Hawthorne Elementary School |
♥ The Little School with the Big Heart ♥ |
|
|
Hawthorne Elementary School Winter Parties |
|
|
Adapted Physical Education Supporting SAIL Students at Hawthorne |
Hawthorne’s Adapted Physical Education (A.P.E.) program plays an important role in supporting the gross motor development of students in our Social Academic Integrated Learning (SAIL) classrooms. Through purposeful and engaging movement activities, students are given opportunities to build strength, balance, coordination, and confidence in a supportive environment.
During a recent A.P.E. lesson, students worked together to complete a structured warm-up with a focus on balance and body control. This helped prepare their bodies for movement while reinforcing foundational motor skills. Students then participated in a parachute activity, which encouraged teamwork and provided practice in following multi-step directions and coordinating movements with peers.
These A.P.E. lessons not only promote physical development but also support social skills, listening, and cooperation. We are proud of our students for their hard work and collaboration, and grateful to our A.P.E. teachers and teaching assistants for creating meaningful learning experiences for all learners.
|
|
|
Counting, Planning & Constructing: 4th Grade Gingerbread Challenge |
Hawthorne Elementary’s fourth graders put their math and teamwork skills to the test with a fun and festive gingerbread house project! Working in collaborative groups, students learned how to plan their designs, create and manage a budget, and calculate the cost of materials before beginning construction. Once their plans were finalized, groups built their gingerbread houses and proudly presented their finished creations to the entire grade. This hands-on project helped students apply real-world math skills, practice collaboration, and build confidence as they shared their work with others—making learning both meaningful and memorable. |
|
|
Second Grade Sentence Writing Stars |
|
|
Hawthorne Elementary’s 2nd graders are hard at work strengthening their writing skills! Using new vocabulary from their Bookworms lessons, students are practicing writing complete sentences that show both understanding and creativity. It’s exciting to see them apply what they’re learning as they build confidence as readers and writers each day. |
|
|
Elementary Testing for the Program of Accelerated Curriculum and Enrichment (PACE) Grades 2-5 |
Second graders will be screened for PACE in February 2026 using the Cognitive Abilities Test.
More information will follow in January 2026. Parents of second graders who are eligible for further PACE testing based on the Cognitive Abilities Test will be notified at the end of February to take further Iowa subtests as the next step for entry into the PACE program.
In late February, into March 2026, the PACE Office will host testing for currently enrolled 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. Students in Grades 3-5 may be recommended for testing by the teacher and/or parent. The deadline for a parent to request PACE Testing is January 30, 2026. This testing, which will include the CogAT 8 and subtests from the Iowa Assessments. Testing will qualify elementary students for participation in one of the following 2026-2027 classes:
4th and 5th grade PACE Mathematics
4th and 5th grade PACE Reading
6th grade Fast-Paced Mathematics
6th grade Fast-Paced Language Arts
Please Note – Students currently in PACE Program Classes do not need to re-test. Students currently attending a private school or homeschooled, but reside in the District 200 attendance area, are also eligible for PACE Program Testing. Parents will be notified by their child's school about testing dates & times before testing. Parent Testing Referral Forms can be found on the District 200 website Questions? Contact the District 200 PACE Office at PACE@cusd200.org
|
|
|
Blasting Off into 5th Grade Research |
Hawthorne Elementary’s 5th graders are exploring the wonders of space in Bookworms Module 2! Students are practicing valuable research skills as they gather information about solar flares, eclipses, sunspots, and more. Through this engaging work, they are learning how to find, organize, and share scientific information while deepening their understanding of our solar system. |
|
|
Ten-Frames & Thinking: Building Number Sense in First Grade |
|
|
Hawthorne Elementary’s first graders are strengthening their number sense through the “How Many Do You See?” warm-up in the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum. Using ten-frames and other visual models, students look at quantities and share how they see a number without counting one by one. By explaining how numbers can be broken into parts and represented on a ten-frame, students build a strong foundation for addition and subtraction while developing flexible thinking. This engaging routine encourages meaningful math discussions, builds confidence, and helps our youngest learners grow as mathematicians each day. |
|
|
CUSD 200 Special Olympics "Bowl for the Torch" is Back! |
|
|
CUSD 200’s Special Olympics will once again be holding our biggest fundraiser, Bowl for the Torch. Join us on Saturday, February 21st from 1:00 P.M.-3:00 PM. Bowling and pizza will be $35 per person; this includes 2 games of bowling, shoes and pizza lunch. The cost is $20 per non-bowler; includes pizza and soft drinks.
We will be selling raffle tickets for the chance to win gift baskets. There is an option for registering and paying online - Click here to register and join us for a fun-filled day supporting CUSD200 Special Olympics programming. Registration opens December 18th.
Please contact Valerie.difresco@cusd200.org or jody.field@cusd200.org with any questions.
|
❤️The Happy Heart Award❤️ |
Students at Hawthorne Elementary School are always learning and growing. One of the things we pride ourselves on at Hawthorne is the work we do to ensure students understand, demonstrate, and reinforce schoolwide expectations. At Hawthorne, students learn about the Hawthorne Way during the first week of school with Mrs. Zimmer. During the year, we work to reinforce the things we learn about the Hawthorne Way.
The Happy Heart Award is a recognition ticket given to students who go above and beyond to demonstrate the Hawthorne Way during the school day. Students who earn this will receive a ticket with their name on it, the staff member who recognized them, and the reason they were recognized. The recognition portion will go home to celebrate with family.
Congratulations to this week's Happy Heart Award drawing winners!
|
|
|
December 22-January 5: Winter Break
January 3: PTA Open Gym @ CAC
January 5: Teacher Institute Day
January 6: School Resumes
January 12: PTA STEM Assembly
January 19: No School, MLK Day
Jan 26-30: 2nd Grade CogAT Testing
January 27: Variety Show Tryouts 8:00AM-9:00AM
January 29: Variety Show Tryouts 3:30-4:30PM
January 30: Variety Show Tryouts 12:00-1:00PM
February 10: Variety Show Practice 8:00-9:00
February 12: Variety Show Practice 3:30-4:30
February 13: Friendship Classroom Parties
February 16: No School, Presidents Day
February 19: Variety Show Dress Rehearsal
February 20: Variety Show
February 27: No School, Institute Day
February 27: End of Trimester 2
March 6: PTA Meeting in LLC 9:05AM
March 23: PTA Reflections Ceremony @ Hubble MS
March 30-April 3: Spring Break
|
|
|
|
|
