ISSUE: 002 / OCTOBER YEAR: 2021
HICKORY BEND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GREETINGS HICKORY BEND COMMUNITY... It’s hard to believe we are already in the month of October! September was spent reconnecting to the school environment and getting to know each other. I’ve come to know our students as the most eager learners, the most kind souls, and the happiest children around. My warmest “Thank You” is extended to our families that have gone above and beyond to ensure their child is not only in attendance, but on-time and focused towards learning. Our Open House, School Tours, and Book Fair were all successful events because you partnered with us to navigate the challenges of covid restrictions. In the end, our students benefit from the continued support.
A major focus area of learning for our K-4 students is that of behavior. Maintaining a physically and emotionally safe learning environment is a priority before we can expect our children to learn academic content. In each area of the school we have developed expectations teaching children how to Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful. This work is through PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports). For the first six (6) weeks of our school year we model and practice what these expectations look like and sound like. When we observe students who struggle with following the expectations, the student is not punished, but has the opportunity to modify his/ her behavior to demonstrate the appropriate behavior. We believe that devoting a significant amount of time working on expectations is beneficial to all of our students. Now that we have practiced these skills to fluency, we will begin documenting “reteaching” opportunities that your child may have had. We use this documentation for informing us of additional supports students may need to assist them with demonstrating expectations. Occasionally students may need even more
assistance and will require an office discipline referral. Our goal is to provide the support students need to significantly decrease the amount of reteaches as well as office discipline referrals. Please take time to review the expectations with your child(ren). We appreciate all the support families have shown in working collaboratively toward student behavioral success. A paper copy of our expectations will be coming home on Friday, October 8th, 2021 in your child’s take-home folder. In these new and changing times, it is very important to keep the lines of communication open. Please reach out to your child’s teacher or me if you need support in accessing the materials for learning or if you need clarification regarding schedules and activities. We want you and your child to feel engaged and supported. We are here to help and do not want you to miss important learning opportunities. Many thanks for your continued support. Sinceely, Principal Dubose rdubose@brookwood167.org