November 6, 2009

Dear Hickey Community,

Thank you to all the families, and parent volunteers that attended our annual PTA Fall Carnival. It was very exciting to see the many wonderful families and our school community enjoying themselves at this event.

In early October, Ms. Maureen Langenbach, our assistant principal was reassigned to Adams Elementary School. We appreciate her hard work over the last four years with our school and community. We wish her continued success in her career.

On November 3, 2009, Mr. Dan Davis, assistant principal from John Tartan Elementary School was reassigned to Hickey Elementary School as our new assistant principal. We are excited to have him at our school.

Track 4 and 5 students have just completed the Interim Data Management System (IDMS) tests in the areas of reading and math. Tracks 1, 2, & 3 will begin testing next week. Results will be discussed with the parents and students at the Parent Teacher Student Conferences. Students meeting standards or exceeding standards are considered to be on grade level. Students approaching standards or are emergent standards are considered to be below grade level.

In honor of Veteran's Day there will be no school on Wednesday, November 11, 2009. There will be no school on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Your child's teacher will be providing first trimester grades and IDMS test scores at Parent Teacher Student Conferences. Track 5 Parent Teacher Student Conferences will be held the evening of Tuesday, November 17 and all day Wednesday, November 18, 2009. Students on track 5 will not attend school on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 but need to attend the conference with their parent(s). There will be scheduling information from your teacher next week.

As you know, we have been collecting receipts from fresh & easy™ for raising funds for our school. On Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 4 pm - 8 pm we will have an evening for $hop for schools at fresh & easy™ located at the corner of Lake Mead & Hollywood. During that time frame, staff and parent volunteers will be in the store and will collect receipts. Hickey E.S. will earn 5% of all sales during this specific 4 hour time frame. If you are interested in volunteering to work, please see Debbie in the office. Otherwise, please plan to purchase your non-perishable items in preparation for Thanksgiving as well as doing your weekly grocery shopping.

On Thursday, November 19, 2009 we will be hosting a Technology Night for families from 6 - 8 pm. More information on this event will follow soon.

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt,

Principal

September 29, 2009

Dear Hickey Community,

On October 8, 2009, Open House will be held for Tracks 1, 2, 4, and 5. Open House will begin at 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Two sessions will be held to enable you to meet with your children's teachers. A flyer and ParentLink reminder will be sent home early next week.

Progress Reports will be distributed this week for Tracks 3, 4, and 5.

On Monday, October 5, 2009, will be the first of four Staff Development Days. Teachers will be learning about the new Smart Boards, guided reading groups, and the new math series, Envisions. Students will not be in attendance this day.

Parents can begin accessing the ParentLink school communication system. Please come to the office to pick up your Login ID and password. You will be required to show identification to get this information. Parents who accessed this account last year, your login and password will be the same.

Due to declining enrollment, we have had to disband 2 kindergarten classes and 1 second grade class. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move through this process.

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt,

Principal

 September 17, 2009

Dear Hickey Community,

Welcome Back Track One!

As many of you are aware with the economy, and housing foreclosures, the projected student enrollment for our school is considerably down from what our anticipated enrollment was in the spring. Since, the number of teachers is determined by the number of students, we are in the process of determining how to consolidate teachers and tracks to provide the best education possible for your children. We are anticipating losing two to four teachers.

Students who are affected by the changes will receive a letter letting parents know their options. Changes will be completed by September 25, 2009.

The good news! As soon as all our classes are in place, we are looking forward to holding our Open Houses in early October, as soon as we have a certified teacher in every classroom.

Please check out our website for further updates at http://schools.ccsd.net/hickey

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt

August 27, 2009

Dear Hickey Community,

Thank you for a very smooth opening to our 2009-2010 school year. It was wonderful to see the turn out of our parents and students at our "Meet the Teacher," on August 21, 2009.

In late August you received a letter from the Title I Department informing you that Hickey Elementary School did not make our Adequate Yearly Progress. Shortly you will receive a detailed accountability report describing the data and School Improvement Plan for the 2009-2010 school year. In summary, we made our Adequate Yearly Progress in all areas, except Language Arts for free and reduced students, and special need students in the area of Math. We missed our targeted goal in these two areas by seven students. Even though we showed growth in all areas, a ten percent increase was not met as measured by the Nevada Criterion Reference Tests in these areas and the Fifth Grade Writing Proficiency Test.

Our Fall Open House has been delayed this year, until we have certified teachers in every K-5 classroom. In early September, the Clark County School District will officially determine the number of students enrolled in our school. This will determine the number of teachers we will lose or gain, and also the restructuring of classes that are overcrowded.

Next week, Ms. Langenbach, our Assistant Principal, Mrs. Rapazzini, our counselor, and I will meet with all students to go over our expectations for student success. Students will know the goals to earn awards throughout the year and at the end of the year assemblies. Just a reminder, students may report 20 minutes early (8:45 a.m.) to go to their class to participate in Accelerated Reader and take the test.

Beginning Tuesday, September 15, 2009 and continuing through Thursday, December 31, 2009, we will be collecting Fresh & Easy receipts again. For every $20 spent at their stores, we will earn $1. All you need to do is send in your Fresh & Easy receipts to the school office. All money earned is spent only on our students for items such as school supplies (pencils, markers, etc.), and Accelerated Reader rewards.

In September we will begin our Parent Teacher Association membership drive in earnest. If you didn't join at "Meet the Teacher," it is not too late; flyers will be coming home soon. More information will follow in the early part of the month about the things our PTA does to support the school.

Please visit us online for up-to-date information about our school. Our web address is www.schools.ccsd.net/hickey/

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt,

Principal

 July 31, 2009

Dear Hickey Community,

The end of the 2008-2009 school year for our students on Tracks 1-4 will be on Friday, August 7, 2009 at 12:20 p.m. The End of the Year Awards Assembly Schedule for students who have chosen to earn awards, is as follows.

Teachers will notify parents if their child has chosen to earn an award this year. Kindergarten teachers will notify parents of their classes' plans for End of the Year Awards Program. Students in Tracks 1-4, who have earned 150 HP cards or 150 AR points will receive a pizza party with the Hickeys, on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.

The 2009-2010 information packets will be mailed home on Friday, August 7, 2009. Have a wonderful break! We wish out fifth graders success as they move to middle school.

School will resume on Monday, August 24, 2009 for Tracks 2-5, and September 14, 2009 for Track 1. "Meet the Teacher" will be held on Friday, August 21, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Track 1 "Meet the Teacher" will be held on Friday, September 11 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt

Principal

 July 2, 2009

Dear Hickey Community,

It appears the summer heat has finally arrived. As you are aware, we have had problems with our air conditioning this week. If this should happen again, and hopefully not, this is the procedure we will follow for the safety of our students. If it is determined the air will be off for longer than an hour, we will move the students to Bailey Middle School to the cafeteria. At that time a ParentLink message will sent out notifying you of the situation. Students will always be dismissed from Hickey Elementary School. If you need to pick your student up, please come to the Hickey office with your i.d. to sign out your child. At that time, you will be given a pass, to present to the teacher at the Bailey campus. Should you have any questions, please feel free to call the office at 799-1899.

If your child is in grade 3, 4, and 5, you may access their CRT results for the 2008-2009 school year. A flyer has been sent home with the details on how to see your child's scores.

Next week is the last week for Track 5 for this school year. Students in Track 5, who have earned 150 HP cards or 150 AR points will receive a pizza party with the Hickeys, Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.

Students who have chosen to earn rewards for academic achievement, citizenship and Specialist Awards will be honored at this time. Students are asked to dress up for this end of the year ceremony. Track 5 students are not to bring pack backs to school on Friday, July 10, 2009.

Track 5 students will be dismissed at 12:10 on Friday, July 10, 2009. Lunch will not be served on the last day of school.

Students are being assigned to tracks for next year, if you have not registered please do so ASAP.

Remember, there is no school on Friday, July 3, 2009 in honor of the Independence Day Holiday.

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt

Principal

May 1, 2009

Dear Hickey Families,

We are in the beginning stages of planning for the 2009-2010 school year. Liliam Lujan Hickey Elementary School will stay year round for the upcoming year. Registration packets will be sent out in early June for returning students.

We will hold a Kindergarten Round-Up on Friday, May 29, 2009. Families who have children that will start kindergarten are encouraged to attend. Immunizations and other information, along with other screenings will be available. More information will be sent home as we near the date.

Last week we finished the high stakes testing CRT's in grades 3, 4, and 5 in the areas of reading, math, and science only in the 5th grade. In talking with our students and staff, I know that our students felt confident, and worked hard to do their best. Thank you to our staff and students for giving their best effort. Results from the test should be given to the school by June of 2009.

Thursday, May 14, 2009 will be our Career Day for students in 4th and 5th grade. Students will have an opportunity to explore qualifications and ask questions regarding careers in our community.

Due to inclement weather, Field Day has been rescheduled for Friday, May 8, 2009. Students who are on track break may come back and participate in Field Day. They will be paired with another class of the same grade for the events.

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt

Principal

 Dear Hickey Families,

Congratulations to our fifth grade students who showed a 11.1% gain in the amount of students who were labeled as meeting or exceeding standards on the Nevada Writing Proficiency test administered in January 2009. Hats off to our 77 students who had their art work displayed at the Las Vegas Library by our art teacher Dikka Rian. Great job!

It is that time of year again, when our annual state tests are administered to our 3, 4, & 5 grade students known as the Criteria Reference Tests in Language Arts, Math, and Science. The testing schedule is listed below. These tests determine the Adequate Yearly Progress status of Hickey Elementary School as outlined by the State of Nevada and the federal law, No Child Left Behind. Make sure that your child gets a good nights rest the night before and has a good breakfast the day of the test. We know this is a wonderful opportunity to show off all they have learned by their hard work. I know we will do a great job. Please support your child by encouraging them to do their best.

On March 5, 2009, Hickey Elementary was featured with Kevin Janison, on the Channel 3, weather portion of the news. Students had two weeks to secure their chance to be on the live broadcast by reading and earning Accelerated Reader points.

Thank you to the many parent volunteers at our school, one especially Cindy Stowers has been helping with our recycling efforts and in addition has raised over $876.00, for our school this year collecting and organizing our Box Tops for Education along with equipment for P.E. from the Néstle Label program. Thanks to our students, parents, and teachers for making this possible.

This is the last week for Track 5, as they begin their track break until April 13, when they return and Track 1 goes out.

There is still time to complete the CCSD Parent Survey. Just go to www.CCSD.net/parentsurvey and enter your child's student number to take the survey about our school.

Field Day will be held on Friday, April 3, 2009, with spring break the following week. The staff of Hickey Elementary School wishes you a safe and happy spring break.

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt

Principal

February 13, 2009

Dear Hickey Families,

The 2008-2009 school year has brought us many new challenges this year. With the recent budget cuts to education, many of the programs implemented for our students have disappeared. We have been able to keep our class size low due to the Title I funds we have received this year.

The faculty and staff are just as committed as before to providing your children the best education possible. Our students and teachers have done their best to overcome the cut backs in supplies and materials. They are to be commended for doing their best under these difficult times.

The Nevada legislature is now in session, our State Senator is Warren B. Hardy II (District 12); the State Assembly representatives for our area is either Jerry Claborn (District 19) or Joe Hardy (District 20) depending on your boundary lines. I encourage you to contact them to express your feelings about the proposed education budget cuts. The email addresses for these representatives are: Warren B. Hardy II -whardy@sen.state.nv.us, Jerry Claborn - jeclaborn@asm.state.nv.us, Joe Hardy - jhardy@asm.state.nv.us.

On March 5, 2009 we will host our annual Literacy Night. Beginning February 17, through March 3, the top 3 students earning the most AR points will be invited to be on the news with Kevin Janison, as he reports the weather from in front of our school. Students will be notified on March 4, 2008 if they are the top readers in their class. More information will follow as we near the date.

This year we will see one important dream come true for our community. The new high school, Sunrise Mountain High School, will open in the fall of 2009. Our children will now attend Hickey Elementary School, Bailey Middle School, and Sunrise Mountain High School, all within walking distance of each other.

David L. Harcourt

Principal

January 20, 2009

Dear Hickey Families,

Welcome to the New Year! With January brings the beginning of testing season to determine our schools progress under the No Child Left Behind Law. Beginning next week, our fifth grade students will begin the Nevada Writing Proficiency test. It is very important students arrive to school by 9:05, especially fifth graders, as schedules have been changed to accommodate the writing test. The test will be given on Tuesday, January 20 through Thursday, January 22, 2009. Students must test these three days as there are no make-up test dates. Our students have worked very hard and we want them to do their best. Please encourage your child to do his/her best. This is a high stakes test for our school.

Fourth grade students will begin the NAEP test in February. This is another federally mandated test by the Department of Education.Monday, January 19, 2009 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and we will be closed for the holiday. There will be no school on Friday, January 23, 2009 as our staff will be working on writing traits and increasing our students' problem solving skills.

Students on tracks 1-4 will report on Monday, March 2, 2009 to make-up the snow day. Originally, this day was scheduled as a staff development day. However, that has been canceled and school will be in session on Monday, March 2, 2009 for tracks 1-4.

Parents are reminded beginning at 8:45 a.m. teachers are working with students on Accelerated Reading and this is treated as instructional time. Parents may drop students off at the classroom door, but not interfere with the teacher at this time.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt

Principal

November 21, 2008

Dear Hickey Families,

Thank you to our Track 5 teachers, parents, and students. We had over 97% of our families show up for Parent Teacher Student Conferences. Congratulations to all.

Next week brings us a three day week, with the Thanksgiving holiday being celebrated on Thursday, and Family Day on Friday. Track 5 begins their track break, and we welcome Track 4 back on the following Monday.

On Wednesday, December 10, 2008, we will have make-up pictures for Tracks 1-4. On Thursday, December 11, our holiday program will be held in the MP Room from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

On Friday, December 12, 2008, PTA will sponsor a free showing of the "Polar Express" in 3-D. Tickets are limited and will be on a first come first serve basis beginning Monday, December 1st in the office. Students must be accompanied by their parents or guardians. Tickets will only be given for the number of family members in the family.

On Tuesday, December 16, 2008, Tracks 1-4 will hold Parent Teacher Student Conferences in the evening. On Wednesday, December 17, 2008, the conferences will be held all day and there will be no school. More information will be forthcoming.

Santa's Workshop for Tracks 1-4 will be held in Room 3, December 15, 16, 17, and 18, 2008. Inexpensive gifts will be on sale for our students to purchase. Parents are invited to shop with their students on Parent Teacher Student Conference Day, Wednesday, December 17. Proceeds will benefit our counselor's program and the school for supplies.

Beginning December 5, 2008, Ms. Langenbach will be meeting with students for "Story and Snack", on Friday's from 2:45 p.m.- 3:15 p.m. If your child is selected, parents are invited, too! One student in each class will be selected each week based on the criteria of their teacher.

Friday, December 19, 2008, will be the last day of school before Winter Break. Students in Tracks 2, 3, 4, & 5 returns Monday, January 5, 2008.

The staff of Hickey Elementary wishes you a wonderful and safe break!

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt

Principal

 November 3, 2008

Dear Hickey Families,

Thank you to all the parent volunteers, teachers, and staff who made our fall carnival such a success!

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt

Principal

September 24, 2008

Dear Hickey Families,

Thank you for a wonderful first week of school for Track 1 and wonderful first month for tracks 2-5.

ParentLink is now up and running. Parents may come to the office and pick up the password for your account. Please bring your driver's license or photo identification.

Just a reminder, for the safety of your children, students are not to be on campus until 8:45 unless they are in the SafeKey Program. There is no supervision until that time. Beginning September 29, 2008, students arriving early will be asked to call home to be picked up until the appropriate arrival time.

Progress Reports will be distributed for tracks 2, 3, 4, & 5, on Friday, September 26, 2008.

Remember Track 1, Back to School Night is tonight from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt

Principal

August 29, 2008

Dear Hickey Families,

Thank you for a wonderful first week of school!!

Just a few reminders. When it is raining hard and lightening is in the air, I will not dismiss students to walk home. Our students' safety comes first. Parents may go to the classroom to pick up their children. Students who attend Safekey will be released to Safekey. Students who ride the bus will also be dismissed to the bus. Until it is deemed safe to walk home students will not be dismissed from their classrooms.

As I have stated before, we are a Title I school this year. With Title I we were allowed to hire four extra teachers to keep class sizes as low as possible. To keep these funds sustained we need to have all federal paperwork completed. Please complete the Title I Free and Reduced Meal Application, for your family, whether you think you qualify or not. This is part of the paperwork to help ensure we keep theses extra funds. Only one application per family is necessary.

Our "Back to School Night," is Thursday, September 4, 2008, for tracks 2-5, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Teachers will be discussing the curriculum, special programs, such as Accelerated Reader, and overall expectations for students. The Parent Teacher Association will be available along with our Music, Art, P.E., and Library teachers, as well as Cynthia Rapazzini, our school counselor, to discuss all our programs including ParentLink.

Next Tuesday and Thursday, Ms. Langenbach and I will be meeting with grades 1-5 to outline our expectations for student success at Hickey Elementary. In the assemblies we will be reviewing school rewards and rules, academic expectations, citizenship, and the Accelerated Reader goals for the coming year.

There will be no school on Monday, September 1 due to Labor Day. Please enjoy your three day weekend.

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt

Principal

August 19, 2008

Dear Hickey Families,

Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year! I hope you had a safe and wonderful vacation.

On Friday, August 22, 2008, we will have a "Meet Your Teacher," event for all tracks with the exception of Track 1, Grade 3. That will be held on Friday, September 12, 2008, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., prior to students returning on the following Monday.

ParentLink will be available for our students and parents to examine up to date information about their child's grades, attendance, and school announcements. This information will be given at our Back to School Night, September 4, 2008, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Your child's teacher will have the information you need.

There will be an informal meeting for all kindergarten parents in the multi-purpose room on Monday, August 25, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. Mrs. Rapazzini, our school counselor, will present tips on how to make your child successful in school.

If you have requested a track change, we have put you on a waiting list and will contact you when seats become available.

The goal of the school is to have all students reach their potential in the pursuit of providing the best education possible. I want our students, as they move through higher education, to have the opportunity to reach their dreams. Only a strong academic background will allow this to happen. Your support, help, and encouragement is necessary for your child to succeed. In this ever changing world, we must prepare our students to see a world that will be constantly changing, more technology driven, and with strong reading, writing, and math skills. As we head into the 21st Century, we want our students to have all the tools necessary to ensure a lifetime of success.

You can visit the school website at http://www.ccsd.net/schools/hickey

Sincerely,

David L. Harcourt

Principal

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