Hidden River Newsletter
Week of October 30th - November 3rd, 2023
Weekly Reminders
- SAVE THE DATES (Spirit Week):
Mon., Oct. 30th - Anything but a backpack/binder (must fit in locker)
Tues., Oct. 31st - Pajama Day (keep blankets and slippers at home)
Wed., Nov. 1st - Wacky Wednesday → staff dress like students, students dress like staff
Thurs., Nov. 2nd - Throwback Thursday
Fri., Nov. 3rd - Twin/multiples Day - Dance/activity day 1:30-3:00pm
Next Week 11/6-11/10:
Fri., Nov. 10th - End of Quarter 1
What's in the Newsletter?
- School Information
- Student of the Month
- Flipside
- Classroom Update
- Keep Connected 360
- Staff Spotlight
- Literacy Corner
- NJHS Inductees
School Information
Spirit Week/School Dance/activity day: We have a very fun week planned for students. Please reminder your student that all outfits must be school appropriate and there are no costumes or masks allowed. Students will be asked to remove them or change if needed. Full details here.
Tracking School Buses: SPPS Transportation has an app available to alert families when buses are running 10 minutes, or more, behind schedule. Download the new Bus Status 4 app for free at the Apple App Store and via Google Play. Connect to Saint Paul Public Schools and then search for the Hidden River Middle School bus that your child rides. If you click the star to make that bus one of your favorites and turn on notifications, you will be alerted immediately when the bus is behind schedule. If you are ever concerned about the status of a bus and are unable to reach the main office, you can also call the SPPS Transportation Department directly at 651-696-9600. (Save that number in your phone so you have it when you need it!)
Free & Reduced Lunch Forms/iUpdate: We still have some families who have not completed the Free and Reduced lunch and iUpdate forms for the 2023-2024 school year - if not completed you will be receiving a reminder call by the end of October. Click Here to complete your iUpdate, we need ALL families to complete it each year.
Student of the Month October (Balanced)
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
FLIPSIDE - After-School
History Day and Debate have been added to registration, if your student is already enrolled in Flipside please DO NOT re-register you can email Teanna or have students complete a class change form during Flipside. Enrollment is still open for Flipside! Please note there is a 1-2 week delay to get class confirmations after registration.
Class descriptions:
Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYGZpEWYCJm6aVjpbcCTgLxEl12t2aTx0PUZTsnP7NMeMGpQ/closedform
This week we'd like to highlight our Drumline class, in partnership with Chops Inc! In Drumline students are doing hands on drumming and working towards performance at the end of the session at the Minnesota percussion competition! If you'd like to see what a profession drumline in action looks like here is a video! We are still accepting registrations for this class! https://www.chopsinc.org/allcitydrumline?wix-vod-video-id=e341d3198e8946b48da6803f058b91e2&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-l09vwh49
If you have any questions please contact Flipside Coordinator, Teanna. teanna.rouillard@spps.org or 651-744-4642
Classroom Updates
FRENCH IMMERSION
FI Minnesota Studies students have just completed the summative on primary and secondary sources of information and have moved on to unit 2, the Dakota and Anishinaabe. They discovered the origins of specific place names to deepen their understanding of the history of Mni Sóta Maḳoce. For instance, students learned that Dakota words “minni”/water and “haha”/falling formed Minnehaha. Ojibwe expressions “misi”/big and “zibi”/river created the word for Mississippi.
FI Global Studies students have finalized their geographic-inquiry project and will present in French the results of their research. They also have started unit 2 on geographic factors that influence human activity and settlement, thus leading to the visit of our Togolese guest Manamboba Balanka, aka Mitelama, this coming week.
Mme Payia Yang: rachel.payia-yang@spps.org
Ms. Skaja's Game Room
FRENCH ELECTIVE AND FRENCH IMMERSION
Please join us to celebrate the twenty-first annual National French Week across the U.S. from November 1-8, 2023! This year, the theme is All around me, la francophonie!
Some links: Play with French: https://langue-francaise.tv5monde.com/jouer Games and activities to learn French (Swiss French): https://www.ecolesuisse-fle.fr/jeux-et-activites-pour-etudier-le-francais Free audiobooks for youth (Canadian French): https://ici.radio-canada.ca/ohdio/categories/1003592/jeunesse
For any information, please contact: Mme Solachava: halina.solachava@spps.org Mme Teefy: patricia.teefy@spps.org Mme Payia Yang: rachel.payia-yang@spps.org
Keep Connected 360 Family Engagement
Keep Connected 360
We are excited to share that 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.
What to expect:
- Family Talk Starters will be sent out in weekly school newsletters for caregivers to use in facilitating conversations with their student (see below!).
- We are offering two, 7-week workshops for caregivers and their student, to come together to spend focused time on developing strong, flexible, and resilient relationships. (Meals are provided and we may be able to offer assistance with childcare and transportation, if needed). Workshops will be held in person at Hidden River; the day of the week and the start time is still being determined based on family interest.
Please contact Wendy Caucutt, Family Liaison, at wendy.caucutt@spps.org with questions or to sign up and advantage of this opportunity!
Week 4 - Share Power
This Week’s Focus: Treat family members with respect and let them be part of 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!
- When do you talk about family decisions together? When does one person just decide what to do?
- What is a time someone with power has shared it with you? What was that like for you?
- Different cultures share power within families in different ways. What’s important in your culture? Why?
- What does the word power mean to you? What do you like about the word? What do you not like about the word?
- How are the “power dynamics” in your family similar to and different from previous generations? Why?
Staff Spotlight
Mr. Spano
What is your role at Hidden River? Earth Science Teacher
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? Sleep anywhere, anytime, for however long. My younger sister can do this and I am always amazed when it happens.
What is your favorite season? Late spring / early summer.
What are your interests or hobbies? Cooking, biking, hiking, rock climbing, playing guitar, reading, and writing.
What do you like most about Hidden River? Forming great relationships with students!
Mme. Solachava
What is your role at Hidden River? I teach French Immersion Language Arts.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I wish I could have a healing power to be able to heal people who suffer from incurable and chronic illnesses.
What is your favorite season? I love spring when the nature wakes up and summer.
What are your interests or hobbies? I love foraging, cooking and eating foraged food, gardening, hiking, traveling, reading, etc.
What do you like most about Hidden River? Sense of community, cultures, energy
Literacy Corner
All Hidden River students will receive one free book this school year! Our kick-off event was at the fall Open House where many of our students were able to select a book. The next opportunity will be at the fall dance/activity day on November 3. We have attached a list of the books to offer so families can preview the options prior to the dance.