Heart River Elementary

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we begin the new year, I’m excited to share a new initiative at Heart River Elementary School. Starting in January, we will be introducing Behavior Academies, inspired by the research and strategies outlined in Don’t Suspend Me! and Behavior Academies by John Hannigan and Jessica Hannigan.

What Are Behavior Academies?
Behavior Academies are proactive learning sessions designed to teach students essential behavior skills while addressing behaviors that might otherwise disrupt their learning or that of others. These academies aim to reduce the need for punitive measures, like suspensions, by focusing on teaching students how to manage emotions, solve problems, and build positive relationships.

How Do Behavior Academies Work?

• Participation: Students will be referred to Behavior Academies by teachers or staff when they identify behavior patterns that indicate a need for additional support.
• Session Details: These sessions will take place during the school day at times that do not interfere with key academic instruction.
• Focus Areas: Students will learn strategies for self-regulation, decision-making, conflict resolution, and understanding the impact of their behavior on others.

Why Behavior Academies?
At Heart River Elementary School, we are committed to supporting the whole child. This means providing not only academic instruction but also tools for personal and social growth. Behavior Academies allow us to address challenges proactively, helping students grow into resilient, empathetic, and responsible individuals.

How Can Parents Support This Program?
We believe that parent involvement is key to the success of this initiative. Here’s how you can help:

• Talk with your child about the skills they are learning if they are in an academy. You will be sent a notice letting you know your child has been selected for one of our academies.
• Reinforce these strategies at home by modeling and encouraging positive behaviors.
• Reach out to our team if you have questions or need additional resources to support your child.

We are confident that Behavior Academies will have a positive impact on our students and school community. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this initiative further, please don’t hesitate to contact me .

Thank you for your continued support in helping Heart River Elementary School be a place where every student can learn, grow, and succeed as we strive to provide a world class education.

Sincerely,

Randy R. Muffley
Principal
Heart River Elementary School

This January, our students will participate in the NWEA MAP and DIBELS assessments. These important tools help us understand your child’s academic growth and identify areas where they may need additional support.

Here’s what you need to know:

• When: Assessments will take place throughout the month of January.
• Why: The results help us tailor instruction to meet your child’s individual needs.
• How You Can Help: Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives at school on time.

If you have any questions about these assessments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or the school office.

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s success!

We are excited to share that our staff have nominated Mrs. Pallireto as our Classified Staff member of the Year. We are so fortunate to have Mrs. Pallireto working as a paraprofessional as part of our Title One Program supporting the academics of our students in the areas of literacy and math. Some of her colleagues shared the following about her impact at Heart River:

"Mrs. Pallireto is dedicated to see the good in all students and is truly committed to making sure all students feel successful. Mrs. Pallireto has taken on the role of a substitute in our school and is always willing to step up where she is needed."

"Mrs. Pallireto consistently goes above and beyond to enhance the educational experience of our students."

"Mrs. Pallireto shows up with a smile and a great sense of humor every day. She pours herself into her work and being the best educator possible for our students."

We are also thrilled to announce that Mrs. Cranston has been nominated by her colleagues as our Heart River Certified staff member of the Year. We are fortunate to have Mrs. Cranston as a dynamic first grade teacher. Here are some of the comments her colleagues have shared:

"Mrs. Cranston is a phenomenal teacher! She truly takes the time to get to know each and every one of her students. She pushed them to set high expectations that are attainable in the most loving way."

"Mrs. Cranston is kind, patient and positive with students, parents and staff. She served on the district ELA committee and was an advocate to find a resource that was the best fit for our school district, dedicating many hours outside of the school day to this task."

"Mrs. Cranston is always finding neat ideas and creative projects for her students to work on so they will have marvelous memories of the first grade!"