circulation.

Along with all the normal end of the year wrap-up, please plan to have all library books turned in by Friday, May 20th.  In order to complete inventory and prepare for next year, we need to have all accounts clear.

Thank you!
Merrel, Rhapsody, & Marie
Public Library Websites
And Summer Reading 2016!
Perhaps one of the most valuable and overlooked Internet sources is the public library.  Many are available for use by anyone anywhere in the world, but some require a library card number.  For the price of a single trip to the library to register for the card, either the San Joaquin County or Stanislaus County Library system will provide a large number of resources available from the convenience of your own home!

For  Stanislaus County, from their  homepage ( www.stanislauslibrary.org) click on the "eResources" tab on the left and proceed from there.  Under the "Databases" heading, you'll find all kinds of information - even how to fix your car!

For  San Joaquin County, from their  homepage ( www.ssjcpl.org) click on "Kid Stuff" on the left.  From the next screen, start with "Homework Help."  Alternatively, click on "Research" at the top, and you'll have access to various databases, some the same as Stanislaus County, some different.

Check out the website for the library nearest you!

The Smithsonian Learning Lab - an open educational resource collection of more than 1.35 million images drawn from the Smithsonian's 19 museums, 9 major research centers, and the National Zoo.

For the New York Public Library's Public Domain Collections - an array of resources to use in almost limitless ways.  You can download high resolution items directly from the Digital Collections website ( http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/).

And... try  our nation's library !   The Library of Congress ( www.loc.gov/families ) has a whole section devoted to information for kids and families.

CLICK HERE for a list of Summer Reading contests, programs, ideas, book lists, and more!
TOPS Volunteers Wanted!
Teaching Opportunities for Partners of Science
Are you interested in giving back to the next generation by teaching hands-on science and engineering?  Teaching Opportunities for Partners of Science (TOPS) is a program that places volunteers at local schools where they do just that.

Hickman Community Charter District is currently looking for volunteers.  All training and material is provided by the program.  Volunteers are expected to teach approximately 8 hours per month.

To learn more about the program or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact Nancy Flocchini Stenzler at (209) 468-4889 or nstenzler@sjcoe.net
Pinterest Interest?
Share your ideas!
Check out our Hickman Charter Pinterest account!

We are looking for people to help with the Alumni Board.  If  you have any suggestions, please email them to us at: hcspinterest@hickmanschools.org .

If you don't have a Pinterest account yet, to create one, go to: www.pinterest.com/join/register/email/
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