HIAWATHA HIGHLIGHTS

Phone Number: 517-706-4500

Principal: Joseph Corr, joseph.corr@okemosk12.net

Administrative Assistant: Michelle Stover, michelle.stover@okemosk12.net

Sept. 16 - Sept. 20 Spirit Week

September 23: No School; Teacher Professional Development

While construction continues, we will utilize door 13 in the front the building as the office entry point. Please use the door buzzer if you need anything during the school day. This is the door you need to use for assistant, to pick up and child, etc.

We will continue to use the other main entry door for end of day dismissal and beginning of day entry for students.

The construction crews laid carpet into the office this past week and are finishing up cabinets. It is getting close to being ready. We are looking forward to the new office and appreciate everyone's patience as the crews work hard to keep moving towards completion.

If you are registered to substitute teach, please consider looking at two recent postings for our building. We are looking for several positions to be filled on a regular basis. We are looking for three substitute teaching positions.

Two of these positions will be filled for our kindergarten rooms. These positions would rotate between our three rooms and assist the kindergarten teachers on a daily basis for small group instruction and classroom instruction. Similar to a kindergarten aid position, but with more focus on assisting instructionally. If you are interested please contact Mrs. Stover in the front office.

The other position we are looking to fill is our building substitute position. This would be a whole building sub, to help assist with all levels of instruction and functions within the school. If you are interested please contact Mrs. Stover in the main office.

All 3 positions would be EduStaff positions. If you are already signed up with EduStaff and are interested then contact the main office for more information.

We are currently looking for parent volunteers to help during our lunch and recess window in the middle of the day. We can always use volunteer help in both the cafeteria and on the playground. If you are interested please reach out to Mr. Corr, Mrs. Stover, or Mrs. Sainz.

Looking to get paid for helping in the lunchroom and at recess? We are currently also seeking several positions to be filled for those areas as well! If interested, please contact Mrs. Stover in the main office for more information.

Caretakers:

While we encourage families to utilize the car line, we acknowledge that we have a lot of families that walk to and from school. We would like to encourage walking and provide a safe place away from the busy car line. As we continue to to evaluate the needs and adjustments to our dismissal process we are hoping to create a separate location for those families of non independent walkers. If your child is not an independent walker (meaning you walk your child home from school), there will be a new process we will be trying to help with an easier dismissal. We will be creating a new location to pick up these students at the end of the day. There will be staff members assigned to this location to ensure students connect with their adult. A communication will be coming SOON, once this process has been finalized. We are working with OPS Communications and our Safety Director to finalize the plan.

Please check out our slideshow of meet the Staff!

District Calendar

Lunch Menu

Kindergarten: 12:30 (12:50) - 1:10

1st Grade: 11:15 (11:35) - 11:55

2nd grade: 11:40 (12:00) - 12:20

3rd Grade: 12:05 (12:25) - 12:45

4th grade: 12:55 (1:15) - 1:35

**Please note that the times in parentheses are designated release times for each grade level to go to recess.

Please be reminded if you are dropping off your child(ren) for before care to do so at the marked cone area and not park in the staff parking spots in the back of the building.

Safety Patrol may be dropped off at the back doors. Before and after school care students can and must be dropped off in the back of the building.

Here at Hiawatha we use CR-PBIS to create a safe and culturally responsive approach to positive behaviors. This information is available on the Hiawatha Web Page

Curious about what CR-PBIS looks like here at Hiawatha, check out these Lessons!

As students earn golden tickets, there will be an opportunity to becoming Leader of the Pack recipients. This section of the newsletter will be designated to recognize those students.

What the Health Team Does for Students

We are often asked by caregivers how they can support their children with the use of social media. This shared resource shares what and how apps are used; where kids can 'store' apps; and general ideas of how to support your kids through this digital world. Social Media parent guide

Wolf Walk:

The Wolf Walk is a fun, healthy, and safe way to support our school. Scan the QR code or click on the link below to make an online donation and help us reach our goal of $15,000!

Wolf Walk Fundraiser

If you are interested in volunteering for the walk on Friday, October 18, click here: Hiawatha PTO: Hiawatha PTO Volunteer Sign Up 24/25 School Year (signupgenius.com)

Spirit Week (September 16-20)

Celebrate spirit week at Hiawatha with the following themed days:
Mon, Sept. 16 - Pajama & Stuffie Day

Tues. Sept. 17 - Beach Day

Wed. Sept. 18 - Animal Wednesday

Thurs. Sept. 19 - Color or Neon Day

Fri. Sept. 20 - Okemos Wolves/Class T-shirt Day

Spirit Week T-shirts:

For families who placed online orders, your order will be delivered to your home address. If you missed the online sale, we will have class t-shirts available for purchase at school on the basketball court for $15 (cash or check only) the following dates/times:

Tuesday 9/17 from 8-8:30am

Wednesday 9/18 from 3:30-4:30pm

Thursday 9/19 from 6-7pm

Class shirts are a fun way to build community as well as give ALL students and staff a chance to participate in spirit week themes and events in a united way. Each grade level will be represented by a different color. Shirts are not required but can be worn for events throughout the school year--including the Wolf Walk. Financial assistance is available, if needed.

Homecoming Parade

Hiawatha will be participating in the Homecoming parade on September 20, 2024. We are going to have an incredible school float to support our outer space theme. We are asking anyone interested in participating to meet at 4:45pm at the 242 Church parking lot on Bennett Road. The PTO will have some candy to pass out, but if you're able, please bring a bag of candy for your child to pass out as they walk along the parade. The parade will begin promptly at 5:30pm.

Hiawatha Harvest

Join Hiawatha families for an evening of fall fun on Tuesday, October 8th from 6:00 to 7:30pm! Students will have the opportunity to select a pumpkin to decorate, and there will be cider and treats for everyone. There is no cost to attend.

Feedback Form

To facilitate open communication, the PTO has created a form for caregivers and staff to submit questions, ideas, discussion topics and feedback for review. Click here to access this form. Hiawatha PTO: Questions, Feedback, Discussion Topics & Information Sharing (google.com)

Facebook Page

The PTO has a Facebook page where information about school events is regularly shared. Please join the group!

PTO Meetings

PTO meetings will be held the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Hiawatha library. Join us October 10th in person or on Google Meet.

To join the video meeting, click this link:

https://meet.google.com/zff-uzot-ycv

Otherwise, to join by phone, dial +1 361-245-0048

and enter this PIN: 796 942 700#