March 15, 2024
H-BC Elementary Families:
Our 2nd-5th grade students completed their swimming lessons today. We hear positive feedback from parents regarding swimming lessons being offered at H-BC Elementary. .I agree, the benefits of knowing how to swim are priceless. Thank you Mr. DeBoer for coordinating the lessons.
DISTRICT SPELLING BEE:
Twelve fifth and sixth grade students faced off in our district spelling bee this morning in Hills. The following students made the top five and competed in the final "live" rounds, Makaylie Voss, Penni Moore, Arya Tollefson, Henry Selle and Sam Aanning. After several back-and-fourth rounds with Makaylie, Arya earned the spot as the first place speller. The top five move on to represent H-BC at the regional spelling bee in Luverne on April 6. Thank you to the Elementary PTO, Kathy Metzger, Mrs. Fischer and Mr, Kellenberger for planning, hosting and sponsoring this event.
ROCK OUR SOCKS! On Thursday, March 21, we will celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored, mismatched socks. March 21 is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome. Socks were chosen because the karyotype of DS chromosomes actually looks like mismatched socks!
MARCH IS MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH- We are thankful for the leadership of Mrs. Comp and Mrs. Kolles at H-BC!
THE ONLINE YEARBOOK STORE CLOSES SATURDAY, MARCH 23:
This is the link that will take parents to the online pay site: https://shop.memorybook.com
School Code: 078710M All users will have to Register the first time they access the site.
2024-25 LITTLE PATRIOT ACADEMY ENROLLMENT: The enrollment link for LPA is now open. LPA 2024-25 Enrollment. Sign-up today!
KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP: Kindergarten Round Up is Friday, March 22. Parents attend from 8:15 am-9:15 am and Round-Up Students attend school for the day - 8:15 am-3:30 pm. . Children who will be five on or before August 31, 2024, are invited. Please call H-BC Elementary for more information.
NO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN: Due to the Kindergarten Round-Up, our current kindergarten students will NOT have class on March 22.
MARCH NEWSLETTER: The March newsletter is online and ready for viewing. Check out the great events from last month and see what is happening in the week ahead. Read the newsletter here.
SPRING ASSESSMENTS COMING SOON: Spring Testing is an important time to check progress for our students. As we get closer to April, we will enter the Spring Assessment season. Please click this LINK to see our HBC Assessment Calendar. This will give you an idea when each assessment is scheduled for ACTs, MCAs and NWEAs.
EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILY EDUCATION: Looking for a way to spend quality time with your child? Join us at the H-BC Elementary School for ECFE Class. Bring your 0-5 age children, 6:00 -7:30 pm. The upcoming dates are: March 26, Classes do not require advanced registration. Come once or twice, or make it part of your monthly schedule!
Child Tax Credit Minnesotans can now claim the Child Tax Credit, with no limit on the number of children claimed. You must file a 2023 individual income tax return in order to claim the credit. Most taxpayers who are eligible to claim the new Child Tax Credit are also eligible for free tax preparation assistance. Learn more about income requirements and qualifications on the Child Tax Credit webpage.
The tax credit of up to $1750 per child is estimated to cut child poverty by up to one third in Minnesota. Nearly 300,000 households including 513,000 children are estimated to qualify for the credit.
Save Receipts for School Supplies The Minnesota Department of Revenue offers two valuable tax benefits for parents who purchase school supplies for their K-12 students: the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction. These benefits can reduce parents’ taxes to increase their refund, but is only available for those who keep their receipts. Purchases for most school supplies, field trips, and musical instruments for school band are eligible.
Most Minnesota parents qualify for the K-12 subtraction, which reduces their taxable income. Parents under certain income limits may also qualify for the K-12 credit, which can refund up to 75% of their costs – even for parents who do not owe any taxes. Visit Revenue's website for details.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE: This program provides home heating cost and furnace repair assistance for income qualified customers in Pipestone, Murray, Rock, and Nobles counties.
Check out the information here: Energy Assistance
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE & MINNESOTA CARE: See the information here: https://5il.co/2djm2 regarding renewing Minnesota health care coverage.
LOOKING AHEAD:
March 22- Kindergarten Roundup
March 22- NO School for current Kindergarten Students
March 22 - End of 3rd Quarter
March 23 - Begin 4th Quarter
March 28,29 & April 1 - No School
MCA Testing Dates
Reading (grades 3-5) - April 9-10
Math (grades 3-5) - April 16-17
Science (grade 5) - April 23-24
AM BUS CHANGES: For morning bus changes please call the HBC bus line--make sure to identify your student and the bus number they are riding: 507-962-3240
Please reach out to me if you have any needs. Phone- 507-673-2541 x1102 or