The document summarizes upcoming events at HILA including no school days, Lincoln Park Zoo field trips for students, Donors Choose projects that benefited classrooms, the importance of being on time to school, and the Families of HILA meeting on January 30th. It provides details on the zoo partnership that allows inquiry-based programs for students, thanks donors who contributed to successful Donors Choose projects, and reminds of the attendance policy and importance of arriving before 8am.

1. Families of HILA Meeting
January 30 - 6 p.m.
HILA Auditorium
No School
Monday, January 21 and
Friday, January 25
HILA has created a strong partnership with Chicago’s Lincoln
Park Zoo. That partnership will again pay dividends in February
when our students will be taking facilitated tours of the zoo during
specially-arranged field trips. The Zoo Explorers program provides
a 55 minute inquiry-based program as part of the regular field trip.
Students have the opportunity to explore first-hand the work of
zoo scientists while learning more about the animals at the zoo.
Each program is facilitated by a trained zoo educator supported
by the classroom teacher. We appreciate the willingness of Lincoln
Park Zoo to make these experiences available for our students.
At HILA, we are always looking for new ways to improve the
learning experience by bringing additional resources to our
classrooms. The Donors Choose program (www.donorschoose.
org) is an innovative way to gain new support for public school
programs. Teachers propose projects, which can then be funded
by online donors. The program has been hailed by Oprah Winfrey
as “a revolutionary charity” and has been promoted by First Lady
Michelle Obama.
We are proud that two HILA classrooms have benefitted from
this program. Ms. Birnbaum received $991 toward new library
materials for the classroom. Ms. Nelson received $595 for a new
classroom carpet. Thanks to all those who donated toward these
successful projects!
The Hope Institute Learning Academy
Hawk News
January 17, 2013 Volume 2012/Number 5
A Word from
Mr. Jakubowski
Dear Parents and Friends:
I hope you’ve all had a wonderful Holiday season and are
having an even better 2013. We will be very busy at HILA
these next few weeks with AIMSweb winter assessments,
Lincoln Park Zoo field trips, the PBIS Incentive Party
(Traveling World of Reptiles), and finishing out the second
quarter.
I wanted to remind everyone of the importance of getting
to school on time and HILA’s attendance policy. Children
may be dropped off at 7:30 a.m. each morning. A healthy
breakfast is provided each day at 7:45 a.m. to ensure students
start their day off right. Children must arrive before 8 a.m.
each day. If a child enters the room after 8:00 a.m. they are
marked tardy. The morning routine at HILA is an important
time for students to receive information about the day,
organize materials and mentally prepare to learn. This is
also a time that teachers can work with students individually
to help them organize their desks and materials, look at
homework or make other important individual connections
with students. Arriving to school after 8:00 a.m. means
that students have missed out on the morning routine and
essential core instruction. Please continue to make the
commitment to your child and HILA to get to school on
time so he/she has an opportunity to be as successful as
possible. If your child is late for school, he/she is not given
the opportunity to perform at his/her best.
Lastly, HILA students have begun completing their
AIMSweb Winter Assessments this week. AIMSweb
assessments provide teachers with valuable data about your
child’s academic progress. A printed report will be sent
home with your child in early February. If you have any
questions, please arrange a meeting with your child’s teacher.
Michael Jakubowski
Principal
HILA students benefit
from zoo partnership
Classrooms receive
Donors Choose funds

2. January 17, 2013 Volume 2012/ Number 5
Hawk News
HILA PRIDE students walk the red carpet in December
to celebrate student behavior and achievement
Students who received more than 20 HILA PRIDE points strutted their stuff on the red carpet in December. Students enjoyed posing for the
“paparazzi” on hand to take their pictures.
Entertainment awards season is underway, so it was only fitting that students with enough PBIS PRIDE points got the
chance to “walk the red carpet” in December at HILA. A member of the paparazzi was on hand to snap photos as students
posed in front of movie-themed backdrop created especially for HILA students.
On January 24, students with 20 or more PRIDE points will be able to enjoy a visit from the Traveling World of Reptiles.
This hands-on demonstration is sure to be a hit with all the students. Parents should encourage their students to always do
their best to earn the maximum number of PRIDE points.
Important upcoming dates
Here are the dates you need to know for January and
February, 2013. Remember, a complete calendar of events is
always available on the school web site -
www.hopeinstitutelearningacademy.org
• Mondays and Wednedays - ISAT Preparation program
• January 21 - Holiday, no school
• January 24 - End of second quarter
• January 24 - PBIS PRIDE Event: Traveling World of
Reptiles
• January 25 - Teacher Institute, no school
• January 30 - Families of HILA meeting, 6 p.m.
• January 31 - HILA Admissions Open House, 9 a.m. and
5 p.m.
• February 6 - HILA School Board meeting, 6 p.m.
• February 12 - Holiday, no school
• February 18 - Holiday, no school
Thanks for your support of HILA!
Families of HILA to meet
TheFamiliesofHILAgroupwillmeetonWednesday,January
30, beginning at 6 p.m. in the HILA Auditorium. Child care
will be provided.
Families of HILA is a committee dedicate to supporting the
students of HILA in the learning activities. Being a part of
Families of HILA includes:
• Helping to plan volunteer events and fundraisers.
• Providing input on after school activities.
• Helping other families become involved in the life of the
school.
• Spreading the word about HILA and its events.
Plan on joining us on January 30 for a fun and informative
meeting!