The Compass Rose: 1/12
Principal's Message
To the East Elementary School community:
This week, some students from Hingham High School were here at East for phase 1 of a mural project and we are impressed by their work and delighted to see the results! Our hope is to continue to partner with the HHS Art department to add more projects & murals to our walls- BIG thanks to Kathleen McNamara (East Art educator) and Rose Papuga (HHS Art educator) for coordinating this, in addition to the wonderful student artists who contributed their time and effort.
Elementary Principals held an information session for parents of incoming Kindergartners this past Wednesday. Kindergarten registration packets will be available at the East Main Office beginning January 30th. Resources and information can be found here: https://hinghamschools.org/programs/kindergarten/ and we are also available to help with whatever you may need, spread the word!
- Mr. Hawes
Lockdown (Stay-In-Place) Drill: 1/17
This coming Tuesday (1/17), with the help of School Resource Officer Katelin McGillicuddy, we will be holding a Lockdown Drill. We will provide advance notice to our students tomorrow about this “Stay-In-Place” drill, with classroom teachers reviewing the procedure for the drill and the rationale.
As we have seen throughout our country, the need for preparedness in school safety situations is of the utmost importance. That being said, we're aware that the topic and reasons for practicing such procedures is a sensitive one. Our age-appropriate messaging to our students is that we need to practice safety drills to ensure that all know what to do when and if there is an emergency. Similar to the practice of safely exiting a building during a fire drill, a lockdown drill ensures our school's safety should there be danger on campus.
After our drill, classrooms/educators will take an opportunity to debrief feelings, questions, and concerns with students.
Please feel free to reach out to East Elementary administrators to discuss questions and concerns you may have regarding our drill.
Internet Safety
The United States Attorney's Office is hosting a virtual Internet safety presentation for parents the evening of Wednesday, January 18th from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. The presentation, entitled "Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents" will bring awareness to the dangers of the internet, including gaming and social media platforms that predators use to groom children with the intent of exploiting them sexually online or for an in person meeting. The presentation will focus on prevention by educating parents and community members how to help keep children safe online. We will be covering the following topics: Social Media 101 & Digital Footprint, Cyberbullying, Sexting, Gaming, Victim Support, Protecting Against Online Predation
Who should attend: Parents, guardians, local police departments, school administrators, youth program leaders and anyone who would like to learn how to keep children safe from online dangers.
The presentation is free. Registration is required. The link to register is included on the attached flyer and is also included here:
Please register at the following link: (via Chrome browser))
Event address for attendees: https://usao.webex.com/usao/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec3d8ccd61ccdd26ee39d8c6ffd5c57aa
Password: PSC1
Questions or difficulty registering? Please contact
Karen Legace @ USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov
Safe Schools PD
During Wednesday's early release, all elementary staff from across the district participated in professional development led by Landon Callahan from the Safe Schools program.
The Safe Schools program is a joint initiative between the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth. The presentation focused on best practices to support LGBTQ+ youth and a review of the state's anti-bullying law, gender identity law, and student anti-discrimination law.
Technology Survey
Many thanks to the nearly 300 families who have responded to the HPS technology surveys. If you have not yet had a chance to complete, we welcome your input!
Elementary Technology Survey: https://surveymonkey.com/r/6JLL77C
Spanish Immersion (Pre-K)
HPS is excited to announce to opening of the Spanish Immersion Pre-K pilot program coming this fall. This full-day program running 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM from September 2023 to June 2024. Kids In Action is operating this program, and registration begins Monday 1/23. The enrollment deadline for the program is 2/15.
There will be information sessions held for the program in January. The first is in-person on 1/23 (7-8 PM, Foster Elementary School). The second session will be virtual (1/24, 7-8 PM) and the link will be posted on our website.
For more information on this program, visit: https://hinghamschools.org/spanish-immersion-prek/
HHS Program of Studies Night
Hingham High School will deliver its annual “Program of Studies Night” on Monday 2/13 at 7 PM. After introductory remarks about course selection in the auditorium, parents will have an opportunity to meet with department directors and coordinators in the school cafeteria. Student volunteers will provide building tours for any interested parents.
Anxiety & Depression
The Hingham SEPAC and HPS PTOs are sponsoring a Dr. Nadja Reilly, Clinical Psychologist, for a presentation titled "How to Handle Anxiety, Depression, and Your Kids". The topics included will be anxiety/depression, self-harm, what to look for, and coping mechanisms. The session will be held January 17th at 7PM in the HHS Auditorium. This session is limited to parents and caregivers.
Hingham Music Parents Association Winter Meeting
Hingham Music Parents Association (HMPA) - Join us for our winter meeting on January 25, 2023 in the Hingham Public Library Fearing Room at 7:00! Learn about HMPA’s goals for the new year, support for music programs in all 6 schools, KIA After School Strings, and opportunities for the future. We look forward to meeting you!
To learn more, please visit our website http://hinghammpa.weebly.com or join our community on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HInghamMusicParents
Integrated Pre-K
HPS Integrated Preschool program is looking for children who will work, play, and learn alongside children with special needs in our integrated preschool settings. If you are interested, please return the application (linked below) by January 27th. Parents/Guardians of applicants will be called with an appointment time for our placement screening on 2/7/23. If you have any questions, please reach out to Elizabeth Costanza at ecostanza@hinghamschools.org.
Save The Date! 📅☑️
Term 1 Closes (Report Cards sent home 1/27)
Fri, Jan 20, 2023, 03:00 PM
Parent Conferences
Wed, Feb 1, 2023, 12:00 PM
Contact Us:
Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to us!
Jonathan Hawes, Principal: jhawes@hinghamschools.org
Dr. Amanda Donovan, Assistant Principal: adonovan@hinghamschools.org
Karen Mariani, Administrative Assistant: kmariani@hinghamschools.org
Elisa Nelson, Administrative Assistant: enelson@hinghamschools.org
Tel: (781) 741-1570