The Friday Focus
February 3, 2023
From the Desk of the Superintendent
Reminder to parents to check your child's lunch account balance in OnCourse or PaySchool Central https://www.payschoolscentral.com/. You can also preload funds into your child's Payschool account. Lunch accounts can also be replenished by cash or check made payable to HVRSD Cafe and can be given to a cashier in the cafeteria.
“A Slice of Life” panel discussion, Saturday, Feb 4 - 1pm, CHS Media Center. In honor of Black History Month, please join us for this panel discussion featuring African American families with deep roots in Hopewell Valley. This is a great opportunity to hear about our local history from residents who were often marginalized but led wonderful lives and built a powerful community. This event is free and no registration is required.
"The Price of Silence" Wednesday Feb 15th, 6pm at HVCHS PAC. A screening of the film by Truehart Productions at the Hopewell Valley Central High School PAC. The documentary, featuring local authors Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills, explores slavery in New Jersey with moving stories from historians and descendants of slaves from across the state. Admission is free. Click here to view the trailer.
Kindergarten Registration for 2023: Kindergarten registration for children who will be five years old on or before October 1, 2023 will begin on Wednesday, February 6, 2023. You can find registration information and forms on this web page: Kindergarten Registration. Please do not submit registrations prior to February 6, 2023.
Kindergarten Camp 2023: an optional summer Camp will be held at each elementary school for two weeks, starting on 7/10 and 7/17. The camp is Mondays - Thursdays from 8:30-11:30am.
The Kindergarten Camp Registration form is available on the Kindergarten Registration Page. Only registered students will be accepted! Thank you!!
Applications for the PEECH (Preschool and Early Education for Children of Hopewell) Program
for the 2023-2024 school year are now being accepted. The form can be found here: PEECH Application Form Parents of both new and returning applicants need to fill out the Form. Applications are due on February 24, 2023.
Got Assets? Asset of the Week #6 is: Parent Involvement in Schooling.
Young people need their parents to stay actively involved in their education throughout middle and high school. If you’re a parent, introduce yourself to your child’s teachers and establish clear, open communication. Attend all teacher-parent conferences, or reschedule a more convenient time if needed. If possible, volunteer in small ways, such as speaking on career day or setting up for a classroom party. Also, talk to your child about school. Ask him or her about current assignments and projects. Be available to help when your child needs it.
Thank You! Wow! We are amazed by your generosity in providing gift cards, candy, and other treats to be used as prizes during our Black and Gold Cup First Semester Celebration on Friday. We were excited to provide the opportunity for over 150 students to spin the prize wheel! Please check out the pictures from our celebration on Twitter and Instagram!
Class Meetings: We enjoyed meeting with each grade level during recitation over the past week. During the meetings, the administration provided reminders about behavioral expectations, provided information about upcoming events, and reviewed school and district protocols. Our students enjoyed the review games and were appreciative of the prizes they won!
HVCHS Culture Connections: Bonjour! Hola! Aloha! Namaste! HVCHS Culture Connections is a student organization that prioritizes and embraces cultural diversity, individuality, and identity. Our mission is to promote cultural competency among HVCHS students and staff by inviting cultural representatives throughout our larger community to speak about their particular culture. Our goal is to work towards making this world a culturally competent Global Village through our message of "Oneness." We are looking for presenters from the community who would be willing to schedule a time to present their culture and all of its unique customs and traditions during our lunch period here at HVCHS. Please fill out this form if you are interested in presenting to our students. If you have any questions, you may contact our club advisor Maya Smith-Mabry at mayasmithmabry@hvrsd.org.
Athletics Update: HVCHS Spring Sports start on the following dates:
Monday, March 13: Boys Tennis
Wednesday, March 16: Baseball, Softball, Boys & Girls Lacrosse, Golf, Track & Field, Boys Volleyball
All Registrations and medical forms are due by Friday, February 17th. Registration and medical form links are available on the athletic website. If your child needs an annual sports physical and you are unable to get an appointment with your pediatrician, we are having In-School Sports Physicals with our school doctors on Tuesday, February 7th. Registration is available online through this sign up genius link. The cost is $25 (cash or check made payable to HVRSD). If you have any questions regarding medical form needs, please contact Kelly Hall or Angela Drake in the CHS Nurse’s Office at (609) 737-4003 x3537. If you have any questions regarding registration, please reach out to the Athletic Office staff (609) 737-4003 x3534.
Absences & Late Arrivals: Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number 609-737-4003, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. Please also review our attendance procedures for details about our policies.
What’s Happening at HVCHS? Please follow us on Twitter: @HVCentralHS and Instagram: hopewell_valley_central_hs for pictures, updates, and fun facts. Fundraising activities from our classes, clubs, and teams can be found here. Also, check out our HV Student Publications Network page for student created podcasts, digital videos, and more.
The HVCHS DogByte is the CHSPTO newsletter which provides information about upcoming events and programs. It is emailed every Tuesday and available through the CHS website. Please click this link for details.
Dates to Remember
February 16: HV Municipal Alliance Summer Job & Service Fair
Cereal Domino Challenge: Timberlane Middle School is working to make The Guinness World Records 2023 for the middle school that collects and then topples the most cereal boxes in domino fashion. The first step is collection so send in cereal boxes from now until Feb 10, 2023! Cereal will then be donated to local food pantries. Our goal/need is 6,000 boxes!
TMS Qcrew cares Dine Out Fundraising: Back by popular demand- Order delicious heat and serve selections from the Qcrew for dinner! BBQ, MAC N CHEESE, RIBS,SHRIMP, SAUSAGE,AND MANY MORE SELECTIONS! On Wednesday, February 8 pick up dinner for your family in Timberlane parking lot between 4:00-5:00pm. Dinner is so easy! Click here for details, click here for QR code
TMS Spring Musical is Disney Newsies Jr! A musical based on the 1992 motion picture and 2012 Broadway musical inspired by the rousing true story of the Newsboy Strike of 1899 in New York City.Newsies Jr features a Tony Award winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman. Mrs Schubin has a blog that contains all the information you need to help your child prepare for auditions . Please find all audition materials, forms, and deadlines on the timberlanemusical.blogspot.com
We are in Need of Recess Equipment! If you have any gently used balls, soccer balls, basketballs, footballs, jump ropes or chalk, please consider donating to our school. Items can be brought to the Main Office.
TMS Spring Sports start Monday, March 27th: Baseball, Boys & Girls Lacrosse: Open to 7 & 8 grade only. Softball and Track & Field: Open to 6, 7, 8 grade.
Registration and medical forms for TMS spring sports are due by Thursday, March 9th. Please click here to access the registration page and print medical forms. Any student who is not registered and does not have either a physical form or health history update on file with the school nurses will not be able to try out or practice until they do.
In-House Physicals: will be offered on Thursday, February 23rd from 9:00 am-12:00 pm in the TMS nurse's office. They are open to students in grades 6-8 by appointment only and are $25 a child. (Checks should be made out to HVRSD.) Please use this link to sign up for an appointment.
Yearbook Updates:
The Yearbook Club is looking for pictures of winter sports athletes in action! Please use this LINK to upload photos (including selfies) of our basketball, wrestling, and cheer athletes. Thank you for helping the Yearbook represent as many of our student-athletes as possible. You can also email photos to tmsstudentcouncil@hvrsd.org. If you choose to email pictures, please enter the team and students' names in the subject line.
Yearbooks are now on sale: Click here to order!
Batter up...It’s Timberlane Day at Yankees Stadium! Join us on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 1:35pm to watch the Yankees play the Minnesota Twins. Field level outfield section tickets are $100 per person and include a hot dog, drink and Yankees backpack. Ticket orders must be placed by March 17. E-mail Dana at danafray@aol.com with questions or to sign up! Tickets are NOT restricted to TMS families so anyone in the district is welcome to attend.
TMS Updates: For additional information about TMS, please visit our webpage, or follow us on Twitter @Timberlane_HV, or instagram @timberlane_timberwolves
Kindergarten Registration Information for 2023-24, Kindergarten Camp Information and Application for the PEECH program: Information and links can be found on the Superintendent’s page above.
BT Principal Page - Click here for our new principal button on the Bear Tavern website!
BT Kid’s Heart Challenge: Our event officially kicks off on Monday, January 30th and runs through Friday, February 17th. Click here for more information.
BT Author Visit: Renowned author, Tami Charles, is coming to visit BT on March 8th. The BTPTO, in partnership with HVEF, is proud to offer students the opportunity to meet and interact with an NYTimes best-selling author. BTPTO is offering students the opportunity to order copies of her works in preparation for the event. Books will be signed on the day of her visit. You can click here to place your order if you like. Please place your order by Wednesday, February 9th, to ensure delivery before the event in March.
St. Baldrick's Day, Friday, March 10th at BT: we will be raising money to fight Childhood Cancer (learn more HERE) You can join “Team Bear Tavern” or donate HERE. You can also get a “Team Bear Tavern” T-Shirt (recommended for shavees and available to anyone who wants to support the team!). Bear Tavern has raised over $65,500 to support St. Baldrick’s since 2016 and teams with Mr. Turnbull have raised over $133,000 since 2010!
BTPTO: Volunteers are needed for the Spring Event Planning Committees. Two fun events are coming up in the spring. An Ice Cream Social is to be held at BT on Friday, March 24th, with build-your-own sundaes, raffle baskets, and a Parent/Teacher Night Out to be held in May. Please click here to volunteer for the planning committees. Questions/Info: Jessica.Ruff@comcast.net or Christa.Eastgate@gmail.com
PaySchools Central Food Service: Use the following links for the 2022-2023 school lunch
Click Here for a Link to Pay Schools Central to Pay for Student Lunches
BT Changes In Students’ Dismissal: Families, if there is a change in how students will be going home, please be sure to call (609-737-4005) or email the main office, as teachers do not always have an opportunity to check their email. Please use THIS EMAIL ADDRESS btmainoffice@hvrsd.org when informing us of dismissal plans.
Absences & Late Arrivals - Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number 609-737-4005, Ext 2
Dates to Remember
February 14th- Valentine's Day (Wear Pink or Red)
February 17th- Sports Day (Wear your favorite sports team jersey or shirt)
February 20th- Presidents’ Day (School/Office Closed)
Kindergarten Registration Information for 2023-24, Kindergarten Camp Information and Application for the PEECH program: Information and links can be found on the Superintendent’s page above.
February’s collaboration with The Chubby’s Project:This month 1st graders are gathering canned and boxed goods. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated!
HES Yearbooks are now available: You can order online at ybpay.com. Please enter Yearbook ID Code: 1799323. The deadline is April 21st.
100th Day Celebration: Friday morning, February 10th, during drop-off hours, 8:15 - 9:00 am. Students’ 100th Day Projects will be displayed in the hallway for you to enjoy. Our kindergarteners are excited to show them off!
PTO Dates and Events - The next meeting will be February 10th at 2pm. Please check out the current Frog Flash filled with important information.
Volunteer Opportunities: If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the attached volunteer form and complete the process for fingerprinting. We appreciate the support of community members who are interested in supporting our students and staff at HES.
Pomptonian Food Service: Use the following link(s) for the 2022-2023 school lunch. This link includes menus and how to pay for student lunches along with other useful information.
The Lost and Found Garden: Please encourage your child(ren) to check the lost and found for their missing items! Don’t forget to label your children's coats, hats, and gloves.
Follow Us On Twitter: Our page offers parents a glimpse inside our classrooms, important reminders, and students engaged in learning & fun. Click here to follow us.
Absences, Late Arrivals and Dismissal Changes: Call our TeleSafe number 609-737-4007, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival or please use our new office email hwmainoffice@hvrsd.org. If there is a change in how students will be going home, call the main office at 737-4007, as teachers DO NOT have an opportunity to check their email during the day.
Dates to Remember
February 10th - 100 Day (K) and 1,000 Day (5th Grade) Celebrations
February 13th - Whole School Meeting - wear your HES T-Shirt
February 18th - 21st - Coin Wars
February 20th - President’s Day (School’s Closed)
#BeTheLightHES
Kindergarten Registration Information for 2023-24, Kindergarten Camp Information and Application for the PEECH program: Information and links can be found on the Superintendent’s page above.
Pajama Day YAY to benefit CHOP: An all star thank you to families and staff who contributed. Thanks to your kindness we are able to donate $1,710.00 to help children being treated at CHOP and their families. We loved wearing pajamas to school as well.
PTO Dine In/Take Out nights: Thank you to all the families who participated in the Candelas event - there was a great turnout. Our next dine in/take out will be at Wildflowers on February 23rd. Flyer to follow.
SB PTO Movie Night February 17th: Join the PTO to watch “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile”. You can pre order pizza. Details can be found HERE.
5th Grade Fundraiser: Order your Pura Vida bracelet in Stony Brook colors. See ORDER FORM for details. Orders are due Feb. 10th.
Yearbook 2023: Yearbooks are now available for sale online or by form. Yearbooks are $25 and orders are due May 1.
Science Fair 2023 - The date of the “in person” Science Fair is Saturday, February 25th from 8 am to 12 pm. Details can be found HERE.
Author In Residence: Tami Charles to visit Stony Brook! Renowned author, Tami Charles, is coming in person on March 21! Interested readers can place their order for her books by using this FORM. Orders are due February 9th.
Lost and Found: Please label your student(s) clothing and remind them to check the lost and found tables.
PaySchools Central Food Service: Use the following links for 2022-2023 school lunch information:
Click Here for a Link to Pay Schools Central to Pay for Student Lunches
Click Here for Free and Reduced Lunch Forms
SB Membership Toolkit: All volunteer opportunities, Spirit Wear, and ways to donate can be found on MembershipToolkit. Click here to register.
Absences & Late Arrivals or Changes in Students’ Dismissal: Call our TeleSafe # 609-737-4006, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. To make contacting the main office easier, we've created a "sbmainoffice@hvrsd.org" email that will go to both secretaries. Please use this to send us your dismissal changes. Teachers do not always have the opportunity to check their email during school but including them in your email is helpful. If you have a change after 3pm, please call us at 609-737-4006 ext. 0.
Dates to Remember
February 20 - Schools Closed - Presidents Day
February 25 - Science Fair
February 28 - Lifetouch Spring Photos
Kindergarten Registration Information for 2023-24, Kindergarten Camp Information and Application for the PEECH program: Information and links can be found on the Superintendent’s page above.
Author In Residence: Tami Charles Visits Toll Gate! Renowned author, Tami Charles, is coming in person on March 9 to Toll Gate! The TGGTO, in partnership with HVEF, is proud to offer students the opportunity to meet and interact with a NYTimes best-selling author.
Former teacher. Wannabe chef. Tami Charles writes picture books, middle grade, young adult, and nonfiction. Her middle grade debut novel, Like Vanessa, earned Top 10 spots on the Indies Introduce and Spring Kids' Next lists, three starred reviews, and a Junior Library Guild selection. Her recent titles include a picture book biography, Fearless Mary, humorous middle grade novel, Definitely Daphne, and forthcoming titles published by Sterling, Charlesbridge, Candlewick Press, and more. When Tami is not writing, she can be found presenting at schools both stateside and abroad. Listen to Tami talk about Like Vanessa on Charlesbridge Unplugged. Visit Tami online at Twitter and Instagram.
TGPTO, in cooperation with local book store The Bear and the Books, is offering students the opportunity to order a signed copy of her works. Click Here to place your order by Tuesday, February 7, 2023, to ensure delivery by her visit in March. Any questions, please contact Author in Residence Committee member, Bonnie Lieu, bonnie.lieu@gmail.com.
TG Spring Snack Sale:
Sign up for February, March, and/or April snacks using this form. Snacks will be handed out at the end of the day listed below.
February 21 - Glazed donuts from PQM (GF option available)
March 7 - Fudge brownies from Emily's (GF option available)
April 18 - Pretzels (GF option available)
The form will close on Monday, February 6th. Reach out to amberjanemiller@gmail.com with any questions. Thanks for supporting our TG fifth graders!
Dress for Winter Weather: Throughout the winter we will continue to have students go outside every day for recess and breaks. Please send them with appropriate clothing for the cold temperatures (warm coat, hat and glove/mittens). Be sure to label the items with their names.
Lost and Found: We have accumulated so many sweatshirts, water bottles, and other items in our Lost and Found! If your child is missing an item, please encourage them to check the Lost and Found table in the vestibule by the cafeteria during school hours. A parent may also stop by after school to check the table if needed.
School Lunches: Use the School Lunch Information link for information about school lunch for the 2022-2023 school year.
Absences & Late Arrivals: Parents/Guardians should call our TelSafe number 609-737-4008, Ext 2, by 9:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. We also ask that parents leave reasons for absences on that line (our nurse, Alicia Smith, monitors the line.) You can call ahead if you know about a planned absence or lateness. (Please do not report absences by emailing or calling the Main Office.)
Dates to Remember
February is Spread the Love Month: Schoolwide Food Drive to support HV Food Pantry
Monday, 2/13: Student Council Sponsored Spirit Day - Mustache Monday (donate shelf-stable milk)
Monday, 2/6: Kindergarten Registration Begins
Monday, 2/6: Friday, 2/10: School Counselor Week
Monday, 2/20: President’s Day - Schools/Offices Closed
Thursday, 2/23: TG All Hands Event at 7:00 PM
Community News & Events
Let me Run for Boys! The Let Me Run program is “a character development program fueled by running”. It’s well-established and has been used nationally and very successfully at our District schools! Trained coaches combine exercise with fun activities and lessons to help boys learn teamwork, build relationship skills, create friendships, grow emotionally, amplify their self-esteem, empower themselves and others, and live an active lifestyle. Let Me Run boys leave the program with a sense of accomplishment, a deeper belief in self, and a greater appreciation for their peers.
Please visit the website for information and see the attached PDF for coach details. Thank you!
Hopewell Valley Children's Theatre Presents: Disney's Beauty and the Beast!
Feb 3rd & 4th - 7pm/Feb 5th - 2pm At the Performing Arts Center at CHS.
Purchase tickets at ShowTix4U.com Visit us at https://www.hvct.org/ for more info.
It’s Family Dance Time in Princeton! At an Old-Fashioned Barn Dance, Sunday, Feb 12 and March 12, 3pm-5pm. Live Music by the Mixed Age Dance Band. For more information, please click here.
Join Princeton Athletics for the return of the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) Clinic and Celebration, Saturday, February 11th from 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. on the indoor track in Jadwin Gym. We encourage Tiger fans (ages 5-12) to come out and engage and learn from several of our Princeton women’s teams!
All children participating in the clinic can redeem a free ticket to the Women’s Basketball game at 1 p.m. versus Dartmouth; additional game tickets can be purchased at a special discounted price of $6. A women’s basketball game ticket is required to attend the clinic.
Click here to activate that special ticket offer: For more information about the clinic please reach out to sportsmarketing@princeton.edu. For all ticketing questions, please call 609-258-6631.
Hopewell YMCA Upcoming Programs: Instructional Basketball Grades 3-5
Players signed up will strengthen their skills and understanding of the game through the Jr. NBA curriculum. Players will be group evaluated to provide the perfect blend and conditioning for each player to gain the knowledge and competencies to continue to grow in the game.
Days: Mondays/Dates: March 13, 2023-April 24, 2023/Practice Times: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM/Fee: $125/Location: Stony Brook Gym
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Hunterdon County: Junior Master Gardener Program National Leader Training: Teachers, admin, volunteers and Program leaders, Join us for the fun, engaging, teacher-friendly and online 2023 JMG National Leader Training on Feb 21-22. 1.5 day Virtual Conference! https://JMGkids.us/2023JMGnlt/
Here are the links to the local libraries for upcoming storytimes, events and programs:
Mercer County Library - Hopewell Branch
Hopewell Valley's Night Off is March 2! Mark your calendar now and plan to take the night off! Make it a tech free night!
The New Jersey State 2023 Poster Contest theme is One Water. This is a fun way for children to learn about conservation! All students in grades 2-12, public, private, home-schooled, and youth groups can enter. Final entries are to be submitted by: March 7, 2023. All first-place winners from Mercer County will be forwarded to the NJ State Dept. of Agriculture for State Contest Judging. State Grand Champions will then be sent to the National Contest.
ATTENTION HVRSD FAMILIES!
Introducing the inaugural Hopewell Valley Bunny Hop 5K Run/Walk! This fun community event in Washington Crossing State Park is sure to start off Spring on the right foot.
Whether you are a tortoise or a hare, you do not want to miss this event!
Please join us on Saturday 04.22.2023. Registration is NOW OPEN!
Winners in age group categories will walk away with a chocolate bunny prize. There are several cash prizes to groups with the greatest participation, specifically, the CHS grade, the TMS grade and elementary school. Additional details are provided in your school PTO newsletter. Get your bunny ears ready and prepare to shake your cottontail!
Please visit our website to view the flyer and scroll down to register or contact the organizers. Please consider running or walking the course as a family and inviting neighbors to join you. For those in the running community, this event is USATF sanctioned and available for 500 Grand Prix points.