Friday Update

Hello Foster’s Finest,

There have been some questions about what intervention is that I would like to answer here. We have two blocks of time set aside daily for staff to support our students in their learning in math and reading. There is no new content being taught during these times, so students are not missing any new instruction provided by the classroom teacher. During these two half hour blocks of time, students are working in small groups conducted by the classroom teacher, reading teachers, and math teachers to address potential skills deficits or to strengthen and develop skills they have mastered. The groups are fluid, meaning they are flexible with students moving into one and out of another based on data. The groups are based on skills in reading and math, that we are assessing throughout the curriculum.

When we identify a skill that needs acceleration, we group students who need an extra dose of instruction together and provide it to them. All of the groups are potentially working on different skills based on what the students need. Students move between different groups as we new skills are taught throughout the year. This is a general education initiative that benefits all students, and has been proven to deliver positive results. In Hingham we call the system Hingham Tiered Systems of Support (HTSS). If you are interested in learning more, here is the link to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education page about MTSS (Massachusetts Tiered System of Supports).

The playground is very close to being opened. At Tuesday's building committee, the project managers updated our progress on the playground. There are parts that needed to be replaced on the old equipment in order for it to pass a safety inspection. Once the sod arrives and the equipment passes inspection we will be open for business. It is a challenge for the kids who can see that the equipment is up and it looks ready. I will continue to update you on the progress as we move forward.

Have a great weekend!

Mr. Scheufele

2022-2023 HOMEWORK CLUB SESSION 2 SIGN UP NOTICE

We are excited to bring Session 2 of Homework Club to Foster School for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year. Homework Club sessions are designed to help students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade develop their study skills and build independence when completing homework. Homework Club is being offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2:30-3:30pm, with Session 2 beginning the week of February 27th. Interested families of grades 3, 4, and 5 students should follow the link below to sign up their children by Friday, February 3rd at 3pm. Payments must be submitted by Monday, February 6th at 3pm. Please contact Jessica Sinanan at jsinanan@hinghamschools.org if you have any questions about this program. Sign Up Form: https://forms.gle/wT5rX3FmCZigFUkN7

Program of Studies Night

Hingham High School will deliver its annual “Program of Studies Night” on Monday 2/13 at 7 PM. After introductory remarks about course selection in the auditorium, parents will have an opportunity to meet with department directors and coordinators in the school cafeteria. Student volunteers will provide building tours for any interested parents.

Kids In Action Beginning String Classes

Registration opens tomorrow for this wonderful opportunity. Please take a look at the attached flyer for information about the strings program being offered after school. It is a first come first serve registration process and space is limited.

Pre-School Spanish Immersion Classroom

HPS is excited to announce the opening of the Spanish Immersion PreK pilot program coming this fall. This is a full day program running 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM from September 2023 to June 2024. The program will operate under KIA (Kids in Action).

There are two information sessions this month:

1. In Person - Thursday, January 19, 2023, 7:00 - 8:00 PM @ Foster Elementary School,

55 Downer Ave. Hingham, MA 02043.

2. Virtual - Tuesday, January 24, 2023, 7:00 - 8:00 PM Via Zoom. The Zoom link will be

posted on our website.

For more information on the program, visit: https://hinghamschools.org/spanish-immersion-prek/

Registration for the program opens on Monday, January 23, 2023. The enrollment deadline for the program is February 15, 2023.

Preschool Registration

HPS INTEGRATED PRESCHOOL IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR!

HPS Integrated Preschool program is looking for children who will work, play, and learn alongside children with special needs in our integrated preschool settings. If you are interested, please return the application (linked below) by January 27th. Parents/Guardians of applicants will be called with an appointment time for our placement screening on 2/7/23. If you have any questions, please reach out to Elizabeth Costanza at ecostanza@hinghamschools.org

Internet Safety

The United States Attorney's Office is hosting a virtual Internet safety presentation for parents the evening of Wednesday, January 18th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. The presentation, entitled Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents will bring awareness to the dangers of the internet, including gaming and social media platforms that predators use to groom children with the intent of exploiting them sexually online or for an in person meeting. The presentation will focus on prevention by educating parents and community members how to help keep children safe online. We will be covering the following topics:

• Social Media 101 & Digital Footprint

• Cyberbullying

• Sexting

• Gaming

• Victim Support

• Protecting Against Online Predation

• 
  

Who should attend: Parents, guardians, local police departments, school administrators, youth program leaders and anyone who would like to learn how to keep children safe from online dangers.

The presentation is free. Registration is required. The link to register is included on the attached flyer and is also included here:

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Please register at the following link: (via Chrome browser))

Event address for attendees: https://usao.webex.com/usao/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec3d8ccd61ccdd26ee39d8c6ffd5c57aa

Password: PSC1

Questions or difficulty registering? Please contact

Karen Legace @ USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov

Karen Legace

Project Safe Childhood Program Specialist

Office of Public Affairs and External Engagement

United States Attorney's Office

Phone: (413) 785-0329

Email: karen.legace@usdoj.gov

PTO NEWS

One of our goals as a PTO this year has been to streamline communication with all of you across social media platforms as well as weekly updates here in Principal Scheufele’s Newsletter. We are now excited to announce our PTO website: https://www.fosterpto.com providing you one place to go for all things PTO. Please take a few moments and check it out. Here you will find important dates, announcements, our weekly Fosters Finest names and photos, information about curriculum enrichment, opportunities to volunteer as well as easy links to our swag store, Facebook & Instagram pages. You will be able to make donations right from the homepage too. There is also secure access to our updated student directory – simply follow the instructions to create an account. None of this would be possible without our very own Whitney Deane who has been working behind the scenes making this all happen! Thank You Whitney!

NEW Green Team Session Sign-Up Live:

Registration is now open for NEW Green Team families. Registration opens for previous Winter Session families as of January 20. This gives students who weren’t in the winter session an opportunity to get priority this session. Registration closes on Wednesday, January 25th. We are always looking for more parents volunteers too.

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/mMNYqbgQMcdDBv2k9

Swag Store:

Back by popular demand The Foster Swag Store is open for the month of January! Place your orders now and check out the newest edition black camouflage Foster hoodie! https://hemlock-ink.printavo.com/merch/foster-elementary/

Save The Date: Our next PTO Meeting is Thursday February 2nd 6pm-7pm @ Foster School Library. Join us for a HPS budget update & discussion from our Superintendent Dr. Margaret Adams. The HPS School budget is at the forefront of all upcoming School Committee meetings. This year there will be discussion on the need for an Operational Override to be voted on at the Spring Town Meeting. Show up & stay informed! RSVP via text or email to Missy Sadler @508-380-1536 / sadler.melissa@icloud.com.

Yearbook Committee Needs Your Help:

Are you looking for a way to volunteer for the Foster community at a time & place that’s convenient for you? Join the yearbook committee! We are looking for help from parents in ALL grades. There are many ways to be involved. Please check out the sign up genius Yearbook Sign Up

& contact Denise Dockrey for more information at dsdock@gmail.com.

Scholastic Book Fair Save the Dates: March 13th – 17th

We are planning to bring back Family Night as well as the Used Book Store…Stay tuned for more info. If you’re looking to volunteer to help with this great event please reach out to Ally Forrest @ forrae01@yahoo.com

Boosterthon Glow Run Save The Dates: March 22nd – 31st

For our spring fundraiser the PTO is partnering with Boosterthon to transform Fosters gym into a glowing, neon racetrack with rope lights, disco balls, tents, flags, cones, and tunnels. During the week leading up to the run students will learn & focus on a different theme each day (Gratitude, Stewardship, Bravery, Perseverance & Wonder). Students who wish to participate can work to get pledges for how many laps they can run and receive awards/prizes for achieving milestones. At the end of the week students who want to participate will run up to 35 glowing laps to fun, high-energy music. Special accommodations will be made for any student that may require them. We are looking for volunteers. Please contact Meg Tomasello for more info: mgrier77@yahoo.com

Check out: Glow Run Video

We are bringing back the K-5 Foster Talent Show:

Save The Dates: Dress Rehearsal Fri. May 5th & Talent Show Sat. May 6th Location: @ Hingham High School Auditorium

Please email kellyhoppe@gmail.com if you would like to help be a part of the planning committee.

Upcoming Community Events:

January 17th, 7pm – Hingham Highschool Auditorium: How to handle anxiety, depression & your kids – Parents & Caregivers please join us for a discussion with Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nadja Reilly who will cover general topics about anxiety/depression/self harm - What to look for, coping mechanisms. Discuss grief and suicide - how to talk to children about this and answer questions from the audience. Heather Rodriguez, Director of HPS School Counseling, will cover Care Solace & discuss services offered in Hingham Public Schools. This presentation is being Sponsored by SEPAC & HPS PTO’s

Spring Softball Clinics – Grades 2-8

Sign up for Spring Training Clinics to get ready for the 2023 Spring HGS Softball Season! Open to girls grades 2-8. These clinics focus on hitting, fielding, throwing, and getting ready for the spring season! $180 for 4 sessions in February and March at the Dome at Union Point Sports Complex @ 170 Memorial Grove Ave., South Weymouth. More info at www.hinghamgirlssoftball.com