Hawthorne students lead pledge; teachers outline Unified Club and parent engagement strategies
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Summary
Students from Hawthorne Elementary led the Pledge of Allegiance and staff described a new Unified Club to pair general‑education and special‑education students; a third‑grade teacher also shared strategies that increased parent involvement using ClassDojo and other outreach.
Students from Hawthorne Elementary opened the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance and were introduced by staff on Nov. 10. Lori Pyers Goodwin, a teacher at Hawthorne, described a new Unified Club and "Hawthorne Helpers" program designed to pair general‑education and special‑education students for collaborative projects and school support.
"The purpose of the unified club is basically to celebrate differences, celebrate our uniqueness," Pyers Goodwin said, describing projects and volunteer tasks that will bring students together across classrooms. She said Hawthorne Helpers will "help out around the school with different jobs working together" and emphasized inclusion.
Third‑grade teacher Matt Davis, invited by his principal, told the board his classroom increased parent engagement by creating a welcoming environment and using consistent communication through ClassDojo's Class Story. "Our fundamental strategy has been twofold... First, we prioritize creating a welcoming environment... Secondly, we implemented consistent, accessible communication," Davis said. He cited examples including parents chaperoning field trips (five parents on recent trips) and volunteering at lunches and recess.
Board members thanked students, families and staff for the presentation and asked to take a group photo; the board encouraged extending parent engagement practices districtwide.
The board did not take formal action on the student club presentations but recognized them during opening recognitions.