Hanscom kids head back to school Published Aug. 25, 2009 By Karen E. Guendel 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The smell of a fresh box of crayons, the brisk zip of a new backpack and the perfect pink of un-smudged erasers can only mean one thing: a new school year is about to begin. When students return to the Hanscom schools next week, they will find that faculty and staff have been busy this summer preparing for the new term and planning several key changes. Each of the Hanscom schools chooses an annual theme that sets the tone for student activities and staff professional development throughout the year. At Hanscom Primary School the new theme is "Growing Smarter." Randy Davis, HPS principal said, "As part of our morning meetings and classroom work, we'll be working with children to learn how their effort really influences achievement." At Hanscom Middle School, Erich Ledebuhr, the new principal, will be strengthening last year's theme, "Hanscom CARES," which stands for Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy and Self-control. "I'll be asking people to recommit to that as well as the Falcon Respect Code," he said. According to Ms. Davis, one of the most noticeable changes in both schools will be the new electronic lunch money system known as NutriKids. The system will enable parents to put money into an online account for their children. The children will then give their ID numbers at the cash register and the cost of their lunches will be automatically debited from their accounts. The new system has several advantages. "[Children] don't have to carry money back and forth," Mr. Ledebuhr said. "It will even give parents the opportunity to keep track of what their kids are eating." But students should still hang onto their leftover lunch tickets. "For the first month of school they can use lunch tickets that they may have purchased before," Ms. Davis said. "But as of Oct. 1, this new system will go into effect, so they will no longer purchase lunch tickets, they will go online or send in a check to fund the electronic program." In addition to changes in the cafeteria, HMS students will see several changes in the curriculum. A new math program, Impact Mathematics, will be implemented in grades six through eight. This program aligns well with Massachusetts state standards and works well in conjunction with the Everyday Mathematics program used in grades four and five, Mr. Ledebuhr said. Parents are invited to learn more about the new math curriculum at the parent evening on Sept. 29. The science program will be restructured so that instead of studying life sciences one year and physical sciences the next, students will study units from various sciences each year. "It's a broad approach and it's going to be much stronger for the students," Mr. Ledebuhr said. Additionally, the physical fitness and health programs at HMS will be combined into a single wellness program. Mr. Ledebuhr said the change is intended "to align us more with state curriculum standards and what we feel will be a better overall program of wellness for our students." Even the school buildings will look different, having undergone a thorough round of cleaning and repairs. "The custodial staff has really shined up the schools and worked hard," said Ms. Davis. The grounds too have been freshly landscaped and the playground newly mulched. Teachers at both schools have also readied themselves with professional development over the summer. For example, according to Ms. Davis, ten members of the Hanscom staff were trained in a week-long program to enhance social and emotional learning in grades K through 5. "So when people think that [teachers are] all off on beaches reading good novels," she said, "they are some of the time, but almost all the teachers have spent some time really perfecting their craft." The Parent Teacher Organization has likewise been busy planning activities for the coming year. Mr. Ledebuhr said, "They really do an awful lot for the students at the school and we'd like to see parents involved with [the PTO]." PTO representatives will be on hand at the Meet and Greet sessions for both schools to answer questions, recruit new members and distribute complimentary popsicles. Together, the two principals said they look forward to working as a team. "One of our goals is to work really closely between the two schools and to really advocate a partnership," Ms. Davis said. According to Mr. Ledebuhr, this means teachers and administrators working together as well as "creating opportunities for some of the older students to be able to work with some of the younger students and vice versa." The principals also look forward to the redesign of the Lincoln Public Schools Web site. Ms. Davis said the site will be made more interesting and easier to navigate in response to parent requests. The new site is scheduled to come online in October, but until then, parents and students can stay informed using the current Web site: http://www.lincnet.org. "We feel excited about leading the learning for the 2009/2010 school year," Ms. Davis said. "The wonderful thing about education is that September is always a fresh, exciting start. Just as the kids get their back to school backpacks and haircuts and new shoes or sneakers, we do too." The following individuals are new faculty members at HPS and HMS: HMS Principal - Erich Ledebuhr Kindergarten - Elizabeth Linke Grade 1 - Tiffany Shaw Important upcoming school dates and events: Sept. 1 Meet and Greet grades 1 through 8 for students, parents and teachers 1 to 2 p.m. Sept. 2 First day of classes for grades 1 through 8. (This is a regular Wednesday half-day for all grades with dismissal at 12:35 p.m.; lunch will not be served.) A Principal's Coffee is scheduled for parents of students in grades 1 through 3 after students are dropped off. Meet and Greet for kindergarten students, parents and teachers, 11 to 11:45 a.m. Sept. 3 First day of classes for kindergarten. (Kindergarten does not begin full days until Oct. 1. For all other grades, this will be a full-day schedule, 8 a.m. to 2:50 p.m.) A Principal's Coffee is scheduled for parents of kindergarten students after students are dropped off. Sept. 4 to 7 Long weekend for Labor Day; school closed for all grades Sept. 9 HPS Curriculum Night/Open House for parents, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 16 HMS grades 4 and 5 Curriculum Night/Open House for students and parents, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 17 HMS grades 6 through 8 Curriculum Night/Open House for students and parents, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 28 Yom Kippur; school closed for all grades Sept. 29 Impact Mathematics parent evening with Fay Roup, for grades 6 through 8, 6 p.m. Sept. 30 School photos for grades K through 8