Handley Herald: January 2014

Handley-New-SignWELCOME, 2014!! What a crazy start to the new year! The Handley staff is eager to get back into a routine and busy learning. The students and teachers will be setting goals for great accomplishments as we enter the new year and prepare to begin the second half of the school year. The second half of the year will be busy as we will participate in a variety of standardized tests -- ISTEP+ for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade; IREAD3 for 3rd grade; mCLASS (K-2), and STAR testing (1-5). Attendance will be crucial as teachers are working with students to ensure they are prepared. Research shows that good attendance is an important factor in school success. Please encourage your child to be at school every day. Also, please be aware that we are having a very cold winter. Be sure your child is prepared for cold and snowy weather. If you need assistance with gloves, hats, boots, or a coat, please contact the school. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

MORNING ROUTINE REMINDER --IMPORTANT: Breakfast for non-bus students is at 8:15 a.m. We ask that non-bus students arrive at 8:15 promptly. This will allow all students to have enough time and space to enjoy their breakfast. THANK YOU!

OFFICE HOURS: The school office is open when school is in-session from 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Mrs. Ford and I are available to answer questions and assist guardians, parents, and students.

SCHOOL SAFETY: LaPorte Community School Corporation takes very seriously your child’s safety. We are very diligent regarding visitors in the building. In order to go beyond the office, you will be required to have an approved background check on file as well as sign in and wear a visitor’s badge. Please know that these measures are in place to keep students and staff safe. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.

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IREAD3 – 3rd grade students will be required to take and pass the IREAD3 test this school year. This test is given to ensure that students can read at grade level prior to the 4th grade. The test window is March 17-19. More information, including test samples can be found at www.doe.in.gov/assesssment/iread_resources.html

ISTEP+ - The ISTEP+ test will be given to 3rd – 5th graders March 3-12 and April 28-May 9. Please keep in mind that attendance is EXTREMELY important in order for your child to learn and practice skills/standards that are being taught in preparation of these tests.

DRESS FOR RECESS
Winter weather has arrived!! Please be sure your child is dressed for the colder weather. Students will go outside (whenever the temperature allows) during the winter months. Please be sure children have coats, hats, and gloves (snowpants and boots if they want to play in the snow). Students are not allowed to stay inside unless there is an official note from the doctor. Therefore, please be sure that students are dressed for the weather conditions.

CURRENT ADDRESS/PHONE NUMBER
Please be sure that we have a current address and phone number on file for you. This is necessary so that we can contact you in case of an emergency. In addition, this information is used by the ALERT NOW phone system that makes automatic calls for weather delays or other important school and/or corporation news.

WEATHER DELAY
We are now in the season of possible delays or cancellations due to inclement weather. Information about delays/cancellation can be found on the LaPorte Community School Corporation website (www.lpcsc.k12.in.us ) or by listening to 96.7, the Eagle. It is important that students not arrive to school until the scheduled start time for each day.

SERVICE LEAGUE PLAY:
Our K-2 students will be attending the Service League Play on Jan. 28 at 9:30. The play will be presented at LPHS. A permission slip will be required in order for your child to attend. In addition, there is a $.50 donation. Please send this in with your child along with the permission slip.