Category: Harry Hoag News

There’s a tree in the main office at Harry Hoag School that is rooted in kindness and blooming with wishes.

Amanda Faitell’s and Eileen Kretser’s 5th grade guided reading students are enjoying the book “Wishtree” by Katherine Applegate. The story is narrated by Red, a large, ancient red oak tree who lives near an elementary school. Red, who observes all that goes on in the neighborhood, serves as a “wish tree,” where people can leave their wishes to be fulfilled. Red’s own wish is for kindness and understanding to prevail.

On the branches of Harry Hoag’s own tree, wishes of all kinds have been sprouting over the past few weeks, written on colorful paper tags. The wishes, which are all anonymous, are touching, telling, and, most importantly, full of kindness and compassion.

Some wishes are for pets or toys, others are for love, respect and acceptance, and yet others wish to see family members who have passed away. There are wishes to adopt all of the cats in town, play in the NFL and become rich, to have gas and food be less expensive, to get along with siblings, and even to have dinosaurs be alive again.

“The book ‘Wishtree’ inspired me to put up a wish tree for everyone – students and staff – to make wishes on,” said Kretser. “Wish trees are typically done in May. We provided wish tags in the main office and posted information about the wish tree on the office windows near the tree, and the wishes have been coming in.

“We hope all will be inspired to add wishes to our school tree.”

A Harry Hoag student’s own writing has been recognized by the author of a nationally acclaimed book about 9/11.

“Our fifth grade Guided Reading class read the book ‘Ground Zero’ by Alan Gratz,” said Paula Colvin. “The students learned a lot about 9/11. Kinley Trumbull then wrote her own story about 9/11. When she gave me her story to read, I was so impressed with what she had written, I wrote to Alan Gratz and asked if I could send it to him.

“In return, Alan Gratz wrote back to Kinley and sent her an autographed copy of ‘Ground Zero’ and some autographed bookmarks. She was so excited when I presented her with the package from him,” Colvin said. “I am very proud of Kinley!”

Harry Hoag Principal Lauren Crisman said, “I’ve been reading Kinley’s stories for years. In fourth grade, she wrote so many stories, her teacher provided her with a classroom library space where she could publish them. I borrowed them to read as bedtime stories for my own daughter. Her writing is exceptional and I’m so proud of effort. Great job Kinley!”

For more information about “Ground Zero,” visit Alan Gratz’s webpage.

As part of their social studies unit about ancient Greece, 6th grade students at Harry Hoag School illustrated classic Greek myths. More than a social studies lesson, the project tapped the students’ research, writing and creative skills while showing what they learned in their classes.

The projects are displayed throughout the school. In addition to the photos below, please visit our Facebook album.

From two college students to a roomful of younger learners, good dental care was the lesson of the day on March 2 at Harry Hoag School.

The children learned how to take care of their teeth from guest speaker Danielle Alkinburgh, who visited Michelle Searles’ class, where her son is a student.

Danielle, who is studying to be a dental hygienist, was accompanied by co-presenter and fellow HVCC student Katelyn Roser, and they provided an interactive oral hygiene presentation to the children as part of their dental hygiene coursework.

“Danielle and Katelyn planned some fun, hands-on experiences for the kids, including an activity for brushing (painting) the mouth on paper with a toothbrush for two minutes, and using mega blocks with playdough in between the spaces to simulate flossing for two minutes,” Michelle Searles said. “Danielle’s son is very proud of his mom, and the students enjoyed a great learning experience!”

Michael Meier’s and Mark Hitchcock’s physical education classes at Harry Hoag School had a great time learning how to snowshoe just before their winter break, a fun outdoor activity they can enjoy for years to come.

“Late this past fall, we were lucky to be able to place an order for snowshoes for Harry Hoag,” Meier said. “Just before February break, we received the order and quickly took advantage of the snow still left on the ground. Our second through sixth grade students took to the fields behind the school and learned a valuable lifetime skill that promotes outdoor health and fitness.

“The students gave the new snow shoes a try during our phys ed classes and overall, had a great time!”

View more photos in our Facebook album.

Dr. Dolittle may have talked to the animals, but at Harry Hoag Elementary on Jan. 26, 2022, the animals talked to the second graders, thanks to their older schoolmates.

Students in Jade VanGorder’s fourth grade class researched, wrote and illustrated books about the life cycle of animals as part of an integrated English/language arts and science project. Each story was told from the vantage point of the animal, be it a panther, fox, tiger or other creature great or small. The students then read their books to second grade classes.

“In addition to what they learned during our study of animals during science class, the students conducted their own research to gather information about the life cycle of their chosen animal from various sources,” VanGorder said.

“Then, they had to tell their life story from that animal’s point of view. I encouraged the children to use lots of details, giving their readers a vivid description of each stage. The students illustrated pictures along the way to enhance their stories even more.

“The fourth graders were so excited and so proud to complete their books and read them to the second grade classes.”

The project was a hit with all. VanGorder shared a few of her students’ comments after they read to the second graders:

“This was soooo much fun.”

“It was really cool, because I got to talk about black panthers and answer lots of questions.”

“The group of second graders LOVED it because they were asking lots of questions!”

“I really liked reading to them because they loved my fun facts section.”

Writing and sharing books isn’t limited to Harry Hoag’s fourth grade students. Kindergartners recently hosted sixth graders for an author celebration event, where the younger learners shared their written pieces with the older students, then toasted their work with fruit juice. Elementary Principal Lauren Crisman noted, “It is great to see more author celebrations at Harry Hoag!”

Harry Hoag students went around the world without leaving Matt Heiser’s technology classroom in early December, literally viewing the ends of the earth, the Amazon rainforest, lower Manhattan and beyond while learning about science, geography, ancient cultures and more.

“We borrowed Virtual Reality kits from the Northeastern Regional Information Center (NERIC) for two weeks that included software and VR goggles,” Heiser said. “In our Tech class, students in grades two through six viewed places that align with their curriculum.”

The VR goggles provide a 3-D view that changes as a student moves their head up, down and side to side. For example, a VR view of the rainforest through goggles shows flora and fauna on the forest floor to birds in the canopy and sky above, and everything in between.

The VR technology made the following come alive for students:

• Second graders explored the North and South Poles
• Third graders viewed various natural habitats
• Fourth graders visited New York City
• Fifth graders visited National Parks
• Sixth graders viewed ancient Egypt

The students reacted to their experiences with wonder and excitement, asking questions and showing a desire to learn more about what they were exploring. Virtual Reality truly made their subjects come alive.

“The VR kits were a hit. I wish we had them all year,” Heiser said.