Halilts Newsletter: December 16, 2024

Inside this Newsletter

Dear Orca Families, 

We are counting down the days to winter break this week here at x̌alilc and looking forward to Saturday when the darkness of the days turns towards light! In the meantime, we are keeping structures and routines at school to ensure students are engaged in learning and keep the main thing, the main thing. 

Today we had a Shelter-in-Place Drill. During a shelter-in-place, students and staff take refuge in the school building in response to a potentially hazardous situation outside like a chemical spill, severe weather, or a downed power line. Staff close windows to isolate the interior of the building, but movement and learning continues inside the building. This was NOT a Lockdown drill and most students experienced no impact at all.

In January, we will start our winter assessments. I am excited to see student progress since September. We have seen growth in social, emotional, and behavior skills and are expecting much the same in academics; we know that one follows the other! Students learn best when school is a place where they feel safe to take chances in their learning and feel encouragement from their peers!

I hope you and your family can enjoy time together over the break! We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

Sincerely, 

Rhonda Walton

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the cookie exchange and hot chocolate bar! The staff had so much fun making boxes of treats for their families.

Your generosity is beyond our imagination!

Our PTO sponsored after-school clubs are a hit! Registration is now open for our winter sessions. Check out these favorites!

This club is available to students in 2nd-4th grade. Over the course of the session, children will play soccer, basketball, tennis, baseball, bowling, court hockey, football, and dodgeball.

Black Knights Chess Club 

This club is available to students in 1st-4th grade. Chess is an amazing game that teaches strategy Players of all levels are welcome—beginners to kids who have been playing for years! 

We are excited to add additional after-school activities starting this winter. Stay tuned for details after winter break! Do you have an idea for an after-school club? E-mail halilts.presidents@bainbridgeptos.org with your ideas!

This week we wrap up our food drive to benefit Helpline House! To match the greatest areas of need, each grade level has been assigned specific items to collect. Boxes to collect items are in.

Helpline House, in partnership with Rotary, is offering Kids' Pantry Bags to provide youth with food during Winter Break. Each bag provides enough food for one youth for a week. Kids Pantry Bags can also be delivered if you email Sarah Frost sfrost@bisd303.org prior to December 20th.

For additional information: Helpline House Kids' Pantry

Our lost and found is full! Please be sure to check the lost and found before winter break. All unclaimed items will be Donated on December 20th.  

Remember to label coats and jackets, as well as lunch boxes. We’d love to be able to reconnect your child with their misplaced gear. Sharpies are a great option as are purchased clothing stickers from online vendors. Save yourself time and money and label their gear. 

16-20: District Wide Spirit Week

18: Food Drive Ends

18: 4th Grade Music Concert @ 6:00 pm

23-31: Winter Break - No School

1-3: Winter Break - No School

6: School Resumes

15: Kindergarten Information Night @ 6:00 pm at x̌alilc (Halilts) Elementary

15: PTO Parent/Guardian Night Out

20: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday - No School

24: PTO Meeting @ 9:00 am in Library

24: PTO Bingo Night @ 5:00 pm in Commons