October Newsletter - Summit Hill District 161

Walker Wildcat News
October Edition
Hilda Walker Intermediate School
19900 S. 80th Avenue
Upcoming Events
Tinley Park, IL 60487
www.summithill.org PHONE (815)464.2285 // FAX (815) 464.2160
PRINCIPAL’S PAGE – Ms. Goebel
October 5
Blue Shirt Day World Day
October 6
Picture Re-take Day
Dear Parents & Students:
October 9
It’s hard to believe that our first quarter is halfway complete! During
our first few months of school, students have been getting
themselves acclimated to the daily procedures, routines, and
expectations here at Walker.
½ Day: Student Dismissal @
11:30am/Teacher In-service
pm
Midterm Progress Reports were available on PowerSchool on
September 23rd. One of our district goals is to strengthen
communications and connections both internally and externally
within our entire school community. Being able to communicate
with your child’s teacher is a perfect example of how we can
strengthen communication and our connections. Please do not
hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns.
NO SCHOOL –Columbus Day
October 12
October 13
5th Grade Field Trip to the
Museum of Science &
Industry
October is Bully Prevention Month. Please take a moment to read
our Anti-Bullying Program information below. We have a whole
month planned of activities that students and staff can partake in
to show support.
6th Grade Team University of
Illinois Field Trip to the Shedd
Aquarium
This is the first edition of our newsletter in which you will be able to
read pertinent information from your child’s team! Each month,
teams will publish the highlights of the month and your child(ren)
may be seen here! Take a look below to see!
October 14
6th Grade Team Notre Dame
Field Trip to the Shedd
Aquarium
Looking forward to a thrilling month of October! As always, please
contact us if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.
October 15
6th Grade Team Michigan
Field Trip to the Shedd
Aquarium
Kindly,
Ms. Laura C. Goebel, Principal
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 1 of 21
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S PAGE – Mr. Hantson
Dear Parents & Students,
The first month of school has flown by and fall is upon us. Now that
our students are getting used to new schedules and new workloads
I feel it is imperative to mention that all students have Study Hall
and Academic Assistance available to them. These programs
provide a great opportunity for students to get their work done in a
productive atmosphere with the ability to seek out teacher
assistance as needed. Study Hall is run during every lunch/
intramural period and Academic Assistance is held after school
Monday through Friday from 2:55-3:55 p.m. Please have your
student take advantage of those opportunities.
Clubs and activities are also underway and being involved will only
enhance a student’s experience here at Walker. Taking part in
activities will provide a great opportunity to develop new
relationships and develop new skills. Check the Walker website for
details on all our clubs and activities that students can get involved
in!
Student safety is paramount to us at Walker. In order to keep our
students safe on the way home, students should ride their assigned
bus only. If a student is not going to be riding the bus home and
another form of transportation will be used (walking, car ride, etc.)
a note needs to be sent with the student. Please help us keep your
child safe by informing the office of any transportation changes. In
addition, please take a moment to review our traffic plan for those
that are parent pick-up both directly after school and after extracurricular activities.
Sincerely,
Mr. Don Hantson, Assistant Principal
Important
Announcement
SCO Treat Day, October 1st
SCO Hot Lunch, October
30th
In the Community
SHEF
Don’t forget to mark your
calendars for our first
Haunted Hustle 5K on
Saturday, October 17th from
8am-noon
Registration is available online
through Oct. 15th at
www.summithill.org or register
at the event (cash only)
$10 adults / $5 K-12 students
For sponsorship opportunities
or to sign-up as a volunteer,
please email SHEF at:
[email protected]
After the race, join the District
Families for free family
activities including a Trunk or
Treat!
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 2 of 21
IMPORTANT NEWS…
Remember if you need to contact any of our staff, please
email them using the first letter in their first name and full last
name ([email protected])
Attention Veterans!!!
Hilda Walker proudly announces that they will be having their
annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 6th. The
ceremony will be honoring the different branches of the armed
forces followed by the veterans being able to speak in the
classroom and eat with the students. The lunch will be provided
by the school. Invitations and more information will be given out
in October. We are looking forward to sharing the day with you!!!
Computer Club
Be Creative and join the Walker Computer Club!! 5th grade
Computer Club will meet Tuesdays and 6th grade will meet
Fridays after school with Mr. Acevedo. As a member of
Computer Club you will create many projects such as
animation, text graphics, games, and music. Permission forms
and information will be available outside the gym on
September 28th or on Mr. Acevedo’s webpage.
Wildcat News- October 2015
Progress Reports/
Report Cards
Quarter One: 9/23, 11/6
Quarter Two: 12/3, 1/29
Quarter Three: 2/19, 4/8
Quarter Four: 5/2, Last
day of school
*Check PowerSchool
weekly for updated
student grades as well as
teacher websites at
www.summithill.org
A Good Idea…….
Some students need to call
home from time to time, a
good idea would be to jot
down parent’s cell phone
numbers and work numbers
on a note card. The card
can be placed in a small
zipper area of your students
back pack and will be
readily available to them
when needed.
Page 3 of 21
Safety Patrol
Congratulations to the following students who have volunteered to help keep safety in the lime
light at Hilda Walker School for the 2015-2016 year. These fine young citizens will learn about
various safety topics throughout the year and share this knowledge with their peers. The Safety
Awareness Team will also be responsible for either putting up or taking down the flag each
day. Welcome aboard Caleb Fassl, Maggie Farber, Tommy Kelly, John Kenny, Joey Luczak,
Michael Mynarczyk,, Sarah Sanderson, Jacob Kustak, Rocco Cesario, Amber Magdziasz, Emma
Roberts, Jake Krstulovich, Luka Krstulovich, Jake Kowalewicz, Maria Rehm, HamzaShukair, Abby
Powless, Gabriel Burcher, Emma Gorter, Morgan Gomez, Victoria Lucarelli, Paige Wolford, Alex
Revell, Patrick Irace, and Izabella Miranda. We are looking forward to learning a lot and
helping students follow the 3 B’s here at Walker.
PBIS – Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports
PAWMART
PAWMart will have its Grand Opening Thursday, September 24th. PAW Mart will be selling Popcorn
the last Thursday of each month for 20 tickets. At the end of every quarter, nachos will be
available for thirty tickets. The PAWMart School Store will also be open once a month. Be sure to
listen to the announcements for specific dates and always be respectful, responsible, and safe.
On October 9th, students will celebrate their 1st quarter accomplishments by joining in in the 2nd
annual Fall Fest. At Fall Fest, students will participate in games and watch their favorite teachers
receive a Trick or Treat. Teacher Trick or Treat will help raise money for SHEF and supplement the
Haunted Hustle Fun Run on October 17th. During lunch students will donate change to their
favorite teacher to see if the teacher will receive a trick or treat. The teacher that raises the most
money will receive the trick and the runner up will take the treat.
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 4 of 21
Walker Wildcat Teams - 5th Grade
Team Ohio State University
Mrs. Amy Bednarz, Mr. Michael Doody, Mrs. Colleen Maranto, & Mrs. Nicole Rafa,
In science, students began exploring different scientific tools they will be using throughout the
year. The students rotated through stations acting as junior scientists to get hands on experience.
Students within each classroom got acquainted with another student in their class by conducting
person to person interviews, comparing character traits, and writing a short comparison essay. The
final product was a top hat organizer that was displayed for all students to get to know each other.
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 5 of 21
Team Alabama
Where were you on September 11th, 2001?
Many adults remember where they were on
that date, but the students at Hilda Walker
were not born yet. Students, as pictured
above, from Team Alabama participated in
Patriot Day. The students learned about
September 11th and colored September 11th
ribbons that were hung in the hallway.
Mrs. Lisa Chikerotis, Mrs. Aubrey Gallagher, Mr. Joe Klosak,
Mrs. Kristy Milazzo, & Mrs. Melissa Pelkowski
Team Alabama has started out the year strong! Students are adjusting well to new routines,
classroom expectations, and higher academic expectations. Throughout the month of September,
students have been introduced to many new topics. In science they have learned about the various
inquiry skills that scientists use to begin their investigation. They have also participated in their own
investigation using bubble gum. In social studies, students have learned about the struggles that
colonists have faced building new colonies. They have been introduced to many new strategies
that include two column notes, finding cause and effect relationships, and comparing and
contrasting using interactive notebooks. In reading, students have read two stories that focused on
point of view, irony, story structure, using text evidence to support their answers, finding the theme,
and characterization. In English, they have learned to find the subject and predicate in a sentence
and to decipher between sentences and fragments. In math, our focus has been on powers of 10.
Students have used manipulatives and watched video tutorials to enhance their understanding.
They have also worked in centers which include, reinforcement, enrichment, reviewing of skills, and
games. Hands down, this has been a fantastic start to the 2015-16 school year. Team Alabama
teachers are very proud!
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 6 of 21
Team Illinois State University
Mrs. Tara Boudreau, Mrs. Shelby Cramer, Mrs. Kristin Schaefer, Mrs. Shari Stokoski, & Mrs. Karrie Zitkus
We are off to a fantastic start so far! The students have adapted well to their transition to Walker.
They are being very respectful, responsible, and safe in all areas of the school. We look forward to
the many positive memories that we are going to make this year.
The students from Team ISU at Walker participated in a Patriot Day activity on Friday, September
11. The students and teachers flooded the halls by wearing red, white, and blue in order to show
their patriotism on this special day. The students also colored patriotic ribbons to hang above the
doors as we enter our hallways. We discussed how proud we are to be Americans and how much
we love to show our support to the USA. The teachers of Team ISU are very proud of their students'
dedication to their school, their fellow classmates, and their country. Check out our awesome
entrance to our ISU hall! 
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 7 of 21
Team Notre Dame
Ms. Mary Dempsey, Mrs. Laura Dermody, Mrs. Jen McFarland, Ms. Danielle Mittelstadt,
& Mrs. Julie Sajewich
Mrs. Sajewich’s/Mrs. Mc Farland Reading/Language Arts Classes
We are off to a great start in ELA this year. Students are working hard developing their writing skills.
They have been working on using the RACES format in answering questions. We have also been
reinforcing all the non-negotiable items in their writing. Students are also being introduced every
other week to new Greek and Latin root words. They are learning new vocabulary and how to use
the roots to break apart words to find meaning.
Students are reading the novel, Flush, by Carl Hiaasen. They are learning how to annotate the text
and develop ideas based on text evidence. We are also working on point of view and figurative
language while reading the novel.
The Summit class is reading the novel, Freak the Mighty, by Rodman Philbrick. We have been
focusing on developing our ideas using textual evidence. We will also be focused on the hero’s
journey throughout the novel.
Ms. Mittelstadt’s Math
We started off the year discussing collaboration and communicating about math. We have also
been working on written responses and making sure enough detail is included in our explanations.
The first module that we completed was on integers. The students learned about integers in real
world situations, comparing and ordering integers, and absolute value. We also completed a
lesson on graphing on the coordinate plane. Next, we will be working on finding factors, GCF,
multiples, and LCM. The students will be applying these skills to rational numbers and fractions.
In Summit Math, the students have also been working on collaboration and writing. The students
have been working on the first two modules that focus on adding, subtracting, multiplying, and
dividing integers. They have also been working on operations with integers with real world
problems. Next, we will be working on fractions and decimals.
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 8 of 21
Mrs. Dermody’s Social Studies
In social studies, the students have been learning about the early humans. They learned how early
humans adapted to their environment and invented tools to survive. The students also learned
about the importance of the farming revolution and the effect it had on early civilization. Next we
will begin learning about Hammurabi and his law codes. The students will decide if his laws were
fair or not and develop their own law codes. Through all these activities the student are working on
determining central ideas and citing textual evidence.
Ms. Dempsey’s Science Class
In science, we have just finished up our introduction to physical science. This will lead into the
study of electricity and magnetism. The students will learn about the various charges found on
objects, which moves into electricity with regard to lightning and static electricity. We will also be
exploring electric current and energy before moving on to series and parallel circuits. The students
will be participating in several labs throughout this process to better explore and learn about these
topics. Recently in our study of physical science and how the scientific methods are used in
completing an experiment, the students had to opportunity to create lava lamps. In addition the
students had to collaborate and work with a partner to problem solve in order to save their
gummy worm from drowning because he could not reach his life preserver. Below are pictures of
the activities and the children engaged, learning, and having fun with both processes.
Alana Brown, Maxim Zielinski,
Megan McDonald, and Jailee
Clemmons tried to figure out the
best way to solve the problem of
how to get Fred (gummy worm)
into his life preserver without
drowning him.
Mia Marron, Mia Pursel, and Isabel
Ramos work on creating lava lamps
and learning about the density of
oil and water.
P.E. News
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 9 of 21
Team University of Michigan
Mrs. Anita Becker, Mrs. Tracy Decesare, Ms. Marianne Hourihan, Mrs. Dawn Krueger,
& Mrs. Jen Medendorp
Mrs. Becker’s and Miss Hourihan Reading and Language Arts Classes
Team Michigan students are reading the novel Flush by Carl Hiaasen. In this unit, students are
involved in a study of how an author develops point of view and how an author’s perspective,
based on his or her geographical location. Flush is about a boy whose father has been arrested
for sinking a casino boat that was polluting the ocean.
We are asking that each student has his/her own copy of the book. A parent letter went home
with the students regarding the book. We will be working on annotating text, analyzing figurative
language, and citing text evidence reading both at home and at school, along with other skills
that will require students to have their own copy.
Students are currently working on Unit 5 which is a review of capitalization and punctuation rules
that support the classrooms non-negotiable list. Then we will transition to writing. Students have
also been introduced to Greek/Latin Root words that will help students learn how to decode
unfamiliar words written in everyday language. The students will focus on three main roots and ten
words over a course of two weeks. Unit 1 Greek/Latin Root words had the theme of water which
tied in nicely with Flush. Many of the words could be found in the first two chapters.
Mrs. DeCesare’s Math Classes
Team Michigan math students started the year working on team building skills by making spaghetti
towers. They only had spaghetti noodles and marshmallows along with 10 minutes to work
together to build the tallest tower. We had so much fun!
Now students are working on Unit 1: Numbers. This month, students will focus on Modules 2 and 3.
In Module 2 students will focus on factors and multiples which will carry over into Module 3 Rational
Numbers.
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 10 of 21
Mrs. Krueger’s Social Studies Classes
We recently finished up with Section 1 – Early Humans. While learning about the Paleolithic and
Neolithic people we discovered how they transitioned from nomadic hunters to farmers. Our next
focus will be on the Sumerians, who were one of the earliest known civilizations. Students will relate
the seven features of a civilization to the Sumerians as we read Section 2. We will also discuss their
advances in science and math. From there we will describe the rise and fall of the Assyrian and
Chaldean Empires.
Mrs. Medendorp’s Science Classes
Students on Team Michigan have started out the year learning how to think like a scientist. The
students were challenged to follow the scientific method while trying to accelerate a balloon
vehicle to a specific target along a path. This exercise was similar to an experiment performed by
astronauts and scientists at NASA, and I think my students did a fantastic job! The scientists on Team
Michigan have also started an investigation into electricity. In class, students are learned how to
use models to better understand the Law of Electric Charges and how electric charges move from
one object to another. Students also learned about materials that are conductors and materials
that are insulators. Students learned about the concept of static electricity and electric discharge
and used pictures and diagrams to understand how a lightning rod protects a building from a
lightning strike. Our next concept will investigate how electric charges move along a path and
students will discover how resistance affects moving charges.
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 11 of 21
Team University of Illinois
Mrs. Lauren Driscoll, Mrs. Leah Fischer, Mrs. Kelly Higgins, Mrs. Tammy Johnson, & Mrs. Julie Nance
Mrs. Nance—Math
Students have been working on integers and how they are used to solve real-world problems. They
have also been doing some graphing on the coordinate plane. Next, students will be working on
determining the GCF and LCM of numbers. They will also be learning about the distributive property
and how to rewrite the sum of numbers using the distributive property and GCF.
The students in Mrs. Nance’s class were sharing ideas and working as a team in order to effectively
build a spaghetti tower. From left to right: Jamie Dagenais, Michaela Buck, and Jayden Gabrys
Mrs. Driscoll—Social Studies
We have been learning about Early Humans from both the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages. Students
simulated life as early humans to get a better understanding of the difficulties surrounding survival
for these people. They discovered that access to water, food, and shelter was not as easy as it is
today. Students are now learning about the farming revolution. They are left with the question: Was
farming the most important event in human history? After our study of the farming revolution, we
will be learning about the concept of a civilization and its components. We will read about the first
civilizations in Mesopotamia and analyze the components of the Mesopotamian civilization.
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 12 of 21
Mrs. Fischer—Science
This month in Science, the students will be continuing to learn about electricity and magnetism. As
current passes through a wire, we are passing through electromagnetism. We will be exploring with
magnets and how our earth is one giant magnet. We will also be discussing how to create
electricity from magnets. Beginning second quarter, we will be moving into Earth’s changing
surface.
Students worked to “survive” and meet life’s basic needs of water, food, and survival.
From left to right: Tommy Walsh, Caleb Fassl, Hayden Gawel, and Nicole Magdziasz
Mrs. Higgins—ELA
ELA classes have begun their first novel Flush by Carl Hiaasen. This modern day mystery takes
place in the Florida Keys. It tells the story of a boy named Noah, his sister Abby, and their reckless
dad. As we are introduced to the book, students have used direct and indirect characterization
to help us better understand the novel’s characters and why they do the things they do. We will
continue our study by taking a close look at figurative language within our novel and our
everyday lives. Students will have the opportunity to dig deeper into popular songs to identify
such elements as similes, metaphors, personification, alliteration, idioms, and hyperboles.
Mrs. Johnson—ELA
Flush is a high-interest novel about a boy whose father has been arrested for sinking a casino boat
that was polluting the ocean by pumping sewage into it. At they read the novel, students will also
read excerpts of interviews with Carl Hiaasen in order to determine how his geographic location
has shaped his perspective and how his perspective is evident in the novel. Through the close
reading of these texts, students will learn multiple strategies for acquiring and using academic
vocabulary.
Students are currently working on reviewing capitalization and punctuation. We are working on
using correct end punctuation for sentences, capitalizing proper nouns and proper adjectives,
identifying interjections and using commas correctly with items in a series. They are also journaling
and working on learning Greek and Latin roots.
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 13 of 21
P.E. Team
As part of the district and state wellness movement all students in Summit Hill school district 161 will
receive daily Physical Education. Weather permitting all classes will be going outside. Please be
advised that students need to dress accordingly and be prepared to go outside.
The first week of PE consisted of games and activities to encourage and show the value of
teamwork. Walker PE prides itself on teaching students life skills that will help students’ throughout
their life. From teambuilding activities students turned their focus to football. Students worked to
improve their fitness by practicing in a variety of football games such as Passing for Points, Zone
Football, and Down the Field. As we enter into the fall season, students will learn in soccer skills
and PE teachers will be administering Fitness Testing.
Attention families, the PE Department is still collecting Box Tops for Education.
The box tops
collected are used to enhance your student’s physical education experience by providing them
with the latest fitness and health equipment. Thank you to all of the families that have
contributed. Every box top counts!!!
Parents please help your student remember to complete their PE homework. It is due every
Tuesday in their homeroom's PE box. Homework is worth 15% of their overall grade. Downloads to
the weekly homework are available on Mr. Acevedo's webpage through the Hilda Walker School
website.
Cross Country
The Hilda Walker Cross Country Team has started out the season great by working hard and
competing against some of the best competition! As the season gets tougher, the Wildcats will
work harder to ensure success the rest of the season. Meets left in the season include Homer,
Martino, and Hickory Creek. Wish the team good luck the rest of the way, GO WILDCATS!!!
Video Club
You could be the next big Hollywood Director or YouTube sensation by becoming a member of
the Hilda Walker Video Club. Members of Video Club will learn how to record, edit, and voice
over videos using Windows Movie Maker. Projects for this year include: A Student Bio, Walker Staff
vs Students Basketball Game, Walker Orientation, and much more!!
Permission forms and information will be available outside the gym on September 28th or on Mr.
Acevedo’s webpage.
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 14 of 21
October Art News
Ms. McCarthy is always astounded by the level of talent and creativity that the Hilda Walker students
demonstrate in the art room. This year the students will work with a variety of media including pencil,
oil pastel, watercolor, chalk pastel, printmaking, and sculpture. Walker students will have art either
once a week for a year or twice a week for a semester.
Art to Remember
Our school, in conjunction with Art to Remember, is offering a program that reproduces your child’s
personal artwork onto a variety of colorful products. This includes: magnets, key chains, quilt blocks,
beverage insulators, matted prints, wall calendars, bookmarks, ceramic mugs, sports towels, mouse
pads, heart ceramic ornaments, journals, art sketchbooks, placemats, CD cases, stainless steel travel
mugs, pillows, teddy bears with T-shirts, tote bags, ceramic tiles, aprons, and T-shirts.
Your child will create artwork following the art class curriculum in the spring. You will have the
opportunity to purchase a variety of products featuring your child’s artwork. You are under no
obligation to purchase. However, we believe you will be excited by these unique personal
keepsakes. They make great gifts for family and friends. We are excited to share this unique art
program to promote your child’s art!
Walker Art Club
Art Club will meet on Thursday’s for 5th Grade or on Tuesday’s for 6th in either the Science Lab or the
Art Room. Please listen to announcements at school on the day of art club for the materials that
you will need to bring to class that day. We will be experimenting with different materials and
techniques each time we meet so that you can experience the various aspects that the art has to
offer.
Art Club is after school until 3:55 PM. Students can arrange for a ride with parents in the front of the
school. Please arrange pickup with your student prior to starting art club. Thank you in advance for
your help in this matter.
5th Grade Art Club will meet on Thursdays this year from December 3rd-February 8th
6th Grade Art Club will meet on Tuesdays this year from December 1st- February 16th.
Mrs. Cramer’s students learned how to
draw people from observation using
ovals, circles and triangles. Chase Arthur
modeled for the students while they used
shapes to draw what they observed.
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 15 of 21
Technology Times
In technology class,
5th graders have
been hard at work
learning how to use
flashdrives! The
students have
walked through
each step of
inserting, locating
files, saving to, and
safely ejecting his or
her flash drive. Next,
we are moving on to
renaming them and
creating folders.
In integration, we
have been doing
lots of different
activities. We have
typed student oaths,
explored Think
Central, and
created a visual
reminder of math
properties. Please
spend some time on
Type to Learn 4, we
will not have the
opportunity to do
this together in tech
class!
In our technology
class, the 6th grade
students have been
reviewing the steps
of inserting, saving
to, and ejecting their
flashdrives. Then, the
students moved
onto renaming their
devices and
creating new folders!
Coming up next we
will spend two weeks
reviewing typing
using the program
Type to Learn 4.
Please encourage
your students to
practice good
typing habits!
Word(s) of the Week- tab, crop, and accuracy
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 16 of 21
From Your Reading Specialists and Math Interventionist
For children to become more proficient readers and mathematicians, they should practice skills
and strategies at home. Some of these strategies you may be aware of and children may use,
others will be new. Try them out and see what works for your child. Each month, the
interventionists at Hilda Walker will share a reading and a math strategy with you to work on at
home with your children.
Mr. Ken Cronin, Mrs. Linda O’Dell, & Mrs. Heather Stupay
Reading Strategy of the Month
Some readers have difficulty keeping their place or focusing on the lines of text and can get
distracted, which can get in the way of understanding what they are reading. Have your reader
use a pencil, index card, or their finger to stay on track while reading the text. This will help your
reader focus, keep their place, and improve fluency.
Math Strategy of the Month
Before any strategies are put in place, recognize your own attitude about math.





Be positive about math! Let your child know that everyone can learn math and let your
child know that you think math is important and fun.
Point out the ways in which different family members use math in their jobs.
Be positive about your own math abilities. Try to avoid saying "I was never good at math," or
"I never liked math."
Encourage your child to be persistent if a problem seems difficult.
Praise your child when he or she makes an effort, and share in the excitement when he or
she solves a problem or understands something for the first time.
Strategy #1: Research shows that playing games increases a child’s ability to problem solve using
logic, and the following games are all based on mathematics. Some games to try are: tic-tac-toe,
dots, checkers, dominoes, concentration, hangman, Scrabble, chess, and increasingly complex
card games such as hearts, rummy, and cribbage. All of them involve basic math skills, problem
solving and logic skills and are fun to do together!
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 17 of 21
Garden Club
The Hilda Walker Garden Club fall session is in full swing. We are forty members strong this year. Members are
busy customizing our T-shirts, making bird feeders, and devising recycling projects.
The Garden Club is currently selling mums in order to raise money to improve and beautify Hilda Walker School
and the school grounds. We would like to thank the Hilda Walker teachers and parents for their strong support
of this project.
Every school day, Garden Club members recycle on average forty pounds of paper. Our members also
promote recycling of plastic bags in order to keep them out of landfills. Last spring over sixty pounds of plastic
bags were recycled by the Garden Club. This year we hope to make it well over 100 pounds.
The summer rains have aided the growth of the milkweed plants which are doing better than ever. These
plants are the only ones that the monarch butterflies use to lay their eggs. After they hatch, the caterpillars
feed on the milkweed until they are ready to turn into butterflies. The monarch butterflies then make a 2,000
mile trip to Mexico for the winter. In the spring, some of the butterflies migrate back to our butterfly habitat
here at Hilda Walker. The monarch is the only butterfly that migrates like this. The Hilda Walker Garden Club is
in the process of monitoring these garden areas for pests and unwanted growth.
Ron Buoscio, Garden Club Sponsor
[email protected]
Wildcat News- October 2015
Page 18 of 21
October Newsletter-PPS Team – Mrs. Linke, Ms. Rybczynski, and Ms. Collins
Cool Tools are a part of our PBIS program at Walker. Cool tools are skill based lesson plans based on
our school wide expectations (Be Respectful, Responsible and Safe). This month, our students are
being taught respect through bullying awareness and prevention, and how to be responsible by
completing homework.
The Walker Way teaches students to stand up for themselves, or the victim in a bullying situation. The
first step is to tell the person who is displaying bullying behaviors to STOP. The second step is to walk
away. If the student is still intentionally hurting the victim, then the action is to talk to a trusted adult.
Students also learned the difference between telling and tattling, which is important when
determining if they should tell. Telling is when you want to help someone out of trouble and keep
yourself (or others) safe. Tattling is when you are trying to get someone into trouble, and no one is in
danger, or being emotionally or physically hurt.
A lot of conflict situations stem from friendships gone amiss. When conflict occurs, it is not necessarily
a bullying situation. In order to be considered bullying, someone has to be intentionally and
repeatedly trying to hurt someone. If your child is in a conflict with another student, there are staff
members here to help them handle the situation in a peaceful way, before it possibly turns into
bullying.
The second cool tool taught this month was homework completion. Students learned the
importance of writing down homework assignments in their planners, they discussed systems for
keeping track of their homework and other organizational strategies to help them remember to turn
in homework and how that can affect their grade.
The U.S. Department of Education gives some general homework tips for parents:
1. Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework
2. Make sure the materials your child needs are available. (Most of our books are online-see your
student’s team’s webpage for more information)
3. Help your child with time management. If your child has a project that is due at the end of the
week, help them do chunks of it at a time so they are not cramming at the last minute.
4. Be positive about homework. Make sure your attitude expresses how important school is to
you. Your child will acquire the same attitude.
5. When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers.
6. Help your child figure out what is hard and what is easy homework. Have him do the hard
homework first. This means he will be most alert when facing the biggest challenges
7. Reward progress and effort in homework. Celebrate the success with something special to
reinforce the positive effort.
Wildcat News- October 2015
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EXPECT RESPECT … Be respectful, Be Responsible, & Be Safe, The Walker Way!
Anti-Bullying Program
Every October, schools and organizations across the country observe National Bullying Prevention
Month. The goal is to encourage communities to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying
by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on all children of all ages. This
is how Hilda Walker Intermediate students and staff plan to show our support!
Monday, October 5th is Blue Shirt Day™ World Day of Bullying Prevention which falls on the first
Monday of every October -- this year on Monday, October 5th all students and staff are
encouraged to wear blue to show their support!
During the week of October 13th students will be asked to make friends with someone you don’t
know at school. Teachers will guide students to think about this: If you've ever been isolated from
others at school or you were new at school and it took time to make friends, you know what it feels
like to be left out. Or even if you were never isolated, imagine how it would feel. Students can
then try to make friends with someone at school they don't know. They will be asked to possibly
invite new friends to sit at their lunch table or join them in an after school activity. This could quite
probably be something they wish someone had done for them at one time or another.
STAND UP for Others Week will occur during the week of October 20th. Students will be asked to be
brave and STAND UP for someone who they think is being bullied. Bullies have been known to
back off when others stand up for victims. Students will be reminded to get the help of an adult
immediately if they feel unsafe. Be part of the solution -- not the problem! In addition, on October
21st, students and staff are encouraged to wear orange to show their support in being united for
kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
During the week of October 27th, students will be able to participate in the following activities:
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Create positive messages on post-its and hand them out to students at school
Create an act of kindness every day and challenge others to do the same.
o Make kindness go viral!
o We look forward to student led activities during the month as well.
The more awareness that is created during the month of October -- and all year round, is one step
closer to putting an end to bullying!
Wildcat News- October 2015
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Why Does Someone Bully?
Most bullies have a hard time understanding or being sensitive to another person’s feelings. The
bully may:
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Feel powerful by bullying others;
Feel bad about themselves and bullying them makes them feel smarter, stronger, and more
popular;
May have been bullied themselves; and / or
Blame the victim by saying the person is annoying, different, or deserving of being bullied.
There are no good excuses for bullying, and it will not be tolerated within our district. No one
deserves to be bullied no matter what the situation may be.
How to Report Bullying
Walker Staff teaches students to use the Stop, Walk, and Talk strategy (SWAT). This strategy allows
victims to tell the bully to stop, then they walk away, and talk to an adult.
If you are aware of any bullying behaviors going on in school, please go to our school webpage,
find the bully reporting icon on the left side and complete a report. Bullying reports are available
for students to complete if they feel they are being bullied. Once these are completed and
submitted, the form will be sent to our Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Linke, as well as administration.
Parents can contact either Mr. Hantson, the assistant principal, or myself, at any time to discuss
bullying situations, too. An investigation will begin and follow-up calls/conferences will be
scheduled to discuss the situation further.
Please help us keep our students safe at school by monitoring activities outside of school as well.
Safe communities = safe schools.
Wildcat News- October 2015
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