Happenings
| Hickory Hills Dragon Tales Kindergarten Preview, May 9  Rising 2013-2014 kindergartners are invited to visit Hickory Hills Elementary for a student-friendly orientation on May 9, 2013. Children and their parents will visit kindergarten classes, listen to stories, create crafts and have a snack from 12:30 – 2 p.m. RSVP to Christina Smith at 770-429-3125 or Christina.smith@marietta-city.k12.ga.us. Hickory Hills “Are You Smarter than a 4th Grader”, April 16 Hickory Hills Elementary fourth graders recently challenged parents and board members to “Are You Smarter than a Fourth Grader”. Tony Fasola, Ward 2 School Board member, Stephen Peck, Hickory Hills/MCAA parent, Trevor Jordan, community member, and Margaret Carter, MCS school bus driver challenged the fourth graders to questions based on the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards. All were great contestants and had a great time! Hickory Hills Community Service Helps Mutts, April 2012  Hickory Hills Elementary first graders recently helped to raise over $100 to show their appreciation to Mostly Mutts for their classroom presentations and for what they do for homeless animals. For several weeks, students brought in donations for their "Give a Dog a Bone" campaign. Employee of the Month  Judy Lowe, a Paraprofessional at Hickory Hills Elementary was named the March 2013 Employee of the Month. She has worked at Marietta City Schools since 2004, and served as a Media Center paraprofessional for 5 years at A.L. Burruss Elementary and as a Special Education paraprofessional. Judy comes in each day ready to work, and she is always searching for the right combination of resources, interventions and strategies to help her students succeed. She cares deeply for her students, and the children know she cares. They give their best effort because she genuinely models that behavior all day long. Judy is truly a "professional para," states Hickory Hills Principal Kristen Beaudin. Hickory Hills Dragon Dollars Celebration, March 15  Six lucky Hickory Hills Elementary students earned a chance throw a pie in principal Beaudin’s or Assistant Principal Cox’s face. The students entered a drawing for the pie-throwing event with Dragon Dollars, part of a school-wide behavior incentive program. Everyone at the school got to see both administrators get covered in whipped cream pies. Hickory Hills Read Across America Day, March 1  Hickory Hills Elementary recently celebrated the 16th annual National Education Association's (NEA) Read Across America Day. Students staged a Read-In to honor Dr. Seuss’s birthday and the joys of reading. Classes also received healthy snacks and bookmarks, and listened to a televised reading of “Green Eggs and Ham”.  PhotosHickory Hills Radio Disney Dance Party, March 1  Hickory Hills Elementary students were treated to a Radio Disney Dance Party on Read Across America Day, March 1. This is the second party with Radio Disney Deejays that students have enjoyed this year, thanks to their achieving the highest scores possible in the Get Active Get Fit School Challenge. Hickory Hills Visits Georgia Capitol, Feb. 28  Hickory Hills Elementary second graders recently visited the Georgia Capitol Building to observe state legislators in action. Students toured the 129 year old structure, and learned about democracy, representative government, and the importance of voting. Hickory Hills Valentines Family Breakfast, Feb. 14  Hickory Hills Elementary families enjoyed a morning breakfast on Valentine’s Day, 2013. Families were provided a sneak preview of the Scholastic Book Fair in the Jane Riley Media Center and were invited for Valentine’s Day celebrations later on in the day. Hickory Hills Science Night, Feb. 7  Hickory Hills Elementary students participated in Science Night and enjoyed an evening with Big Thinkers Science Exploration, an interactive, hands-on science program. During the show “It’s Electric,” students experimented with a 50,000 volt Tesla Coil, a hair-raising electrostatic generator, and played with real levitation. Hickory Hills Boy Scout Blue and Gold Banquet, Feb. 8  The Hickory Hills Elementary Boy Scout Troop recently celebrated scout achievements and pack anniversary. Pack leaders were recognized, inspirational words were shared, and over 200 people enjoyed dinner during the event. Many scout members graduated to higher levels in the pack. Rotary Visits Hickory Hills - Supports Literacy, Feb. 5  Members of the Rotary Club of Marietta recently visited Hickory Hills Elementary in support of Marietta Reads! During their visit, Rotarians read Take the Lead George Washington to second graders. Each class received its own copy of the book for the classroom library. Hickory Hills “Sparky to Scotland” World Writing Project, Jan. 4  Hickory Hills Elementary mascot, Sparky the Dragon returned from Scotland just after the New Year. While there he visited Castle Fraser, and took day trips to the University of Aberdeen and The Stone Circle of Cullerlie. His host, Miss Alison Lodge, kept a travel journal for him and sent him back with souvenirs and photos from the visit. To see photos of Sparky’s travels visit the Hickory Hills Jane Riley Media Center. Hickory Hills Visits Tellus Science Museum, Jan. 11  Hickory Hills Elementary third graders recently visited the Tellus Science Museum in Cartersville, GA. The students participated in a mineral lab, and a discussion and sorting activity with rock specimens. They also explored the Weinman Mineral Gallery and interacted with a Rock Cycle Wall. |
Hickory Hills Competes Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl, Jan. 11
 Hickory Hills Elementary fourth and fifth grade student teams recently competed in the district’s annual Reading Bowl. Students read books from the 2012-2013 Georgia Children’s Book Awards list. The Hickory Hills team consisted of Jhayda, Woury, Rahja, Brianna, Darian, Micah, Brantley, James, Acacia, Frank, and Kiara. The Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl is an annual event celebrating reading and supports Marietta Reads! Hickory Hills Spelling Bee Winners, Jan. 11  Congratulations to Hickory Hills Elementary 4th & 5th grade Spelling Bee winners! Micah placed first and Woury placed second. Micah will go on to compete in the district Spelling Bee on January 25. Hickory Hills Holiday Dinner Theater, Dec. 20  Hickory Hills Arts Academy recently transformed their school cafeteria into a magical dinner setting with lights, balloons and music. Students sang, danced, acted, cheered and showcased technology winter holiday presentations during the night of family fun. Over 350 people enjoyed a spaghetti dinner and were entertained by student and staff performances. Hickory Hills Family Math Night, Dec. 6  Hickory Hills Elementary students and their families recently explored Harry's Farmers Market and solved real-life math problems during the school’s math night event. Families also enjoyed a pizza dinner provided by Harry’s Market. Hickory Hills Family Fun Night, Nov. 15  Hickory Hills Elementary recently held Family Fun Night at Zaxby's! A good time was had by everyone, students, friends, family and staff came out to support the PTA. Hickory Hills Canned Food Drive, Nov. 2012  The Community Service Club at Hickory Hills Elementary collected canned goods for Grace Pointe Church during the month of November. The canned goods will benefit families in need during the holiday season. Mrs. Clotfelter’s Class collected the most cans and earned a Dance Party that the students will enjoy after the Thanksgiving break. Hickory Hills Hans-On Assembly, Nov. 15  Students at the Arts Academy at Hickory Hills Elementary recently enjoyed the storytelling entertainment of the TellTale Theater performance of Hans On, a selection of tales of self-respect by Hans Christian Andersen. The fun and lighthearted performance had students enjoying literature through singing and crazy antics performed by professional actors. Hickory Hills Thanksgiving Play, Nov. 15  Hickory Hills Elementary kindergarteners recently presented their annual Thanksgiving play. Students portrayed different traditional and contemporary Thanksgiving foods. They also acted and sang for the audience of parents and family members. Hickory Hills Tours CEPAC Backstage, Nov. 13  The Hickory Hills Elementary Technical Theater Club and Art Club students were recently treated to a special backstage tour of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (CEPAC). The clubs learned about the technical aspects of the Atlanta Opera’s performance of Carmen, and will take the knowledge they gained and apply it directly to their backstage work on Annie, Jr. in the spring. Hickory Hills Kennesaw Battlefield Visit, Nov. 12  Hickory Hills Elementary fifth graders recently visited the Kennesaw National Battlefield Park to participate in a ranger-guided program that included a tour, activity and four-mile hike from the top to the bottom of the mountain. The field trip experience supports their Common Core unit of study about the Civil War. Hickory Hills Visits Cobb Youth Museum, Nov. 13 - 14  Hickory Hills Elementary fourth graders recently visited the Cobb Youth Museum to experience the Revolutionary War exhibitAmerica’s Pathways to Independence. At each of the three exhibits, students used their acting skills to depict events such as the Boston Tea Party and the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. Hickory Hills Red Ribbon Week – Silent Walk, Oct. 26  Hickory Hills Elementary honored Red Ribbon Week from October 23-31, 2012. The week long observance culminated in a Silent Walk. Grade levels also designed banners, and released balloons to symbolize the drug-free hope they have for their lives. Hickory Hills Named “Best Float” Homecoming Parade, Oct. 26  Hickory Hills Elementary Arts Academy recently won the Homecoming Parade Float Design Contest by placing 1st for their “Soccer” design for the 2012 parade theme, “Sports.” |
Hickory Hills Frankly Spooky
Night, Oct. 26  Hickory Hills Elementary families enjoyed an evening at Frankly Spooky as students and staff dressed in costumes and enjoyed games, crafts-making, music, a costume contest, hot dogs and candy. Frankly Spooky is a Hickory Hills tradition since the late 1970’s. Hickory Hills Celebrates Susan Wacasey, Oct. 24  Hickory Hills Elementary recently honored one of its long-term employees, Susan Funderburk Wacasey, with a retirement party to celebrate her more than 30 years of service to the school and district. Susan’s father was a teacher and coach at Marietta High School, and she attended West Side Elementary and is an alumni of Marietta High School. Her professionalism and skills will be greatly missed at Hickory Hills. Hickory Hills Sock Hop, Oct. 19  To celebrate the 50th day of school, Hickory Hills Elementary students dressed in “funky” 50’s attire, and attended a 50's Sock Hop where they danced the Twist, Monster Mash, Stroll, Limbo, and the Hand Jive. They also tried their skills at hula hooping and learned 50’s lingo. Hickory Hills Celebrates Homecoming, Oct. 19  Pictured are: Mrs. Wilson’s 2nd grade class with local photographer Johnny Walker and his sister, Tricia Wilson, both of whom attended Hickory Hills. The Arts Academy at Hickory Hills Elementary recently invited its distinguished alumni to a homecoming celebration and breakfast. Former students young and old read books and shared their personal stories of success and accomplishment since graduating from Hickory Hills. At the end of the event, Hickory Hills’ Cheerleading Club, Mrs. Clotfelter’s First Graders, and the Dragon Dance Team performed for guests. 11Alive Weather Team Visit Hickory Hills, Oct. 2  11Alive Meteorologist Chesley McNeil recently visited 4th graders at Hickory Hills Elementary for a live weathercast. Chesley, discussed weather topics such as tornados, lightning/thunder, safety during severe weather, water cycle, precipitation, and types of clouds. Students also experienced data collection in the traveling Weather Van that films weather events. World Writing Project, Oct. 2012  In collaboration with the Jane Riley Media Center at Hickory Hills Elementary, first graders will be sending Sparky, the school’s Dragon mascot, to Castle Fraser in Kemnay, Scotland. Sparky was born at Castle Fraser and has not returned since arriving at Hickory Hills. First graders will write fantasy stories and produce a video to share with the Castle guardians. During Sparky’s homecoming, he will explore, sleep and work in the castle. He is expected to return from his trip in November. Hickory Hills Radio Disney “Move It” Assembly, Sept. 25  Radio Disney’s Move It! Tour visited Hickory Hills Elementary second graders with a celebration of music and movement that inspired students to join in on activities that got them gamin’, groovin’, and movin’. Hickory Hills Dad’s Breakfast, Sept. 21  Fathers and families recently gathered for breakfast at Hickory Hills Elementary. Families sat together in the cafeteria and were welcomed by school staff. Fathers also escorted their children to class before heading out to work. Hickory Hills 1st Graders Visit Historic Strand Theater, Oct. 16  As part of their Common Core Reading unit, Hickory Hills Elementary first graders recently viewed The Wizard of Oz at the Earl Smith Strand Theater on the Marietta Square. The Strand Theater is an important landmark on the Square, opening as a motion picture house in 1935. Hickory Hills Family Fun Night, Sept. 20  Hickory Hills Elementary recently held Family Fun Night at Zaxby's! A good time was had by everyone, students, friends, family and staff came out to support the PTA. WSB-TV2 Meteorologist Visits Hickory Hills, Aug. 30  Weatherman Brad Nitz recently visited Hickory Hills Elementary first graders. The students performed a weather song and learned about clouds and the water cycle. They also participated in a remote video tour of the news studio at WSB and viewed a weather broadcast. Hickory Hills Red Carpet Greets Students, Aug. 9  Photo by Laura Moon, Marietta Daily Journal Pictured (left to right): Earl Reece, Executive Director Earl Smith Strand Theatre; Dr. Emily Lembeck, MCS Superintendent, Kristin Beaudin, Hickory Hills Principal Hickory Hills Elementary recently rolled out the “red carpet” to welcome students and parents! Students got to *shine* on the red carpet as buses and families arrived on the first day of school. Teachers and staff dressed as their favorite movie characters to dramatize the school’s Arts Integration theme and to kick off the new school year at Marietta City Schools (MCS). Hickory Hills Welcomes NewPrincipal, May 21  Hickory Hills Elementary recently welcomed their new administrative team for the 2012-2013 school year with a reception for incoming Principal, Kristen Beaudin—the current Assistant Principal at Compton Elementary, Cobb County School District. Beaudin assumes the post July 1, 2012. She replaces Diana Mills who is leaving the school district after seven years of service. Joanna Cox, Assistant Principal will continue in the position next year. |
