Excerpts from The Hall Weekly Bulletin - November 26, 2007

Principal's Message & School News

Hello from the Counselor's Corner!   I am happy to make my first contribution to this section of the bulletin and bring you up to speed on some of the ways we are supporting students at Hall.      Mix-it-Up at Lunch Day Last Tuesday, Hall participated in National "Mix-it-up" at lunch day.  For those of you who are not aware, this day gives students the opportunity to engage in conversations about social boundaries, social justice, and develop an understanding of empathy.  The student council did a wonderful job working with administration to plan events and energize their peers.   Most students reported a higher level of participation this year as compared with last year, some even reporting they would love to see more days to focus on this issue!   One of many measures that we use to evaluate our progress in the social development of our students is the California Healthy Kids Survey.  The survey is conducted with 5th and 7th grade students each year, and the results are shared as well as used as program development tools.  The survey asks questions about social/emotional development, drug/tobacco attitudes and use patterns, as well as school and home resiliency factors.   California Healthy Kids Survey The California Healthy Kids Survey for this school year will be administered on Tuesday December 11.  Today's backpack mail for 5th and 7th graders will include a consent form.  Please read the following consent protocol carefully.  5th grade parents will need to return the form in order for your child to participate.  If you do not return the form, your child will not be included in the survey.  For 7th grade students, returning the form allows you to opt your child out of the survey.  If we do not receive the form or other notification that you do not want your 7th grader to participate in the survey we will assume that you have given your consent.   You may view the California Healthy Kids Survey questions online at the Counselor's Corner, or request a copy from the main office.  In early December, I will be presenting highlights from the 2006-2007 California Healthy Kids Survey, as well as explaining programmatic steps that Hall is taking to address our designated areas of focus.   Development of data regarding the risk and resiliency behaviors of our students is very important to our ability to evaluate the many student support programs that Hall offers.  It has been my great delight to become part of the Hall community this year, and I look forward to continuing working closely with this extraordinary home / school / community partnership.       - Nancy Waters - School Counselor