Hayes Elementary School
September Newsletter
Important Dates
Dates
9/5 RCA Introduction Assembly for all Students
9/6 Instruments on Parade - 5th Grade Only
9/9-9/13 Hike/Bike to School Week
9/10 Choir Begins
9/12 4th and 5th Grade RCA House Sorting
9/13 K-3 RCA House Sorting
9/12 Lisa Damour Speaking (details below)
9/19 PTO Meeting 7:00 PM Hayes Library
9/19-9/20 Vision First Mobile
9/24 Picture Day
9/27 PTO Tailgate
Hayes - RCA House System
We are excited to announce that our school will be implementing the House System this year, inspired by the Ron Clark Academy (RCA). This system has a proven track record of creating a positive school climate and culture that is embraced by students, staff, and families. Schools worldwide that have implemented this program have reported many positive outcomes, such as a decrease in discipline referrals, stronger relationships among peers and staff, improved school attendance, and enhanced academic performance. The system encourages students to take ownership of their learning and behavior while working together to achieve common goals.
A key element of the House System is how it fosters a sense of belonging among all students and staff. Parents often report feeling more connected to the school community as well. Each student will become part of one of our houses and have the opportunity to participate in house-specific events and activities throughout the year. This system ensures that every child has a "crew and a cause," and students will also have the chance to take on leadership roles within their houses.
We are thrilled to share that our sorting ceremonies, where students will learn which house they belong to, will take place on September 12 and 13. Our 4th and 5th graders will discover their houses on Thursday, September 12, while our K-3 students will learn theirs on Friday, September 13.
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our PTO for their incredible support in helping to get the House System started at Hayes. Their dedication and enthusiasm have been instrumental in bringing this program to life. Additionally, we would like to thank the Hayes PBIS team for their hard work and commitment to creating a positive and supportive environment for our students.
Throughout the school year, students will have the opportunity to receive points for their houses by exceeding expectations in areas such as academic achievement, character, school spirit, and uplifting others. While the primary purpose of this program is not the accumulation of points, the celebration, support, and encouragement that come from working together toward a common goal are invaluable. At the end of the year, the house that earns the most points will be named the House Champions!
There is so much more to come, and we will continue to share updates as the program gains momentum. We want you, our parents, to be excited and involved in this journey with us. Your support and enthusiasm will make a big difference in the success of this program, and we can't wait to see how it strengthens our school community.
We are confident that the RCA House System will be a valuable addition to our school, and we look forward to seeing its positive impact on our students. Thank you for your support, and we can’t wait to see the wonderful effect this system will have on our students.
New Staff at Hayes
Mrs. Poole - Intervention Specialist
My name is Caitlin Poole and this is my tenth year teaching in special education, but my first year with Lakewood City Schools. I am thrilled to be an Intervention Specialist at Hayes Elementary and become part of this community! I am passionate about meeting students where they are at and helping them make meaningful progress in a fun and encouraging environment. When I am not at school, I am spending time with my family.
Ms. Wooley - Student Wellness Specialist
Lisa Damour to Speak at Civic
We are pleased to present New York Times best-selling author Lisa Damour, a nationally known child development expert and author of the books Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers.
6-6:30 pm: Vendor fair of local family resource organizations
6:30 pm: Auditorium doors open
6:45: Dr. Damour talk begins
PTO September News
We hope everyone is off to a great start to the school year! It was so nice to see so many of you at the Supply Drop-Off and the Kindergarten Open House.
Thank you to everyone who has already joined PTO. The PTO supports the school with activities such as Assemblies, Field Trips, Craft Week, and Family Fun Nights. Membership forms will be sent home in backpacks during the week of 9/9 and can also be found on our website: Hayes PTO Website.
Please mark your calendar for some of our upcoming events:
Bike/Hike: Hayes will be participating in the Lakewood Bike/Hike during the week of 9/9. Seven meetup spots in the Hayes District have been identified. A Signup Genius has been posted on the Hayes PTO Facebook page. We would love to have as many families involved as possible! This is a great way for families to visit with friends and connect with neighbors.
First PTO Meeting: The first PTO meeting will be on Thursday, September 19, at 7:00 PM in the LRC (Library). We encourage anyone who has already signed up to be a member, or anyone who is interested in becoming a member, to join us. There will be an informal gathering immediately after the meeting at a local establishment.
Tailgate Party: The Tailgate Party will be on Friday, September 27, at 6:00 PM in the Hayes Parking Lot. More information will be coming home in the next couple of weeks. This will be the first Family Fun Night event of the school year. We hope you all can join in on the fun!