Tutors
Tutors: The District does not endorse or recommend specific tutors; however, a list of people providing tutoring services is available.
The Hutchinson Public Library also has many resources for student learning.
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
Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Kids: Strategies for Success and Resilience
By Jessica Bouta, Licensed School Counselor, West Elementary
The beginning of a new calendar year can be an exciting time, when we often reflect and set attainable goals for the coming year. Talking with your child about their goals and aspirations can help provide them with direction, motivation, and purpose.
Of course, challenges, setbacks and obstacles are inevitable. Helping children develop a growth mindset, a belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and perseverance, can help. Caregivers can empower their children to embrace these challenges, learn from mistakes, and unlock their full potential.
The following list of strategies can help develop a growth mindset to build resilience and overcome challenging situations:
1. Emphasize the Power of ‘Yet’
Introduce the concept of “yet” as a powerful word that signifies growth and potential. When children say, “I can’t do it,” encourage them to add “yet” to the end of the sentence, shifting their mindset to a growth-oriented perspective. Teach them that with effort and practice, they can achieve their goals and master new skills.
2. Praise Effort, Progress, and Strategies
Focus on praising children’s efforts, progress, and strategies rather than innate abilities. Recognize their hard work, dedication, and resilience in the face of challenges. By highlighting their progress and growth over time, you reinforce the belief that dedication and perseverance lead to improvement and success.
3. Encourage Risk-taking and Exploration
Create a supportive environment where children feel comfortable taking risks, making mistakes, and exploring new ideas. By embracing challenges and setbacks as learning opportunities, children develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and a passion for continuous improvement.
4. Teach the Science of the Brain
Introduce children to the science of the brain. Explain that with effort, practice, and perseverance, they can strengthen neural connections, develop new skills, and enhance their abilities over time.
5. Foster a Growth Mindset Environment
Create a growth mindset environment that promotes curiosity and exploration. Provide children with opportunities to collaborate, share ideas, and learn from their peers. Celebrate their progress and efforts, creating a supportive and encouraging atmosphere where they feel empowered to take risks, make mistakes, and grow.
6. Model a Growth Mindset
As role models, parents, educators, and caregivers play a crucial role in modeling a growth mindset for children. Demonstrate resilience, perseverance, and a passion for learning through your actions, attitudes, and behaviors. Share stories of your own challenges, setbacks, and successes, highlighting the importance of effort, determination, and continuous learning.
7. Encourage Reflective Practices
Encourage children to engage in reflective practices, self-assessment, and goal-setting. Teach them to reflect on their strengths, areas for improvement, and develop actionable goals and strategies to achieve them. By fostering self-awareness and accountability, children take ownership of their learning and growth journey.
Cultivating a growth mindset in children is essential for fostering resilience, motivation, and a passion for learning. As we embark on a new year filled with so many possibilities, remember that nurturing a growth mindset is a lifelong journey that requires patience, encouragement, and continuous support to help children reach their goals and thrive in today’s ever-changing world.
Preschool Openings!
We have openings at Play & Learn Preschool…
Located in West Elementary School at 875 School Road SW
Four-Year-Old Classes (four by September 1, 2023 and potty trained)
Monday/Wednesday/Friday 8:35 – 11:05 am OR 12:50 – 3:20 pm
Tuition Cost: *$115/month- parents transport
*$195/month- when using school transportation
*Application for reduced/free tuition is available.
Three-Year-Old Classes (three by September 1, 2023 and potty trained)
Tuesday/Thursday 8:35 – 11:05 am
Tuition Cost: *$90/month- parents transport
No school transportation available for three-year-old groups
*Application for reduced/free tuition is available.
Begin the registration process here:
Play and Learn Preschool Registration Link
Contact Mary Myers-Reinarts with questions. [email protected] or 320-234-2624
AgWeek Cover Story Features Farm to School Success!
Hutchinson, Litchfield, Dassel-Cokato Farm to School program featured in AgWeek!
The Importance of Reading with Your Children
By Bailey Rettmann, Principal, West Elementary
One of the most rewarding and beneficial activities parents can engage in with their children is reading. Here are some of the reasons that reading with your children is so important, not just as a means of education but also as a way to nurture their emotional and cognitive development.
Reading with your children from a young age lays the foundation for their language and literacy skills. It exposes them to a rich vocabulary and helps them understand sentence structure and grammar. Early exposure to books enhances their ability to communicate effectively.
Reading introduces children to the world of knowledge and imagination. As parents read together with their children, they instill a love for learning and curiosity about the world. Children who are read to regularly tend to be more motivated to explore books on their own.
Shared reading time is an excellent opportunity for bonding. Snuggling up with a book creates a warm and comforting environment that fosters emotional connection. It’s a chance to show affection, share stories, and create lasting memories.
Reading stimulates brain development in children. It enhances their cognitive skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. It also improves concentration and memory, which are valuable for academic success.
Books often contain valuable life lessons and moral values. Through stories, children can learn about empathy, kindness, and ethical decision-making. Reading together provides a platform for discussing these important topics.
Regular reading sessions promote strong communication skills. Children learn to articulate their thoughts and feelings more effectively. They also become better listeners, which is essential for healthy relationships.
Children who are exposed to reading at home tend to perform better academically. They have stronger reading comprehension and vocabulary, which are critical for success in school and beyond.
The importance of reading with your children extends far beyond childhood. It’s a gift that keeps on giving. Children who grow up with a love for reading are more likely to become lifelong readers and continue reaping the benefits of literacy throughout their lives.
In conclusion, reading with your children is a simple yet powerful way to support their overall development. It builds strong foundations, fosters a love for learning, strengthens bonds, enhances cognitive skills, teaches valuable life lessons, expands horizons, improves communication, boosts academic success, fosters independence, and bestows a lifelong gift.
As parents, you have the opportunity to shape your child’s future by making reading a cherished part of their daily routine. The importance of this activity cannot be overstated, as it not only enriches their minds but also nourishes their souls and brings you closer together.
So, pick up a book, open its pages, and embark on a journey of exploration, imagination, and connection with your child today. The benefits will be felt for years to come.
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!