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From PTA President Vince Morris
Hi fellow parents,
I know a ton of you enjoyed Annie last winter and it was great seeing so many Cluster families in one place. Well, this spring the same group of kids at Hobson are putting on a youth-version of Fame, which promises to have the same amount of singing and dancing as Annie but without the orphan costumes. Buy tickets now because they are cheaper in advance.
By the way, I hope everyone made time to attend the Art Across the Cluster open house for Watkins and Stuart-Hobson artists, along with the knee-bowl reception at Peabody, this past week. We are fortunate to have three fantastic art teachers at the Cluster and their efforts with our kids was on full display this week.
Have a great week.
Vince Morris
President, Capitol Hill Cluster School PTA and father of Stuart-Hobson 7th-grader and 5th- and 3rd-graders at Watkins Elementary
Learn about our school and take a look at what the PTA does for students
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From Principal Dawn Clemens
Hello Cluster Families,
I am writing with news concerning administrative staffing at the Cluster for the coming year. Scott Harding, assistant principal at Peabody, and Anthony Lawson, assistant principal at Watkins, will be leaving us at the end of June. This is sad news for Watkins and Peabody as we will miss them both. Anthony will be moving into a principal role and Scott has chosen to return to teaching.
Moving forward the new principal will be choosing his or her team. Once the principal selection process is completed we will begin the search for both positions.
Regards,
Principal Clemens
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4th Annual Family Reading Night & PTA Meeting: Wednesday, June 3, 5:30-7:30 PM
in the Watkins Cafeteria & Library
![]() Each year, before we break for the summer, we celebrate reading and kick off our summer reading program. This year, our summer reading theme is all about heroes (and combating the summer slide): Up Up and Away – Read Every Day!
On June 3, join our three Cluster Librarians and the PTA for the fourth-annual Family Reading Night – a fun event to kick off summer reading. Read more on the Web site about all of the activities planned and make sure you put it on the calendar NOW!
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News from Your Local School Advisory Team
We have several updates this week from the Cluster LSAT:
1) Regarding the DCPS Peabody/Watkins principal selection process, DCPS has set a date for interviews with the Cluster teacher-parent-staff panel: It's June 2. DCPS and the panel are working to finalize the interview questions this coming week and prepare for interviews with the three candidates that the Chancellor sends to the Cluster. (Background on the principal selection process here.)
2) Three parent representative positions (one from each campus) and one community representative position are open for next year's LSAT -- for those interested in being involved in policy and budget decisions at the Cluster and who are able to commit to one meeting per month. (More on LSAT's role and the nominations process here.)
4) Our final meeting of the school year will be Tuesday, June 9, 6:00 p.m. at Stuart-Hobson.
incipal Selection Committee Update
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$107,000 Raised This Year!!
As the result of the hard work and incredible participation from so many in the Cluster School community and beyond, we can now say that the 2015 Capitol Hill Classic raised $107,000 for the Cluster School!
This is truly amazing - to raise so much money for the school while also putting on a great community event and highly complimented neighborhood road race! We especially loved seeing increased participation from runners of all ages in the 3K and Fun Run.
The volunteer and community engagement around the Classic continue to amaze us. 170+ people who took hours (or more!) out of their weekends to put this race on, and many community organizations willingly made sacrifices or contributed in some way to the Classic.
The race committee would love to hear feedback from the community on what worked, what didn't work, and how 2016's race can even begin to compete with this year's!
Thanks to all of you for making this event such a raging success.
(p.s - Save the date! Next year's Classic will be on Sunday, May 15, 2016!)
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Art Across the Cluster
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Last Wednesday the Cluster celebrated the efforts of student artist, guided by our talented teaching staff: Works by students grades 1-8 went on display at Stuart-Hobson, and Peabody welcomed parents to a special opening reception of the unveiling of the student's 'knee bowls.' Thanks to all of those in attendance and all the creative minds that made it come together!
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Peabody News
Kennedy Center Trip for Kindergartners
![]() Kindergartners took a trip to the Kennedy Center and explored the instrument petting zoo, followed by a program of string and percussion instruments to learn about rhythm, tempo, and pitch.
They had a chance to try out lots of instruments before going to the real stage and seeing the Kinderclassic show, Beethoven At The Ballpark. NSO violinist Glenn Donnella played his Electric Slugger, a fiddle made out of a baseball bat. Nationals ballpark organist Matthew Van Hoose Nationals ballpark organist played along in this zany, fun program that educated and entertained all of our students.
Living With and Learning About Pets
The Pre-K4 team has been deeply engaged in our Pet study for the past few weeks. Each classroom has at least one classroom pet that we are learning to take care of. We had a visitor from Reptiles Alive who brought with her many different reptiles and amphibians for each of the classrooms to see. We learned all sorts of interesting facts about each of the animals and got the chance to examine them close up. Other highlights of our study have included visitors from family pets and a trip to the Metro Mutts on H Street N.E. for a scavenger hunt.
Food (Bread, Actually!) for Thought for PK4
The Pre-K3 team had a blast learning about bread this past week. Students were treated to pretzels from the local pretzel shop, and a special visitor showed the students how pretzels were made. All students participated in the annual Arts Across the Cluster Showcase. Each child made a stunning clay bowl to keep!
Send In Your Photos for New Music Video
Your student could be in the June Spanish video! The Spanish Integration Team is putting together the June song and book videos and we need your help. These are about the weather and we need pictures of your students acting out, or really experiencing various kinds of weather. We are looking for pictures related to the following.
![]() Hot - Calor Cold - Frio
Sol - Sun
Lluvia - Rain
Wind - Viento
Snow - Nieve
Your child could act it out and you could take the picture now, or it could be one you already have (example: playing in the snow from this winter). Please send pictures to mr.luke.hoffman@gmail.com. Keep your eyes out for the videos in early June!
Kindergarten Family Celebrate Staff with Beautiful Breakfast
![]() The teachers and staff send out a big thank you to the kindergarten families for such a delicious and tasty breakfast this week. It's been amazing to see the creative ways each class has celebrated the wonderful people who make our school so special!
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Art Bowl Opening, A Huge Success
Many thanks to Ms. Cushman and all of the volunteers who helped with the Knee Bowl projects at Peabody this spring. It's a wonderful school tradition and a huge crowd enjoyed the opening last Wednesday night. Our young artists were so proud!
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Watkins News
Panther Pride
![]() Don’t forget to talk to your child about Panther Pride, which stands for Positive Attitude, Respect, Integrity, and Dedication to Excellence. We hand out Panther Paw tickers from students who are caught showing Panther Pride! Each week we raffle off brand new published books!
Literacy Skill Development in ACTION
Each grade level is working on a writing piece this unit and taking it through the writing process. Check out the genres below:
Grade 1- Informational Writing
Grade 2- Letter Writing and Opinion
Grade 3- Young Playwrights
Grade 4- Young Playwrights
Grade 5- Opinion Writing
Students are still working on their unit 4 literacy themes where they read several books and texts on the same topic to build background knowledge and vocabulary. Check out the unit themes below; don’t forget to ask your child what they are learning about:
Grade 1- American Contributions and Symbols
Grade 2- Exploring the World
Grade 3- The Living World
Grade 4- What’s Your Story?
Grade 5- Civil Rights in America
Student Arrival
![]() Just a friendly reminder that the building opens at 8:05 a.m. for students to enter the building each day for breakfast. We want to make sure all of our students are safe and supervised. Our staff is not on duty until 8:05 a.m. and we have noticed many students who arrive earlier than 8:05 go to CVS or hang out unsupervised and we want to make sure they are safe. Students should be entering through the main entrance or the D Street entrance (grades 4-5).
Save the Date: End of Year Honors Assemblies
Please plan to join us for the End of the Year Honors Assemblies where we will be celebrating the hard work of our amazing students. Students will receive awards for High Honor Roll, Honor Roll, Perseverance, Perfect Attendance, Citizenship, Specials Excellence, and First in Math.
Grades 1-2, Tuesday, June 16, 2-3 p.m., Watkins Auditorium
Grades 3-4, Tuesday, June 16th, 9:30-10:30 a.m., Watkins Auditorium
5th Grade Promotion Ceremony, Wednesday, June 17th. Details to follow.
What's So Special About Specials?
Want to know more about what your child is learning during their specials’ classes? Check out the great learning happening in our Specials’ classes on their Web page.
myON Update
Check out the leaderboard below who have logged the most minutes on myON! Congratulations to our top classes and students.
Top Classes for Time spent on myON:
- Ms. Jones’ 3rd grade class- 188 hours
- Ms. Kellogg’s 4th grade class- 164 hours
- Ms. Moxley’s 3rd grade class- 157 hours
- Ms. Toor’s 4th grade class- 147 hours
- Ms. Johnston’s 5th grade class- 137 hours
- Ms. Parler’s 1st grade class- 121 hours
- Ms. Perna’s 2nd grade class- 119 hours
- Mr. Miller’s 4th grade class- 108 hours
- Ms. Sommerville’s 5th grade class- 104 hours
- Ms. Padilla’s class-4th grade class- 104 hours
Top Students for Time Reading on myON:
- Samara Winston
- Kevon Gray
- Wesley Parr
- Nasir Riddick
- Dongyu Weng
- Miguel Lyles-Rosario
- Jamie Morris
- Samia Hammond
- Alice Heese
- Jacob Curran
In case you forgot how to login, the information is below.
www.myon.com/login, School name: Capitol Hill Cluster
Username: Student ID #, Password: student
Volunteers at Recess with Coach Brian
![]() We would love more parent volunteers at recess. Check out the times below and come play with us!
1st Grade- 11:15-11:45 a.m.
2nd Grade 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
3rd Grade 12:00-12:30 p.m.
4th Grade 1:35-2:05 p.m.
5th Grade 12:30-1:00 p.m.
Save the Date: Parent Gallery Walk of Watkins STEM Exhibits June 5 at Payne Elementary
The parent gallery walk for the STEM Fair is on June 5 at Payne Elementary (1445 C St. S.E.) is from 6-7 p.m. The showcase is for all students to bring their projects to show off their work whether or not they made it to the judging. The awards from the STEM fair will be given out that night as well.
A reminder for parents: the judging portion of STEM fair on June 5 during the day is not for parents – it’s for judges only so students can give their presentations and answer judges questions.
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Stuart-Hobson News
Learn How to Fly: Fame Is This Weekend
![]() The Cluster performances of the musical FAME will be Friday, May 29, at 6 p.m., and Saturday, May 30, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. We are extremely excited to announce that students from Watkins, Stuart-Hobson and Peabody will all be in the play.Tickets are on sale for $8 but will be $10 at the door. Please stop by any campus to pick up your tickets prior to May 29.
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Take a look at the photos and you'll see the hard work it takes to pull off a musical, behind the scenes and on the stage. Parents and staff can sign up here to volunteer to help backstage and bring snacks, etc.
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Does Your Child Need a Wardrobe Refresh?
If so, it's your lucky day. The uniforms shop on LandsEnd.com has free shipping and logos. Think ahead for the fall -- September will be here before we know it!
Summer School Applications Available in Front Office
Any parents interested in signing their 8th-grade student for summer school can pick up an application at the front office. Students who are required to attend summer school received a paper application today. Parents were notified about their child’s risk for retention with a certified letter sent in February as well as meetings held with families in March and April. Summer school will be held June 26 through July 31st at Eliot-Hine Middle School from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
DC Meets Washington @ Browne EC
The DC Meets Washington is a FREE summer college and career exposure program for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Over the course of the three-week program, July 13 - 31, students will meet with local leaders from Engineering, IT, and the Hospitality career sectors, and participate in site visits in which they directly experience different professional and post-secondary education opportunities. Registration is online and is limited to 150 students. Contact Bear Johnson with any questions, Ryan.Johnson (at) dc.gov.
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What You Need to Know: Cluster Communications At Your Service
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LOOKING AHEAD . . .
IMPORTANT PTA DATES FOR 2015
Family Reading Night & PTA Meeting, June 3
Renovator's House Tour, October 17
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Each year, before we break for the summer, we celebrate reading and kick off our summer reading program. This year, our summer reading theme is all about heroes (and combating the 
Ki
Hot - Calor 
We would love more parent volunteers at recess. Check out the times below and come play with us!
