![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/colorsplashes.1e98bfcb.jpg)
Hidden River Newsletter
Week of April 29th - May 3rd, 2024
Weekly Reminders
- SAVE THE DATES:
Next Week 5/6-5/10:
Tues., May 7th - Budget Info Session 5:00-6:00pm
Wed., May 8th - Walk/Bike to School Day
School Information
8th Grade Valleyfair: Field trip is scheduled for Thursday, June 6th! 8th grade students should be coming home tomorrow with a permission slip. Please note, there is a new online pay option this year! Either return the paper permission slip and cash only OR complete the digital pay option using the QR code below or this link: https://spps.cr3.rschooltoday.com. The deadline is Tuesday, May 28th. If you have any questions please contact Nichole Campbell at nichole.campbell@spps.org
Donation Requests:
- Huge thank you to everyone who contributed Kleenex this week. They were all put to use and we could use more to build up our supply. Could your family donate a box or two? Please bring any donations into the main office.
- Our school nurse, Mary Green, is in need of needs leggings and sweatpants (black leggings specifically, any color of sweatpants) in an assortment of sizes. If your family is able to contribute, please bring them to the nurse's office. Thank you for helping to support our community!!!
Hidden River Renovation Updates: Check out the official SPPS webpage for updates on the renovation of Hidden River.
Classroom Updates
8th grade Health students - Ms. Kaufenberg
Early next week we will wrap up the drug unit with presentations on various drugs students have studied.
In the second half of the week we will being our unit on Human Relationships and Reproduction. We will be using the FLASH curriculum. The FLASH curriculum is created by Public Health Seattle and widely used. It is the curriculum SPPS has chosen for this unit.
The topics addressed by the curriculum include:
• Human anatomy, physiology and the reproductive system
• Self-esteem, empowerment and the importance of school as a safe learning environment
• Responsible decision-making that honors personal and family values and goals
• Healthy and unhealthy relationships in all aspects of their lives
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• Media influences, stereotypes and acceptance of diversity
We have expert educators and community experts that ensure our lessons are age appropriate and medically accurate. Our lessons help students make healthy and responsible decisions throughout their lives, by teaching them how to:
• Abstain from intercourse as the best and most effective way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS
• Make responsible health decisions to avoid risky behaviors.
• Use methods that reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
• Access medically accurate information and appropriate health care services
If you have questions about these lessons, please feel free to contact me at abbie.kaufenberg@spps.org. You may also view sample lessons at https://www.etr.org/flash/about-flash/sample-lessons/
French Immersion - Mme Payia Yang
In March, our 7th-grade French immersion students participated in Le Grand Concours/National French Contest in Level 1, Division C (completely native). This event has been organized by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) to acknowledge and celebrate students and French programs. The contest is open to French language students in grades 1-12, in all 50 states and abroad. During the 60-minute competition, students demonstrate their proficiency in French and compete with others who have similar educational backgrounds for prizes. Congratulations to these Otters! So proud of your achievements!
- Platinum award: L.K.
- Silver award: Frankie Burns, Athanasia Kotsonas.
- Bronze award: Stella Folland, Henri Paquet.
- Honorable mention: A.C., K.C., Elizabeth Gabriel, Henry Jordan, V.Y. Merit: Isabella Cariveau, Kaden Lockett, Victoria Martinez-Garcia, Iliana Nedich, Christian Owouko, Cailyn Petitt, Paris Reno, Emma Rutherford, Amara Setodji, Riley Yang, Melat Yohanes.
Family-Staff Organization (FSO) Updates
Family-Staff Organization (FSO) Upcoming Events - Budget Meeting and Family Literacy Night: Our administrative team is working hard finalize next year's school budget and Principal Vibar will host a meeting to provide families will have an opportunity to learn about budgeting, our SCIP (School Continuous Improvement Plan), and next year's move to the Wilson building on Tuesday, May 7, from 5-6 p.m. in our Media Center. Childcare and transportation are available, please call the main office at 651-293-8860 if needed.
Also, save the date for our Spring Family Literacy event on Thursday, May 16th. More details coming soon.
Coffee with the Principal: Missed our last Coffee with the Principal? We chatted about testing at Hidden River and our Family Engagement Plans (FEP) for next school year. Here's a quick guide to the MCA, FAST and ACCESS tests. And here's a draft of our FEP for next year. Please contact our Family Liaison (wendy.caucutt@spps.org or 651-744-2007) if you have any questions or feedback.
Flipside
Flipside & Hidden River Theater present: Into the Woods, Jr. Showtimes at 7pm May 2, 3, and 4th. Door open at 6:30pm, no reservations needed.
Looking for summer camp opportunities? Flipside is offering FREE camp this summer there are 2 camp options each are 3 weeks long! July 8-25 and July 29-Aug 15h. Check out the poster below for details. Registration packets available in the front office and with Flipside Coordinator Teanna Rouillard. Call 651-744-6969 or email Teanna teanna.rouillard@spps.org or the flipside email flipside@spps.org with any questions.
Last Day of Flipside May 9th and transportation for sports will also end on May 9th.
MDE Redesigning Assessment Reports – Your Voice Matters!
Families, educators, and students (grades 8–12): Do you have ideas about how the statewide assessment results, like the MCA, could be shared with the public and school and district staff?
MDE is beginning the process of redesigning the statewide assessment reports. This includes evaluating how student results are organized and communicated (including the labels like "does not meet” or “exceeds" the standards, and what the reports will look like for new academic standards). The redesigned reports will be seen for the first time in summer and fall 2025.
Please take the survey to share your experience. It should take no longer than 15 minutes. The survey is now open for submissions until May 19. Responses are completely anonymous.
tinyurl.com/state-testing-survey
Your voice is important to this process. We appreciate your time and consideration.
Please reach out to mde.testing@state.mn.us with any questions or concerns about the survey or feedback process.
Math Corps - Summer Camp
Hi Hidden River Families,
I wanted to share this information about a Math and Computer-Science focused summer camp at Macalester College (right next to Hidden River) that is Free for SPPS students entering grade 7. This camp is Monday-Thursday July 8-August 1 and is from 9:30-2:30. A breakfast and Lunch will be provided by the College. It is run by Macalester professors, Macalester students, and paid high school students (so if you know of a high school student interested in STEM and Math and looking for a summer job - this could also be great for them!)
For more information please look here at this website: https://mathcorps.org/locations/stpaul/
While the name is “Math Corps” this is not related to the Math Corps that we have been offering at Hidden River, this camp is designed for all students, regardless of academic record or past math performance and includes both fundamental and enrichment classes.
The application deadline is April 30th - coming up quick, and can be found at that same website above.
If you have any questions, please let me know!
Thanks,
Ms. Pineda Johnson
Keep Connected 360 - Family Engagement
We are excited to share we have partnered with Search Institute and Change Inc. to offer a pilot program to Hidden River families this year. Keep Connected 360 offers resources to families, including tips, ideas, activities and learning opportunities to support strong family relationships.
Week 27 Challenge Growth (General)
This Week’s Focus: Encourage family members to keep getting better. This is a great way to CHALLENGE GROWTH through family relationships.
When you have a few minutes, ask other family members a question or two. Enjoy the conversation!
What is something that used to be hard for you, but you now can do well? How did you get better? What have you learned from that success?- Who from your family’s past had dreams that changed their lives? How might your life be different if they hadn’t stretched for their goals?
- How does challenging other people to grow either strengthen or hurt your relationship? And how does having a strong relationship make it easier or harder to push people to learn and grow?
- What are ways family members have challenged you to learn and grow? How did you respond?
- Who do you admire for the way they set and meet their goals? How do they do it?