Hallett Academy Family Update: Week of December 18, 2017

"To teach in a manner that respects and cares for the souls of our students is essential if we are to provide the necessary conditions where learning can most deeply and intimately begin." - bell hooks, Teaching to Transgress: Education as the Practice of Freedom

Here we are 4 business days from our New year start, and every day I've been given the opportunity and responsibility to lead here. I am grateful and humbled to care for and cultivate learning in service of your children.

I wanted to share with you reasons to remain hopeful and celebrate our successes as we look towards 2018:

•Attendance is up 2.3% 2016 to 2017

•50% reduction in the number of students suspended

•Our Team of Educators was honored by the Student Equity and Opportunity team as “Professional Learning Superstars”

•5% reduction in the percentage of students that are reading Significantly Below Grade Level (SBGL) Fall 2016 compared to Fall 2017.

While we have cause to celebrate, we have still more to do, and less time to do it in. Help us accelerate the learning of our students by encouraging them to read 20-30 minutes a day. Ask them questions about their learning, have them answer you in complete sentences. Have them practice math fluency facts with flashcards. You are your child's first teacher. We are partners with you in their learning. We can all support students to get better, do better, faster.

May you and your family enjoy the break away, For those of you who may be traveling over the Holidays, please do so safely.

We will be so excited to see you January 8th!

Pajama Wednesday Book Reveal and Reading Party

Students will receive their books from Book Trust on Wednesday December 20th, and have a reading party at the end of the day.

Where Community Connects

Because of the support from the Denver LINKS we have taken our students to the Theater, we were given a sneak preview of Granny Dances to a Holiday Drum, we are able to offer students S.T.E.A.M exploration, gift books to our students, and more.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Staying Academically Active During Break

Students will receive literacy and math assignments to complete during break. We are requesting that you encourage your child (children) to work on these assignments; please sign the assignments and send them back to school with your child (children) when we return from break.

Changes in our Team in the New Year

Jacqueline Roderique our 2nd grade literacy and social studies teacher, and Sara Fish our 4th% 5th grade math and science teacher will not be members of our community in the new year. Letters were sent home last week communicating these changes. You may read the letters here: Second Grade Families

Fourth and Fifth Grade Families .

The Choice is Yours

The DPS SchoolChoice application period for next year isn't until February 2018, but now is the time for families to begin researching their school options. We believe all students should have access to quality schools, regardless of their background or address. Any student who wants to attend a school other than their neighborhood school can take part in SchoolChoice.

Here's how it works for families:

FIND the best school for your student by using the new mobile-friendly School Finder.
APPLY in February by ranking your top five school preferences on the online SchoolChoice application.
REGISTER when you get your school placement results in early April.

Have questions about SchoolChoice? Contact the SchoolChoice hotline at 720-423-3493 or visit schoolchoice.dpsk12.org .

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What: Talent Show

Who: Students and Team Members

When:December 21st 2:00-3:15pm

Where:Auditorium

What: Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)

Who: Students and Team Members

When:December 22-January 5

All events can be found on our website: www.hallett.dpsk12.org

In the Know

The link below has information for you about services and programs offered in support of students and families. Click here for more details.

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