Message from the Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians of Hancock  Elementary School Students:

Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year.  I am looking forward to a positive, productive school year.

Last year Hancock Elementary School consolidated with General J. Harry LaBrum Middle School.  Like Hancock, the LaBrum School is now a Demonstration School.  We are now one school community offering multiple programs both at the elementary level and the middle school level.  As a result both Hancock and LaBrum now offer Visual Art, vocal music and computer science. 

Ms. Miller, our assistant principal and I will continue to support both school buildings. 

I look forward to meeting you and working with you throughout the school year.   If you have a question, want to share an idea, address a concern or make a comment, please feel free to contact me.  I will always do what I can to answer your questions, resolve your concerns or consider your suggestions. 

During the 2011-2012 school year at Hancock elementary we introduced many new initiatives and achieved many successes. We implemented innovative programs and extra curricular activities, which helped our students to achieve at high levels. We continued our reading together program. The Father/Daughter was held at LaBrum and was a complete success.  I am sure that you would agree that the Aladin play was a wonderful testament of what our children can create, develop and accomplish. 

It is my pleasure and honor to inform you that we made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2012. Yes, we made AYP at both Hancock Elementary and LaBrum Middle School.  Please join us in commending your children in what they have accomplished.  

During this school year we will employ programs that have fostered success while implementing new, innovating and exciting programs that will facilitate student learning.  This year promises to be one that strongly emphasizes student achievement through data driven instruction.  We will continuously look at the data, which we will collect throughout the course of the year and make instructional decisions based on that data.  We will continue to utilize the School District of Philadelphia’s Standardized Core Curriculum, supported through mandated materials.

I look forward to meeting you and working with you throughout the school year.  I try to start my day everyday at LaBrum.  As always, I am in the schoolyard in the morning every chance I can to lead the Hancock Morning Exercises.  If you have a question, want to share an idea, address a concern or make a comment, please feel free to approach me after the exercises.  I will always do what I can to answer your questions, resolve your concerns or consider your suggestions. 

I ask that parents and guardians support the education of their children by being involved.  Our Home and School, which provides many vital services to the Hancock School, is always looking for new members. Our Home and School Officers will be available to meet and encourage parents to join the Home and School during our Back to School Night.

All students are expected to wear their uniform each day. Students should navy or white shirts with collars (Golf Shirts) and wear navy blue or khaki slacks. Girls may wear knee length navy blue or khaki skirts, knee length navy blue or khaki skorts or jumpers if desired. On Gym days, students can wear a Hancock T-shirt and navy blue sweat pants during cold weather months. During warm weather months, students may wear navy shorts instead of sweat pants.  Sneakers must be worn to participate in gym.

Sneakers with lights or containing roller skates are not permitted at Hancock.  Students wearing reveling clothing will be required to wear a cover up at school.

Our students riding the buses will not be picked up until after the 3:09 PM dismissal. Please do not park around the perimeter of the school.  The perimeter areas are designated for our school buses.  It is important that the perimeter of the school, all of Morrell Avenue and West Crown Avenue remain available to safely receive and dismiss our students riding the school buses.

The car pick-up lane is still available to drop of and pick up children.  One of the major successful safety accomplishments of prior year was the morning/afternoon car loop set of procedures. These procedures provided our parents with a safe and an efficient way of dropping off their children in the morning and picking up their children in the afternoon.  It was a huge undertaking, but well worth it because it improved the overall safety of our children. 

I ask that parents support the educational process by making sure each child practices sound living habits like a regular bedtime, healthy meals, a quite place to do homework, and encouragement to practice good citizenship.  Behavior that is appropriate for play is not always appropriate for school.  The goal will be to stress good manners.  I will be working very hard to eliminate rough play and bullying.  Please review these ideas with your children and support the staff in creating a safe and warm environment for all students.  Working together, we can insure your child’s success.

Communication is key to the educational process.  We continue to use technology to keep parents informed.  Important School information and updates are placed on the Hancock School website at www.philasd.org/schools/hancock/.   We will continue to utilize an automated phone service that will call your home leaving attendance information and other important announcements. We will continue to employ the Tuesday Communication Folders for all important correspondence.  Please feel free to email me anytime at bgriffin@philasd.org.  As always, please call the Hancock School office at  (215) 281- 2604 with your questions or concerns.

Thank you for your support, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely

William J. Griffin, Principal

and The Hancock Staff

Classroom Observations

Points of Pride

• High expectations for all learners in an inclusive environment
• Inviting environment is evidenced through hallway displays
• Staff and specialists collaborate around curriculum and assessments
• School wide recognition for student achievement
• Multi-disciplinary gifted program 
• Staff professional development and training
• Active Home and School support 

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Weekly Announcements

January 22, 2013-Kindergarten Registration Begins

April 3, 2013- Volunteer Training at 8:45 AM at Hancock Elementary School

April 5, 2013-  Father/Daughter Dance- LaBrum Middle School 

April 8-19, 2013-March 29, 2013- PSSA Testing-Math and Reading

April 22-26, 2013-March 29, 2013- PSSA Science Testing for only Grade 4 and 8 

May 1-3, 2013- Early Dismissal at 12:09 PM Report Card Confences in afternoon. 

May 7, 2013-Volunteer Training at 8:45 AM at LaBrum Middle School 

May 21, 2013-Staff Only- (Election Day) Professional Development Day

May 27, 2013-Memorial Day- Administrative Offices and Schools Closed

May 31, 2013-Kindergarten Registration ends

June 20, 2013-Graduation for grade 8 LaBrum Students at Hancock.

June 21, 2013-Graduation for grade 5 at Hancock.  Last Day for Students

Calendars

See our calendars under News & Events

 To see the 2012-2013 School District Calendar click here

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