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Exciting Changes at HCES

It’s a great time to be a Falcon!

Following a super 2014-15 school year at Hickman County Elementary, the outlook is even brighter for the upcoming year for students. A revamped schedule, new teachers, and many other changes are in store for students as they return to school Wednesday.

Those changes include:

  • The addition of a fifth preschool classroom for 2015-16 - With an abundance of students for this year, a fifth preschool class was added at HCES. Some openings are still available. Call Lisa Schraw at 653-4923 for details.

  • Free breakfasts and lunches for all students - Both meals will be free, but students will still be able to purchase extras and other items such as ice cream.

  • Grab and go breakfasts – Students in grades 4, 5 and 6 will pick up their breakfasts near the office. Students will punch in their student number, then take their breakfasts to homeroom. There, they’ll be able to eat, take AR tests, work on assignments, study, and complete other tasks. This will help alleviate congestion in the cafeteria for grades K-3.

  • A new schedule – Centered around 50-minute blocks, the new schedule is designed to maximize teachers’ abilities to increase student achievement and learning.

  • New teachers – HCES welcomes three new teachers to its faculty. Emily Easley has been hired to teach first grade, Jennifer Holder will teacher second grade, and Jessica Lathrop will teach science in fifth and sixth grades. Additionally, many teachers have moved subjects and/or grade levels.

  • Student council – Students in grades 4-6 will be able to be part of a newly-created HCES student council. The group will meet monthly with the principal and their sponsor to convey student concerns and ideas to school leadership. Student elections will be held during the first few weeks of school.

  • Student mentoring program – Students in grades 5 and 6 will have the opportunity to serve as student mentors in grades K, 1 and 2, and in the library. Students will have to apply for the position and meet academic and behavioral requirements.

  • Preschool aides helping K-1 – Classified aides will work on Friday mornings with kindergarten and first grade students on reading. The move continues the focus on reading while helping to increase collaboration between preschool and kindergarten for both students and staff.

  • Flex days – One of the biggest changes will be the implementation of flex days for grades 4, 5 and 6. At the end of each nine weeks, students will have the opportunity to participate in special classes of their own choosing. Vicki Batts and school administration hope to include community stakeholders in the flex days as well.