Parent Connection

HBC PARENT CONNECTION

Friday, March 24, 2023

H-BC Elementary Families: 

Thank you to all who came out for the Bond Referendum Public Informational meeting last night in Beaver Creek. If you were unable to attend the March 23 meeting, you may wish to come to the Hugo Goehle Gymnasium in Hills for the final community meeting- March 28th at 7:00 pm.

The H-BC Board of Education has land under contract for purchase.  The proposed new Elementary School location is in Beaver Creek on the golf course driving range and the old hole number 9.    Here are photos of the possibilities!

BOND REFERENDUM VOTE:  Please read this brochure regarding the upcoming Bond Referendum Vote scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, 2023.   Bond Referendum Brochure

Join Us For The Final Public Informational MeetingTuesday, March 28 at 7pm -  at the Hugo Goehle Gymnasium in Hills.  

Information can be found on the District's Website www.hbcpatriots.com Please reach out to me with questions.  email:  t.holthaus@isd671.net or phone 507-962-3240 x1102

School Makeup DAYS- School is now in Session on:  Monday, April 10!

KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP:   Kindergarten Round-Up has been re- scheduled for Friday, March 31st.  Students 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023 are eligible.  Please see the details here: K Round Up

PRESCHOOL INFORMATION & REGISTRATION NIGHT:  Parents with children who will turn 3 or 4 by September 1st are welcome to our Little Patriot Academy Registration event on Monday, March 27th at 6:00 pm. Please come check us out.  You will be glad you did!

MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH:    March is Music in our School's Month!  We appreciate our music programming and our leaders- Mrs. Comp and Mrs. Kolles!

EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILY EDUCATION:  Our ECFE Program is a great way for parents to spend quality time with their child.  Children ages 0-5 are welcome to H-BC Elementary School each month from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.  Mark your calendar for these upcoming dates:   April 4 and April 18.     Please contact m.ellingson@isd671.net  with any questions.

AFTER SCHOOL CARE:  PEAC - Patriot Enrichment After School Care is available for “regulars” and “drop-ins”.   Call the office or email Mrs. Voss for more information: t.voss@isd671.net

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

Mark Your Calendar: 

  • Monday, March 27 - Start of 4th Quarter
  • Monday, March 27 - Preschool Information & Registration Night - 6 pm
  • Tuesday, March 28 - Bond Referendum Informational Meeting 7pm - Hugo Goehle-Hills
  • Friday, March 31 - Kindergarten Roundup.  Regular K students do not have class.
  • Friday, April 7, 2023 - No School
  • Friday, April 28 Early Dismissal- Staff Development
  • Wednesday, May 10 Early Dismissal- Staff Development
  • Friday, May 19 - Puppy Relays - Details to come

Please reach out to me if you have any needs.  Phone- 507-673-2541 or t.holthaus@isd671.net

Information for Families Regarding MCA III Assessments: (New)

MCA Statewide Assessments Dear Families, 

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) requires that statewide assessments are annually administered in reading, mathematics, and science. They are designed to provide the state, districts, and schools with a snapshot of student learning of the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards. 

When will HBC Students take the MCA Tests?  What Grades will take the MCA Tests?

MCA Reading - (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th) - Tuesday, April 11th and Wednesday, April 12th

MCA Math - (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 11th) - Tuesday, April 18th and Wednesday, April 19th

MCA Science - (5th, 8th and 10th) - Tuesday, April 25th or Wednesday, April 26th 

What are the MCA Tests? The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are reading, mathematics, and science standards-based assessments that measure student learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards. These assessments are used to meet federal and state legislative requirements. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet the MTAS eligibility requirements may take the MTAS instead. 

Why do we give these assessments? MCA results provide valuable information for the school, district and MDE about how well students have learned concepts and skills from the academic standards. Educators and schools can use the results to plan instruction and evaluate their curriculum. Families can also use the results as one way to measure how students are doing on the content that is part of their daily instruction. School- and district-level test results are used in federal and state accountability measurements. 

How are the MCA administered? The MCAs must be taken in person, even if your student is enrolled in an online program. For students temporarily learning online, they will take statewide assessments when they return to school. Your school can provide more specific information about the health and safety measures they are taking to ensure students and staff stay safe and healthy during test administration. Most students take the MCA online, but some eligible students take the assessment in a paper test book instead. For the MTAS, teachers work with each student individually using paper test materials. 

How can I get more information?  Contact your school for more information on how these test results are used to support your student’s learning. The MCA and MTAS Parent Fact Sheets are available on the MDE website (under Students and Families > Programs and Initiatives > Statewide Testing) in several languages. 

If you have any questions, please contact Andrew Kellenberger, District Assessment Coordinator - a.kellenberger@isd671.net

Spring Assessments Coming Soon (Repeat)- 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.