2014-2015 Community Partners! HCES, HCMS and GSES would not be what we are today without your support! If you have any questions about Community Partners, please contact Melanie Clark.

Note: 2014-2015 partnerships extend through September 30, 2015. If you are interested in a 2015-2016 partnership, please contact Melanie Clark, and submit the Community Partner Form.

President's Letter

Welcome back to school everyone! We are officially into week three of 36 weeks now. It was great to see all of the smiling faces at our recent PTA events. Your enthusiasm and willingness to help our school and PTA be successful this year is greatly appreciated. If you have already expressed interest in being a volunteer, please look forward to a PTA Board Member's call or email. Also, please look for the Signup Genius volunteer list that will be coming soon. Our volunteers at HCES help make this one of the best schools in Huntsville. We are proud you are part of our team!

Please contact the HCES PTA Board via the email addresses included in this newsletter, else through the PTA Board email account at hcespta01@gmail.com. Other ways to get updates about PTA and school activities include: the HCES PTA Facebook page, the HCES PTA page of the HCES website, and the HCES website online calendar. We also send HCES PTA event and activity notices home through the student's Wednesday folders.

Debbie Tetrault

HCES PTA President

Calendar

August

17-21 STAR Testing

19 HCS School Board Meeting, 5:30 pm, Merts Center

21 S.O.S., 1st Payment Due

25 HCMS Open House, BBQ (5:00 pm), Meeting (6:00), Open House (6:30)

27 HCES PTA Board Meeting, 9:30 am (re-scheduled from 9/1)

28-9/4 Scholastic Book Fair

September

1 Club Hub 5:00-6:00 pm

1 PTA Meeting, 6:00 pm

1 Open House, 6:30 pm (approximate)

1-4 Scholastic Book Fair

7 Labor Day Holiday (school holiday)

9 Progress Reports

14 Grandparents Breakfast, PK-2nd

14 Life South Blood Drive

15 Lifetouch Fall Picture Day

15 Grandparents Breakfast, 3rd-5th

17 Teacher Duty Free Lunch

17 HCS School Board Meeting, 5:30 pm, Merts Center

18 S.O.S. Final Payment (#2) Due

Community Partners Contracts Due

Student Half Day (ES: 11:30 am, MS & HS: 12:00 pm)

24-25 Book Camp Club Meetings

2015-2016 Calendar Highlights:

September 7, Labor Day
October 5-9, Fall Break
November 23-27, Thanksgiving Break
December 21-January 4, Holiday Break (faculty returns on 1/4)
March 21-25, Spring Break
Weather Days: February 12&15, March 4, April 22
May 26 (Thursday), Last Day of School for Students (teachers on Friday, 5/27)

HCES PTA 2015-2016 Calendar

HCS 2015-2016 School Calendar

Principal's Letter

Greetings Hampton Cove Families! Welcome to the start of Hampton Cove Elementary School's 20th
year. To our new families, I would like to introduce myself. This month will be the start of my third year at Hampton Cove Elementary School. I have been an educator for thirteen years and have served as an elementary classroom teacher, STEM lab instructor, Assistant Principal, and Principal. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Business and a Master's Degree and AA Certification in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. I also hold a Master's Degree in Instructional Leadership an am a Nationally Board Certified teacher. I am a busy mother of three children, Henley - 4, Reese-5, and Ella Grace-8. I have a passion for educating children and love this community. I look forward to working with you to ensure the success of our students and school.

The school year is off to a great start. Students are adjusting well to their new routines and friendships are being made. A big thank you to our teachers and staff for working long days and weekends to ensure classrooms were prepared and meaningful activities and lessons were planned. In addition, I would like to thank our PTA Board for devoting many summer days planning, organizing, and presenting information to our school community. To our parents and community members, we value your partnership too. The success of the school is founded on the home-school relationship. We are fortunate and honored to have your continued support.

Please welcome our newest faculty and staff members to the HCES team. Ms. Kellie Shorter will serve as our Instructional Partner. Ms. Shorter brings over twenty years of experience as a classroom teacher, reading coach, and curriculum specialist. Welcome our newest 1st and 2nd grade teachers, Ms. Ana Hernandez and Ms. Mary Beth Calhoun to the HCES family. Recently, we were fortunate to receive two additional units to our school. These units will provide a lower student-teacher ratio and provide time for more individualized instruction. Ms. Hernandez will serve as our newest addition to first grade. She comes to us with seven years of experience in Huntsville City Schools. She has a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. She has taught prekindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade. Ms. Calhoun will join us in second grade. She has a degree in Elementary Education and has six years of experience in Huntsville City Schools. We are very fortunate to have these individuals join our team. Please give them a warm welcome!Ms. Mahgan Arnold comes to us as a recent graduate of The University of Alabama. She brings experience from the Madison County School System and new energy to our team. We also welcome Ms. Kathleen Lowery (art), Ms. Vineke Richardson (music), Ms. Amy Smith (GATE), and Dr. Rosie Bumgartner (GATE). These individuals are shared with other Huntsville City Schools. Each teacher brings a new and innovative approach to our curriculum and team. Although not new to HCES, Ms. Debbie Riser, Ms. Grace Langhout, and Ms. Debbi Waston will serve in different roles this year. Ms. Riser will lead our Entertainment Technology Academy. Ms. Langhout has joined our fifth grade team and Ms. Watson has joined our second grade team. Ms. Neida Henderson will transition as our Cafeteria Manager. She recently served as our Assistant Manager and we are thrilled she will lead our CNP efforts. Finally, Officer Chuck Duncan will be our SRO and shared with GSES and HCMS. All of these individuals mentioned share an enthusiasm for learning and excellence in teaching. I am truly impressed with our HCES team and look forward to a fantastic year!

This year we are excited about new learning opportunities for your children. As you may know, our 3rd-5th grade students received laptops this school year. Students are becoming familiar with the new operating system and learning how to navigate educational sites. This platform allows teachers to differentiate instruction to meet each child's individual learning needs. In addition, our upper grades have begun departmentalization. This is a great opportunity for teachers to specialize in their content and brings a nice transition to each child's day. This year we teachers will also implement our PLTW (Project Lead the Way). This is a STEM-based in which students work in teams and engage in the design process. We are fortunate to add another module per grade level (K-5) this year.

Thanks to all for joining us at our Welcome Celebration on Thursday, August 13 and Friday, August 14. This was a great opportunity to meet our PTA Board members and other faculty and staff. In addition, please mark your calendar for our Annual Open House and Club Hub event on Tuesday, September 1. Club Hub will begin at 5:00 pm in our school gym and the PTA General Session will begin at 6:00 pm in the cafeteria. After the session, parents and students will be dismissed to the classrooms. This is a great opportunity for your child to share with you their learning. We hope to see you there!

Thank you again for a fantastic start to the 2015-2016 school year. Please feel free to contact me at 256.428.7180 or autumn.bray@hsv-k12.org.

Autumn Bray - Principal

Book Fair

August 28 - September 4

The first book fair is just a few weeks away. Please consider volunteering. Click the link below to take you to the SignUp Genius for our Scholastic Book Fair volunteer slots.

Volunteers are the motivators to help any Book Fair become a success. We hope that you share your skills - to help students discover the power of reading. You will assist young shoppers with their book selections, wish lists, money, cashiering, and keep displays neat and organized. Any help that you can give is appreciated!

SignUp Genius

HCS Help Desk

The Huntsville City Schools IT HelpDesk will be supporting our students and families with after-school hours.

Days: Monday through Thursday

Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Phone: 256.428.6900

Email: help.desk@hsv-k12.org

2015-2016 Room Parents

HCES Room Parents

2015-2016 School Year

We are still in need of Room Mom/Dad/Guardians/Grandparents/Aunts&Uncles for the 2015-2016 school year. If you are interested in becoming a Room Parent for your child's classroom, please email Room Parent Chair Karen Woodington with your name, the name of your child, and the grade/teacher that he/she is in this school year.

The following classes have just one Room Parent at this time, and could use 1-2 more volunteers:

Grade 1: Hernandez

Grade 2: Calhoun

Grade 3: Ethridge

Grade 4: Arnold, Fleming, Williams

If you have any questions about what a Room Parent's responsibilities are, please email woodingtonr@gmail.com.

SaveAround.com Coupon Books

Everyone should have received a coupon book. They are $20 each. If you would like to keep the book and enjoy the savings around town, please send your check for $20 back to the school in the envelope that was sent home, or return the book.

Please ensure you have returned either payment for the coupon book or the coupon book in its envelope to the school. The due date has passed and the PTA is responsible for paying for all books, or returning the books to the vendor. Each payment/book not received back will have an impact on our 2015-2016 budget,and the funds that we are able to provide to our students and faculty.

To order more books online, see: http://savearound.com/coupon-books/details/1223/Huntsville-2016/1

For more information contact: Callie Beevers.

Support Our Students (S.O.S.)

Each year the HCES PTA raises money through the Support Our Students (S.O.S.) fundraising drive. 100% of the money stays right here in our school, and donations are 100% tax deductible. You should have received information on this in the HCES PTA Orientation Packets. The same information can be found on the PTA page of the HCES website.

Recommended donations are as follows:

$100 for the first child in your family
$50 for each child thereafter

Of course, any donation is appreciated, in any amount! Payment options are available, and the first payment is due this week on Friday, August 21. All money needs to be turned in by Friday, September 18.

Donation acknowledgement letters will be sent to families in January 2016.

You may visit our website, or contact S.O.S. Chairperson Jo Ann Grosnick or HCES PTA Board Fundraising & Sales VP Callie Beevers for more information.

HCES 20th Anniversary T-Shirts

1996-2016

Order you new school T-shirt today!
Orders are due by Wednesday, August 26

The shirts are Comfort Color brand shirts. Note: children's sizes for this brand run small.

It is our recommendation to order a size larger for your child.

Long-sleeve - $20

Short-sleeve - $15

Please complete and send in the order form, or the hardcopy that was sent home in last week's Wednesday folder.

Please contact HCES Librarian Suzan.Ellett@hsv-k12.org with any questions.

After School Enrichment Programs

It is wonderful to see all the club registrations pouring in! Thank you to those that have already submitted forms. If you haven't yet, check out the list below. We think we have an offering (or more) to interest every student! If you'd like to join any of these groups please submit your registrations as space is limited and filled on a first come first served basis.

Would you like to know more? Plan to attend Club Hub on Tuesday, September 1 at 5:00 pm - within the hour prior to the PTA meeting. You'll be able to meet instructors, ask questions, and register for available openings.

The 2015 Fall Schedule for our After School Enrichment Clubs is as follows:

Cove Art League (K-5th) Tuesdays
Chess Club (3rd-5th) Thursdays
Drama Club (2nd-5th) Mondays
German Club (1st-5th) Tuesdays for beginners, Thursdays for Intermediate
Mandarin Club (K-5th) Tuesdays
Music Club (K-5th) Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays
Photography Club (4th-5th) Tuesdays
Junior Robotics Club (2nd-3rd) Tuesdays
Robotics Club (4th-5th) Wednesdays
Running Club (1st-5th) Mondays & Wednesdays
Science Club (K-5th) Wednesdays

For more information on club descriptions, times and to print out required forms, click HERE to visit our website. Or you may contact HCES Board VP After School Enrichment Programs, Kristen Warr.

Committee Chair Volunteer Openings

"Don't ever question the value of volunteers.

Noah's Ark was built by volunteers;

the Titanic was built by professionals." -Unknown

Please consider using your gifts and talents to help the PTA help your child. There are many ways you can become involved:

At home or at our school,

In a committee chair position or as a committee member,

As a regular or as an ad-hoc volunteer

For one-time events or for for events that occur throughout the school year

We need all of you to make great things happen at HCES!

We have a special need for Committee Chairs at this time. Please contact the Board Member below and at right, if you are interested in Chairing any of the 2015-2016 HCES PTA Committees.

Shadowing Opportunities:

HCES School Directory Production - use Microsoft Publisher to put directory content together in one file for our directory printer. Contact 2015-2016 Chairperson Anita Beatty or Secretary Laura Hale if interested.

Landscape - maintain HCES front-sign area, three pots just outside entrance, low planters and PK/K hall garden beds. Fill planters with annuals in October time-frame, weed, and trim as necessary. Select and purchase plants and hard-scape. Work with landscape community partner(s), school administration, and HCS Operations Department to identify and complete landscape work that requires professional attention. Contact 2015-2016 Chairpersons Karen Dixon or Debbie Tetrault if interested.

President (DebbieTetrault)

5th Grade Video - manage a team of 4-8 5th grade volunteer photographers for the school year. Create the video using photos and video footage.

Awards & Grants - find and write various grants throughout the school year. Write approximately 4 award applications for HCPTA and AL PTA by 3/1. Bullet points provided by PTA and faculty.

Communications - create and manage an overall communication plan for the HCES PTA.

Volunteers - enter volunteers into an Excel spreadsheet. Use Sign-Up Genius to advertise and sign-up volunteers. Contact prospective volunteers. Advertise openings in PTA Newsletter and on PTA Facebook page.

Academic Support (Jen Wade)

Math Superstars - Copy worksheets, advertise, collect worksheets, manage a grading committee, plan 2 celebrations per school year.

Science & Math Night (date: February 9, proposed) - plan and organize event, volunteers, vendors, and partners. Submit advertising in Wednesday folders (once) and monthly newsletters (2-3 times). We'd love to have some men (Dads, grandparents, uncles, guardians) involved in this one, especially - even day of the event!

Membership (Karen Whitaker)

School Decor - Decorate the front office windows and lobby area in late November/early December for the December holidays. Remove and store decor in early January. Assist Welcome and Hospitality Chair/Comittee, as needed.

Welcome Committee - Coordinate Welcome list and sign delivery, ensure PTA Welcome packets are updated and available for new students (September-May), work with Hospitality committee to plan two Welcome Coffee events.

Fundraising & Sales (Callie Beevers)

Bottle Cap Recycling Program - Advertise, collect, and organize for Operation Green Team bottle cap pick up once per month from October through March. Attend city celebration at end of school year. Plan for 1-2 student celebrations for the school year. Co-chair needed.

Box Top Collection - Advertise, collect and organize two collection drives during the school year.

Secretary (Laura Hale)

School Directory - Manage 2-3 volunteers who use an Excel shared Google document to collect and enter student data through PTA Membership Forms. Coordinate validation of directory data, as well.

Grandparents' Breakfast

Annual PTA Grandparents' Breakfast

Monday, September 14, 2015 - PK-2nd Grades

Tuesday, September 15, 2015 - 3rd-5th Grades

7:00 am - 8:00 am

HCES Cafeteria

Grandparents (parents, guardians, aunts, uncles, special friends, siblings) are invited to join their grandchildren for breakfast and visit the Scholastic Book Fair in the HCES Library. Please plan to arrive before 7:30 am.

Reservation Deadline: Wednesday, September 4

Menu

Biscuits & Sausage

Scrambled Eggs

Cinnamon Rolls

Fresh Fruit

Coffee, Juice & Milk

Reservation forms were in the HCES PTA Orientation Packets. For more information, please contact HCES Board VP Membership: Karen Whitaker or Grandparents' Breakfast Committee Chairperson Jennifer Watts.

Thank You!

THANK you to Megan Dake and all other volunteers who have committed to Fall Festival already. Our Fall Festival committee chairs had their first meeting last Friday, August 14, however, please know that it is not too late to sign up, if you are interested in helping. Signup Genius soon to come!~~Fundraising & Sales VP Callie Beevers

I would like to THANK all those that have purchased coupon books and all the teachers for their help in collecting books/payment.~~Fundraising & Sales VP Callie Beevers.

THANK you to our incredible 2015-2016 HCES PTA Board for the countless hours that they put into creating the 2015-2016 HCES PTA Budget, putting together orientation packets, installing "Welcome to HCES K" signs, manning the PTA tables, presenting at orientation sessions, hosting the faculty luncheon and the meet and greet events. Thank you for sharing your summer to make great things happen at HCES this school year! ~~PTA President Debbie Tetrault.

HCES Library checkout totals for the 2014-2015 school year were 31,440 books. The HCES Library has recently added over 150 new book titles - THANKS to the generosity of the HCES PTA. The HCES Library appreciates your support! ~~Librarian Suzi Ellett

Clinic News

Hi my name is Darlene Harding or Nurse Darlene as the children call me. I have been with Huntsville City Schools as a Registered Nurse since July 2004. Before 2004, I mostly worked in the Operating Room, but also have experience in a physician's office: Ophthalmology, Oncology and Hematology as well as Home Health. I have worked as a Float School Nurse at Elementary, Middle and High Schools, but have been based in Elementary Schools over the last 11 years.

I graduated from The University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. My children are older. I have three children, twin girls and a son. My twin girls, 22, attend UAH and play soccer for UAH. My son, 25, also played soccer, graduated with a Biology degree from UAH and attends McWhorter Pharmacy School at Samford University.

My focus is to help your children stay healthy. If at any time your child is ill or injured, please email or call me so that I may be aware of their illness or injury. You may also call or email me at any time for information concerning medicine at school. No child may bring any medicine to school. Please keep me informed of any changes to your phone numbers as I need to contact you if your child needs to be picked up from school for illness or injury.

If you have any questions or need forms for a health condition, please call or email me with your questions: Darlene Harding, RN (256) 428-7185, 256-428-7180 Ext. 106 or 107 or my email is shirley.harding@hsv-k12.org. Clinic Hours: 745 am to 830am; 9am to 11am; and 130 to 230 - Please visit the Clinic during these hours with medication or questions. If you need forms: Go to Huntsville City Schools, Website - Select Departments and Choose - Health Services Dept - Select Medical Forms and print those forms for the selected Health Condition packet.

Thanks, Nurse Darlene

Reflections

National PTA Reflections Program

The Reflections program is a national PTA cultural arts competition that gives students a chance to express their thoughts through creative arts based on the current year's theme.

2015 - 2016 Reflections Theme: Let Your Imagination Fly

Entries will be due on Friday, October 23, 2015, start thinking about and planning your entry today! We can't wait to see what our students come up with this year!

HCES is looking for a new Reflections Chairperson and Committee for the 2015 - 2016 school year. This is a wonderful program that supports the creative side of our children. Please consider signing up to support our kids and our school. the position requires advertising the program, providing HCES PTA newsletter updates,organizing judging, submitting entries to the city, and organizing a celebration of winners during the second semester.

For more information about Reflections and to see past winners -.http://www.alabamapta.org/#!reflections/c1918

For more information or questions, please contact our new 1st V.P. Academic Support, Jen Wade at jenbaileywade@gmail.com.

Treasurer's Report

Through June 30, 2015, the HCES PTA has utilized our budgeted funds very well! We disbursed this last month (June) of our fiscal year: library improvements and support, instructional supplies, interior improvements, and some additional costs for 5th grade graduation activities.

We will use our actual income and expense from the 2014-2015 school year (as well as prior years) to develop the HCES PTA Budget for 2015-2016. We will also account for school and PTA goals for the school year, new units and teachers, and other new priorities. The final budget will be approved by the HCES PTA Board at the Thursday, August 27 PTA Board Meeting, and presented at the HCES PTA Open House Meeting on Tuesday, September 1.

My Coke Rewards

HCES PTA

My Coke Rewards

HCES Receives Cash for Point Donations!

Coke changed their reward program this winter to earn cash rewards for Coke points when the points are donated to a 5013c. To begin entering points and donating to HCES, please use the following steps:

Establish an personal account on mycokerewards.
Enter Coke codes from bottles and box-ends of 12 and 24-packs of Coke products in the "Enter Codes for Points" at the top of the website. Caps are worth 3 points and 12-packs are worth 20 points. A $1 donation is earned for every 67 Code points that are entered on this website.
Click on Donations at the top of the website.
Click on "Visit MCR for Schools."
Enter "35763" or "Hampton Cove" to find our school.
Donate points to HCES.
Click on "View Profile."
Click on "View Profile" next to "Hampton Cove Elementary School."
Enter desired number of points to donate, and click on "Donate Points." Points will be donated to HCES!
Click on "Go Back to My Coke Rewards" to enter more points.
Please recyle any bottle caps through the Operation Green Team Bottle Cap Program at HCES!

HCES PTA will receive our first quarterly award check for approximately $35 in just a few weeks!

Contact Callie Beevers for more information regarding this fundraising opportunity.

No-Cost Fundraising

Each month you will see links below - if you forget, no problem. You will always find them in our monthly newsletter. Ask your family members far and wide to also participate. We are still looking for volunteers to help with the leg work for some of these opportunities require. Contact Callie Beevers if you're interested.

HCES PTA No-Cost Fundraising Opportunities

Click on the Photos Below to Learn More!

Target REDcard	Box Tops	Bottle Caps
Apply for this card and 1% goes back to the school.	Keep clipping those box tops and save over the summer!	Collection finished 3/31 for the 2014-2015 school year. Please continue to save for next year's program!
Publix Cards	Amazon Smile	My Coke Rewards for Schools
Don't forget to have them scan your HCES card. If you don't have a card, you can get one in the school office.	Check here before doing any of your online shopping.	Click to add your Coke product points to the HCES account.

Contact Callie Beevers for more information regarding all of the above no-cost fundraising opportunities.

Bottle Caps

Operation Green Team Bottle Cap Program

Collecting Twist On Bottle Caps

Please begin sending in any plastic twist on/off caps for the 2015-2016 school year!

HCES is looking for a new Bottle Cap Chair and committee for the 2015 - 2016 school year.

This position involves counting the bottle caps, organizing the caps for Operation Green Team (OGT) pickup (Oct.-Mar.), and submitting HCES PTA Newsletter updates. Also, organizing a year-end celebration for HCES students, and attending the OGT year-end celebration in downtown Huntsville.

For more information or questions, please contact our new 3rd V.P. Fundraising & Sales, Callie Beevers at callie_beevers@yahoo.com.

Tutoring

Experienced Master Teacher will be available for tutoring reading and math for upcoming grades K-2. Call Jo Nell O'Connor @ 256-682-9759 for more information.

Marian Bevel

Tutor in math, grade 3 thru Algebra 1 and Reading, grades 4-12. Master teacher, certified collaborative teacher K-12. Contact Marian Bevel @ 256-325-4722 or 256-658-2180.

TUTOR AT THE TABLE

Certified Teacher with ten years teaching experience in elementary & middle school grades. Speciality subjects are math and reading. Lives in Hampton Cove. Call Marie Pannone at 256-714-6636 for more information

Smarter Happier Baby Opportunity

Raise a Smarter, Happier Baby!

Free classes for parents of babies 0-30 months

Fall sessions begin in September

Your baby's brain is doing 80% of its growing right now! How you talk with your baby now makes a big difference. Smarter Happier Baby™ classes give you:

Eight FREE one-hour group sessions
Technology to help you measure talk
Childcare during classes
Classes in Spanish or English
All materials, including free books

Smarter Happier Baby™helps parents of infants and toddlers (0-30 months) close the "talk gap" to build their babies' brains, improve their social and emotional well-being, and make them more prepared for school and for life. It does that through a short series of instructional meetings where parents learn to use the LENA System to monitor the home language environment, and how to use techniques to improve the quantity and quality of adult-child talk.

Please call HSV City Schools at (256)428-6886 or email smarterhappierbaby@gmail.com for additional information, or to sign-up for Smarter Happier Baby

No Boundaries & Running of the Bulls

Running of the Bulls

5K & Fun Run

On-line registration for the Saturday, August 29 Running of the Bulls Race on the Hampton Cove Greenway (beginning at Hampton Cove Middle School) is now open:

http://www.active.com/hampton-cove-al/running/distance-running-races/running-of-the-bulls-2015

Rocket City Volleyball Club

Here's a great opportunity for your daughter to learn more about volleyball. Click the link for more information and tryout dates.

Session I Grades 4-6: Friday, September - Sunday, October 4

Session II Grades 6-8: Friday, October 9 - Saturday, November 14

More Information and Registration Form

Newsletter Archives

Miss an Edition of our HCES PTA Newsletter?

Catch up on all the news

in our current issue

and previous issues here!

If you have any questions about the HCES PTA Newsletter, please contact HCES PTA Board Secretary Laura Hale or Newsletter Chairperson Alison Hynes.

Constant Contact Updates

If you would like to add an email address to the HCES Newsletter and Announcements database, please email HCES PTA Secretary and Newsletter Chairperson Alison Hynes and include the student's name and grade. We will be happy to make the changes as quickly as possible.