Hawthorne Elementary School |
♥ The Little School with the Big Heart ♥ |
|
|
At the top right of the newsletter, you will find a button to translate this message into your preferred language. En la parte superior derecha del boletín, encontrarás un botón que te permitirá traducir este mensaje a tu idioma preferido. في أعلى يمين النشرة الإخبارية، ستجد زرًا يتيح لك ترجمة هذه الرسالة إلى لغتك المفضلة. Newsletter pan khaan tang ah, na duh mi holh ah na thu thuhna kong a sim khawh ding i button pakhat na hawng khia a si. |
|
|
Hawthorne Elementary School is planning for our students who will be starting kindergarten this fall. To adequately arrange for registration in the spring, it will be helpful to have the information requested on this Google Form If you know of a child or children who will be of school age this fall who may not receive this form, please pass it on to their parents.
We look forward to seeing you at KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP on February 26, 2026 from 6PM-7PM |
|
|
Third Grade Ag in the Classroom |
Miss Hsu’s third graders at Hawthorne Elementary have been getting their hands dirty-in the best way possible-through our Ag in the Classroom experience! Students created their very own “cup of soil” projects, learning firsthand how soil supports plant growth. Each cup was decorated with a face, and as the grass begins to grow, the cups will look like they have “hair,” much to the students’ excitement. This hands-on activity paired perfectly with the soil book students explored during Bookworms Shared Reading a few weeks ago. By connecting their reading to a real-world experience, students were able to deepen their understanding of soil, agriculture, and how plants grow.
We love seeing learning come to life in creative and memorable ways. Be sure to ask a third grader about their soil cup and keep an eye out for some very stylish grass “hair” in the coming days! |
|
|
🍎Donations for Hawthorne Buddies🍎 |
Hawthorne Buddies is an after school program supporting our multilingual learners and connecting them to peer role models in the community. This gives students the opportunity to work with Wheaton North High School students as well as Wheaton College students to read stories, play games, enjoy a snack together, and work on academic areas.
Each year, our generous community helps to provide snacks for the students. If you are able to help, please sign up to donate. You can find the sign up HERE. We have 50 students in the program and are looking for snack donations or Aldi gift cards. Please be sure donations are dropped off in the Hawthorne office by Wednesday each week. Thank you for supporting our community.
| |
|
Students in Hawthorne Elementary’s Spanish Club are learning that language comes to life when it’s fun and interactive. During a recent meeting, students practiced describing their feelings in Spanish through an engaging memory game. As they matched cards, students took turns sharing emotions and phrases, strengthening both their vocabulary and their confidence in speaking Spanish.
This hands-on activity encouraged collaboration, listening skills, and meaningful conversation, all while keeping students actively engaged. By connecting language learning to emotions and real-life experiences, Spanish Club continues to provide students with authentic opportunities to grow their communication skills.
A special thank you to Mrs. Hill, Mrs. Anderson, and Mrs. Corniels for their support and dedication to making Spanish Club a welcoming and enriching experience for our students. |
|
|
Online Registration for 2026-27 School Year |
Online registration for the 2026-27 school year opens on Monday, January 12, for new students pre k-12th grade, including incoming kindergarteners from Jefferson ECC. Click here for more information and to begin the online registration process.
Upcoming registration for all returning students for the 2026-27 school year is scheduled to open in the spring. More information will be forthcoming. |
|
|
Engineering the Impossible |
On Monday, the PTA hosted an assembly, "Engineering the Impossible," with Scott Green Magic. Students learned that magic and science are very intertwined, but science is for sharing! Everyone learned about transistors, magnets, rockets and that things are not always as they seem...
Students can visit: scottgreenmagic.com/impossible to refresh on the history of how magic stopped a war and also learn how to make their own calculator cards. |
|
|
The Power of Occupational Therapy at Hawthorne ❄️ |
Occupational therapy plays an essential role in helping our students build the skills they need to be successful both in and out of the classroom. Through engaging, hands-on activities, students develop fine motor control, communication skills, and confidence while learning how to work alongside their peers.
Today, our students participated in a fun and creative winter-themed occupational therapy lesson. They began by combining glue and shaving cream to create a textured base for a snowman. Next, students independently mixed the materials and painted their own snowman, practicing hand strength, coordination, and control. To finish, students decorated their snowmen using buttons, hats, eyes, and glitter—an activity that required careful use of fine motor skills, creativity, and attention to detail.
Throughout the lesson, students were also building language and communication skills by following directions, making choices, and engaging with peers. The collaborative nature of the activity encouraged peer interaction, turn-taking, and shared enjoyment of the creative process.
A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Czernek, Hawthorne’s occupational therapist, for designing such an engaging and meaningful lesson. Experiences like these highlight the powerful impact occupational therapy has on supporting the whole child and helping our students thrive. |
|
|
This January & February Hawthorne will host a financial literacy club for our kinder, 1st, and 2nd grade students. Our friends at Wheaton Bank and Trust will guide students participating through Money Smart lessons. Topics include understanding currency, earning money, wants and needs, setting goals, saving and spending. Register HERE!
Students will enter door 1 and meet in the art/music room from 8:30am-9am. The dates and times for the club are as follows: Monday, January 26, 8:30-9am
Wednesday, January 28, 8:30-9am
Monday, February 2, 8:30-9am
Wednesday, February 4, 8:30-9am
Monday, February 9, 8:30-9am
Wednesday, February 11, 8:30-9am
Questions? Contact Susan Anderson at susan.joyce.anderson@gmail.com |
|
|
Strike Up Support! 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. |
|
|
Attendance Reporting in ParentVUE |
We are excited to announce a fantastic new feature within our ParentVUE mobile app designed to make managing your student's attendance even more convenient!
While the traditional method of calling your child's school attendance line remains fully functional, you now have the ability to report planned absences directly through the ParentVUE app. This option will be available starting the week of January 12, 2026. What This Means for You This new digital option allows you to notify us in advance of any scheduled absences, such as illness, medical appointments, family travel, or other planned events. It’s a fast, easy way to communicate important attendance information without needing to make a phone call during busy hours.
How to Use the New Planned Absence Feature
1. Open the ParentVUE Mobile App on your smartphone or tablet. This can also be done via an internet browser on the web by going to this website.
2. Log in with your credentials.
3. Navigate to the Attendance section or click the Report Absences button.
4. Follow the prompts to enter the start date, end date, reason for absence, and any necessary comments. Note: leaving a note regarding the absence is required.
5. Submit the request. Currently, ParentVUE can only record full day absences. If an absence will be a partial day, please note the time in the notes section (i.e. periods that will be missed for MS/HS) so that your child’s school can reflect that in their records. Lastly, this attendance feature still adheres to adopted cut off times for excused absences as stated in each school’s student handbook. We believe this new feature will be a significant time-saver and enhance our communication regarding student attendance. If you have not yet downloaded the ParentVUE mobile app, please search for "ParentVUE" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Thank you for your partnership in ensuring accurate and timely attendance records for all our students. Sincerely, Community Unit School District 200 |
|
|
❤️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! |
|
|
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 16: CNO at Hen House
February 19: Variety Show Dress Rehearsal
February 20: Variety Show
February 26: Kindergarten Roundup
February 27: No School, Institute Day
February 27: End of Trimester 2 March 6: PTA Meeting in LLC 9:05AM
March 11: CNO at 302
March 23: PTA Reflections Ceremony @ Hubble MS
March 30-April 3: Spring Break April 1: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 10: PTA Meeting & Dad's Gym Night
April 16: National Librarian's Day
April 22: Administrative Professionals Day
April 28: Fine Arts Night
April 30: Conservation Club |
| |
|
|
