Hidden River Newsletter

• SAVE THE DATES :

Thurs., Jan 25th - End of Quarter 2

Thurs., Jan 25th - Open House Showcase for incoming families 5:00-6:30pm

Fri., Jan 26th - No School (Grading Day)

Next Week 1/29-2/2:

Mon., Jan 29th - Start of Quarter 3

Wed., Jan 31st - Student Council field trip

8th Grade Families: Please take a moment to give us your feedback as we begin to plan for the last day of school in June. Click here to take a short survey. We appreciate your feedback!

ACCESS Testing: ACCESS Test for English Learners State and federal laws require that all English Learner (EL) students are assessed annually to measure their proficiency and progress in reading, writing, listening and speaking in English.

Minnesota uses the ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State) test as its annual assessment. EL students who receive special education services and who meet certain guidelines may take the WIDA Alternate ACCESS test instead. These tests are used to see if students are meeting the WIDA English Language Development Standards and determine if a student is ready to exit from SPPS’s EL program. All HRMS EL students in grades 6-8 will be administered the ACCESS for ELLs or WIDA Alternate ACCESS tests between January 29 - March 22, 2024.

If you have questions about your student’s participation, please reach out to your child’s principal or testing coordinator, Katie Bannon (kathryn.bannon@spps.org).

For more information on English language proficiency assessments and the MDE Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal form, please go to: ACCESS Family Test Information website: spps.org/Page/46590 MDE Family Testing Information website: education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/tests/

Students have been learning about the features of a good interview question and practicing on each other. Using curriculum providing by Story Corps, students are crafting their own questions to ask someone of a different generation about their experiences with gender, gender roles, and norms. After the interviews, we will be analyzing how different factors like age, race, geography, and culture intersect with gender. Here are some questions you can ask your student about what they are learning: What makes a good interview question? How did you feel interviewing your classmate? Who are you going to interview for the Intergenerational Interview project, and what made you choose them?

Immersion students had a summative oral exam on one of the two Native American tales (“The Badger and the Bear” or “The Ghost Wife”) and finalized their summative project on the activities of the Ojibwe or Dakota people during the four seasons. We have fantastic, talented, and artistic students!

To close the Native Americans’ activities during the four seasons, students now study the cultural aspect of the Ojibwe bandolier bag with a preprinted Ojibwe design. Each student decorates their bandolier bag by bringing out their individual personalities, talents, and explanations. This artistic project is made possible thanks to the donations of SPPS Indian Education. Our class would like to thank Mr. John Bobolink for his support, generosity, and kindness with this project! Photographs will be out in next week's newsletter!

Students have been exploring the context that lead up to the eruption of the Civil War. This week we have been focusing on the similarities and differences between the North and South. Students took notes, taught their peers, and examined primary sources. Some questions to ask your student: What are the differences between the North and South? How did white Northerners benefit from slavery? Why was the population in the North growing so quickly?

Students in Ms. Fontana's class are finishing up their literary nonfiction unit by creating their own podcast or video recommendations about a text they read/listened to/watched during this unit. Students were able to choose their own books, podcasts, and documentaries and decide which was their favorite. Check in with your student to find out what they are recommending to others.

On Thursday, Jan. 18, Hidden River 8th graders attended a field trip to Central where they were able to visit the MYP Personal Project Fair. For the personal projects, 10th graders demonstrate the skills they've learned over the course of the program, which starts in 6th grade at Hidden River.

Students asked the 10th graders questions about their projects and process. There were over 100 projects for students to check out--ask your student which were their favorites! Projects showcased a wide variety of student interests and creativity.

There is no Flipside on Thursday January 25th!

Craft Club cancelled 1/23

Crochet cancelled 1/24

Spring registration is now open! All students currently registered for Flipside will need to complete a class choice form or the google form to continue their enrollment for the spring session! This session we have a wide variety of classes including a math support on Tuesday/Thursdays for any students who are needing extra tutoring or would like to practice their math skills! Register HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSqxosr-hHZJUujmF_a7aqcDUhRcH2mlT6RdVJbgvD_9QBvA/viewform

This session registration will close on February 29th. Schedules for those who registered by 1/21 will be going out this week via email and paper copies will be handed out in foundations.

If you have any questions please reach out to Flipside Coordinator Teanna Rouillard, teanna.rouillard@spps.org, 651-744-6969

Due to the overwhelming number of students expressing interest in playing basketball, we will be holding tryouts. We have received requests from 36 students, and the team composition will be as follows:

• A Team: 10 players
• B Team: 8 players
• Intramural's Practice Squad: 12 players

To ensure eligibility, it is crucial that students meet the following requirements:

• There are no exceptions to the rules regarding a sports physical, which must be on file with the nurse.
• Likewise, a sports form must be on file with the Athletic Director (AD).
• The sports fee must be paid.
• No more than 2 failing classes during the 1st and 2nd quarter.

After rosters are set, it will take a few days to a week for transportation to be arranged for practices. Additionally, students will need their own transportation home from games.

Here are the details for the Boys Basketball Tryouts at Hidden River Gym:

- Dates: 1/22/24 - 1/24/24

- Time: 3:15 PM to 4:45 PM

- Location: Gym

- Students, please arrange your own transportation.

If you have any questions, please email Daniel.wathum-ocama@spps.org. We appreciate the enthusiasm and wish all participants the best of luck on the court!

Thanks,

Mr. O

What is your role at Hidden River? Special Education Teacher

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? To stay in shape

What is your favorite season? Summer

What are your interests or hobbies? Watching football

What do you like most about Hidden River? The children

Where did you grow up? Pine City Minnesota

What is your role at Hidden River? Math Teacher

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I want to have the power to answer any question, like super google. What color were dinosaurs? Do aliens exist somewhere in the universe? What will earth look like in 200 years?

What is your favorite season? Fall - the weather is great, school is starting, and I enjoy fall holidays and sports seasons.

What are your interests or hobbies? Obviously math is my main interest, but I also love sports, games, and spending time with my two kids!

What do you like most about Hidden River? Every year I get to know a new group of students that are open minded, caring, and knowledgeable.

7th grade students have a vision screening in January by Phillips Eye Institute’s Early Youth Eyecare (E.Y.E.) Community Initiative, part of Allina Health.

The screening is not considered a full eye exam. You will receive a recommendation to have your child seen by an eye doctor for further evaluation if they do not pass the vision screening. E.Y.E. can assist with scheduling the examination, as well as provide interpreter services, transportation and financial assistance with exams and glasses. If you have questions or do not want your child to participate in the vision screening, please contact Mary Green, RN, LSN (school nurse) at 651-888-7657.

Starting sometime in January, period products will be available in the bathrooms. In preparation, we'd like to take an opportunity to remind our community of how to dispose of period products. Link to Disposing of Period Products video and how to document.

We are excited to share we have partnered with Search Institute and Change Inc. to offer a pilot program to Hidden River families this year. Keep Connected 360 offers resources to families, including tips, ideas, activities and learning opportunities to support strong family relationships.

Week 14 - Share Power (Include me)

1. 1. This Week’s Focus: Collaborate in making decisions. This is a great way to SHARE POWER through family relationships.

      When you have a few minutes, ask other family members a question or two. Enjoy the conversation!

      • What part do you play in making decisions in your family? (It probably isn’t always the same.)
      • Has there been a time when you were left out of a decision when you thought you should have been included? What would have been different if you had been included?
      • When have you been included in decisions? What is that like for you?
      • Do you think it is harder to make decisions on your own or with other people? Why?
      • What makes it hard to make decisions with other people? What makes it easier?