Hanawalt Staff Wish List

This year the PTA is not coordinating a classroom gift. Please never feel obligated to get your child’s teacher a gift, but if you want to buy one, here is a list of items the teacher needs.

Kindergarten
Mrs. Genzen, Ms. Heemstra and Mrs. Revell

• Colorful dry erase markers


• Brightly colored card stock


• Gift certificate to Office Max, Office Depot, Target, Learning Post and bookstores


• Indoor games

1st Grade
Mrs. Wade

• Gift certificate to Target, WalMart and Learning Post


• Stickers


• Dry erase markers in neat colors

Mrs. Nordmeyer

• Gift certificate to bookstores & Learning Post

2nd Grade
Mrs. Von Arb

• Indoor recess games


• Gift certificate to the Learning Post, WalMart, Target or Scholastic


• Expo dry erase markers

Mrs. Olivetta

• Pencils


• Glue sticks


• Gift certificate to bookstores and Learning Post


• White copy paper

3rd grade
Mr. Tutt

• Retail gift certificate where books and supplies are sold


• Flash cards—addition, subtraction and multiplication

Mrs. Carpenter

• Chapter books


• CD player and headphones


• Carpenter cash items


• Gift certificate to Walgreens and Shutterfly to develop photos.

Mrs. Esch

• Chapter books


• Gift certificates to Learning Post


• Sharpie markers—all colors


• Post-It Notes


• Bookmarks (paper ones)


• Educational math games for 4th and 5th grade from Learning Post


• Large calculators


• 6 sided/8 sided dice


• Deck of cards


• Double and triple dice


• Decks of cards


• Magnetic clips


• Indoor recess games

4th grade
Mr. Lovell and Mrs. Thomas

• #2 pencils


• Computer paper


• Red pens


• Note cards


• Board and card games for indoor recess


• Sticky notes


• Gift certificate to Learning Post, Office Max, Borders and Target

Mrs. Yeager

• Bright copy paper


• Wide-clear tape


• #2 pencils


• Gift certificates to any bookstore, office supply store or Target

5th grade
Mr. Gillaspey

• Printing paper in bright colors


• Indoor recess games that can be played in 15 minutes (cards, Connect Four, Battleship, etc.)


• Gift certificate to Borders, Office Max and Target

Mr. Garvey

• Crayola markers


• Dry erase markers


• Gift certificate to Learning Post, Borders, Barnes & Noble and Best Buy (for computer speakers)

Mrs. Hesse

• Sharpies


• Colored bright copy paper and/or card stock


• Pilot ink pens (blue, purple, pink, green)


• #2 pencils


• Zip-lock bags (all sizes)


• Dry erase markers


• Gift certificate to WalMart, Target and Barnes & Noble


• Indoor recess games

Administration
Mr. Burg and Mrs. Hutton

• Tissues — for all to use


• Pens — blue, black and red


• #2 pencils for ITBS tests


• Post-It Notes — small and medium


• AA batteries


• Manila file folders and assorted file folders


• Yellow highlighters


• Copy paper


• Permanent black Sharpie markers

Custodians

• Pliers and screwdrivers


• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges

Nurse

• XS sweat pants

P.E./ Mr. Baker

• Gift certificate for sports items


• Grass seed for field


• Kleenex

Music/ Mrs. Looney

• Colorful copy paper


• Crayons


• Gift certificate to bookstore

Art/Mrs. McKenzie

• Gallon of glue


• Black permanent Sharpie markers


• Solid colors of cotton fabric for weaving (1-2 yards per color)


• Masking tape


• Paper plates—small and large


• Ziploc bags, quart and gallon


• Pipe cleaners


• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser sponges


• Neon colored paper


• Gift certificate to Borders, Michaels, Home Depot, Barnes & Noble, Lowes

Resource teachers
Mr. Carter

• Pencils


• Pocket folders


• Printer paper


• Flash cards—colors, numbers, letters, shapes


• Gift certificate to Learning Post, Office Max, Office Depot

Mrs. Kerr

• Tissues


• Paper plates, small and large


• Dry erase markers


• Box of 24 crayons


• Post-It notes, small


• Flash cards, alpha, shapes, number


• Heat seal laminating paper


• Gift certificate to office supply store or Learning Post

Ms. Dean

• Glue sticks


• Crayola markers


• Educational computer games


• Stickie notes


• Gallon size baggies


• Books for class library


• Gift certificate to Learning Post or book stores

Ms. Caskey

• Lysol wipes


• Pocket folders


• Tissues


• Wide-lined loose-leaf paper


• Printer paper


• Gift certificate to Office Max, or Learning Post

News From The Principal

As we approach the completion of the first quarter of the calendar year I want to remind parents of the appreciation staff have for the dedication you have regarding the success of your student. Setting routines, communicating expectations, and discussing educational goals have a long-term impact on the values youth have regarding education. The unique partnership that Hanawalt staff, students, and parents have developed over time is a constant that perpetuates the expectation of high academic and social success. Successful organizations are a product of the combined efforts of all stakeholders. The consistently positive focus that you have reinforced with your students has guided us toward that end. Thank you. Reciprocally, I want to remind staff of the appreciation that parents have shared regarding your dedication to the academic and social success of your students. It is not unique to observe staff taking additional time to meet with students before school, during the noon hour, or after school because of a staff observed need. These events are not required or expected but self-initiated because of the sincere devotion of staff to the profession and to the community. Thank you. Recent Hanawalt Highlights:

• All staff members have began to focus on implementing a new writing curriculum into classrooms. Being a Writer is a curriculum purchased by the district that is being implemented across the district.
• The technology committee has continued to refine schedules in order to offer computer lab options for all k-5 classrooms. Third grade classroom teachers have continued to explore software and web-based options for teaching word processing with students. In addition, several staff members have began to create unique classroom websites to communicate events from the classroom. Please feel free to provide feedback to staff about the positive impact and effectiveness of these tools. Thank you to Mr. Garvey, Mrs. Hesse, Mrs. Esch, Ms. Vikki, Mrs. Carpenter, Mrs. Wade, and Ms. Genzen for their efforts to incorporate this technology.
• The leadership team has organized and led professional development sessions with all staff members regarding a revisit of Hanawalt’s Shared Vision. Outcomes from the work of the staff will be used when making decisions about all programming at Hanawalt.

PTA Board Meetings

The PTA Board meets the first Wednesday of the month at high Noon in the community room. These meetings are open to everyone. However, if you cannot attend these meetings, please feel free to contact Lisa Russell at lisa@scubacreative.com or Martha Miller Johnson at marthamillerjohnson@gmail.com with any questions.

Field Trips

One of the most important things the PTA does is support field trips. As you know, many classes have gone on field trips since school started. Students have been to the Civic Center, Living History Farms and other places off campus to enhance their learning. Your generous donations help pay for tickets and/or transportation for all Hanawalt students.

Web Site - One of the Best

Hanawalt has been recognized as one of the best PTA sites in our region! Many thanks to parents Cheryl Thompson, Travis Thompson, and Julie Brandt for the efforts with the website and newsletter.

You can see other great blogs in our region here at: www.teachersalaryinfo.com/top-teacher-blogs/top-pta-ptsa-midwest/

Hanawalt Sprit Wear

Need a gift idea? We have one. Why not buy your son or daughter (or yourself) a Hanawalt hoodie? We are feeling so good about our school that we want everyone to know about it so the PTA will be selling Hanawalt hoodies, T-shirts and flannel pants around Nov. 1. The logo will be the fierce Hanawalt hawk that is on the Block Party T-shirts that all students received last month. Samples of the clothes will be on display in the lobby so look for these soon!

Poinsettias for Sale!

Brrrrr. The weather is getting colder and that means the holidays are coming. Students brought home a flyer this week announcing a poinsettia sale. The same people who sell us those amazing plants during the spring flower sale are offering poinsettias. Orders are due by 3:00 p.m. on November 9. Delivery of plants will be on November 22—just in time to be part of your holiday décor or a great hostess gift.

We have a wide variety to choose from:
• 8" (3 branches with 9-12 blooms) $18
• 6.5" (1 branch with four or six blooms) $10
• 5" (1 branch with 3-5 blooms) $7
• 4.5" (1 branch with 1 bloom) $5
• 4.5" Christmas Cactus $8

Please note that a line for your name and phone number was inadvertently left off the order form - please add that to the form when you return it to the mailbox. Return the form (with your contact info) and your check or cash in an envelope to the mailbox by the music room. Please contact Cheryl Thompson at 971-7787 or Cheryl@tasty-treats.com if you have any questions. All money raised will be put in the PTA General Fund.

Updated flyer can be found here

Parking Patrol Update

The morning drop-off is going very smoothly! Thanks to all the parents and students for making this happen.

As winter approaches, please keep in mind the hills around Hanawalt make driving interesting particularly during and immediately after a snow fall. Because of the limitation of what we can do, we suggest you make a "snow plan."

Robertson (the street in front of the school) is typically our biggest issue. If you know you will have problems getting up the hills, we suggest you drop off your child along 56th, have them walk down to the cross walk at Robertson. They will be able to safely cross there. You will be able to go straight and take a right on 28th street and go back to Grand Ave. One of the reasons this works well is the grade of the hill is less.

If school is dismissed early because of bad weather, there will be volunteers out front directing traffic to ensure traffic continues one way down Robertson -- just like drop-off. The reason for this is keep traffic flowing. In previous winters, the hill in front of the school gets very slick. Plus, to keep traffic going in one direction, it gives us the opportunity to create alternate plans if we have an accident. Early Outs - for pick up on early outs due to inclement weather, talk to your child about your "snow plan." This may include meeting you somewhere besides the front of the school. Please remember we are only trying to ensure everyone gets to and from school safely. Unfortunately our options are limited, so patience is important.

Coins for Computers

As we work towards bringing more technology to Hanawalt, we are encouraging students to bring spare change to school on Fridays. On any given Friday we’ll collect between $30-$50, and it is deposited into a designated technology account. Thanks so much for donating all that change, and keep it coming!

New Student Registration

All students who are new to Des Moines Public Schools must register at the District Office prior to attending school. Legal parents or guardians must complete all appropriate forms, provide all required documents, and be a resident of the district in order to register. New families can start registering at the Welcome Center on November 29, 2010. For more information on the district please go to www.dmps.k12.ia.us.

Kindergarten News

It has been a busy fall in the Hanawalt Kindergarten Classes. We have been studying trees and the weather. The beautiful fall leaves have helped the students learn about the changes in the seasons and what happens to the trees. The trees have also been helpful in learning our colors and color words. With the changes in our weather, we will soon discover how the different weather affects our lives and activities.

A guest speaker from the Des Moines Public Water Department came to talk with us about how important water is to us. We learned about many different ways that we use water every day. We also learned about all the different foods that have water in them. The class discovered that we need to have a lot of water to live.

First Grade News

First graders at Hanawalt were recently visited by Gail Peckumn from the Des Moines Water Works. Students were introduced to the water cycle and how the water is cleaned for us to use. Students learned about the importance of water conservation, and not adding pollutants. They learned that water can be cleaned through a multi-step process, including the use of rocks cleaning water. This in class visit was a great culmination to our science hands-on study of pebbles, sand, and silt. We appreciate the opportunity to have these types of programs provided by the Urban Environmental Partnership.

We are very excited about the implementation of a new district writing program, “Being a Writer.” Students are learning how we work as a community to become better writers. As we move through the writing program, students will be sharing their work with one another in order to help each other make their writing pieces even better. We look forward to a year of great writing. Please ask your child to share some of the topics they have been writing about in class.

Second Grade News

In November our Hanawalt second graders will learn all about the Pilgrims and their journey to the New World in 1620. We will make a book about the Thanksgiving story and also one about turkeys. We will meet an Iowa farmer and learn all about his turkey farm. All second graders will make the Mayflower and find out through books and discussions what a hard life these Pilgrims endured for 66 days on this ship. We will be reading many nonfiction books that will teach us about this important part of our country’s history.

Fifth Grade News

In American History fifth graders investigate the American Revolution. To enhance their knowledge of a major contributor to the formation of our country Hanawalt fifth graders are planning a field trip to the Applause performance of “Ben Franklin” on October 21 at the Temple for the Performing Arts.

Fifth graders are also participating in a pen pal program with classrooms of students in Germany, Italy, Indonesia, and Sweden. The students write to each other trading information about themselves and their cultures. The students also the opportunity to Skype with their pen pals to actually see them in person and talk with them.

Other News

This year Hanawalt special education students again can participate in an adapted physical education class. During this class, students are working on developing large motor skills and hand-eye coordination at a variety of stations. The favorite station of the students incorporates the newly purchased Wii and Wii Fit. When at the Wii station, students are working on developing their core muscles through a hula hoop activity. Other stations include a bean bag toss, the log roll, and balance boards. Following conferences students will be taught new stations. The new stations will include brain gym movements and activities that are associated with the PE for Life grant that Hanawalt was recently awarded.

Thank you from the Art Studio

Thank you for continuing to send your recyclable materials to the art studio. Cardboard tubes, paper sacks, and egg cartons are favorites. We also welcome any donations of masking tape for building with these materials. We will begin working with clay in January. We are collecting plastic gallon ice cream containers with lids for that unit. If you are an ice cream lover, please save and send your containers to the art studio! Have a wonderful autumn!

Go for a walk in the leaves with your child. Smell and listen to the sounds of nature. Look for colors, shapes, and shadows.

Enjoy! Sally McKenzie, Art

P.E. News

The PE4Life team headed by Mr. Baker has received observation requests from across the state. Teachers, board members, curriculum coordinators, athletes, and coaches from Iowa City, Sioux Falls, Marion, Decorah, and The University of Iowa (Karl Klug-University of Iowa football player) have visited and observed the unique programming that Hanawalt offers students. Yet another reason why Hanawalt is considered to be a cutting edge elementary campus. Feel free to view a recent story through this link. http://www.kcci.com/news/25316114/detail.html

Junior Rider Wrestling Information

If you are interested in the Junior Rider Wrestling program please contact Jay Groth, Roosevelt High School Head Wrestling Coach. Jay can be reached at 242-7272 ext. 3396 or ext. 3769. Practice beings November 22, and practices and meets will continue until February 14, 2011. The program is open for kindergarten through 8th grade.

Kid Striders

The Kid Striders program started out as a big hit with the kids. We have had several complete 2 miles running on the outdoor track. It has been fun to see the enthusiasm they have for running and walking. As parents, you can help them retain that enthusiasm all year long. We sent home a form a few weeks ago. You can track 5 miles at home this year, and another 5 miles next year, by the end of March, 2011. Please fill these out and return them back to school, to Mr. Baker.

Currently we are still running outdoors, when the weather allows. All grades can run, and we are there
M-W-F from 11:50 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The weather will determine when the indoor schedule begins.

Once the weather turns cold and snowy, we will begin running indoors. This year there is a conflict with gym time and lunch recess. Because of the extra class schedule for Mr. Baker this year, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will not have gym time over lunch. This means we have to offer them time to run for the Kid Striders program before and after school. We are offering them the option of Tuesday and Thursdays, before and after school. Designated times are from 7:30-8:00 a.m., and from 3:15-3:45 p.m. We are asking the kids to designate which day/days and times work best for them/you. Please discuss this with them, and they can find a signup sheet in their classroom. Having an idea of how many students could be running each time offered, will help assure we have enough volunteers to work.

Speaking of volunteers, we are looking for more parents to work these time slots. They are all short snip-its of time, so hopefully you can find one to work with your schedule. We could use your help as often as once a week, or as little as once a month. Please let me know if you are interested. –Cathy Kramer, 314-7335 or ckdesigns1@msn.com.

Indoor Schedule:
Monday: Kindergarten from 11:50-12:15 p.m.
Tuesday: 7:30-8:00 a.m.
Tuesday: 3:15-3:45 p.m.
Wednesday: 1st Graders from 12:00-12:25 p.m.
Thursday 7:30-8:00 a.m.
Thursday: 3:15-3:45 p.m.
Friday: 2nd Graders from 12:05-12:25 p.m.

Final Week to Order Holiday Plants

The grower who supplies our spring flowers has presented us the opportunity to also offer their Poinsettias and Christmas Cactus plants to our Hanawalt Community. Every year in the spring we always have people who wished they had ordered their spring and summer flowers-they are that beautiful!!

Don’t miss your chance to add some color and holiday spirit to your home.
There are several sizes and colors available, all pots are wrapped in assorted colored foil. These would also make awesome hostess gifts for the holidays!
All orders are due next Tuesday 11-09-10

Sorry no late orders can be processed. Downlaod a copy of the order form here and return the form to the PTA mailbox. The PTA mailbox will be checked after school on the 9th at 3 pm and we will submit those orders to the greenhouse.