As we approach the end of third quarter and state testing, I would like to take a moment to emphasize the importance of attendance during this time. Our second grade students will be administered the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) during the week of March 25th and April 1st. Please see flyer below for specific testing dates and testing tips as well as a PDF of the ACAP Summative Parent Guide.

The ACAP Summative is a computer-based, criterion-referenced assessment, designed to measure student progress on the Alabama Courses of Study Standards. State testing plays a crucial role in assessing the academic progress of our students and provides valuable insights into the strengths and areas for improvement of our educational system. By participating in these assessments, we not only gain a better understanding of our students' performance, but we also contribute to the overall growth and development of our school community.

Our students have thoroughly enjoyed our 3rd Quarter "Beat the Bell" attendance challenge. Thank you so much for your efforts in getting your child to school each day and on time so they are able to eat breakfast and be in their seat before the bell rings. They love listening for their number to be called and earning a ring pop! Our 4th quarter attendance challenge will begin Tuesday, March 19th.

As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the state testing or attendance, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Brittney Owen, Principal

• March 4th: Lynn Meadows (1st Grade Field Trip)
• March 5th: Virtual At-Home Learning Day (assignments will be provided by classroom teacher and should be completed and returned on Wednesday)
• March 6th & 7th: Peer Role Model Observations (Must be scheduled) 9:00 - 10:30 (Young & Milam)

• March 7th: Lynn Meadows (1st Grade Field Trip)

• March 7th: sno-cones at PE $3.00, Clubs at 1:45 (Please refrain from getting students out for an early dismissal. They look forward to participating in their club).

• Friday, March 8th - Spring Pictures (Students may come to school in spring attire. Please pack tennis shoes for students to change into for PE).

• March 15th: Last day of 3rd Quarter

• March 18th: Teacher Workday

• March 19th: 4th Quarter Begins

• March 21st: World Syndrome Day (students may wear their craziest and most colorful socks)

• March 25th: March Character Breakfast @ 8:45 (by invitation only), 3rd Quarter Report Cards go home, 2nd Grade ACAP Pep Rally (students only)

• March 26th - April 9th: ACAP Administration (2nd Graders)

• March 27th: MCPSS Career Fair

• April 8th - April 12th: Hutchens Teacher Appreciation Week

• April 12th: 3rd Quarter Honors Day (more info to come)

• April 15th - April 19th: Spring Break

• May 13th: PTA/Kindergarten End of Year Program

• May 17th: May Character breakfast @ 8:45 (by invitation only)

• May 22nd: End of Year class parties

• May 23rd: Last day for students

• April 30th: April Character Breakfast at 8:45am (by invitation only)

2nd Grade Parents: Please help us ensure that students DO NOT bring any personal digital devices to school during ACAP Testing. Digital devices are defined to include anything that can capture, store, relay, or receive electronic information. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: personal laptops, smart phones, smart watches, fitness trackers, MP3 players, and tablets.

Per Superintendent Threadgill, Tuesday March 5th will be a virtual day for our students. Each classroom teacher will send home assignments for your child to complete at home. Please make sure these are completed and returned on Wednesday.

Courage is the ability and strength to face something that may be difficult or challenging. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather perseverance in the presence of fear and the willingness to stand up for what is right or to try something new even though it may be uncomfortable or uncertain.

• • Courage encourages engagement. Courage helps students raise their hand, participate, try new things, and voice their opinions.
    
  • Courage builds self-confidence. Courage is the choice to act. By doing something, students increase their belief in themselves and their ability to do difficult or challenging things.
  • Courage can help reframe a negative. When something does not go as planned or a student gets upset about a mistake or failure, courage can help reframe the event in a positive light.

February's theme was "SPARK THE HEART." Throughout the month of February, we focused on "KINDNESS," the ability and willingness to express care and compassion for others.

One student per classroom was selected by their teacher for representing what it truly means to express care and compassion for others. Mrs. Pettis shared, “Kindness is a choice to use our time, talent, and resources to better the lives of others and the world through genuine acts of love, compassion, generosity, and service.”

Our leadworthy staff member of the month was Mrs. Emilie Quint. She was nominated by our faculty and staff for always showing kindness to others. She truly is a bright light at our school, always full of positivity!

A very special THANK YOU to P.S. Taco for sponsoring our character breakfast. Students enjoyed their doughnuts and juice. We greatly appreciate your support to #OurHut.

Pre-K pre-registration opened January 15, 2024. You will register at https://prek.alaceed.alabama.gov/

Hutchens does NOT require screening. Our random selection will take place in March.

Does your child have what it takes to be a Peer-Role Model? The MCPSS Peer Model Program is a unique opportunity for preschool children to model classroom skills and behavior for children who have special needs. In addition, children who participate in our peer model program also gain experience in school routines and procedures that will prepare them for Kindergarten.

Call the school or email bowen@mcpss.com to schedule your child’s interview. Interviews will be held March 6th and March 7th.

March 14th: Ms. Gayle (Science Lab "NEST" Teacher)

March 19th: Shalon Brown (Custodian)

March 22nd: Robyn Glass (PreK Paraprofessional)

March 23rd: Taylor McEvoy (FCPK Auxiliary Teacher)

Watch this quick video to see a fun activity you can do with your child to practice isolating phonemes (sounds) in words.

Isolating Phonemes Video (click the link to play video)

Fluency is defined as the ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression. Fluency is "reading as we walk". In order to understand what they read, children must be able to read fluently whether they are reading aloud or silently. When reading aloud, fluent readers read in phrases and add intonation appropriately. Their reading is smooth and has expression.

Want a fun and engaging way to practice handwriting and sight words?

Shaving cream writing is an inexpensive and easy way to work on letter formation and spelling. Place a dollop of shaving cream in the center of a plastic plate or tray, spread the shaving cream out to create a writing surface and get started! Using their finger like a pencil, your child can work on letter formation and practice spelling sight words, too! Writing can be easily erased by smearing the shaving cream. For a tasty twist on this activity, substitute whipped cream and use a candy cane as the pencil!

This multisensory activity will help develop fine motor skills, build connections in the brain and it's fun, too!

Students at Hutchens Elementary have access to all of these virtual manipulatives through Brainingcamp. This can be accessed through their Clever single sign on. Check out the video link below for a quick overview of the manipulatives Brainingcamp has to offer.

Contact our Math Coach, Mrs. Alison Townsend at atownsend@mcpss.com if you need any assistance with this or have any questions.

The graphics below provide information on some of the addition and subtraction strategies students may use. These strategies allow students to approach problems in a way that makes sense for them and that they can explain to others. These allow students to have a better understanding of base ten number concepts and encourage flexibility in the use of a variety of strategies. As a result, this creates confident and capable mathematicians!

"The Alabama Literacy Act was passed in 2019 to help improve reading in Alabama public schools to ensure students are reading on grade level by the end of the third grade. Reading is the gateway to lifelong achievement and the students of Alabama deserve a strong start on their path to success."

"By third grade, students must be proficient in foundational reading skills in order to comprehend texts. If they are unsuccessful, they will have difficulty understanding grade-level reading material. Students also need strong reading skills in order to learn other school subjects such as science, social studies, writing, and even math." (ARI/The Alabama Reading Initiative)

Watch this three-minute video to learn more!

GREAT RESOURCE!!

THE ALABAMA READING INITIATIVE (ARI) HAS CREATED SOME GREAT RESOURCES THAT PROVIDE PARENTS WITH INFORMATION THAT THEY CAN USE TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME.

Click on the link below to access these "My Child Can!" packets for grades K, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd!

An early dismissal prior to 11:45am is considered an absence. If a student arrives to school after 11:45am he/she is marked absent for the entire day. There will be no early dismissals granted after 2:30pm. Early dismissals will be granted prior to 2:30pm only to a parent/guardian or a designated person listed as an emergency contact. Parents and emergency contacts must always present identification to the office.

Change in Transportation:

Any change in transportation must always be in writing. Transportation changes will not be granted over the phone. Please refrain from sending messages to teachers during their instructional time. In the event of an emergency, call the front office.

The following procedures are expected to be followed to ensure a safe and positive lunch experience for all students in the school.

• Lunch guests are required to report to the main office to sign-in and show identification.
• Adults visiting for lunch must be listed as a contact to visit the student at school.
• The student’s teacher must be notified BEFORE arriving on campus.
• Visitors must wear a badge/sticker provided by the office staff during check in and it must be visible at all times while in the building.
• Adults may purchase the school lunch ($4.75) or bring one from home. Outside food must be packed inside of a lunch box. No restaurant food bags are allowed.
• Visitors must return to the office after the student’s lunch period has ended to sign out.
• Cafeteria visitors may not visit other areas of the campus without prior approval from the principal.
• Any questions or concerns must be directed to an administrator.

*Please do not attend lunch with your student if you know it will cause your student undue stress when you leave campus.

We LOVE to celebrate our students; however, classroom birthday parties are not allowed. District policy allows two parties per year: Christmas and End of Year.

Students will receive a birthday shout-out during our live morning announcements and also a birthday treat from the office.

With the classroom teachers prior approval, parents/guardians may send a treat/special snack for the child's class. Be sure to check with the classroom teacher for any specific allergies as well as provide a snack for each child in the classroom. If you wish to distribute birthday party invitations, please send an invitation for each student.

Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe while arriving and leaving school. Our students are doing a great job learning their car tag # and listening for their # to be called.

Please continue working with your child on how to buckle/unbuckle independently. Until then, please pull over to a designated parking area to provide assistance to your child. We ask that you do not get out of your car as this creates a safety concern and causes a disruption to our dismissal procedures.

We are in contact with county officials to expand our car line waiting area. This expansion will allow more vehicles to pull into our waiting area rather than pulling onto the shoulder on West Lake Road. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

Please remind your child about good behaviors on the bus.

1. Always listen to and obey the bus driver.
2. Stay seated the entire time.
3. Never extend your hands, arms, head, or any object out of the window.
4. Keep the aisles clear.
5. Do not jump seat to seat.
6. Always keep hands and feet to yourself.
7. Speak in quiet voice. No yelling!
8. Bottom to bottom, Back-to-Back, Bookbag on lap.

Email: bowen@mcpss.com
Website: hutchenselementary.org
Location: 10005 West Lake Rd. Mobile, AL 36695
Phone: 251-221-1420
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HutchensElem
Twitter: @HutchensElem