Archives for September 2021
Congrats Madison & Erin!
Cornerstones of Early Learning
By Marijean Storlie, Early Childhood Family Education Coordinator and
Mary Myers-Reinarts, Play and Learn Preschool Teacher/Program Coordinator
The back-to-school buzz is still in the air! With the Hutchinson Public Schools construction project we welcome a new Early Learning Center at West Elementary. Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), Early Childhood Screening (ECS), and Play and Learn Preschool have all come together under one roof where collaboration and learning can blossom.
ECFE is an early learning program offering a variety of class options for families with children ages birth to kindergarten entrance. Our classes include separating and non-separating options for parent and child, special classes as well as family events. Sibling care is also available for some classes. A typical class includes a parent-child playtime and a circle time where all families engage in movement activities and songs. Separation classes also include a parent discussion time for parents to share, support and learn while their child has an extended play time opportunity with their peers.
ECSE professionals are available for children birth through age five who qualify for services due to special needs in their development. Early Intervention services for children birth up to age three are most often in the home or daycare setting. Children aged three through five years most often receive their services in a preschool setting. If you have a concern about your child’s development contact Help Me Grow at helpmegrowmn.org or our district website at isd423.org located under West Elementary Early Learning.
ECS is a free and simple check of how your child is growing, developing and learning. Screening at 3 years old is preferred, but your child may be screened between the ages of 3 and the start of kindergarten and is required by the MN Department of Education before your child enters kindergarten.
Play and Learn Preschool is a Four-Star Parent Aware rated School Readiness preschool program supported by a combination of MN Department of Education funding and parent tuition. We invite children aged three through five years old and work closely with ECSE to welcome children of any ability level. Our play-based curriculum builds on the common interests of children in our classes.
These four cornerstone Early Learning programs are foundational within the Hutchinson School District in supporting families with young children in our community. For more information about any of these Early Learning Programs please call the West Elementary School office at 320-587-4470 or visit our website isd423.org.
5th Grade Science
Athletics & Student Leadership
By Bill Tschida, Activities Director
Participation in school activities and athletics provides additional lessons and leadership opportunities for students.
Tiger fall sports are off and running. We have eight fall sports: cross country (boys and girls), football (boys), soccer (boys and girls), swimming (girls), tennis (girls), and volleyball (girls). Although participation numbers have decreased overall compared to pre-Covid participation numbers (404 participants this year / 499 participants pre-Covid), we are seeing higher participation in cross country (both boys and girls) and in boys soccer.
Our coaches started this year off with professional development centered around the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Why We Play curriculum. This training program helps coaches direct our programs to be focused on educational athletics. This is a different model than youth, college, or professional athletics. Coaches worked on developing a personal Purpose Statement. This statement is their “Why” for why and how they coach. Discussion centered around goal setting for each team’s season. Goals are a necessary part of any team in any season. Goals have a beginning, an end and they are measurable. Your Purpose or your Why should not change. It should represent what your team/program stands for, and what you want your players to take away from being involved in your program. Coaches have great power. Developing strong purpose statements sets our coaches up to provide the best possible experience for our student athletes. We will continue to build on this training moving forward.
Superfans! We have begun to work with a group of students that will be leaders in our student section at sporting events – our Superfans! This group allows us to work with the students to discuss and plan for being appropriate with our words and actions at events, and help provide a fun atmosphere.
Our team captains will work on training for leadership in both our athletics and our school. Our student leaders play a big role in the success of our teams and the atmosphere of our school. This group will meet once a month to learn about being a leader. These lessons will go beyond their high school sports experience.
Tiger Pride!
T-6 Vintage Plane Fly Over
On Friday, September 10th, the evening before 9-11, the American Legion Post 96 and VFW Post 906 in Hutchinson have scheduled a fly over during the Hutchinson High School Football game. During the National Anthem T-6 vintage planes will do a fly over and missing man formation (weather depending) and help the Hutchinson Tigers Football team honor our Police, Fireman, 1st Responders and Veterans.
A giant American Flag will be carried by the men and women honored by these young men as they go into friendly battle with Willmar. All Veterans, Firemen, Police, and First Responders are invited to meet at the Football field at 6 PM to assist in holding the flag.