April 22, 2016
Dear Parents,
CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 25-29TH:
Thursday, April 28th: Boys and Girls Soccer vs. Deerpark MS @ Hopewell MS field 5PM
Thursday, April 28th: Play Performance in the cafeteria 5:30-8:00PM
Friday, April 29th: Play Performance in the cafeteria 5:30-8:00PM
Friday, April 29th: Advanced Orchestra Fiesta Texas Trip
Saturday, April 30th: Hopewell MS Hosts Band Solo-Ensemble all day
Hopewell MS 8th Grade Math and Reading STAAR Results:
| March Administration | ||
| Reading | HMS | District |
| Met Expectation- Paper |
89%
|
93%
|
| Met Expectations-STAAR A |
81%
|
31%
|
| African American |
76%
|
87%
|
| Hispanic |
87%
|
87%
|
| White |
95%
|
97%
|
| LEP |
56%
|
58%
|
| Sped (including STAAR A) |
61%
|
35%
|
| Eco Dis |
84%
|
83%
|
| At Risk |
76%
|
77%
|
MATH
| Met Expectation- Paper |
91%
|
91%
|
| Met Expectations-STAAR A |
63%
|
35%
|
| African American |
77%
|
79%
|
| Hispanic |
95%
|
87%
|
| White |
90%
|
94%
|
| LEP |
73%
|
75%
|
| Sped (including STAAR A) |
61%
|
40%
|
| Eco Dis |
88%
|
79%
|
| At Risk |
76%
|
74%
|
Some observations/reflections:
- In Math, this is one of the highest scores we’ve had for 8th grade in the past several years. 100% of the 85 7th grade accelerated students that took the 8th grade math test met standard. We are especially proud of our Special Education students who scored exceptionally well as did our Hispanic student subpopulation. They scored the highest of any student group at Hopewell!! Our Economically Disadvantaged students rocked it too! We’re proud of all our students who took the STAAR and of our exceptional math teachers for preparing them.
- In Reading, we were only one % point away from 90% of our students meeting standard. That is incredible! Our scores continue to go in the right direction and that is due to our great students and hard working teachers. We are especially proud of our Special Education students and teachers as they scored towards the top in RRISD and a huge jump from last school year.
- We have moved away from departmentalization of our core subjects and structured our students into smaller learning communities or TEAMS. This has made a significant impact on the behavioral and academic needs of our students. Teachers collaborate in TEAM meetings each week and develop strategies to help struggling students be more successful in their learning and behavior choices. It is truly making a difference.
- We also are now requiring our grade level core academic department teachers to meet twice per week to develop engaging lessons that are relevant to the real world to help anchor the learning targets taught. They also analyze Testing data to help determine what learning targets need more remediation. That too is making a huge difference in our student achievement.
- We have RRISD Instructional Coaches that work closely with our core teachers in their Professional Learning Communities on a weekly basis. This too is making a difference.
- Those students that did not meet standard of passing in math and reading will be tutored during their regular Language Arts class or moved to a Math Intervention class for the remainder of the school year. We will rework some of those objectives that they struggled with on STAAR and get them ready for the re-take in a several weeks.
ORCHESTRA SOLO ENSEMBLE
On Saturday, April 16th over 100 orchestra students received superior ratings for Solo and Ensemble Contest. These students worked hard to prepare for the competition and did Hopewell proud!
FLU BUG ABOUT!
It's hard to believe we are at the end of April and are still getting confirmed flu cases. We urge all of our students and staff to take extra precautions in order to decrease their risk of getting the flu. Remember to cover your cough and sneeze with your arm, and protect your immune system by eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of rest. Above all, I cannot stress enough, the importance of hand washing. Please continue to inform us of any confirmed flu results from your doctor. Thank you!
OPEN TEACHING POSITIONS AT HOPEWELL FOR 2016-2017
This spring, I will be filling the following teaching positions that have come open so far. I will be attending the RRISD Job Fair at Stony Point HS this Saturday morning and hope to meet some great candidates to teach your children.
- 1 Assistant Principal to replace Mrs. Chowdhury who will be leaving us to take an international curriculum supervisor position next school year.
- 1 Spanish Teacher
- 2 Special Education Teachers
- 1 ESL Teacher
- 1 Texas History Teacher/Girl’s Coach
PTA NEWS:
Financial Reconciliation Committee:
Are you a PTA member with a head for numbers, are you an attention to detail person? We need three members of our PTA to form a financial reconciliation committee to go over the PTA books in July and make sure that everything is shipshape for the new school year. We have someone who will lead the process; we have checklists to follow and a list of things to look at. We need three people to help with the process. The reconciliation will take place in the second week of July and take approximately 2-3 hours. If you can help with this process, please email our President, Joanne Georgeson at hopewellptapresident@gmail.
Final General PTA Meeting including Elections of Officers:
Our final PTA meeting for the 2015/2016 school year will take place on Thursday, May 5th, 2016 at 6pm in the Library at Hopewell. All members of the PTA for the current school year are welcome to attend. We will go over our financial statement and then elect the Officers for the 2016/2017 School year. Please come out and support PTA at this time.
Thank you EVERYONE who clipped LABELS for Education for us over the past year.
We were able to accumulate enough points to purchase some much appreciated items.
For ART - each grade level got this massive box of markers (200 per box).
We also purchased these athletic balls for the kids to enjoy during their lunch hour FREE time. The Assistant Principals for each grade level will have the balls & we ask that the students be responsible & bring them back into the building after every lunch hour FREE time. HMS is written on them to help ensure they stay at the school. If you happen to find one in your child’s possession please kindly have them bring it back for all to enjoy.
Texas PTA Camp Just Imagine- Musical Theater Day Camp Info
Does your child like to sing or perform?
Click on the flyer above to get details about Texas PTA's Camp Just Imagine. Campers go Monday thru Friday with the big show on Friday to which all friends and family are invited to enjoy!
THANK YOU to ALL our Wonderful PTA Members!
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!
Karl
