Parent Connection

February 9, 2024

H-BC Elementary Families: 

EARLY OUT & CONFERENCES:  Thursday, February 15,  is an early dismissal day - 1:00 pm at the Elementary and 12:45 at the Secondary.  Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held from 4:00 pm - 7:45pm at both buildings.  Elementary parents have been contacted by your child’s teacher for a scheduled conference time.  If you were not scheduled, and would like to visit with your child’s teacher, please call.  

NO SCHOOL:  Remember, there is NO SCHOOL Friday, February 16, and Monday, February 19.

I LOVE TO READ MONTH: Students are having a great time with the I Love To Read Month activities.  Upcoming Friday dress up days are:

  • Friday, Feb. 23: Character Dress Up Day

  • Friday, March 1: Dr. Seuss Day, dress up in black, white and red

KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP:   Information will be sent out to all interested. Children who will be five on or before August 31, 2024, are invited.  Please call H-BC Elementary for more information.

                                                                   

                                                                                    Friday, March 22, 2024
                                                                      Parents Attend – 8:15-9:15 am
                             Round Up Students Attend School for the Day – 8:15-3:30 pm

NO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN:  Due to the Kindergarten Round-Up, our current kindergarten students will NOT have class on March 22.

GIRLS ON THE RUN:   We are excited to once again have a GIRLS ON THE RUN program at H-BC Elementary for girls in 3-5th grade.  The program will run Monday and Wednesday afternoon  3:30-5:00 pm beginning February 28.   See the link here for registration & payment  information:  Girls on the run.pdf    Please contact Mrs. Tollefson if you have questions.

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.

GRADES 2-5 SWIMMING LESSONS:  As part of the Physical Education curriculum at H-BC Elementary, students will again take swimming lessons.  This year, American Red Cross swimming lessons will be offered to students in grades 2-5.  Students will have 9 lessons from March 5 to 15.   Watch for information to be sent home.

SUMMER REC:  It’s true, plans are underway for summer activities! Information was sent home with grades 3-9 regarding softball & baseball registration.  Please return forms before February 16. Baseball https://5il.co/2dm26 Softball https://5il.co/2dm25

Spring Assessments Coming Soon (New)  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.

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. 

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:  February 20 & March 12 & 26,  Classes do not require advanced registration.  Come once or twice, or make it part of your monthly schedule!   

LOOKING AHEAD:

  • 2/15-      Early Out - Elementary Students dismissed at 1:00 pm

  • 2/15-      P/T Conferences

  • 2/16-19  No School

  • 2/23-      Mid-Quarter

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 or t.holthaus@isd671.net