Hawk Talk

In the spirit of this time of Thanksgiving, I would like to express our gratitude for all that you are doing at home to support your child’s success at school. This is also a good time of year to look back on how far we've come here at Hilburn this year, celebrate our accomplishments, and plot benchmarks toward where we still hope to grow. After a remarkably smooth and productive first quarter, well-attended Meet the Teacher nights and other events, Open Houses, student assemblies and PTA events, our Hilburn community is well on its way to making this year a great success! Collaboration between and among parents and staff continues to grow for the benefit of all children. And the staff continues to work hard to meet the individual needs of every child enrolled in our great school. We know that we could not be nearly as successful without you, as parents and guardians, serving as partners along with us.

The dedicated staff at Hilburn continues to find new ways to increase our effectiveness in working together to meet your child's needs. Through the continuous collaboration of Professional Learning Teams among grade levels and departments each week, teachers are reflecting on student assessment data and sharing best practices to differentiate, remediate and extend learning for all students. It is through this process that education becomes more individualized for your child. We are also expanding our outreach to our non-English speaking families and are working to strengthen ties with our business partners and area universities. We have implemented creative ways to utilize our human, financial and material resources effectively and efficiently for the benefit of all students – even in these very lean economic times.

On behalf of the entire Hilburn staff and community, thank you for your continued support of our school and the people who teach and learn here. And if at all possible, please do take a moment to thank a staff member who has had a positive impact on your child here. It is remarkable how meaningful and motivating a small note, comment or card can be to a teacher or staff member that gives his or her best effort every day.

Wishing your own Hawk family a very Happy Thanksgiving,

Gregory Ford
Principal

Welcome Back!

Note from Ms. Augst

As we end our first quarter of school, we also conclude with the events of our annual Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week is a national program that aims to celebrate staying drug and alcohol free. Our focus this year was to Respect Yourself With Healthy Choices.

Students created a bulletin board that displayed healthy and unhealthy choices, won “healthy” Red Ribbon Week prizes like water bottles and Frisbees, wore red ribbon stickers, and some even wrote books about why it is important to say no to drugs and alcohol. Our morning news show featured interviews with our school nurse and Mrs. Page, owner of Page Farms, a drug-free rap written by Haley Zoltoski and Jaimon McMillan, and a school-wide morning exercise. We also focused on healthy choices during our weekly Town Hall meetings, where grade levels meet with Mr. Ford, Mrs. Fenner, and myself. Students sang healthy chants, played a Jeopardy game about healthy choices, and even went outside to lead one another in healthy exercises. It was a fun week that helped to remind all of us about the importance of maintaining healthy habits.

As we prepare for the next months, there are some exciting events on the way. Classroom guidance lessons will continue and small group opportunities will include a G.I.R.L.S. 5th grade lunch group and Superstar Student groups for 3rd grade. Our annual Helping Hawks holiday gift giving program will kick off on Friday, November 13, so please be on the lookout for information. Further events will include the Math Masters peer tutoring program and the Attendance Incentive program. These programs help to encourage students to be successful by developing positive learning habits and being at school on time, prepared to learn. Please contact me with any questions about the services provided at 571-6806. Enjoy the fall days by continuing to make those healthy choices!

Note from the PTA President

Wow! What a great day we all had at the 14th Annual Hawk Fun Run! The weather was beautiful, the kids were fast, and we raised some much needed money for our school. Thanks to Yolanda Cruz and Chris Mitchell for organizing our wonderful event. They put in many, many hours. Thanks also to the parents who volunteered to help make the day successful. There's a lot of muscle and man power needed. We can't do these events without parental support.

Looking ahead, the PTA calendar has some great events coming up--two Family Nights in November and a Thanksgiving luncheon that we host for our awesome staff. See further details in this newsletter. In December, we have our Scholastic Book Fair. Be sure to sign up to help with that. It's so much fun to help the kids pick out books. In January, we will have our Reading Challenge as well as Family Fitness Night. Stay tuned for more details.

We will have a General PTA Meeting on December 8, 2009 at 6:30 in the Media Center. Please plan to attend to hear behind the scenes information and to share your opinion with the PTA Board. It's never too late to join the PTA (speri@nc.rr.com)

As always, feel free to contact me with suggestions or comments.

Beth Lucas, PTA President
blucas1@nc.rr.com

Afternoon Carpool Dismissal

•

Evans PRE-K will dismiss at 3:20 pm. Numbers 1-16. These parents will come up the main drive into the carpool loop (circle). If PRE-K parents have not picked up their children between 3:20-3:30 pm, they will go through carpool with the rest of grades K-5.

•

K-5 carpool will line up at the Stop and Right Turn Only signs in the parking lot. Please follow the coned traffic patterns through the parking lot.

•

Once PRE-K has finished loading, grades K-5 may move forward onto the carpool loop (circle), leaving space for the Special Needs Transportation Bus and the Auction Winner of the First in Carpool.

•

Have carpool numbers displayed in windshield. If you do not have a number, please come by the front office to get one.

For the safety of all children and the Hilburn Staff:

Please be patient and do not pass.

Have children load on the passenger
side of the vehicle and

REFRAIN FROM USING CELL PHONES
WHILE CARPOOL IS IN MOTION!

•If you are picking up your children in grades K-5 early from school, please park in the parking lot and come inside to the office to have children called for dismissal.

Teacher of the Month
Mr. Hurley

Teacher Name: Matt Hurley Written by: Meghan McAnarney

1. What is your job? 2nd grade teacher

2. What made you want to become a teacher?
I had teachers that inspired me and I like to work with kids.

3. Tell us about where you went to college.
I went to Buffalo State in Buffalo, NY.
I studied history, education, and theatre.

4. Who is in your family?
3 brothers, a mom and a dad, my niece Madison, and my nephew Pat

5. What do you like to do on weekends?
Sleep in, watch movies, go the gym, and be with my friends

6. Tell us about your favorite restaurant.
My favorite restaurant is Fresh Neomonde.
It is a Mediterranean restaurant.

7. What is your favorite animal? Dogs!

8. What is your favorite number? 5

9. Last, what is your favorite thing about Hilburn?
It is a very supportive place and people make me feel welcome here.

Teacher of the Month

Thank you to Chili's for sponsoring our Teacher of the Month Spotlight.

The Teacher chosen receives a $50 gift certificate to Chili's on Glenwood Avenue! Next month, the PTA would like YOU to help choose the Teacher of the Month. Please email your positive comments about a teacher to Beth Lucas at blucas1@nc.rr.com. These comments should include reasons why your child's teacher should be chosen; how a teacher went above and beyond; or other wonderful stories about a teacher.

Fun Run

Students, Teachers and Staff gave 100% effort and showed 100% school spirit!
The FUN RUN was a terrific day at HILBURN!

Parents, your kids still need your help collecting those FUN RUN pledges! You can still send in your child’s FUN RUN envelope and money collected to their teacher. Your kids will bring home prizes for the money they raise! IF EVERY CHILD RAISES JUST $14 THE PTA WILL MEET THE FUN RUN GOAL THIS YEAR! Your support will help the PTA provide the enrichment programs your kids know and love.

The FUN RUN volunteers helped to make this a FUN event we all enjoyed! We appreciate your time, talent and enthusiasm! THANK YOU, YOU ROCK!

Guess the Laps Prize Winners:

Staff Laps: Blake Piacente guessed the closest with 214,

Ms. Fenner Laps: Aliya Gil and Olivia Perryman tied with an exact guess of 101 laps.

Most Laps Ran (in each class) Prize Winners:

Kindergarten: Ignatius Vinton, Andrew Black, Chase Dutton, Shy’tia Richardson

First Grade: Mikado Yamaguchi, Mackenzie Blake, Ashley Braker, Nicole Marcum, Victor Sandoval,
Andrew Surrette and Nicholas Cassetta

Second Grade: Aaron Zemonek, Colby Crenshaw, John Davis and Harrison Jervis

Third Grade: Benjamin Noga, Alaysia Bryant, Fin McMullen, Abigail Putnam and Zachary Zoltoski

Fourth Grade: Nicholas Librizzi, Christopher Vazquez and Louis McMullen

Fifth Grade: Luis Vazquez Salinas, Keaton Thurston, Alberto Oliveros Lopez

Monkey Joe’s Class Party Prize Winners for MOST LAPS:

Ms. Reed’s Kindergarten Class ran 180 laps.

Ms. Bayles’ First Grade Class ran 249 laps.

Ms. Hester’s Second Grade Class ran 204 laps.

Ms. Moffet’s Third Grade Class ran 251 laps.

Ms. Mock’s Fourth Grade Class ran 356 laps.

Mr. Davis’ Fifth Grade Class ran 299 laps.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT – BLACK BELT WORLD

The PTA gratefully acknowledges the amazing community partnership we have found in Black Belt World! Master Phuong and the staff at the West Raleigh (Duraleigh Rd.) location were the biggest sponsor of the FUN RUN T-shirts every Hilburn student and teacher received! They made the morning warm-ups an exciting part of the FUN RUN for the second year in a row and generously donated class parties to six classes who raise the most money for the FUN RUN! They are committed to promoting healthy choices for Hilburn students! THANKS TO BLACK BELT WORLD FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SUPPORT!

Fun Run Sponsors: Panera Bread, Monkey Joe’s, Smoothie King, Food Lion, Papa Johns, Sharon Evans, ASICS, O2 Fitness, Sunset Slush, Raleigh Grande, Frankie’s Fun Park

We’re Not Talking Turkey…….

Our teachers and staff at Hilburn work so hard to give our children the education they deserve.

Now help us give them a Thanksgiving Luncheon they deserve.

On November 20th ,we are in need of food donations.

Please e-mail Traci Decker Todd at traci@tearificspices.com for a list of food items needed

or perhaps you have a Thanksgiving favorite you want to share!

Thanks for your support!

Attention Parents of Our Fabulous 2nd and 3rd Graders The December 9th st aff Meeting is being hosted by 2nd and 3rd g rade Parents. We are in need of: A Breakfast Coordinator A Coffee Donator and Breakfast Foods If you can help in any way or to donate breakfast foods, please email Traci Decker Todd at traci@tearificspices.com Thank You for Your Support!	PTA Calendar Nov 2-6 PTA sponsored Writer in Residence for 4th Grade Nov 3 PTA Board Meeting 6:30 Media Center Nov 6 Family Day at Smoothie King, Glenwood Avenue Nov 11 No School, Veterans' Day Nov 17 Family Day at Papa John's Nov 20 PTA Sponsored Thanksgiving Lunch for Staff Nov 25 No School, Workday Nov 26-27 Happy Thanksgiving! Dec 1 PTA Board Meeting 6:30 Media Center Dec 2 Early Release, dismissal at 1:15 Dec 7-12 Dine with Dad week Dec 7-12 Book Fair in Media Center Dec 9 Staff Meeting Breakfast hosted by 2nd & 3rd grades Dec 21-Jan 1 No School Christmas Break
Faculty Favorites As the holidays approach, many of us will show our appreciation for Hilburn faculty with a gift or a token of appreciation. This year, the PTA is putting together a book of Faculty Favorites. Inside will list their favorite place to shop, eat, hobbies, etc. This book can be found in the library on November 24th and will be kept there through the school year.
It’s Never Too Late To Join! We still need all moms, dads and teachers to help support our many activities. If interested in joining please contact Niki Speri at speri@nc.rr.com or your teacher and a form will be sent home. Congratulations to Ms. D’Atri’s class for having the most new PTA members! They enjoyed a banana split treat! Thank you all for your support.

Box Tops

The results are in and we had a very successful boxtop submission. Parents turned in a total of $279 worth of boxtops! Thank you. The class winner for the Pre-K - 2 challenge is Ms. Bayles. The class winner for the 3 - 5 challenge is Ms. Powell. Congratulations! I wil be contacting you soon to set up your cupcake party. Keep collecting those boxtops! The next deadline will be in February. Thank you again for making this such a successful program.

Let’s Do Our Part! Want to recycle your used printer cartridges and cell phones? There is a container just inside the Media Center where you can deposit them!	Having trouble with the early dismissal on Wednesdays? Does your child need a little exercise? We have the answer to both of these! Overtime Athletics . . . an afterschool program on Wednesdays for six weeks. Session 2 begins in January. The program is from 3:00-4:00 on Wednesdays. Child pick up is mandatory (no busing). Cost: $60 for six weeks. Watch your Friday folder for more information or contact Chris Whelan at Overtime Athletics at Whelan@otathletics.com	Square1Art A great big thank you goes out to Linda Collura, our Art teacher for her help on the Square1 Art fundraiser. Without your help and flexibility, this fundraiser would not have been possible. Completed order forms have been sent to Square1. The school should be receiving ordered products around November 18th. If you have any questions, you can contact stephaniemarcum@yahoo.com.
2009-2010 PTA Board President – Beth Lucas Treasurer – Yolanda Cruz Secretary – Shelley Blake VP Communications – Melissa Kennedy and Jackie Jackle* VP Membership – Niki Speri VP Fundraising - Leslie Inscore* VP Student Recognition – Amanda Cross VP Student Enrichment – Katrina Saunders* VP Family Involvement – Jeanne Patterson	Family Spirit Nights The first is Friday, Nov. 6th, from 3:30 - 8PM at Smoothie King in Pleasant Valley Shopping Center. The class with the most smoothie purchases will win a smoothie party. The second is a Family Night In. It is on Tues, Nov. 17 from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It is with Papa John's. Parents will need to save their receipts and turn them in by Friday Nov. 20th. The class with the most sales will win a pizza party.	Citipass Coupon Books Thank you students and parents for supporting the PTA through the Citipass Coupon Book fundraiser. Our school raised over $4,500 through sales. WOW! This money will go directly back into the classrooms for the benefit of all the students. Thank you so much. Ms. Edwards' 4th grade class sold the most books (48) and will be treated to a Smoothie party compliments of Greater Raleigh Citipass. Way to go class. If you need a coupon book in the future, please let me know. Beth Lucas blucas1@nc.rr.com

© 2009 Wake County Public School System