January 27, 2023

HCS Parent Newsletter for 1.27.23

Principal News…

We will continue with weekly Messengers on Fridays throughout the school year. All school messengers can also be found and translated into over 125 languages on our News Wall. 

Continuaremos con Mensajeros semanales los viernes durante todo el año escolar. Todos los mensajeros escolares también se pueden encontrar y traducir a más de 125 idiomas en nuestro muro de noticias.

Wow, we have some talented artists at Storm.  Thank you to everyone who is participating in the PTO Yearbook cover contest.  I am truly amazed at all the submissions and wish everyone the best of luck!  Speaking of PTO, the next meeting on Wednesday February 1st  will be in person at H.C. Storm starting at 6:30pm, with a virtual option for your convenience.  If you are able to make it, please feel free to join, as we will have numerous opportunities for office positions for the next two school years!  On February 3rd at 7:00pm come back to Storm with the family to participate in the Family Game Night.  Such a great way to meet other Storm families and continue to broaden our school community.

Message from Green Team: In our continued attempt to reduce landfill items and wasting food, the Green Team would like to make families aware that students are eating only portions of their lunch items and throwing away the remainder.  The students have done really well cleaning up after themselves, however remaining portions of ziplock food items are being disposed of.  Each family unit has their personal preference, however if you would like to have a conversation with your son/daughter pertaining to food items you would like for them to re-seal and bring home, please feel free to do so.

Parking:  Unless you have personally discussed utilizing the 3 provided handicap parking spaces with me, please refrain from using.  I have set up only 3 individual family plans to permit access to the handicap parking spaces, but always have to provide access to those who have a handicap sticker.  We will be working with the Batavia police department to enforce this rule and notify them of the families who have permission.  If you require closer parking, please feel free to utilize the two provided visitor parking spots or any open parking spots in the lot.  Just a reminder on Tuesday we partner with the high school to offer a mentoring program, this does decrease access to available parking spaces.  Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures Reminder.

2023 Illinois Parent Survey: The 5Essentials Survey identifies five indicators that lead to improved outcomes for all students, including improved attendance and larger test score gains (ISBE 5Essentials Survey Info).  The survey is completely optional and anonymous, but we always like to get our parent perspective and require a minimum of 20% parent responses for the report to generate.  The survey is now open and will close on March 31st, 2023.  

Link to survey: http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/

Important Dates:

  • 2022-2023 Theme: WE BELONG HERE!
  • 2022-23 School Year Information. For updated information on the 2022-23 school year, please click HERE

HC Storm Shares:

 

  • The school store is open!  Please fill out the order form linked here and return all cash in a ziplock bag stapled to your order form. Thank you from HCS Student Council.
  • Batavia Special-Education Parent Network. 5th grade and RMS families: Does your child receive extra services/supports, have a 504 Plan or an IEP and interested in learning more about RMS?  Please join Chris Payton, RMS Asst. Principal of Special Education, on February 1, 2023 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. for some coffee and conversation.  Be sure to bring any questions you may have! Visit BSPN-Batavia.org to learn more about the Batavia Special-Education Parent Network (BSPN) and view their upcoming events.  
  • Green Team Plastic Bag Challenge is going strong! There are three bins located at the front of the school – 1 in front of the school outside and 2 in the school. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP WITH THIS!  
  • All plastic must be clean, dry and free of food residue.
  • Recycle Beyond the Bag with the GreenTeam.  The school who produces the most plastics will win a Trex recyclable bench!

PTO Shares:

  • Send Us Your Snaps for the Yearbook! Please send photos from events like the first day of school, Halloween, Movie Night, walk/bike to school day to hcstormyearbookphotos@gmail.com
  • Yearbook Cover Contest. Information was sent home this week with your child or click here for the information in English and Spanish. Entries are due Monday, January 23rd.
  • PTO meeting in person on February 1st at HCStorm starting at 6:30pm. See how you can help this great organization!
  • Fun-Run Co-Chair needed. Want to make an impact with our biggest fundraiser? You’ll have the opportunity to make an impact by co-chairing our biggest fundraiser of the year. Our meetings will begin in February and the Run will be in May. Please contact Alice Lohman if you are interested at alicelohman@gmail.com.
  • Yearbooks will be available at the end of the school year. Families can either order early online or we submit a paper order form in the spring. (Due date for orders is TBA.)
  • Please make sure to follow us on Facebook for the most up to date information: What’s Happening at HC Storm Elementary: PTO Updates.  This will be the best way for remote learners to connect with Storm for the time being while email lists are sorted out through the district.

Other Important Information:

  • Kindergarten Meet & Greet: Have a neighbor, family member, yourself or friend who has a student that will be turning 5 by September 1, 2023, that they are considering entering kindergarten at a BPS101 elementary school for the 2023-2024 school year? Join us for a Kindergarten Meet and Greet on February 16, 2023. Please sign up to meet with a District Administrator at the Rosalie Jones School Administration Building, 335 W. Wilson Street, to submit registration documentation and have a 10-minute time slot for a brief Q&A with your school administration team. Batavia Public School District 101 strongly encourages families of incoming kindergarten students to participate, which starts the enrollment process. Visit our website to register:bps101.net/kindergarten or on Facebook.
  • 2-1-1 Information/Referral Hotline Now Available in Kane County. Just like you dial 9-1-1 for emergencies, you can now call “2-1-1” in Kane County and be connected to a live specialist, any time of the day or night, to assist you with your human service and resource needs.  Read more >
  • Social Emotional Resource: BPS101 student services staff have put together a Virtual Calming Room containing tools and strategies to help students manage emotions and feelings in productive ways.There are resources for all ages.