The Principal's Corner:
The testing season has arrived for our kids this year
A time where acronyms and data points fill up the space between our ears
The tests, they say, are great resources for school and teachers to use
And that they can predict the future for children using formulas and cues
So as I lie here about to sleep cosy in my bed
I try to think of where I learned all the things inside my head
I know I learned alot from my father the man I respect the most
Who taught me to stand up for others and to never ever boast
I know I learned from my soccer boss his name was Mike Scobie
That I should always push myself so I can be the best that I can be
I also learned from my cousin Chris to laugh with all my heart
And from cousin Maria, that caring for people would soon set me apart.
Mr. Ragland taught me how to overcome my fear of thinking that I wasn’t smart
He was there to dry a tear when I thought I failed before I would start
I learned that a person is a person no matter shape or size
Thank goodness Dr. Seuss was there to open up my eyes
And for my college entrance essay that I was nervous to even write
I wrote about a Lego Robotics Challenge and wrote it in just one night
On the pitch, the grass, the field I learned some lessons well
That being a good teammate was more important than an W or L
One lesson that I remember best was when I got a 3 out of 10
I learned that day my mother's love would never break or bend
I learned there and then how to pick someone up when they are feeling down
And how to turn their day around to make a smile from a frown
Somehow I grew up with all that knowledge but I learned even more as I grew
I learned how to love and care for kids with each student that came on through
I learned from Noah and from Brooke that being a teacher was more than just a job
Because when you watch your students succeed your heart begins to throb
I learned from Cameron, that just like me, there are kids who need the nudge
And from Kevin that grades in school, are not the final judge
I learned from Cheryl, and from John, and Meredith to boot
That having teammates who care for you is the strongest rooted root
But where was that assessment, that test I had to take
That would measure all the things I learned there must be some mistake
Because when I sit and look at the bubbles before my eyes
It only asks a narrow view not what makes me specialized
Where are the questions, the performance tasks, the button or the space
That asks me to input all my knowledge I learned during my life's race
In high school during my senior year, I had a 3.2 GPA
But that was where I was at not where I was going to stay
And in college I gave a speech on graduation day
Talking to all the students about our journey along the way
I told them not to listen to predictions based on tests
Because in the real world failure happens by the best
The truest skill is how you respond when life doesn’t go your way
You fall back to all the lessons that you picked up each and every day
So as our students take these tests the snapshots of their year
I hope they know the real lesson is how much they’ve grown between their ears
I hope they know that intelligence is not just measured only on some scale
It’s in every decision that you make as you journey on life's trail
And I hope they know, with all my heart, one last thing that's true
A standardized test will never describe, everything that makes you, you.
Summer Reading
This summer Hutchings students will be caught around town enjoying some good books! We will be calling families a few days before to announce four pop up reading dates in surprise locations. When you come to read, students will be given a new book of their choosing. Thank you very much and happy reading!
Classroom Enviroment Forms
The Howell elementary schools have adopted a process that allows parents to provide the school with information about their child that will assist in the placement of the child through the use of aPlacement Consideration Form (PCF). The form asks that you describe the educational setting, (academics, behavioral and physical), that you would like to have for your child without naming a particular teacher. We do not accept specific teacher requests. It is important to be as detailed as possible stating the type of classroom environment that would benefit your child. The form will be available in the school office beginning on Monday, April 16th, 2018, and will be accepted through Friday, April 27th, 2018. Remember that your child’s current teacher knows the learning style that best suits your child.
MacGregor's Message:
2018 State of the District
On Tuesday, April 24 at 6 p.m. Superintendent MacGregor will present the 2018 State of the District Address. This year the event will be held in the Three Fires Elementary media center. During the event, Mr. MacGregor will share updates on enrollment, the budget, current initiatives, and future plans. Three Fires Elementary is located at 4125 Crooked Lake Road.
Pinwheels for Prevention
Once again, every public school in Livingston County will be participating in LACASA’s Child Abuse Prevention Council’s annual Pinwheels for Prevention campaign. When you visit our school, you may notice a garden of bright blue and silver pinwheels. Prevent Child Abuse America uses the pinwheel as the national symbol for child abuse prevention.
The Livingston County Departments of Public Health, Human Services and Community Mental Health, the Howell Carnegie Library, McDonald’s restaurants, Biggby Coffee and various schools and municipalities have joined in hosting gardens to remind community members of the role we all play in keeping kids safe. This year, there will be a total of 60 pinwheel gardens on display across the county in April.
Last Day of School Moved to June 14
As Superintendent MacGregor shared in a previous edition of MacGregor’s Message, due to the extreme winter we had, the district has exceeded its allowed inclement weather days. As such, there is a need to make up one school day. To make-up this day, the district has added an additional day to the school year. The last day of school will now be Thursday, June 14.
Testing Season is Here!
State testing for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students is upon us and, naturally, we may notice some changes in their moods and behaviors. The familiar schedule they are used to will be adjusted, they are receiving formal instructions with lots of directives, and there is a natural nervousness that all people feel before an examination.
Test anxiety, or performance anxiety, occurs when we anticipate something stressful. It can affect the body (headache, increased heartbeat, butterflies in the tummy) and the mind (lack of focus, increased irritability, feelings of helplessness).
Whatever it is for your child, here are some tips and strategies for helping your child manage the feelings that may accompany testing season!
Maintain a positive attitude. Remind your child that his/her self worth is not hinging on this test. This test is just one small part of their total school experience.
Practice relaxation techniques. Practice taking deep breaths and consciously relaxing your muscles, one at a time. Identify one or two simple stretches that calm their body and mind.
Stay healthy. As always, get plenty of rest (9-11 hours is recommended for school-aged children), eat the rainbow (healthy, colorful foods), and encourage at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day (if your child or children don't have a full 60-minute activity break each day, try to provide at least two 30-minute periods or four 15-minute periods in which they can engage in vigorous activities appropriate to their age, gender, and stage of physical and emotional development).
Eat breakfast. Studies show that kids who eat breakfast have an easier time focusing and performing in school. There are plenty of traditional options, like whole-grain cereal with milk or a yogurt and granola parfait. You can also challenge your child to create some fun breakfast options (like a “banana bun”: banana, peanut butter, granola, and raisins in a whole-grain bun).
For more insight or support, or to create a more personalized plan, please reach out!
Jennifer Starkey
School Counselor