Michelle Andrews

HEDDING SUPERSTAR

24^th edition September 2008

in that the air-conditioning in the classrooms is up and running. So far this has added 9 ½ hours of additional school time, as we had no early outs from the start of school to Labor Day. Additionally, students are comfortable and able to stay focused on learning. The air-conditioning was paid for through the state’s Health, Life, Safety grant.

We are also very excited with the large number of kindergarten students enrolled this year. There has been quite a jump from last year’s 46 students to this year’s 62. Of course, we are hoping this trend continues.

Congratulations to students, parents, teachers and staff. ISAT (Illinois Standards Achievement Test) scores are in, and our students did quite well. Below is a breakdown of the percentage of students who met or exceeded state standards in each grade level and content area.

The PTO fundraiser is well underway. Students are selling items from Club’s Choice to raise money to fund Commando Club, student incentives and prizes for each classroom, and playground equipment.

Thursday, September 25, PTO will be hosting a Family Movie Night in the Hedding Grade School gym at 7 pm. The movie will be Speed Racer. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. Students will only be allowed to attend with an adult.

PTO meetings are the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30 to 7:30 in the teachers’ workroom at Hedding. PTO needs your help!

Students in grades 2-5 now have access to a great resource to prepare for state testing. We have purchased a building license for a web-based program called Study Island. All classes will be using this program to prepare for testing at least once each week.

Parents will be receiving information on how your child can login from home. Once your child is tired of taking tests there are numerous games included that reinforce the skills needed to complete the tests. If you have any further questions about Study Island, please call your child’s teacher or you can call Study Island directly at 800-419-3191.

Once again the Abingdon Masonic Lodge is offering its Child Identification Program to Abingdon students. The Masons will be at Hedding Grade School during the Open House on Thursday, September 18 from 5:00-7:00. The ILCHIP program addresses the alarming fact that over one million children are reported missing each year. ILCHIP consists of: A digital picture with audio of your child recorded on a CD and given to the parent that captures the appearance, speech, mannerisms and other important personal characteristics of a child; Fingerprints for each child a provided on a card which may be scanned by law enforcement if necessary. Fingerprint cards are also given to the parent or guardian. A DNA kit is also completed with a cheek swab and given to the parent or guardian.

If you are interested in obtaining an ILCHIP package for your child, please come to the Hedding Open House and see the Mason’s table in the gym. Your child does not have to be school age to participate or even attend this school.

Kuk Sool Won, the martial arts academy in Galesburg, will be offering a martial arts program for students at Hedding. Children in K-5 may sign up to attend classes on Tuesday nights starting at the end of September. Master Ed Sanchez and his daughter, Ashley Sanchez, will be here to answer your questions about the program at Open House on Thursday, September 18 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Getting your child involved in martial arts is a great way to improve self-control, focus and self-esteem in a child. If you have any questions about the program, please call the school at 462-2363 or Kuk Sool Won at 342-6222.

We have several new staff members at Hedding this year. Over the next few months, a new staff member will be featured in our newsletter.

This month I would like to introduce you to Vanessa Schumacher, who is teaching our third section of kindergarten.

Favorite subject when you were in school and why: English - I loved reading and discussing our opinions/thoughts about the books we read

Why you became a teacher: Because I can't remember a time that I wanted to do anything else. I've always wanted to teach; it just felt like a natural choice.

How it is going so far at Hedding: I love it! It just keeps getting better each and every day. I'm so excited for this year because I can't wait to see the progress that each of my students will make over the course of a whole year!

Who you most admire and why: My parents, Dennis and Kathy. They do it all. They've always been so supportive and involved with my sister and I. They always make time for us yet still find time for themselves - my mom is finishing up her Associate's degree from CSC after being out of school for about 25 years and my dad gets to announce basketball games for Monmouth College.

Teachers came out on a Saturday to listen and learn from one of the nation’s premiere educators of reading. Dr. Michael Heggerty spoke to a group of Hedding teachers, as well as five Canton and one ROWVA teacher, on September 6 at the Abingdon Middle School.

Michael Heggerty, Ed.D. is a veteran elementary educator of 30+ years. He served as a classroom teacher for 28 years, including 24 years as a first grade teacher. Dr. Heggerty, whose vitae includes two masters degrees and a doctorate, has always seen himself as a life-long learner. Dr. Heggerty is currently working as an Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Services for a district in the western Chicago suburbs