Welcome Prinicpal Berg!!

Dear Hanawalt Parents, Students, and Staff,

As the summer break has come to an end, the excitement of a new school has begun. It has been a busy summer with various activities and investments being made to continue the lasting tradition of excellence at Hanawalt. A brief recap includes:

• Camp Invention led by Hanawalt staff served nearly 100 elementary students from around the metro


• Steps taken to realize Hanawalt’s ongoing vision of increased technology access including a full-service computer lab (coming during the 2010-2011 school year!


• Additional arrival of various classroom technologies including projectors and document cameras


• Completion of a $25,000 technology grant proposal by PTA representatives


• Beautification committee/community volunteers managed various projects to improve the aesthetic appeal of Hanawalt’s campus


• Ordered, organized and distributed school supplies from Staples by PTA representatives


• Ordered new physical education resources through the PE4Life grant


• Summer tutoring by various staff members


• Addition of a ½ time literacy leader position

Addition of new staff members/programs for the 2010-2011 academic year:

Mr. Burg (Principal)
Mr. Chamberlain (Autism Associate)
Ms. Dean (Special Education)
Mrs. Gaylord-Crispin (Autism)
Mr. Hansen (Band)
Mrs. Johnson (Literacy Leader) NEW Position
Mrs. Kearney (Orchestra/Strings)
Mrs. Morris (Counselor)
Mrs. Roberts (Autism Associate)
Mrs. Sowers-Geisler (Social Worker)


Additional Reminders/Announcements:

• Drop-off/pick-up procedures will continue as established during 2009-2010 school year


• Morning cafeteria supervision will begin on the first day of school. All students will be welcomed into the cafeteria and supervised by staff at 7:50. For the safety of all students, drop-off may not occur before this time unless students are attending Metro Kids before school day care. From 7:50-8:05 students will independently read at a table assigned to his or her grade. This is an effort to capture an additional fifteen minutes of independent reading to support an increase in fluency and comprehension proficiency.


• Students will receive new lunch numbers starting this fall. Look for an envelope at the beginning of the year and please help your student memorize this number as soon as possible.


• DMPS revised an outdated student attendance policy. Information will be on the DMPS website and sent home with your student.


• Riding a bicycle or walking to school is a healthy life choice and can ease traffic congestion before and after school. If you choose this mode of transportation, it is essential for parents/guardians to encourage and practice safe traveling habits with your student. No bicycle age requirement will be established unless warranted in the future.


• A recently passed Edujobs bill by congress has secured funds that enabled Hanawalt to retain full time Art, Music, and Physical Education. This current plan will increase the amount of time students are involved in Fine Arts and Physical Education from 45 to 90 minutes per week for each subject.


• Please consider joining the PTA. Questions regarding the association can be directed to co-presidents Martha Miller-Johnson and Lisa Russell.

It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Hanawalt community. Thank you in advance for your on-going efforts to improve the academic and social experiences of all Hanawalt students. I look forward to meeting each of you and am excited to continue in the work of providing a world-class education for your child.
-Mr. Burg, Principal