Happy August!

August 16, 2021

Welcome Back!

Welcome to the 2021-22 school year. I hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing, and rejuvenating summer vacation! This is always an exciting time, but even more so this year as we return to full in-person school under one roof. Personally, I can’t wait to see all of you on August 30th, as you return for opening week and we begin to set the stage for the year with new insights, skills, ideas.

A new year brings hope, excitement and anticipation. Together we will continue our mission of developing students’ love for learning within a culturally responsive learning environment, that uses an inquiry approach rooted in curiosity, connection and community.

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Welcome New Staff to Hamline!

Though a lot of information will be front loaded during opening week, please join me in welcoming the newest members to the Hamline Community. I am looking forward to the contributions, strengths and experience they bring with them to our community!

- Amanda Jagdeo (PreK Teacher)

- Katie Flood(2nd Grade Teacher)

- Mary Lengsfeld (3/4 Grade Teacher)

- Nicole Cahill(Content Lead/Coach)

- Annette Nelson (Counselor)

- Lucy Flaherty(PE Teacher)

- Joanne Leko(Behavior Intervention Specialist)

- Abdoulaye Camara(Behavior Intervention Specialist)

- Kristin Norton(Educational Assistant)

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Covid 19 Practices and Protocols

I am trusting I will have more answers soon around Covid restrictions and what it all will mean for our return. Currently all I know for sure is that we will all be wearing masks. Your patience is much appreciated as the information continues to change and be updated.

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Opening Week

To ease into opening week, our first day, Monday August 30th, will be largely focused on getting to know one another and setting the stage for creating a culturally responsive classroom and school environment. If you have the book, “Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain” by Zaretta Hammond, and some time on your hands, I encourage you to read Chapter 9: Creating a Culturally Responsive Community for Learning. Please click on this link to view Opening Week schedule. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mTCunIHE4WxhCvVU15Ilvx7KZ_0VBJaWhVpkUy_07E8/edit?usp=sharing

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Open House

Our Open House, where students and families are able to see their new classrooms, meet their teachers and participate in some family fun, will be on Thursday, September 2nd from 4:00-6:30pm. Plans are still tentative as we get more information.

Other Opening Week Details

Monday, August 30th kicks off Opening Week for staff. Our meeting will start with breakfast at 7:30 in the cafeteria. Please see link above for more detailed information about schedule.

During Opening Week the building hours will be 6:30-5:30.

Our Opening Week is extended this year due to observance of the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah. We will have on-site PD on Tuesday, September 7th and Wednesday, September 8th.

Students in grades 1-5 return on September 9th, with PreK and Kindergarten students returning on September 13th.

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Online School Option K-8

There will be an online option for K-8. It will be its own school that families will be able to enroll in if they do not want to return to in-person school. The link has not been activated as of yet for families to enroll. Waiting until after School Board meeting to confirm.

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My Summer Take Aways

One of the gifts that living in a pandemic gave to me, was learning the importance of presence and stillness. I traveled to Sanibel with my two daughters this summer and read books purely for enjoyment, played pickle ball(yes I can still beat my daughters), went for walks and spent hours just talking with my girls. My hope is to keep that in the front of my mind this year and remember that it is more important for all of us to be seen and heard than whether I get to the next task on my list.