Hamline Family Newsletter

Hello Hamline Families,

The year is underway and I am happy to say it has been AMAZING to see our community back together again in full force. Students are so happy to be back in the building with their friends and the energy is exciting. I stood outside on Wednesday and watched children playing on the playground, laughing and just being kids. It was a joyous sound that reminded me of the importance of connection and togetherness.

The first month of school focuses on building strong classroom communities and setting rituals and routines. We are making sure to give time for students to explore and learn who they are and who their classmates are. Our school-wide focus right now is around Identity and teachers are creating lessons that support the question, "Who Am I?". Through art, poems, and other activities students are telling us who they are. In early November we will showcase student work and invite you, our community, in to see their creations around who they are.

I want to assure you that we are continuing to take the necessary precautions to maintain a safe environment. Thank you for how you have supported your children in wearing masks and keeping them home when needed. It has been rather remarkable how the children have adapted to wearing the masks and maintaining safety protocols.

We are in the process of handing out the new iPads. Please make sure to turn in the old iPads if you haven't done so. We will still be sending iPads home each night so that if needed, students are able to access work at home. There are also many ways students can use their iPads at home to support learning. If you are able to have your children read one of the many online books at home each night, it will do wonders.

We thank you for your patience and flexibility as we trying new ways to ensure safety. Our first day of dismissal was a little bumpy as we worked to maintain proper distancing and limited contract cross over between classes. We adjusted the system and it worked much better the second day. We know the process is a bit slower than a year without Covid but we are getting quicker every day.

Bus C is back up and running beginning 9/20, after the driver shortage cancelled this route. I can't thank our families on this route enough for your understanding and finding creative ways to get your children to school. We know this was a hardship and we are grateful.

If you have questions, concerns or ideas to share we want to hear them. Your perspectives matter to us and help us as we work to create a culturally responsive community for learning. Feel free to email me directly at Kristin.reilly@spps.org or call the office at 651-293-8715.

In Partnership,

Principal Reilly

Hello Hamline Huskies! It's been so great seeing students these past couple of weeks. I am excited for another great school year and look forward to building stronger relationships with both students and their grown-ups! My goal this school year is to have more student groups, connect families with resources, and build up our family engagement. If you think your student could benefit from working with me in a group or one on one, please do not hesitate to reach out. And if you need resources or would like to be involved in helping plan and organize family events, please let me know. I am here to support the entire family!

Lynnette

Office: 651-744-5588

Text: 612-568-3616

email: lynnette.medcalf@spps.org

Hello Hamline Huskies! I am excited to have joined the Hamline Elementary team as the School Counselor for the 2021-22 school year. While this is my first year at Hamline, it is my 5th year as a St. Paul School Counselor & my 20th year working in the district. My focus at Hamline is to support families, students and staff to aide in your students learning. I aim to help create a safe and friendly environment where all students will prosper. Please feel free to reach out if there is anything that I can do to support you and your student throughout the school year.

Annette

annette.nelson@spps.org

651-744-8220

Hi Hamline students and families! My name is Mr. Camara and I am your Intervention Specialist for this year. I am excited to work with you and your families in order to build a strong community amongst the school and families. Growing up in St. Paul to parents who were immigrants gives me the opportunity to connect my experiences with our current students in a unique way. This year in our newsletter I want to speak on social issues that may or may not affect our school community but is important to know about. I want to be able to let our students know that their voices will be heard and that it is our job as educators to also be a voice. Students should feel connected and it is important to be bridge to our community. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime @abdoulaye.camara@spps.org. I look forward to working with you all!

We need you Hamline Families! Every free and reduced lunch form we get turned in provides money to our school. Even if you don't qualify for free and reduced lunch we need your form. Please take a moment to do this.

Updating your information in iUpdate will ensure that you receive proper services, eligible transportation and important communications by U.S. mail, phone, email or text. Families will receive phone calls and text message reminders to complete iUpdate. One parent or guardian from each primary household is expected to complete iUpdate. NOWUpdating your information August 20.

IUPDATE INSTRUCTIONS AND STEPS

• Parents and guardians:

  • Complete all, annually-required school and district forms including the Technology Use Agreement (for student iPad use), field trip and media permission forms.
  • Add or change primary and/or alternative addresses to ensure accurate school-bus transportation to and from home and/or childcare addresses. Please complete iUpdate by September 1. ​
  • Slideshow of the steps in iUpdate.

  To begin, log in (BEGINNING ON THE FIRST MONDAY IN AUGUST EACH YEAR) to Campus Parent.

  • Click Login.
  • Enter your One Stop username and password.
  • Click the link “CLICK BEGIN.”

  • If you DO NOT remember your One Stop Username and/or Password

    • Online: Go to spps.org/onestop​ and click the Reset/Recover Password button. Please note: You must have your email address or phone number listed in your child’s school records.

    If you DO NOT remember your One Stop Username and/or password.

    • By Phone:
      • Before August 12 call the One Stop Support Line at 651-744-5145.
      • Beginning August 12 contact your child’s school. Directory (Use tabs at the bottom of directory to switch between elementary, middle, and high)

  iUpdate is available August, making it possible for parents of students who join SPPS during the school year to complete required annual forms. However, parents are asked to complete iUpdate by September 1 each year or as soon as possible after joining the SPPS. Note: Only one parent or guardian in each primary household must complete iUpdate.

  Assistance: Enrollment 651-632-3700 • Transportation: 651-696-9600 • EDL/Flipside 651-487-7386 • One Stop Technical Support 651-744-5145 or onestop@spps.org.

*If iUpdate has not been entered in the district system,

iPads can become significantly restricted.

Ways to Complete:

OPTION #1: PREFERRED! Complete Online.

• Open spps.org/onestop
• Click “Back to school iUpdate”
• Enter Username (g______)
• Enter Password

Need help?

• Guardians, contact a school office for Login Information. 651-293-8715
• Instructions for forms: https://www.spps.org/Page/31224

KEEP YOUR LOGIN INFORMATION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

OPTION #2: Complete Paper Packet available in OFFICE

• Hmong - Sample iUpdate Slides
• Somali - Sample iUpdate Slides
• Spanish - Sample iUpdate Slides

One of the things that makes Hamline especially unique is our partnership with Hamline University. We say, "We are two campuses, but one community in the heart of the neighborhood." The experience of being part of a college campus, and forming learning partnerships with university students, allows students to see themselves and their futures in a unique and different way.

Our original programming of Tutor Program, Hand in Hand Mentor Program, Snelling Connection and Academic Pairings, continues to expand into one of a kind experiences for our students. This year our goal is to get every class on the campus, multiple times for differing learning outcomes.

We are also a learning lab for future teachers who come to Hamline for guided clinical experiences in reading and math. Starting this year the "Diversity in Education" course will be bringing teacher candidates to Hamline to support their learning around Restorative Justice practices. This supports our growth in this areas as well.

We are thrilled to partner with Change Inc. to provide school-based mental health services. Sharice Zaccardi is a licensed therapist and comes to our school two days per week to work with students who may be experiencing challenges due to family changes, the loss of a loved one, or other transitions or life events that can make things difficult.

If you would like more information about starting therapy services for your child please reach out to our School Social Worker, Lynnette Medcalf at Lynnette.medcalf@spps.org or School Counselor, Annette Nelson at Annette.nelson@spps.org.