.
.Tutors: The District does not endorse or recommend specific tutors; however, a list of people providing tutoring services is available.
Tiger Take Home – Order by 5/2/21
Hutchinson Food Service Program is excited to offer an opportunity for families to order some of their students’ favorite menu items to serve at home.
We have great ideas for your student’s grad party or family get togethers. Items are now split into smaller portions for families to decide on the quantity they want without having to buy the whole case.
Families benefit from the low cost bulk products and profits from these items benefit our Food Service Department.
Parents can order by logging into their Tiger Portal and clicking on the Smartschoolk12 icon. Then click School Store.
Community members may order by calling 320-234-2603 and dropping off payment at the District Office.
Orders must be submitted by Sunday, May 2nd.
Pick up Monday, May 10th at West Elementary from 3:45-4:45pm.
Buoyant
Buoyant: To Stay Afloat; Rise to the Top; Resilient
By Assistant Principal Mary Getzke and Title Paraprofessional Kim Bollin, Park Elementary
A year ago, as the Hutchinson School District was preparing for Distance Learning, we were unaware of things to come. As local and global citizens, we have been witnesses to and participants in a historical event. There will be stories told of surviving COVID19 and remembering those less fortunate. These experiences have touched us all to some degree.
Schools have not been spared from the virus’ reach. It is only Monday, already the week is confronted with conducting contact tracing. After talking to staff, students and parents, one word surfaces. Buoyant: to stay afloat; rise to the top; resilient. A year ago, had I told a teacher I was sending multiple students home and the mode of learning would change, I would have been met with disbelief and confusion. Teachers have experienced disappointment when unable to instruct students in person. Striving to keep student learning moving forward, multiple learning models were employed. Buoyant. A year ago, if I sent a student home for an extended time many would likely be happy, not anymore. Students want to be in school with their peers and teachers. They too have adapted to multiple learning models. Buoyant. A year ago, when a parent was called to pick their child up and keep them home for multiple days, they often expressed their frustration. Now, they are more willing to do what is in the best interest of others health and safety. Buoyant.
The author is unknown, but there is a saying that reads, “we are in the same storm, but not the same boat.” Each person’s circumstances affect their reactions and perceptions of this pandemic. Yet, we have banned together to support one another. Buoyant.
The technology learning curve has been steep and fast paced for educators, students, and parents alike. A year ago, we would not have been able to fathom this massive achievement. Buoyant. I am grateful for our Technology Support team. With professionalism, they calmly helped us navigate our fears, handle frustrations, learn, grow, and build our confidence. They have supported us in becoming better educators. Buoyant.
There have been a variety of losses during this pandemic. Gatherings with family and friends, children’s birthday parties, rites of passages such as graduations, weddings and funerals have been modified or cancelled. We have been reminded how important these activities are to our wellbeing. We have also rediscovered the benefits of a less hectic schedule. Children are spending more time in creative play, connecting with family, reading, and exploring the outdoors. Many have managed with less and others have helped neighbors in need.
At school, we work to instill the lesson that we do not always have control over a situation, but we do have control over how we react to it. This pandemic has challenged us to model for our children, healthy ways to respond to change and adversity.
Hopefully, the rise and fall of the stormy waters will end soon. Let’s continue to look at each person’s boat with compassion and help one another “keep an even keel”, so we can arrive at a safe harbor and calmer waters together. I am proud to be a member of this Buoyant community. Until we meet again, may the wind be at your back, a brighter future on the horizon and clear sailing for the journey.
Benefits of Closed Captioning
By Dan Olberg, Principal, Park Elementary
I think I can speak for all of us that getting children to stop watching TV or streaming content can be a struggle sometimes. With all the research about screen time, parents are very aware of the damage too much TV and video time has on children. Most of the research I have read suggests that children who have more than 10 hours a week in screen time had lower achievement than those who watch less than 10 hours a week. It is surprising how quickly the minutes add up. Children in the United States are ranked number 1 in the world for the amount of time they watch TV. So how can we use this technology that children love to benefit their learning? Activate the closed captioning button! It seems so easy, but parents around the world are seeing incredible benefits from this simple act.
Parents are finding that when children watch/stream shows with the closed captioning on, their children are learning to read at an earlier age. Some parents are noticing quick results just after a few weeks of having the closed captioning activated on the TV/streaming devices in their house. When adults watch shows, our brains can tune out the closed captioning on the screen if we choose not to read it. In children, their brain is still like a sponge, picking up all that is on the screen. Their mind will see the words, hear them pronounced, and comprehend what is going on through the show without discretion. Closed captioning can help with fluency in young readers. Children have motivation to read the words quickly knowing that the words will soon disappear. It can help with word recognition for those children who have a stronger speaking vocabulary than reading vocabulary. Captioning can build the vocabulary words and definitions through quality programs. The presence of the words on the screen can help familiarize the child with print, sounds and meaning at a very young age. In essence, the characters are reading aloud the story to the child.
Having words running across the screen at times is a nuisance to many adults. Remember the days of accidentally hitting the closed captioning button only to spend the next three days trying to figure out how to change it back? The new TV’s/devices seem to make this easier for us. Most models or streaming sites have the button labeled “CC”. It seems as though all devices and streaming services have this option thanks to legislation many years ago. The children in some countries watch many reruns from the United States through closed captioning because English is not their first language. The children of Finland are some of the heaviest users of closed captioning and you should see their reading scores! Quality shows with the closed captioning activated may be the best electronic gift we could give our children – and least expensive!
Learning Model & School Calendar Changes Effective 1/19/21
The District is making a change in learning models due to the declining local Covid-19 rates and the new requirements associated with Executive Order 20-103. Elementary students will return to in-person learning starting Tuesday, January 19. Secondary students will return to hybrid learning on Tuesday, January 19.
In accordance with Executive Order 20-94, school districts are required to provide an additional 30 minutes of teacher preparation time during the student instructional day for teachers that are required to teach in more than one delivery model. Thus, the secondary student instructional day will be shortened by 30 minutes. This only pertains to the Hutchinson Middle and High School at this time. Revised bell schedules will be sent to all secondary students prior to January 19. If your secondary student rides the bus, you will also receive a new afternoon drop-off time. The morning secondary bus routes will continue as scheduled. The elementary bus routes will not be impacted by this change.
Learning Model Schedule (as of 12/22/20)
Elementary Schools (PreK – Grade 5)
- Monday, January 4: Distance Learning Resumes
- Monday, January 18: No School for Students (Martin Luther King Day)
- Tuesday, January 19: In-person Learning Begins
Secondary Schools (Grades 6-12)
- Monday, January 4: Distance Learning Resumes
- Monday, January 18: No School for Students (Martin Luther King Day)
- Tuesday, January 19: Hybrid Learning Begins (Click Here for Hybrid Calendar)
The District will continue to closely monitor the county, community, and school district case rates. We will work with our Covid-19 regional support team to determine if further changes will be required.
Please continue your efforts in supporting social distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing. It is especially important to screen your children before they return to school after the holiday break. If symptoms are present, please have your child stay home. Please know the District is doing the best we can to deliver the best education possible during this difficult time. The District appreciates your patience and support as we work through this pandemic.
Stay safe and take care.
Sincerely,
Daron VanderHeiden
Superintendent
Apply for Educational Benefits by January 4th
Distance Learners – We Are In This Together!
Thank you, Mrs. Ovadje, for the colorful reminder!
Celebrate!
American Education Week is being celebrated this year November 16-20, 2020. In 1921, Members of the American Legion, the US Office of Education, and the National Education Association created a plan to improve literacy/physical fitness and recognize the importance of education. These goals are as relevant today as they were in 1921 and have been celebrated the week before Thanksgiving since then.
With the entire world being adversely affected by COVID-19, the challenges for students, families, and educators have never been greater. In a matter of a few days in March 2020, Hutchinson Public Schools were required to transition from traditional in-person education to distance learning, providing daycare, and delivering breakfasts/lunches throughout the district. The Hutchinson Board of Education truly salutes all involved in meeting the challenges of this emergency. The teachers, staff, and administration in Hutchinson have done an amazing job of keeping education moving forward for our students.
With that said, one thing we have learned is that there is no substitute for in-person learning. Technology has enabled us to provide distance and hybrid learning, but there are limitations. There is no substitute for the relationships that can only happen in-person – between students and their teachers and peers. The social and emotional development of students depends on relationships. In addition, there are many curricula that don’t work as effectively in a distance-learning mode such as chemistry/ physics/biology labs, welding, construction, technical education, art, band, and choir.
Through all of the adversities and challenges of 2020 our educators in Hutchinson have gone above and beyond their regular duties to learn new technology and other skills to ensure that quality education continues. On behalf of the Hutchinson Board of Education, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students, families, teachers, staff, and administration that make Hutchinson a great place to live, work, and learn. Thank you!
Keith Kamrath
On behalf of the Hutchinson Board of Education
Tiffany Barnard
Byron Bettenhausen
JoEllen Kimball
Brian Pollmann
Chris Wilke
Learning Model & School Calendar Changes Effective 11/13/20
The Covid-19 virus is currently spreading quickly through our community (with a County-wide projected case rate of up to 100 by the end of November). Due to the extreme change in case rates, Hutchinson Public Schools will make the following learning model and school calendar changes effective on Friday, November 13, 2020.
Elementary Schools (PreK – Grade 5)
- Friday, November 13: No school for students (Hybrid Learning planning time for teachers)
- Monday, November 16 – 20: Follow Hybrid Learning Schedule
- Friday, November 20: End of Trimester 1
- November 23 – 25: No school for students (Distance Learning planning time for teachers)
- November 26 – 27: Thanksgiving Break, no school for students or staff
- Monday, November 30: Begin Distance Learning
Secondary Schools (Grades 6-12)
- Friday, November 13: No school for students (Distance Learning planning time for Tri 1)
- Monday, November 16 – 20: Begin Distance Learning
- Friday, November 20: End of Trimester 1
- November 23 – 25: No school for students (Distance Learning planning time for Tri 2)
- November 26 – 27: Thanksgiving Break, no school for students or staff
- Monday, November 30: Continue Distance Learning
At this time, we plan to be in Distance Learning (beginning November 16 for grades 6-12 and beginning November 30 for PreK-grade 5) through December. However, county, community, and school district case rates will continue to be closely monitored. We will work with our Covid-19 regional support team to determine when we can have students safely return to school.
Please continue your efforts in supporting social distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing. Before leaving home, screen yourself and your children. If symptoms are present, please stay home.
Stay safe and take care.
Farm to School
Check out this video about our local Farm to School program!