Each year, our students in grades 3 & 4 complete a test called the KAP (Kansas Assessment Program). This assessment is given in both the areas of Math & ELA. This year, our 2nd grade students will be completing an optional KAP assessment in the area of ELA. Teachers and students have worked hard to prepare for this exam as well as create a testing environment that is conducive to their success. We encourage all students to be in class the days of assessments, please check your calendars for the following dates:
April 8th & 10th: 2nd, 3rd, & 4th ELA KAP
April 15th & 17th: 3rd & 4th Math KAP
During testing we encourage all students to get a good night's rest, have a hearty breakfast, and do their very best! We like to provide testing treats & snacks to our students as well. If you are interested in providing treats or snacks for your child's classroom, please reach out ot Mrs. Dierenfeldt via Seesaw or at ddierenfeldt@usd415.org to arrange this. We greatly appreciate your support!
If you have an absence or need to make a change to how your student gets home after school you can contact our office! When sending a messgae, please include Casey Clements and Tiffany Boyce to ensure it is received in the event that one of our staff members is out. Any changes for after school must be sent prior to 2pm. Changes sent via Seesaw after 2pm will not be guaranteed, a phone call will need to be made after 2pm.
Did you know that we love having volunteers at HES? You can choose the days and times that you come in to volunteer, as little or as much as you'd like! All you have to do is fill out an application to volunteer at the board office. They will complete a background check, then pass your information along to us and that's it! If you would like more information, please call Mrs. Dierenfeldt at 785-742-7181 or email her at ddierenfeldt@usd415.org.
PTO Updates
Would you like to receive updates from our HES PTO? You can do the following to get updates from Remind:
Our class code is @hespto415.
An alternative to the Remind app is sending a text message to: 81010
Put this in the text message: @hespto415.
Our next PTO meeting will be March 27th at 5:30 at the public library.
Parents/Guardians- This month and into April, I am going to start vision and hearing screenings for our elementary students. These screenings are a vital part of your child’s education as undiagnosed vision and hearing problems can profoundly impact your child’s learning. Kansas Law mandates schools to test for vision and hearing.
-Vision Screenings are so important due to the fact that a number of students could have uncorrected vision problems that affect their ability to read, write or even participate in activities.
-Undetected vision or hearing impairments could lead to academic difficulties, such as struggling with reading, attention difficulties, and/or following instructions and directions.
-Hearing and vision screenings in schools are essential for any early detection of potential problems, allowing for timely intervention and correction.
- Common vision problems in children can include nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and amblyopia (lazy eye).
- Common hearing problems in children could include asking someone to repeat information frequently, appearing inattentive, or turning up volume on devices frequently.
-Early intervention is key to addressing hearing and vision concerns to help prevent long-term learning difficulties or developmental delays.
**The vision and hearing screenings that are performed at the school are just screening tools. These screenings do NOT take the place of your child being seen and examined by a licensed eye Dr and/or Hearing specialist if they are having any difficulties at all with their vision or hearing.***
Every student who has a screening done at HES will bring home a form showing whether they passed their school hearing and vision screening or if a referral was advised or recommended. They will also bring home a paper with the form detailing the specific vision and hearing test(s) we screen for at school.
As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 785-742-7181
-Nurse Heather
Kelly Meyer- Library Paraprofessional
Kelly is a wonderful positive friend at HES. Each morning she greets the students, parents, and staff with upbeat music, a big smile, high-five, or a hug with a genuine hope for you to have a great day. She helps create a positive, warm, welcoming atmosphere in our library as well. Kelly works to find that "just right" book for students to help them fall in love with reading. She is always willing to help out with anything that may be a challenge for you and a breeze for her. There is no bad day that can't be turned around with a "Kelly hug"!
February's character word of the month was kindness. Grade level teachers chose one boy and one girl who showed the characteristics of Kindness. Students received a certificate, $5 gift card to Sonic, and a Red Hawk character kids t-shirt! Pictured from back left to right: Brantley Romine, Ben Haedt, Brayden Thraen-Davis, Jude Hedrick and Anngelina Reynolds. Pictured from front left to right: Kedric Lockman, Aurora Meggison, Rylee James, Averie Paradis, and Grace Johnson.