Hidden River Newsletter
Week of October 28 - November 1, 2024
Weekly Reminders
SAVE THE DATES (Spirit Week, click photo):
Fri., Nov. 1st - Dance/Activity Day from 1:30-3:00pm
Next Week (11/7-11/11)
Thurs., Nov. 7th - Quarter 1 Ends
Fri., Nov. 8th - NO SCHOOL (Staff Professional Development)
School Information
Picture Re-Take Day: Reminder about Picture Re-take day on Monday Oct 21 - Event code EVTK6RBPS for ordering online at mylifetouch.com or use QR code. ENJOY 10% OFF your order! CODE: F202410OFF EXPIRES: July 31, 2025 Redeem Now
Request for Kleenex: We have once again run out of Kleenex in the classrooms. If your family could donate a few boxes - please drop them off in the main office. THANK YOU!
Schoology: With just two weeks left in the quarter, it's a great time to log into Schoology and check in on your student's progress. Need help accessing your account? Fill out this form or call Wendy at 651-744-2007 for help.
Literacy Corner
We are excited to share some great literacy news going on this month!
1) Hidden River Middle School 6th Graders will be participating in a Virtual Author Visit with New Kid author Jerry Craft on October 30th during a part of their 4th hour class. They will also participate in a 1/2 day literacy workshop this school year with local author and parent Kao Kalia Yang to learn from her perspective the connection between being a reader and a writer. Our goal is for each student to receive a copy of her new middle-grade novel to enhance their learning experience. Can you purchase a book for a 6th grader? Use this link to add a copy to our school so we can distribute it to all 6th graders. Thank you for your support! 6th Grade Book Wish List - Purchase here (button with this link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3F65T4VV3RTYX?ref_=wl_share)
2) The Otters Read and Recommend Hall of Fame has many entries! What has your student read that they enjoyed? They can be a Hall of Famer by recommending a book. See Mr. Sheridan or your ELA teacher. Six Hall of Fame winners are randomly picked each month, 2 from each grade level, to receive their choice of a new book. Students can also fill out this form to become a Hall of Famer! Link to form: https://forms.gle/H6svYkXn42Q9AA8e6
Classroom Updates
French 1A and French 1B - Madame Payia Yang
During this quarter, students were introduced to French dictée (dictation). They listened as Madame Payia Yang read aloud in French, generally, one phrase or word at a time, using vocabulary that had already been covered in class. French dictée is a practice rooted in French educational culture, designed to help with memorization and improve spelling. If you have any questions, please contact rachel.payia-yang@spps.org
French Immersion Social Studies - Mme Payia Yang
Last week, on Indigenous Peoples Day, French Immersion Minnesota Studies students analyzed and learned to sing Martha Redbone’s song “40 Wheels” (Redbone & Whitby, n.d.). Martha’s ancestors were among those who were forcibly removed from their land in the Southeast and relocated to Oklahoma following Congress's passage of the Indian Removal Act in 1830. Her original music blends elements of American folk and Blues with influences from Choctaw and Cherokee traditional music. In the song, Martha narrates the story of the Trail of Tears by synthesizing musical elements from her diverse background. In the video our class watched, Martha teaches students to sing the chorus specifically. The French Immersion students particularly enjoyed singing a portion of the song! Resources and materials were generously provided by Carnegie Hall.
French Immersion American Studies students analyzed both primary and secondary sources, focusing on Native American boarding schools. They examined a scene from the western miniseries “Into the West” (Spielberg, 2005) and used primary source photographs to either support or challenge that specific scene from the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. After conducting their analysis, the students presented their findings to the class, where their peers provided feedback on their presentations.
Athletics
Sport Physicals are due BEFORE first day of Practice. Winter sports start Nov 11th; practice days and times are Mon-Thurs 3:15pm-4:45pm. We now have transportation for Winter sports on Mon/Wed ONLY. Parents still need to pick up on Tue/Thurs. Tue/Thurs after practice players can be picked up at door 3 on Blair St or back parking lot Door 4.
Here is the link to sign up for buses .https://forms.gle/PwthgBkeGLADyzit9
Sign-up Link - https://spps-ar.rschooltoday.com/viewmyaccount
Sign-up Help Link - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mZKh2qor4Zw567rVYvm_mHPHQ_-Wep9TQ-OGTMf1F1A/edit?usp=sharing
Winter Sports:
Wrestling (co’ed) Nov 11th-Jan 18th (Coach Newby)
Girls Basketball Nov 11th-Jan 18th (Coach Walker)
Boys Basketball Jan 20th-Mar 15th (TBD)
Athletic Director lenell.binford@spps.org Nell Binford**Wrestling Team**
The Otters Wrestling team is a co'ed sport, and we would like to have more girls out for the team. Please check out this article and this video if you or any girls in your family are thinking about trying out wrestling this season.
https://ladailypost.com/op-ed-why-your-daughter-should-wrestle/
https://youtu.be/Z4zn6NytzyI?si=RUc0EGlD4LTKJbUA
Football players looking to increase your skills in the offseason, try wrestling! Check out this video featuring NFL players talking about how wrestling can increase your football skills. https://youtu.be/9sp6GIZXY9g?si=74eGBBW1L54wrDqy
Family-Staff Organization (FSO)
Thanks to our partners from Search Institute and Change Inc for hosting Thursday's workshop on "Relationships That Matter". More information on this partnership and the tips they share are available at https://keepconnected.searchinstitute.org/strengthen-your-family-relationships/. Please save the date for our next workshop "Navigating Social Media with Your Middle Schooler" - presented Thursday, November 21st at 5:30 PM.
We are honored to once again partner with Search Institute and Change Inc. to offer a pilot program to Hidden River families this year as we work to strengthen relationships within families and among Hidden River families through a generous grant. 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 this week's below!).
Trainers will facilitate workshops for caregivers at two of our FSO meetings this year (next one on November 21st).
A 7-week workshop will be held later this school year for families who would like to explore innovative ways to maintain strong connections with their teenagers. More details on that program coming in the future!
When you have a few minutes, ask other family members a question or two. Enjoy the conversation!
One of many definitions of power is “the ability to influence people and events.” With that definition, what are ways that everyone in your family has some power?
What are good ways for people to learn to cooperate or share power with each other?
Why are some people better at sharing power than others? What’s different with those who do?
Staff Spotlight
Nurse Mary
Where did you grow up? Raised in the Twin Cities, Grew up in Chicago, returned to MN to be near family
What is your role at Hidden River Middle School? Nurse
What's your go-to karaoke song? Currently- Whitney Houston- I wanna Dance with Somebody 💃🏻
What are your interests or hobbies? Love love love paddle boarding, walking outdoors, riding the peleton, down hill skiing, working in the yard/ garden, hiking near water, being at the cabin, time outdoors, reading, pretending to be artistic and crafty :)
What do you like most about Hidden River? Connecting w kids and colleagues. I really enjoy being a school nurse!
Mr. Newby
Where did you grow up? Bemidji, MN
What is your role at Hidden River Middle School? School Psychologist
What's your go-to karaoke song? Ring of Fire
What are your interests or hobbies? Biking
What do you like most about Hidden River? The People
Black Student Union (BSU)
Black Student Union (BSU) Is selling hoodies for the Fall ($40). If interested in ordering one please reach out to Ms. Nell in room 3305 by 11/04/24.
BSU is a club that gathers to give Students of Color a voice. Working together, students can bring a change to the school that represents them. We provide a safe space for students to discuss race, politics, and learn about Black culture and its history. All are welcomed no matter race, gender, or sexuality.
**National History Day 2025 Announcement**
French Immersion American Studies students will participate in National History Day 2025, with the theme “Rights and Responsibilities” in History. This week, Kyle Imdieke, the Program Associate for National History Day in Minnesota, visited us to introduce the event to the students. Students also had the opportunity to view one type of the five projects (performance).
Students will work on their projects in both French and English as they prepare for the District and State competitions. Madame Payia Yang is seeking volunteers who are proficient in French (intermediate to advanced) or native to serve on the jury and who will interview students in French at Hidden River (date TBD).
Families are encouraged to update their students' media releases as soon as possible. Due to press coverage, the National History Day organization will also ask families to revise their students' media releases when they advance in the competition.
Further information regarding the event and volunteering as a member of the jury will be shared at a later time. In the meantime, please, feel free to visit the following website: https://nhd.org/en/
If you have any questions, please contact: rachel.payia-yang@spps.org