Hess Happenings
Three Houses, One Home
Dates to Remember for August/September
- Thursday and Friday, September 1st and 2nd - Staff Professional Development.
- Tuesday, September 6, 2022 - First Day for Students - 8:50 am to 3:35 pm (expect delays with bus departure-we will send a Remind notification when buses depart the school)
- Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15, 2022 -October 15, 2022
- Constitution Week: September 16, 2022 to September 22, 2022
Hess School Summer Reading Challenge - Don't Forget!
Read 100 minutes and earn a homeroom pass
Read 300 minutes and earn a homework pass & special edition Hess School T-Shirt
Read 500 minutes or more and earn a homework pass, special edition Hess School T-Shirt, & be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a BRAND NEW CHROMEBOOK!
Need a new log? Click on the Important Document Section below.
HAPPY READING!
Meet the Hess Administrative Team
Hess Pride
Be Responsible
Be Respectful
Be Safe
Be Kind
Melanie Lamanteer
District Pride
Karl Kelchner
Assistant Principal
House A - Grades 2-5Melanie Lisitski
Grade 1
David Neff
Assistant Principal
Houses B & C - Grades 2-5Reflections of a School Principal: Looking Back . . . Moving Forward
“Adaptability to change is itself a hallmark of successful education.” - Peter Hilton
Life is full of changes, so much so that change really is the one true constant in life. Twenty-one years ago I sat in my living room to write my introduction to Hamilton Township families as the new Vice-Principal of the Hess School. My daughter was 3 years old at that time; my son had yet to be born. She was twirling around in the living room in her ballet tutu enjoying all that life had to offer. As I watched her I recall thinking that there was nothing better in life than watching your child learn and grow while being happy at the same time. Fast forward 21 years later, I find myself again sitting in a different living room writing an article for the inaugural issue of, “Hess Happenings”. My daughter, who is now 24, is in town for a short visit from her home in Florida. My son is 17 and preparing for his senior year in High School. . . and the changes continue.
Sometimes change comes out of the necessity to navigate circumstances that are out of our control. We all know too well about the required changes and mandates that were implemented in working to navigate through the COVID 19 Pandemic. We were forced to make changes which inevitably would change us as people; as educators. We changed, we adapted and we learned. . . and the changes continue.
The changes that are born out of choice with the understanding that positive impacts will result, are the changes that are more readily embraced. It is these changes that I would like to talk about for the 2022-2023 school year. We are excited to be welcoming our newest “hornets” to the building; both our incoming second graders, and for the first time, our first grade students of Hamilton Township. It has been, “all hands on deck” to ensure smooth sailing in the transition process. While there has always been collaboration between schools in the transition, having the first grade students in the physical building will certainly increase the ability to collaborate. It also creates a more seamless transition for families as students progress through their PreK through 8th grade education. We will be streamlining our communication with families by using the Hess Happenings Monthly Newsletter, Remind application and school website. Information that is sent via Remind will also be posted on the document section of the Hess School portion of the district website. I would encourage parents to review the posted student handbook and process for gaining access to the Genesis Parent Portal as well as the Remind application. Most importantly we will continue to provide and add to the learning opportunities that support the students in a manner that meets their academic and social emotional needs in an engaging, safe and supportive environment. We are implementing a more comprehensive student mentoring program. Next month we will introduce the the newest member of the Hess School Team . We are so excited to have him joining in support of our students!
The one constant is change; but my commitment to the students and families of Hamilton Township and my desire to work as a team remain constant. I, "Believe we can . . . Together", create the best learning environment for our children.
Respectfully yours,
Melanie E. Lamanteer
Principal
George L. Hess Educational Complex
Curriculum Spotlight
PBIS this month. . . .
We've Got Spirit, Yes We DO!
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Next Issue:
Student Spotlight
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Believe we can . . .Together
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