Hathaway Happenings - Home
February 18, 2022
Community Meeting
We recognized our School Committee for all that they do for us! You can view the appreciation video here.
From Dr. Kenworthy
Dear Members of the PSD Community,
Recently, Governor McKee announced that the statewide mask mandate for K-12 schools will expire on March 4, 2022. As we approach the two year anniversary of school closure at the start of the pandemic in March of 2020, this will mark the first time that schools will be in session without a statewide mask mandate in place. On Monday evening, the School Committee voted to approve these revisions to our district masking policy. Here is a summary of this revised policy:
- Once the Executive Order expires the Portsmouth School District will strongly recommend that all students, staff, and visitors mask indoors but not require it.
- As Superintendent, I will have the ability to institute a temporary measure (such as full masking) if a case outbreak or unforeseen situation occurs in a classroom, school, or the district until such time as I have the opportunity to bring any further recommendations forward to the School Committee.
- Any Executive Order regarding masking would supersede this policy without requiring us to make any changes to this policy while the order is enacted.
- The same thing holds for any state or federal order related to school buses. The federal order requiring masks on all forms of public transportation, including school buses, will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
- Lastly, the Executive Order mandating masks in all K-12 schools is in place through March 4th. This policy will go into effect on March 7th.
Moving forward, all other COVID-19 mitigation strategies will remain in place until further notice. We will ensure that the personal preferences of individuals and families regarding masking are respected as we enter this next phase of the pandemic.
My best wishes to all as we get ready to head into the Winter Break. Hopefully, Spring is just around the corner!
Tom Kenworthy
Hathaway COVID19 Updates
Talking to your Child(ren)
Our teachers will be taking time next week to explain to the students that on March 7th, some of their friends and faculty and staff will still be wearing masks and some will not. We will reassure them that this is a personal choice that we will respect. Please be sure to have conversations with your children over the break so we all are prepared for the new mask policy.
Mitigation Efforts
- Social distancing (at least 3 feet)
- Air purifiers/Windows
- Asymptomatic Testing
- Hand washing
- No use of water fountains
- Masks on bus
- Covid Absence Protocols
- Volunteers must be vaccinated
Vaccination Rates
For information about Pre K-12 School Cases and Vaccination rates please visit this site.
SurveyWorks
We want to hear from you! As a member of an ever-improving education community here at Hathaway, your feedback is very important to us. Here is an opportunity for your voice to be heard!
Your views on matters like the safety of your child at school, the way students are taught, the condition of the school, and how connected you feel to this school are important. By taking this short survey you can help our school leadership and our parent-teacher organization to make improvements to our school.
This survey should take less than 20 minutes to complete. To take the survey, please click this link and enter the code "27104family". Thank you!
Hathaway Habitat
Please take a moment to review the meeting notes.
Lost and Found - Do These Belong to You?
Choose Love February Calendar
Blankets of Hope Kindness Challenge - Starting March 2nd
Kindergarten Registration
The Portsmouth School Department is excited to begin registering and welcoming the Kindergarten class of 2035! The registration process for Kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year will open on February 1. During February, a parent/guardian for an eligible student should begin this process by visiting the Registration tab at the top of our district webpage: http://www.portsmouthschoolsri.org/. Important information including instructions on how to register (please be sure to register for the 2022-2023 school year), registration requirements, and other pertinent information can be found by accessing the link.
Kindergarten Registration Day
To complete the Kindergarten registration process a parent/guardian must come in person to Melville Elementary School, 1351 West Main Road on March 14th at one of the following dates and times:
- 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. -- For students with last names A-K
- 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. -- For students with last names L-Z
Individual appointments are not necessary unless you are unable to attend on March 14th. Appointments can be made after that date to complete registration. If all pre-registration information has been completed online it should take about 10-15 minutes to complete the process during one of the above dates and times. Please contact our Central Administration Office at 683-1039 with any questions.
HPTA News
HPTA Meeting
Our next HPTA meeting will be Wednesday, March 16th at 6:30pm in the library.
Hathaway Night at Providence Bruins
Saturday March 12th at 7:05pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.providencebruins.com/hathaway
Volunteer Opportunities
Thank you to our awesome volunteers that are working on class springabaloo projects, planning the springabaloo, and those working to label books at the school. Visit the district volunteer page for information if you would like to become VIS approved to volunteer in school.
Sign up to volunteer at the Springabaloo.
The Springabaloo Committee is looking for an auctioneer for the live auction portion of our fundraiser. If anyone in the hathway community has experience or a lead for us please email springabaloo@gmail.com.
The Springabaloo Committee is also looking to borrow a sound system for the Live Auction.
The HPTA would love to hold a BOOK SWAP this spring for the students if we have volunteers to run it. If anyone has experience with organizing a book swap, would be interested in organizing or helping please email hathawayvis@gmail.com.
Future volunteer opportunities including Field Day and the 4th Grade Picnic.
HPTA School Directory
Families should have received an email from your room parent with the directory. The Hathaway School Directory is for personal communication purposes within the Hathaway community only. The information in this document is not to be shared, copied, downloaded, or duplicated. Solicitation of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Saturday, April 2nd Hathaway’s 9th Annual Springabaloo
The Springabaloo is historically our largest fundraiser of the year. It is a live and silent auction held at the Glen Manor House in Portsmouth. Tickets will be $40 and include complimentary beverages and hors d'oeuvres. The auction includes community goods and services, as well as unique items that are very popular. These include the class projects that students contribute to making. Also, the staff/teacher services where your student can do a fun activity with a teacher/staff are available for bid. This year, we will be focusing our fundraising to help support field trips and additions to our Outdoor Learning Center.
Here are some ways that you can help!
If you own a local business consider making a donation as it’s a great way to get exposure in the local community. Families can also purchase/donate an item, or give a monetary donation for the auction. Some examples of past auction items have included:
Gift cards for local businesses and experiences
Private Chef Dinners
Camp Enrollment
Gift Certificates to salons and spas
Framed artwork
Tickets to upcoming sporting events, shows, etc.
Family donated themed gift basket
THIS WEEK'S FEATURED AUCTION ITEMS
4 Course Gourmet Dinner for 6 by Chef Larry from Barrington Butchery with wine pairing
Ride to School in an East Coast Construction Service Truck
12 Person Sunset Cruise by Generations Private Charters
Autographed Football by Dont’a Hightower on the New England Patriots
You can print and complete the donation form to submit a donation. Email springabaloo@gmail.com if you have any questions.
HPTA Board
Snow Day Information
Teachers will email a link to the class for a live morning attendance meeting that will take place between 8:30-9:00. All students are expected to attend. During this meeting the expectations for the day will be reviewed.
If at any time during the day support is needed, then email the appropriate teacher and they will respond to your questions throughout the day.
There will be a live afternoon meeting for students to get additional support if needed. This is an optional meeting and if your child does not attend, then this will not impact attendance.
If for any reason your internet is down, then we will provide the assignments to your child when they return to school in person or your internet is back on. In this scenario, we will address any individual attendance concerns.
If you get a chance to go outside post some fun to our Facebook and/or Twitter page!
Securly Home
Securly Home is an app that allows parents to monitor their child’s Chromebook activity at home and add rules for home use. Please take some time to review the slideshow and recording of the parent meeting that took place on 9/16.
We encourage you to sign up now for Securly Home!
Hathaway Notification Form
Please complete the Hathaway Notification Form.
Thank you in advance for helping us to keep things organized and safe in our Hathaway community.
Asynchronous Learning
Students who need to quarantine will be provided with asynchronous distance learning. All teachers are prepared to have daily assignments and accompanying materials available for students on a regular basis. If an entire class is asked to quarantine, synchronous learning will be available to the entire class. Materials pick up may be scheduled.
Teachers will be sharing login procedures with students and families. It is important that your child is familiar with Google Classroom and how to access the necessary lessons. This will make for an easy transition if your child is asked to quarantine.
Accessing Aspen
If you are having issues accessing Aspen, you will have to email familyportal@portsmouthschoolsri.org with your child's name, date of birth, grade level, and your name. The system administrators will be able to restore access to your account and make sure that you can login.
Where Can I Find Past Parent Newsletters?
Important Dates
Important Dates
2021-2022
February 21st - 25th - Winter Break
February 28th - March 11th - Parent Conferences
March 2nd - NAEP Testing, Grade 4 Students
March 7th - March 12th - Wellness Week
March 10th - Hearing Screening
March 14th - Staff PD/DL Day
March 16th - HPTA Meeting, 6:30 PM, Library
March 22nd - Grade 3 Field Trip - 3H/3HA
March 23rd - Report Cards visible in Aspen
March 25th - Grade 3 Field Trip - 3AT/3C
April 4th - Arts for Life Day
April 6th, 7th - Grade 3 ELA RICAS
April 13th, 14th - Grade 4 ELA RICAS
April 13th - Early Release, 2:30-4:30
April 13th - HPTA Meeting, 6:30 PM, Library
April 14th - Community Meeting, 9:30 AM
April 15th - 24th - Spring Break
April 26th, 28th, 29th - ELA RICAS Makeups
May 10th - Grade 3 Math RICAS
May 11th - Staff PD/DL Day
May 12th - Grade 3 Math RICAS
May 18th - Grade 4 Math RICAS
May 18th - HPTA Meeting, 6:30 PM, Library
May 19th - Grade 4 Math RICAS
May 25th, 26th, 27th - Math RICAS Makeups
June 1st - Field Day, K-3
June 1st - Early Release, 2:15 PM
June 2nd - Grade 4 Field Trip
June 3rd - Grade 1 Casey Farm Field Trip
June 6th - Rain Date K-3 Field Day
June 6th - Bill Harley Presentation, 9:15
June 6th - June 10th - Week of the Young Child
June 7th - Grade 3 Field Trip
June 8th - Grade 3 Field Trip
June 8th - HPTA Meeting, 6:30 PM, Library
June 9th - Grade 4 Field Trip
June 9th - Bill Harley Presentation (Rain Date), 915
June 10th - Community Meeting, 9:30 AM
June 16th - Grade 4 Field Day
June 17th - Rain Date Grade 4 Field Day
June 17th - Report Cards visible in Aspen
Howard Hathaway Elementary School
Email: littlel@portsmouthschoolsri.org
Website: https://www.portsmouthschoolsri.org/Domain/10
Location: 53 Tallman Avenue, Portsmouth, RI, USA
Phone: (401)683-0500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hathaway.principal/
Twitter: @HathawaySchool