Hathaway Happenings
November 19, 2021
Thanksgiving Story
One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
“It was great, Dad.”
“Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked.
“Oh, yeah,” said the son.
“So what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.
The son answered, “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them.”
With this the boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are.”
Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don’t have. What is one person’s worthless object is another’s prize possession. It is all based on one’s perspective. Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for all the bounty we have, instead of worrying about wanting more.
Take joy in all you have, especially your family and friends.
We are thankful for all of the families in our Hathaway community!
We Earned a Class Golden Apple!
Learning About Differences in Health!
Fun Friday in 3AT!
From the Nurse
Hello Hathaway Families,
COVID-19 testing at school has been going smoothly. I am writing to share why it may benefit you to consent to symptomatic testing at school.
Symptomatic testing is done when a student whose parent/guardian has provided consent develops potential COVID-19 symptoms during the school day. Testing consists of a rapid test and then, if negative, a PCR test. Regardless of the rapid test results, students will be sent home to isolate- either because their rapid was positive or because their PCR is pending. Testing is available before 1 PM each day, which is when tests are picked up and brought to the lab. PCR test results are returned to the school nurse within 24-48 hours.
With consent, we can test your child before you pick them up. This means you can take your child home to rest and not need to worry about taking them to get tested after they are dismissed. Without consent, you are required to schedule their test and take them to go get tested. Providing consent can save you time and may decrease out-of-school days for your child.
REMINDER: This is for students who develop symptoms during the school day. In the interest of public health, no student should be sent to school with symptoms that developed while they were at home.
If you are interested but have not yet provided consent, you may click here to complete the google form. You may provide consent for asymptomatic testing, symptomatic testing, or both.
Please reach out to Alex with any questions that you may have.
Thank you!
Alexandra Doty, BSN, RN-BC
Yearbook Cover Contest
Hello Hathaway Families,
If your student would like to submit an entry for the 2021-2022 Hathaway Yearbook Cover Contest and hasn't done so already, please be sure to submit all entries by Monday, November 22nd.
We look forward to seeing your entries!
Community Meeting
Celebrating Hour of Code
We will be celebrating the National Hour of Code Week at Hathaway this year! All students at Hathaway will be completing coding activities during the week of 12/6 - 12/10. The activities will include plugged (online) and unplugged (offline) activities led by Vanessa, Margie, and me!
Grades K-2: Hour of Code activities in grades K-2 will be completed in Library classes.
Grades 3-4: In addition to the coding activities in Library classes, students in grades 3-4 will be Zooming with a software engineer from Raytheon. They will have the ability to ask questions and hear about life as a "real-life coder".
Grades 3-4: Teachers in grades 3-4 can book time with Ms. Brennan for an in-class robotics lesson.
It is sure to be a fun filled learning week for all!
Science of Reading
Games to Support Early Literacy - Check it out! There are many easy games to play to support early literacy! Happy Playing!
Safety Concerns
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Do any of these belong to you?
Aquidneck Land Trust's Art and Writing contest
Winners receive cash prizes and the school of the student can receive a $500 award for an environmental science curriculum. Here's a link for more info.
Hathaway Food Pantry
A great big thank you to our Hathaway community for supporting our annual Feinstein Food Drive! It was a great success and our students loved being a part of this community service project. We collected 691 items! Mr. Feinstein is generously donating one dollar per item to our Hathaway School!
In keeping with the spirit of giving, our Feinstein Jr. Scholars are excited to start an in-school food pantry that our students and families can donate to and access when needed.
Please help us as we continue to support our community by sending in food items with your child from time to time. Please email
Mrs. Almeida: almeida@portsmouthschoolsri.org or
Mrs. Pascoe: pascoen@portsmouthschoolsri.org
if you would like to access our food pantry during the school year.
Reminder: Home School Compact
Thank you to all who have completed the form outlining the Home School Compact. If you have not done so yet, please take a moment to read it with your child and complete the form. Our goal is to have 100% participation!
We are proud of our students and grateful for our community. At the beginning of each year, we take time to reflect on how we can best work together so that all children can reach their potential.
As a school, the staff at Hathaway Elementary will --
* convene an annual meeting to explain the Title 1 program to parents and inform them of their right to be involved in the program.
* involve parents in an organized, ongoing and timely way in planning, review and improvement of Hathaway’s Title 1 program.
* provide timely information about our Title 1 program to parents, describe the curricula, the student assessments and proficiency levels students are expected to meet, provide opportunities for regular meetings, respond promptly to parent suggestions.
* participate in professional development opportunities that improve teaching and learning and support the formation of partnerships with families and the community.
* provide assistance to parents in understanding the RI Common Core Standards.
* make school an accessible and welcoming place for students and their families.
provide a positive environment in which all students are capable of success... no exceptions!
Please take a moment to review the Hathaway Home School Compact with your child. Once reviewed and signed, indicate your child's class and hit submit.
HPTA News
HPTA Meeting
Don’t forget to join us at our next meeting on Tuesday, November 30th at 6:00pm (NOTICE DATE & TIME CHANGE) in the library. Check out minutes from our October meeting and our upcoming agenda!
Holiday Hullabaloo
Save the Date for our Holiday Hullabaloo on Saturday, December 4th from 9-1pm.
We are looking for finished homemade crafts representing winter holiday traditions from around the world, if you would like to donate items please email hathawayvis@gmail.com.
Holiday Hullabaloo Student Shopping Time Sign Up: This year we will be asking students wishing to shop at the Hullabaloo to sign up for a time to enter the shopping room.
Holiday Hullabaloo Volunteer Sign Up: We are looking for volunteers to help make the event a success. Please note that all volunteers will need to submit proof of vaccination. If you are NOT already a VIS approved volunteer then you can email your proof to hathawayvis@gmail.com.
Hullabaloo Kids Raffle Donations: We are looking for new toy donations ranging from $5-$20 for our kids raffle at the Hullabaloo. Donations can be sent to school with your child, dropped in the box in the main lobby vestibule, or there will be a donation box at Dollar General.
Springabaloo Committee
In March the HPTA will be hosting our annual Springabaloo Fundraiser. This is an adult only night out at the Glen Manor in Portsmouth with a live and silent auction. We are putting together a committee that will be planning the event and collecting donations for the auction. We hope to have our first planning meeting this fall. Please sign up to help make this event a success.
Please visit the school website for more information on volunteering. This process is completed annually to volunteer in the schools and the steps are outlined below.
Complete the google form
Complete the VIS Authorization Form and send in your child’s red folder or drop it off at Hathaway or the School Administration Building.
Fill out form and have notarized
Include a copy of the front and back of your driver’s license or passport
Include a copy of your proof of vaccination
$5 check payable to BCI
If you have any questions please email hathawayvis@gmail.com.
HPTA Board
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.
Reminders
Lunch Orders: Please remind your child that we need to order lunch for the next day. While we understand that sometimes it is a necessity to order on the day of, we ask that you review lunch choices so students are prepared to order one day ahead. Presently Chartwells is short staffed. Your understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Recess, Mask Breaks, and Outdoor Learning: With the colder weather approaching, we ask that students come to school with appropriate outdoor weather attire. We go out for recess, continue with our outdoor mask breaks, and head outside for learning as much as possible!
Pick Up: Pick up begins at 3:15. Be sure to have your placard visible. Please pull over to the side of Tallman Avenue to buckle up - this will help keep the line moving. If someone other than a parent is picking up, please let the main office know. Pick up ends at 3:30.
Thank you for your support in helping to make drop off and pick up run safely and efficiently.
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
November 23rd - Community Meeting, 2:00
November 24th-26th - Thanksgiving Break
November 30th - HPTA Meeting, 6:00 PM
December 4th - Hullabaloo, 9:00 AM
December 10th - Report Cards available on Aspen
December 15th - Early Release, 2:15
December 22nd - Community Meeting, 9:30
December 23rd - January 2nd - Holiday Break
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