Hilburn Drive Elementary Newsletter

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HAWK TALK
March 6, 2009
Hilburn Drive Elementary Newsletter
Note from Mrs. Fenner March Madness is coming and
although it focuses primarily on college
basketball, its in that same spirit that Hilburn
students, staff and parents work as a team to
help our students reach their academic goals.
Students help by studying, completing
homework/classroom assignments and trying their
best. Parents help by supporting their children
and getting involved in their education. Staff
helps students by continuing to focus on student
learning and teaching to their unique needs.
Therefore, teachers provide differentiated
instruction, intervention and enhancement for our
students on a daily basis. For intervention, in
addition to having a during school program, we
also teach students in our after school Hawk
Academy. Utilizing resources from Title 1 and
the YMCA of Raleigh, Hilburn began the after
school Hawk Academy in February. The Academy
will last until the end of grade tests in May.
Students in grades 3-5 were identified using the
strict Title 1 guidelines. They were given an
opportunity to participate every Tuesday and
Wednesday from 345-515 in the Hawk Academy. As
our school data suggests, the primary focus for
this years Hawk Academy is mathematics.
However, reading strategies and vocabulary are
also taught in order to help with dissecting math
word problems. Highly qualified Hilburn staff
members teach small groups of our students using
a variety of creative means. The Hawk Academy is
a very structured program where direct small
group instruction is used to teach concepts, and
manipulatives and computer programs are used to
reinforce the concepts and skills. Approximately
45 students are in the Hawk Academy and were
excited about the progress theyre making toward
their goals. With parents, students and staff
working as a team, our students can only be
successful in reaching their academic goals! We
thank the YMCA for helping to make this Hawk
Academy possible! Cheryl Fenner, Assistant
Principal
Note from the PTA President So much to do, so
little time . . . this is how I feel this time of
year with the PTA. We have so many wonderful
things planned for our school and only three
months left. First, go get your calendar . . .
mark the dates down from the back of this
newsletter. Next, email or call anyone you know
from the PTA (or me) and ask what you can do. We
need hands, feet, muscle, voices, servers,
sellers, set up-ers and clean up-ers. We need
copiers, counters, deliverers, phone callers,
wrappers, bakers, unpackers, clerks, promoters,
and go-to people. We need it all. In order to
make all these events successful, we need YOU!
GENERAL PTA MEETING - Wednesday, March 18th at
630 in the Media Center. Come hear what the PTA
has planned for the remainder of the school year
as well as a look at behind the scenes! Meet
the Board members who represent our school. Get
an update from Mr. Ford of overall happenings at
Hilburn. Ask questions . . . make suggestions .
. . PLUS, a representative from RBC Bank will be
making a presentation on teaching your kids about
money, saving for college, and other financial
things that may interest you! In this economy,
any advice is welcome!! Lastly, stay tuned for
our Spring PTA Coffee Talk. Come meet other PTA
members, volunteers, parents, Board Members and
just have coffee. We'll be meeting on Friday,
March 27th at 1000 at Leesville Tap Room located
in the Leesville Towne Center on the corner of
Leesville/540/Strickland. Hope to see you
there! Until April, Beth Lucas, PTA
Presidentblucas1_at_nc.rr.com
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Note from Ms. Augst As the spring approaches, our
Hilburn community continues to find ways to
empower our students as leadersin the school.
When students feel ownership in their school and
in their own learning, they are able to take
responsibility and find more opportunities for
success. Our goal is to empower our students to
set personal goals, to show effort and
persistence in meeting those goals, and to lead
others in this goal setting process. Our students
are involved in a number of leadership
opportunities. Some of these include helping
students during dismissal and arrival times as
safety patrols, spreading the message of good
character daily as Hawk News Team writers and
reporters, and serving as peer tutors in our
weekly Math Masters tutoring program. We even
had one student, Paxton Mann, who organized and
ran a Change Bandits fundraiser. With his
leadership and the help of a few dedicated peers,
the students were able to raise over 100 to
donate to Duke Childrens Hospital! Some of our
students are involved in weekly groups called We
R.O.C.K, meaning We Respect Ourselves and Create
Kindness. These groups aim to help students from
grades 2-5 become helpful leaders at Hilburn by
giving them opportunities to learn life skills
while engaging in team building activities.
Finally, all of our students worked as a team to
determine grade level goals to focus upon during
our monthly Town Hall meetings. Grade levels
decided on goals such as completing homework
assignments on time or respecting hallway rules.
Each classroom will be working on meeting that
goal and their progress will be charted on visual
graphs. Be sure to check out further information
about our student leaders and their goal setting
process at the display case in our front lobby.
Spring forward with Hilburns own student leaders!
Family Bingo Night Hilburn Drive Elementarys 1st
Family BINGO NIGHT! Thursday, March 12, 2009 from
600730 pm Bethel House of God in Walnut Ridge
subdivision (directions below) Students, teachers
and their families are all welcome to join in a
family night of games, snacks, prizes and much,
much more! Come, relax and get to know more of
our TERRIFIC HILBURN FAMILIES! Special thanks
to some of our donors Subway, Chili's, Buffalo
Wings, Coldstone and TGI Fridays for their
support! If you would like to volunteer for this
event please contact Yolanda Cruz at
yolicruze_at_yahoo.com for more information. DIRECTIO
NS from HilburnTake Glenwood to I-440E for 8
milesTake exit 15 to Poole Road for 0.2 miles,
keep right at fork to NC-1007Turn Left at Birch
Road Turn Left at SunnybrookTurn Right at
Woodmeadow PKWYBethel House of God on left
Thanks To.....
Townridge Chick-Fil-A and Ginger Mann for
providing free Ice Cream cone coupons to the
winners of the boxtops challenge.
Dave and Karen O'Shea for helping out with an
ailing car in the carpool line!!
Attendees of Family Night at Jelly Beans . . .
Congratulations to the raffle winners Brandon
Jones, Nicole Marcum, and Ms. Mann. We had close
to 200 people from Hilburn families attend.
Attendees of Family Fitness Night . . .
Congratulations to the raffle winners Janice
Ryan, Doug Morales, Melissa Kennedy and the many
kids who won tee-shirts from O2 Fitness. HUGE
Thank you to Chris Mitchell for a fun filled
evening.
The PTA would really like to thank O2 Fitness for
its support to our school community as well as
Smoothie King for the delicious samples!
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• Car Safety Rules
• Spring is on the way . . . car windows will soon
  be down, air conditioners will be on, the cool
  breeze will be blowing through the car . . . but
  while you are enjoying Mother Nature, don't
  forget about the safety of your child. Here are
  a few rules from www.buckleupnc.org
• All drivers and passengers must wear a safety
  belt or be in a child safety seat properly
• A properly used child restraint device (CRD) is
  required if the child is less than 8 years old
  AND weighs less than 80 pounds. Most parents and
  other care givers will be able to comply by using
  belt-positioning booster seats for children
  between 40 and 80 pounds. The child must be
  within the weight range for the child
  restraint/booster seat and it must meet Federal
  standards in effect at time of manufacture.
• Children may be secured in a properly fitted seat
  belt at age 8 (regardless of weight) OR at 80
  pounds (regardless of age) - whichever comes
  first. Placing the shoulder belt under a childs
  (or adults) arm or behind the back is both
  dangerous and illegal.
• The full restraint system provided for the
  seating position must be properly worn. Both the
  lap and shoulder belt must be properly worn even
  if the position is equipped with an automatic
  shoulder belt or air bag. Placing the shoulder
  belt behind the back or under the arm is not
  allowed.
• Reminder For the safety of all Hilburn
  students, please follow the carpool and walker
  rules established by the school.

Give Back.. Chili's Restaurant on Glenwood
Avenue is eager to partner with Hilburn Drive
families. Many of you may have received FREE
KIDS' MEALS from Chili's at Family Fitness Night.
Chili's is helping feed our wonderful staff
after Early Release on 3/5. We also have FAMILY
DAY there Tuesday, April 21 . . .any time someone
who eats there on 4/21 mentions Hilburn, a
percentage of the bill will be paid back to
Hilburn's PTA. If you have a choice as to where
to eat out, please consider Chili's. Let's give
back to the establishment that is so supportive
of our School.
Love Pizza? Love Free Pizza even more? Who
doesn't!! Well, we have quite the deal for you.
The PTA is currently offering coupon cards for
Domino's Pizza. Each card costs 10. The card
has 10 different offers for free pizzas, i.e. Buy
1 large, get 1 free. Coupons expire 12/15/10.
For coupons or information, please contact Beth
Lucas _at_ blucas1_at_nc.rr.com or 847-3475. You can
also send in a check for 10 (payable to the PTA)
in an envelope marked Beth Lucas/Domino's Pizza
along with your name and your childs teacher.
The card will be sent home with your child.
Boxtops Update Congratulations to the boxtops
challenge winners McAnarney (K-2) and Darcy
(3-5). Each student received a free ice cream
cone from Chick-Fil-A. Thank you to everyone for
sending in those boxtops. Keep them coming. We
will have one more collection and challenge. The
winning classrooms for this submission will
receive their choice of a popcorn, cupcake or ice
cream party. Good luck! Are you in Hilburn's
Yahoo group? If you are, look for boxtops program
information, forms and the Food Lion bonus
calendar. If you have any questions about the
program contact stephaniemarcum_at_yahoo.com
Hilburn Clean Up Day Our next Dad's Work Day is
going to be a family workdaySave the date April
18th beginning at 900 AMBring the whole family
and let's really spruce up the grounds of
HilburnSpread the word and come ready to rake,
prune, paint, etc.Thank you! Al White - Chair
of the Dad's Clean Up Committee
Lots of stuff going on this month! Be sure you
dont miss anything!!
Be Green! Capri Sun and Scholastic have teamed up
with schools around the country with a program
called Drink Pouch Brigade. Those empty juice
pouches can now be turned into cash for our
school. Honest Kids, Capri Sun and Kool Aid
drink pouches are worth more, but the other
brands work too! Every little bit helps!!! Send
them in with your child. Grab them all from the
soccer game or the birthday party. Once again,
turn trash into cash for Hilburn There is a bin
set up in the cafeteria specifically for this
program. Questions Contact Michele Garrin _at_
mgarrin_at_gmail.com
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Donations Needed The PTA is providing a breakfast
and coffee for the monthly staff meeting Tuesday,
March 10th. Donations of food, bottled water,
paper products, etc., are always greatly
appreciated. Please contact Lisa Feutz at
lisafeutz_at_nc.rr.com, cell 696-0088 or Kim
Gardner, at cpkr0210_at_yahoo.com.
Want to Volunteer at Hilburn? Want to volunteer
at Hilburn but don't know where or how . . .
please contact Beth Lucas _at_ blucas1_at_nc.rr.com
(847-3475). There are so many ways to help.
Some as easy as dropping off a bottle of creamer
for a staff meeting . . . you could help organize
a family night . . . work the popcorn machine at
the Carnival . . .
Have a Business or a Friend Who Has a
Business? Know anyone who can donate a service or
something special for the silent auction on May
2? The Silent Auction committee is seeking items
for bidding wars!! Items could be An hour
handyman service an hour maid service a weekend
at a beachhouse a massage a week at a camp for
a child an oil change car washes sporting
event tickets bookkeeping service or anything
else of value to the families of Hilburn! If
you have anything you would be able to donate,
please contact Marc Pappalardo _at_
mpappalardo_at_nc.rr.com
PTA Calendar March 5 Early Release March 11 PTA
Board Meeting 600 March 12 Family Night BINGO!
600-730 March 18 General PTA Meeting
630-800 March 24 McTeacher Night
500-800 April 6 7 Snow Make Up Days April
8-13 Spring Break April 15 PTA Board Meeting
600 April 18 Dads Club Clean Up Families
Invited April 21 Hilburn Day at Chilis April
27 Read Across America Begins(look in Aprils
Hawk Talk for details!)
SAVE THE DATE May 2 Spring Carnival/Silent
Auction 1100 am 200 pm