PTO Annual Fundraiser
By Jen Mahan-Deitte, Interim Principal, Tiger Elementary
It’s a fundraising safari!
The West and Tiger Elementary Schools have partnered with our local PTO to hold our one and only fundraiser for 2023-2024! Money raised will support programs and materials that students use in grades K-5.
The kick-off date is scheduled for Thursday, March 7, 2024. Donations will be accepted through cash, checks (payable to Hutchinson PTO), and online by clicking here or scanning the following QR code.
Students will learn about different animals during the safari fundraiser and complete daily challenges. A culminating event (including an obstacle course and glow run) will be held at the high school on Friday, March 15.
Thank you for your continued support of Hutchinson Public Schools and the PTO!
Click below for more information:
2024-2025 Academic Calendar
The 2024-2025 Academic Calendar is now available!
Revised 2/12/24
*No School for Students December 20, 2024 and April 17, 2025 (K-12 Professional Development)
Highlights
- First Day of School: September 3, 2024
- 2 Hour Early Releases (instead of late starts)
- Shorter Breaks Integrated Throughout the School Year
- Spring Break: March 10-14, 2025
- Last Student Day: June 4, 2025
- Graduation: June 6, 2025
Being Grateful
By Jill Bridge, Licensed School Counselor, Tiger Elementary
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to forget the importance of gratitude. But did you know that being grateful can actually have a positive impact on students’ education and their life? Let’s find out ways that practicing gratitude can help our students/kids. You can also take these practices and apply them to your life too.
Gratitude is the act of being thankful and appreciative for the things we have in life. It goes beyond saying “thank you” and involves a deeper sense of appreciation. When students cultivate an attitude of gratitude, they develop a mindset that focuses on the positive aspects of their lives.
One way being grateful helps students is by enhancing their overall well-being. When students take the time to acknowledge and appreciate the opportunities they have, it can lead to increased happiness and satisfaction. This positive mindset creates a conducive environment for learning and growth.
Being grateful also improves students’ mental health. In a world where stress and anxiety are common, practicing gratitude can act as a powerful antidote. Regularly expressing gratitude can reduce stress levels, increase resilience, and improve self-esteem. By promoting a sense of calmness and positivity, gratitude allows students to better cope with challenges and setbacks in their life journey.
Furthermore, gratitude fosters stronger relationships among students, peers and teachers. When students express gratitude towards their educators, it strengthens the teacher-student bond and creates a more supportive learning environment. Additionally, when students express gratitude towards their peers, it promotes a sense of camaraderie and cooperation.
Practicing gratitude also enhances students’ academic performance. When students approach their studies with a grateful mindset, they become more engaged and motivated. Gratitude helps students recognize the value of education and the opportunities it provides. This newfound appreciation translates into a greater willingness to put in the effort required to succeed academically.
Incorporating gratitude into your students life can be done in various ways. You can encourage students to keep gratitude journals, where they write down things they are thankful for each day. Discussions and activities centered around gratitude can also be beneficial. Additionally, you can model gratitude by expressing appreciation for your child’s efforts and achievements.
It is important to note that gratitude should not be limited to specific moments or occasions. Encouraging students to practice gratitude as a daily habit can yield long-lasting benefits. By instilling gratitude in students’ lives, we are equipping them with a valuable life skill.
In conclusion, cultivating gratitude has numerous benefits.. From improving well-being and mental health to fostering stronger relationships and enhancing performance, gratitude plays a vital role in a person’s overall success. So let us remember to be grateful for the opportunities we have and encourage others to do the same.
AgWeek Cover Story Features Farm to School Success!
Hutchinson, Litchfield, Dassel-Cokato Farm to School program featured in AgWeek!
The World of Artificial Intelligence
What Parents Need to Know
about the World of Artificial Intelligence
By Jocelynn Buckentin, Technology Innovation Specialist
For many, the concept of artificial intelligence (AI) has played out on movie screens for decades, but this technology has recently become more prevalent in our daily lives. AI chatbots have taken center stage as ChatGPT and Snapchat’s My AI become popular. Chatbots work by using natural language processing to both understand and respond to human language. As this technology rapidly evolves, many people have mixed emotions about its potential impact on our society, particularly in the areas of education, health and safety, and the workforce.
In education, AI chatbots have the potential to complete everything from short answer questions to longer papers with the click of a button. However, educators are concerned about how this technology will affect important skills like critical thinking and creativity. Parents can help by asking students about how they use chatbots and reinforcing the creative process when completing schoolwork. This doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding AI completely. In fact, I encourage my own students to utilize chatbots to get feedback on their work prior to submitting it. AI chatbots can help to improve student writing and provide detailed and timely feedback, which can help to make our students better writers. Teachers continue to explore the potential pros and cons of AI use in education alongside their students.
In terms of health and safety, AI chatbots like Snapchat’s My AI can be customized with their own profile picture and brought into conversations and group chats, blurring the line between talking to a human vs. a computer. At Hutchinson High School, teachers have noticed students talking about chatting with “Al” or “My Al,” so we know the technology is here and currently in use. While the bot is designed to be harmless, parents need to be aware of their children’s use of this feature and have a discussion about expectations surrounding its use. It is especially important to emphasize the importance of keeping personal information out of AI-powered systems.
The advancement of AI technology may also lead to changes in the workforce, as jobs traditionally held by humans can now be completed by chatbots. However, new jobs will also be developed relating to this new technology, so it is vital to keep up with these changes in order to help guide students to future career paths that they may be interested in.
To prepare children for the world of AI, parents can start by discussing what AI is and is not, encouraging children to ask questions and share areas in their lives where chatbots are in use. By opening up a dialogue about AI, children will be more likely to approach parents with questions and concerns as the technology advances. It’s also important to discuss the pros and cons of AI usage and emphasize responsibility. Parents can teach children to be aware of the information they share online, as well as the potential good and bad of AI usage. Finally, parents can remind children of the importance of human connections and interpersonal relationships, as chatbots may be efficient and convenient, but nothing can replace meaningful relationships with others.
Enjoy Hutchinson this Summer!
Get out, get active, and enjoy Hutchinson this summer!
By Lynn Neumann, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Education
It’s no secret that children today spend more time inside than ever before. Between screen time and sedentary activities, it can be challenging to encourage children to get outside and be active. However, research has shown that spending time outside and being active has numerous benefits for children’s physical and mental health.
One of the primary benefits of being active outdoors is the positive impact it has on a child’s physical health. Regular physical activity can help to reduce the risk of childhood obesity, strengthen their bones and muscles, and improve their overall health and fitness levels. Outdoor activities can also enhance children’s motor skills, coordination, and balance, all of which are essential for healthy physical development.
Spending time in nature has also been shown to have significant mental health benefits for children. Being outdoors and surrounded by green spaces can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also improve their mood, boost their self-esteem, and increase their creativity and imagination. Encouraging kids to spend time outside and be active can also help to foster their social skills and build their confidence.
Encouraging children to spend time outside and be active doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated. Simple activities like going for a bike ride, playing in the park, hiking, or even having a picnic in a park can be great ways to get children moving and enjoying the outdoors. Hutchinson has 41 city parks that offer a variety of amenities and a vast trails system for everyone to enjoy!
There are also plenty of organized outdoor activities, such as sports teams or outdoor camps, that can help kids build their confidence and social skills while being active. PRCE Summer activity registration is currently open. To register, visit us online at www.hutchinsonprce.com, call the PRCE office at 320-587-2975 or stop in at the Recreation Center office. Please note that PRCE did implement a new registration system. Participants may need to create a new login to register for programs and facilities. Our goal is for everyone to have a summer filled with fun and safe programs and activities!
By encouraging kids to spend time in nature and participate in outdoor recreational activities, we can help them to develop healthy habits, build their self-esteem and social skills, and enhance their overall well-being. Let’s prioritize our children’s physical and mental health by getting them outside, being active, and enjoying the beautiful world around us. Hutchinson PRCE is dedicated to ensuring that every child has an opportunity to experience outstanding recreational activities and programs that enhance our quality of life by helping us stay healthy and fit, build relationships with family and friends, and develop a sense of community pride.
Get out, get active, and enjoy Hutchinson this summer!
School Meal Prices for the 2022-23 School Year
Click here to view the 2022-23
http://www.isd423.org/district/servicesresources/nutrition-program/meal-prices/