Five Hawks Parent Newsletter
April 2024
Hello Five Hawks Families~
I hope spring break provided some quality family time for you. The pace of life at school picks up considerably in the spring time. State-wide testing begins on Tuesday, April 13th for our 3rd, 4th and 5th graders and continues through the end of April. District testing starts for all grades in May so throw in fieldtrips, graduations, special projects etc. and the days slip by quickly! We continue to lean on our parents and families for support with volunteering and help with special events. Your continued partnership is much appreciated!
Our PTC is busy planning for Family Fun Night on Friday, May 17th. It is a GREAT night for kids of all ages and help is needed! Please join us at the PTC planning meeting on Tuesday, April 9th at 6:30. Many hands make light work.
Lastly, summer Lit Camp is a wonderful opportunity for students to continue practicing their reading skills and proficiency during the summer. Specific criteria must be met to participate. Contact your teacher to inquire about registration requirements. Spots fill quickly so don't delay.
In this newsletter:
- Parent Organization Updates
- MCA Testing
- Reading Matters
- Balanced Class Sizes
- Smart Watch Guidance
In partnership,
Katy Schuerman
(952)226-0103
Parent Organization Updates
- Thank you for supporting the D.O.G.S Pancake Breakfast and the PTC Restaurant Night in March!
- We also appreciate the PTC sponsorship of Author Heather Boschke's visit on March 5th as a wrap-up to "I Lđź’–VE to Read" month.
- Please join us on Tuesday, April 9th at 6:30 for the PTC planning meeting for Family Fun Night. Hope to see you there!
MCA Testing
Five Hawks students will be testing on the following dates:
- April 16th & 18th - Reading MCA
- April 23rd & 25th - Math MCA
- May 7th & 9th - Science MCA (5th Grade Only)
We ask that parent prioritize attendance at school on these dates. While we can facilitate make up tests, it is difficult to recreate a classroom testing environment.
Additional information regarding participation in these assessments can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website here.
Thank you for partnering with us in educating your learner to reach their full potential as a contributing and productive member in our ever-changing global community.
- MDE: Statewide Testing with many helpful links, including: MN Academic Standards-Based Assessments; MCA Parent Fact Sheet and MTAS Parent Fact Sheet
- MDE: Academic Standards (K-12)
Reading Matters!
On Tuesday, April 9th we will celebrate reading with Books, Bubble Gum and Basketball! In honor of the hard work students, teachers and families have done with reading, we will celebrate reading success with special read alouds, bubble gum and a staff versus student basketball game! Students also voted for their favorite book characters during the month of March and the winners will be announced this week as well! We đź’™ to read at Five Hawks!
As you start making your summer plans, make sure to include daily reading time in your plans. Benefits of summer reading are many so I have listed just a few for you -
- Reading to an adult provides students with important corrective feedback - Corrective feedback improves reading accuracy on words and in passages - leading to improved comprehension.
- Reading helps preserve academic gains from the school year. It goes a long way in stopping 'summer slide' or 'brain drain'.
- Reading improves attention span. Too much screen time can lead to a shortened attention span, but reading can help counteract that.
- Reading can calm and comfort children, especially when you can read with them. Snuggling up together with a good book promotes bonding, reduces stress and helps children feel calm after a busy day.
- Reading is fun! All reading is good reading. Graphic novels, picture books, non-fiction books or comic books - when a child gets to choose their own book, they are invested and interested in reading. Plan a trip to the public library today!
Balanced Class Sizes
Our starting place in creating classes for the 2024-2025 school year is the number of students in each grade which determines the amount of staffing we are allocated by the district. The teachers, in cooperation with the principal, build balanced classrooms to create the most positive, engaging, and rigorous learning environment for all students. They consider factors such as students’ unique strengths and areas of needed growth, work habits, ability, and special individual needs. All teachers at Five Hawks are highly qualified and we do not guarantee specific teachers.
Considerations in creating balanced classes included:
- Class size
- boy / girl ratio
- Students with designations for special needs
- English language learners and language proficiency levels
- academic achievement
- social and emotional needs
- requirements for resource or behavior support
- students who work well together
- students who would benefit from being separated
Please know that while we do not take teacher requests, we work very hard at creating the best possible placement for your child.
SMART Watch Guidance
Prior to school starting this year you received a link to the Parent and Student Handbook.
As a reminder - All cell phones, tablets and gaming devices must be shut off and stored either in the student’s backpack or with your child’s teacher during the day. Smartwatches (ie. Apple Watches, Fitbits, Galaxy watches, etc.) may be worn during the day as long as they are used solely as watches and not for other purposes. Using a smartwatch to communicate with family, friends or other students is not allowed in school. Communication with those outside of the school needs to be under the direction and supervision of school staff. Prohibited use of a smartwatch will result in the loss of privilege to wear the watch. Thank you for your support and attention in this matter.
Mark Your Calendars
April 8 - Return from Spring Break
April 10 - Two-hour Early Release at 1:00 PM
April 12 - Severe Weather Drill
April 16 - MCA Reading Test (Grades 3-5)
April 18 - MCA Reading Test (Grades 3-5)
April 23 - MCA Math Test (Grades 3-5)
April 25 - MCA Math Test (Grades 3-5)
Testing different surfaces for friction.
Testing different surfaces for friction.
Testing different surfaces for friction.
District Caring Conversation
District Caring Conversation
District Caring Conversation
Restaurant night at The Pointe!
Buddy Reading!
Restaurant night at The Pointe!
5th grade writers
2nd / 4th grade book buddies
Kindergarten writers
Five Hawks Elementary School
Email: kschuerman@plsas.org
Website: https://fh.plsas.org/
Location: 16620 Five Hawks Avenue Southeast, Prior Lake, MN
Phone: (952) 226-0100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiveHawksPLS
Twitter: @SchuermanKaty