[HMS News] HMS Parent Flash 10-28-11

[William Carozza]

HMS PARENT FLASH 10/28/11

The Common Core

Earlier this month the school district organized a full day of professional development for our teachers centered on new standards that are sweeping the country called the Common Core State Standards. The work began with the National Governor's Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers toward the end of the last decade, and the final literacy and math standards were released last year. This was a process facilitated separately from the federal government but has spread to nearly all states included New Hampshire. Recognizing that we live in a very mobile society, the Common Core is designed to be uniform throughout the country. In addition, those developing the standards felt that we could raise the academic bar as the writers referenced the very best standards from the 50 states, as well as from other countries, to write the Core. 

At Harold Martin, teachers have reviewed the new standards in the context of our current curriculum and practice. We gathered data on which standards we are currently utilizing, which are more rigorous than current practice, and which are missing altogether. Of course, the current New Hampshire standards vary quite a bit from the Common Core so we have our work cut out for us. Here's an example from the third grade math Core standards:

3.MD.3. Draw a scaled picture graph and a scaled bar graph to represent a data set with several categories. Solve one- and two-step “how many more” and “how many less” problems using information presented in scaled bar graphs. For example, draw a bar graph in which each square in the bar graph might represent 5 pets.

The New Hampshire Department of Education plans to fully implement the Common Core by the Fall of 2013. Before long, standards will be written for science and social studies as well. If you are interested in reading more about the Common Core standards, head to: http://www.corestandards.org/, or  http://www.education.nh.gov/spotlight/ccss/index.htm.

I hope to see you tomorrow for the annual Halloween Parade and Halloween Hollar. Kids line up at 11:30 AM for the Parade by the main entrance. For more info, head to: http://bit.ly/vdK0lq

Have a wonderful Fall weekend...significant snow is possible for late tomorrow afternoon and evening but we should be clear for the Halloween festivities. 

All the best,

Bill Carozza, Principal

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AUTOMATIC CALL SYSTEM
School Community Automatic Call System test (to inform parents or guardians of emergency or time sensitive information) is scheduled for Saturday, November 5, at 7:00pm.

 If you have completed the Automatic Call System Registration Form and do not receive a call, please email  Betsy Wilder at bwilder at hopkintonschools.org or call 746-3473.

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Hopkinton Food Pantry

Please help stock the Hopkinton Food Pantry and other area food pantries for the coming winter. 

Next weekend, November 5th, the Hopkinton Cub Scouts, with the assistance of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Hopkinton Lions Club, will kick off the  annual Scouting For Food Drive by leaving a flyer with information about the food drive at houses in town. 

If you would like to help with this worthy cause, place your donation of non-perishable food items (no glass containers, please) in a plastic bag or bags and leave it out at your mailbox by 8:00 a.m., Saturday, November 12.  Scouts will pick up the bags of  food  between 9:00 a.m. and noon.  Last year, Hopkinton Scouts collected over 5000 items of food and we are hoping to increase that amount this year. Thank you in advance for your generosity!!!

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The Book Fair is Coming!

Mark the date on your calendar.  Classrooms will preview the Book Fair books on Monday and Tuesday, November 7th and 8th.  Students may purchase book on either of these days and each child will bring home a "Wish List" of titles they

found interesting.  Parents are invited to shop on Parent Conference Day, November 10 from 11 AM to 7 PM.  The bookcases will be set up in the hall outside the Reading Room.  Thanks for your continued support of this project.

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HARVEST CARNIVAL

Hopkinton High School is sponsoring a Harvest Carnival on November 5. Click here for more info: 
http://www.hopkintonschools.org/haroldmartinschool/latestnews/harvest-carnival/
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“Tween School ‘n Home

NOVEMBER THEME:   Fairies, Gnomes & Native Americans Week of Oct. 31 to Nov. 4

Monday:                     Halloween Party

Tuesday:                    Fairy Interesting

Wed. – Fri.:                Fairy and Gnome Houses

Thursday:                  Sewing w/ Mrs. Ottery

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Hopkinton Redhawks Football

Come see the Hopkinton/Hillsboro Redhawks Football team host their first playoff game vs. Granite State this Sunday, Oct 30 at 1:30pm at Houston Field #4. This team is made up of high school students from both Hopkinton and Hillsboro/Deering High Schools. There will be a concession stand as well as 50/50 raffle and more. Come cheer on the Redhawks!

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Parent Conference Day—Nov. 10th—No School for students

Veteran’s Day—Nov. 11th—No School

 

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Bill Carozza  | Principal
____________________________
Harold Martin School
271 Main St.
Hopkinton, NH 03229
p. 603 .746 .3473
http://www.hopkintonschools.org/haroldmartinschool
http://billcarozza.com

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