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.Meal options for Distance & Hybrid Learners.
Orders due by 10 pm, Saturday, September 26, 2020.
Click Here for Complete Details & Order Form
Routine & Structure
Having a Family Plan for Routine and Structure Within
Your Home is More Important Than Ever
During These Uncertain Times
By Marijean Storlie, Early Learning Coordinator, Hutchinson Public Schools
Just a short time ago, we may have had a regular routine for our family that worked like a well-oiled machine. However, when COVID 19 came knocking on all of our doors it brought that routine to an abrupt halt.
For the first few days, following the pandemic’s outbreak in our nation, it may have felt more like a “staycation” for you and your family. Your regular routine went out the window and in its place came in a very fun and unstructured way of daily life. Then, the reality of the need for a regular and structured routine set in, and you ask yourself, “How do I establish a new and temporary routine for my family during this time, and what does that need to look like?”
Throughout this unusual school year, whether we are in a hybrid, distance, or in-person learning model, here are a few simple ideas that you can implement to help maintain your family’s health, social and emotional well-being, as well as a sense of normalcy.
- Have and keep a morning/evening routine for everyone in your family. This includes a regular waking/bedtime routine, a regular morning and evening hygiene routine, and ensuring that everyone is eating nourishing meals.
- Have dedicated work and play spaces as well as regular work/school hours and play times for everyone. This will help everyone get more accomplished during work/school times leaving the planned times for fun and family to happen without stress and anxiety of the work and school that was left incomplete.
- Try to set healthy eating, exercise, and sleep habits and spend time outside whenever you can. This could be the perfect time to ask yourself what healthy habits and lifestyle choices you want to try and implement for your family.
- Try to limit your exposure to the news. While it is important to stay informed about the virus, we should avoid overloading ourselves with information. Set an amount of time for watching and or listening to the news, just as we do for our children’s social media, and then move on with your day.
- Stay connected with others. As we all know, humans are social beings and as social beings, we crave connectedness with others. Try setting a time each day for all your family members to connect as a family unit but also a time to connect with at least one other person each day. Maybe this could be the time you choose to call an old friend or a family member that you have been meaning to call but just haven’t had the time to.
Remember this is a “temporary” new routine for your family. Taking the time to establish your family’s new routine will support and cultivate positive habits, re-establish a sense of purpose and meaning, and help everyone in your family feel secure and safe during this time of uncertainty.
Activities: Sept. 21-25
Click Here to View This Week’s Activity Schedule
For more information about the HHS Activities Department – Click Here
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Tiger Pride!
School Board Meeting: September 21, 2020
The ISD 423 Board of Education will conduct a special meeting on Monday, September 21, 2020 beginning at 12:00 pm via teleconference. (Click Here for Live Stream)
Members of the public wishing to address the Board concerning any agenda items must submit comments via email to info@isd423.org no later than twenty-four hours prior to the meeting. Emails must contain the person’s name, address and the agenda item being addressed. Comments will be read aloud into the record.
Activities: Sept. 14 – 18, 2020
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For more information about the HHS Activities Department – Click Here
Click Here for Spectator Guidelines
Tiger Pride!
West Elementary Bid Opening
Hutchinson West Elementary School
Addition and Renovation
Bid Package #2 Opening
September 10, 2020
2:30 PM
Click Here for Live Stream
Finding Purpose
Finding Purpose Through Your Gifts, Passions, and Values
By Thayne Johnson, Activities Director
Welcome to another school year, and one that will undoubtedly prove to be unlike any that we’ve seen. I have no doubt that our families, students, staff, and community will rise to the challenges ahead. We have seen many changes to what constitutes a “normal” school year. School activities have also been impacted by these changes. From shortened seasons, to seasons being moved, to cancellations and new spectator guidelines, we have all had to make some adjustments.
All of this, however, should not impact your child’s ability to stay involved in their school and their community. During these times, it may be valuable for us to help our students find their purpose. For some, it may feel like they are lost during this time of uncertainty. Staying involved and staying connected is important for our children’s development as a person. The adversities that they may be facing when it comes to school, activities, social life, etc. all play a part in shaping who they are. Being a part of a club, activity, organization, youth group etc. helps our young adults develop coping skills that they can use to take those challenges head on. Having a purpose helps them develop their voice, and in turn they can help others find their voice.
So, how do we go about helping our students find their purpose? One of the first actionable steps is to encourage them to examine their gifts, passions, and values. Those three components are crucial to developing their purpose. The next step is to develop a purpose statement. The Minnesota State High School League has each registered coach and activities director develop their own purpose statement. Through the Why We Play Initiative, students are also encouraged to develop their own purpose statement. As students develop their purpose statement, it’s important to realize that their statement will evolve over time. This should not be a one and done kind of exercise.
Staying involved and staying connected is not limited to school activities. Hopefully by exploring what our young adults are passionate about, they will realize that there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in their community as well. Part of their development as young adults is realizing where they can use their gifts and talents to help others.
It’s also important to let your child know that they do not have to go at it alone. We all want to belong and we all want to matter. Through staying involved and staying connected, students will hopefully begin to understand they do belong and they do matter. Our youth are able to rely on their teachers, their families, and their community to help them develop their purpose, and through that they can develop their gifts, passions, and values.
As role models, we need to continue to support our young adults on their path to figuring out their purpose during these unprecedented times. By continuing to support them in staying involved and staying connected we can make it clear that they belong and they matter.
ECFE Fall Classes
Screen at 3
Activities: Sept. 7-11
Click Here to View This Week’s Activity Schedule
For more information about the HHS Activities Department – Click Here
Click Here for Spectator Guidelines