February 6, 2022

  • Hello Hyannis West Families!

    Despite the cold, gray skies, there is a lot of fun and learning happening at Hyannis West! 

    • In the 2 weeks before February break, there is a lot to celebrate!
      • We continue to celebrate Black History Month by highlighting accomplished Black Americans during Morning Announcements and within classroom instruction.
      • Valentine’s Day is February 14th. This is a time when we promote friendship and kindness in our school community.  Your child’s teacher will reach out if they are planning any festivities in the classroom that day.
      • It’s hard to believe that the 100th Day of School is Wednesday, February 16th!
      • National Random Acts of Kindness Day is February 17th.
    • By the end of this week, all students in Grades 1, 2, and 3 will participate in the Star Early Literacy, Reading, and Math Benchmark Assessments. These district-wide assessments help us to see how much our students have learned and the progress they’ve made so far this school year.  We are excited to see their growth!
    • This Wednesday, February 9th, is a half-day of school for Staff Professional Development. On half-days, pick-up is at 11:45 and buses leave at 12:00.  There is no after-school daycare or 21st Century Program on half-days.
    • If you are looking for something to keep your child busy over the February break, here is information from the YMCA:
    • Barnstable Intermediate School (BIS) students (Grades 6 and 7) were asked to develop a project around something that matters to them and that can make a difference in the community. Here is the information:
      • Our names are Molly Colantuono, Kylee Russo, Bella Magalhaes, and Julia Galhardo. We are informing you about a program where we will teach your children how to play volleyball and learn teamwork. We will have music, snacks, and water. This will be located at the Barnstable Intermediate School on February 17, 2022 4:30-5:30.
      • Volleyball clinic at BIS information
      • Sign up link.
    • For the next two weeks, our school-wide STAR expectation is helping others. At home, please talk to your child about what it looks and sounds like to help others.
    • Approximately 120 Hy West Families have opted in to the Covid at-home screening. At-home tests will be sent home in backpacks every two weeks.  This new program allows families to test their child once each Wednesday.  The school ONLY needs to be notified if your child tests positive.
    • All 3rd graders will participate in Massachusetts State Testing (MCAS) for English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. ELA testing will take place on April 5th and 7th and Math testing is May 18th and 19th.
    • Our school is responsible for reporting all student absences to the state, regardless of whether the absence is excused or unexcused. Our goal is to have less than 10% of Hy West students considered chronically absent. Chronically absent is missing 10% of the days we are in session.  As always, if your child is absent for any reason, please contact our School Nurse, Ricki Balestri at (508) 790-6480 ext. 1532 or via email.
    • In backpacks this week you will receive instructions for the Hy West PTO fundraiser, a March Prize Calendar.  We are asking students, families, and staff to sell the Prize Calendars to family and friends for $10 each. There is also an option to purchase Prize Calendars online now. Each day in March, someone will be chosen to win an amazing prize from the Calendar!
    • Please use these important links as needed:
    • Our next PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization) meeting is Wednesday, March 2nd at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Hope to see you!
    • Registration for incoming Kindergarten students for the 2022 - 2023 school year is now open! If you, or someone you know, needs to register a child who will be 5 years old by September 1, 2022, please register.
    • It’s extremely important to update your child’s contact information each year.
      • Portal link and directions.
      • The username is your child’s 6-digit ID (“lunch number”) which the classroom teacher can provide for you. The password is your child’s birthdate _ _/_ _/_ _ _ _.

    If you ever have any questions, concerns or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mr. Currey or me.

    Respectfully, Kathi Amato