News from the Principal

Our fifth grade students are preparing for the adventures of middle school. Hanawalt students will be going to Merrill in early April and staff from Merrill will also come to Hanawalt to answer more questions.

As many of you have noticed, we have a considerable collection of lost and found items in the front lobby. If your child cannot find boots at home or perhaps a favorite sweatshirt, there is a likely chance they can be found at school. The day after school gets out, we will be sending all of the remaining items to a local charity for refugee children.

Technology and student learning, I believe should be as synonymous as using a pencil and paper. Technology goes beyond computer technology, but that is often a starting point for schools. During A Day In the Arts, students will have the opportunity to experience art and the tools ( technology) that is used to create incredible pieces of art. This month new computer work stations will be installed and the current teacher work stations will become student work stations. In addition, we hope to purchase two document cameras and infocus projectors. This will help us as we work on consuming less paper.

Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers. Whether it is hosting the Tuesday morning chess club, coaching Battle of the Books, helping students improve their reading skills through the Literacy Army, or being a classroom parent, and the lsit goes on and on. We would not be a successful school without you.

A final note on morning drop offs and afternoon pickups: Please, please always put student safety first. Do not double park. Students should NEVER be walking in front of or behind another car out into the street. Be patient as you turn on to Robertson drive. We have pre-school students who are walked into the building, so if a car appears parked in your way, that parent is making sure that his or her child arrives safely. Students should not be crossing through the middle of the staff parking lot. We have had several near accidents. Saving an extra minute or two is not worth the risk of a child being hurt.


Julia E. Burton – Principal - Hanawalt Elementary School - 515-242-8411

5th Grade Night Under the Stars & Campout

5th Grade
Night Under the Stars & Camp Out

Friday, May 15, 2009

Chichaqua Bottoms
Greenbelt 8700 NE 126 Ave.
Maxwell, IA
pccb_info@co.polk.ia.us

Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt stretches for almost ten miles along the Skunk River in Northeast Polk County. The area's natural features include old oxbow river channels and backwaters, marshes, and wetlands. Chichaqua also includes sandy upland hills with reconstructed prairies and native prairie remnants.

5:00 p.m. Set Up Camp

(***camping space is limited to 15 students, pre-registration required)
The group camping facilities are primitive, but a modern shower house is available in the campground.

6:00 p.m. Dinner Over The Campfire (bring your own food for dinner)

8:00 Catch-n-Croakers at Chichaqua Longhouse Learn to identify frogs by sight and sound before sloshing into the wetlands to catch these amazing creatures. Wear boots that can get wet and muddy. Bring your own net and flashlight. All ages welcome. This program is open to the public, but Hanawalt students are welcome to attend when accompanied by an adult.

8:30-10:30 Hanawalt Astronomy Program
Doug Rudd of the Des Moines Astronomical Society will provide information about our night sky. Telescopes will be available, but bring binoculars if you have them.

Other activities to explore on your own include canoeing, hiking, bird watching, searching for endangered ornate box turtles at Sand Hill prairie, exploring the oxbows, woodlands and prairies. If you choose to canoe some of the 3 miles of old Skunk River channels, it is best to reserve a canoe prior to your visit. Cost is $6 per hour and paddles and life jackets are provided. Reservations can be made in advance at www.mycountyparks.com. Wildlife species such as river otters, great blue herons, beavers, wood ducks, and painted turtles are just a few of the animals that can be seen while canoeing the backwaters. Water depths are normally one to three feet.

Enjoy!

Students must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Printable Brochure and Sign-up Sheet here.

Yearbooks...

Yearbook envelopes are coming home April 1st with your child. You can place your $11 check in and return to the PTA mailbox. The yearbooks are 32 FULL PAGES OF COLOR! Gigantic thanks to designer and photographer

Jennifer McKibben for her endless work on this project! Questions, contact Beth Steffensen at BethSteffensen@dwx.com.

Save the Date

April 3: Day in the Arts - Hanawalt’s annual arts extravaganza, which is so much more than just a day!

May 1: Fun Night - Hanawalt Carnival!

May 8: Muffins with Mom - Join us first thing Friday morning in Weitz Commons for Muffins, coffee, and juice with your mom or special guest. 7:30 a.m.

May 16: Hanawalt Car Wash sponsored by the 5th grade class! Advance Auto Parts parking lot at 63rd & Grand, 9 a.m. – Noon Sat.

May 21 & 22: Fun Days & Relays/Book Fair

May 22: Doughnuts with Dad - Invite your dad or special guest for doughnuts, juice, and coffee in Weitz Commons. 7:30 a.m.

First Grade News

The First Grade classes have been reading about the Adventures of Flat Stanley. Before Spring Break, each student made a Flat Stanley to either take along on Spring Break travels or mail to someone. We are anxious to see where all of our Flat Stanleys have been. On Thursday, March 26, 2009, the First Grade classes were able to attend The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley at the Civic Center. The students really enjoyed watching and listening to the performance.

In Science, all the first grade students are learning about seeds. We will be planting many kinds of seeds and bulbs. On April 15th, Polk County Conservation will be coming to visit our classrooms to tell us more about seeds and how things grow.

Second Grade News

Second graders have begun measurement in math. We will be finding the linear and liquid measurements of school and household items.

During springtime, science becomes very exciting in second grade. Our Painted Lady Caterpillars will arrive soon. We will discuss and observe the lifecycle of a butterfly (and other insects) in class. Late in April, after our butterflies have become adults, we will set them free on the Hanawalt playground.

Music News

Spring has sprung in the music room. We are singing, moving and playing instruments to the sounds of spring. Rain songs, rabbit stories and kite flying poems.

The 3rd, 4th & 5th graders are focusing on music symbols. They are each making a Symbol Book to review and learn many music symbols. We will be playing symbol games and finding them in the songs.

In preparation for the visit of Opera Iowa, on The Day In The Arts (April 3rd), all classes have been studying about George Washington Carver.

Band Note – the spring concert date has been changed to May 19th at 6:00 P.M. in Weitz Commons.

Landscape Cleanup Assistance Needed

Spring is in full bloom and it's time again for the Annual Spring Landscape Cleanup! The group work will occur Saturday, April 11th from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. (or however long you can stay). We need volunteers to assist in cutting back the tall grasses throughout the property and raking the cuttings to spots where they can easily be picked up by DMPS maintenance personnel. Clippers, weed whackers and rakes are the primary tools to bring.

If you are unable to help on the 11th, feel free to come by any day when you can and clip down any grasses as close to the ground as reasonably possible. We'll clean up all the clippings on the 11th.

Questions? Call or email Sue Boesen Copple at 277-8474 or boesencopple@yahoo.com.

5th Grade Baby/Toddler photos needed by April 17th

A popular graduation ritual consists of displaying both current and baby/toddler photos of the graduating fifth graders. Current photos will be taken in mid-April by volunteers during the school day. However, fifth grade parents need to submit ONE baby or toddler photo to be used for the display.

Photos are needed by Friday, April 17th. An actual photo may be submitted by placing it in an envelope marked "5th grade photos." Place the photo in the PTA mailbox or have the student give it to their 5th grade teacher. All photos MUST be clearly marked with the name of the student on the back, and all photos will be returned.

If you have a digital baby/toddler photo, email it to boesencopple@yahoo.com by April 17th.

If you have any questions, please call or email Sue Boesen Copple at 277-8474 or at the email above.

Spelling Challenge Update

A big thank you to Hanawalt families for making the Spelling Challenge a S-U-C-C-E-S-S!
The current amount raised from the Spelling Challenge is $7505.20!!!!

Take Your Mind Out for a Jog

Hello Hanawalt Parents - Bring your friends and join us for a fun night of creative thinking on Tuesday, April 14th! Local creative guru Abe Goldstein will present his popular workshop, “Take Your Mind Out for a Jog.” Many of us jog and exercise to keep our bodies in top shape, but how many of us have developed a program of mental fitness?

Abe has been bringing his unique brand of creative training to companies, organizations, and associations throughout the Midwest. We are excited to have him join us for our last evening PTA meeting of the school year. In addition to creative workshops, and his full-time advertising career, Abe is well-known as the leader of the Java Jews, Iowa’s only klezmer band. He is also an avid promoter of jazz throughout the community. Abe’s blend of entertainment and education is sure to kick your creative thinking into high gear! We hope you will join us for this special evening, hosted by your PTA.

Date: Tuesday, April 14th - 6:30 p.m.
Weitz Commons
Refreshments will be served.

Questions? Contact PTA President, Kay Smith, 279-4745 / keyfentonsmith@msn.com

Welcome to the Electronic Newsletter

In an effort to reduce our over-all paper consumption, copying costs and to sneak up on the 21st Century, we are taking the Hanawalt Newsletter online.

Teachers will have a few paper copies in their rooms, available upon request. Additionally a PDF version of the newsletter will be posted on this site each month that you can print off at home. And of course a copy will be on the bulletin board between the front doors.

Each article will be published as post on this blog for easy reference and archive purposes.

We will be back-posting the newsletter articles from Jan - Feb in the next couple of days, so don't let the posting date throw you off.

On the side bar of the blog you will find a link to the online calendar listing upcoming PTA, School and other events of interest.

An email will be sent each time we publish a new monthly newsletter, but not for general updates to the site so check back often.

We welcome your comments and feedback as we endeavor to improve our communication with the Hanawalt Community. Feedback to hanawaltpta@gmail.com. Comments can be left here on the blog.

March - Science Fair

Hanawalt Elementary held its first Science Fair on Thursday evening, February 12th. Individuals and teams of students in fourth and fifth grades entered their projects into Scientific Method and Scientific Topic divisions based on their grade levels. 

Judges who are currently Researchers with Pioneer-HiBred were Raymond Layton, Ph.D. (Virginia Tech, Aquatic Entomology), Laura Abad, Ph.D. (University of Minnesota, Plant Pathology), and Marc Harper, Ph.D. (Kansas State University, Insect Physiologist). John Custis (Machine Design Engineer), a Hanawalt parent, was also a member of the judging panel.

 

Fun Pictures from the Science Fair.. click on the player to transfer to the Web Album

Results are as follows:

4th Grade
Scientific Method Division

Place	Name(s)	Project Name
1st	MacKenzie Bolen	Yeast
2nd	Jack Romp & Ella Walters	Chemical Reaction
3rd	Jacob Thompson	Juicy Fruit
Honorable Mention	Anne Beeman & Miranda Gruber	Density
Honorable Mention	Tom & Sam Nordmeyer	Bouncing Balls
Honorable Mention	Will Myer	Cat Smell

4th Grade
Scientific Topic Division

Place	Name(s)	Project Name
1st	Jack Heston & Tate MacKrell	Wind Turbine
2nd	Ethan Shafer & Brock Sims	Radiation
3rd	Eli Sammon	Mentos & Pop
Honorable Mention	Kailey Heggen	Solar System
Honorable Mention	Arthur Finney	Bubbles

5th Grade
Scientific Method Division

Place	Name(s)	Project Name
1st	Erik Collet	Flood/Drought Seed Germination
2nd	Will Hedderich	Mold
3rd	Emma Hopkins	Cryogenic roses

5th Grade
Scientific Topic Division

Place	Name(s)	Project Name
1st	Benny Nielsen	Batteries
2nd	Jane Ramsey & Megan Becker	Solar Energy
3rd	Ned Turner	Heart

Hanawalt YearBooks

HANAWALT YEARBOOKS will be $11. Watch for a yearbook envelope to come home with your child in April for easy ordering!

March - First and Fifth Graders Get Together

We're always better together! The fifth and first graders in Mrs. Hesse's and Mrs. Nordmeyer's rooms have been working together to learn about different forms of poetry. First, the children spent time learning about each other using a Venn Diagram. They listed ways they were alike and different. Then they read the book You Read to Me, I'll Read to You by Mary Ann Hoberman. This form of poetry uses dialog. The students wrote poems using the information in their Venn diagrams. These poems are on display in the main hallway. Check them out while you are at Hanawalt for conferences!

March - Third Grade News

The 3rd grade students are working on their non-fiction writing. Each student has chosen a topic, read and collected notes and are learning how to take those notes and turn them into paragraphs and sections for their non-fiction book. We are also looking at all of the text features that are included in a non-fiction book and will incorporate many of those into our own writing as well!


We have all returned from Japan. Students had the opportunity to enjoy the tastes of Japan by making rice balls. Some wrapped seaweed around theirs, some rolled the rice balls in fish flakes, while others stuffed them with meat or pickled radishes. They were yummy! Students also played a traditional Japanese game and did some writing in Japanese as well! Thank you to the Yamamoto family for your help with these activities! We will soon be off to Australia and can’t wait to learn about the communities there and what life is like!




The ITBS tests will start March 31st. We will start helping your child prepare for these tests by explaining what they are and how to take them. We emphasize to the children that it is not something to stress about. We’ll do lots of practicing so that the students feel comfortable with this style of testing. More information will be sent home closer to the testing date.

March - Kindergarten News

We studied about keeping our teeth healthy and safe by eating apples with our biters and our chewers. That was lots of fun since most of us have biters (front teeth) that are missing. Next all three classes will be hosting Teddy Bear day on Wednesday March 11th. We will have fun reading to our bears and graphing our bears. Maybe we will even write a story about them. Lots of great bear books both fiction and non-fiction will be read that day also.

Spelling Challenge is a S-U-C-C-E-S-S

Hanawalt has had a successful spelling challenge! 5,898 words were spelled correctly and $7063.20 has been collected so far! The students had a lot of fun with pajama day, spirit day and a visit from Principal Penguin!!! Congratulations students for achieving over 5,000 words spelled correctly!

Principal Penguin visits Hanawalt

March - The Art of Grant Wood - Inspiring our Hanawalt Artists

Each grade has been taking a closer look at the art of Grant Wood, including American Gothic. What fun we have had discovering Grant Wood’s clever use of pattern repeating shapes and lines, including some that are very well hidden. Using magnifying glasses we actually saw Grant Wood’s fingerprint in the paint! It seems that the more we study and analyze this work of art, the more we see.


Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Artists are learning about background, middle-ground, and foreground, as they begin to create depth in their drawings and paintings. Each student created their own scene building with shapes they know, adding crayon lines, and then watercolor paint. The completed works of are delightful, and we hope you have an opportunity to see them in the arts hallway.


Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Artists are learning about parodies and creating their own parody based on American Gothic. Each artist is challenged to think in clever and creative ways as they change some existing elements, make some similar to the original, and keep some the same. Our sketches become contour drawings with marking pen then colored pencil is added.


I hope you are able to stop by the Art Center to see American Gothic and the other Regionalism works of art. The exhibit is not one to miss. There is no admission cost. And…don’t forget to look for the fingerprint along the right side of the farmer’s nose!

March - Hanawalt's Day in the Arts - Friday April 3rd

We hope you can join us Friday, April 3rd. If you cannot spend the entire day, stop by for part of the day. This is a wonderful opportunity to volunteer and we could use your help! If you are available to assist a guest artist please contact one of our co-chairs this week:


Kay Creger kay.creger@wellsfargo.com 556-2448
Alissa McKinney alissamckinney@msn.com 710-7794


Thanks to our PTA, we have many guest artists offering a variety of creative experiences for our students, staff and parent community! Workshop sessions will be throughout the morning, from 8:30 until 11:30, with an afternoon 1:45 all-school performance by Opera Iowa. Please stop by and enjoy the day, thinking, imagining and creating!


Sincerely,
Julia Burton, Principal
Sally Ann McKenzie, Art Educator
Carol Looney, Music Education

March - Music Notes

Congratulations to all the Band, String, and Piano students who participated in the Festivals. Your commitment to practicing and to excellence is to be commended. Well done! Thanks to the families for their support on this musical adventure.


Spring programs are happening on Thursday evenings in Weitz Commons. (aka - the cafeteria)

• Kindergarten – 6:00 March 5th
• 2nd Grade – 6:45 March 5th

There are plenty of seats with a great view of the stage, for our concerts. The first program will be done by 6:30. Families and students attending the 6:45 programs should plan on arriving after the other program is done. This will allow time for the parking lot to empty out a bit.


Our next big event is The Day in The Arts on Friday, April 3rd. Happy Spring!

March - Save the Date - May 1st

May 1 will be Hanawalt's annual Fun Night and this year we're mixing it up a bit. Games will be held in the classrooms & ran by the classrooms. We're bringing back the "Silent Auction" & everyone’s favorite....... The Cakewalk! Hot dogs, cotton candy, snow cones, & prizes.


More details to come but mark it on your calendar now so we can see you there!


If you'd like to help with Fun Night or have any ideas, please contact Jennifer Hall at maileesmom@mchsi.com

March - Change for Hanawalt Reaches $1,000

All of those pennies, quarters, and dollars have really added up--to $1,045 to be exact!


Thank you to everyone who has contributed--especially our super-star kindergarten and third graders who are the Change for Hanawalt leaders. Stay tuned as we make plans to "Change Hanawalt" for the better in our classroom technology initiative. With your help we can make it happen!


Linda Beeman

Change for Hanawalt Chair

March - Hello Hanawalt Families

Welcome to PTA NEWS ONLINE: Hanawalt’s first electronic newsletter. Thank you to Julie Brandt, editor, and Cheryl & Travis Thompson for getting the monthly newsletter into cyberspace. The online newsletter and blog can be found at hanawaltpta.blogspot.com. Questions or comments can be posted online or sent to hanawaltpta@gmail.com


From science discoveries, to a penguin that magically appeared from the South Pole, we have had an eventful past few weeks! Congratulations to our students for spelling 5,898 words correctly in this year’s Spelling Challenge, and thank you to everyone who generously pledged your favorite spellers. Hanawalt’s young scientists and volunteer judges were also busy launching a successful science fair. Great things are happening at Hanawalt, and we appreciate your efforts that make them possible. As any fifth-grader will tell you, Wii have lots of cool stuff planned for spring—from RIF WEEK, beginning March 2nd, to FUN NIGHT on May 1st. Enjoy spring break, and get ready for lots of learning and lots of fun in the months ahead!


Kay Smith
PTA President
kayfentonsmith@msn.com
515-279-4745

Please join us:
PTA Board Meeting: Monday, March 9th: 8:15 AM in Weitz Commons.
PTA General Meeting Tuesday, April 14th: 6:30 PM in Weitz Commons (or Library).
PTA Board Meeting Thursday, April 2nd at 8:15 AM in Weitz Commons.

March - News from the Principal

We are looking forward to parent teacher conferences this month! We are all very proud of the progress your children have made in school this year. If you do not have a conference scheduled yet, please contact your child’s teacher.


Kindergarten registration at Hanawalt is Thursday, March 12 from 1-7pm. Parents will need to bring in a copy of the child’s birth certificate and evidence of immunization. If you have any questions about the enrollment process, please call Principal Burton at school, 242-8411.


Registration for all other grades will take place in May for current students. Families new to the neighborhood will be able to register July 28 and July 30th. We are really going to try and complete the currently enrolled student registrations in May, so that we have a more accurate picture regarding students who are on the open enrollment waiting list.


While the arctic weather might seem to be behind us, please be sure to check the forecast each morning. We have students who are forgetting coats and gloves at home. Recess can be uncomfortable.


If your child is missing some attire, check out the lost and found during conferences. We have an assortment of backpacks, boots, gloves, sweatshirts, and hats.

Feburary - News from the Art Studio

We have been playing in the mud!
All Hanawalt artists have been working with mud (clay) in the art Studio. Each grade builds on previously learned techniques as they create their own sculptures.
And, did I mention how much fun it is?


Kindergarten Artists roll the clay into a ball and create a pinch pot by pushing down in the middle and pinching around the edges. A variety of tools are used to make impressions in the clay pot.


First Grade Artists roll out their clay into slabs. Symmetrical shapes are cut out of the slabs and impressions added to the surface. These works of art will become hanging pieces.


Second and Third Grade Artists review how to create a pinch pot and slab and learn how to make a coil. They learn about a pinch and pull technique to add extensions to their sculpture. Each artist uses the techniques to create their own sculptures.


Fourth Grade Artists learn how to slip and score to add extensions to their sculptures. Using this technique and what they have already learned, students are given the opportunity to design and create their own individual works.


Fifth Grade Artists form a pinch pot and slab, and attach a coil to create a whistle. Each artist can complete their whistle in a variety of ways, adding detail through carving, glazing, or adding additional pieces of clay to recreate the shape of the whistle.


Ceramics has its own unique language and the students learn new vocabulary:
wedge, coil, slab, kiln, fire, greenware, bisque, glaze, slip, score, impression, pinch

Thank you for saving and sending your recyclables to the art studio!

The children absolutely love working with recyclable materials, and it is so good for their imagination. They are always excited to see what is in the ‘blue bins’ we have in the art studio!
We are also in need of Gerber plastic baby food containers. They are rectangular in shape and have a snap on lid. If you have a little one at home and use this brand of food, please consider sending the empty containers to us.

Feburary - Day in the Arts

Hanawalt’s Day in the Arts is Friday April 3rd. Workshop sessions will be throughout the morning beginning at 8:30. Each student will have the opportunity to work with three guest artists. We are pleased to have Opera Iowa share the story of George Washington Carver with the entire school in the afternoon.


Artist workshops are filling up however we have a few primary grades in need of guest artists. If you would like to volunteer as a guest artist or would like to assist an artist, please let us know. The Day in the Arts is a great way to volunteer without making a yearlong commitment. If your schedule allows and you are interested, please contact any of the following people:


Alissa McKinney, parent co-chair alissamckinney@msn.com
Kay Creger, parent co-chair kay.creger@wellsfargo.com
Carol Looney, Music Teacher carolyn.looney@dmps.k12.ia.us
Sally McKenzie, Art Educator sally.mckenzie@dmps.k12.ia.us

Feburary - Music Notes

February is a busy month for music students.


The Piano Festival is on Saturday, February 14th. Location and times will be coming home soon.


The Band and String students also get in the act with the Solo and Ensemble Festival. Hanawalt students will share their solos on Saturday, February 28th at Callanon Middle School. When rooms and times have been determined, Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Looney will pass the information along to the students.


February is also the beginning of the grade level concerts.


4th and 5th graders will share their Informances on Thursday, February 19th.


The 4th graders perform at 6:00 p.m. and the 5th graders at 6:45 p.m. in Weitz Commons (the cafeteria).


February 26th is the night for 1st and 3rd graders. 1st graders at 6:00 p.m. and 3rd graders at 6:45 p.m. in Weitz Commons.

Hola! Spanish Classes Resume Feburary 23

Like last semester we will offer a 10-week session. The cost for the semester is $35 per student. You may choose from the following class times:

• Monday mornings at 7:30 AM: Beginning Spanish OR Continuing Spanish
• Monday afternoons at 3:15 PM: Beginning Spanish
• Tuesday afternoons at 3:15 PM: Beginning Spanish
• Wednesday mornings at 7:30 AM: Beginning Spanish

If you are interested in continuing, or enrolling for the first time please e-mail Kay Smith with the following information:

• Student’s Name
• Homeroom teacher
• Choice of class time and level
• Previous Spanish teacher’s name, if you are a returning student

Parents will be asked to monitor their student’s Spanish class once during the semester. Spanish forms will be sent home to those who are interested, and classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

February - Sally Foster Update

The total profit from the Sally Foster fund raiser is now $4841.44!!

Feburary - Movie Night Success

About 200 parents and kids enjoyed our first-ever Hanawalt Movie Night!


As an added bonus, we brought in $260 of popcorn and water sales during "Kung fu Panda." A huge thanks to Cheryl and Travis Thompson for getting the movie up and going and for helping with our popcorn booth. The movie looked terrific right there on the Commons stage. We had a lot of positive feedback from parents who appreciated a fun family outing on a cold winter's night.


Many kids and adults requested another movie event in the future. Thank you again to everyone for supporting this event!

Feburary - Spelling Challenge Ahead

On February 4th, students will bring home the Spelling Challenge Fundraiser packet. The Spelling Challenge is an annual fundraiser at Hanawalt Elementary. Every class gets special ‘Spelling Challenge’ word lists to study, students collect pledges for spelling the words correctly, and we celebrate with many fun and exciting activities before and after the Challenge.


Please remember to study the words at home, as these are the spelling words for the week. 100% of the money raised stays at Hanawalt! Look at the packet sent home to note all the important dates for this fundraiser. We are looking forward to a great Event!!

Feburary - PTA Meetings

Please join us for our February PTA meetings. All are welcome!

PTA Board Meeting: Friday, Feb. 6th at 8:15 AM in Weitz Commons: We will be joined by Student Council members.

PTA General Meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 10th at 6:30 PM in Weitz Commons:
Dr. Alex Hanna, principal at Merrill Middle School, will speak about Merrill’s International Baccalaureate Program.

Februrary - Third Grade

The third graders took off for Japan last week with their passports in hand. The in-flight video gave them a glimpse as to what life in Japan is like. We will continue our journey through Japan learning about the economy, culture, and history. Our trip will end with a special day to celebrate our studies of Japan by tasting some traditional Japanese food and playing some traditional games. We’ve focused on communities in Social Studies, and it fun to learn about different communities around the world! Tune in again to see where we’ll be traveling next!

February - Second Grade

Second grade will be painting the snow this week. The Hanawalt playground will turn into a rainbow of colors!


A writing activity will follow where we use our writing skills and our wonderful imaginations.

Feburary - First Grade News

The first-grade students are beginning a science unit titled, “Pebbles, Sand, and Silt”. Rocks are one topic which seems to fascinate all children. Perhaps it’s because we all begin so close to the ground and it’s what we first notice as we learn to move about! The main objectives of this unit include observing, describing, and sorting earth materials, exploring places earth materials are found and understanding ways that earth materials are used. The students will be doing many experiments with rocks while learning new vocabulary. Also, they will compare and mix different soils. So, as you begin to think about warm weather and your garden, you might ask a first-grader to help you mix the soil!

February - Principal News

February is Black History Month. We will be learning about important people and events throughout the month. Guest speakers will bring African American history alive to our students.


Kindergarten registration will take place on March 12 between 1 and 7 pm. It is extremely important that we have accurate enrollment information. If you are an open enrolled family with children already attending Hanawalt, please make sure that you complete the open enrollment paperwork and submit it to the Department of Student and Family Services as soon as possible.


For Kindergarten registration, please bring a copy of your child’s birth certificate and immunization records. Other health forms will be distributed on March 12th.


Hanawalt is a wonderful educational setting and we hope that you will talk to your neighbors and let them know about the registration date. We take pride in our academic accomplishments, our commitment to physical health, our deep passion for the arts, our diversity, and our belief that every child has the right to learn and grow in a safe environment. We welcome new families and extend a welcome to the siblings of students already here!


Registration for all other students will take place in May.


Local astronomer, Doug Rudd, spoke to the 4th grade classes about our solar system. Students thoroughly enjoyed being able to ask questions about deep space, black holes, and nebulae. Thank you to the PTA for sponsoring this presentation by the Des Moines Astronomical Society.


Hanawalt will be hosting its first science fair on February 12th for 4th and 5th grade students. Laura Higgins has organized the project; arranged for judges; developed a partnership with Pioneer; and has been essential to the launch of this event!


February 3 marked the 100th day of school. Special counting activities took place in the lower primary units.

January - Zion Goes to Washington

As millions of people around the world watch the presidential inauguration on January 20th, Zion Freeman will be there in person! Zion, who is a first-grader in Mrs. Nordmeyer’s class, will march with the Isiserettes in the Inauguration Day Parade. The Isiserettes Drum and Drill Corp have performed for twenty-nine years at sporting, music, and other events across Iowa and the nation. This is their biggest event ever! Zion is excited for the trip to Washington, D.C. where he and his parents will also attend the swearing in ceremony of our 44th United States President, Barack Obama. Zion is one of two percussionists who play the cymbals for the drum corp. He is the fourth generation from his family to perform with the group, which was founded by his great-grandmother. The Isiserettes are slated as the eleventh group in the first part of the parade. We will be watching for Zion and the Isiserettes, and we can’t wait to hear about his amazing experience!

In the meantime, we invite Hanawalt students to drop a note to Zion in Mrs. Nordmeyer’s room to congratulate and wish him good luck. If you would like to learn more about the Isiserettes’ historic journey and see the invitation they received from the Inauguration Committee, please visit: www.isiserettes.com. The group is also accepting donations to pay for their trip.

CONGRATULATIONS, ZION, FROM ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS AT HANAWALT!

January - P.E. News

Hanawalt students participate in Jump For Heart Event:

Students in grades second through fifth took part in our annual JRFH event. For the past twenty years the Hanawalt neighborhood has contributed generously to this community service project. This year students and families raised a total of three thousand two hundred sixty five dollars and forty one cents for the American Heart Association. This event always comes at the end of our jump rope unit where all students can apply single rope skills, partner skills, and long rope skills in a fun format helping them understand the importance behind their own heart health. Top fund raisers who will qualify to have their names drawn to hopefully win a trip to Orlando Florida are Isabel Buchanan, Assyeyah Terry, Bennet Holmes, Ella Walters, Emma Walters, McKenna Horstmann, and Opal Rustad. Congratulations to all who participated and sponsored jumpers.


Elks Lodge National Free Throw Contest:

Students in grades three through five took part in shooting free throws to determine who would represent Hanawalt at the next level on competition to be held at Indian Hills Middle School.This hoop shoot will have representatives from 40 schools competing against each other in age categories held Saturday January 10th at 8:00 a.m. Students advancing from Hanawalt in the 8-9 year old division are Grace Steffensen and Alex Sutton. In the 10-11 year old division we have Mailee Hall and David Wheeler. Congratulations to all participants and good luck to our students moving forward to the next level of competition.

January - Music Notes

Welcome to 2009 in the music room.

We usually have some snow and cold weather during January, so we are singing songs about this great time of year. We are also singing songs in other languages, from other countries, and about different cultures. All classes are also working on a unit about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his special place in our own history.

We are also beginning to plan for the Spring Music Informances (programs).
Each class Informance will last about 20-30 minutes with a short break in-between to allow us time to change audiences and concert presenters. The concerts will be held in our own Weitz Commons. The students will enjoy being up on stage and you will enjoy being in our home school setting. So, save these dates on your family calendar.

Spring Music dates

• February 14th Piano Festival
• February 19th 4th Grade Informance 6:00
• February 19th 5th Grade Informance 6:45
• February 28th Band & String Solo Festival
• February 26th 1st Grade Informance 6:00
• February 26th 3rd Grade Informance 6:45
• March 5th Kindergarten Informance 6:00
• March 5th 2nd Grade Informance 6:45
• April 3rd A Day in the Arts
• May 5th Band Concert 6:00
• TBA – May 27th Wed. Band Concert – 2:00 (for the school)

Parents of 4th Grade music students


4th grade students will be learning to play the recorder in music class this year. Each student will have a class room recorder to use during this unit. Their recorder is identified with their full name. Your child will be the only one using his/her recorder. The classroom recorders will stay here at school. There is no cost to your student.

If your student would like to play at home, a recorder may be purchased from a local music store. They range in price from $4.00 to $10.00. It is NOT required to have a recorder at home.

Learning outcomes for introducing the soprano recorder include:
• Life long enjoyment
• Learn staff notation
• Aids in ear training
• Enhances musical instrumentation

The students will be sharing several songs that they have learned to play on the recorder, during their Spring Concert.

January - Kindergarten Buddies

Mrs. Revell’s kindergarten students meet once a week with Mrs. Olivetta’s second grade students. The buddies collaborate on reading and writing projects. This month the second grade students shared facts about penguins with their kindergarten buddies. The kindergarten students wrote one fact about a penguin in the tummy of a penguin they made with their second grade buddies.

January - Sally Foster

The Sally Foster fundraiser raised $4070.44 for Hanawalt School. We have not been paid for the online orders, as a check was to be sent over break and I have not received it yet. I think the Hanawalt community would appreciate a blurb about how we did on the fundraiser.

Any questions, just call me at 277-7607. It could be a blurb in a box.

Molly Sullivan

January - News from First Grade

First graders will soon be publishing another genre of writing! The students will expand their writing skills as they write nonfiction. The children will be learning the format of nonfiction writing by reading books on many topics. They will learn to take notes, add captions to pictures, and include a table of contents. This is often the most popular style of writing as children are able to explore their own interests. So, if you are looking for a new book about tigers, Minnesota, or George Washington, you might want to check out the first grade writing. The books will be hot off the presses soon at a library near you!

January News from the Principal

We have had an exciting return to school after winter break! The kindergarten classes have gone to the Playhouse to see ''The Mitten'' which is based on a book by Jan Brett. Furry and feathered friends visited kindergarten through second grade classes from the Blank Park Zoo. Many forth and fifth grade students are preparing projects for our first Science Fair in February.


Third grade students have just completed their family history projects. Students interviewed family members and created family trees.


Our new forth-fifth grade combined class started on January 5th. This will alleviate some of the enrollment pressure in the upper grades. This class is being taught by Victoria Genzen

We would like to welcome new students, Maggie Thompson, Tyanna Madison, and Noah Colbert. We are glad to have you here.


Thank you, patents, guardians, and really, all drivers! The bus pick up and drop off on 56th St seems to have made a difference in allowing for children to be picked up and dropped off in front of the school in a much more orderly fashion.Please make sure your children exit and enter cars on the curbside closest to the school. We do not want students going into the street to get into cars!


If your child seems to be missing boots, hats, mittens, gloves, tennis shoes, or perhaps a lunch box, please visit the lost and found near the font office.


We all certainly hope to able to go outside for recess. Unfortunately, sometimes the weather does not cooperate. It has to be a minimum of 15 degress. If the playground is a sheet of ice, that also precludes our ability to play safely outdoors. If your child needs cold weather outer wear, please contact our school nurse, Sandy Willet We have received gently worn and some new coats, gloves, and hats so that every child can enjoy playing outside.


Julia E. Burton - Principal
Hanawalt Elementary School
515.242-8411