Scatter Kindness

We celebrated kindness and joy at Hanawalt on Friday. Kindness Celebration, formally known as Valentine's Parties were happening throughout the school.
 New this year was the addition of passing on kindness to others. Several classrooms added a service project to their Celebration. Students gave up some of their time to help others.  Ms. Killin's class wrote Valentines for our community thanking them for supporting our school. Mrs. vonArb and Mrs. Nordmeyer's classes made blankets for the homeless shelter and Mrs. Kempton's class made puppet craft backs for Blank Children's Hospital.

 

Students told me it felt good to show kindness and do something for others. Giving up part of their party time seemed to make them happier. It is our hope to continue this concept of service with our students. Service to others in our community is an important part of being a leader and a good citizen.
In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.

Clubs

We started our clubs at Hanawalt this year as part of our Leadership Framework. It was our thought that being part of a club helps grow, not only the discrete skill the club is focused around ,but  leadership and citizenship skills as well. Students need to feel part of a group. Clubs are another opportunity for them to connect and interact with others. They gain confidence and build relationships. The staff at Hanawalt are very proud of the success of our first club attempt.  I believe the student quotes best tell how successful our club project has been.

 

 

 

Anna  "We made great plays with little adult help. We did it ourselves."
 

Meredith s  " It was fun making our own theater."
 

 Cloe  " It was awesome because got to spend time with my second grade teacher." 

"The newspaper club was the only club that I felt like I belonged in. I chose this club because I felt like I had talent in it. But I have to leave the club now because I feel like I have to be more open. So I highly recommend this club because it has a part for everyone from comics to interviews. So if you are looking for a worthwhile club you should try this one. "   Alex

“My favorite part of newspaper club was writing about events that I liked and listening to other peoples’ fun stories. I also enjoyed being with my friends and going to other classes to write about other clubs.”  George

 

"I like robotics so much because it is fun and creative". Maqdis

" We learned so many things about other countries and the people in those countries. It was fun tasting all the food!"

" Being on the technology team made me feel like a leader" Anthony

" The coding club was the best. I learned how to do QR codes and was able to teach other people how to  do it" Lucas

 

 

                                                             

 

 

 

  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DMPS Welcomes All

-The following statement was issued yesterday, jointly, by our Superintendent and School Board. DMPS and Hanawalt welcomes and celebrates the richness that diversity brings to our schools. Here at Hanawalt all stakeholders work for the success of all our students. Many have asked how they can help. Ms Bell has been in contact with a group from Merrill, who is sponsoring a "Coffee for Change" event. Please see below.
Thank you for making Hanawalt the inclusive, happy place it is. Together is better!
#teamhawks
#hanawaltcares

COFFEE FOR CHANGE

2-4 PM this Saturday, Feb. 4th

Smokey Row Coffee

1910 Cottage Grove Ave., Des Moines, IA 50314

Stop by Smokey Row any time from 2-4 to continue the march forward for change! Write your representative about the issues that are important to you (we will have the postcards, stamps and addresses!), drop off a donation for a local shelter (most needed items are posted below), and sip some coffee with friends. Stay for awhile, or just drop in. Bring your friends, neighbors & family. Let's keep this march going!

-personal care items (deodorant, travel sized toothpaste, travel sized shampoo, etc.)

-underwear (men's and women's)

-gloves

-towels

-wash cloths

-reading glasses

Joy

                   What brings you joy? What are ways to show joy? How do we spread joy?

                                                You can choose to be joyful everyday. 

 

What started out as a word of the day became part of our school culture. It resonated throughout the school and students found ways to find and spread joy.

 

                        

 

It is important to pause and reflect on all of the blessings we have, the things we have to be joyful about and how important it is to bring joy to others.

 

 

These are examples of joy from our hawks!

 

                

 

 Being part of a school  community can be happy, exciting, scary and frustrating. This mirrors being part of any family or organization.  I hope you take time at the start of 2017 to think of the joy that our school and community brings.

                 

                      Your joyful and dedicated staff at Hanawalt wish you all the best for 2017!

 

 

                                                    Thanks to Kelsey Byus for designing these awesome shirts.

 

Next Generation Science Standard

Des Moines Public Schools has a five year plan for implementing the Next Generation Science Standards. Hanawalt Elementary is jumping in feet first this year. After many teachers went to training over the summer and grade levels started unpacking the standards last spring we felt these new standards were the vehicle we needed to move us forward with integration, STEM goals and 21st Century Learning. Knowing that students need to understand science topics and how they relate to the world and interrelate with each other.
It is important for us to develop problem solvers that are ready to take on future problems from pandemics to energy shortages. Being literate in science and mathematics will provide advantages for our students. Opening doors that would other wise be closed. Although the integration of engineering and technology is not new to elementary school, the new Science Standards support teachers by cross cutting with other content areas and supports intentional integration with engineering and technology.

Click on the following link to get information about the Next Generation Science Standards and ways you can support this learning at home.
Next Generation Science Standards

                                                Engineering

                                             Hydroponics

                                                      Forces In Motion

                                                         Plant Structures

                                                          Life Cycles

Celebrating Habit 3

 

Last Wednesday was our school wide Community Meeting and Celebration. As a community,we celebrate , but we also work to problem solve issues and concerns. Together we talked about goals to make our arrival safer and more effective.  We cleared up misinformation and confusion about Kid Striders. Being able to synergyze helps us become a stronger community.

During our celebration we enjoyed a performance of "Jellicle Cats" by Mrs.Carpenter's Kindergarten. They have been reading and discussing the poem as part of their Jr Great Book time. We enjoyed their dramatization emensly! 

        

Students were recognized for modeling Habit 3- Put First Things First or Work First Then Play.

This habit is hard for all of us but these students show us that setting goals and working to achieve them is a priority. They also know the balance of mind,body and spirit. We a very proud of these leaders and know they will continue to grow in their citizenship. 

We also recognized students that show kindness . They are kind to their peers, their teachers, their school and environment. Kindness is key, especially now. We applaud these students that show strong character and caring for all those around them. 

    

                                         

The Belma Spirit Award went to 4th grade! The 4th graders have shown Habit 2 in their efforts to get this prize. They have a plan search week to remind others about Blue Tuesday, they have set goals for their hallway behavior and show positivity throughout the day. HIp Hip Hooray for these positive school leaders.

Habit 2 Celebration

Our Habit 2 Celebration was last week. We celebrated and recognized students and classrooms that modeled Habit 2- Begin With The End in Mind. This habit's focus is on goal setting and making choices to help make that goal. Check out these student leaders featured on our entry way bulletin board. Kindergarten was the winner of the Belma Spirit Award. We appreciate how they are striving to reach their full potential, showing their spirit and school pride and wearing blue each Tuesday.