Haymarket Happenings
November 2023
November At A Glance
Tuesday, Nov. 7 - Teacher Workday/Election Day - No School
Thursday, Nov. 9 - Veterans Day Walk of Honor 9:45am
Friday, Nov. 10 - Veterans Day Holiday - No School
Tuesday, Nov. 14 - Parent Advisory Council Meeting
Nov. 22 - Nov. 24 - Happy Thanksgiving! Holiday - No School
November PTO Dates
Food Drive - 7th -13th
Ornament Sale - 19th-30th
PTO Meeting (in person) - 15th at 6:30pm
Chipotle Spirit Night - 21st
Dear Parents,
Chronic absenteeism has become a national crisis and is defined as missing 10% of the school year, or just two days a month, for any reason. Missing 18 days of school (excused or unexcused) in any school year equals chronic absenteeism. That’s why Prince William County Public Schools is increasing communication to our parents and students around the importance of attendance - a critical indicator of success. Improved attendance is part of our PWCS Strategic Plan, and we need your help to meet our goal of improved attendance!
We need our parents, as meaningful partners, we ask that you please do the following:
· Help your child maintain daily routines and get proper sleep
· Try to schedule medical appointments outside of school hours
· Contact us if support is needed for your child in any way
· Stay aware of who your children are spending time with, as peer pressure leads to students missing school.
· Encourage your child to join meaningful school activities.
· Check your child's attendance in ParentVUE regularly.
Throughout the year, you may receive a letter regarding your students’ attendance in the mail. Attention2Attendance is a new management system that carefully tracks attendance and ensures that parents are notified in a timely and consistent manner. The letters being sent home are not to question the reasons for your child’s absences, but to ensure families are aware of the number of absences their child have.
Our goal is to connect with parents quickly so that we can remove any barriers that families face in getting students to school on time, every day. We want to partner with you to find solutions and resources to support your student. If you feel that you have received the letter in error, or have any questions, please contact your school directly.
We understand there are unavoidable illnesses or other times when your child should remain at home. However, please be aware that PWCS regulation 724-1 states that once a student reaches 10 or more absences, excused or unexcused, a written note signed by the student’s medical provider will be required for future absences to be excused. If your student is going to be absent, you may submit a preplanned absence through ParentVUE or you may call our school attendance line at 703-468-2800.
Together, let’s create a culture of showing up. Thank you for your continued support.
For more on attendance, visit our PWCS attendance webpage HERE.
Thank you!
Mr. Baldwin, Mrs. Mills, Mrs. Shore and Mrs. Maire
Creative Cub
The latest Creative Cub has been shared on the HMES website under the "Creative Cub" tab.
You can also view it here:
https://read.bookcreator.com/IvzapJ2a_VuX_z_F82Pii9TKJDc_ghWIhlnYGvXj6AQ/W8Dgdm9dRna31YpRpOzh6Q
It features student writing from all grade levels. Make sure to click on the sound icon to hear the students reading!
Science of Reading
Scientifically based reading research uses scientific procedures to obtain knowledge about how young children develop reading skills, how children can be taught to read, and how children can overcome reading difficulties.
Questions to ask if a conflict conversation arises at home
We are grateful that you have conversations with your child at home about their school day. Use that dinner time when electronics are off to really dig deep with your little one(s) at home to show you care! We wanted to help with some of those conversations by providing you with some questions to ask if your child(ren) say they are having trouble with another student at school:
What happened right before this happened?
Has it happened to you before?
What strategies have your tried from the People Problem Solving Star? (see below...print and put on your fridge! Students have been taught these strategies.)
Could it have been an accident?
Did this happen once or multiple times? Is it still happening or has it gotten better?
What adult have you told about this at school?
Use the visual below to format your questions too!
If the answers to the BOOOO guidelines below are all "yes" please have your child advocate for themselves and guide them to talking to an adult at school so we can look into what's going on. We want all students to feel 100% comfortable to come to school each day by breaking down those barriers for them!
A Musical Adventure JR. are coming soon!
Attention 3rd-5th Grade Families- Auditions for Madagascar
This school year, Haymarket Elementary will be performing Madagascar- A Musical Adventure JR! It is a stage adaptation of the beloved movie Madagascar. The musical has 16 catchy songs throughout the story, including the crowd favorite… I Like To Move It!
It is a shortened version of the musical that was on Broadway.
Practices and performances will be after school hours.
Auditions will be held IN PERSON after school on November 13th, 14th, 15th & 16th.
Students will stay after school ONE of those days until 6 pm.
Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade will be able to audition for the show.
More details about the audition process, rehearsal schedules and performance dates can be found in the audition packet, or in the Drama Canvas modules.
The musical directors are Mrs. CW, Mrs. Precise and Mrs. Benardis.
We're ready to make the Haymarket Elementary stage MOVE IT MOVE IT and more...
it is sure to be WILD & FREE in 2024!
November Advisory Council Meeting
We will have our monthly Parent Advisory Meeting on Tuesday, November 14th at 6:30pm via the Zoom link below. Anyone is welcome to attend! Topics for this meeting include a budget update and more!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://pwcs-zm-edu.zoom.us/j/89788086218?pwd=VzZ6dktTd1hiaHU3ZEoxRzQ1YlNTZz09
Meeting ID: 897 8808 6218
Passcode: 248939
Watch DOGS update
We are grateful for all the Watch DOGS that have already come and made a positive impact on our Cubs...as well as though scheduled to come in the future! If you have signed up, please make sure that you email your child's teacher to let them know you are coming so they can plan accordingly.
Upon arrival at the school in the morning, you will receive a schedule for your day that encompasses many ways to help at HMES. We ask that you follow the schedule as many are counting on you when you come in!
Assistant Principal - Nicole Mills millsnm@pwcs.edu
Assistant Principal - Brooke Shore shorebl@pwcs.edu
Admin Assistant (registration information) - Cathy Cleveland-Hirsch clevelce@pwcs.edu
Parent Liaison - Marylee Tuniki (tunikim@pwcs.edu)