News from Principal Burg

Thank you for your increased attention to ensure a safe and efficient system for pick-up. As you've noticed, double parking has been excluded in order to allow students to enter vehicles without crossing the traffic of double parked vehicles. We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents, students, and teachers and will continue to implement the new system indefinitely. In addition, it is imperative that we do not block the two parking spaces reserved for drivers with handicapped registration. You may notice that we will continue to highlight these spaces with bright orange cones. Many parents have found it to be more efficient to park on 56th or further east on Robertson and walk to the front doors to meet a student. Other parents of older students have simply identified a general area on either street where the student will always walk to upon dismissal. Regardless of your individual plan, students are safer and pick-up has been much smoother as a result of your efforts. Thank you for your continued attention to this positive adjustment.

Merrill Transition Activities for Incoming 6th graders:
Spring and Fall 2011

Date	Event
April 19th 9:30-10:00am	Merrill staff will visit Hanawalt students to talk about life at Merrill and answer questions.
April 25th & 26th 9:30-10:30am	Fifth graders will visit Merrill to meet the staff, take tours and become familiar with the building.
May 5th 7:00pm	Fifth grade students and parents are invited to attend an informational meeting at Merrill.
August 25th 1st day of school	Team building and transition activities will be scheduled to help students become acclimated to the building, staff and students.
Open House	To Be Announced

Please note that “Success 4 Sixth Grade” has been cancelled for Merrill Students due to construction at Merrill this summer. If you have any questions, please contact Carla Ridgely-Turner at Merrill, 242-8361 or email her at carla.ridgely-turner@dmps.k12.ia.us Thank you.

Letter from the PTA Co-Presidents

April means May is coming and that means we only have about two more months of school left. Yikes! How did it go so fast? The last day of school is June 3.

Your Hanawalt PTA is already looking ahead to next year and already has its new leaders and board in place. Mary Mouw and Rose Green have kindly offered to co-chair the PTA for the 2011-2012 school year and they been meeting for weeks with Principal Burg and others so they get off to a roaring start. Mary and Rose will greet new parents at Kindergarten roundup on April 20 here at school.

Here is the Need-to-Know List for April:

• Plant sale orders were taken and the delivery date is set for May 13. You can pick up your flowers and plants at school. If you did not get an order in, we should have some extras that day so please stop by and see what is available.



• We need your school photos! The Hanawalt yearbook is being put together now. If you have any photos, either on your digital camera or your phone of school events or gatherings, please send them to teacher Kelly Carpenter at Kelly.carpenter@dmps.k12.ia.us. The deadline for yearbook orders has been extended to April 11. Standard yearbooks are $15 and personalized (student name and photo on the over) are $20. If you have lost your form, please write your student’s name, teacher and amount enclosed on an envelope and place in the PTA mailbox. If you have questions, please contact Lisa Russell at lisa@scubacreative.com.



• Check backpacks soon for information about Hanawalt Spirit Wear. Samples have been ordered and will be hanging up at school in mid-April.



• The next RIF distribution will be Friday, April 8. All students will have a chance to select a book of their choice to take home. There will be one more RIF day before the end of the year for a total of three distributions. RIF is a federally subsidized program that is supplemented by PTA funds to put books in the hands of students.



• Send in your spring school photos or send the images back with your student. They are to be returned to classroom teachers.


• Order forms for school supplies will come home in the registration packet in May. This allows you to pre-order all the supplies your child needs for the year and it arrives at his/her desk on Meet-the-Teacher night in August. Parents who have done it in the past loved it and it’s a fundraiser for the PTA.



• Kid Striders will be wrapping up this month with a celebratory run at the Drake Relays. More information will be coming home soon about the event.

If you have any questions about upcoming events or anything about life here at Hanawalt, please don’t hesitate to ask. You can contact Martha Miller Johnson at 480-1583 or marthamillerjohnson@gmail.com or
Lisa Russell at 210-3052 or Lisa@scubacreative.com

Fourth Grade News

On Tuesday, March 1st, the fourth graders at Hanawalt Elementary School took a field trip to the Science Center. They enjoyed learning about the great artist, scientist, and inventor, Leonardo DaVinci. “I didn’t know that he invented that much,” said some of the fourth graders. Students were able to experience many “hands-on” activities in the Discovery Room, connecting their learning to several different scientific topics. The trip was concluded with a visit to the planetarium where students were able to learn about stars and constellations they should be able to see from their homes. Students were able to connect this information to the solar system unit they have been studying in school. Fourth grade thanks its PTA for providing the funds so students could have this enjoyable learning experience at the Science Center.

Fifth Grade Celebration News - photo deadline April 13, 2011

Gorgeous 20-page full color Creative Memories Storybook of our Oscar-winning 5th graders will be given as a gift at graduation to each student....and we'll be showing a "Feature Film" (aka slide show with music) on June 3 at the ceremony. If you have a current 5th grader, your Hanawalt images and pictures of that child at school from Kindergarten to 5th grade are WANTED! If you have five pictures or less, email them full-size to HanawaltPhotos@gmail.com by April 13. If you have 5 or more photos, copy them to a disk (that will not be returned to you) and place in the PTA mailbox. Deadline to be included in the book: April 13. We'd love to have YOUR CHILD featured on many pages of this keepsake memory book! Questions: Beth Steffensen bethsteffensen@dwx.com or 515-313-3930.

Structured Learning Classroom

The Structured Learning Classroom is incorporating computer technology for learning hand writing skills. The program is called TV Teacher and teaches upper and lower case alphabet writing. The children are engaged in learning how to form the letters by following verbal and visual stimulus to independently write letters on a white board. The students are actively engaged in their skill development.

Music News

Spring has sprung in the music room. We are singing, moving and playing instruments to the sounds of spring. Rain songs, rabbit stories and kite flying poems. Watch for Mallet Madness coming soon for 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade music classes.

You may also hear about a new person in the music room. We are pleased to welcome Miss Kness, our student teacher.

April is also the time for the Des Moines Public Schools All City Honor Chorus. Students must be in 4th or 5th grade in order to participate. Hanawalt has thirteen students who auditioned and also were part of the Hanawalt Chorus this Fall. They are; Isaac Anderson, Katie Baumert, Karsyn Beers, Jessica Bolten, Wyatt Johnson, Arielle Ozimek, Anne Percival, Ben Russell, Opal Rustad, Emma Shanahan, Rylee Sievers, Brooklyn Starkey, and Hailey Zugg.
The Honor Chorus festival takes place on Saturday, April 16th. Students practice all day with guest conductor Heather Nail and then share a concert at 3:00 with their families.

Kid Striders Reaching the Finish Line...

We are wrapping things up with the Kid Striders program for 2010-2011. Our final day for tracking the runners will be Friday, April 15th. We have been running our regular winter schedule so far this year, but as the weather gets warmer and the grounds get dryer, we will be running outside. That means more running possibilities for everyone.

Those that have completed their 26 mile marathon by Friday, April 15th will have earned a free t-shirt, and are invited to run their victory lap at the Grand Blue Mile on Tuesday, April 26th at 5:00. Check in time is from 4:30 to 5:00. Those that have completed 13 miles by April 15th will also be able to join us in running the Grand Blue Mile, but do not get a t-shirt. There will be many activities going on after the Grand Blue Mile. Please take time and enjoy this too.

Those that are participating in the Grand Blue Mile will need to have a parent-signed waiver turned in to Mr. Baker or Cathy Kramer by Friday, April 15th. More information and the waiver will be provided for those that are participating. Please watch for this to be coming home with your child.

Spelling Challenge Results = S-U-C-C-E-S-S

Thank you!!!!!! Due to your generous contributions, and our talented spellers, the Spelling Challenge raised over $8,200 this year. All of the money raised is used to pay for field trips, additional books for the library, Day in the Arts and other programs that support Hanawalt students and teachers.

Thanks again for your support!
Kristi Kiefer and Cindy Gilbreath, Spelling Challenge Co-Chairs

Camp Invention June 13 - 17, 2011

CLEVER KIDS WANTED! Camp Invention® at Hanawalt Elementary School needs your sleuthing powers to find out who is sending mysterious coded messages to the Curious Cypher Club. Then, explore intriguing information about the inventors of the animal kingdom, and experiment with chemistry as you discover the science behind bouncy balls!

You’ll find lots more fun things to do at Camp Invention. Camp will be held on June 13-17 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and will be presented by local teachers for girls and boys entering grades 1-6. Camp director: Kerry Esch. This national, non-profit science and creativity enrichment program is offered by Des Moines Community School District in collaboration with Invent Now Kids and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. For more information, call 800-968-4332 or go to www.campinvention.org.

Scouts Recognized with Award from Reggie's Sleepout

Hanawalt’s Cub Scout Pack 75 was presented with a Group Participation Award from Reggie’s Sleepout Charity Event. Way to go Pack 75 from Hanawalt!

Spring Plant Sale

April showers bring May Flowers.

Order you Spring Plants by Monday April 4th and they will be delivered on Friday May 13th.

This is a fantastic way to brighten up your spring garden and help out the PTA at the same time. What could be better.

Tired of your plants lying down on the job? Try a hanging basket! Your plants will love you for it and it will add a bright splash of color to any landscape.

Download the flier here. Return to the PTA mailbox with your payment. The mailbox will be collected Monday afternoon.

NO LATE ORDERS ACCEPTED.

Questions, contact Lisa Kenworthy (ajkenwo@earthlink.net) or Cheryl Thompson (cheryl@tasty-treats.com)

News from the Principal

For the second year, the Hanawalt Science Fair was a huge success! Students, teachers, and parent organizers put forth countless hours to ensure that a meaningful learning experience was created for all participants. In addition, Hanawalt’s Book Fair, Music Performances, Spelling Challenge, Silent Auction and Movie Night have added to the overall learning experience of students. These events have continued to connect the school and community in a partnered commitment that ensures a model educational environment. Many thanks go to the parent and teacher volunteers that have supported this rigorous dedication to student learning. Also, thank you to families that attend such events for respecting neighborhood parking policies. Undoubtedly we are limited in space so each homeowner appreciates families leaving adequate room to safely enter and exit driveways.

4th Grade – Experiment Division
1st Place: Emma Grimm and Sarah Smith (Which is better to dye a carnation beet juice of food coloring?)
2nd Place: Fasia Naseer (Which vegetable or fruit has the most electricity?)
3rd Place: Josh Thompson (Which water is cleaner (less impurities?))

4th Grade – Science Topic Division
1st Place: JaVonni Tarango (How does global warming effect penguins health?)
2nd Place: Brooklyn Starkey (Are cat's eyes better than humans?)
3rd Place: Emma Hall and Lydia Reed (How does the moon affect tides?)
Honorable Mention: Jamal Johnson (What are the differences between species of owls?)

5th Grade – Experiment Division
1st Place: Intisar Becic (Quick Sand: Is it a Solid or a Liquid?)
2nd Place: Anne Percival (Butterflies)
3rd Place: Mackenna Horstmann and Kylie Sly (Which water is cleaner (less impurities?)

5th Grade – Science Topic Division
1st Place: Sean Anderson and Nolan Pollard (Smelling Test)
2nd Place: Quinten Bickel (Forensics)
3rd Place: Otto Gunderson and Sam Knoshaug (How the Moon Affects the Tide)

Letter from the PTA Co-Presidents

It’s crazy to think Spring Break is almost here and once we return, there will only be about two months of school left. The halls of Hanawalt are and have been hopping. Here are some things that we’d like you to know about:

• The Spring Scholastic Book Fair was another successful event, both for the school and students. More than 325 books were purchased, which earned $1,953 in Scholastic bucks to buy library bound books and other school resource materials. It shows once again that our families know the value of reading. Thanks to all the parents that helped Dianna Thompson set up and sell books. As Dianna says, “Reading Rocks and you help make it happen!”
  
  There will be one last Book Fair before summer break. It is tentatively set to happen during Relay Days during the last two weeks of school. It’s a great way to send our students off with some great books for those long summer days.


• Movie Night was a big success. The school made $342 selling cookies, waters and accepting goodwill donations. A special thanks to Julie Brandt’s mom for the homemade chocolate chip cookies. The PTA also made a whopping $1,110 from the teacher auction. Thanks to all the AMAZING teachers who so generously volunteered their time and money. There are a few checks still outstanding so please be sure if you won the auction you bid on to please submit your check so your child can enjoy his special time with a teacher.


• Yearbook order forms will come home around Spring Break. Some orders were placed at the beginning of the school year during Meet the Teacher Night. If you can’t remember if you wrote a check, please contact Lisa Russell at lisa@scubacreative.com.


• Spirit Wear is coming! If you missed your chance to order Hanawalt school gear before Christmas, you will have another opportunity next month. We are selling T-shirts, shorts and other seasonal items to show off your school spirit. Look for information in backpacks in the next few weeks.


• School Supplies 2011-2012 - The form to sign up will come home in the 2011-2012 school registration packets that will be sent home in the spring. If you order the supplies, they will be on your child’s desk the day of Meet the Teacher and you don’t have to go shopping. The supplies are a PTA fundraiser and help pay for school functions throughout the school year.


• RIF Book distributions - there will be two more RIF book distributions before the end of the school year. The next one will be at the end of March and the final one will be in mid-May. Stay tuned for more details.

Again, thanks to all the parents who support Hanawalt and the PTA. We appreciate you taking time out of very busy schedules to enrich the learning environment for all our students.
Martha Miller Johnson and Lisa Russell, 2010-2011 PTA Co-Presidents

Kindergarten News

In honor of Black History month, the kindergarten students designed a bulletin board illustrating Black Americans who have made important contributions to the country. Included in our bulletin board were Joseph Winters, the inventor of the fire escape ladder. Mr. Winters included a safety feature on the ladder, Mr. Garrett Morgan, the inventor of both the traffic light and the breathing mask for firefighters, and Dr. Mae Jemison, the first Black American woman in space. Dr. Jemison joined NASA in 1987 and flew on the Endeavor space mission in 1992.

The kindergarten students added speech bubbles sharing their dreams for our world. We shared our ideas for making our world a better place for everyone.

First Grade News

If you “googled” the words math whiz, you just may see a picture of one of Hanawalt’s first graders. The first graders have been very productive this winter memorizing their addition and subtraction math facts. The children have been busy practicing with paper and pencil, playing games, and using flashcards. They have all learned strategies to solve the facts they have yet to master. Drawing pictures, using number lines, counting up or back in our minds, and using related facts such as fact families are just a few of the tricks of the trade. Money has even gotten in on the action as the children add and subtract coins. All future math is easier when you know the facts. If you see a first grader, ask them about their math strategies. But if you ask them their facts, you’d better stand back. Just like a cold March wind, they’ll blow you away!