May 2025

Our May Newsletter Includes:

• Greetings from Ms. Field and Mrs. Bernard
• Welcome Ms. Jessica Miccio, School Security Officer
• Student Spotlight
• Staff Spotlight
• Curriculum Corner/Grade Level Updates
• Upcoming Events

Dear Hinsdale Families,

Our May newsletter showcases the exceptional educational experiences occurring at every grade level, along with important upcoming events.

The i-Ready end-of-year assessments for grades K-2 will commence the week of May 12. Please ensure that students are well-rested, have a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school prepared to perform their best. Starting the first week of May, students will participate in practice tests and review effective test-taking strategies.

We appreciate your support and are committed to assisting our outstanding students in every way possible. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us via email or phone.

Best,

🌞 Ms. Field & Mrs. Bernard 🌞

Contact Information:

Rosie Field:
Phone: (860) 921-7545
Email: rosanne.field@winchesterschools.org

Emily Bernard:
Phone: (860) 738-5264
Email: emily.bernard@winchesterschools.org

We are pleased to introduce Jessica Miccio, our new school security officer, who joined Hinsdale School on Monday, April 21. With extensive experience in security and special education, Ms. Miccio will be working from 7:45 am to 3:45 pm. She is dedicated to connecting with students, staff, and families. Please join us in welcoming her!

Ellie from Ms. Braun's class presented to the Board of Education in April, highlighting the remarkable activities at Hinsdale. We invite you to attend the Board of Education meeting on May 13 at 7 PM, where Ashton will provide updates on Hinsdale for the month of May.

We are so excited for you to get to know the certified and non-certified staff who make Hinsdale an amazing place!

Here are a few highlights we'd like to share from late April and upcoming in May:

• Family Resource Center (FRC) Playgroup & Preschool Visit: Late April, the FRC playgroup and preschool had a visit from 'Fury, Scaly Friends' where they learned about animals and had a chance to engage with some of them! The FRC also visited the Beardsley Library for story hour in late April where they read a story and created a craft based on that story!
• Kindergarten Visit: In early May, our kindergarten students will have an exciting opportunity to visit Beardsley Library, a local hub for learning and exploration. During this visit, each student will receive their very own public library card, which will open the door to a world of books, resources, and activities available at the library. This experience is not only a chance for students to familiarize themselves with the library environment but also to understand the importance of reading and accessing information. We believe that this visit will foster a love for literature and encourage lifelong learning among our young learners.
• Kindergarten 'The Three Little Pigs' Performance: At the beginning of May, families were cordially invited to attend a delightful performance by our kindergarten students, featuring the classic tale of "The Three Little Pigs." This engaging event provided an opportunity for young learners to showcase their talents and hard work, as they brought the beloved story to life through their performances. We greatly appreciate the support of families in fostering a strong community spirit and encouraging our students' artistic endeavors.
• Grade 2 Trip to Pearson: Mid-May, our second graders will visit Pearson to support their transition to third grade next year. During this visit, they will tour the school and meet Pearson staff and current grade 3 students to gain insights about the school.
• District Field Trip: On May 1st, the district attended the CHAMP's grades 5-6 production of 'Matilda Jr.' at the Gilbert School. The performance was truly remarkable. Our students demonstrated complete engagement as they watched their older peers, who serve as both mentors and role models. This captivating display not only showcased the talents of the performers but also inspired our students, fostering a sense of community and aspiration.
• Art and Music Showcase: We are thrilled to host our first art and music showcase on May 14, starting at 4:30 PM. RSVP is required to attend this event. During the upcoming event, students will showcase their learning and talents in music and art. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents to explore and appreciate their children's artwork displayed throughout the school. Attendees can look forward to engaging performances and a vibrant exhibition that highlights the creativity and skills developed by our students. We encourage all families to participate and celebrate the artistic achievements of our young learners.
• Spring Concerts: Our spring music concerts will take place on May 21 in the evening at Pearson Gymnasium. Students are filled with enthusiasm and anticipation as they prepare to showcase their music learning and demonstrate their musical abilities. This exciting opportunity allows them to share the skills and knowledge they have acquired throughout their music education journey thus year.

Also, below are the curricular updates for each grade level in the month of May. We invite you to discuss the exciting topics your child is exploring!

Reading: Preschool students are wrapping up their animal studies and will soon explore animal habitats! They are learning about the basic needs of living things and distinguishing between living and nonliving items. This ties into our science unit focused on living things in our neighborhood. Soon, students will plant seeds and monitor their growth.

Math: In math, students are enhancing their one-to-one counting skills, creating various number combinations, and investigating sink vs. float. They will participate in hands-on water activities to reinforce these concepts!

Reading: Kindergarteners are mastering letters, sounds, and tricky words to become true readers! They are exploring Colonial living and will soon write an opinion piece about our interest in living during that time.

Math: Students are learning to subtract and create subtraction equations.

Science: Kindergarteners have been studying weather and its impact on our activities and clothing. Next, they will engage in an exciting engineering project where they will construct a shelter to protect an animal from the sun.

Reading: First graders are engaging with fairy tales, analyzing story elements, and comparing various tales. They are crafting narrative retellings of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Math: In math, students are counting, reading, and writing numbers up to 120, as well as adding and subtracting two-digit numbers.

Science: In science, they are investigating plant structures and functions and observing the growth of their own seeds!

Reading: Second graders are studying the Civil War and the War of 1812, focusing on independent reading about the latter.

Math: In math, they are exploring shapes, fractions, and measurement, learning to measure objects in inches and centimeters.

Science: In science, they have started a unit on plants, where they will grow various cactus and bean plants in both the classroom and science lab.