This document provides information about upcoming events at the Hope Institute Learning Academy (HILA) including the last day of school before winter break on December 21, 2012 and the return to school on January 7, 2013. It discusses the science fair winners, success of a food drive fundraiser, and preparation for standardized testing. Important January dates are noted including a reptile presentation for students who earned reward points and a teacher institute day with no school.

1. Last Day of School School Resumes
Last day before the Winter Break Welcoming students back to HILA
December 21, 2012 January 7, 2013
Hawk News
The Hope Institute Learning Academy
December 20, 2012 Volume 2012/Number 4
A Word from
Mr. Jakubowski
Dear Parents and Friends:
I want to wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season.
December has been a busy month and our students have
participated in some exciting events (HILA’s Science
Fair, Pride Premiere, Chicago Bulls Food Drive, Winter
Reptile program to be
January PRIDE event
Wonderland Assembly). Our students and staff members
have been hard at work this past year and deserve this
upcoming two-week break. Winter weather has arrived,
so please ensure that your children are bundled up each We are proud to announce that the Traveling World of Reptiles will
visit HILA on January 24. All students who exhibit HILA PRIDE
morning and that they stay home from school if they have
(preparation, responsibility, independence, dedication and effort)
a fever. We want everyone here at HILA to remain happy
by earning 20 points during December and January will be able to
and healthy.
take part in this amazing hands-on presentation. Please encourage
Please continue to ensure that your children are dropped off your student to always do his or her best to earn the maximum
amount of HILA PRIDE points.
before 8 a.m. each day and are picked up on time. Students
are marked tardy after 8 a.m. Instruction begins promptly at
8:10 a.m., and it is imperative that core instruction minutes
are not missed. Plan ahead and prepare for heavier traffic
Help your child
during the winter months. If you are running late, please
call the main office and let us know (773) 534-7405. prepare for ISAT tests
The ISAT tests will be coming up soon. During the winter
As we return from the break, our third through fifth grade
break, you can help your student prepare to do their best on the
teachers will be working diligently to prepare our students
standardized tests. Here are some websites that provide both fun
for the Illinois State Assessment, which will take place from
and the opportunity for students to improve their skills.
March 4th - 15th. The following link is helpful for students
looking to practice ISAT sample questions at home (http:// • Sample ISAT questions. Allow your student to practice
metacat2.com/iltestlinks.html). We will also be starting an their test-taking skills using grade-appropriate sample test
ISAT tutoring program when we return from break. The questions. http://metacat2.com/iltestlinks.html
program will run on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45- • We Give Books. This website, provided by the Pearson
4:45 p.m. Twenty students from each grade level (third Foundation, provides online books that can help improve
through fifth) have been selected to participate in this reading skills. http://www.wegivebooks.org/books
program to further develop skills learned throughout the • The British Council. This website from the United Kingdom
day. provides stories, games, songs, and skill practice. It’s a
great way to keep children occupied on winter days. http://
Michael Jakubowski learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/
Principal • Storyline Online. Members of the Screen Actors Guild read
(773) 534 - 7405 stories aloud. http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/
mjakubowski@thehopeinstitute.us

2. December 20, 2012 Hawk News Volume 2012/ Number 4
Students honored for Chicago Bulls food drive at
winning science fair projects HILA a big success
Student winners from the HILA Science Fair were honored for their During the month of November, HILA participated in the
outstanding projects.
Chicago Bulls Food Drive to benefit the Greater Chicago
We would like to congratulate all of the students who Food Depository. This year’s food drive was an even greater
worked hard to prepare projects for the HILA Science Fair. success than last year, with more than 1700 cans collected.
Below you will find a list of our finalists and winners. Last year, HILA collected 1500 cans of food.
5th grade: Deshonti Press (1st Place), Mario Dykstra and The Chicago Bulls provided incentives for students to
Sean Miller. collect food donations, and each week a winning grade was
4th grade: Emily Gill (1st Place), Bill Sanders and Makyiah announced. Winners throughout the food drive included
Holloway. the 3rd grade, who collected the most cans during the first
week of the food drive, and 5th grade for the most cans
3rd grade: Kevin Falcon (1st Place), Richard Villarreal and collected the second week. Congratulations to the overall
William Slaughter. winning class that brought in the most food: Ms. Coleman’s
2nd grade: Josemaria (Chema) Alanis (1st Place), Brandon 1st grade class. Even though HILA didn’t win the citywide
Harper and Geovanni Juarez. competition, students showed their HILA PRIDE! All grade
1st grade: Leighton Stephenson (1st Place), Donald Oliph- levels put in tremendous effort and we thank everyone for
ant and Myla Roy. their enthusiasm and participation.
Our students worked hard on their science fair projects, and
the results were outstanding. Thanks to our parents and
families for supporting this effort!
Important January dates
Here are the dates you need to know for January, 2013:
• January 7 - School resumes
• January 21 - Holiday, no school
• January 24 - PBIS PRIDE Event: Traveling World of
Reptiles
• January 25 - Teacher Institute, no school Artwork from the new book “The Animal Store Alphabet Book”
has been loaned to HILA by the book’s illustrator, Chicago artist
Have a Happy and Safe Winter Break! Rebecca Hamlin. The book, by author Susan Bearman, is being
published this month. www.animalalphabet.com.